“Yeriel, just close your eyes for a moment.”
“……”
It was a soothing sound, yet firm, almost as if Lev’s voice could flutter away at any moment.
There’s a certain atmosphere in the relationships between people and humans that doesn’t always require direct words to be understood.
And as the saying goes, women are sensitive to the mood, and Yeriel was no exception.
‘I have some intuition too…’
When she thought about her relationship with Lev Denec, it felt too early.
Really too early!
So surely, she should have questioned with something like, ‘Huh, why…?’
Yet her body was already ready to comply with his words.
Perhaps she already had a fondness for him, lingering in her mind.
Yeriel, who had made it her duty to always think of and consider others, found herself admiring his ability to do as he pleased and take responsibility for it so neatly.
In duels, he trained silently without showing any signs and truly prevailed.
Even though Yeriel couldn’t be certain of his victory either.
“……”
If she were to follow his command like this, she might really cross a point of no return…
Yeriel stared into his dark eyes and, as if intoxicated, slowly closed her pretty eyelids.
.
.
.
-……
.
.
.
And a few seconds passed.
Her presence, always filled with a fresh and warm scent, made her wonder if there was something wrong with her own scent when she slightly opened one eye.
“……?”
Lev Denec had disappeared.
*
Locating where Aria was wasn’t difficult.
Was it because she had been the longest-standing person around me?
Aria’s sacred power felt somewhat… intriguing.
Moreover…
—————————————————
[Gray Ashen Bolt]
[Rarity: S+]
[A crossbow imbued with the thoughts of the Great Demon – Leragie. It is said that only those chosen by demons may wield it.]
[*Water Dragon’s vein effect: Enables water element attacks.]
[Equipped]
[Unique Effect – Ashen Bolt: Disperses magic power to multiple locations to hide one’s presence. During this time, quick repositioning is possible.]
(Reuse cooldown: 24 hours)
—————————————————
You are resonating with it (Erosion Level: 5/100)
—————————————————
One of the reasons I chose the Gray Ashen Bolt.
It’s this first unique effect.
The dark magic aura flowing out from using demonic transformation can be absorbed and blocked by the Gray Ashen Bolt.
To use the Gray Ashen Bolt, one must undergo demonic transformation.
And since the Gray Ashen Bolt can hide the presence of demonic transformation, they complement each other.
Of course, given it’s a demonic arsenal, and when I undergo demonic transformation it classifies as a demon, this synergy is possible.
As I got closer to the room with the third gemstone where Aria is…
– Kreeeek!!!
A suffocating, dry, ominous sound began to fill the air as if I were being pressed down by a heavy weight.
– Rraagh!!!
It sounded somewhat like the eerie laughter of little children…
The [Hwayeomakgui] had already occupied the cave, sounding grotesquely inside.
– Chyaang!
—————————————————
▶[Supporting Role Quest]
[Main Event 4]
[Mission Object: As a supporting role, you cannot finish off the ‘Hwayeomakgui’. Help ‘Edwin Gwynn’ to slay the ‘Hwayeomakgui’.]
[Reward: 200 Supporting Role Points]
[Remaining Time: 11 hours 58 minutes]
—————————————————
– Fwoosh…
– Tiddick.. Tididididick..!!
Every flap of its wings created a hot burst of flames around it.
And these scarlet flames emitted thick, ominous smoke, enveloping the [Hwayeomakgui].
– Kreeeek!!!
The figure of the creature peeked through the smoke, resembling a vividly painted scarlet demon.
With wing membranes and a total height exceeding 3 meters.
– Kuha ha ha ha!!!!
Like a scene straight out of a game, the [Hwayeomakgui] began to laugh as if it were about to pass out.
—————————————————
▶[Hwayeomakgui]
[B+ Rank Demon Creature]
[Humanoid, Boss]
[Threat Level: Very High]
[Feature: It becomes A rank when in a frenzied state.]
[Encounter with a boss! : You can observe its patterns in advance!]
[Detailed view available]
—————————————————
Although it wasn’t a Great Demon rank, it was classified as a monster… the main boss of Chapter 2, [Hwayeomakgui].
‘So it can go into a frenzy too…’
I quickly opened the detailed view.
—————————————————
[Hwayeomakgui]
▶[Skills]
[Incineration Aura (Passive)]: Reduces fire resistance of enemies within a 5m radius by 2 stages.
[Rapid Fire Fireball (Active)]: Launches fireballs in succession with the left hand.
[Blaze (Active)]: Activated whenever health drops to 33.3 percent.
Fires five homing fireballs in eight directions, inflicting the ‘unquenchable flame’ debuff on the target.
Causes a powerful explosion when stacked five times.
[Flame Rain (Active)]: Only used in a frenzied state.
After long incantation, rains down flames in random locations.
▶[Special State]
[Frenzy (Ultimate)]: Activates when health drops below 44%.
All skills will have their power increased exponentially, evolving into A rank. Can only be defeated through the ‘Execution’ trait.
[Groggy]: The [Hwayeomakgui] is influenced only by status effects related to humanoid types when hit by water elemental attacks. If conditions are met, it becomes groggy for 10 seconds, increasing damage taken by 25%.
—————————————————
To put it simply about the [Hwayeomakgui] in the novel,
Avoid all the fiery blasts,
Make sure the ‘flame’ debuff doesn’t stack up by releasing it in advance,
And targeting its weak points would make it easy to defeat.
Based on this, its skills were implemented correctly.
However, as expected for the hellishly high difficulty, the pattern of going into a frenzy was added.
If it went into a frenzy, the [Hwayeomakgui] would evolve into an A rank demon creature, and from A rank onwards, it could only be completed with the ‘Execution’ skill, which was exclusive to chosen heroes.
– Hooof!!
The heatwave generated by its movements was burning hot.
In a situation where I could barely keep my eyes open, did Aria notice me? She looked a bit shocked.
‘It’s just like a scene from a movie…’
– Kyaaaahhh!!!!!
And according to the author’s scheme, the [Hwayeomakgui], distracted by the healer, threw its head back and began laughing uncontrollably, thinking some disgusting thought.
[Recluse – Gamer trait activated.]
[Recluse][Aggro: 0]
[*Aggro will be recognized by the enemy (Demon Creature) once it reaches 100.]
With the Reclusive trait providing zero aggro, I had already deployed my new skill, [Second Wind Barrier], around it.
This moment was the only chance for preparation.
– Whoosh!
—————————————————
▶[Second Wind Barrier] (Active) (General Skill)
: [Active 1] – Encircle with a barrier like wind.
The barrier absorbs a certain amount of damage while consuming the wind energy.
(*Can only manipulate as far as the projectile range allows.)
—————————————————
[Wind Energy: 40 used! 70/110]
Eight transparent blue barriers latched around the creature.
But completely oblivious to it, the creature was wholly absorbed in Aria.
Due to its demonic characteristics, true intelligence only kicks in from A rank upwards, but those below that grade do not.
– Kyaaaah, Kahkakahkahkak!!!!
– Chak!!!
The [Hwayeomakgui] raised its left hand high.
It was about to cast [Rapid Fire Fireball] at Aria.
However, my Gray Ashen Bolt was already a beat faster, stirring the winds.
– Chyaang!
[You have acquired a new skill!]
*
– Can I… stand guard with Lev?
‘Why did you say that, Yeriel…?’
Inside the cave where a beautiful light emanated from the center gemstone, Aria was only measuring the purification level as her role required.
Measuring the purification level was a lengthy task, and left alone in such darkness, Aria began to ponder various thoughts before she fell asleep.
Lev Denec and Yeriel.
It was a known fact that the two lived together in the Sellafi Black House.
Yet for some reason, they seemed like strangers.
It was hard to define whether they were close or awkward.
Seeing Yeriel always watching for cues, it felt as though Lev was deliberately pushing her away.
“Could it be they have fought…?”
Since Aria entered Claris Academy, she saw many relationships among students that began with conflicts, grew distant, and later reconciled…
But Lev Denec deliberately avoiding conversation with others?
That thought was completely inconceivable to her.
Taking herself as an example, even after confessing, they spoke casually and got involved.
He had this vibe of not sweating the small stuff.
‘Could it be! Does he like Yeriel…?’
That too was something she had read in romantic novels.
Men tend to struggle to speak before women they admire.
“……”
At that moment, Aria’s heart sank coldly.
‘So, does that mean I’m just… a trivial person…?’
Before she knew it, Aria’s tone had become mechanical.
Something felt stinging in her heart.
Not a good feeling at all.
That kind of sentiment…
It was then.
– Fwoosh!!!!
– Kii-kii…!!!
– Kyaaaahhh!!!!
“!!”
With ominous sounds, a demon appeared in front of Aria.
.
.
.
Aria had faced Andras, an S-class or higher Great Demon before.
The demon, who toyed mercilessly with her parents,
And a hint of amusement it had shown in its expression.
Fortunately, Andras’s malice wasn’t directed at Aria as she managed to escape in confusion, carried away by a hunter.
But now the situation was different.
– Kii-kii-ki-ki-ki!!!!
This bizarre red demon with a mouth stretched wide open was visibly filled with murderous intent directed at Aria.
‘It’s targeting me…’
The wave of fear surging over her was undeniable.
Her hands trembled.
Her legs shook.
Her whole body quivered and savored the fear, threatening to be devoured by its overwhelming aura.
‘In this situation, I need to stay focused…?’
For some reason, every time in a crisis, Aria’s eyes would always fall upon that man with gray hair.
