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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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Chapter 111
It certainly felt like it had been a long time since he'd used it, but...
It hadn't even been a week.
Subjectively, it felt like a month had passed, but what did it matter?
The only important thing was that he could now summon a new Demon Knight!
Balthar was quite pleased by the fact that a new junior would be arriving, and Seonghyun, naturally, felt the same.
Although, it was possible that a knight of higher rank than Balthar could actually appear.
From what he'd heard, the probability of that was minimal.
'They did say the summoning probability is best right after obtaining the skill, didn't they?'
Because a Demon Knight Scion could also appear.
Didn't they say you couldn't judge rashly?
Since Balthar or Nocturnium had said so.
He figured that must be the case.
Still, since they said that even a Demon Knight Scion was quite strong...
He was quite looking forward to it.
Wondering just what kind of demon would appear.
As soon as Seonghyun used the skill,
Just like when he had summoned Balthar, Seonghyun felt control over his body disappear.
A state where he couldn't even wiggle a single finger.
In that state, the surrounding scenery melted away as if a video was unfolding, drawing a new landscape.
The summoning event scene.
Who would appear this time?
The surrounding scenery vanished, and the subordinates who had been nearby also disappeared.
Solely Seonghyun floated in the empty air like a ghost, and gradually, the surrounding scenery became visible.
An utterly desolate wilderness.
But the sun risen high in the sky and was black, and even the light illuminating the world was dim.
A barren world that seemed unlikely to support even a single blade of grass, a place where even reclamation seemed impossible.
Yet, countless demons had established their territory and lived there.
Demons with black skin and demons with red skin fought amongst themselves,
Invading each other's territories, the ceaseless slaughter continued.
However, things like magic or swordsmanship...
Such refined things were nowhere to be seen. They simply extended their claws to tear each other apart, threw punches, and burst open flesh.
'Is this Hell in the old days?'
Even Seonghyun clicked his tongue at the primitive and barbaric sight.
It couldn't even be called combat; it was merely hunting driven by instinct.
Nothing more, nothing less.
They called it a Demon Knight,
Why were they showing him this kind of scenery?
Just as Seonghyun pondered this question,
There was a demon boy with dark red skin.
While everyone else was fighting fiercely with extended claws or fists, the boy alone picked up a fallen tree branch from the ground.
An era without even iron, let alone swords.
The boy grasped that hard, ink-black branch and swung it diligently.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
At first, it was clumsy.
But gradually, his swings became straighter, and progressively more firm.
The boy also gradually grew out of his younger form, and before long, having become a young man, he nevertheless continued to wield the branch as if it were a sword.
The surrounding demons watched the young man, snickering.
To think he'd use a mere twig as a weapon.
If one needed a weapon, they could just pull out a bone or tear off a claw to attack, and even if not, a demon's body was exceptional, becoming a weapon just by swinging a fist.
There was ample reason to ridicule the young man.
However, even as they sneered and pointed fingers, the young man paid no heed.
He merely kept swinging the branch.
How much time had passed?
The boy became a young man, then a middle-aged man, and then an old man.
Yet, he repeatedly swung the tree branch.
The more he swung the branch, the darker the surroundings became, shrouding everything in darkness.
'This is...'
As the boy, no, the old man, aged,
The reactions of those around him also changed.
Those who had mocked him as a boy and a young man began to imitate him as they became middle-aged.
By the time he became an old man, countless demons wearing armor followed him.
And then more time passed.
The countless demons that had gradually increased disappeared, and a great upheaval occurred.
Many demons perished, and few survived the cataclysm.
Many demons perished, and not many survived that cataclysm.
But the old man survived regardless, and now drew a sword given to him by someone, swinging it repeatedly.
As if oblivious to his surroundings.
The hale old man of his prime was gone, replaced by a frail and decrepit old man who looked as if he might collapse at any moment.
However, the aura surrounding him was more ominous and vividly radiant than ever before.
'Ah.'
Seonghyun realized upon seeing that sight.
This was someone who possessed a swordsmanship far more advanced and profound than even Leonik's.
A level that he himself dared not even imagine.
That old man was one who had achieved such a state.
As that thought crossed his mind, Seonghyun involuntarily looked at the old man, and the old man's eyes met his.
Playing this game, this was the first time since Helena that he felt overwhelmed.
A thrill ran through his entire body, and as his eyes met the old man's, a sound reached him.
Step. Step.
The old demon took steps forward.
Finally, as he stood before Seonghyun,
The old demon drew his sword and slowly swung it.
Then, from his sword strike, like darkness itself, a black magic circle leisurely formed.
The darkly shining magic circle of shadow emerged, resonated with the surroundings scattering black light, and a black mist spread nearby.
At that, the old demon's form became clearer, fully manifesting into the world.
Aaaaaaah——!
Amidst the wail that was close to a scream, Seonghyun thought.
'He's coming.'
The demon of the sword.
As Seonghyun had that thought,
Words floated into the air.
[Summoning an ancient Demon Knight from the distant past.]
[You are the first in Eternal World to summon the 『Primordial Demon Knight, Drakhanos of the Abyss』.]
[Acquired the title, 『Master of the Primordial Demon Knight』.]
[Warning]
[The Demon Knight's ego is more distinct than other summons.]
[He may disobey commands, and diligent effort is required to handle the Demon Knight.]
Along with the messages, the old demon calmly walked out of the magic circle.
He emerged wearing robes like tattered rags.
He looked short and quite decrepit.
Unlike Balthar when he was first summoned, this one didn't look imposing or threatening.
His hair was completely white, and his face and exposed hands were wrinkled all over. With wrinkles covering his dark-red skin, even his eyes were buried in folds and hard to see.
A demon who looked nothing but a truly frail old man, not threatening or powerful-looking in the slightest.
However, an unknown power seemed to emanate from him.
"Ah."
As expected.
Seonghyun watched him with a very satisfied smile.
Balthar, on the other hand, trembled in fear upon spotting him.
-N-n-no... th-this... can't... be...!!!
The Primordial Demon Knight.
Perhaps the very first Demon Knight.
Drakhanos.
Balthar, who couldn't possibly be ignorant of that renowned name, gulped and stared at him.
To think that the one who could be called his junior was this legendary being.
As Seonghyun, also quite intrigued, looked at him,
-Mutter... mutter... mumble... mutter-mumble, whisper... whisper.
He said something.
In a completely unintelligible language.
Even then, his voice was too quiet to be heard clearly.
Only Balthar and Seonghyun, who were closest, could even tell he had spoken.
Although it had the feel of grumbling.
Just in case, Seonghyun looked at Balthar.
Looking like he'd been struck by lightning, Balthar lowered his head and replied.
-I-I shall humbly convey that request, Forefather.
Did he ask for something?
As Seonghyun looked at Balthar like that,
Balthar spoke, seeming a bit cautious.
-The... Forefather...
"Hm?"
What is it that he's hesitating so much about?
Did he say he couldn't obey commands?
Then again, Balthar was like that at first too.
That could indeed be possible.
If not that, did he attach conditions?
Because if it wasn't something like that, there was no reason for Balthar to hesitate.
As Seonghyun grew curious,
Balthar spoke cautiously.
-He asks... since it's c-cold... if you could send him to the Netherworld.
"...Huh?"
-H-He says he's cold because he's gotten old...
He certainly is at that age.
‘No, I mean, he's a legend just for being alive.’
So it made sense.
But to think the first thing he says after appearing is that he's cold and wants to be sent to the Netherworld.
It was a bit anticlimactic, but...
It's understandable.
As Seonghyun thought that and was about to send him to the Netherworld,
-Mumble-mumble... mutter... mutter-mumble, mumble... mutter-mumble..., mutter-mumble, whisper-whisper.
He spoke again, seemingly grumbling.
What could this mean now?
Seonghyun naturally looked towards Balthar.
Balthar, his complexion slightly pale, gulped and spoke to Seonghyun.
-He says... if the Lord has any requests, you should call him anytime. And...
"And?"
-He asked me... to carry him on my back and attend to him...
"Ah."
Well, he is an old man.
It's natural that he needs looking after.
However, both Seonghyun and Balthar had strange expressions on their faces.
A living legend of Hell, to think this legendary being, possibly the first Demon Knight, asks to be sent to the Netherworld because he's cold, and asks Balthar to carry him on his back.
It was a somewhat disillusioning image, but...
They both nodded, indicating they understood.
"'Take... good care of him.'"
-...Yes, I understand.
Looking somewhat disgruntled, Balthar thus entered the Dark Fortress in the Netherworld with Drakhanos, while those remaining stood around awkwardly.
Something had swept through like a storm, but...
Anyway, it was fine.
"Ahem."
He was quite old, but...
Nevertheless, he was still a tremendous demon.
He might be different in combat, after all.
Seonghyun put that aside for now and looked at the title he had just obtained.
This one was also a 'First Ever' title.
Let's take a look, shall we?
『Master of the Primordial Demon Knight』
→《Legendary+》
→ A title granted to the user who succeeded in summoning a Primordial Demon Knight for the first time ever in Eternal World.
→ As the first ever master, its rank has been slightly upgraded compared to the standard grade.
→ Affiliated Demon Knight's and Owner's All Swordsmanship Proficiency +50% increase.
→ Affiliated Demon Knight's and Owner's Dark Attribute +12.5% enhancement.
→ Affiliated Demon Knight's and Owner's All Attack Power +12.5% increase.
'What is this?'
He thought it would be similar to the 'Master of the Demon Knight' title he got when summoning Balthar, but...
It was on a different level.
Unlike the previous title, this one had options that applied effects to the owner as well!
‘Unbelievable.’
This title alone was enough to justify Drakhanos's value.
'Incredible...'
Even Seonghyun's pupils trembled.
The effects were tremendous.
Anyway, now that he had summoned the Demon Knight like this,
He should move on to opening the next reward.
There was also the matter of raising the corpses of the Death Legion Commander and Anemor, but...
He postponed that for now.
Since he planned to use 『Transcended Death』 later to make them even stronger.
In that case, there were two remaining options.
'Should I pick a skill with the Tome of the Overlord, or open the Legendary Random Box first?'
Seonghyun pondered for a moment before quickly deciding.
'Let's open the box first.'
Whereas the Tome of the Overlord allowed him to choose,
The Legendary Random Box was literally random.
As he took out the Legendary Random Box,
He saw an unexpected description.
『Random Box』×3
→《Legendary》
→ A box that randomly grants an item or skill connected to the user.
→ All items obtainable from this box are of Legendary rank.
→ Currently connected item: 『Apprentice Hero Hindel's Sword』.
"Huh?"
A connected item?
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[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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