novelraw Chapter 74 : Demon Race (4)
Chapter 74 : Demon Race (4)
Chapter 74: Demon Race (4)
“We need to regroup with Priest Frey.”
After lifting the curse, Sibelte spoke with a grave expression.
“We split up with Priest Frey to search the labyrinth. If he ended up in the same situation as us, he’ll need help.”
“That’s not possible.”
Garan said firmly.
“The space itself has completely changed. We can’t move until we fully understand our surroundings.”
“You are Garan of the Black Dragon, correct? I’ve heard much about you from Priest Frey.”
Sibelte’s voice sank low.
“I know your judgment is correct. But I also have a duty to protect the followers of the Holy Kingdom.”
“Even so, we cannot move. There’s no telling what kind of traps are waiting. Staying here is the best option.”
“…….”
Sibelte bit her lip.
Rationally, she agreed with him.
This space belonged to the Demon Race. Just moments ago, she had barely survived thanks to Leon. If she acted on emotion alone, she was effectively useless.
At that moment—
“I agree with the Saintess.”
I spoke, my gaze indifferent.
“Not just Priest Frey, but the members of the Black Dragon Mercenary Corps are likely trapped here as well. We need to regroup quickly and escape.”
“Do you have any basis for that?”
“Do you remember the Prison Forest Ground? This place is probably similar. The Demon Race wanted to revive Reculrus de… I don’t remember exactly, but that thing. The condition for revival is likely absorbing divine power. That’s why they trapped the Saintess here.”
“So what? If we move carelessly, we could fall into their traps. They might even be watching us right now. And you still want to move?”
“We have to. This space wants the Saintess’s heart.”
I placed my hand on the ground as I spoke.
“Don’t you feel it? Something pulsating within this space.”
At my words, Garan closed his eyes and heightened his senses.
Soon, he opened them again.
“Something is sleeping. Deep underground… I can feel life. Did you figure this out with that strange perception of yours too?”
“I just felt it.”
Garan fell into thought.
Whether we stayed or tried to escape, everything played into the enemy’s hands.
A perfect deadlock.
And likely—
exactly what they intended.
Even this hesitation was probably within their expectations.
At last, Garan made his decision.
“Leon, we’ll move as you said. If it weren’t for you, we’d already be dead. I can trust you one more time.”
Sibelte’s face brightened with visible relief.
“Thank you. Garan, take this.”
She pulled out a small wooden doll.
“It’s a magic tool that shares location. Priest Frey has one too. It may look odd, but it works well. You go find your members—we’ll head to Priest Frey.”
“Understood.”
Garan wasted no time and set off to find Retina and the others.
“Kazan, the scent you placed on Rhuin is still working, right?”
“It’s faint, but still there. We’ll find him soon.”
“Come to think of it, where did Rhuin go?”
I asked.
“Didn’t he go with you?”
“The labyrinth was complicated, so we split up. He’s not the type to die to something like that. I figured he’d be fine.”
“I see.”
I nodded.
Clearly, unlike me, Garan hadn’t taken the most efficient approach.
‘I broke through the walls from the start.’
If they had done the same, there would’ve been no need to split up.
I clicked my tongue in slight regret.
“Are your injuries alright?”
I asked.
Garan and Kazan both gave me incredulous looks.
“You’re asking that? You’re far worse off than us. Didn’t you see the Saintess sweating while treating you?”
“Was it that bad?”
“Who in the world stabs their own stomach to break a curse? And even if they did, they wouldn’t be walking around like you.”
“Ah.”
I nodded in understanding.
At that moment—
Boom—!!
A loud explosion echoed in the distance.
“…That’s Retina’s mana. The wave wasn’t large—probably a defensive spell.”
“Did they run into the Demon Race? We need to regroup.”
Garan charged toward the wall.
Bang—!
But the wall didn’t break.
“…The space really has changed. The walls are much harder now.”
“Then we’ll have to do this the proper way.”
The direction was set.
If luck was on our side, we’d find them quickly.
I immediately began running through the labyrinth.
Forks, dead ends—
a labyrinth was nothing but malicious design.
Since breaking walls no longer worked—
there was only one solution.
‘Speed.’
Forks didn’t matter.
Dead ends didn’t matter.
Once you run through them all—
you’ll find the right path eventually.
Every labyrinth has an end.
And that end—
led to Retina.
So I ran.
As fast as possible—
to reach my comrades.
---
Kwaang—!!
Retina gasped for breath.
It was the backlash from using magic too suddenly.
Normally, magic required a set sequence to activate—
but there had been no time.
The attack had come out of nowhere.
“Ghk—!!”
She groaned.
Her organs trembled painfully.
She had overused her mana in an instant.
Her mana circuits seemed slightly damaged.
“So this is the Saintess? I heard she was beautiful. Seems the rumors were exaggerated.”
A man stepped out from the labyrinth.
Pale skin. Sharp fangs. Inverted eyes.
Clearly not human.
“…!!”
Ryan stepped forward immediately, drawing his sword.
“Who are you?!”
“A Holy Knight? Strange. I was told the Saintess and her knights would be overflowing with divine power…”
He tilted his head.
“I don’t sense even a trace of it. Are you hiding your power?”
“What nonsense are you talking about? We’re not the Saintess or Holy Knights. Just a knight apprentice and a mage.”
“…Ah. So you’re different people. No wonder. You’re not as pretty as I heard. Though… I wasn’t told others would be here. Was there a mistake?”
He shrugged and drew his weapon—
a rapier.
Ryan’s eyes tensed.
He hadn’t even perceived the earlier attack.
‘Either he’s using unknown magic—or he’s far stronger than me.’
And he held a rapier.
That meant close combat.
The latter seemed more likely.
Gulp.
Ryan swallowed.
His body stiffened with tension.
At that moment—
“Hey.”
A cold voice broke through.
His tension eased.
‘…Oh. So it’s not that bad after all.’
Ryan smirked.
Because he realized—
he had misunderstood.
“Do I look that easy to you?”
Retina stepped forward.
Veins bulged on her forehead.
Her eyes burned with anger.
“I get it. I haven’t done much lately.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to myself—and to those watching me.”
Rumble—!!
A terrifying aura erupted from her body.
It wasn’t heavy like a warrior’s presence—
but sharp. Refined.
Like a blade.
Whoooooosh—!!
A violent storm swirled around her.
Even Ryan staggered.
“You made two mistakes. First—I am beautiful. The kind that makes people look twice. And second—you underestimated me.”
“…….”
The Demon Race stiffened.
He felt it—
the storm of mana gathering around her.
A realm so overwhelming it defied opposition.
“Strong and beautiful mages like me always earn a title. Do you know mine?”
A chilling killing intent flickered across her face.
“The Witch of Resonance.”
At that moment—
“Cough—!!”
Blood burst from the Demon Race’s mouth.
Flesh fragments mixed within.
His organs had been destroyed.
Unable to endure—
he dropped to his knees.
“What… is this…?!”
“Do you know what resonance is?”
He couldn’t answer.
He had never heard the term.
More importantly—
what had just hit him?
His breathing grew ragged.
Fear filled his eyes.
“Pathetic.”
Retina spoke coldly.
“It’s my unique magic. I shook every part of your body—muscles, bones, organs. Your brain is probably mush by now.”
He didn’t respond.
He couldn’t.
Because he could no longer hear her.
Riiiiing—
A ringing filled his ears.
His thoughts unraveled.
‘What… am I doing?’
‘Who… is she…?’
…What was I thinking just now?
And then—
his consciousness faded.
“……”
Ryan was speechless.
It was horrifying.
The Demon Race died on his knees—
brain matter leaking from his ears,
blood pouring from his nose.
Even for an enemy—
it was pitiful.
‘…I should treat Retina with more respect.’
He had forgotten—
she was a veteran of the Black Dragon Mercenary Corps.
Not a rookie like him.
A true veteran.
“……I’m dizzy.”
Thud.
Retina collapsed.
Her face was pale.
Even that magic had taken a toll.
“Give me a moment. Once my mana circuits recover, we’ll move again.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Ryan answered instantly.
Retina smirked.
“You’ve got discipline. I like that.”
“Thank you, noona.”
“Haa… The Captain got dragged into something troublesome. They’d better pay us well for this.”
As she muttered—
“Brothers and sisters?”
A voice came from behind.
“You’re here! I was worried.”
“Priest?”
Ryan’s face lit up.
“Priest Frey!”
“Haha! Thank goodness. I sensed a great disturbance and came to check—luckily, I found you.”
Behind Frey—
stood over a dozen Holy Knights.
All exuding a fierce presence.
Their armor was stained with blood.
They had clearly fought as well.
“We also ran into Brother Rhuin on the way.”
“Really?! Brother Rhuin, where are you?!”
“Here.”
Rhuin answered tiredly.
“We ran into some strange ones. They were strong.”
“Same here. Where’s the Captain?”
“Kazan marked me with a special scent. If we stay put, they’ll find us. And Priest Frey seems to share a location with the Saintess too. We’ll all regroup soon.”
With that, Rhuin leaned against the wall.
Only then did Ryan properly observe the others.
Even Frey looked exhausted.
His divine power seemed drained.
‘That must’ve been a fierce battle.’
What exactly was happening?
‘Something definitely is. This labyrinth itself is a trap for the Saintess. Anything could happen.’
Ryan could only hope—
that nothing worse would happen before they regrouped.