Chapter 23: Partial examination (3)

Where there is light, there is always darkness.

Attempting to divide everything in the world into light and darkness is a rather simplistic way of thinking.

However, at least in this world, humanity was considered the light and demons the darkness. The difference lay in the kind of power each one wielded.

Humans manifest blessings, while demons cast magic.

To put it simply, blessings strengthen the body, whereas magic reconfigures elements to create abilities.

Of course, reinforcement or healing blessings are somewhat different and have their own rules, but I don’t have much information in that area; when I played Miracle Blessing M, I always went for brute force.

Moreover, both blessings and magic are filled with abstract and interconnected theories that can be interpreted in various ways, making each an open field of study subject to different perspectives.

In fact, there’s no point in discussing those things right now, when the light is still on. Instead, one thing could be said.

The current situation is so dire that people will criticize it.

Even though it’s the beginning of the story, Leon, the protagonist, is about to die from a single blow by that demon fish. He hasn’t even had time to react.

This only highlights the immense difference in power between humans and demons.

No matter how much humans reinforce their bodies, it’s almost impossible for a lone human to defeat a demon capable of using magic without forming a group.

In game terms, the mermen we hunted were field monsters that only give experience; the siren demon is a boss that must be faced with a team.

Ridiculously, now I find myself in a situation where I have to fight alone against one of the bosses the system has forced me to confront. No matter how great the protection of the God of the Sword, securing victory is difficult.

I knew certain information based on my experience playing so far, so I managed to handle it.

However, I had little understanding of demons and magic, which only appeared in the latter half of the story.

Judging by the stab wound on Leon’s side, does it seem like it’s using long-range magic with a water attribute?

I fixed my gaze on the siren. Its entire body was covered in rough scales that looked like armor, and where there should have been teeth, there were rows of sharp fangs like a shark’s, gleaming with savage ferocity.

Considering all this, could I, who could only cut with a knife, be a match? I was certain I could avoid most of the attacks, but what if there was one I absolutely couldn’t evade?

‘Ha, damn.’

I crossed a river I couldn’t go back from.

Even if I wasted time needlessly regretting my situation, nothing would change. No matter how fast Chloe went to get help, it would take her more than ten minutes.

There’s only one immediate goal. Slicing that creature. As I calmed down, the sudden sense of crisis began to fade gradually.

The moderately calming tension felt like scratching an itch from the inside, and a smile appeared on my face without me even noticing.

Then the siren tilted its head with that slick, fish-like expression.

I gripped the handle of my knife firmly, pushing the sheath down.

“It’s time to make some serious sashimi, after a long time.”

[By demonstrating your spirit, your spirit level increases.]

[The feeling of intimidation increases in words and actions.]

[The system adjusts your skills to better match your level.]

Buzzzzz—

[The Blessing of the God of the Sword manifests.]

+++++++++++++++++++++++

《May the blessing of the gods be with you》

+++++++++++++++++++++++

* * *

Despite the deep wound, the high-level healing ability slowly began to improve Leon’s condition.

After checking his status, Speed Weapon looked toward the pond. What he saw was the back of Kang Geom-Ma, holding two sashimi knives, facing the terrifying siren demon.

Speed Weapon knew how incredibly strong Kang Geom-Ma was, something he had witnessed a few days earlier in the subspace battle, where he demonstrated overwhelming speed and cutting skill.

However, the problem was that, unlike then, this opponent wasn’t human—it was a demon.

Facing a demon in single combat wasn’t impossible, but it was only within the reach of warriors as powerful as the Heroes of the Seven Stars.

Kang Geom-Ma was still just an academy cadet and barely a first-year. Surviving even a single strike would be an accomplishment.

Moreover, the siren demon was a demon-level creature that would normally require the combined strength of at least three instructors to face. Although it wasn’t one of the most powerful demons in melee combat, the fact that it used water magic made it an extremely tricky opponent.

No matter how skilled Kang Geom-Ma was, he couldn’t cut water with a physical weapon.

It was simply impossible. Clearly, he had lost his mind.

Speed Weapon hesitated, wondering if he should stop him.

But, in the end, he decided to let him proceed and focused on his companions’ movements.

Rachel, with a weary expression, continued to take down the mermen, wielding her spear with determination. Speed Weapon wished he could cast reinforcement abilities on Kang Geom-Ma or Rachel, but keeping Leon on his feet was already quite taxing.

…..!

At that moment, a chilling sensation emanated from the pond, enveloping Speed Weapon’s body.

Though it was a strange and unfamiliar feeling, he instinctively understood what it was: a magical resonance so powerful it felt as though it would shatter his bones just by being near it.

The distance between them was at least 50 meters, but just seeing it made his teeth chatter in fear.

Kang Geom-Ma advanced toward the demon siren without hesitation, ignoring the oppressive atmosphere. In fact, it seemed as if the murderous intent was emanating from the knives he held. He took an agile step toward the enemy.

Swoosh—

As he approached, the demon siren snapped its fingers, making blue magic surge between the membranes of its fingers. Instantly, a crescent-shaped water blade shot toward Kang Geom-Ma from the pond.

Crack, crack, crack!

The trees that had grown densely around were sliced diagonally. Rachel, who was dealing with a group of mermen with one hand, also reflexively turned her head. Surprise and fear filled her eyes.

Once the magic was unleashed, the lush landscape of trees and woods suddenly turned into an arid plain.

She was astonished by the outrageous destructive power. Perhaps due to the magic, a thick white mist spread everywhere.

Kang Geom-Ma had vanished from sight.

Speed Weapon’s perplexed gaze quickly searched for the black hair. His heart was pounding.

“Kang Geom-Ma!”

With a brief sound, Kang Geom-Ma burst through the thick water mist and charged directly at the siren. As if expecting him, the siren launched a sharp water spike.

Swish!

Kang Geom-Ma dodged by gliding through the air, using his momentum to slip through a narrow gap between the projectiles.

Could anyone really react so quickly?

His movements flowed like a current of water, as if time itself slowed just for him. Speed Weapon felt pride well up inside him, barely able to keep track of Geom-Ma’s shadow with his eyes.

The demon siren, though firing water projectiles like a machine gun, couldn’t land a single hit; the attacks kept smashing into the trees behind Kang Geom-Ma, shattering them.

The siren’s usually impassive expression now showed astonishment and dismay.

Tap tap-

The crisp sound of footsteps that had been coming from the right suddenly appeared on the left.

Without missing a beat, Geom-Ma quickly reversed his grip and slashed with the sashimi knife he was holding.

The siren, startled and visibly losing composure, took a step back in surprise. Then it tried to retreat and put up a red shield.

In seconds, Kang Geom-Ma displayed a combination of precise, rapid techniques, moving fluidly along with his opponent’s attacks.

Not only was he fast, but he also demonstrated exceptional control, adapting his movements perfectly to counter each assault.

Speed Weapon thought that, at this level, Kang Geom-Ma was already far beyond any cadet standard.

Even among elite heroes, his skills were exceptional.

His movements left a deep impression on Speed Weapon, who felt he was witnessing something extraordinary.

Kang Geom-Ma advanced and spun his knife. The blade sliced through one of the siren’s legs, which fell to the ground with a dull thud.

Thud-

The severed leg hit the ground with a heavy sound.

“Kyaaaak!”

The siren’s eyes widened, and a scream echoed from between its sharp, bared teeth.

Blood streamed from the wound, and the creature began to teeter to one side.

Speed Weapon was speechless. How could humans be this strong? The strength on display was so absurd it felt like an attack on reality itself.

He couldn’t even count how many times Geom-Ma’s knife had struck in just a few seconds.

Probably more than twenty or thirty moves.

Just as a skilled chef masterfully handles a live fish flopping on a cutting board, Geom-Ma constantly overwhelmed the demon with precise cuts that went beyond mere power.

“Agh!”

The demon siren clutched at its severed leg, letting out a furious howl. At the same time, the leaves that had fallen into the muddy ground began to swirl wildly around.

The creature started to tremble, then brought both hands together in front of its chest.

Sssssss—

Immediately, a magical sphere of intense blue formed, condensing the thick mist and water from the pond into a floating, glowing orb.

Its magical power overflowed.

Seeing this, Speed Weapon and Rachel realized that an attack of a whole other level was coming.

This time, it wouldn’t just change the landscape—it might alter the entire geography of the island.

This attack couldn’t be blocked. They needed to flee immediately. Just then, Leon, who was lying on the ground, let out a groan and took a shaky breath.

That he managed to regain consciousness after only a few moments of healing showed that he, too, was far from ordinary.

But at that moment, Leon’s safety wasn’t the priority.

“Kang Geom-Ma, damn it! Move, damn it, move!”

Kang Geom-Ma didn’t look back. Even with his life on the line, he never turned his back to the enemy.

Speed Weapon murmured to himself.

“What do people call someone like that? A hero.”

“Geom-Ma, take down that disgusting fish!”

Rachel, nearly done with the mermen, shouted at him with a mix of urgency and confidence.

With her words, Geom-Ma lowered his body, readying himself for a lethal attack, as a wave of deadly energy radiated from his knives, directly facing the siren’s magic.

“Raaaaargh!”

With a deep, enraged voice, the siren hurled the sphere like a massive projectile.

Boom, boom, boom—

Both Speed Weapon and Rachel, seeing the attack, choked back screams of terror.

Whoosh—

Thick veins began to bulge in Kang Geom-Ma’s forearm, the one gripping the knife.

Kang Geom-Ma lunged at the projectile with a burst of speed, feeling every fiber of his body tense up.

Slash—

The blue sphere split in two, cleanly sliced right down the middle.