Chapter 142: Development

< Chapter 142: Development (2) >

In the original story, the release of the black demon, Mephisto, takes place about one year from now.

The seal comes undone when the durability of the Scribe’s restraint hits zero.

That’s why I assumed that it had one year left to appear.

That was my fatal mistake.

“... I overlooked that the durability of the Scribe’s restraint had been consumed more than in the original.”

Choi Ji-hoon caused minor damage to the restraint’s durability by tampering with it with a black iron greatsword.

Then, when I used it to reseal the demon, it slightly consumed additional durability.

This minor decrease in durability brought about a reduction of 8 months in its lifespan.

It was plausible for the chain that had sealed Mephisto for ten thousand years to have its sealing period shortened by 8 months due to a minor reduction in durability.

Thinking about it now, it was stupid. Making such a basic mistake... perhaps it happened because I had not fully experienced the butterfly effect of this world yet. I was too careless.

“Ah...”

With events occurring non-stop, one after another, it’s hard to regain my composure.

There is no need for additional problems to arise during this already head-aching period. It’s really too much.

I scratched my head vigorously.

“The saving grace is that I have a way to kill him right now.”

Michael’s Holy Spear and the Bloody Sword of Intra-Species Slaughter, both artifacts are specialized in defeating evil.

With the support from Jia using the Transcendent Lineage, it wouldn’t be too difficult to take down Mephisto.

“Thinking of the time with Lucifer, Mephisto would also be in a state where he can’t use the transcendent system.”

Then, Mephisto’s stats would roughly be between A and S rank. It’s not an unmanageable stat if I borrow the awakened Jia’s power. The key will be how to deal with Mephisto’s unique traits...

“Mephisto’s trait, ‘Concentration of Evil’, can be neutralized by me.”

By utilizing both Dragon Eye and the artifacts, somehow it will be possible to do it.

“In a small-scale battle.”

Initially, Mephisto’s ability is specialized for large-scale battles. It’s quite vulnerable in 1:1 personal combat.

In many ways, the odds are in our favor.

“...The problem is how to prevent the involvement of other superhumans.”

Mephisto has a trait where he becomes stronger the more enemy forces are around. The intervening superhumans would be nothing but burdens.

“Upon Mephisto’s appearance, sensing his magical power, numerous superhumans will be dispatched.”

Is there a way to prevent this? Even if we use Maiden, Yu Hwa, and Jia’s speaking rights to request the government to stop the dispatch, it will be difficult.

The government won’t accept it.

It would be a relief if they did not have the superhumans on standby in advance.

“...So, I have no choice but to prevent Mephisto’s magical power from leaking out without others noticing.”

Secure the location in advance and block it. Prevent the leakage of magical power and clean it up nicely during that time. There’s no other way.

“I wonder if Maiden has such a technique.”

Since it’s Maiden, she might be able to install at least a magic-blocking barrier.

It would be troublesome if not.

“I should ask for now.”

I picked up my phone and called Maiden.

* * *

Yu Hwa was having a serious conversation in Maiden’s room.

“...So Seo-yul said he would handle that demon himself?”

“Precisely speaking, it would be the two of them. He said he would be working with Jia.”

“And? What did he ask you?”

Maiden recalled the conversation she had with Kang Seo-yul about 2 hours ago.

“He asked if the Bihon guild could oversee the security in the Gangwon-do field around 8 o’clock tomorrow. He requested to install a thick magic block barrier at the point where the seal will be released.”

Yu Hwa’s eyes became somber.

“...So, they will handle the demon in that timeframe and bring the incident to a close.”

“That’s the plan.”

Both of them scanned the empty air with serious expressions; it seemed like they had a lot on their minds.

“That means Seo-yul knew that Mephisto would appear tomorrow at 8 o’clock.”

Maiden sighed heavily.

“Yes, and it’s driving me crazy worrying about it.”

It is plausible for Kang Seo-yul to say he would handle the demon himself.

Considering the recent awakening of Shin Jia, it is understandable that they would work together.

Asking to block others with a magic barrier is a request that makes sense coming from Kang Seo-yul, who pathologically hates his information leaking out.

However, it was very strange to firmly decide on the time of the operation.

“How on earth does that kid know about such a legendary existence as a demon?”

Information about the savior of truth.

Information about the Gray Out.

Let’s say that these things can somehow be known in advance. It would be plausible if one had exceptional information and technical skills.

But knowing about the demon is different. It is not something that can be known with information and skills.

“That kid, he even knew the demon’s name.”

“The name?”

“The black demon, Mephisto... that’s what he said.”

Maiden tapped on the table with her index finger.

Mephisto. She had never heard that name before. No, she had never heard that there were documents containing the names of demons in the first place.

But that wasn’t the only strange thing.

“3 months ago, it was Seo-yul who first encountered that demon.”

“During the recent gate explosion incident, he also confronted a small demon.”

“...That damn kid, really.”

It must be a kind of distrust of humans stemming from trauma. Her heart hurt even more.

“Anyway, unnie.”

Yu Hwa got up from her seat.

She was planning to negotiate to be in charge of the security of the Gangwon-do field at 8 o’clock tomorrow when she returned to the guild.

“When this matter is over, I will definitely apologize. I will get forgiveness somehow.”

“There was no need to say it, I was thinking the same.”

Maiden responded as if she were sighing.

“Anyway, unnie, I will go and see. Please take good care of the magic blocking device.”

“Alright. You too, do well in securing the security role.”

* * *

After all the Friday classes were over.

The current time is 7 pm.

It is one hour before the operation begins.

―Really, is it okay if I don’t go?

―It’s fine. I’ll quickly deal with Mephisto and come back, so don’t worry too much.

I was reassuring Rena in front of the entrance.

―Don’t you trust me? I am a man who defeated Lucifer. Do you think someone like Mephisto can do anything to me?

―......Right. You alone were the man who brought down Lucifer.

A bit of anxiety disappeared from Rena’s expression.

―Okay. Then, I will trust you and wait for you at home.

―Yeah. I will be back before 10 o’clock, so don’t worry too much.

―Okay. I will be waiting.

Rena smiled broadly.

“Meow.”

Goldie seemed to be saying to call on him anytime if something happens.

“I got it. I will call you if it gets dangerous.”

“Meow~”

Next to him, White Tiger was looking at me with a strange eye.

“Why?”

It seemed to claim, ‘I especially want to go and help.’

I smirked.

“Alright. I’ll keep that in mind.”

I petted Goldie and White Tiger each once and opened the front door.

“See you later then.”

“Take care.”

Leaving Rena, Goldie, and White Tiger behind, I stepped out of the house.

* * *

Gangwon-do field blockade area.

“Whew. The discharge of magical power is not ordinary.”

“...Yes. It’s a dreadful evil aura.”

Jia and I were standing alone at the scene.

The current time was 7:59 p.m. There was 1 minute left until the operation began. In the center of the magical barrier dome prepared by Maiden, I took a deep breath.

“Are you ready?”

I casually looked at Jia.

A beauty with long ears like an elf and prominent green eyes.

Jia, who activated her lineage skill, nodded with a stern expression.

“Then we start immediately.”

“Yes.”

I took out the prepared black iron greatsword.

At the same time, I activated Dragon’s Eye.

I could see the detailed magical circuits of the seal engraved on the ground.

An incredibly complex and intricate circuit.

It was to the point that I even felt admiration for Choi Ji-hoon, who accidentally destroyed this.

“...Here it is.”

I found it.

This is the point of destruction.

I prepared to thrust the black iron greatsword in reverse over it.

Inserting the black iron greatsword here will unseal Mephisto.

It was to intentionally recreate what Choi Ji-hoon had done by mistake in the past.

“What’s the time now?”

“19:59:32.”

“Okay. Then I’ll unseal it.”

I exerted force and stabbed the black iron greatsword into the ground.

Paaaaah-!

The next moment, an evil magic power exploded and burst out.

The next moment.

―Uhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

The unending laughter of the black demon, Mephisto, echoed within the magical barrier.