When reinterpreted according to the standard of ‘will,’ magic had an entirely different charm. Yuric was captivated by its dazzling allure for two days and nights.
During the three days Yuric spent here, the Demons continuously attacked the walls of Drexter Fortress. However, the sturdy barrier magic remained unshaken against such attacks. Occasionally, those that forced their way through were stopped by the many defenders on the wall.
Over hundreds of years, Drexter Fortress’s defensive system had become impeccably excellent. Only, there was no other way to stop the Demons who bypassed the walls, traversing the rugged mountains and treacherous Demon Mines to finally infiltrate the human Continent.
Instead, the Viscount’s manor sent out regular reconnaissance teams to the surrounding areas, establishing a system where they could immediately return and report upon discovering any Demons or Monsters. Then, the Viscount’s manor would form a Subjugation Team to eliminate them.
Fortunately, it was exceedingly rare in history for Demons to move in large groups.
Even if they shared the same ancestry, Demons hardly ever felt any bond; they merely refrained from killing each other outright. Born with immense strength, they didn’t need solidarity to survive alone.
Even Gargo, one of the weaker Demons, toyed with ordinary humans. Unfortunately, he fled disgracefully after encountering the Mage of the Index Finger.
After thoroughly observing the southern front, Yuric returned with the Golden Dragon Mercenary Corps at dawn on the fourth day.
As the fortress slowly receded from view, he recalled the massive wall and the watchtower visible beyond it. …That eerie red eye would likely haunt him for life.
Unfortunately, heavy rain began pouring down during their return journey. Fortunately, due to the well-maintained road, there was no incident of the carriage wheels getting stuck in the mud, preventing further mishaps.
When the leather roof of the baggage cart started leaking water because of the rain, the Viscount’s transport and escort teams arrived at the first village. While unloading the luggage and entering the inn building, the mercenaries were already completely drenched. Inside the inn, a group of stranded merchants had already taken over.
With only a few rooms available, the mercenaries had to squeeze into small rooms, six to a room. Large-bodied mercenaries took seats on either side of Yuric. The playful mercenary lying on his left gave a chilling imitation of the captain with a groan.
“Our Yuric, were you lonely? I’ll give you a kiss.”
“…Sir.”
“Does the Captain not do this?”
The surrounding area erupted in laughter. Yuric couldn’t help but laugh as well.
Not long after, the small room was filled with snoring. Yuric used the snoring as a lullaby, closing his eyes to sleep.
And just as he briefly dozed off, he suddenly woke up feeling his finger burning hot.
‘…!’
Yuric sat up abruptly, clutching his searing right index finger.
Something was coming.
Not long after, a loud cry of “Enemies!” echoed through the hallway. The mercenaries, who had been snoring moments ago, reflexively jumped up and grabbed their weapons. Their habit of always staying alert instinctively brought them to action.
“What is it? What’s happening?”
“Something seems to be approaching.”
The mercenaries hurriedly rushed out of the corridor. Someone shouted to wake the others in the neighboring rooms, but there was no one who hadn’t already woken up to the commotion.
The mercenaries who had been laughing at the ridiculous imitation of the captain moments ago now had a serious expression. These veterans knew exactly when to laugh and when not to.
The mercenary captains staying at the inn quickly led their troops outside.
Outside, it was pitch black, and the rain was still pouring heavily. But now, that didn’t matter to them.
As promised, the Mages conjured glowing orbs in the air. As several orbs appeared, the surroundings became instantly illuminated.
And then…
“Shit, enemies!”
The village’s vigilante group was already fighting the Monsters. Various cries of chaos were drowned out by the sound of the rain.
But the enemies weren’t just one. Several wolf-like Monsters were charging from all sides.
Each mercenary unit moved to their designated positions. The Golden Dragon Mercenary Corps splashed through the muddy ground and charged towards the enemies with a roar.
Leading the charge, as always, was Captain Cecilia. Her movements, tearing apart the Monsters piece by piece, were artistic, like a dance. The members who had worked together for years moved organically, swiftly dealing with the Monsters. Yuric also directed his index finger like a conductor, destroying the Monsters.
After clearing their assigned area, Yuric turned his gaze sharply towards the distant darkness.
He sensed something there.
‘It’s a Demon.’
Judging by the aura and situation, it didn’t seem to be an extremely powerful Demon. If it were, it would have revealed itself already. It was waiting for their numbers to decrease thanks to the Monsters.
Sensing his unusual reaction, the captain asked what was wrong.
“There’s a Demon over there.”
Yuric’s index finger grew even hotter, making him restless. But he didn’t follow it blindly, thanks to his training with the Demon Gargo.
The mercenaries, already aware of Yuric’s unusually good instincts, clenched their lips upon hearing the word ‘Demon.’
“Shit, bad luck today!”
They kicked themselves for their terrible luck. …However, thinking about it differently, the other side’s luck wasn’t much better.
Attacking the village while the Mage of the Index Finger was present was quite unfortunate.
Yuric, who had fought a Demon before, was less tense than last time. And… he had grown significantly since then.
Soon, the Demon slowly revealed itself in the rain. The creature, standing at least two meters tall, surprisingly didn’t have a single drop of rain on it. It stared directly at Yuric with a blank expression.
“Don’t move recklessly.”
Captain Cecilia said this to her members while enhancing her limbs with a more intense reinforcement spell.
And Yuric slowly raised his index finger, pointing it at the Demon.
The first attack came from the Demon.
As it lifted its right hand, a water spout erupted from the ground and exploded violently. Yuric quickly turned to the right and stomped on the ground, rushing straight toward the Demon.
Simultaneously, the Demon erected a powerful mana shield. But Yuric’s index finger easily pierced through it, severing the Demon’s upper left body and arm in one swift motion.
‘…It reacted.’
He had intended to split the Demon’s torso in half, but the Demon managed to twist its body at the last moment. Still, it was a significant injury.
A crack appeared on the Demon’s previously emotionless face. Apparently, it hadn’t expected its mana shield to be broken.
Yuric thought the Demon either didn’t know about the Mage of the Index Finger or was still too young, probably the latter. Judging rationally, the Demon seemed weaker than Gargo. Nonetheless, complacency was forbidden.
Yuric had already drawn a magic circle on his left hand, anticipating the possibility that the Demon might dodge while charging at it. Dealing with Demons required meticulous planning several steps ahead.
The moment he moved his left hand, a mana arrow shot out like lightning, piercing the Demon’s side.
“Ugh!”
The Demon’s body was thrown sideways and slammed into a building wall. However, it stood up as if nothing happened.
Fury welled up in the Demon’s eyes, surely due to the humiliation of being defeated by a mere insect.
At that moment, Monsters from all sides charged at Yuric. Cecilia, who had been watching for the perfect moment, struck them down immediately.
“Protect Yuric!”
The members also swung their weapons to defend Yuric.
The Demon muttered something into its palm and flung it high into the sky. Then it relentlessly fired mana blasts at Yuric. Each blast hitting the ground or walls caused tremendous explosions, scattering water and mud everywhere.
Yuric dodged the Demon’s mana blasts while simultaneously using mass magic, intending to crush its body. However, the Demon narrowly avoided the mana hammer just before it hit.
Then, close combat ensued.
They exchanged blows for quite some time. When the Demon intentionally showed a slight opening, Yuric moved in to exploit it.
Thinking the Demon had fallen for it, Yuric fired a mana blast right in front of its nose. However, knowing it was a bait, Yuric destroyed it with his index finger and immediately struck the Demon’s body hard.
“Ugh!”
The Demon swung its right arm to counterattack, but Yuric had already retreated.
“You insect!”
The Demon gathered mana again and shot it into the sky. Yuric realized then that it was a summoning spell.
They clashed fiercely once more. Despite performing acrobatic maneuvers to deliver attacks, Yuric eventually got hit by the Demon’s mana blast. He managed to endure it with the reinforcement spell strengthening his body, but the pain felt like his flesh was tearing, making him dizzy. …If he got hit again, something—his bones or flesh—would surely break.
‘Two hits won’t be survivable…!’
Of course, the Demon’s condition was far worse. Its body was tattered from Yuric’s magic and index finger. Even as a Demon, it wouldn’t withstand another hit here.
Right at that moment, a fierce roar echoed from the sky.
Apparently, that was the Demon’s trump card.
“A dragon…!”
Everyone froze in shock at the roar. A dragon was the strongest among Monsters. With its appearance, the village would surely be devastated.
Right then, Yuric felt something bubbling inside him. His mana was wildly surging.
As his vision spun, he unleashed his mana towards the sky.
“-Young dragon, vanish.”
“Ugh!”
Unable to withstand the momentum, the storm dragon circled a few times in the sky before fleeing.
Thinking it was all over, the Demon widened its eyes.
“You bastard…!”
Yuric seized the moment the Demon let its guard down and pierced its chest with a mana arrow from the magic circle on his left hand.
“Gasp-!”
Then, he instantly rushed forward and crushed its skull with his finger, giving it no chance to cast any spells.
“Ugh!”
The twitching Demon’s body gradually collapsed into particles and disappeared.
Yuric crouched and panted heavily for a while before slowly standing up. Like the pouring rain, numerous gazes fell upon him.
With almost no strength left to stand, Yuric wobbled, and Cecilia quickly embraced him.
The Golden Dragon Mercenary Corps hurriedly gathered around them.
“…Damn, you’re really strong…”
“Frightening enough to joke around.”
The mercenaries chuckled softly under their breath.
They scanned their surroundings. There were no more enemies.
The mercenaries patted Yuric’s back and head, congratulating him on his efforts.
The rain continued to pour endlessly over the devastated village.
