Chapter 177

[Translator – Night][Proofreader – Gun]

Chapter 177: The Black-Haired Demon (2)

For several years now, there has been a story circulating on the continent like a superstition.

Its name is verbose, ‘A Tale of a Demon Disturbing the Order of Light.’

At first glance, it may seem like a fanciful tale spun by a storyteller for amusement, but over the past few years, it has spread widely across the continent to the extent that hardly anyone living on land would be unaware of it.

It is commonly said that three phenomena occur before the appearance of this demon.

First, it is said that before the demon appears, crimson streams spread out like spilled red wine in all directions, flowing like a river, and those who witness this sight naturally feel a chill down their spine, causing cold sweat to run.

Secondly, a strange black mist, whose origin is unknown, descends, darkening the surroundings.

This mist is not a natural occurrence, seemingly enveloping everything around as if trying to confine its target.

The last, third sign is the sound of unfamiliar footsteps from beyond that ignorance-filled space.

As the sound draws closer, one supposedly comes face to face with cruel, blood-red pupils, as if stained with blood.

If one were to experience all three of these phenomena, it is said that they should immediately kneel and pray to the god they believe in.

Not to beg for mercy, but to fervently pray to die as painlessly as possible.

For it is possible that the demon, sensing some compassion, might alleviate the suffering…

“Is, is there no one outside?”

Vince exclaimed loudly, taken aback by the unexpected situation.

Despite deploying a force of troops outside, easily totaling fifty, for some reason, not only did no one come running, but there was no response at all.

“Why is there no response! If anyone hears, come out!”

Excitedly, he shouted again, and from the end of the red streak that followed, a figure appeared.

-Thud, thud.

Vince, whose heart was pounding, soon smiled with relief.

The figure that appeared was a knight from the territory, clad in a sophisticated brown leather armor.

Vince thought he had come running after hearing his call.

“Why did you come alone? No, more importantly, what in the world is this situation…!”

But in a moment of relief, Vince’s body froze again with uneasy thoughts flashing through his mind.

Had his judgment been impaired due to facing an unexpected situation?

Even if the entire force were to come running, it would still be insufficient, yet just one person, and that too, leisurely as if taking a stroll, reacting as if reassured?

Even a three-year-old child would find it odd.

As fear and dread rushed in, beads of cold sweat trickled down not only Vince’s body but also the knights accompanying him.

“R, reveal your allegiance!”

One of the knights, gathering courage, demanded identification, but there was no response.

Brandishing sharp, blood-red eyes, emitting an eerie aura that could not belong to this world, the demon continued to approach Vince, seemingly intent on gradually intensifying the fear felt by those facing it.

-Thump! Thump!

At this moment, the bulky knight who had previously subdued the man named Zion stepped forward.

Without a hint of faltering, he stared at the approaching red-eyed presence with an indifferent gaze.

The bulky knight was special to Vince.

During his days as a merchant, he had bought him from the slave market at a hefty price, released him, and then employed him as a guardian knight to accompany him to his territory.

As such, Vince had some attachment to him.

Not only was he naturally strong but Vince also fed him blood of a demonic beast, and he was also like the ultimate guardian for Vince, capable of withstanding the strength of dozens of adult men.

Despite the slightly threatening presence stepping forward, the demon with red eyes did not stop.

There was no sign of it intending to stop at all.

Its pace didn’t even seem to slow down, and its gaze remained fixed on Vince.

– Hwoosh!

Upon this, the bulky knight swung his hefty fist.

– Thud!

A dull thud echoed out as the firm sensation of solid jawbone was felt at the end of his fist.

Sensing that the blow had landed properly, he attempted to follow through with force to send the opponent flying, but…

“…?”

For some reason, the mysterious figure didn’t flinch at all.

In the brief moment of realizing that something was amiss, he soon felt a stinging pain from his fist, which had made contact not with the face, but with the hand, more precisely, the back of the hand.

He had merely raised his hand slightly to block the swinging fist, without even an opportunity for defense.

The knight’s pupils shook greatly at the unbelievable sight.

“…”

Only then did the red gaze, previously directed at Vince, turn towards the knight.

And in that moment of hesitation.

– Crack!

The knight’s wrist was suddenly gripped tightly by something.

Despite struggling to pull it away, his wrist didn’t budge.

Unable to bear the pain any longer, as he attempted to strike with his other fist.

– Crunch!

The knight’s wrist began to twist and contort as if being wrung like a towel.

“Aaargh!”

In agony as bones and nerves melded into one, the knight screamed.

In the midst of unbearable pain, he wasn’t even aware of his own body being hurled into the air.

– Thud!

With a harsh thud, crimson blood flowed beneath their feet.

The demon with red eyes, having released the knight’s hand, once again moved towards Vince.

“What, what’s happening! Stop him! Quickly, stop him!”

Growing even more anxious, Vince hurriedly ordered the remaining knights to intervene.

Truly an act bordering on suicide.

The knights could do nothing but rush in, with no choice but to go with mustard-like determination.

Despite having numerical superiority, Vince thought they might somehow manage if they could make good use of it, but…

“Hiiii!”

In an instant, all those thoughts vanished.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

– Thud!

Ten knights fell to the ground in the blink of an eye.

Not a sword or spear had been wielded, not even a movement of the hands or feet.

Only the eerie sound of wind passing by for a moment.

Now, there were only two people left standing firmly on the ground, Vince being one of them.

“W-what is this?”

With his legs giving out, Vince hesitated to the ground.

The black mist, which had begun to faintly appear, had now spread enough to engulf the entire vicinity.

All that could be seen within the dark space were Vince’s trembling body and the red pupils emanating bloodlust.

The distance between them quickly narrowed to the point where only a finger could fit in between.

– Swoosh!

The red-eyed presence gently raised its hand, soon slipping it into Vince’s chest pocket.

Inside the pocket, a mana crystal the size of a thumbnail emerged.

“Did you say that if you knew the value of the crystal, you wouldn’t be able to steal it?”

A sinister voice that pricked at his nerves.

It felt like a demon from hell whispering directly into his ears.

Already overwhelmed by the momentum, Vince couldn’t muster any response.

– Crack

Along with the cracking sound, the mana crystal shattered into powder.

In response, the small mana orb contained within emitted a vivid blue light, which soon turned into a dark black hue.

“Just because you understand its value doesn’t mean you can bear it.”

“What?”

“Whether you know its value or not, ultimately, haven’t you also filled all your desires with it?”

“…!”

“Then you must pay the price as well….”

– Swish

Accompanied by a chilling sound of a sword, a cold chill was felt.

A peculiar purple-crimson dagger, certainly not an ordinary weapon.

The reflection of Vince’s face on the blade was utterly grotesque.

It was then that Vince realized.

What he had to do now wasn’t denying reality.

Accepting everything humbly, praying fervently to die less painfully from this demon, was the best he could do right now.

* * *

“Haa, haa….”

The bleeding had stopped, but the sensation in his body hadn’t returned.

All he could do was pant heavily, gazing in the direction his face was turned.

Although he thought it might be better not to see…

“…!”

He couldn’t help but open his eyes to the gruesome scene unfolding before him.

The dark-haired man doubted his eyes again and again.

Could that really be something a person could do?

Even for someone who had held a sword and been stained with blood from an early age, it was a sight he couldn’t fully bear to witness.

Yet the man faced all those scenes head-on.

Despite his whole body growing cold and sweat pouring down his skin like rain, the man never once closed his eyes or turned his gaze away.

As if completely engrossed in the spectacle before him…

– Swish

The demon, having completed the execution, finally rose from his position.

With black hair that dyed the night sky, blood-red eyes stained with blood, and a purple dagger emitting a chilling aura.

Could it be that the rumored demon with black hair had actually appeared?

For some reason, the man swallowed dry blood mixed with saliva, feeling oddly excited.

“…!”

The demon, having silently turned his head, finally made eye contact with the man.

In this workshop, only he and the man remained, both perfectly conscious.

His heart was filled with anxiety and fear, wondering if the demon intended to kill him too.

Yet, he didn’t avert his gaze.

If he were to explain, it was more awe than fear towards the demon.

It felt like realizing what it meant to be entranced by a demon.

“….”

The demon silently stared at the man with a profound gaze, seemingly finding him somewhat intriguing even in this situation.

– Thud

Finally, the devil who had stopped his feet approached the man step by step.

Then, he immediately sat down and met the eyes of the fallen man.

Even as a strange eye contact continued for a moment.

– Humming

Soon, a bright white light emanated from the devil’s hand.

The light permeated the body of the injured man, imparting warmth to his chilled body, which had become battered and cold.

As a result, the pain gradually faded away, and the dulled senses of the body began to return gradually.

It wasn’t long before the man could stand up.

He felt much better than before he fell prey to the knight’s attack, at least from the sensation.

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Despite initially checking his body in a daze, he quickly regained his senses and hastily looked up.

“….!”

The unidentified demon had already disappeared without a trace before his eyes.

Only the black mist, which proved his presence, faintly lingered in that spot.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]