Chapter 80 : To the Demonic Realm (8)

“You know?”

“Yes. It’s famous. Aren’t you talking about it because you saw the recommended post that appeared on the Anonymous Bulletin Board yesterday?”

I never thought Yohan would mention the recommended post, so I couldn’t help but be slightly taken aback.

It wasn’t anything else, but for some reason, the feeling of sharing the same things I had seen and heard in this unfamiliar world felt strange.

It felt new all over again.

That the person in front of me right now was one of my sympathizers, who came from the same world as me.

“That’s right.”

“As expected……. I saw that too, and it was certainly interesting. It gave me a lot to think about.”

“Do you think the Newbie Hunter exists?”

“Yes.”

It was an answer without a moment’s hesitation.

To the point that I became curious about the reason.

“Why?”

“How should I put this……. The truth is, I’ve seen them once before, the Newbie Hunter.”

“You saw the Newbie Hunter?”

This was new information.

To think Yohan had encountered the Newbie Hunter…… It was something I hadn’t expected.

“Ah, of course, it’s not certain. But I just got a feeling. Ah, that person is the Newbie Hunter.”

“How did you run into them?”

“I didn’t run into them. I should say I was the only one who saw……. It was in the middle of a city.”

“The middle of a city? Then didn’t you witness a murder scene directly? But how were you certain it was the Newbie Hunter?”

At the barrage of questions, Yohan smiled lightly and spoke.

“I’d like to tell you everything I know, but I think we need to hurry right now. Would it be alright if I continued after the mutant hunt was over?”

“Ah, that’s right. Excuse me.”

“No. I was also quite interested in the Newbie Hunter. I understand why you’re curious.”

Yohan continued to speak.

“Still, I think I can tell you one thing. The Newbie Hunter…… might not be as heinous a person as the rumors say.”

“Aren’t they murderers?”

“That’s an undeniable fact, but I was thinking there might be room for extenuating circumstances.”

“That’s a strange thing to say.”

“Haha, I know. It made sense in my head, but now that I’ve said it out loud, it really does sound strange.”

Yohan smiled faintly.

“I don’t know if you’ll ever meet the Newbie Hunter, Luke, but please just know that.”

“I understand.”

“Then shall we go? I think it’ll be quite dangerous if we drag this out.”

I agreed with Yohan’s opinion by nodding slightly.

Because, just as he said, the time had truly come to leave the safe zone.

“Let’s go.”

It didn’t take long to pack up the sleeping bag spot and gather our things.

It was because we had been prepared to leave this place immediately in case of an emergency.

As expected, as soon as we left the safe zone, an unusual presence was felt from the Demonic Realm’s Sea of Trees.

Kung─!

Kung! Kung! Kung!

A vibration that shook the axis of the earth.

It meant that not just one or two, but countless demonic beasts were moving all at once.

“It’s the mutant. I’m sure.”

Yohan, not hiding his tension, gripped the spear he had drawn at some point.

Kung! Kung!

The sound gradually drew closer.

I, too, did not let down my guard, gripping the Fang of Blazing Fire tightly and preparing for the demonic beasts that would soon swarm us.

And.

[Kieeeeek!]

[Kruk! Krururuk!!!]

The giant shadows of the demonic beasts that burst through the bushes all at once were revealed.

“Be careful!”

Yohan shouted urgently, emitting snakes of demonic energy from his whole body.

In a touch-and-go situation.

“……Huh?”

The demonic beasts, which seemed like they would attack us at any moment, passed right by us as if we weren’t even in their sight.

“What is this……”

Yohan seemed dazed for a moment, but the real thing was just beginning.

“Get a grip. This is where it really starts.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s coming.”

The appearance of the demonic beasts we just saw was clearly abnormal.

If so, the culprit who created this abnormal situation must be right behind them.

[Grrruuuuu──!!!]

Along with that, a bizarre roar struck my eardrums like the Magic of the Celestial Sound.

“Ugh!”

“Cover your ears!”

Yohan and I both hurriedly covered our ears.

Thanks to Yohan protecting his eardrums with demonic energy, and I with the power of the Orb of Water, we fortunately avoided the disaster of losing our hearing from the surprise attack.

However, it wasn’t perfect, and streams of blood trickled from my and Yohan’s ears.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, yes? Ah, yes. For now.”

“That’s a relief. It’s coming.”

“Pardon? Ah.”

Kwaddeudeuk!!!

The giant tree in front of us fell as if it were completely uprooted, crashing down on us.

“Dodge!”

Yohan blocked my path and swung the spear shaft, which was wrapped in snakes of demonic energy.

Kuuuung!!!

The spear shaft, wrapped in demonic energy, knocked away the falling giant tree at once, and immediately after, we could see the form of the mutant revealed through the thick dust cloud.

【Lv.6】

【Head-tearing Bairaepseu】

“Is that the one? It looks absolutely filthy.”

“That’s right, that’s the mutant I fought.”

“So it seems.”

Just as Yohan said, the mutation was so severe that even I had a hard time identifying what species the Head-tearing Bairaepseu was.

No, really, what in the world was I supposed to call a demonic beast with two heads, five arms, and three legs.

‘Based on its size and main features, it looks like a Svaikun or a Mandreta……. The problem is, the mutation is too severe to pin it down as either one.’

A species, by nature, is bound to retain some of its original traces no matter how much of a mutant individual it is, but this mutant was so severely mutated that even those traces were almost impossible to find.

And to put that another way, it meant that the power of the fragment held by the mutant in front of me was also out of the ordinary.

I had seen many strong mutants among the mutants so far, but it was the first time I had seen a mutant that was severely mutated.

‘If it’s mutated to that extent, even if I figure out what species it is, it’s highly likely that the conventional methods won’t work.’

It meant that I could get into trouble by carelessly trying to apply existing common sense and methods against a mutant.

But there was no need to worry.

I could say with certainty, I was probably the person who had achieved the most ‘first hunt’ achievements in the World of Justice.

Dealing with a demonic beast with no information was not such a special thing for me.

[Kroooooooo!!!]

The Head-tearing Bairaepseu swung what I couldn’t tell was a tail or a tentacle at us.

“Be careful!”

Paaang!

Yohan’s spear, clad in demonic energy, collided with Bairaepseu’s body, and a deafening roar echoed in all directions.

And the clash continued.

At first glance, it looked like an even battle, but with each continued clash, Yohan’s demonic energy was being chipped away in chunks.

It was obvious he wouldn’t last long at this rate, but I couldn’t just jump in carelessly.

“Ugh……!”

While Yohan was dealing with the mutant for a moment, I quickly analyzed the mutant.

‘First, although it’s heavily mutated, seeing as it has a generation organ, it’s highly likely that it makes electricity-related attacks or has high resistance. I should refrain from using Nak’s Legacy.’

‘Looking at the sound wave attack from before, it wasn’t just a simple roar. It means it’s capable of an ultrasonic attack. I mustn’t neglect protecting my hearing.’

‘But as much as it’s severely mutated, there are parts of its movement that are unnatural. If I exploit this point, it might be possible.’

The strategy was set.

Hwarreuk!

Gripping the Fang of Blazing Fire tightly, I moved behind the mutant that was clashing fiercely with Yohan.

[Grrreureu……!]

Among the mutant’s eyes, of which I couldn’t tell how many there were, four gazes followed me.

It meant the mutant was also clearly aware of my presence.

But paradoxically, because it was clearly aware, it didn’t pay much attention to me.

As if I were weak prey that could be hunted at any time.

‘Anyway, these demonic beast bastards only judge by appearances.’

Of course, such instincts of the demonic beasts were a golden opportunity for me.

Puk!

The Fang of Blazing Fire stabbed into the mutant’s left leg.

[Geuuu!]

Many of the mutant’s gazes shifted towards me.

Tst, tstst!

Along with that, intense sparks began to shoot from one of the mutant’s tentacles.

It was the manifestation of the generation organ.

“Be careful!”

Yohan shouted urgently, but for me, it was just one of the things I had expected.

“Yes, I knew it.”

The fact that it left me alone despite being aware of my presence must have been confidence from having a definite countermeasure.

However, if there was one thing Bairaepseu didn’t know, it was that I was a person who lived with the schemes of demonic beasts on the palm of my hand.

[‘Nak’s Legacy─Jeon’ activates its power according to the wearer’s will.]

[‘Nak’s Legacy─Jeon’ deploys ‘Flashing Lightning’.]

A streak of electric shock passed me and struck the floor.

Accordingly, the electric shock that had shot up at me followed the path of the electric shock I had induced and plunged into the dirt floor.

Because it was an attack of the same electric shock attribute, it was a very easy task that didn’t require any grand defense, just guiding the flow of the current.

And, the Fang of Blazing Fire was still lodged in Bairaepseu’s leg.

‘If possible, I’d like to finish it for sure with a summary contract, but…… there’s probably no need for that.’

The Fang of Blazing Fire lodged in Bairaepseu’s leg began to dig even deeper.

Powerful magic was not needed.

It was only necessary to add one more thing to the blazing fire that the Fang of Blazing Fire originally held.

[Due to the ‘Postponer of Ruin (EX)’ trait effect, you inflict additional damage to targets with the Demonic attribute.]

[It is a very powerful Demonic! You inflict additional damage!]

[You inflict 2,500% additional damage!]

The power of the Postponer of Ruin, standing at the opposite pole of the Demonic, used the Fang of Blazing Fire as a medium and instantly devoured the Head-tearing Bairaepseu’s leg.

Absolute advantageous affinity.

Considering what an absurd contradiction the word ‘absolute’ was in the World of Justice, where everything had a price, the power of the Postponer of Ruin was certainly heterogeneous.

[Graaaaaak!!]

Bairaepseu, one of its legs instantly starting to be swallowed by the blazing fire, went berserk and swung all the weapons on its body indiscriminately.

Yohan did not miss that opening.

Puuk!

The spear, wrapped in demonic energy, pierced Bairaepseu’s chest, and the demonic energy coiled around the spear began to greedily devour Bairaepseu’s insides like a living snake.

[Greuk, grrreuk……!]

In the horrific experience of having its leg burned alive and its insides eaten away, even a mutant couldn’t hold out for long.

Kung!

[Named demonic beast, ‘Head-tearing Bairaepseu’ has been defeated!]

[You have punished the Demonic! Your understanding of the Demonic increases.]

The mutant finally fell, and Yohan also collapsed onto the spot as if falling.

“Hoo…… that wasn’t easy.”

Yohan’s entire body, which was gasping for breath, was covered in large and small wounds.

However, demonic energy soon covered those wounds, stopping any additional bleeding.

“Are you alright?”

“Thanks to you. If it weren’t for you, Luke, I would have missed it again. Or the one lying down would have been me, not the mutant.”

Yohan joked.

‘That aside…….’

Perhaps the increase in understanding of the Demonic wasn’t just for show, as I felt my control over the demonic energy I originally possessed had grown stronger.

‘It’ll be too much to materialize and handle it like Yohan, but…… if the demonic energy gets just a little stronger, it might be possible.’

After finishing my brief thoughts, I stood with Yohan in front of the mutant’s carcass.

It was now time to dress the mutant’s carcass and collect the byproducts, including the fragment.

“Is it alright if I do it?”

“Ah, are you sure?”

“Yes. I’ve done it often.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

To be honest, there was also the fact that I was reluctant to hand over a fragment from a mutant of this level to Yohan.

No matter how good a person Yohan was, he had stated that the fragment was his goal, so it was necessary to prepare for the ‘what if’.

Pulling out the Fang of Blazing Fire that was lodged in Bairaepseu’s thigh, I began to carve out the fragment that was jutting out like a deer’s antler.

Sg-geok, sg-geok…….

The high heat contained in the Fang of Blazing Fire allows it to cut things that are hard to cut with even a decent masterwork sword.

Therefore, the dressing was not difficult, and I pulled out the fragment that was embedded in the mutant.

‘At this size, this must be the biggest fragment I’ve seen from a mutant so far.’

A level that naturally drew admiration.

The moment I was briefly wondering how to neatly divide this huge thing 6 to 4.

An anomaly occurred.

Hwirak!

Something had snatched the fragment from my hand at once.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

“What……”

Finding the culprit was not that difficult.

Because the culprit that had suddenly snatched the fragment was none other than the snake of demonic energy that had shot out from Yohan’s chest.

“What are you doing right now?”

“……Huh? No, why is this on me……! Wait, something’s……!”

Yohan couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

In the midst of this all-too-heterogeneous scene, the snake of demonic energy that grew from Yohan didn’t stop, and began to greedily devour the fragment.

Kkadeuk, kkadeuk……!

“It’s, it’s not me! This is─”

I knew.

That was not the proper way for a Player to absorb a fragment.

Didn’t that scene look as if the demonic energy was forcibly chewing the fragment and ingesting its power?

‘I have to stop it.’

My instincts warned me.

That if I couldn’t stop that right now, something would happen.

As soon as I felt that fact, I threw the Fang of Blazing Fire at Yohan.

Shwaaaaaaek!

Kang!

The Fang of Blazing Fire, which flew through the air, was soon pathetically knocked away by the immense demonic energy that gushed out as if it were rampaging.

“Run, run away! Any more, any longer…… Kkeueuk.”

Yohan’s eyes, which had been clear just a moment ago, gradually turned turbid.

The trace of Demonic.

I never thought I would see in a human the phenomenon that could only be seen in a few Servants of Demonic, including demons.

“Ah, Oh, Lord……!”

To be honest, it wasn’t that I hadn’t anticipated the dangers of demonic energy.

Even though I had inwardly thought that this kind of thing could happen at any time, the reason I let it be was because of a kind of anticipation.

I had hoped.

The hope that perhaps, if it was a person like Yohan, if it was Yohan, he might be able to withstand the corrosion by demonic energy.

One of the reasons I had come to hold such an expectation was probably because of Yohan, who had shown a sound appearance despite handling demonic energy.

In the end, it was a mistaken hope.

“……”

Yohan’s eyes, finally completely stained with darkness, looked at me.

No, I wondered if that could even be described as ‘looking’.

“Yohan?”

Yohan’s lips finally began to move slowly.

“By God’s grace I have received eternal life This world is full of useless temptations but I stand strong in faith Even though this world’s tribulations come I will overcome with the Lord and enjoy peaceful life in the eternal kingdom The Lord’s love is the source of my strength and happiness and all my actions are an expression of obedience to follow the Lord’s will.”

In the pure madness that I couldn’t dare to express in words, I felt it.

“Even though the world is dark and stained with sin I press onward toward the Lord’s light The Lord’s word is my path and my strength Even though temptation is in front of my eyes I will walk forward toward the Lord’s grace and truth The riches and honor of this world are temporary but in eternal happiness awaits in the Lord’s kingdom I do not belong to the world and as a Follower of Christ living for the Lord I will walk the glorious path.”

That even the person who was once the most upright.

Could not overcome the Demonic.

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