Chapter 123: Parasite
Upon entering the Demon Castle, Yong-wan sniped at the high-ranking demons.
Normally, an archer’s primary role in a raid is to snipe enemy ranged classes.
However, thanks to Leon’s Legion Law, ranged weapons don’t work on this side, which can be used without a circle.
In this vicious imposition of white-knuckle warfare, archers naturally limit their targets.
Pah-pah!
Enchanted arrows are no match for medieval archery. Especially for an S-class Hunter like Lee Yong-wan, each arrow is like a tank cannon.
“Kuwahhhhhhhhhh!!!”
The demonic beast continues to run silently after being bombarded with arrows. It was a Blood Minotaur, a high-level demon.
“Failed to stop it! It’s charging straight through!”
“What the…!”
Knowing the terrifying breakthrough power of the beast infantry, Yi Yun fired another arrow, but he was unable to stop the Blood Minotaur, which crouched low and charged at full speed.
‘Damn it, I need to get to the front and make sure I hit it!’
Uncharacteristically for an archer, he rushed to the front, hoping to make a clean kill of the enemy shock troops.
However, in a battlefield where thousands of troops are clashing, even an S-class Hunter can’t easily take the lead.
‘We’re late!’
That’s when Yong-wan realized that the Hunters in the lead were about to be torn apart.
“Shields up!”
A man’s voice rang out from the front and the voices that followed chorused in unison.
“”Shields up!””
The shields are raised in an instant.
The Man-At-Arms of the TTG Guild, including leader Kim Do-han, raise their shields in an orderly fashion.
The leading soldiers are sent flying backwards by the impact of the Blood Minotaur, but that’s all.
“Hold on…!”
The Blood Minotaur’s charge only pushed back the leading infantry, but it didn’t do its job of breaking through the formation.
“Krrrr…!”
The demon tried to push ahead while it was already stopped. But the dozens of Hunters in the back row push each other’s backs with their shields and hold on.
“Good job!”
It was then that a series of horses, galloping through the complex, broke through the demons’ flanks in an instant and a red-haired girl leapt from her horse and swung a flaming sword.
-Crack!
Ha-ri, who had just sliced through the thick minotaur’s neck, exchanged glances with Yong-wan.
“Aaah! Guild Leader Lee Yong-wan! Hello!”
Ha-ri greeted him with a bow and Yong-wan replied awkwardly.
“Uh, Deputy Han.”
“I’m in a hurry to battle, I’ll greet you later!”
Ha-ri, who had been greeting everyone in passing because of her position as a Hunter Association employee, soon mounted her horse and rode off to the next battle.
“What are you looking at?”
The voice from behind him back was Ha Yuri. She was clutching a bunch of demons’ heads.
“What are they?”
“Demon mages. The TTG Guild reward us if we bring back a lot of supplies.”
“…….”
The demon’s eyes are grotesque as he rolls his eyes at the decapitated heads. But there’s no reason to tackle them.
It’s been said that higher-level demons often don’t die when decapitated, so it’s best to collect as many supplies as possible.
They’ll probably pile them all up and burn them alive as a sacrifice.
A tragedy that would be unimaginable to 21st century civilized people naturally comes to mind when interacting with the medieval Lion King.
“More than that…you’re kidding.”
“What?”
“Hunters from the TTG Guild, most of whom are probably C-rank.”
“Mostly B-class based on potential. In terms of performance, they’re as good as A-ranked raiders.”
The centerpiece of the siege was the Hunters of the TTG Guild.
“The lower-level Hunters are simply tough, and if they’re not strong enough, they’ll use the strength of their allies to hold them off. There aren’t many who can charge head-on into that solid barrier.”
“What we lack in offense, we make up for in special units like the Holy Knights.”
Traditional Hunters were maxed out at 100-man raiding parties. Except for historical crises like the Black Gate, they were basically 20-man small, 50-man medium, and 100-man large.
But for the TTG Guild, they’re going in with a basic thousand.
The enormity of the TTG Guild is already on the level of an army, given that the power it has drawn is not even their total power.
And the analogy was literally spot on.
The rigidity of a tightly organized army and the flexibility of a large pool of talent was more suited to warfare than strategy.
‘It’s not that I didn’t think of it.’
It just wasn’t realistic.
First of all, it would be a pain in the ass to take C- and D-level Hunters, and second of all, there would be the issue of distribution.
Hunters come to the gate for money.
Digging for magic stones, acquiring high-value items, and putting them up for auction are the basics of a hunter raid.
However, C- and D-level Hunters can’t even receive a percentage.
At best, it’s a per diem system, but even the lowest-ranked Hunters would rather play team leader in a lower rank gate than work for a low per diem.
‘How the hell do they get so strong, and how do they get to be part of a group?’
From what I’ve heard, they’re notorious for being fed a bunch of sugar and salt, so what makes them fight so loyally?
“Is it religion…….?”
“What, are you trying to join?”
“Hmph…….”
Yong-wan was unable to answer Ha Yuri’s question so he drew his bow to clear his head.
-Quang! Kwaaaaaaang!
“”……………??!!”
The clash of spears and swords drowned out the sounds of the battlefield.
The Hunters and Demons who were thrusting their swords at each other a moment ago also naturally turned their gazes upwards.
-Quang! Qua-qua-qua-qua!
Something is happening on the top floor in the center of the castle.
At first, they thought it was an artillery barrage from the Yakt Spinner or a magic bombardment from Beatrice.
But the frequency of the explosions is different, the volume of the explosions is different and the vibration of the pressure is different.
Could this be done with a few railgun blasts or magic bombs? All the creatures in the castle were leading to the obvious conclusion.
Something is fighting.
Something huge, slamming furiously into each other.
“Uh, uh, uh…….”
There was a shockwave so powerful that even the demons were stunned by its ferocity. They stiffened, unable to control their trembling hands.
The castle watchtower to the east, the beast breeding area to the west, the plaza in the center. Shockwaves came from all sides of the vast demonic castle and a powerful presence was felt in the aftermath.
All living beings in the area can only stare in disbelief.
It’s an instinctive realization.
No more advances,
No more retreat,
This is what happens when a whale fights a shrimp.
“Heh, heh, heh…….”
“Running away…!”
“Don’t make a fuss, you filthy things.”
“”……………!!!??””
Suddenly, without realizing it, the man is in the middle of a legion of demons.
A sense of gravity was crushing him from the crown of his head. A bug exposed to the gaze of a top predator would have been better than this.
‘Do, we have to run…….’
‘But…if I move, I’ll die!’
He was an absolute presence, the terror of all evil species. And on the other side.
“Ah, ah……?”
Was a young girl, but everyone recognized her. The girl wielding the Wandering Demon Sword was unmistakably the Demon Archduke.
As everyone is frozen in place by the overwhelming sense of danger, the two turn to face each other. The next moment, they clashed.
────!!!
The ground crunches and craters appear as the shockwave from the clashing swords sends many heads fleeing.
The imprints of their clashing bodies dance in the background to the sound of demonic screams.
‘No holy law, no magic!’
‘Pure swordplay is all that’s needed to do this?’
It’s like being a hobbit crushed beneath a tap-dancing giant. While everyone is marveling at this mythical battle, the two swordsmen frown in displeasure.
‘The best flesh. Young, pure, and full of potential.’
Akasha couldn’t be more satisfied with occupying Chun So-yeon body.
Although the lack of physical blossoming was a pity, it was more than made up for it with her vast amount of magic power.
The most important thing is this body’s sword talent. This is something that is unparalleled among all the demons of all time.
Indeed, the heir to the first Korean sword, the Light Sword. It seems that this family’s talent is inherited from generation to generation.
‘Nevertheless…….’
Even with such a supreme body, her opponents won’t fall.
Even with all the swordsmanship she absorbed from the six great demons at her disposal, Leon somehow managed to block it.
Is it possible?
Swordsmanship is not without its opposites. Leon’s only swordsmanship is a straight, unidirectional steel sword. No matter how many sword techniques she uses, she can’t even reach his skin.
Quick Sword Technique
The snake’s venomous fangs dizzyingly change trajectories as it stabs at Leon’s defensive stance.
It attempts to pierce Leon’s vulnerable chest, but the upraised blade scrapes against the pommel of his holy sword.
The next, Leon’s bare hand grips the blade of the holy sword.
When he’s sure his palm isn’t going to be cut, he pushes the sword, forcing it downward, and slashes at her thigh with the tip of the blade.
“Hmm…!”
Akasha stumbled backward. Blood trickled from her thigh where the holy sword had slashed.
“A simple swordsmanship, huh?”
Leon used a sword of upright chivalry that has walked the path of the best of the best and the accumulated experience to change on the fly.
Holy Knights are often called Sword Masters, but Leon is the best of them all.
“Wow. A mere mortal, rivaling a demon in skill.”
“Then you were misguided from the start.”
“What?”
Akasha’s gaze sharpens at Leon’s insult but Leon stared straight at the Archduke, who wore the shell of Chun So-yeon.
“Two hundred years ago, you had a proper body… I don’t know how you lost it…but you’re much weaker than you were then.”
“Of course…”
“Parasite, it’s not the size of your strength that this king is referring to, but the skill you’ve accumulated.”
“…….”
Akasha looked puzzled.
Yes, surely the being she was two hundred years ago was incomparably stronger than she is now. She had once vied for the title of Lord of Slaughter and Destruction.
But the other side is Lionheart and in the Great War, she lost her body.
“If you lost your body how could you not have retained your skills? Are you merely storing your accumulated skills in your body?”
“…….”
Yes, indeed. Akasha gives the demon sword to the swordsmen of the world and leads them to their destruction.
When their mortal body could no longer contain her magic, she consumed it, along with the essence of their technique.
A sword demon that can grow endlessly, that is the essence of the Akasha.
Essentially a spirit, she gains no experience, can’t acquire any skills are acquired and can’t grow.
“Kkkkkk…!”
“What’s funny?”
“Parasite. Isn’t this why the king calls you a parasite, a fool who has seen the swords of so many swordsmen…and hasn’t learned a single sword technique of her own?”
Leon’s sincere mockery sent Akasha into a searing rage.
“Don’t you dare! You’re a human subject that’s only 300 years old at best!”
The next moment, an explosively powerful demon sword swung toward Leon. The pressure of pure power, without swordsmanship, crushed Leon.
“You will be defeated, all evil wishes for your doom.”
“No, this king will never be defeated.”
The crushing blade slowly lifts. Instead, the golden holy sword pushed Akasha back, crushing her.
‘In a contest of strength…I lost to a human?’
This is her territory. Everything in this land backs her up. Then why is Leon’s sword so heavy?
Leon said.
“On this king shoulders are the myths of all time. The burden is unwavering justice.”‘
Justice will not be defeated. There was no resistance Akasha could offer in the face of such a blunt declaration.
“Ugh…!”
She is pushed and at this rate, she would be slashed but before the horror of death, she could only vomit out the absurdity of his existence.
“…where does a monster like you…….”
“Not a monster.”
Leon stretched out the hand that held his sword as Akasha’s eyes widened.
“The Lionheart King.”
The outstretched arm shattered a violet earring.
* * * *
“………….”
Akasha was in endless darkness, the darkness of the abyss, without a single ray of light in sight.
Was the faintest hint of violet the only color in this world?
“Where am I…?”
For a moment, Akasha realized her voice was coming out the way she wanted it to.
Not the unnatural voice of a parasite’s mouth, but her own voice, the first time she had ever heard it.
Before she could marvel at it, they appeared from the darkness.
[Hoo hoo hoo…]
[My avenger has kept his promise.]
They were a purple beauty and a sinister being with no features, only darkness but in the center of them all was a dark-haired girl.
“Chun So-yeon…!”
Chun So-yeon interrupted her before she could even get the question out of her mouth.
“Is that all?”
[Yes, how could she refuse after seeing what my Leon asked her to do?]
Fle, the goddess of dreams and death, smirked.
As is the case with most gods, they have infinite favor and affection for Leon, and are more than willing to grant a request to borrow divine power for one of their ‘squires’.
[The soul of a Demon Archduke, with change to spare.]
The God of Darkness and Vengeance was satisfied with the bargain.
“Please let me go. I don’t want to be here for another second.”
[Leave the rest to us, though I can hear my priestess regretting it a bit.]
[Your priestess this time is a strange bitch, using your ‘dream’ for such a purpose.]
[Which is why I like her all the more. Our children were rather model students.]
Amidst the chatter of the gods, Akasha realized that she was being completely ignored and her anger was directed at Chun So-yeon.
“Take me, I will give you the power to destroy and kill everything!”
“…….”
Chun So-yeon blinked at Akasha’s near-predatory offer for a moment then extended her hand.
The lure of power is for everyone, as long as they’re human, they can’t resist the temptation of demons──
However Chun So-yeon middle finger slowly rose, contrary to Akasha expectations.
Chun So-yeon said.
“Go fuck yourself, you parasite.”
With that, she disappeared into the darkness the gods had created.
