novelraw Chapter 34 : Ritual of the Dark Demon and the Egg of Darkness (3)
Chapter 34 : Ritual of the Dark Demon and the Egg of Darkness (3)
Chapter 34: Ritual of the Dark Demon and the Egg of Darkness (3)
Kwaang!
Yohan, gripping his dagger in a reverse grip, hurled himself straight toward Kim Geunsik.
A linear trajectory.
It was a straightforward, all-too-obvious attack.
“You actually thought such an open ambush would work?”
“Do we look like scarecrows to you!?”
The priests immediately activated the black magic they had been casting.
[Coordinates are fixed!]
Various debuff effects overlapped one after another.
His arms and legs grew heavy.
His movement speed decreased.
Intense fatigue welled up, and nausea threatened to rise.
And at the end of it all—
Kim Geunsik, who had taken his stance, swung his sword like lightning.
Kagak!
Blades scraped against each other, spitting sparks.
The brief deadlock that lasted less than a second ended with Kim Geunsik’s bizarre sword technique—
A method that disrupted his own balance and released the stored energy in reverse.
Kwaaang!
“Khuk!?”
Yohan’s body was violently flung back.
He rolled helplessly across the sticky surface of the lake for quite a distance.
“It’s a common misconception that priests can’t wield a sword. That arrogance of thinking you could win just by closing the distance—was your downfall.”
A deep smile appeared on Kim Geunsik’s lips.
It was a privilege allowed only to the victor—a leisure that could be shown only right before judging the defeated.
But in that very moment—
A strange sense of dissonance crept into Kim Geunsik’s senses.
Yohan’s position was right near the altar where the Egg of Darkness rested.
And despite taking what should’ve been a critical hit, his expression was far too calm.
“Ugh. Normally, I should’ve flown about fifty-five centimeters farther… still got a ways to go. But my acting and such—yeah, it’s getting there. Not bad.”
Yohan straightened his back and rose to his feet.
At some point, the Resentment of the Black Abyss had disappeared from his hand—replaced by the staff he had received from Rakshama.
‘Use any “magical tool,” “magical knowledge,” or related abilities—whatever it may be—to leave your mark on the episode through the medium of magic. The depth and significance of the traces you leave will determine whether you can become a magician, and your rank thereafter.’
Normally, one would manifest simple spells using a magical tool, or study the basics of magical theory or elementalism from books.
Those with talent or exceptional ability would enter labyrinths or ruins to obtain Sacred Relics, or modify existing magic formulas to invent upgraded spells.
But that alone wasn’t enough.
Achievements within the range of what was possible couldn’t leave a true mark upon the episode.
Therefore—
Only something like hatching the Egg of Darkness not with demonic energy (magi) but with mana could suffice.
Only something capable of twisting the very foundation of black magic and disturbing the Evil God’s will—
Could be called a true mark.
[‘Rakshama’s Cursed Staff’ activates!]
Pachutz.
Blue light streamed from the staff and touched the Egg of Darkness.
At that very moment—
[The first awakening condition of ‘Hidden Class’ has been fulfilled.]
Another golden status window appeared.
The real game began now.
＊＊＊
The personal armament of the great sorcerer Rakshama.
His history and experiences were imbued into the cursed staff, granting it a very special ability.
[Rakshama’s Staff (Set Item)]
Magic Attack Power: 55
Durability: 15 / 40
Can distort the flow of mana possessed by the opponent. (Distortion Rate +15%)
Additional Effect per Set Item: +3%
He hadn’t gone to Rakshama’s tomb to offer tributes and appease the corpse’s temper for nothing.
“There’s no better item than this for obtaining the Hidden Class ‘Magician.’”
Originally, he had planned to approach a tribe of sorcerers instead of using the Egg of Darkness.
However, after encountering Kim Geunsik, his plans changed.
“Actually, this turned out even better.”
Even among Hidden Classes, the initial stats given weren’t all the same.
He might have earned the resentment of the Evil God and the Requiem Cult, but in return, he gained something far greater.
Kukukukuku!
Amidst the countless swirling threads of energy,
Yohan skillfully and cautiously immersed himself in the flow.
Pachutz.
As his mana touched the Egg of Darkness, a mysterious reaction occurred.
It quivered—
And began to move.
“T-That’s impossible. The sacrifices aren’t even dead yet, and the egg is awakening!?”
“What have you done, you bastard!?”
The Requiem Cult priests shouted in disbelief.
It was only natural.
For the Ritual of the Dark Demon, the hatching of the Egg of Darkness could only begin after it absorbed a certain number of sacrifices.
But judging by how the egg was already trembling even from afar—something had clearly gone wrong.
They had to stop it.
Before the grand design they had prepared for so long was ruined.
And then—
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
The black demonic energy erupting from the Egg of Darkness became overwhelmingly stronger than before.
Tangible, black flames surged violently.
The scorching heat threatened to incinerate their lungs and crushed the entire area beneath its pressure.
“Keurk!”
“Gghhh….”
The charging priests collapsed to their knees on the spot.
They couldn’t even approach the inner part of the lake—remaining still was hard enough.
“What… what’s happening!?”
“Y-Yeah, what is!?”
Even Meiba and Priscilla had stopped fighting before they realized it.
The place where Yohan and the Egg of Darkness stood was now shrouded in black fire, completely obscured from view.
Priscilla, her face blackened with soot, blinked rapidly.
Then, as if a light bulb flickered on above her head, she swept her hair back and put on the most arrogant expression she could muster.
“Fufu. Everything is going according to our plan.”
As expected of a good thief—
After observing Yohan for so long, she had learned that acting like this worked well.
“Your plan, you say?”
“Yes! And this is merely the weakest of our 1,319 strategies. So if you don’t want to die, I suggest you run while you still can!”
Her trembling finger pointed at them, trying her best to intimidate them.
Priscilla was, indeed, being swiftly corrupted by Yohan’s influence.
＊＊＊
It was a task that could only be described as absurd.
Replacing magi with mana, and inverting the countless authorities and incantations spread throughout the Egg of Darkness.
‘This is on a completely different level than the Ring of Crimson Lotus.’
Hot sweat streamed down Yohan’s forehead.
The difficulty was beyond despair, yet the emotions on his face were not resignation or defeat.
Excitement. Amusement.
And the anticipation of reaching even higher.
That was all there was.
‘Almost there.’
He then added another catalyst.
[Rakshama’s Red Cursed Stone (Set Item)]
Description: Amplifies the effect of one attribute by 50% for one minute. Additional Effect per Set Item: +3%
The blue light radiating from Rakshama’s Staff intensified as the set effect activated.
Kukukukuku!
Cracks forming along the staff widened little by little.
The item itself could no longer withstand the power surging beyond its limit.
Please.
Just a little longer.
Just a bit more…!
He connected, reconstructed, and converted.
[Composition], [Regression], [Substitution].
Countless advanced spell formulas bloomed into dazzling magic circles above the Egg of Darkness.
Jjeojeojeok!
Kkgeugeuk….
The black liquid gushed upward, nearly reaching his feet.
There was no time.
If he was swallowed by that, he would lose his mind and sink forever into the depths of the abyss.
His lips trembled, and his heart pounded like mad.
His overloaded brain sizzled and burned.
[Seal Demon], [Unlock]….
He could do this.
He couldn’t give up.
No matter how agonizing or painful it might be.
…and finally, [Reversal].
The last pentagram—glowing with green light—completely enveloped the Egg of Darkness.
At that very moment—
[‘Egg of Darkness’ conceives a new demon!]
[You have achieved an incredible feat that will be remembered in this episode!]
[One of Solomon’s Demon Kings has noticed your interference!]
Along with the successive messages—
[You have advanced to the Hidden Class ‘Magus of the Void’!]
A message declaring the end of all his hardships appeared.
“Got it…”
At last, Yohan had attained the Hidden Class he had so long desired.
His legs gave out, and he collapsed on the spot.
If he could, he would’ve gladly passed out right there, but reality wasn’t that kind.
For soon, both the Requiem Cult and Meiba—upon realizing their plan had fallen apart—would be in a frenzy.
Kim Geunsik aside—
Meiba was the real problem.
‘With my current condition, there’s no way I can beat her.’
The odds of Priscilla having subdued Meiba were nothing but a fool’s hope.
He had to decide his next move before the black flames shielding him disappeared.
And then—
Pakak!
A crack ran across the Egg of Darkness.
Something inside was awakening.
One mountain after another.
And now, of all times, he had to deal with a monster too.
One thing was certain—it wasn’t the species the Requiem Cult had been trying to hatch.
A divine beast? Or perhaps a phantom beast?
If it turned out to be an ancient species, it would be even more troublesome than Meiba.
As all sorts of possibilities raced through his mind, a small creature emerged from the broken shell—a three-headed puppy.
It was about forty centimeters tall.
Aside from the fact that it had three heads, it was an adorably cute white puppy.
Around it drifted puffy clouds shrouded in black, oriental-style flames.
“Fufu! This scent! This aura! At last, I am born anew!”
“Hehe! Outside! We’re outside!”
“I’d appreciate it if everyone could maintain a bit of dignity. Mm.”
Each of the three heads spoke in turn.
This creature…
Yohan let out a hollow laugh.
Of course, he knew.
How could he not?
It was Cerberus, the very being that had devoured the Saintess and led to the bad ending.
‘It’s my first time seeing it as a juvenile, though… interesting.’
Ancient species were notoriously difficult to handle—but this one was an exception.
After all, he had dealt with it more times than he cared to remember.
In that sense, he’d drawn the best possible outcome from the Egg of Darkness.
“So. You’re the one who’ll serve as my familiar, huh?”
“Food good! Mana good! I’ll eat a lot!”
“It’s too hot here, and it smells awful. I’d appreciate being escorted somewhere more elegant and comfortable. Mm.”
Cerberus lifted its heads proudly.
Having been born from the Egg of Darkness, it considered itself darkness incarnate—
A noble being to be revered and feared alike.
But then—
Yohan picked up a large, sturdy branch floating near the lake.
A single red flower bloomed at its tip—perfect.
“Ptu, ptu.”
He spat on it to make sure it wouldn’t slip.
“What… what are you trying to do?”
“Ah, just a greeting. You know, introductions are important.”
A sort of hierarchy-setting.
Most people would cower and tremble before the manifestation of such a powerful being—
But that was unnecessary.
‘Newly hatched beings can’t act recklessly toward those they meet first.’
Besides, it was still a juvenile, far weaker than its adult form.
So—
Creatures this prideful and self-absorbed needed to be disciplined early.
“Fufu. How quaintly threatening.”
“Hehe. Trying to scare us?”
“How insolent… mm. Not once in thousands of years has a human dared to show us such disrespect, mm.”
Hmm.
It still thought it was the gatekeeper of the underworld.
“Say hello. This here is my friend ‘Courtesy.’”
Yohan extended the branch forward.
“And the flower at the end? That’s ‘Love.’”
A flower of love that instills courtesy.
Heh. Don’t worry too much.
It’s not like he’d beat up such a cute little puppy, right?
Sure, people said you shouldn’t strike even with a flower—but this would be an exception.
He’d only tap with the flower, so there was no need to be afraid.
[Bloodline Ability ‘Blood Enhancement’ activates!]
The flower turned an even deeper red.
It even looked slightly larger.
Kkaang!
As the fluttering flower touched its head, a terrifying crack echoed.
“Gyaaa! My skull… my skull!”
“Hehe! I-I dodged it!”
“He really hit us… the first head’s hurting a lot, mm. I might be next.”
The little dog hopped around in place.
This was definitely not revenge for that time Cerberus had devoured the Saintess and caused chaos.
Of course not.
Yohan wasn’t petty enough to hold a grudge across separate timelines.
This was simply an adult’s gentle spanking, a lesson so it would grow straight.
Kkaang! Kagakang!
“Kyaang! Kkaeng!”
The merciless, emotion-fueled beating continued for several seconds.
Once bumps began stacking atop its heads, Yohan stopped swinging the flower and took something else out.
Tuk.
A bone.
“I might’ve gone a bit overboard, but I meant it as a gesture to get along from now on, you get it?”
“After beating us like a dog…! There will be no compromise! The wrath of the underworld will soon descend upon you!”
The first head, which had taken most of the blows, snarled.
He’d actually gone easy on it to fix that chuunibyou attitude, but apparently it wasn’t enough.
Yohan grabbed the branch again.
The flower swayed.
“Fufu. However, mercy and tolerance are the virtues of the noble. Out of goodwill, I shall let this slide.”
“Chop-chop! Huff, huff! Crunch, crunch.”
“Tasty… mm. This is quite a fine bone.”
That bone came from the tibia of a Skeleton Warrior Yohan had hunted in the Withered Garden.
Judging by its condition, it was likely over a hundred years old.
He had kept a few as crafting materials, never expecting anyone to actually eat one.
Well, everyone has their own tastes.
“When you’re done eating, get inside the subspace for now.”
By now, chaos must’ve erupted outside the veil of black fire.
They had just lost the Egg of Darkness, after all—their rage would be reaching the heavens.
Even though the appearance of Cerberus was bound to be revealed sooner or later, it was best to hide him for now.
＊
After a while, the chain of events finally settled down.
As the veil lifted, the scenery of the lake came back into view.
“This is… the worst.”
The first words out of Yohan’s mouth as he stepped out.
His expression turned cold.
Of all the possible outcomes—
It was the one he least wanted to face.