Chapter 214: Conference (6)

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A vessel.

Carl processed what Ventu had said.

‘Mana Beads are not much different from the spiritual elixirs of the Central Plains.’

It was only natural, given that they were modeled after those elixirs to begin with.

They granted a large quantity of mana upon ingestion or increased one’s internal mana reserves.

The Black Beads were likely the version that converted mana into demonic energy.

That was why they caused such a transformation of the body, turning one into a monster or a Demon Human.

‘The difference between becoming a monster and a Demon Human depends on how well one can control the demonic energy that enters the body.’

Carl instantly analyzed their condition.

Those who consumed Black Beads in the previous conference room failed to control the demonic energy that entered their bodies and were consumed to the bone.

That was why they became monsters who lost their reason and were driven solely by instinct.

But those who appeared now were at least practitioners who had reached a certain level.

By gathering the demonic energy in their hearts, they transformed from human to Demon Human, as if they had made a pact with a demon.

“…I see. So, the vessel is a tool for summoning a high-ranking demon.”

“Correct.”

Ventu nodded with a satisfied expression.

Despite the significance of the information, he seemed unconcerned about sharing it with Carl.

“No matter how strong a human is, it’s quite a burden to host a high-ranking demon or demonkin. That’s why Demon Humans are created. The body must be trained to adapt to demonic energy, forming a vessel for descent. But thanks to the Black Beads, that process has been significantly shortened.”

As long as one could control the demonic energy, the vessel could be completed simply by consumption.

“There’s no longer a need to fuss over royal or noble bloodlines. So, allow me to make a proposal…”

With a grin, Ventu reached out his hand.

“What do you say? Would you consider using your talents for the sake of the Great Ones? Honestly, with your abilities, you’d rise far higher than someone like me. You might even be appointed to an important position.”

“What if I sat in that position and cut off your head?”

“Then I’d quietly die. It would be a sacrifice for the greater good.”

Ventu shrugged as if to say, ‘What can you do?’

Carl let out a dry laugh, sensing genuine sincerity in those words.

“Madness. To rely on and be swayed by something like demons or demonkin.”

“At least they’re better than insignificant humans. Look at me. Do I look like someone who’s accomplished great things? Yet now I stand in the heart of a grand vortex. Watching the flow change with a mere gesture of my hand is utterly delightful. I might just be one cog in the machine, but still, that’s something.”

“You’re completely mad. To be satisfied with a life of being used.”

Carl saw his former self in Ventu.

A life devoted to being an assassin.

Though he had realized late in life that he had merely been used and sought revenge, it ultimately led to a miserable end.

Ventu, who had given even his soul to a demon, would surely meet an even worse fate.

“This is the future I chose. And to survive in this damned world, one must be mad to this extent. That’s what I believe.”

At Ventu’s signal, the Demon Humans stepped forward.

Carl raised his sword and fully channeled the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

He had no intention of using Divinity.

Though it was a natural counter to demonic energy, it still lacked in many aspects compared to other powers.

Boom—!

The momentum of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art crushed inward, exerting pressure.

The Demon Humans were also near-master-level combatants.

Knowing they would die if they approached carelessly, they stayed alert with swords drawn.

Swish.

Meanwhile, Ventu dashed backward and fled the scene.

That even Demon Humans of such skill could be used as mere bait suggested the importance of his role.

‘Makes sense. This place seems to be the origin of the Black Beads.’

Carl exhaled briefly and kicked off the ground with force.

The five Demon Humans blocking his path responded simultaneously, but Carl unleashed his restrained strength and filled the air with sharp trajectories.

Shwipshwipshwip—!

It would have startled Instructor Frahan if he had seen it.

Carl had intentionally displayed only part of his strength atop the mansion earlier.

That way, he could lower Instructor Frahan’s guard and track the group more easily.

Tktktktk.

The Demon Humans, torn to pieces by countless slashes, fell in fragments.

Unless they had demonkin-level regeneration, they would not recover from that state.

Thus, Carl kicked off again in pursuit of Ventu.

Fwoosh!

But not long after, a sharp sonic burst caught his senses.

Whether it had been activated beforehand or not, traps began appearing throughout the passage.

Brushing aside the falling rain of blades, Carl sped through the corridor.

Rumble rumble rumble.

A vibration, like an earthquake, swept the area as if the entire place was set to collapse.

At the same time, cracks formed in the ceiling, and it began to cave in from the far end.

“Tch.”

If he were buried in such a place, it would take considerable time to escape.

Fwish!

That’s why Carl sprinted at full power through the collapsing passage.

When he finally reached the end, he instinctively twisted his head to dodge a surging attack.

Shhk!

A few strands of hair were sliced and fluttered through the air.

Carl, coming to a halt on the floor, examined the opponent who greeted him.

“……”

It was a man wearing a black mask, just like the others.

“Was it you? The one who disturbed my sleep? I was resting nicely, and now you’ve gone and pissed me off.”

The man, speaking irritably, scratched his head and gripped his spear.

It seemed he had been sent by Ventu to block Carl’s path.

‘Seems a bit excessive for merely blocking my way.’

He was at least twice as powerful as all the Demon Humans Carl had fought inside.

Carl silently tilted his sword and drew upon the demonic energy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

“Aura Blade. So you’re a so-called master, huh? Well, even masters have their tiers.”

Fwip—!

As the man spoke, he lunged forward.

His thrusts, so fast they were hard to follow with the eye, aimed for Carl’s vitals, but Carl stepped with Dark Flow Footwork and deflected every strike.

Clang! Clang clang clang!

Sparks of yellow light scattered.

The numbing of Carl’s hands told him that he couldn’t defeat this opponent with half-hearted effort.

“Huh?”

The man also seemed surprised, showing his reaction behind the mask.

“What the hell are you?”

“You came without knowing?”

“I just came because I was asked to take down whatever came out of here.”

“From the looks of it, you’re not a Demon Human.”

“I’m working with those guys, sure, but I’m not a Demon Human. I’m not weak enough to sell my life for something that filthy.”

Carl nodded.

At the very least, that man had the qualifications to make such a claim.

Just based on the strength he’d shown so far, he was on par with Instructor Frahan.

‘Where is he from?’

Was there another powerhouse like that in Althausen?

Or was he brought in from the outside?

Either way, it revealed that Origin had more formidable assets than Carl had initially assumed.

‘Even so.’

Carl had no intention of letting him off.

He had already applied the Thousand-Mile Tracking Fragrance on Ventu.

He planned to follow just close enough to keep up, then completely obliterate every path Ventu took.

Spending a bit of time grappling with this man wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Swish.

Carl’s figure melted into the darkness.

The man standing there with a spear suddenly furrowed his brow behind the mask and spoke.

“An assassin? You’re dead. The thing I hate most after Demon Humans is assassins.”

Clang!

A sword thrust from behind clashed against his spear and bounced away.

Carl backed off and widened the distance again, asking with a curious tone.

“If you hate Demon Humans, why are you working with them?”

“Why else? It’s all because of this.”

The man made a round gesture with his fingers.

It meant money.

‘Fair enough.’

If someone this strong was being swayed, then money must be the only reason.

That meant it was worth trying to exploit that point.

“How much were you paid?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I’ll pay you double if you join me.”

“……”

The man stopped moving.

It felt like he was trying to assess whether Carl’s offer was genuine.

“……Why bother? You look like you’re quite capable yourself. Wouldn’t it be easier to just beat me and move on?”

“Recruiting talent is a personal preference of mine.”

A relationship built on money wasn’t bad either.

Eventually, once they were immersed in NOX, he could just brainwash them using the Soul-Seizing Technique.

In fact, a few members had already been brought into NOX through similar methods.

Of course, Carl had no real intention of bringing this man deep into NOX, but he might serve as a useful card when attacking Origin.

“…Tempting, but I don’t think I can. Unfortunately, this job has some conditions attached to it.”

“Then that’s unfortunate.”

Fwoosh.

Carl’s energy shifted in an instant.

From Heavenly Demon Divine Art to Primordial Unity Divine Art.

He had already bought Ventu enough time to flee, so there was no longer any need to indulge this man’s whims.

Boom—!

Sword and spear collided.

The impact was completely different from before, and the man exhaled sharply as he was forced backward.

“Your strength…!”

“This is a lesson I’m passing on. Whenever you encounter an unknown enemy, hide thirty percent of your strength.”

It was a famous saying passed down in the martial world.

Until you’re on the brink of death, hide thirty percent of your true strength.

Carl had followed that rule during his past life as the Unkillable.

Thanks to that, he’d been able to take the likes of Naraksal, who had taken his life, down with him.

Boom!

Even if the Primordial Unity Divine Art wasn’t as advanced as other arts, its sheer power was incomparable.

It wasn’t called the martial art of the Divine Warrior for nothing—despite also being a master-level fighter, the man struggled just to block Carl’s single strike.

“…Kuh.”

The man, pushed back in disgrace, barely managed to halt his retreat.

Realizing it couldn’t go on like this, he changed his grip and took a new stance.

“Alright, let’s do this properly.”

“Better show everything now. There won’t be a next time.”

Carl had decided to end the fight with his next move.

He gripped his sword and began to gather the energy of chaos again.

Fwit—!

The man’s figure disappeared.

Literally vanished.

It wasn’t that he had slipped into a blind spot or hidden in the shadows like Carl would.

“Ha.”

The man had run—dashing far into the distance in an instant.

He had given up on the fight and chosen to flee.

Carl let out a short, amused laugh at that sight and kicked off the ground once more.

“At least he’s not an idiot.”

It had been an unwinnable fight from the start.

The moment he faced off against the Primordial Unity Divine Art, the man must have realized it.

His life was in danger, so abandoning the request and running was the best choice he could make.

‘I left the Thousand-Mile Tracking Fragrance on him too, so I’ll figure out who he is later.’

It seemed Carl had found a rather interesting individual.

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