๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐: ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐
“. . . . . .”
Ivan’s movements, which had been exuding a potent aura of magic, suddenly froze.
A deranged smile spread across his face, as if he couldn’t believe he was hearing that name in this place.
“How did you know?”
Ivan asked in a chilling, metallic voice.
His black eyes flashed as if he was ready to tear out Siwoo’s throat and bathe in his blood.
“I’ve seen my fair share of the demon race.”
It had just taken him a moment to place the memory due to its age.
Just as each person has unique fingerprints, the pattern of an Awakener’s mana is unique.
And just as the genetic makeup of a human and a chimpanzee is different, so too is the composition of mana between humans and the demon race.
However, just as analyzing genetic material requires advanced scientific equipment,
analyzing the differences in mana composition required a mana analyzer.
But Siwoo was able to discern the subtle differences based on his own refined manipulation of mana,
and considering he had barely seen a member of the demon race in a hundred years, it was understandable that he had been slow to recognize it.
“Still. . . you can’t just tell by looking. . . Is that your ability?”
“Nothing so grand. I’m just a bit more perceptive, let’s say.”
Ivan’s lips curled into a genuine smirk of admiration.
“Well, well. . . There are some interesting little bastards among you mongrels. This is the first time I’ve met a mongrel who recognized the demon race right away.”
Demon race.
The term literally referred to beings who were half demon race.
After the demon race first appeared on Earth, there were regions that fell under their sphere of influence.
Naturally, a hierarchical relationship formed between the demon race and humans,
and the children born between them inherited the blood of the demon race.
They were known as cursed children, or demon spawn.
Due to their species difference, they were ostracized by both the demon race and humans and lived separately in their own space.
“Why do you hate us so much? Mongrels are basically human beings. Do you also find demon spawn disgusting?”
Ivan raised his mana as he spoke.
A sinister aura as dark as pitch consumed the surroundings.
Strange symbols and distorted figures formed a magic circle,
[๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ง: ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ฌ]
Black mist erupted from Ivan’s body like a fountain.
PshhhโAck!
The trees, grass, and small animals that came into contact with the mist rotted and crumbled.
This technique was not only devastating if it touched the body, but it was also a dangerous skill that could melt the lungs and cause instant death if inhaled.
Siwoo, who had been spreading his mana within a certain radius, immediately noticed the potency of the black mist.
‘๐ฟ๐ค ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ? ๐๐ค. ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ค๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค ๐๐ฃ, ๐ข๐ฎ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐ข๐๐ก๐ฉ. ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐จ๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐๐จ ๐จ๐ค ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฉ’๐จ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ค๐จ๐จ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ฎ ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐-๐๐๐จ๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ฆ๐ช๐. ๐๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐จ๐. . .’
[๐๐๐ฅ๐: ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ]
The deep blue mana gathered at Siwoo’s fingertips drew sharp symbols and letters in the air.
Lightning flashed, and from there, razor-sharp winds materialized, tearing through the black mist and driving it out of the forest.
A simple but highly effective method.
All it took was wind to blow away the mist.
Ivan clapped his hands in glee as if it were a well-prepared attack.
“Hehehe. Not bad at all.”
From the beginning, he seemed more like a child eager to show off his abilities than someone intent on killing his opponent.
Of course, he was a child who lacked empathy.
“Let me answer your question from earlier. Do I find demon spawn disgusting? I’ve never thought about it.”
“Are you flattering me because I’m standing in front of you?”
“Why would I flatter the likes of you?”
Ivan burst into another fit of laughter at Siwoo’s response.
“This is fun! So, do you agree with the statement that humans are disgusting?”
“No, that’s not it either.”
“Then what is it? Do you like both of us, like a bat?”
Ivan asked, squatting down and poking at a rotting mouse carcass.
“No. I despise those who discriminate.”
And his answer made him stop his actions.
“I’m not a nationalist by nature. And I have no desire to judge the whole by its parts.”
In fact, Siwoo did not hate those of demon race descent, or demon spawn.
His greatest proof of this was his non-participation in the ‘cleansing’ of the demon race that had occurred during the first generation.
“Hehehehehe. This is interesting. Then why are you fighting me?”
“Because you’re a madman who creates ghouls.”
Ivan gleefully clawed at his face again.
Screech, screech, the sound of flesh and blood dripping to the floor.
“Ahhhhh! This is fun! You amuse me! Let me rip your guts out!”
“No, you crazy bastard.”
Siwoo quickly deployed the mana he had been warming up in advance.
[๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ: ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ก ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ]
A bright yellow flash of lightning struck like a thunderbolt, sending a bolt of darkness-splitting lightning down on the coordinates Siwoo had designated.
CrackleโBang!!
The lightning, which had left a long tail in the air, pierced Ivan’s body cleanly.
He didn’t disappear without a trace like a ghoul, but his body was charred black, indicating that he had taken considerable damage.
Siwoo dashed forward to deliver the final blow.
But at that moment,
a person with an overwhelming aura of mana appeared and supported Ivan.
It was the other guy who had been standing by and watching.
Siwoo stopped in his tracks and stared at him silently.
His opponent also remained silent, simply looking back at him.
Finally, Siwoo spoke first.
“I thought you wouldn’t interfere until the end. I guess you can’t bring yourself to kill him?”
Nod, nod.
“Do you think I’ll let you go quietly?”
Nod, nod.
“If I let you go, will you back down quietly?”
Nod, nod.
“Alright, Crow. Go.”
Nod, nod. . . . . .
The silent robed figure was briefly taken aback and then looked lost.
Then she quickly removed her hood.
“Oh myโyou knew, darling.”
Her beautiful face was revealed in the moonlight.
Her fair and lovely face, combined with her jet-black bob, created an even more beautiful appearance.
“I remember mana patterns.”
“Oh dear. You remembered my mana? I’m flattered.”
Crow laughed cheerfully.
“Was the place you belonged to the demon race?”