Chapter 378: Magic (2)
UD7Z7RUDid you know?xGVbP
r9e8qDemons wield magic. And they had already tacitly grown used to that fact.Ut6Uu
76pAnd it wasn’t very different for dragons.lkHek
5JvEven those dragons friendly to humanity felt great pride in their own magic.R7R
kOCPThough they didn’t show it, they firmly believed demons were superior beings to heroes.zMxAa
XJcZIf that was the case with dragons, what about the rest of the demons? Demons were actually more arrogant than people thought.JP2H
rtUIt’s true they’d been defeated twice by humanity, but that was simply bad luck.wOC
YccThe defeat in the first war was because of that monster named Balor Joaquin.al7
JoGA6L4And the second was the fault of an even greater monster — Kang Geom-Ma.ssVpKm
1GLBesides, Valerion knew those two were intimately connected on a physical level.luPQm
Hb6jI0VThe reason the demons lost wasn’t inferiority — it was because the world favored those linked to the body.SChHy
cG7Mbde…But it seemed that opinion had to be withdrawn.OkH8ylU
Vlbmd6The dragons, watching Kang Geom-Ma’s combat style, were starting to feel firsthand how wrong they’d been.Q5mO0
wWzHxKang Geom-Ma was teaching them. This is how magic is used.o5jKG
VINThat if you use “just magic,” the limitations become evident.yxb
bOYbUse everything.eEYh3c
Yu8S7APCrackle…!CgVU
9mWfl0bKang Geom-Ma moves. No — he teleports.yrxCeiF
W9ljIn the instant electricity covers the sashimi knives, his figure vanishes and reappears in a totally unexpected place.9fAS9VA
9XaLeon summoned his courage. But he couldn’t counterattack.77aX20P
0wnHe barely managed to stay on the defensive.rCY
KSkCThe electricity, which had become almost divine, flowed. Kang Geom-Ma had moved.Gk3We9
9MpVAnd his movements grew ever faster.Hkha
7tfqmPBoom!BiDA
f4sSuddenly, Kang Geom-Ma’s sword went to stab him in the back. Leon, under superhuman pressure, caught that instant.0kLXK
VWgvHe squeezed out all his strength.eWAtK
smwvurKThe blade passed by his torso, grazing his twisted waist.HCm
Lq9OHe avoided a fatal blow.zja
ETjwBut Kang Geom-Ma’s sashimi knife never missed. If he unsheathed it, it was to sever at least an arm.ooWpcl
gf2And this time was no exception.wvx8E6j
2d9“¡Kgh…!”QzO
P9rpzVLeon groaned.mA4
oQnirIZThe blood pouring from his side soaked him to the knees.MtVp0
LygwVdValerion could barely follow it with his eyes. He suddenly glanced at the spectators.o0QpG
ETIyOnly Metatron’s eyes shared the same trembling as his.YuQ
pgm“Your son is incredible.”vtY
DlIValerion said it in a calm voice. Out of context, it might’ve sounded condescending.kJdV
acueq“…Yes. He’s fighting with everything he’s got.”fgGB
D6nLuckily, Metatron took it the right way. And it was no wonder.kHtBU
CRzYIs there anyone in this world who can withstand more than ten exchanges against Kang Geom-Ma?dHVID5
NOrMaybe only those present here.0Wo
ByFW6rAnd that’s knowing Kang Geom-Ma’s power. The last time he showed his full might was during the Parsy tragedy.0Vaykf
brc8M3uThey had only seen that moment in a video.jVIjv
dn8ZEAnd they understood.8N5
k45cD‘Kang Geom-Ma is a being different from us.’utcKEV5
K9AcBSWSaying he’s in another league is not enough. Kang Geom-Ma had a completely different nature from theirs.3moOU
SpDd“Sorry to say it like this, but I think your son Leon can push himself like this thanks to…”bvKIkM
3Q9Metatron nodded.xVHos
ILQ0“That’s right.”ipr
q4xjIt’s because of the Blessing of the Miracle.Rek
kCPqDG『Please, protect the world from the Demon King.』VB4Ml
e7dYlHCompatibility.za1Jn
4OUThe hero and the Demon King don’t have good compatibility.iB8uN
izIJG6After all, isn’t that the case in every story? That Demon King who almost destroys humanity is defeated by the sword of a mere human.b9F
KLZY0A cliché story and ending.wc0gm2
pH4Though it’s criticized for being predictable, people take for granted that good must triumph over evil.8FR
I6sZAnd naturally, they consider the hero as good and the Demon King as evil.x2Yxn6
jzhWhy? Because the hero is human. Even the gacha game “Miracle Blessing M” focuses broadly on the life of the hero Leon von Reinhardt.fOJi
OSqfThat gave him a natural edge over the Demon King.LZYVUy
Nn8QCLeon, with an abyssal difference in level, was able to withstand more than ten exchanges thanks to that “compatibility.”jKS
l6wJBut little by little, the gap began to show. Kang Geom-Ma’s overwhelming slashes ignored compatibility.YqQQY
0CPOr rather, they shattered it.K5STJcG
lz81zn1“This time…!”Nl96V
fIpLeon didn’t even have the strength to finish the sentence.GdYe9R
5jsd1QFwoooosh!ym3bl
gOzoA blast of wind exploded in the enclosed room. Leon, with a strangled cry, unleashed his aura.gyRa
sAqd5UThe floating sashimi knives scattered. He was trying to completely disorganize the electric grid.83reHad
CAhuxO9To the eye, it looked like it worked. The cage of lightning that had surrounded him was gone.Zv0
6qiY‘But Kang Geom-Ma is not someone who ends it there.’mfvJjJ
igvELeon focused strength in his right shoulder. From the open wound, blood gushed like a water gun.1bw
NujSplash.3c01
1CYDozens of sashimi knives were drenched in blood. A scene that was almost nauseating at first glance.FBCh
CIYJPI“…Oh.”B3ZR1
gh6SaBut instead of groans, the spectators let out gasps. Leon’s decision was quick, and in that moment, the best possible.1RkhJC
iAndACj“In that case…”MoFAy4L
9Isav“The lightning won’t be able to bounce off the blades anymore.”Oye
jL6jdThe plan had worked. The density of the makeshift electrical net decreased.xRQIG5
OdKZ9Kang Geom-Ma, with no other choice, appeared in midair.uGsTAt
PewbyHe grabbed one of the sashimi knives and lunged with his body. Leon, as if he’d been waiting, countered with a kick.QtfP6k
5oldrBOOM!vDQz
INrB0A shockwave laced with lightning. Kang Geom-Ma pressing with everything,
and Leon resisting with everything.HLUOCe
61bHowever, their swords didn’t touch. It looked like they grazed each other, but on closer look, there was a tiny gap the size of a fingernail between the two blades.0KNCXJ
2PO3VZ0“Hah…”EN9R
8lmxd“He’s starting to understand Kang Geom-Ma’s abilities.”W5pI4
UgTbEven without understanding all the effects of the Blessing of the Sword God, Leon had already learned from experience that those sashimi knives could cut anything.BlHS4
Hl1k“And yet he still faces it with pure will.”UuIT93
o4Dd1WMore than fighting spirit…KC0Lq6S
OBGdKB“He’s using compatibility.”VQrCsa
IbRe7w2Valerion murmured. He turned his eyes, torn from the fierce battle, to Metatron.F2j
QhsJj“To stay calm in front of Kang Geom-Ma… for that alone, there may be no other human who could face him.”8IAWwY
2jWOeq“That’s not true.”uIfkn
ViiQQyMNot even a twitch. Metatron was completely serious.HVRu
BjAu“He’s simply been lucky. And there are humans more capable than Leon.”CYTl16B
mRTf“Really?”lxL
NbFXfIgValerion didn’t care much for humanity. At most, he knew Leon, who had spent a decade in the Demon World.QCiQH
aowWVMetatron explained calmly.E4YC3
6gzw0Qx“There’s someone called the Sword Master.”5ivVs
UPM“I’ve heard of him… but he’s old now, isn’t he?”awmz5YP
wNCgd“In terms of physical ability, sure — he’s probably aged quite a bit compared to his prime. He’s human, after all. But according to Leon, he hasn’t missed a single day of training.”Z2N
krsu51Metatron turned his gaze back to the fight as he continued calmly.03UZR
nkzjay“Precisely because he doesn’t settle, he evolves. That’s how humans are.”wpJVv
LH1“That’s a rather generous assessment.”fWD
rhiO“Not at all. It’s an objective one.”BHeLO
lyaDSF“I have another question. You said ‘people,’ plural, didn’t you? You were referring to the rest of the Seven Stars, right?”U0unt5
iWFMhMetatron shook his head.CCJeuL
iNVS“They’re exceptional too, but they couldn’t exchange blows with Kang Geom-Ma. They’re not as competitive as the Sword Master.”rKbu
xjrA“That makes me even more curious. What kind of people does the leader of the angels hold in such high regard?”gX4h7DA
BgiO“Haha, they’re probably closer than you think.”lqmM
EKToZOW“…”Ng1MYA
Hk1BH8LWhen Valerion tilted his head, Metatron turned his gaze to the side. There stood two women.mw4
sQCs“Those two… are Kang Geom-Ma’s wives.”Os49Lc
Higld“I sense in them immense potential. I know it’s inappropriate to say this while my son fights so desperately, but it seems they’ll easily surpass Leon’s growth limit.”o5V
Q83yd“Is that even possible for a human?”YMtMHWV
XnhV“Dragon Lord.”HnzZlSN
ugOvKRValerion was reprimanded firmly.MDhay4Y
t2973sI“Humans are more infinite than you imagine. They are beings that even those false gods couldn’t predict.”BE0M
IORV“…”bkLA1
FyGvO“Look at this very moment.”MwW
aZV6Metatron turned forward again.AYLH
7KgThe distance between the Daiso Sashimi and Leon’s foot was shrinking. His resistance was beginning to weaken. The balance of power, which had once seemed even, was starting to tip.P8qE
uno4Tn5Leon had broken his fingers. He was pressing the blade with the shoulder of his amputated arm, resisting desperately. It was a heartbreaking image.hqsGw
uOAThe conclusion was near. Yet Leon kept fighting with all his might. The atmosphere felt like he’d won on points.1V9QqW
aZVMKmThough he wasn’t satisfied. Leon let out a final burst of energy. A fierce aura like a lion’s roar swept through the area. Hair flew, and Choi Seol-Ah had to grab her top that nearly slipped off.hfzgvw
8CWMN5y“You were too ambitious.”P7O6
iBO5Said Kang Geom-Ma. Leon’s eyes clouded with surprise. In that space, the eyes began to open slowly.abDjCb
faE1LDozens of knives surrounded him, gleaming with clean edges. Some with traces of blood. All exposed.2WiUr1f
Ss62Clack. Kang Geom-Ma’s figure stretched into a double image and disappeared right in front of him. Leon turned his eyes back.0sZM0
HD2mThere was darkness.g51l
9zVKKang Geom-Ma swung his sword. The knives clashed. The foot was sliced off in a single stroke. Then, a diagonal wound carved itself into Leon’s body.JrZAv
VuE8The severed torso flew and crashed into a wall. All of this happened in less than a second. It wasn’t an event—it was a phenomenon.TiLZ
PaxP[The duel in subspace has ended.]BA92Z
jl882JvThe violet light began to dissipate. Even the echo of the fierce battle was fading away.8Rms
s8AGj6Leon’s lower body, rolling on the ground, turned into fragments of data.zvutR
BM2Q1WThe lower half was replaced by data that clustered together and regenerated.uPvg
0Gc7Kang Geom-Ma shook his sword. The ground was clean. After that instinctive gesture, he approached Leon.3WzCer
YicYzmP“The performance of subspace is marvelous.”woaaoPc
hgLKtA“…”5EllT7Y
GxgJvx6Tap.MPQdQW
NrWBLeon pulled himself up using Kang Geom-Ma’s forearm. Without even fully sitting, he brushed imaginary dust off his shoulder and sheathed Balmung.Kna
J2cPKang Geom-Ma smiled faintly.cLc3jq
Dwx8hC“Today you withstood three more strikes than last time.”XmZYJ
cnE“I got lucky.”95NfnRP
MT7me7E“Luck is a skill too.”1BpoKH
nQaqI“If you put it that way, I can’t argue.”PSLb
oLAgVyLeon shrugged with a smile.YzkUaT
1t3yxYz“…What do you think?”0o7Z
fZ6XnP3Metatron finally spoke. There was an excited expression on his face. Valerion felt something similar.TAOUxTN
Yqo6Both of them vaguely knew the true identities of Kang Geom-Ma and Leon — the Demon King and the Hero.o5wyT
i88And to see them compete with respect and exchange words of encouragement. Evil is not always wicked.Yz36Ql
uOmWhat is human is not always just.ZPhP
cCM9Good and evil are merely different colors. The scale doesn’t tilt to either side.8Vd
niA7UKEven so, the demons — the losers — and the dragons — their leaders — felt an overwhelming emotion.TtZKv
dCXZRLHarmony.XIpvm9I
MI3PrrThe union of demon and human moved them deeply. As if coordinated, the dragons shuddered in unison.h9Yw
DtknaTheir dragon hearts, which had suppressed their rhythm for centuries, began to beat once more.Ue78N9X
UzadwtThump-thump.1bPVN21
kEDHere, in the human world, those hearts were pulsing. All of them brought a hand to their chest.7FW4e
aEmDA current of air slipped between their fingers. Mana.gJc50jA
iGNjnThe dragon’s heart was an endless mana furnace. Their mana was of incomparable purity.HFaN
NBkbAnd now—0WxBA
saegIt flowed. Into Kang Geom-Ma.iQkUvO4
10tvmThere, an EX-rank sashimi lay dormant.fUO
XDWZWWIn this world, weapons grow stronger the rarer their materials.VTK9i
UxwA7hcIt was the first time Valerion had ever seen a dragon’s heart beat on its own in all his centuries of life.bjv
39FSYTTKang Geom-Ma’s sashimi was strengthening in real time. At the same time, within the subspace, a new mana network formed.K5iV
3FZ98pThis time, the flow of light and mana wasn’t as aggressive as before.pKntWHh
QDqUbIt was gentle.IeHy3RA
GqoDhK“How curious.”flt5dKU
vWg5HThe Dragon Lord’s eyes welled up.BCtu
zAAThe air swirled softly around Kang Geom-Ma and Leon.srqK
QGKBAOnly they remained clearly visible. It was as if the entire world were watching them.dpTwsY
blcgIValerion, nose reddened, spoke one last word.EXipbpz
25rb0“Mystery.”JkGgP
iXlA word that had come to mean technique.uuCvJ
ujHMxb“Yes, I think ‘mysterious’ is the best way to describe it.”40fIJs
gFMzThe language from which that mystery was born.gRsY
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