Chapter 269: The Demonic Manifestation Ritual

There are two ways for beings from the upper floors of the tower to manifest.

The first is by descending to the lower floors of their own volition.

This method requires an enormous amount of coins or holy relics as offerings. Though it was considered a double-edged sword, it was the most proactive way to act.

The second method is for those on the lower floors to summon the beings from above using specific locations or offerings.

Like right now.

Rumble!

A massive magic circle appeared throughout the ruins.

“Kieee…”

“Kyaaak!”

The monster statues writhed and collapsed.

As if thrown into a giant furnace, their bodies melted and were absorbed into the magic circle.

“Uh… Park Hyung, I feel dizzy. This is… something’s wrong.”

“My body isn’t responding well either…”

The Dangun Guild’s attack team dropped their weapons and shields.

“Everyone, stay awake! If you fall asleep, you’ll die!”

Park Jungjin tried to protect his comrades with holy magic, but it was no use against the overwhelming demonic energy.

Their vision blurred.

Their limbs went numb, and their thoughts dulled.

Thud!

Thud!

One by one, they lost consciousness and fell.

However, Yoo Yeonhwa and Lee Taemin managed to stay conscious.

“S-Sis, it’s draining our mana.”

“Damn it! Oppa! I’m taking the others out of here. Can I count on you?”

If they stayed, they’d be doomed.

They had to escape before it was too late.

“I think I can manage this number with my gravity magic.”

Maria gauged the number of people and her remaining mana.

Fortunately.

They had three people to handle this.

Thanks to them, unnecessary sacrifices would be avoided.

And they wouldn’t have to reveal ‘that.’

“Don’t worry. Go ahead. I’ll take care of things here.”

Jinhyuk nodded.

“Did I say you could leave? Do you think I’ll let my precious nutrients escape?”

Tristan drew her sword.

Swish!

With a dazzling flash, the blade was imbued with the demonic energy characteristic of her kind.

But just before the demonic energy could be released…

Boom!

Tristan’s body was engulfed in flames.

“Tsk!”

The gathered demonic energy dispersed.

“Do you have the luxury to worry about that? You should focus on the demonic manifestation ritual.”

“You… should stop wasting your mana. No one is leaving this place alive anyway.”

As long as they were inside the ruins, there was no escape.

Once a demon with a title manifested, mere players would be reduced to dust just by facing it.

And the most significant role in this grand scheme would be played by…

Tristan picked up the severed arm of the witch.

“Let go! Didn’t you say we were going to use the humans here as offerings for the ritual? So why are you…!”

The severed arm flailed wildly.

“That was the plan, but since you couldn’t deal with that human and the other players, the terms have changed.”

The offerings here weren’t enough to summon a powerful demon.

At least the life of the witch who ruled these ruins was necessary.

“I’m going to die… as a mere offering? Me?”

“It’s a fitting end, isn’t it? Becoming a sacrifice for a grand spell would be an ideal end for a witch.”

Tristan placed the arm at the center of the magic circle.

Then.

Rumble!

Purple flames began to consume the flesh.

“Kyaaa!”

The scream didn’t last long.

The remaining flesh soon turned to ashes and vanished completely.

And at that moment.

Ding!

[The boss of the ruins, ‘The Wailing Witch,’ has been annihilated!]

[You have received 94% of the contribution to defeating the boss monster!]

[You have successfully copied the unique ability ‘Black Tears.’]

[Black Tears]

Acquisition Difficulty: SSS

Description: ‘Black Tears’ is a unique ability used by the Wailing Witch, the master of the ruins ‘Antichrist’s Tomb’ on the 15th floor. It is a mental ability that can corrupt and mutate any target it touches and a physical ability that can devour the enemy whole. Additionally, ‘Black Tears’ can ‘evolve’ under specific conditions.

[Your level has increased!]

[Your level has increased!]

[Your level has…]

[…increased!]

[You have obtained ‘The Witch’s Secret Manual.’]

[You have obtained ‘The Screaming Apple.’]

[You have obtained…]

Messages indicating level-ups and newly acquired items appeared.

But there was no time to check how many levels he had gained or what items had dropped.

‘Finally, it’s coming.’

Jinhyuk swallowed hard.

＊＊＊

Bzzzz!

Along with an indescribable light, an ominous, unfathomable demonic energy rose.

Tingling!

A chilling sensation spread across his skin.

There was no need to confirm it.

A titled, named demon was crossing over.

“Oooooh!”

Tristan let out a gasp of awe.

It was as if all the suffering and hardships were being rewarded, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Damn, if anyone saw this, they’d think a long-lost ancestor had returned from the dead.

Watching her ecstatic expression was almost surreal.

Just then.

A lively male voice rang out from the mist.

“Wow! It’s been so long since I’ve felt the air down here. Haha. This is it. So fresh. I’ve missed this.”

Black horns and emerald eyes.

A young man with black hair and pale skin walked out.

Jinhyuk instinctively activated the ‘Eye of Gluttony.’

[Name: Hargan / Title: Count / A mid-level demon.]

[The level of the ‘Eye of Gluttony’ is too low to view unique abilities, skills, or copying conditions.]

The only information the ‘Eye of Gluttony’ could provide was the demon’s name and rank.

But that was enough.

“A lowly being greets a mighty presence.”

Tristan quickly bowed her head.

“Yes, yes. You’ve done well. I was getting antsy, but now I can finally stretch out properly.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

“But, who is that? Why is a human standing there so arrogantly?”

Hargan’s gaze turned to Jinhyuk.

“That human is the one who has been interfering with our plans. Many of our comrades have already fallen to him.”

“Hmm. That guy?”

“Yes. He must be killed immediately. He is very dangerous.”

Tristan glared at Jinhyuk with hatred.

“Wow. You’ve really regained your confidence with a mighty demon at your back. Well, it’s only natural with a count-level demon.”

A monster that sends shivers down your spine just by being near it.

Indeed, an absolute being beyond the realm of players.

But do you know?

“Summoning a demon isn’t something only you can do.”

While the Antichrist’s Tomb could manifest demons, it didn’t specify that it could only manifest one.

“In fact, I have a leech-like demon showing interest in me too.”

It’s probably watching even now…

As expected, sparks appeared in the air.

[The deity ‘Rotting Heart’ yawns.]

Hey, hey!

You can’t be indifferent here.

Jinhyuk urgently waved his hand at the air.

You see this, right? I know you’re watching, so acknowledge me.

However, no matter how much Jinhyuk signaled, the demon only responded with a lazy, indirect message, showing no signs of movement.

Damn, so stubborn.

“Oh, so you’re favored by a demon too?”

Hargan chuckled, amused.

“Calling it favor is a bit much. It’s more like a casual interest.”

“Must be a pretty insignificant demon to show interest in a fledgling human. At best, it would be a baron or viscount level. Whatever it is, the one supporting such trash is also undoubtedly trash.”

Hargan suddenly halted.

“…?”

He felt something chilling just now.

A powerful demonic energy, as if his entire body was being torn apart.

Someone who had been ignoring him until now reacted to the word ‘trash.’

“What… what is this absurd demonic energy?”

Hargan recoiled in shock.

[The deity ‘Rotting Heart’ tilts its head at Hargan.]

[It asks which class of the Demon Academy you belong to.]

Merely revealing a slight presence.

But even that was enough to completely change the atmosphere.

“Who are you to ask such a thing? Reveal your identity immediately!”

[The deity ‘Rotting Heart’ commands you to answer the question.]

Hargan’s body recoiled again.

The authority in the voice was overwhelming.

…There was no way to resist.

Realizing the situation was odd, Hargan slowly spoke.

“I-I’m from the 3537th class. I earned my count rank there.”

Hmm. The 3537th class.

Jinhyuk didn’t know enough about the demonic world to determine if that was high or low.

But given how proudly he spoke, it seemed closer to high.

“Beriel. What class are you from?”

Jinhyuk asked the air.

[The deity ‘Rotting Heart’ holds up three fingers.]

Wow.

This is going to be interesting.

＊＊＊

Demons are notoriously aggressive, and their ranks frequently change.

There are no other races as dynamic in their entries and exits.

Among them, Beriel is known for being extremely reclusive, even among demons.

Of course.

Once even a hint of Beriel’s rank was revealed, even the dullest demon would realize Beriel’s level was beyond measure.

From the moment he knew this place was Soma, he had planned for this outcome.

Luckily, everything went according to plan.

‘If Hargan hadn’t called Beriel trash, things might have been risky.’

It’s undeniable that luck was on his side.

If the fickle Beriel hadn’t helped, Jinhyuk would have had to face Hargan one-on-one.

But enough of that.

It’s time to wrap things up.

Jinhyuk approached Tristan, who stood frozen in place.

With Hargan, who had been completely outclassed, now returned to the demonic realm, Tristan was left like a discarded husk.

Seeing her soul seemingly departed was a bit pitiful, but her misfortune was far from over.

“If you give up now, it’ll be troublesome. You haven’t forgotten, have you? Hargan won’t just leave you alone after your blunder.”

“H-He won’t leave me alone?”

“Of course not. He won’t just sit back after being humiliated.”

“This isn’t my fault… I couldn’t have predicted this…”

“Sorry, but to him, that doesn’t matter. He just needs someone to take his anger out on.”

That’s why one should never make contracts with demons lightly.

They could flip the table at any moment, depending on their mood.

Unless you had a hundred lives ready… well.

You wouldn’t survive long.

“That can’t be.”

Tristan’s face turned as pale as a sheet.

“What should I do?”

What should she do?

“First, get on your knees.”

Let’s talk after that.

A wicked smile played at the corner of Jinhyuk’s lips.