Standing before Kuzon was an existence that shouldn't have been in the Library Area.
It was a creature similar to the black things… but also entirely different.
To begin with, its appearance was bigger, and it had more menacing features that completely put the ones that were recently destroyed to shame. But, the most notable thing about this being was the amount of power it possessed.
Its stifling Miasma was enough to stop Kuzon in his flight.
"Are you their leader?"
It was a direct question, but Kuzon was questioning not only the monster in front of him… but also himself.
"Oh? Look at this kid. You understand Demon Tongue?"
Kuzon didn't respond. He simply stared at the black creature in front of him—analyzing all he could about its power… and motive.
'It can communicate, so that makes it completely different from the others. Plus, this amount of power is also sizable. If I'm not careful…'
************
The Shadow Demon—a portion of Kahn—had ten percent of his original self. In essence, he was strong.
He could see the student before him panicking a little.
This was only natural, considering he currently possessed enough power to pass as a Demon General. No human child could match that—no matter how much they tried.
He had used [Shadow Warp], a Spell, to appear at the Library the moment he realized that a huge portion of the Shadow Clones had been extinguished.
He wasn't expecting a kid to be responsible—a single one for that matter, but… upon observing the child, it would appear that such a person really could pull it off.
"I'm surprised. You're the second human I've met who understands my Language. I thought information about us was supposed to have been extinguished after the war. The humans truly are unreliable…" Kahn murmured.
The boy before him seemed to chuckle a little—no, it was more like a snicker.
"Something funny to you?"
Kahn would usually have simply killed the brat in front of him, but there was no need to rush. Plus, he wanted to give his minions within Library enough time to get all the necessary information before he fought.
After all, he wanted to let loose a little.
"I can guess that the other person who understands you is your collaborator in this invasion of yours. He's a Lecturer here, correct?" Kuzon's voice was clear, without fear.
'He's just trying to bluff…' Kahn reasoned internally.
"Maybe. Maybe not."
The human boy's smile grew wider. Had he truly figured things out? No. If he had, then he wouldn't be asking.
Kahn figured he was most likely just trying to probe him for information. While he wouldn't have minded spilling the beans since he would still be killing the young boy, the Shadow Demon despised being played and underestimated.
And that was exactly what the boy seemed to be doing.
"As for how I understand your language, I was taught. You know, I'm actually fluent in most known Languages in the world… some Monster Tongue as well…"
"I don't care."
"Oh? Shame…" Kuzon's voice playfully trailed.
'Why is he talking about unnecessary stuff? Is he trying to buy time? Does that mean I should truly end things quickly, after all?'
"Oh, don't be so apprehensive. I don't plan on buying time or anything. In fact, I want to end this quickly. It's just… it's not every day you get to see a Demon. I wanted to ask you something." Kuzon murmured.
"Oh? The effrontery… this human…"
"Come on. It'll be worth your while. I have valuable information too, you know? We could exchange info. After we're done, you can choose to kill me or something, right? What do you have to lose?"
Kahn considered the boy's words carefully.
Sure, he truly wanted to know about how he knew his Demon Tongue. Not just that, he needed information on the students—no, humans in general.
How many students were as powerful as this golden-haired boy? Were they being taught about Demons in this Academy? If that was so, then the situation was worse than he thought. In that case…
"Fine. But I will ask you my question first."
"Sure, I don't mind.
For a moment, there was silence. Kahn was deliberating what to ask the young boy before him.
"How do you know so much? How are you so strong? How many students here are as strong as you… or are you just considered average here? What exactly do you know about our race? You humans plan on invading us, don't you? Despite the deal. How dare you!!!"
From a single question, Kahn threw a flurry of inquisitions, raising his voice as he spoke. It was obvious how agitated the Shadow Demon felt.
"Hmm, that's a load of questions." Was the only thing Kuzon said, in a calm and collected manner.
After waiting for some time, the boy continued.
"My name is Kuzon Midas. Does that ring a bell?"
Kahn's eyes widened in surprise, and then searched his memory for the familiar name. It wasn't the first name that intrigued him… but the last!
"Midas! You belong to 'that place?!'"
It was no wonder the kid was so strong. Kahn understood perfectly now.
"Yeah. I don't know what deal you were referring to, but the Midas Empire had nothing to do with that. As you know, we were never involved in your war."
Kahn remembered.
The denizens of the Midas Empire didn't really consider themselves the same as the other races—even though they looked human.
And so, even when the humans, dwarves, beastfolk, elves, and fairies joined in the war against the Demons, they never interfered.
Usually, such a nation would get stuck in the conflict caused by war and have to pick a side, but the Midas Empire never participated in the battle… and the crisis never affected them.
They were that formidable.
Kahn felt a little apprehensive now that a member of such a race was before him—somewhat grateful he was only encountering a kid.
"I-I see…"
"As for strength, I would say no one is stronger than me. Ciara is pretty good, but she's unrefined. Perhaps that's what makes her so formidable, though…" The boy leaked out a smirk.
Kahn didn't speak. He only listened.
"And then there's him… Jared Leonard…"
Kahn's antenna sprang up the moment he heard that name. So, he was strong enough that a member of the Midas race deemed it fit to mention him.
'This kid, Jared… what kind of existence is he?!'
