novelraw Chapter 149 : The Identity of the Pitch-Black
Chapter 149 : The Identity of the Pitch-Black
Chapter 149: The Identity of the Pitch-Black
Decarsen’s smile never left his face.
“To think that a mere human would dare to challenge me… laughable.”
He waited calmly for the filthy dust to settle.
Reclaiming the sacrifice was his top priority, but he didn’t wish to soil his garments.
At that moment, a thick bolt of lightning tore through the dust.
Crackle crackle crackle!
It was a powerful, splitting surge of thunder.
In an instant, Decarsen scattered pitch-black energy to block it.
The lightning didn’t vanish immediately—it spread in all directions.
“Kh…! That’s quite some magic. But it’s useless.”
His hand reached toward the ground.
As the pitch-black energy flowed into the earth, a tremor began to rise.
Dududududu.
“Craciau Garw (Roughening Fracture).”
The incantation rolled from his tongue.
It felt different from ordinary magic.
The quaking ground surged upward, spewing pitch-black energy from Decarsen’s feet to where Raion stood.
Kwa-kakakakak!
“Gravity!”
Space before Raion distorted, pressing the earth downward.
The black energy splitting the ground dispersed and scattered.
“I meant to handle this quietly, but I suppose moderation won’t do.”
“This is your idea of moderation?”
A single monster might have wiped an entire kingdom from the map.
And the forest where those monsters had moved was already devastated beyond recognition.
This time, Raion’s sword moved first.
Decarsen didn’t stay idle either. Roughly unleashing his pitch-black energy, he sheathed his sword and swung with both hands.
The dark aura formed into spears, hurled down like a storm of rain.
“My Gwaywffon wen (White-Black Spear) shall pierce through you.”
Shuaaa! Chwachang! Chwang—!
It was as though he freely manipulated an energy akin to mana.
Raion twisted his sword slightly and deflected it.
Cha-cheng! Ti… tick!
Decarsen’s strength was overwhelming.
Because of that, cracks began to form in Raion’s sword as he continued to parry the attacks.
‘As I thought… it’s hard to keep blocking this. But what in the world is that sword made of?’
He should have checked with Specific Analysis from the start.
Now it was too late—any lapse in concentration amid such relentless attacks could prove fatal.
Kang—!
At last, Raion’s sword snapped.
A sneer spread across Decarsen’s distorted face.
He felt the tide of battle turn in his favor.
Yet, he didn’t grow complacent.
“Mellt tywyll mawr (Great Lightning of Darkness).”
A black spear of thunder formed between Decarsen’s hands and shot forward.
This attack was unlike anything before.
And Raion’s sword was broken.
Sensing danger, Turklan prepared to move.
“It’s over! Finally, a battle worthy of the name—”
But Decarsen’s actions didn’t match his words.
Just as he was speaking, a violent blaze erupted from the ground and engulfed him.
Still, the black lightning spear had already been released.
Raion gripped the broken hilt tightly and unleashed all his power.
Shuaaaaaa!
White Lightning Flash.
Brilliant white lightning extended from the shattered blade, forming a two-meter-long edge.
With that newly forged aura blade, Raion cleaved through the incoming black thunder.
Chwaaaak!
Meanwhile, the flames continued to consume Decarsen.
“Aaaaaargh!”
The inferno didn’t last long.
Flames scattered in all directions, revealing Decarsen’s furious expression.
“I was going to grant you a swift death, but you dare test my patience!”
At that moment—
Raion used Specific Analysis on the enraged Decarsen.
The data that appeared before his eyes shocked him.
[Target Information]
Name: Decarsen Falkahn
Age: 2,121 years
Race: Demon
Occupation: Count of the Demon Realm
Vitality: 7,120 / 9,990
Stamina: 11,310 / 12,900
Mana: 15,120 / 21,230
‘A demon…?’
A race thought to have vanished from history—one he’d only ever read about in ancient tomes—stood before him.
And the problem was that none of Decarsen’s abilities were displayed.
His vitality, stamina, and mana were all terrifyingly high.
Only then did Raion understand why even his strongest aura and spells barely harmed him.
“To think such a human existed… I have underestimated the mortal realm.”
“How did a demon come to the human world?”
His occupation listed him as a Count of the Demon Realm.
That meant he might have come from another world—the Demon Realm itself.
After all, Raion himself had been reborn into this continent from another dimension.
Just then, a pure white light flared from behind.
“O Goddess Zigasis, of the Sun and Blessing, answer this prayer offered after long waiting…”
High Priestess Marianne clasped her hands in prayer, and divine power radiated from her.
The light stretched outward, reaching Decarsen and causing smoke to rise.
Chiiiiik…!
Decarsen hastily retreated, his once-calm face twisting in agony.
The arm touched by the light was burned, his clothes scorched away.
“Is this… the light of Zigasis?”
Decarsen’s voice, too, was filled with rage.
The calm he had maintained moments ago was gone.
“I’d heard there was someone in the Middle Realm capable of wielding the power of light, but to meet one here… There was another human I should’ve killed first.”
Decarsen’s expression grew grim.
Murderous intent surged like waves through the still air.
It was a presence Raion had never felt before.
‘Damn it!’
Until now, no opponent had truly troubled him.
No—he had been able to overwhelm anyone, no matter who they were.
All thanks to the powers he gained through regression and reincarnation.
But this was harder than when he fought the Divine Beast Grapios.
“Don’t stop praying!”
The killing intent Decarsen exuded spread outward, transforming into pitch-black energy.
Fortunately, Marianne and the priests under her command didn’t halt their prayers.
Around them, the Holy Knights raised their swords and formed a defensive line.
They, too, could feel Decarsen’s murderous aura pricking their skin.
The problem was how long they could keep praying.
“You think the light of your petty goddess can stop me?”
The demonic aura, vile beyond words, spread out in all directions toward the priests.
Seeing this, Raion swung his sword, crackling with white lightning, in a wide arc.
Chwaaaaak!
The darkness swallowing space itself was split apart.
“Graaaahhh!”
Decarsen screamed louder than before.
The white lightning that cleaved the darkness had struck him directly.
“Grrr…! Are you a follower of that goddess too!?”
“My attack actually worked?”
Until now, even when he used aura, it merely clashed against Decarsen’s power without inflicting much harm.
But this time was different.
The scream clearly came from pain.
And hearing Decarsen’s words just now, Raion could guess why.
‘No way…’
Crackle crackle crackle!
The proof of having reached the realm of the Master Emperor, the pinnacle of Swordmasters—
The white lightning of that level was Decarsen’s weakness.
“You’ve reached the realm where your sword manifests the goddess’s light? Then I have no choice…”
Smoke began to rise from Decarsen’s feet as they turned to mist.
Seeing that, Raion knew he couldn’t miss this chance.
He immediately stacked Haste and Wind and charged forward, swinging his lightning-filled sword.
Chwaak—! Crackle crackle!
“Gaaaaaah!”
Decarsen’s nearly vanished body reappeared with agony and crashed to the ground.
Thud—!
Landing, Raion extended the lightning blade even further and swung again.
Decarsen didn’t stay still.
Letting out a guttural groan, he hastily gathered energy in his hands.
Boom! Boom!
The renewed clash was completely different from before.
Raion’s lightning, flashing like blinding light, seared trees and surged toward Decarsen’s dark energy.
Even the wounds Marianne’s divine power had healed moments ago reignited in flames.
“Ugh… urgh!”
“Did you think I’d let you escape now that I’ve found your weakness?”
The situation had completely turned around.
At the same time, Raion checked Decarsen’s condition.
Vitality: 2,120 / 9,990
Stamina: 2,310 / 12,900
Mana: 10,120 / 21,230
His vitality and stamina had dropped dramatically.
That alone proved how fatal the white lightning was to him.
‘As I thought… White Lightning Flash is his weakness.’
If he hadn’t discovered it, things might have turned dangerous.
Raion looked down at Decarsen, who could barely rise from the ground.
“Try running again. This time, I’ll fry you completely.”
Sparks of white lightning crackled from Raion’s sword.
The once-cold, aristocratic face of Decarsen crumpled like paper.
“You think I’ll just suffer like this!?”
“If not, are you planning to fight back?”
Puk—! Crackle!
The lightning aura pierced Decarsen’s shoulder, flaring brilliantly.
“AAAAARGH!”
Decarsen tried to rip it out, but he couldn’t even touch it properly.
All he could do was scream.
Only when Raion withdrew his aura did the pain subside.
Vitality: 420 / 9,990
Stamina: 1,140 / 12,900
Mana: 5,120 / 21,230
His stats dropped further, down to half a human’s maximum life span.
Panting heavily, Decarsen glared at Raion with eyes full of rage.
But he couldn’t utter a word.
All he could do was clench his jaw.
“How many others like you have crossed over from the Demon Realm?”
Specific Analysis had shown his title as Count of the Demon Realm.
That meant he was nobility. And if others like him had also entered the continent, it was a serious problem.
“You think knowing that will change anything?”
“If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine.”
Crackle!
“AAAAARGH!”
This time, Raion didn’t pierce him—he merely touched him with the lightning blade.
Even so, Decarsen’s vitality and stamina dropped slightly as pain wracked his body.
“Still don’t want to talk?”
“All that awaits your kind is the end.”
“Is it because that so-called Demon King stands behind you?”
Decarsen’s expression froze instantly.
Raion spoke, recalling a Tip he had seen before.
[Tip: The Temple’s Offering is a being meant for the Demon King.]
The Divine Beast Grapios had been the sacrifice.
If the Demon King sought that, the connection was clear.
And it meant the Demon King was the ruler of the demons.
‘The Demon King… the demons… Did they cross from the Demon Realm into this continent?’
Raion felt the vague pieces of the puzzle finally fitting together.
He glared at Decarsen and continued.
“Where is the Demon King now?”
“You think I’d ever tell you that!?”
With that shout, Decarsen’s pitch-black eyes turned blood-red.