Demon-Hunting Genius Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 58

"...Beautiful."

After the golden light that had captivated everyone faded, Kayla peeked into the box and murmured softly,

"Is this... an artifact?"

"What?"

At her words, I quickly approached the box. As she said, something that looked like an artifact was sitting alone inside the box...

'This is...'

A rectangular stone plate with ancient-looking writing on it. I recognized it immediately due to its unique design.

'It's the Amulet of Hor!'

A heroic-grade artifact, the [Amulet of Hor]. It was an artifact that blocked mental attacks once, and it was always carried by the dungeon monster 'Hor.'

'She pulled this out on her first attempt..?'

Honestly, I couldn't help but be surprised. Unlike most artifacts that are artificially imbued with supernatural power, the [Amulet of Hor] could only be obtained by defeating Hor himself.

Simply put, it was an item that was hard to come by even if you had the money, as there were few in circulation.

Furthermore,

'How many mental artifacts are there?'

In [Demon Fantasy], there weren't many creatures capable of mental attacks. In other words, there was low demand, so the supply wasn't high either.

And Kayla had just pulled out one of those rare mental artifacts.

I suddenly looked down at my hand. There, the silver ring, now free of rust, was subtly shining with its own light.

'Come to think of it, this too...'

It was the experience ring that was almost thrown away. If Kayla hadn't gotten it appraised on a whim...

Well, was that all? There was also the story of how Kayla became a mage.

Born in Sector 7, which was called a garbage dump, she naturally acquired a trait and awakened magic without anyone teaching her.

And then she met me and learned how to handle mana.

At this point, I naturally thought,

'Is she... blessed with incredible luck?'

There are always people like this in life. Everything they touch turns to gold, and they always get above average results in anything that requires luck... the kind of people born with good fortune.

Yes, unlike me, who was stuck at home playing a game and somehow ended up in this world.

"Why? Is it good?"

Kayla asked me with a clueless expression. I felt a sense of emptiness.

"...You got a good one."

I answered her like that and thought to myself, 'From now on, you're in charge of the draws.'

This was the way to make this unfair world a little fairer.

***

2 hours had already passed since we entered the dungeon.

We didn't find any more treasure chests after the first one we opened, and we entered the 3rd floor.

Kieeee-!

"The number of monsters has suddenly increased."

Unlike the 1st and 2nd floors, which we cleared with ease, we had to be a bit more tense from the 3rd floor onwards.

That was because the number of monsters had doubled compared to the 2nd floor.

Thwack!

Kieeeeek...!

Of course, since the four of us were sticking together, there wasn't a big problem with the battles themselves.

However, we were short on time and consuming a lot of stamina.

"We should be almost there."

If my guess was correct, we were close to escaping. Most dungeons usually had 3 floors.

If we went a little further, we would probably encounter the dungeon boss, and once we defeated it, we would be able to get out of here.

How much time had passed?

While we were going straight ahead along the path, Thompson pointed to the front.

"Oh, Mr. First place. Isn't that what you were talking about?"

A large door, which we hadn't seen before, was blocking the path. It was the boss room of the dungeon.

"That's right. It's all over now."

"So we can get out of the dungeon if we just kill the guy in there?"

"Yes, and since the dungeon doesn't collapse while you're in the boss room, we'll probably have plenty of time."

In essence, we had practically cleared the dungeon.

Well... it was a bit disappointing that we didn't gain much.

'...All I got was a level up and the [Amulet of Hor].'

After hunting for over 2 hours, my level had risen by 1 to level 8, and the only artifact I got was the [Amulet of Hor].

Oh, and I also learned the efficiency of the experience ring I was wearing.

'20%.'

It was a pretty decent number for a heroic-grade artifact. My growth rate had increased by 1.2 times.

If I didn't have this, I probably would have barely reached level 8 after defeating the boss ahead.

Anyway,

"Let's go in then."

"Let's finish this quickly. It's so dark in here that my eyes are getting blurry."

I was tired too. I opened the dungeon door without further hesitation.

Creak-

Despite being an incredibly huge stone door, it opened with a slight push to the side.

Through the gap, the figure of the waiting boss monster began to appear.

"Hmm, that's..."

The appearance of the boss monster was familiar.

"A centipede?"

It just looked like a centipede that had been enormously enlarged.

Bzzzt!

It cried out, shaking its hundreds of pairs of legs and antennae.

"It doesn't look that strong. Mr First place, how should we... attack it right away?"

"Let's do that. We just need to be careful not to get bitten by its fangs and get poisoned. Kayla, can you take care of the lady?"

"Okay."

With the rough plan set, Thompson, as always, jumped into the air first.

Dddddd!

In an instant, Thompson transformed into a boulder.

In sync with him, Barundel also charged forward, gripping his axe.

Two attacks unfolded simultaneously.

Kooong! Kwagagagak!

Bzzzt...!

The giant centipede writhed violently, spewing green blood.

Seeing this, I realized how much stronger our party had become.

'It feels like just yesterday we were struggling to catch the basilisk.'

Now, we could fight a boss monster several times larger than that without much tension.

Putting aside my thoughts, I joined the battle.

Whooong.

The [Sword of Light] formed in my outstretched right hand.

Thump...!

- Entering an awakening state.

My heartbeat quickened.

- 300% proficiency boost for all bladed weapons.

Perfect movements unfolded, maintaining acceleration.

Chwaaaak-

With one strike, the giant centipede's tail was severed.

Bzzzt...!

After about fifteen repetitions...

Kooong!

The giant centipede, unable to recover, spun its head around and around before finally collapsing with a thud.

A feeling of fulfillment, far greater than before, filled me.

Chijijik!

After waiting for a moment, a portal, similar to a crack, appeared before my eyes. We could finally escape the dungeon.

"We're finally escaping."

It was a refreshing dungeon exploration after a long while.

***

"Legion Commander."

Asmodeus, the Legion Commander of Desire.

She looked down at her subordinate who had come to find her and asked,

"Antillian. Has something happened?"

"Well..."

The subordinate held out the crystal ball he was carrying and said,

"I found what you were talking about."

"Oh my, is that so?"

With a faint smile at the news she had been waiting for, Asmodeus received the crystal ball.

It was a crystal ball that operated solely on demonic energy and connected the human world to the demon world. Inside it, the scene of the place where she had sent her army a few days ago, now reduced to ruins, was playing like a video.

"Hmm..."

After waiting for a moment, the image in the crystal ball zoomed in and focused on one spot.

A cave with a moderately humid environment, the dwelling place of the demon turtle. It was one of the many places where Asmodeus had set a trap.

"Is it them?"

Asmodeus focused on the three men and women in the image. They were diligently hunting the demon turtles, unaware that they had been exposed to her trap.

The group consisted of one dwarf and two humans, who seemed to be quite capable as they fought in harmony with each other.

Of course, they were still just inferior races.

"The poor turtles are dying... Poor things..."

Asmodeus wiped away tears that weren't there and concentrated on the image again.

"Hmm, it's not them."

Asmodeus quickly lost interest and turned the viewpoint of the crystal ball.

Anyway, these people were already exposed to the Flower of Subjugation. It was only a matter of time before they became her subordinates, so there was no need to watch them further.

More importantly, these were not the people Asmodeus was looking for.

Turning her gaze outside the cave, Asmodeus suddenly narrowed her eyes.

Her gaze was fixed on one spot. On a man outside the cave who was diligently casting magic.

"...Found him."

It was definitely that human.

Because the mark of 'that person' was floating above his head.

Asmodeus shuddered with surging envy.

"A hundred years... has it been?"

The glorious mark that only those chosen by 'that person' could have.

It had been a hundred years since a mere human had received it.

'Just what kind of person is he...'

To have received that person's attention?

There was only one way to satisfy this curiosity.

To see it for herself.

"Antillian."

Asmodeus made up her mind and called her subordinate.

"Yes, Legion Commander."

"It seems I have to go myself."

"Yourself... you say?"

Antillian, her subordinate, asked with a worried look.

Of course, he wouldn't be worried about her, who had ascended to the position of Legion Commander.

Asmodeus knew well enough what he was worried about.

Antillian was worried that she would overuse her power in the human world and disrupt the balance between the demon realm and the human world.

However,

"Isn't it fine?"

At this time, she didn't have to worry about such things.

The 'Blood Moon' was scheduled to rise soon anyway.

When that happened, balance and all that would become meaningless.

"Still, wouldn't it be better to be careful...?"

When Antillian asked once more, Asmodeus raised her eyes.

Her alluring crimson eyes pressured Antillian.

"Huhhu, does it seem like I'm asking you now?"

Murderous intent was hidden in her sweet voice.

Finally understanding Asmodeus's intentions, Antillian bowed his head.

"Understood. Then, who should accompany you?"

"No need. I'll go alone."

With those words, Asmodeus rose from her throne.

Soon after.

Tsssssst!

She emitted an alluring demonic energy and transformed her appearance.

Into the form of a butterfly with flapping crimson wings.

"Farewell."

Flap- flap-

As Antillian bowed at a 90-degree angle, the butterfly flapped its wings a few times in the air and then flew away.

Around the time the sound faded away, Antillian raised his head and turned his gaze to the crystal ball.

There, a man was frozen in the act of throwing a spear.

The man Asmodeus had been interested in.

And the man chosen by 'that person.'

Looking at him, Antillian clicked his tongue in pity.

"Tsk... What an unfortunate guy."

Although he had no choice but to report it, Antillian had taken a liking to that human.

He had watched the video countless times and fully experienced the man's tremendous magic skills.

He was such an impressive man that Antillian would have wanted to make him his subordinate if possible.

However,

"To be caught by that woman's eye..."

Now that it had come to this, it was impossible.

He had never seen a human survive after catching Asmodeus's eye.

"Such a pity, such a pity..."

In the end, Antillian smacked his lips and turned off the crystal ball.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]