Abyss, the deep darkness.
–Hruuurrrhah!!
The 26th demon, Bunea, was writhing and making strange noises.
It’s time for human hunting to come again after a long while.
Ten years ago, that bastard Andras led the army of corpses he created to plunder, which meant that Bunea had no chance to step in until recently.
Of course, even if those creations were weak,
demons have no reason to fear humans.
The gods of the heavens aren’t just pushovers either.
Among humans, those who received the divine power from these gods could execute demon exterminations,
and even the strongest demon could meet their end at the hands of such humans if luck wasn’t on their side.
Moreover, the further demon-kind strayed from the demon realm—Pandemonium, the closer they got to the human stronghold blessed by the gods—the Sanctuary—they would become weaker.
–I thought I was going to die!
In that context, Andras was foolish.
His nature was tyrannical and erratic, and when his temper flared, he didn’t distinguish between water and fire.
He probably had a tantrum after being humiliated in Pandemonium and then ended up trapped in the Sanctuary’s trap before he met his end at the hands of those soon-to-be-called ‘national heroes’.
Of course, great demons can resurrect thanks to their demon well, but for some reason, he was obliterated.
Bunea had no idea why that was the case.
Anyway, the fortunate thing was that the Emperor of the Empire was a coward.
He always placed heroes—those successors—only at the center and outskirts of Hwangdo.
This case was no exception.
Bunea’s planned surprise attack would target the Claris Academy, known as the cradle of the Empire.
He had already sent Tarchangel Tobiel to work on the Gate of the Underworld.
–What a fool.
Even though Tobiel died from doing something unnecessary based on Bunea’s orders.
–His vessel is only capable up to that point.
Anyway, with the vacation coming, he took advantage of the security being lax there.
If the newly developed divine beasts he created appeared before those inexperienced youngsters who hadn’t realized their potential, it would cause significant damage.
How exactly would they struggle? What kind of fear would they showcase to amuse him? He was so curious.
Moreover, as a master of necromancy, even if danger arose during slaughter,
he had ways to return to Pandemonium.
In short, everything was prepared…
All that remained was one-sided massacre.
–Kheehihihih!
The cowardly Emperor, and McClone, the one who had been a nuisance to Bunea during the last war.
The hopes they held… gathered at Claris.
He would trample them all before those sprouts could grow.
–I can’t wait…
The woman with the qualities of a saint that Andras had wished to taste.
The girl with the seed of Tarchangel planted within her.
All were there.
–Slurp.
Before the divine touch could reach them, he would tear them apart.
As Bunea licked his lips and looked around,
the skeleton legion lined up neatly around the throne made of human bones he was seated upon.
Although they weren’t trained enough yet to boast great combat abilities…
the number and amount of magic power they possessed was comparable to the combined force of the Empire’s troops.
In the next war, the goal was to completely exterminate the creations.
Bunea trembled in excitement as he imagined that scene of slaughter for a long time.
*
With a familiar sound effect, a status window popped up before my eyes.
–Ding!
——————————————————
▶[Third Wind Annihilation] (Active) (Ultimate Skill)
: Demon Extermination – Releases everything as if swept away by wind.
Attacks a vast area of enemies upon casting.
(Usable once)
[Due to the contract with Ariel, the consumption of wind energy decreases, and damage output increases dramatically]
[When usable count reaches 0, it changes to Third Wind Explosion]
——————————————————
“?”
The first time I was seeing Wind Archery after Shadow Killing.
It was an ultimate skill, and it could be used just once.
In other words, it’s an incredibly powerful skill but can only be used one time.
If I combine it with my current Tarchangel transformation, Demon transformation, and Erosion Level…
I couldn’t predict its power.
How should I use it for maximum efficiency?
It feels too wasteful to use this skill ordinarily since it can only be used once.
Reflecting on the fanfic,
[Beast Descent – Gate of the Underworld] is a scene where a named corpse beast attacks from the dimensional gate.
The Great Demon Bunea came to test the creations he had made.
A dark fairy followed briefly to lure Selena.
And to buy time against these demon creatures were Edwin and Caeran…
In the end, the Academy sustained quite significant damage,
and when the war hero finally arrived, Bunea mocked, saying, “Well, if you run away, that’s all.” before escaping casually through the dimensional gate.
Although he didn’t literally say that, I remember the Great Demon acting in such a crass and frivolous manner.
Anyway, the rivalry between Edwin and Caeran heated up strongly,
resulting in an increasingly heavy atmosphere within the Academy, a true potato plot.
And knowing this fact, I thought…
‘It’s too much of a waste to let it go like this.’
Bunea is ultimately illustrated as advancing to the rank of legion commander after having his necromancy skills recognized,
but there’s little mention of it in the fanfic thereafter,
while he does appear in the original game, tormenting players with the grotesque creatures he created.
In other words, that guy’s potential could be rated slightly higher than a great demon. If I could catch him, it would be a golden opportunity.
I quietly murmured.
‘Gate of the Underworld, Bunea, Well of Souls, Wind Annihilation…’
–…!
At that moment, a groundbreaking idea came to my mind.
‘Could that work…?’
It was worth a try.
A method to exterminate every demon thoroughly from this world.
That’s the cornerstone of my happy Academy life.
Just as I finished that thought,
–Jiggle.
The last Circulation Train arrived on the platform, and my field of vision began to blur.
I needed to get on now.
–Guuuuuuum…
‘…!’
The ash-gray bolt behind me trembled ominously.
I let my guard down.
Perhaps it absorbed slightly remaining dark magic in my vicinity.
‘Erosion Level…’
[Erosion Level: 2/130]
Just 2.
However, considering my condition, this was an unfavorable trend.
After defeating the Hwayeomakgui, that day felt similar.
–Woosh!
–Thud! Thud!
My heart raced violently as my body weakened.
Just as I was about to lose consciousness,
another figure appeared before me—it was a lilac-haired girl.
*
As usual, Aria was helping with healing duties at the Hall of Struggle.
Since practicing Divine Magic and Healing Magic is crucial.
–Aria, you’ve overdone it today. You can go back now.
–Ah, just one more, just one more.
Given Aria’s personality, she usually ends up taking the last train after insisting on ‘just one more’.
“…?”
But on the platform leading to the chamber was a familiar ash-colored-haired man.
“Lev…?”
“…”
He was sitting with his head down.
He didn’t move an inch.
Yet Aria felt it instinctively.
The feeling was the same as during the Hwayeomakgui fight.
She sensed the alien dark magic emanating from Lev.
“Stay still.”
Just having healed someone, Aria barely had any mana left to use.
So when she calmly reached into her bag for a mana potion,
–Thud.
“…!”
His large hand covered her wrist.
–Swoosh.
–Hey!
His muscular shoulder easily pulled Aria closer.
Their faces were now close.
His expression was blank, yet his gaze was profound.
Despite being described as decadent, Aria didn’t flinch but spoke calmly.
“…Let me go.”
“I’d rather not.”
He caressed her wrist with one hand while the other stroked her hair.
“Such a nice scent.”
“…!”
His voice was sultry, typical of an intimate relationship.
‘Just like back then…’
This wasn’t his genuine intent.
Normally, he wouldn’t lay a hand on anyone.
‘Ugh…’
Sighing once, Aria attempted to cast Purification Magic immediately.
–…Stiff.
But then, a sudden curiosity emerged.
What would happen if she just let it go like this?
It was a thought she would never normally entertain.
But a weakened Lev, a Lev Denec who had lost his reason, was a rare sight.
What on Earth did he want from her…?
Thoughts raced through Aria’s mind.
Lately, she had often been seen with Yeriel.
Thinking back, they only entered the Hwangdo town when dawn broke.
‘But why does he say I smell good…?’
“…”
As her curiosity tangled into a network,
“Do you need this?”
He held the mana potion, letting it sway.
“…Yes.”
Even when Aria reached out, trying to stand on her tiptoes, Lev’s hand was far from her reach.
No matter how many times she tried to grasp the air, Lev made a condition.
“Try asking for it.”
“…Please give it to me.”
Aria’s plain tone while looking up at him was undeniably cute,
but Lev just smiled and added a remark.
“More desperately.”
“Ugh…”
How rude.
She wanted to smack him.
His sharp features seemed to exist solely for these wicked moments.
Although she didn’t understand, looking at the number of female students who had been chasing him recently…
“Once you regain your sanity, you’d probably act ignorant again.”
“…”
Aria’s sharp retort didn’t faze him.
Just a few months ago, he had been a man who made a show of unnecessary bravado and intimidation towards Edwin and other students.
How much of his initial intent was genuine?
Could it be that he was, in fact, a demon?
And right now, wouldn’t he give her an answer?
“…”
In the end, a moment of choice approached Aria.
Wanting to deny it, yet understanding it was Pandora’s box she shouldn’t open,
she decided to lay it all bare.
“You…”
“…?”
A sincere and heartfelt question.
“Are you… the Great Demon… Andras?”
Please, may it not be the answer she was expecting, Aria prayed time and again.
