25
“It seems like you have quite the eye.”
He stopped his light steps as he approached, then pulled back the hood of his robe entirely.
It was a familiar face.
But the expression was different.
The crimson eyes, the glasses, and above all, that sneering laugh.
A mocking, subtly high-pitched tone.
It was like seeing the ‘real’ newbie crusher I had encountered thousands of times in the game, like ‘Melwood Elion’.
“How did you know?”
How could you have known?
Well.
“The ‘him’ I know doesn’t make such inefficient movements. Furthermore, he’s someone who can’t even use ‘dark elemental magic’ with his own abilities.”
The one who had taken over Melwood’s body laughed mockingly at my words.
“It seems you know quite a bit about my host.”
“Not just your host. I know quite a bit about you too.”
The expression of ‘not Melwood’ hardened at my words.
“Then do you know who I am…?”
“A demon.”
“hahahaha, a shame, but…”
“…listen to the end. A demon is an idea born from the fusion of the owner’s emotions and sentiments long used by demons. Am I wrong? No, judging by your expression, it seems I hit the mark.”
His expression solidified.
Anyway, it’s polite to listen to adults till the end, young man.
“All demons are currently stuck under this academy. The idea of demons roaming around here alive is absurd in itself.”
Silence.
I heard the sound of teeth grinding fiercely in front of me.
“…Do you know why we are all stuck in this damp underground floor…?”
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Do you think I wouldn’t know even that much?
Listen carefully.
“It’s all thanks to my ancestor, the warrior Repelheit, and the great former emperor, Leibarke Sarenius.”
This is why there is a ‘descendant of the Primordial War God’ in my skills, which is not funny, and why there is a ‘descendant of the Primordial’ even for Ebnees.
“The Repelheit family were descendants of warriors and were the right arms of the royal family for generations.”
This is a fact proudly stated in the lore book.
Before the establishment of the Salenium Academy.
So, a very distant past.
The mythical era where humans, elves, dwarves, and demons simmered in one place.
The ancestors of Repelheit, as chosen warriors, stood at the forefront alongside Leibarke Sarenius, the former emperor who was a relative, defeating and sealing demons on the battlefield during the mythical era.
“Did you put everyone here to sleep except me because of that?”
Even if it’s just remnants, even if it’s a concept, its essence belongs to the demons.
I am Repelheit, who is no different from the enemies of demons.
“…Yes, that damn blonde, with those blue eyes. The memory of the old master still lingers in my mind and won’t be forgotten.”
He, in this place, has put everyone to sleep just to kill me alone.
However, there is one thing that I don’t understand.
“There’s something I’m curious about.”
“…What is it?”
“Why wasn’t that kid awakened? Even though he might be inferior, that kid is also a Repelheight like me.”
The demon, whose gaze turned to where I pointed, smirked.
“I simply thought it wouldn’t be too late to deal with him after killing you first.
Hmm.
Or, it could be that.
A Repelheight who got overshadowed by a mere Chulcheonjiwonsoo like a marionette.
Good luck, Ebnis.
But why me of all people?
“My physical abilities, from strength to magic, can’t be underestimated.”
“Repelheight didn’t seem that strong either. He was a man who didn’t appear powerful at all. But that’s why we let our guard down and were defeated. So, I will kill you here for revenge.”
Well, if that’s how it’s going to be.
“Whatever happened to Melwood Elion?”
“The host’s soul simply fainted after being unable to overcome consecutive subordinates. That’s how I could come ‘out’.”
So.
In the original, he couldn’t cut through magical hands, only dodge or block them.
But unlike the original, we eventually cut all his hands.
When the real Melwood, who couldn’t bear the pain, fainted, his consciousness naturally emerged and took control of the body.
I roughly understood.
But here, yes, it’s centuries of revenge. Take your time. I have no intention of giving in.
Let’s loosen up a bit after a long time.
I feel like I can genuinely face this.
“The path to the nightmare forced me into sleep for 10 minutes in real time.”
10 minutes.
No, to be precise, 9:55:47.
That’s what came out after rechecking.
It’s close.
I should be able to endure with a stamina of 5.
The only issue is that even if I can endure, I can’t insert a wide enough gap to handle this guy alone.
Literally, just enduring is the limit.
So, while I hold this guy and endure, my awakened comrades need to move quickly to provide support.
It’s okay.
Once they wake up, Reyna will quickly assess the situation and help me.
“Unless they are high-ranking demons, the battle patterns of demon mages are all the same. The movements of the small fries are just copy levels.”
I put the spirit wood branch I was holding back into my pocket.
“Just so you know, surrender is not an option. You will die right where you stand.”
“You’re babbling a lot.”
I drew a short sword from my bosom.
To me now, this is the most comfortable weapon.
A short sword contained in a leather sheath.
Gripping the hilt in reverse, I slowly moved forward, drew the short sword, and discarded the sheath.
“Discarding the branch of the spirit tree and holding a sword to that extent. I wonder what kind of sword it is….”
“It’s just a short sword.”
My face reflected on the blue blade.
“Selling for 30,000 Ellens at the miscellaneous store.”
Immediately after.
The guy and I both hit the ground simultaneously.
“[Dark Element Magic: Malediction]”
A dark crimson magic circle with flickering darkness spread widely, releasing numerous dark bullets pouring down on me.
Forming a fan-shaped barrage attack, even one hit is lethal for a body with 5 health points.
No, perhaps it’s an instant death.
Feeling my heart pounding, I chuckled lightly.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
The fan-shaped barrage, being a wide-area attack, is extremely difficult to dodge.
But who am I?
“[Low-rank Wind Element Magic: Wind Blade]”
The Wind Blade, raised to level 3, compresses and bursts the wind, having ‘explosiveness’ at that moment.
Just like when I cast a spell into the air to make Evnis retreat.
As I leaped, I consecutively detonated Wind Blades on the ground twice, lifting into the sky.
“Huh.”
“Always move beyond the opponent’s expectations. My maxim.”
Once again, manifesting Wind Blades behind me, leaping into the air.
While flying, I used ‘Fireball’ at the spot where the guy was.
If you don’t have many cards, utilize the ones you have to the fullest.
The attack ‘hehehe Dark Bullet Launch!’ is an area-of-effect spell, but if you move midway or take damage, it stops.
Flames surged where the guy was, and I adjusted the short sword in midair, descending downward.
The guy, evading the short sword, immediately cast a spell, but I got closer and swung the short sword sideways.
A battle with a mage.
When facing a human-type, even a mage-type boss in Salemium Saga, the most crucial thing is.
Of course, not giving the opponent the ‘distance’ and ‘time’ to cast spells.
Whether it’s 1 or 2 damage, it doesn’t matter.
The crucial thing is to ‘attack’ relentlessly without a break.
Not even allowing a moment to cast spells.
Retreat, close the gap, follow closely, and keep bending.
The tip of my short sword grazed the guy’s collar.
Brushing against the leg, slashing under the chin.
“Argh…!”
“I am sorry for causing trouble to Melwood.”
Although the damage may be minor, my attacks land.
However, his attacks are ineffective.
The reason is simple.
“A surprise stab from the lower right, a thrust from above, a downward slash followed by an upward cut, a spell from the upper left. And you were thinking of a frontal thrust just now.”
“…!”
“Don’t be so surprised.”
The dark magic emanating from his hand grazed right in front of my eyes.
Of course, it was deliberately used to create distance.
As his attacks continued to be blocked, he grew furious.
“This, this is unbelievable!”
What’s unbelievable.
It takes a pro to make this believable.
Adjusting the dagger wielded in reverse, I swung it down from above.
Swinging sideways, jumping.
After dodging the black elemental mass of darkness flying towards me, I attacked again.
I dropped the dagger in the middle, picked it up again to stab, slash, retreat, cast a spell, and charge.
“Why, why can’t I hit you!”
“It’s not that you can’t hit me.”
I said emotionlessly while swinging the dagger.
“It’s that I see through you.”
A demon magician.
Not a monster, but a ‘demon,’ doesn’t appear until Act 3 at the earliest.
Though they are low-ranking demons living in the depths of ‘Salenium’s darkness’ without much significance.
Those who have been causing trouble since the age of myths are all long imprisoned under this academy.
To meet them, you have to progress through the ‘Conquest of the 9th Floor of the Demon Realm,’ the end content and ending condition, where you’ll encounter Lycanslopes or demon magicians like the ones you faced last time, pouring out like cannon fodder.
So, users who are somewhat stuck in Salenium’s saga can’t help but memorize their patterns.
“Why! Why on earth…!”
“If you want to vent your grievances.”
The thick robe he was wearing tore apart with my single sword strike, splitting into halves by the second, then shredded by the third.
I inserted my elbow into the exposed abdomen, struck his temple with the dagger handle, and kicked him away.
Even with these tricks, the actual damage I inflict is around 10, 15, 19… this range.
Rather than dealing damage, it’s about continuously hitting and keeping him off balance.
All these actions I’m doing now are just to stall for time.
My strained arm and the legs hitting the ground began to feel a slight fatigue.
‘A bit… excessive.’
When I said ‘excessive,’ it probably meant that about 10 minutes had just passed.
“Ugh, ugh…”
“It’s time to end it all now.”
Saying that, charge forward.
Reaching back, I seize ‘it’.
“Who gave you the right to do that…!”
The one trying to unleash anger and magic, upon seeing something caught in my hand, widened his eyes.
“W-wait!”
Yes, that was the issue from the start.
The mastermind behind all these events.
I raised my dagger and plunged it into the sorcerer emitting a dark aura.
“Kraaa!”
Dark liquid gushed out like blood from the blade, distorting the guy’s face grotesquely.
Indeed.
The sorcerer’s true form was none other than this sorcerer.
Hence, he was the essence of demons, a dark spirit born feeding on human emotions.
“Incredibly tenacious.”
But he didn’t give up.
Dropping viscous liquid from his lips, he glared at me with bloodshot eyes.
“Repelheight… I hate you. I will hate you, Repelheight…”
“Blinded by rage, your vision is narrow. Seems like you don’t grasp the situation.”
At my words, his eyes shook in astonishment.
And I smiled.
“Adrian, I’m sorry. You suffered.”
“I apologize. Senior, ugh, my weakness!”
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“How could I make such a mistake… unbelievable.”
“My mistake.”
“Ugh, ugh…”
“I’m sorry, Adrian.”
“…”
“S-sorry! Senior…”
From Reina, Erann, Lumen, Kalen, Ebnis, Relbrian, Kelly, to Miliz.
Everyone had their weapons aimed at him in no time.
“N-no…”
Lowering my dagger, I signaled Erann behind me.
“Courage was simulated, demon’s essence. However.”
Erann nodded.
Thud!
With a swing of his greatsword, he struck the guy’s back of the head with a large black blade.
Watching him fall after the blow to the head, I remarked.
“Courage alone couldn’t reach you.”
There’s nothing more to say.
We won, and that guy lost.
Let’s savor this feeling now.