Book Eater

Chapter 239: Second (3)

Still, the material world’s boundaries had been sealed a long time ago. Theo might succeed in summoning a demon, but it wouldn’t be able to wield even 1% of its power.

However, that was more than enough.

Gods and demons, the transcendents of the Age of Mythology, were armed with a power that simply didn’t exist in this age. They had a spirituality that was several times higher than the present humanity. He had calculated that he could win if it was 5%.

- Do you want me to tell you before you eat that book?

When Theo had entered the Zero Library with Paragranum, she had smiled unpleasantly at him, who had chosen Hell Fire, and told him who the creator was.

- The magician who created Hell Fire was the demon king of fire, Fulito, who sent an avatar down to the material world. Hell Fire is a type of summoning spell that calls Fulito.

Once he had found out that Hell Fire was a variation of summoning magic, Theo had studied the magic formula with summoning in mind. The role of the magic circle was to invoke a summons through Hell Fire.

If so, all Theo had to do was to provide the catalyst and magic power that allowed it to operate in the material world. Just like Fafnir had been given Charlotte’s Necklace, he needed to provide an offering for this demon summoning ceremony.

“「Offering.」”

The crimson magic circle suddenly turned black. Like Hell Fire, it was a darkness that swallowed the light, shaking the boundaries of the material world and the ground beneath the two masters. This was a high level space phenomenon known as dimensional vibration. Both Orta and Zest were knowledgeable enough to recognize it.

Zest’s pupils contracted as he shouted, “What are you trying to call?”

Instead of answering, Theo continued chanting the spell, “「 Monarch of the distant land, lord of fire, I will give an offering to your fire here, so please listen to my minor request. 」”

He held his left hand up as a large, dull piece of skin emerged from his Inventory. However, why was there a haze in the air, like heat rising from the surface of the skin and distorting the surrounding air?

This piece of skin was the reverse scale of a red dragon that was thousands of years old. Theo had spent eleven thousand points to take it from the Library. It wasn’t something that people would use as a consumable, but Theo had no other option.

At that moment...

【It has been accepted.】

An irresistible fear descended upon the souls of the two masters.

J-Just from hearing his voice...!?

The face of the demon king, Fulito, came from a distant dimension and looked down on the peak of humanity.

7th Circle magician? A swordsman that could cut through space?

Neither were at the level of a god, so they were nothing but worthless trash in front of a demon king. Theo and Zest froze in place as soon as they heard the voice, and their souls would’ve perished if they hadn't already transcended mortality.

Black flames appeared in the magic circle as the door opened.

Huuuuuuong!

A demon walked gracefully out of the gate. It stood more than five meters in height and had a pair of wings like a bat, two flaming horns that protruded from its temples, and a burning red gaze. The demon’s very body gave off a scorching heat. It had been thousands of years since a demon had walked the material world.

【 According to the king’s orders, this Magnus will annihilate. 】

Magnus, a senior demon with bat wings and the head of a lion, swallowed the fire dragon’s reverse scale before looking at Theo, his summoner. It seemed that he enjoyed the taste of the reverse scale as he closed his eyes and laughed.

【 This is truly a delicacy that I haven’t tasted in a long time. I am the avatar of Fulito, king of fire. Summoner, let this Magnus destroy your enemy. 】

Perhaps Fulito’s intimidation had disappeared with Magnus’ summoning, but Theo opened his mouth and said, “I want the death of the enemy, Zest Speitem, who is before me.”

Magnus’ burning gaze landed on Zest.

【 Hoh, a moderately strong person in this declining age... 】

Magnus determined Zest’s strength and told Theo.

【 Summoner, I can’t be sure that I can completely annihilate this human with the magic power and offering that you gave. Is that still okay? 】

“It doesn’t matter. Just do your best.”

【 Okay. I will show my sincerity for the delicacy you gave me. 】

Magnus’s gentlemanly tone was completely at odds with his vile appearance. An ogre would look cute standing next to the black leather and flames. There was also a sword and whip in each of Magnus’ hands. The two weapons increased in length and weight to match the demon’s physiques.

As Magnus dropped into a combat stance, Zest gulped unconsciously. “... A demon in this day and age, you were hiding something completely absurd.”

Despite being drained by Magnus’ summoning, Theo laughed. “I said you would regret it.”

Zest’s eyes stayed on Magnus. “I never thought you would be such a scary guy. This is definitely my mistake.”

As expected from Andras’ 2nd Sword, Zest didn’t stop talking despite the presence of a senior demon. However, his lazy attitude had vanished as he gripped his sword stiffly. Had he sensed how powerful his opponent was.

Magnus lifted the greatsword in his right hand and whip in his left hand.

【 Let’s see how far you can go, human. 】

Zest’s eyes flashed. “I always wanted to get the unique title of Demon Slayer!”

Zest's sword started glowing blue, as fire started to dance around Magnus’ hands. A senior demon and a sword master... This was the beginning of the second stage of the match.

***

Obviously, it was Zest who ended up worse off. He hadn’t expected Magnus to not care about defense at all, and his ability to cut space was nearly worthless. He had started the battle with a killing blow.

Zest’s Style Space Cut: Decapitation.

He had never used this technique against Theo. It was a sword technique he had polished for a lifetime, and it lanced through the air toward Magnus’ neck even faster than Theo could follow.

‘Kill!’

Zest was delighted as his blade touched Magnus’ neck. It didn’t stop at fabric, cutting through muscle and bone. It seemed even a demon couldn’t defend against his attacks. However, his expectations were cruelly betrayed.

Paaaang!

Magnus’ whip lashed out, sending a shockwave through the air. Zest desperately tried to avoid it, but blood sprayed through the air as he was hit. Magnus didn’t stop brandishing his whip, despite having his half of his spine cut through.

Zest wasn’t a magician, so he didn’t know what was happening. Senior demons had evolved into a completely different form of life from the material world. The concept of a vital point didn’t exist, and even death was a temporary monster.

Magnus had only appeared in the material world and imitated the appearance of a living creature. His body was just a shell. His brains and heart didn’t function. A demon was close to being invincible after being summoned, so they were always subjects of reverence.

However, Zest didn’t know this, and even if he did, he had no intention of trying to understand.

“Why isn’t your head cut off?! You damn lion head!”

Zest had trained for a lifetime with the aim to cut everything. He had cut rocks, steel, water, and wind countless times, till he could even cut space. He couldn’t accept his cutting blows not working just because his opponent was a demon.

Zest’s Style Space Cut: Heart Cut.

Zest’s sword disappeared, and Theo was once again unable to see the power of the empire’s 2nd Sword.

Puhwaak!

A sword covered in aquamarine light suddenly protruded out of Magnus’ chest. It would be a mortal blow for any human but Magnus just roared in laughter.

【 Kuahahaha! What a fun ability, human! It is a sword that can’t be avoided or blocked! This is great! 】

Zest fumed, “I ripped out your lungs, so how are you laughing?!”

【 I didn’t have such a thing from the beginning! 】

Magnus slammed into the ground, unleashing a wave of superheated air.

Kwakwakwakwa!

The ground crumbled as lava started to bubble upward. This was Magnus, the subordinate of the fire demon king, Fulito. Fire came to him as easily as breathing. Blistering heat raged every time Magnus brought down his greatsword, and storms followed every swing of his whip.

【 It’s still too early to take a breather! 】

Magnus’ combat style wasn’t sophisticated, but had an overwhelming strength. Zest was forced backward as the whip lashed the ground and air. Meanwhile, the greatsword’s movements caused the blood in Zest’s blood to heat up. The battle seemed to be overwhelmingly in Magnus’ favor. However, Theo calmly saw through the battlefield.

The balance hasn’t tilted yet. Zest’s sword might not seem to have any effect, but the ability to cut space is cutting away at my summoning spell.

Zest didn’t stop even when he was injured. Even though it seemed meaningless, he continued attacking the demon. He attacked Magnus’ neck, heart, lungs, stomach, collarbone, and every vital point he could land a blow in. A human would’ve died a hundred times over. However, Zest continued consuming his aura to attack, despite Magnus’ laughter.

Thus, the fight eventually turned into a battle of attrition.

“Ugh!”

The battle would’ve ended sooner if Theo hadn’t adjusted the magic circle to be extra big. Thus, he maintained the deteriorating magic circle with his magic power. He silently gritted his teeth as he dug deep inside him for more magic power, hoping that Zest wouldn’t notice.

Theo had to endure until Magnus killed Zest, or until Zest gave up on Theo and withdrew.

He only had five minutes left, or was it ten? Theo calculated his limits as he stared at the ground, only focused on maintaining the summoning magic. Magnus blocked anything that could threaten him, so his concentration wasn’t disrupted by outside interference.

“Damn, I can’t endure this!” Zest’s patience broke first.

He might have an enormous amount of aura, but he was starting to run out, and his limbs were starting to betray him. He had to deal the decisive blow or he would be at a disadvantage.

Zest sprang backward, and summoned all his aura. “One blow to decide it all, Lion Head! Receive it if you are confident!”

Magnus was feeling the excitement of a battle after a long while, so he responded gleefully.

【 Try it, human! I will crush it! 】

“It’s coming!”

Zest grinned as he grasped his sword tightly with both hands. He usually only used one hand to wield his sword, but he needed both hands for this move.

First, he had to gather all his aura onto the blade. Fifty centimeters... one meter... two meters... The blue-green aura extended from the end of the blade. Once it reached ten meters in length, Zest realized that he reached his limit.

This is the last one.

If Magnus didn’t lose to this skill, Zest would die.

“One Hit Kill! Either you will fall or I will! I will decide my fate with this sword!”

Zest raised his sword. Was he going to swing it downwards, or did he have other intentions? It happened before Theo could guess Zest’s intent.

Kiiiiing!

Zest’s aura manifested itself, and the ten-meter-long aura blade swung down, cutting space hundreds of times in an instant. The disadvantage of this move was the long preparation time, but it was a deadly blow that had never once failed when he completed it.

Zest’s Style Space Cut: Ten Thousand Killing Swords.

Blue and green light exploded outward.