◈ Chapter 466. This Too……
I checked the blinking message. [Demon Hunter, “Gabriel,” is watching you.]
I had a guess as to why my great senior was watching me. ‘Because I mentioned the exorcism ritual.’ The target of an exorcism ritual had to be a demon, and only a demon.
That was Akshan’s code, and common sense for demon hunters.
Wasn’t it only natural? ‘It probably wouldn’t have the slightest effect on anything else anyway.’ An exorcism ritual required inviting a demon into the “ritual” and seeing it through to the end.
In other words, there was no reason to use it on a target that was not a demon or possessed by one, and no reason to even mention it in the first place. ‘Akshan places great importance on the code, after all.’ Of course, if I were to list Raymon Sean’s deeds one by one—deeds that were no different from a demon’s—he might understand how I felt. But would I ever explain all that at length? ‘Even though you spit out venom just fine on a normal day.’ At times like this, my mouth employed Granfell-style speech.
Because of that, I might have been worried.
That I had violated Akshan’s code, that I had needlessly triggered an Akshan civil war, and that I might end up in an unforeseen conflict with my great senior. ‘But I know how to judge people too.’ However, the named demon hunter NPC.
Gabriel.
He, at least, was an exception. ‘If someone who doesn’t know heard this.’ Would they say I was exaggerating?
Back when Akshan was whole.
Demon-type monsters had not been updated on the Arcana Continent. ‘It was an environment where you couldn’t make a name for yourself even if you wanted to.’ To begin with, there were few demon-related requests.
In such a barren environment, the reason Gabriel could become so renowned as a demon hunter of Akshan was simple. Yes, Gabriel had not hunted only demons.
—“Have you heard the rumor? They say those murderers were found as corpses. Well, bastards no different from demons are dead, so I feel downright relieved…… Let’s see, it was Gabriel again this time, wasn’t it? The one from Akshan!”
Gabriel was a demon hunter excommunicated from Akshan.
The reason for his excommunication was, as I said before.
Because he had hunted not only demons.
But also those who were no different from demons.
Notorious criminals.
Demon puppets.
Even heinous figures of the underworld.
Gabriel hunted them according to his own judgment, not Akshan’s code. In the process, he received a considerable amount in bounties, and gained fame worthy of it. 『Gabriel, the True Demon Hunter』 It was an ironic title given to Gabriel, who hunted humans more evil than demons on a continent without demons. Of course, I remembered the long story because I had belonged to Akshan.
Back then, I had admired him quite a bit. ‘So that is the true worth of a demon hunter.’
……
Of course, it was a misunderstanding of my own! ‘In any case, thanks to that, I understood.’ Gabriel.
The moment I heard his name.
Even without hearing the details from him.
I could guess why he had become involved with the Shadow God. ‘As if a sparrow would pass by a mill.’ The Arcana Continent.
The worst criminal organization, the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
Gabriel must have pursued them by any means necessary. ‘And in the process, he reached the Shadow God……’ He might even have made a contract with him.
Because he thought that this was the only way.
To reach the Shadow God, the root of all evil.
As if responding to my conjecture.
Clack.
Gabriel took out his crossbow.
Then he aimed it at the distinguished guests standing far away.
Gabriel added,
“I will handle them.”
He meant he would stop the distinguished guests in case they tried to intrude.
Then that meant he wanted me.
To handle that prototype coming down from the sky. ‘Between us.’
No answer was needed.
It might sound strange to say this.
But demon hunters have a way of understanding one another.
That’s right.
Everything had been planned from the moment I opened the box Gabriel handed me. There had been nothing inside the box, but that had merely been a confirmation of trust.
Then now was the time to focus on the prototype before my eyes. ‘The Omen That Eats Gods.’
The creature with such a grandiose name looked……
Let’s see. It resembled a whale.
A whale wrapped in complicated mechanical parts and wires.
What made me flinch more than its appearance was the presentation.
“The master of the corridor is wrathful.”
The servants, who had hidden their emotions from beginning to end, trembled in fear.
They bowed their heads toward the omen.
Even the distinguished guests, who had been moving according to instinct, could not join the chaos. ‘They must know to some extent.’
That if they were caught up in it, they would be swallowed by the omen.
And if they were swallowed, their very existence would be erased.
But no matter how convincingly they set the mood. ‘I have no reason to be intimidated in the slightest.’
Because when it came to an omen, I had already overcome one before.
That was true of Guicheol.
No, of Illusion Breaker as well.
—No matter how many times I shatter you, there is no end, illusion.
Thump.
Illusion Breaker’s heartbeat reached me.
Not a tremor of fear, but of anticipation.
It was different from the Second Path, where I had taken my first step just moments ago.
Click.
The Sword Path of Pride, the First Path, had now become a path more familiar to me than any other. I felt sword force rising from my body, beyond the blade of Illusion Breaker. 『Granfell’s talent was not limited to one thing. A brilliant mind was only the beginning. His innate magical talent was such that he could imitate most magic simply by seeing it. And beyond that, he possessed physical potential that was no less impressive.』
A talent that, after witnessing sword aura for the first time.
Could then emit sword aura himself.
What would happen if experience were added to that heavenly talent of Granfell’s?
I could instinctively sense the result.
That I had reached the true realm of the Body and Sword as One.
Of course, [Natural Enemy Relationship] was not active.
My [Strength] and [Agility] stats combined would not exceed 500. With numbers like that, could I defeat an omen that spread fear even in the Shadow Corridor, where the recommended level approached two or three thousand? ‘Honestly, I’m not confident.’
But I had watched and learned. I knew why Harkon, who was only level 600, could contend with high-level monsters approaching level 800 to 1,000. [※Warning: Vitality is rapidly decreasing.]
Sword aura.
Was like a flame that burned using one’s vitality as kindling.
In that sense, I found myself grateful to the World Tree once more. [The First World Tree’s Blessing rejects “Exhaustion.”] [The First World Tree’s Blessing rejects “Fainting.”] [The First World Tree’s Blessing rejects “Debilitation.”]
…….
Guicheol was a [Legendary]-grade item. My physical vessel was still absurdly inadequate to become one with it. Even so, the reason I could endure was, as you can see, because of the World Tree’s blessing, as well as—
The unique stat I had won through tedious training. [Tenacity is converted into Strength.] [Tenacity.]
That was why I could still stand upright.
Why I could look at the descending “Omen That Eats Gods.”
The worried voices of the servants sounded.
“N-No way?”
“This is impossible……!”
“Do you truly intend to face that? It may become a choice you cannot take back. You are different from the distinguished guests, are you not, Sir Granfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo?”
You’re worried that my bounty, not me, might vanish, aren’t you? ‘Your outsides and insides are so different it’s almost disappointing.’ Thanks to that, I was just about to swing Illusion Breaker without paying them any mind. Then suddenly, a message appeared above the head of the “Omen That Eats Gods.” [Current Bounty: 100 Karma]
Because there were no exceptions to the rules.
Did that mean even that thing had a bounty on it?
Even such an incredible creature was only 100 Karma? ‘But on me…….’
Why was there a bounty of 1,000 Karma, ten times greater than that absurd creature’s? I was suppressing the question.
Woooooo.
The prototype, the omen, cried out. I did not possess the ability to hear an animal’s cry and guess its intentions, but I could at least tell it held no hostility.
Its current behavior proved as much.
It carefully shrank its massive body.
It approached me and lowered its head as if paying respect.
Naturally, if it were up to me, I would not have lowered my guard.
Had I forgotten the concept of the Shadow Corridor?
First of all, its master himself was different on the outside and inside.
The very fact that he loathed me to an extreme degree, yet sent me an invitation and stubbornly waited, gave me a sense of how thick his mask was.
The servants resembled their master perfectly too, swinging daggers and pretending ignorance, acting as though they were serving me while attempting to poison me…… ‘Would the prototype be any different?’
Moreover, the prototype was proof that Raymon Sean.
That bastard was connected to the Shadow God.
Or to the Divine Realm.
Yes, this was Raymon Sean, whose true thoughts no one could guess.
As you can see, there were more than enough reasons for distrust. [“Submission” has occurred in the Omen That Swallowed a God.]
And yet a message, which did not lie, was shining. Taking the life of an enemy who had no will to fight, whose heart had long since broken, was against a noble’s pride.
Clack.
“You are wiser than your master.”
I spoke generously and sheathed Illusion Breaker.
“I accept your submission.”
Then the surroundings grew noisy.
“It yielded……?”
“That can’t be.”
“No. Perhaps this too is His will……!”
By “His,” they must mean the Shadow God, right? ‘That may be.’ I looked at the quest window. [Main Quest: Uncover the Black Hand]
The Arcana Continent collapsed, and the Pantheon opened. However, the Shadow God’s incomplete “rank” became the reason he could not enter the Pantheon. From now on, the Shadow God will move by any means necessary for the sake of his rank.
—Encounter the Shadow God on the Battlefield of Proof. (In Progress)
What the Shadow God wanted was clear.
The elevation of his rank.
It would never happen, but if I were to be swallowed by the omen.
Then he would be unable to enter the Pantheon forever. ‘No matter what I do.’
Even if I violated the rules.
It meant he had no way to deal with me.
As if proving my words.
The omen pushed its head toward me even more actively. [You have acquired the authority to board the prototype, “Omen That Swallowed a God.” The “Omen That Swallowed a God” is the only being capable of freely entering and exiting the three tiers of the Shadow Corridor.]
I see. ‘It seems you want to meet me as soon as possible.’
In that case, you have fallen into our plan.
Gabriel tucked his crossbow into his belt and said,
“You were right.”
As I said, everything was going according to plan.
The moment Gabriel violated the rules.
I heard about the whale that appeared, and thanks to the description of its extremely peculiar appearance, I realized it immediately. In other words, I saw through the fact that the whale was Raymon Sean’s prototype. ‘Well, making it submit wasn’t part of the plan.’
How had we devised such a plan in that brief conversation?
Because our goals were the same.
Both I and Gabriel were aiming for the Shadow God.
Step.
Gabriel climbed onto the omen first. It seemed the omen had not intended to carry Gabriel as well, for its huge mouth opened with a grotesque sound.
“Observe proper decorum.”
Despite its massive size.
When I lightly rebuked it, it became cowed and quietly closed its mouth.
The Cat Tower Master had been fine even when I spoke to her with contempt. ‘It doesn’t shed fur either, so it’s better than a cat.’
Woooooo.
The omen carrying me and Gabriel seemed to have completed its business.
Dangling.
Avoiding the hanging chandeliers, the omen climbed backward up the corridor.
Its speed was fierce. [Achievement: Ride the King of All Things, a Dragon] [Effect: Proficiency with all mounts rises to the maximum] [Duration: Permanent] ‘If I didn’t have that achievement, I’d have fallen off several times over.’
Still, I somehow had enough composure to evaluate the ride.
Just as I felt relieved all over again.
Gabriel looked around and opened his mouth.
“It is not easy to climb the corridor on two feet. Even excluding the distinguished guests’ bounty hunts, it is because the barrier in the middle tier separates the master’s domain from the guests’ domain.”
“I am familiar with barriers.”
……
That wasn’t wrong.
The rifts in reality were similar to barriers, after all.
A useless boast rose all the way to my throat, but I desperately held it back.
If I tried to explain rifts, that would take forever too.
When I remained appropriately silent, Gabriel continued.
“Familiar, is it? I see. The middle-tier barrier of the corridor is called the ‘Mirror That Reflects No Shadow.’ As the name suggests, it is a space made of mirrors on all sides. Ah, we are drawing close just in time.”
Following Gabriel’s gaze, I saw that something truly like a massive barrier was blocking the way ahead.
But it was not a problem. Just as the message had said, the omen freely broke through the barrier.
However.
“Well then, I suppose our companionship ends here.”
Was it because of my overly upright posture?
Or was it because of the aftereffects of the Body and Sword as One?
If it was none of those, was it because I had placed too much trust in the name Akshan?
Thud.
Along with a sudden impact, I staggered.
At the same time.
From atop the omen.
Without offering any real resistance.
I fell.
‘……What the hell?’
Even as I was falling.
My body did not lose its composure in the slightest.
Thanks to that, I was able to look straight at Gabriel.
Who was staring at me as I fell from the omen.
With hollow eyes.
“I told you, did I not? Trust no one.”
His mouth was clearly saying,
“Whether it is Akshan. A demon hunter. Or even yourself.”
What kind of bullshit is that? That damned Akshan-style speech……!!
...
When I came to my senses, what I saw was an information window. [Hidden Piece: Mirror That Reflects No Shadow]
A Hidden Piece within a Hidden Piece?
Well, that alone was no reason to be surprised.
Yes, there was a separate reason to be shocked. [Recommended Level: Granfell Claudi Arpheus Romeo]
My full name.
The message I feared someone might see lasted only a moment.
A familiar sound reached my ears.
It was the mirror reflecting me.
A sound coming from beyond it.
It was the sound of footsteps made by the me inside the mirror, moving on his own.
Click—