CHAPTER 61……………………………………..
Azazel’s black skin had been completely stripped away, starting from the chest. Ryu Jisoo’s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
“Is it over now?”
“Did we just take down an SS-class demon?”
Seeing Azazel lying on the ground, battered and broken, the hunters erupted in commotion. But unlike before, their cries were filled with joy and hope this time.
“We shouldn’t get complacent. It’s not over yet.”
Baek So-hyuk calmed the people who were cheering with a single remark.
“Unlike normal demons, high-level demons don’t just have one life, according to the records.”
Kang Kwon-hoo added. Since this was the first time both of them had fought such a high-level demon, they didn’t seem completely sure. In games, this stage is often referred to as the ‘second phase.’ And in any game, the second phase is always harder than the first.
A red light began to glow around the unconscious Azazel. Rising without pupils, showing only the whites of its eyes, Azazel slowly began to levitate.
“Demons only show their true form after losing consciousness. After that, they start using special skills according to their nature. Step back quickly.”
[The true form of the demon ‘Azazel’ awakens.]
As Baek Woo-jin said, a new notification popped up, and the area within the barrier darkened instantly.
‘Yeah, in the game, Phase 1 took a bit longer because Jisoo wasn’t there, but we managed to get through it.’
Hwang So-young, conserving her energy in case something went wrong, stepped forward.
“I’ll try to stop that demon’s movements for as long as possible.”
Though Hwang So-young was an exceptional hunter, delaying the demon’s movements for about three minutes was the limit. She couldn’t stop it permanently.
‘Still, buying us some time is something to be grateful for.’
I shouted to everyone to use their time efficiently.
“If you’re injured, get close to the barrier and receive treatment from the healers!”
Among the moving hunters, some cast puzzled glances, but most moved orderly, given the urgency.
“I can’t hold this for long. About three minutes, maybe?”
Sweat poured down Hwang So-young’s forehead. Halting a target’s movements required tremendous magical power—and the opponent was strong. That she could even say that was proof of her being an extraordinary hunter.
Kang Kwon-hoo adjusted his weapon and approached me.
“Earlier, I told you to step back if I ordered it, right? Stay back. Who knows what might happen—stay safe within the barrier.”
“Got it. From here on, we can’t fight while keeping the safety line. Only Hwang So-young, myself, you, and maybe two A-rank hunters experienced in battle will remain.”
By then, Baek So-hyuk had also come up beside me, while the other hunters were entering the barrier on their own.
“Understood.”
I decided to follow their instructions for now. I persuaded Ryu Jisoo, who wanted to fight, to enter the barrier just as Hwang So-young gave her final warning.
“This is truly the limit! Anyone entering the barrier, hurry!”
Sshhhhh.
Red mist began to flow from Azazel’s body, spreading everywhere.
[I crave the blood of a sacrifice.]
Azazel’s gloomy voice echoed through the red mist.
As A-rank hunters joined the battle, the barrier grew stronger. They helped by giving mana-restoring potions to those who could create the barrier or casting enhancement skills. Fortunately, the red mist didn’t penetrate the barrier.
“I’ll leave as soon as my mana recovers.”
Hwang So-young, exhausted from stopping time, gulped potions while a healer from her guild treated her wounds. But her plan went awry from the very beginning.
“What’s happening?”
Hunters preparing outside the barrier began acting strangely. They had worn gas masks in anticipation of poisonous red mist, yet bizarre behavior occurred. Their reactions varied wildly: some staggered as if drunk into empty spaces, others collapsed to the floor crying uncontrollably.
“Could it really be the mist? But they’re breathing through respirators… how?”
One hunter whispered, not seeking an answer but reacting in shock.
‘The hunters outside were trusted by their guildmates. Seeing them fall so quickly must be shocking.’
The red mist, however, penetrated the body through even the tiniest openings, no matter what covered the skin. The curse of a high-level demon was that powerful.
“This could get dangerous.”
I forcibly stopped a healer who was rushing to exit the barrier.
“My comrade is out there! What if they die?”
“Don’t step outside. Even a single step will put you in the same state, with no improvement.”
In truth, it would have been better if other A-rank hunters were persuaded to enter the barrier, but as Baek So-hyuk had said, they were battle-hardened and strangers to me. They wouldn’t have trusted advice from someone less experienced.
‘Using information only I know to persuade them in a short time is almost impossible. It’s lucky if they don’t just think I’m talking nonsense.’
It could even make Kang Kwon-hoo suspicious that I knew the future, which could backfire. For many reasons, the risk outweighed the benefit. Yet seeing those crying in pain made me regret not speaking.
“There are at least two conscious people inside. Let’s wait. If it’s really bad, I’ll go out first.”
Hwang So-young, now looking slightly better, soothed the healer.
Haah…
As she said, there were only two people fully aware of the situation. Yet the only one calmly assessing the crisis was Kang Kwon-hoo. Even the mighty Baek So-hyuk was kneeling, rapier planted in the floor.
‘What hallucination could he be seeing to struggle like that?’
The Baek So-hyuk I knew from nightmares could maintain composure even as his father died. But now, caught in an emotional torrent, he gritted his teeth and endured something.
‘Even in the game, I knew he experienced hallucinations, but what exactly he saw was unknown.’
Reflecting on it, I realized I knew less about him than I thought.
Ugh…
Baek So-hyuk groaned in pain. I restrained my urge to dash forward. Not now. To truly prevent this tragedy, I had to know the right moment to act.
Sshhhhh.
After a while, Baek So-hyuk, who had been bowing his head, suddenly rose and swung his rapier.
Clang.
Unfortunately, the rapier’s tip pointed toward Kang Kwon-hoo, who had been aiming a gun at Azazel. Baek So-hyuk’s eyes were reddened, soaked in hallucination.
‘I thought he might be okay since his shoulder wasn’t injured, but that was a misjudgment.’
In the original game story, Baek So-hyuk hadn’t received a “spell of paralysis.” He was weakened from nightmares, so I thought he was hallucinating—but he wasn’t. His mental defenses were lower than Kang Kwon-hoo’s, or he hadn’t yet honed the strength to resist this hallucination.
“He’s being consumed by the illusion.”
Kang Kwon-hoo barely dodged Baek So-hyuk’s rapier. Compared to hunters unable to even stand, Baek So-hyuk’s state was better—but attacking an ally made him a serious hindrance. Kang Kwon-hoo glanced at Azazel floating above. I followed his gaze.
[Without offering a sacrifice, the curse will not end.]
Azazel hovered in the eye of the storm, continuously emitting red mist while showing only the whites of its eyes. If we couldn’t stop it from gathering power, it could unleash an attack capable of threatening every hunter here, rendering the barrier useless.
‘Of course, I have no intention of letting that happen.’
I clenched my fists.
“He doesn’t seem to be coming to his senses.”
Kang Kwon-hoo, parrying Baek So-hyuk’s attacks casually, moved toward the barrier. His voice was surprisingly loud—perhaps hoping I’d hear. Baek So-hyuk’s mind was still fighting the hallucinations, allowing him to show some composure.
