Chapter 275
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 275
Chapter Title: Lesson 53. Equivalent Exchange - 7
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Nameless.
The platinum member of Level Force, Rebellion's fan club, and the man who had appeared during the recent Earth defense battle and provided tremendous aid.
The moment he revealed himself, a heavy pressure crushed the entire area.
Even knowing he was merely a puppet and not his true body, Ban Yu-won still felt overwhelmed anew, forcing a bitter smile.
Questions arose—why had he followed their trail, and why appear here at this exact moment?—but first and foremost came a sense of relief.
After all, Nameless was one of the strongest people Ban Yu-won had ever witnessed.
"Good call following us? No... the opposite."
Even with such a figure before him, the Demon King maintained his leisurely demeanor.
If Nameless had brought his true body, it would've been impossible, but his utter ignorance was utterly repulsive.
"I provoked you because I knew you'd followed. I saw you hovering over that child."
"Hah."
Nameless snorted and drew his sword.
"In that case, fine. I'll crush you just as you desire."
"If I rip out your heart and claim your blood and flesh, my Blood Demonic Power will advance another step!"
The moment the absolute powerhouses exchanged glances, by coincidence, Ban Yu-won and Aire locked eyes as well.
Sharing the same thought, the two nodded and simultaneously unleashed their abilities.
[Barrier]
[Protection]
[Defense]
[Isolation]
[Vajra]
In an instant, every defensive concept Ban Yu-won possessed or could manifest poured out, enveloping the entire group in a golden sphere of protection. Aire's magic then wrapped around it, completing a far sturdier shield.
And then she teleported the whole thing away... The next moment, the group was atop the tallest tower of the Demon King's castle.
"We're alive."
"Nice teamwork."
Ban Yu-won hadn't used spatial translocation himself because the magic flows inside the Demon King's castle were too turbulent; he lacked confidence in transporting the others besides himself.
Aire, on the other hand? Though her spatial manipulation was inferior to his, the sheer magnitude of magic she could unleash in one burst dwarfed his own, allowing her to brute-force through the castle's magical resistance.
It was true dragon magic.
—Kwaaaaaang!
The very moment they reached safety, an explosion erupted below.
Glancing reflexively downward, they saw the space torn open, revealing the two monsters clashing weapons in the cleared plaza that had once been the Demon King's audience chamber.
"Why can we see that right now?"
"Because all the buildings below us got blown away?"
"Demon King's castles never know peace in any media, but still..."
Ban Yu-won shrugged at Lucelle's calm reply and peered below.
The elite soldiers who had surrounded them on the Demon King's orders hadn't escaped in time nor received protection, so now they littered the ruins as pools of blood and scattered bones.
Each one had easily surpassed level 100, yet they'd been reduced to that in a single moment.
"They're all dead."
"The Demon King killed them on purpose."
Shati spoke in a cold voice devoid of her usual playfulness.
"Evil Knights— the Demon King's ever-present bodyguards. But their true purpose is to offer themselves as sacrifices in emergencies, boosting his Blood Demonic Power. Batteries."
"Why is everything about Blood Demonic Power such a pain from one to ten?"
"That's why I said I don't need it. More importantly..."
Shati's sharp gaze flicked between Ban Yu-won and Dokgo Yeon, who seemed somewhat dazed.
"Who the hell is that guy? How's he holding his own against the Demon King even after sacrificing all the Evil Knights?"
Boom, kwaang! Each clash between the two men sent shockwaves rumbling through heaven and earth.
The greatsword in the Demon King's hand was a superior artifact in raw destructive power even to Shati's royal scepter, yet Nameless's plain longsword blocked it effortlessly.
Not only that—despite the Demon King's flawless authority ripping open the air to unleash massive swords and black dragons with gaping maws lunging from all sides, Nameless casually swung his blade, slicing them apart with ease. It proved his superiority over the Demon King.
"A mercenary your junior personally hired? No, even Rebellion's channel couldn't afford someone like that. With that skill, he could conquer an entire dimension."
"Yes."
Dokgo Yeon, who had been covering her face with both hands, quietly affirmed.
"He is the lord of a dimension."
"...Huh?"
Unable to bear the embarrassment, she kept her face firmly guarded and continued in a small voice.
"He is also, in a sense, my father."
"...Ah?"
The air froze solid.
In truth, Ban Yu-won had somewhat anticipated it. Nameless's combat prowess during the Earth defense battle had seemed rooted in martial arts, and it was improbable for such a powerhouse to be Rebellion's fan without some twist. Plus, he'd been cheering for another member—not Ban Yu-won—which pointed straight to the martial arts-connected one among them.
...Still, suspecting and hearing it directly were worlds apart.
His agitation didn't faze Dokgo Yeon.
"I had no idea. He never showed interest in outer dimensions, so how... No, I suspected once I knew of your existence, but I never dreamed he'd venture out using sorcery."
"C-calm down. Y-You're fine, so calm down!"
Seeing the ever-cool and composed Dokgo Yeon so flustered was rare outside matters involving Ban Yu-won.
Her hands trembled faintly in panic until she finally clutched her head and curled up within the barrier.
"H-he must have seen me holding your hand. Men and women keep their distance, and for an unmarried pair to be seen hand-in-hand...!"
"Why's a Joseon-era ghost possessing her all of a sudden?"
"No one here hasn't held hands with the junior at this point, and now she makes us all look like weirdos..."
Even Shati, who had been racking her brain and prepared to risk her life if needed, lost her edge at Dokgo Yeon's display.
"Maybe it's just that her master is a playboy?"
"Shh."
"...I haven't held hands, though."
"Aire, why are you getting competitive there...?"
Dokgo Yeon had hesitated noticeably when holding hands earlier; her notions of chastity were unusually strict.
It would've been nice to simply enjoy the cute sight, but...
Considering who had instilled those strict notions, Ban Yu-won wanted to curl up beside her and cry.
Then another massive boom resounded.
—Kwa-gwagwagwang! Ujijik, kwang!
Whatever the students pushed to the sidelines thought, the situation intensified: not just the Demon King's castle, but the outer walls protecting it were drawn into a massive wave of destruction.
"Kahaha! When will I get another chance to fight a powerhouse like this?!"
"Madman, is your vision clouded by the blood filling your eyes, unable to distinguish illusion from reality?"
Each time the Demon King swung his greatsword with booming laughter, a star-shattering force swept the area. Nameless deflected it with light swordplay, then struck a lethal blow at an opening.
Seemingly linear, it was an unavoidable authority.
Kwa-gwagwa— A pitch-black energy surged along the sword's path, devouring all surrounding magic and freezing every physical and magical force in an exclusion field.
"Kuh— Kahat!"
Knowing evasion impossible, the Demon King hastily raised an ice shield that barely blocked it, but the unabsorbed shock rippled outward as a cold-infused wave, triggering an earthquake.
His shield arm twitched faintly, but he ignored it, baring his teeth in a grin once more.
"Strong indeed! And that magic—unlike any I've seen! Teach me your divine art!"
"Think you can learn if I teach? Divine arts require a vessel worthy of martial learning first."
"Kaha, then what of the countless 'divine arts' spread across those dimensions?"
"Fine... You want blood, then."
That was as far as Ban Yu-won could visually track their exchange.
Though trading venomous words while probing each other, the moment the Demon King mentioned "divine art," they plunged into combat so profound even Ban Yu-won— who grasped flows of concepts— couldn't follow.
In wuxia tales, one might gain enlightenment watching masters clash, but here, not getting swept away barrier and all would be fortunate.
He could only guess the battle's progress from the humming sonic waves and collapsing structures everywhere.
It was crumbling.
Not just homes or society—a nation's foundation was collapsing entirely.
"Thinking that after this fight ends, it'll be me crumbling instead of the Demon King's castle... kinda bittersweet."
"Exactly— if you'd been faithful to me from the start, this wouldn't happen."
Mira snorted at Ban Yu-won's despairing mutter.
When the Demon King first bared his fangs, she'd planned to snatch Ban Yu-won and flee, but Nameless's arrival eased her tension.
Of course, not entirely optimistic; she nocked a violet-tipped arrow on her bow, aiming bravely at the Demon King.
...Whether it'd hit was another question.
"That shield's impressive. An artifact that converts shock to cold and wields it—even surpassing constellation authorities."
Meanwhile, Aire—who'd never been tense—eyed the Demon King's ice shield with fascination.
"If he beats the Demon King, can I buy the shield? I've got plenty of money..."
"Aire, you're sounding more draconic lately."
"...Dokgo Yeon, I have a question."
As everyone relaxed somewhat, Lucelle called Dokgo Yeon's name.
"Can we really relax like this? Shouldn't we escape while we can?"
"That's..."
Resolve returned to Dokgo Yeon's timid eyes.
Her expression sharpened once more.
"Are you doubting the Cult Leader's power, or his intentions?"
"He said it's not his true body. I don't know what he means to you. Answer objectively, please."
"Fair, if you knew nothing, you'd worry. ...But Lucelle, I say this clearly here: the Cult Leader never loses."
The instant Dokgo Yeon declared it firmly—
Thud-kwang— With a savage boom, the Demon King slammed deep into the earth.
His greatsword snapped cleanly in half, and the ice shield shattered into countless ice crystals scattering everywhere.
Even without his true body, Nameless claimed perfect victory, planting a foot on the Demon King's head as he spoke.
"I'll make you an offer you can't refuse."
"Kahahahahaha!"
Nameless pressed down gradually, speaking in an emotionless voice.
Even knowing a bit more force would crush his skull, the Demon King erupted in mad laughter.
"Spare me, and I'll heed any words for now... But if I survive, I'll come kill you later!"
"Fine. You get a rematch. But until then, you won't oppose me or leave this land."
"Oh? Not telling me to cooperate with your daughter?"
"Hah."
Nameless snorted, glancing at his daughter within the aerial barrier— the Divine Cult's Dragon Slayer Unit Leader and Vice Cult Leader.
She'd shaken off her embarrassment, meeting his gaze proudly— though unaware her ears burned bright red.
Which only made her cuter.
"The Divine Cult's Vice Cult Leader begs no aid from others. She'll claim what she desires herself."
"Herself? That group's center seems to be that young punk."
No need to specify who.
But Nameless, having long guessed Dokgo Yeon and Ban Yu-won's bond, laughed again.
"You misunderstand. I said she'll claim what she desires herself."
"—Ha! The Heavenly Demon, fearing none in the universe, picks him as a son-in-law. Now I'm curious..."
"Want to die for real this time?"
As the man called Heavenly Demon drew his sword again, the Demon King raised both hands and backpedaled.
"Fine, total defeat! Take whatever you want! Hear that, daughter?!"
"Of course!"
Shati gripped her scepter, boldly exiting the barrier and landing gracefully amid the Demon King's castle ruins, head held high.
"Using every connection or means to win—that's Evil Hall's motto. I win, so per our deal, I take all the Black Magic Soldiers. Wait, you picked a fight even after I met your demands. Time for extra compensation."
But first, greetings to my benefactor— she turned elegantly, only to find the black-clad man who had dominated the area moments ago already gone.
Shati blinked in confusion.
Watching from above, Ban Yu-won thankfully caught it this time.
Nameless hadn't simply vanished.
The massive magic forming his avatar turned in a blink into black shackles, binding the Demon King before melting into his body.
Having clearly sensed [Contract] and [Restraint] within, it was surely the enforcement for their pact.
'Knew since he appeared as an avatar, but beyond raw power, his prowess in magic... no, sorcery, is exceptional.'
An A-4 dimension's absolute powerhouse, yet subdued and bound.
As Ban Yu-won marveled, tongue clicking—
—What transpired today is unspoken. But touch that child before marriage, and I will sever it.
It was Nameless's voice.
Chills racing over him, Ban Yu-won whipped around, but Lucelle looked puzzled.
"What's wrong, Master?"
"Didn't hear? Right, it's protagonist-only hearing by rule..."
Gazing at Dokgo Yeon with drained expression, she met his eyes.
"H-he left? Good, I thought you'd get an earful..."
"Yeah? Uh, yeah... lucky."
He'd at least wanted to know what would be severed.
Ban Yu-won sighed, thinking becoming a son-in-law to please that doting father would be a thorny path.