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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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Maligos.
Born a Black Dragon, there were many epithets that described him.
However, there were also many rumors surrounding him, like, “Beware of that guy.”
One thing was certain: Maligos held a significant position among the Dragonkin, wielding influence close to absolute power.
Regita.
How many Dragonkin dared to oppose the Sin of Greed?
While she made the final decisions, it was the Dragonkin directly below her who handled the details.
And that Dragonkin was Maligos.
It was tiring, always being the center of attention, a mixture of admiration and apprehension in their eyes.
That’s why he always wore a hood.
But today was different.
‘Jekkiel.’
In terms of position alone, Jekkiel was higher.
No, it was more accurate to say he had been higher.
‘He truly is no ordinary being.’
If it were anyone else, they would have been torn to shreds by his lieutenants by now.
The dark energy Maligos had gathered glowed ominously.
There was no need for a drawn-out battle.
Words were unnecessary.
What they both desired was currently in Jekkiel’s possession, and the victor of this clash would claim it.
Maligos quietly uttered the incantations for Black Magic, spells only a Black Dragon could wield.
Jekkiel’s gaze sharpened, sensing the shift in energy.
‘He’s definitely different from the others.’
The lieutenants who had blindly charged at Jekkiel before were full of openings, from their stance – to their attacks.
But he couldn’t detect any such weaknesses in Maligos.
This was undoubtedly the strongest opponent Jekkiel had encountered since his arrival in the Demon Realm.
There was no room for doubt.
“Right.”
Jekkiel’s sudden remark made Maligos frown.
“…?”
“When I win, hand over your half of the map.”
“What?”
Maligos stared at Jekkiel, bewildered.
It wasn’t that his words were absurd or unreasonable.
It was just…
‘He speaks as if his victory is a foregone conclusion.’
He might have appeared composed, but Maligos could easily sense that Jekkiel didn’t see him as a significant threat.
“Do as you please.”
That was Maligos’s short reply.
The energy flowing from his body intensified, transforming into a palpable, menacing aura.
However, he wasn’t launching a preemptive strike.
The energy was carefully controlled, contained within a specific boundary around Maligos.
Jekkiel stifled a yawn.
“Come at me, Maligos. Consider it a courtesy.”
“You…”
His arrogance was infuriating.
Every word Jekkiel uttered fueled the flames of Maligos’s anger, making it increasingly difficult to maintain his composure.
“Unnecessary.”
That was Maligos’s reply.
Shhhk!
The sound came a beat too late.
Maligos instinctively touched his cheek as a sharp, slicing sound pierced the air.
A thin, red line appeared, and blood trickled down his face.
Only then did he understand.
It was an attack from Jekkiel’s scythe, so fast that he hadn’t even seen it.
“……?”
“Should I come closer?”
Jekkiel casually asked, tilting his head.
In that moment, Maligos swallowed his anger.
He couldn’t afford to be careless.
Despite the protective barrier of dark magic, he had been wounded.
Jekkiel had effortlessly drawn blood.
‘What if he had aimed for a vital point?’
Would he have been able to defend in time?
He couldn’t be sure.
That single attack could have ended the fight.
He couldn’t win if he was careless.
He couldn’t win if he let emotions like anger cloud his judgment.
Maligos clenched his jaw.
Now was the time to attack.
Not out of opportunity, but out of necessity.
A cold, calculating glint entered Maligos’s eyes.
The black energy concentrated in his staff, shooting towards Jekkiel with incredible speed.
It was a swift and deadly assault, a barrage of dark energy, barely visible to the naked eye.
Jekkiel’s previously drowsy eyes finally flickered with a hint of interest.
‘Interesting.’
This was the legendary combination of a Black Dragon, and Black Magic.
Even Jekkiel, who held little regard for the Dragonkin, had heard tales of its might.
It was said to be incredibly profound and immensely powerful.
‘I must observe.’
Just as Jekkiel had his tasks in the human world, Christine had hers in the Demon Realm.
Gathering information and analyzing the strength of other races would be beneficial.
He had to see this for himself.
Had the Dragonkin truly progressed, or had they regressed?
Maligos would serve as a suitable benchmark.
Fwoosh!
The black orbs reached Jekkiel, instantly morphing into a shape resembling a sea urchin.
Sharp spikes erupted from its surface, aiming for the Vampire Lord’s life.
‘Transformation magic.’
Once a spell left a mage’s hand, it was bound to the structure of its inscribed formula.
That was how it was designed, how the very existence of magical formulas functioned.
However, this was also related to a mage’s convenience and mana efficiency.
Maintaining control over a spell after it was cast would drastically increase mana consumption.
Therefore, it was common practice for spells to become uncontrollable once released, making it impossible to alter their form or trajectory.
‘That’s how it’s supposed to work…’
The black magic formula that Maligos had woven clearly indicated a straightforward attack.
Yet, at the last moment, it had changed its form.
While it was true that Black Magic often defied the conventional rules of magic, it was rare for it to defy the very formulas that governed its existence.
Fwoosh!
More spikes extended from the existing ones, like the grasping claws of a monstrous beast, relentlessly pursuing Jekkiel.
It was impossible to calculate how much mana Maligos was expending with each passing moment.
Even as he considered this, the spikes continued their relentless assault.
Severing them was pointless.
Every severed fragment would simply become a new host, sprouting more spikes.
“What did you sacrifice for this power?”
“Everything you can imagine.”
“Everything…”
He had truly sacrificed everything to obtain such power.
“But even if you offer everything, you cannot change your true nature.”
Jekkiel casually drew a circle around himself with his scythe.
A red-tinged energy, distinct from Maligos’s dark aura, enveloped him.
And then—
Whoosh!
The spikes, mere inches from piercing Jekkiel, were effortlessly pushed back.
‘Pushed back?’
He had expected Jekkiel to cut them down or evade them, but to completely negate them…
“What…”
Before Maligos could react, Jekkiel continued his assault.
He effortlessly repelled the dark energy, his movements a blur of red and black.
The transformation magic, powered by a sacrificed soul, was swift beyond comprehension.
But Jekkiel was faster.
“Impossible…”
Maligos tried to recall the dark energy, but it was too late.
He had underestimated his opponent.
“Impossible!”
He gathered his remaining mana, desperately trying to regain control of the situation.
He reformed the dissipated energy, reinforcing its weakened points, and infused it with even more dark magic before launching it towards Jekkiel once more.
The entire process took less than a second.
To completely seal Jekkiel’s movements and prevent him from escaping or defending, Maligos trapped him within a cage of pure darkness.
The dark energy swirled within the confined space, its color deepening with each passing moment as it tightened its grip on the vampire.
It was a cube, not particularly large.
While it could theoretically be used for protection, Maligos’ intentions were far more sinister.
If he unleashed the spikes within this confined space, there would be nowhere for Jekkiel to run.
No matter what he tried, it would be futile.
“This is the end!”
Even Maligos was convinced of his victory.
Jekkiel hadn’t managed to escape the confines of the prison before it fully manifested.
His victory was assured.
Or so he thought.
“Hmm.”
Screech—!
Red lines appeared on the surface of the prison, etched by something incredibly sharp.
Each movement of Jekkiel’s scythe left a glowing red trail.
Crack—!
The result was simple, undeniable.
Eternal Prison had failed to fulfill its purpose.
It had been utterly shattered.
What followed was a swift and precise attack, one that Maligos couldn’t avoid.
Slice—!
“Gah!”
One of his legs, severed at the ankle, buckled beneath him.
Maligos stumbled, struggling to maintain his balance.
He tried to unfurl his wings, seeking stability in the air, but Jekkiel wouldn’t allow it.
Thump!
“You’re nothing special, Maligos.”
Jekkiel pressed his scythe against Maligos’s throat, his voice devoid of emotion.
“Hand over the map.”
The cold steel against his skin sent chills down Maligos’s spine.
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[Stabby stab stab time]
