Demon-Hunting Genius Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 95

Reaching the front of the crack, we immediately joined forces with Barundel and engaged in battle.

"I would have been disappointed if you hadn't come."

"Haha, I was just observing the situation for a bit..."

"As expected, a party should fight together!"

Barundel was on the right, Thompson on the left, and Kayla was supporting us from behind.

Of course, I didn't hesitate to throw myself in whenever they seemed to be in danger.

Anyway, like that, we guarded the crack like an iron wall, and the demons were helplessly defeated as soon as they appeared.

About three or four hours passed like that.

It was also tiresome to repeat similar battles over and over again.

'It really never ends...'

A long time had passed, but the demon army's offensive showed no signs of ending.

No, rather, it seemed to be getting stronger and stronger.

Not only was the number of individuals increasing, but stronger ones were appearing.

Now, the low-ranking demons that were mixed in at the beginning were hardly visible.

The army was mostly composed of mid-ranking demons or higher.

I already knew it would be like this because I had experienced the [Blood Moon War] countless times in the game, but knowing and experiencing it firsthand were completely different things.

The truly scary thing is...

'This is just the beginning.'

The [Blood Moon War] consists of a total of 5 waves.

The waves are cut off on a daily basis, and as it progresses to the next wave, the size and number of cracks increase, and it overflows with even stronger demons.

Simply put, today, the first day, is the 1st wave.

It means that it's the easiest day to endure among the remaining ones.

'From the 4th wave, the legion commanders will appear in person.'

If that happens, then it's truly the beginning of a hellish war.

I won't be able to afford to be complacent and have other thoughts like now.

I must not lose focus every single moment and must endure the fatigue from the prolonged battle.

Naturally, there will be many casualties.

There was only one thing we could do to prevent such a situation.

Closing the crack.

In a way, it's not much different from when Baal appeared in the Aldeon Magic Tower.

If we just close the crack, the war will be over.

But the differences were clear.

First, because this was officially a war stated in the prophecy, we couldn't use a method like summoning the 'Gatekeeper'.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Simply put, the process of closing the crack has become much more difficult than back then.

And second, there's not just one crack to close.

'At least ten or more.'

According to my experience, it's possible to close the cracks after at least the 3rd wave. The number of cracks to close is at least ten or more.

Naturally, the demons won't just watch us close the cracks, so it can't be an easy process, and if we don't succeed before the 4th wave ends?

Then the 5th wave begins.

The characteristic of the 5th wave is the addition of Baal's power.

It's virtually safe to say that Asternon will be destroyed by then.

Well, I've never seen it get that far.

Most of the [Blood Moon Wars] I experienced succeeded in closing the cracks around the 3rd wave. Even the places that were a little late succeeded before the 4th wave ended.

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If the royal family doesn't just leave it alone and takes action, it should succeed somehow.

Anyway.

For now, the best course of action is to hold out until the 3rd wave, when we can close the crack.

Until then, we have no choice but to endure this tedious, repetitive battle.

Fortunately, there's some decent fun to be had in this process to help us endure.

First, the fun of experiencing the strength of my grown comrades.

"Haaaap!"

Thompson, with mana concentrated in his right hand, throws a punch.

Simultaneously.

Crack-!

Kieeek!

With a sound of something breaking, the massive [Demon Basilisk] is hit by Thompson's fist and helplessly flies backward.

Fifteen demons, caught in the aftermath, are swept away with the [Demon Basilisk].

Kueeeeek-!

Shwiiik!

What tremendous power.

It's to the point where I can't even recall Thompson struggling to catch that thing back in Aldeon.

More than the power itself, the most interesting thing was Thompson's right arm, which looked different from before.

'...What the hell is that?'

From the fingertips to the shoulder.

Thompson's right arm had changed into an arm with thick gray leather.

It looked like a combination of an elephant's foot and a human arm.

Even though I've memorized almost every magic spell in order to raise a mage as a new character, that kind of magic was completely unfamiliar to me.

It's only natural since it's magic created by Asion Gale, a mage who didn't exist in the setting where I played the game.

Anyway.

"Mister, what exactly is that arm?"

I was going to ask after the war was over, but I couldn't hold back and spoke up first.

Thompson then scratched his head with that thick arm.

"Ah, this? Um... how should I explain this?"

He rolled his eyes as if trying to find the right words, then said,

"This is the Body Transformation Magic I learned. How should I put it, it's still unstable. All I can use is one arm. It looks a bit grotesque, doesn't it?"

"Grotesque? It's just amazing."

"Hehehe, I'm glad to hear that. Anyway, I heard that once I can fully control the magic, I can transform my entire body, not just one arm."

"...Your entire body?"

"Yeah."

Crack!

Thompson once again sent a charging demon flying.

It's tremendous power, even when I see it again.

I looked at Thompson's right hand and fell into thought.

'What the hell does it mean to change the entire body?'

I couldn't quite grasp it just by hearing this.

Does it mean that the whole body is covered in that thick leather?

Or...

With a feeling of disbelief, I asked.

There's a very simple way to solve this question.

"Have you seen it by any chance? The Dean using Body Transformation Magic."

All I need to do is find out what the Dean looks like when he uses Body Transformation Magic.

Then I'd naturally be able to see the final form of Body Transformation Magic.

But.

"..."

For some reason, Thompson couldn't bring himself to speak.

"Why? Don't tell me you haven't seen it? Even if it's the Dean, it's best to see and learn magic firsthand..."

"No, no. I saw it with my own eyes. The Dean's Body Transformation Magic. Just once, though."

"Aha, as expected. What did it look like?"

"...Well, about that."

Thompson hesitated again.

He even trembled slightly, as if he was afraid of something.

What in the world happened?

Thompson didn't answer my question.

"Mr First Place will find out soon enough. The Dean decided to participate in the war too..."

Curiosity surged within me.

I was dying to know.

But he wasn't wrong.

Asion Gale actually signed a contract to participate in the war.

I would be able to see his Body Transformation Magic soon.

'It seems like something he doesn't want to talk about. Then there's no need to force him to tell me.'

I decided to see the magic for myself and turned my thoughts elsewhere.

Anyway, seeing Thompson's growth like this is the first small joy.

And the second is this.

Swoosh-!

The feeling of fullness that constantly fills me as I fight tirelessly.

It's experience points.

[You have defeated the 'Demon Basilisk' and gained 5 experience points.]

[You have defeated the 'Stone Gargoyle' and gained 5 experience points.]

[You have defeated the 'Demon Lizard' and gained 5 experience points.]

If this were a game, these messages would be constantly popping up at the bottom of the screen.

In that continuous feeling of fullness, my body flashed five times.

It meant I had gained 5 levels.

In other words, since I reached level 12 at the end of the two weeks of hunting...

'Level 17.'

I've already entered the late 10s in level.

'Huh, 5 levels up just from the first day?'

Indeed, the speed of leveling up was tremendous.

It was incomparable to the growth in that hellish hunting outside the borders.

Unlike back then, when I had to search for prey, now they're pouring out of the crack without me having to do anything, so it's not surprising, but it's still amazing.

As expected of the [Blood Moon War]. It's not called one of the big events in Demon Fantasy for nothing.

The rewards are great as much as the hardship.

'If things go well, I might even be able to reach level 20 in this war.'

From level 20, each stat increases by 2 per level up.

The efficiency of leveling up doubles.

Furthermore, the hidden pieces that I couldn't get before due to lack of level will be unlocked.

I'll have to go get them one by one after the war is over.

'Hoo... I'm already excited.'

Perhaps that's when the true value of a veteran will be revealed.

This is because there's a world of difference between users who collect Hidden Pieces and those who don't.

'While I'm at it, I should also grab some useful ones for my companions.'

A few hours passed as I made plans in my head while fighting.

"Hasn't the number of demons decreased a bit?"

"Oh... I think so? Is it finally over?"

As the day drew to a close, the number of demons emerging from the crack noticeably decreased.

It seemed that the 1st wave was finally coming to an end.

It started early in the morning and only ended as the day was coming to an end; it sure took a long time.

About 30 minutes later.

"It's over!"

"Woohoo! Victory is ours!"

Finally, the demon army stopped coming out of the crack, and many soldiers collapsed on the spot, cheering.

We were just as happy.

"That was a really grueling battle..."

"I wouldn't have been able to withstand it if we hadn't gone hunting, right? Right, Mr First Place?"

"Yes, I would have run out of stamina."

"Is it really over?"

Kayla, who had come out of the outpost at some point, joined us.

"Yeah, it's over."

I nodded and glanced at my companions.

"Is everyone alright?"

"This much is nothing! I'm perfectly fine."

"I'm fine too. I'm a bit tired, maybe because I'm getting old."

"Me too. I was just shooting magic from back there, so there's no way I'd get hurt."

"Good."

None of us were injured.

Although it was just the 1st wave, it was a result worthy of being called a great victory.

As I was thinking this, a man in armor stepped out onto the noisy battlefield.

It was the Knight Commander in charge of today's command.

If I remember correctly, his name was 'Elbert Tyran'.

"Everyone, attention!"

As if to prove he was the Knight Commander, he floated his body in the air to draw people's attention.

Knight Commander. In other words, it's a movement skill that only those who have mastered the power of Aura beyond the level of a senior knight can use.

This meant that Elbert Tyran was at least a Dercion-level knight.

After getting everyone's attention, he shouted in a powerful voice.

"Soldiers, the war is not over yet!"

"..."

"..."

The excited atmosphere instantly subsided.

Although it was a statement that dampened the good mood, no one refuted it.

Because his words were true.

It wasn't time to be excited.

We had only just overcome the 1st wave.

"Look around! See what has become of the soldiers who were laughing and chatting with you just this morning!"

People looked around and groaned silently.

As Elbert said, the bodies of hundreds of soldiers were scattered around.

A brief silence followed.

Elbert spoke again.

"For their sacrifice, we must prepare for a more perfect tomorrow! Everyone, stand up!"

At his words, people began to rise from their seats one by one with solemn faces.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]