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The demon beasts crawled through the cracks, their teeth chattering as they searched for prey. Johan glanced back and chewed his lips.

‘Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse…’

The hyenas he was currently facing were no small threat. They may not have been numerous, but every one of them was skilled enough to wield a Mana Blade.

However, if a flood of demon beasts were to join the mix, there was no guarantee he could escape this situation unscathed.

He had to eliminate the hyenas in front of him quickly, as they could summon high-grade demon beasts at any moment from the flood.

‘Maybe I should go all out.’

Johan gathered his magic energy with all his might. His azure irises sparkled, creating a whirlwind around him. Wham! The powerful wave of magic radiated outward.

“They’re preparing something!”

“Adjust to the movement of the demon beasts!”

The hyenas retreated, hiding within the black fog. They aimed to ambush Johan while he engaged the demon beasts.

“Graaargh!”

“Kreeeek!”

The demon beasts’ fangs glinted in the moonlight as they lunged at Johan. Their short, thick claws sliced through the air, tearing it apart.

Their eyes were soaked in blood, and the howls echoing in the air were pure despair.

‘…First, I need to deal with the demon beasts.’

The hyenas were a headache, but the sheer number of demon beasts was extraordinary. They continued to pour out from the cracks.

Johan brought his hands together to form a seal. Threads of shining magic energy rapidly unraveled from his fingertips, intertwining absorption and emission of magic.

Whoooosh!!

A spiraling orb of magic began to whirl from Johan’s fingertips. The swirling energy, created from the entanglement of absorption and emission, even distorted the flow of air.

The orb grew larger, vibrating the ground beneath it. The nearby trees and rocks creaked painfully and burst apart.

Johan extended his hand toward the cracks. The spirals of emission and absorption surged forward at explosive speed.

Archmage Magic, Spiral Break.

Kwahkwaah-!

The whirlpool exploded, sweeping across the ground. The demon beasts were sucked into the center, their bodies torn apart without even a scream.

Kwah-aah!!

As Spiral Break collided with the cracks, a massive explosion of magic erupted, shaking the earth. A blinding flash swept across the area.

A huge storm arose, shattering everything around it, the ground splitting apart. Rocks flew like dust, and the dirt clouded the sky.

Red rain soaked the sky amidst the thick dust, trickling down to the ground. The screams dispersed into the heavens, mingling with the rain and resonating across the land.

The sky and earth echoed with cries.

‘What about the hyenas?’

Johan quickly turned around after dispatching the demon beasts from the cracks. He sensed movement from the hyenas.

But he couldn’t cast magic right now. The sheer amount of energy poured into Spiral Break had overloaded him.

“……”

Johan rolled his eyes continuously, trying to catch a clue of the hyenas’ movements. He just had to hold on for 10 more seconds. If he could last that long…

But combat rarely goes according to plan. The hyenas, realizing he couldn’t use magic, charged in unison, swinging their Mana Blades.

Johan threw himself backward, rolling on the ground. Swish! A red blade of light flashed through the air.

“Keep going!”

The hyenas’ attacks poured down like a rain shower. The magic circuit was overloaded, making it impossible to use Shadow Flow Array. Crunch. Johan clenched his teeth and rolled again.

Swish!

Five Mana Blades sliced down at the spot where Johan had just been. The density was significant. Even if he poured all his magic into Shadow Flow Array, he couldn’t defend against it.

Rustle!

The hyenas moved like predators toying with their prey. In an instant, they tightened their encirclement around Johan and then vanished into the black fog.

Before the next wave of attacks began, a brief silence fell. In that moment, a blade aimed at Johan’s side shot out from the fog.

He twisted his body just in time to evade, but from the black fog came a voice mixed with laughter.

“Kiaaa!”

“Grrr!”

Meanwhile, the cracks were still spewing forth demon beasts. Even after he’d just dealt with some, the number was still extraordinary. It was truly a flood.

“This is bad.”

Johan’s eyes sharpened coldly. If it kept up like this, there would be no end.

He slowly raised his hands and murmured quietly.

“Book of Calamities.”

Wham! A cluster of pure white light gathered before him, revealing a single book. Knowledge permitted only to those who have defied taboos.

‘I didn’t want to use this, but I have no choice.’

Using the magic contained in the Book of Calamities would result in being branded a sorcerer and facing execution, but he couldn’t afford to be picky right now.

Johan laid his hand upon the book, closing his eyes. Every time his fingertips brushed the pages, the air seemed to scream.

Lightning Tempest.

The heavens split open. A colossal bolt of lightning burst forth from within the clouds, crashing towards the ground. Light and thunder smothered the land in its wake.

Dark clouds rapidly coalesced above Johan’s head. The air tightened with a taut tension while a chilling thrill coursed through his skin.

Kwah-rrr-!!

A thunderous roar echoed as if the sky were being torn apart. At that moment, a gigantic bolt of lightning struck the land. The light and sound erupted almost simultaneously.

The spectacle resembled heaven and earth connected.

“W-What is this…!”

“Oh my god.”

As the fierce storm swept away the black fog, the hidden hyenas were revealed. They stood paralyzed, their courage shattered by the overwhelming magical power.

Johan summoned more power and directed the Lightning Tempest.

Kwah-rrr!!

The storm surged forth, forming its territory. Lightning cracked and winds howled, swirling in every direction. Lightning flashed from different spots within mere moments, leaving no room for escape.

“Gaaaah!!”

“Gahk!”

The hyenas fell, unable to even utter last gasps at the breath-stopping speed of the striking lightning.

The winds wailed as they whipped around, and the contained bolts felt intensely overwhelming.

The smell of burning air pricked at his nostrils. The brilliant flash of lightning swallowed every color.

“Ha, ha.”

The hyena that appeared to be the leader dropped its weapon. Clatter. It sounded like the creature’s sanity was slipping away.

No one could doubt the scene before them.

This place was no longer a realm of survival but a domain of death.

Kwah-rrr!!

A lightning bolt that fell from the sky struck the last remaining hyena. As the blue flash ignited, it crumbled into blackened ashes on the ground.

Silence enveloped the area. The smell of burning lingered, while the remaining creatures held their breath.

“Phew.”

Johan inhaled the chilly air and sought to calm the remaining energy within him. His fingertips quivered. He felt dizzy from the excessive magic consumption and clutched his head as he turned away.

The demon beasts spilling from the cracks were being pulverized by the lightning left and right, while the now charred remnants of the hyenas lay still without a twitch.

“It’s great that it’s all cleaned up.”

But he had no idea how to close off this disaster magic, Lightning Tempest.

The previously used ‘Frostfall’ was a one-time use, but what could he do now that the area was created?

‘Should I just leave it open for now?’

He mentally prepared an excuse for when the remnants of the Lightning Tempest lingered. He could claim that the storm arrived simultaneously when the cracks opened.

With the area explicitly laid out, no one would be able to investigate thoroughly, nor would they think he was responsible.

‘…Time to head down.’

Johan passed by the charred hyenas, his body swaying unsteadily.

He then discovered knights who had collapsed without being able to even close their eyes. They too were victims of the hyenas while carrying out their missions alongside Johan.

“……”

Johan’s gaze darkened as he stared at the fallen knights. His fists clenched tightly. How many victims had been caused by Kasys Lenokhnen, who couldn’t distinguish between public and private?

They all had families and bright futures ahead of them.

This incident would not go unpunished.

Johan collected the daggers used by the hyenas and headed down the mountain trail.

He knew that all the hyenas from Kasys used the same daggers.

This would serve as perfect evidence to bring down Kasys Lenokhnen.

*

Upon returning to the village, Johan’s first action was to contact Count Ekarshi. With the flood occurring, he had to request assistance.

Realizing that a flood of demon beasts could leave the area in ruins, Count Ekarshi promptly dispatched knights and soldiers.

After confirming the arrival of the troops, Johan headed over to Count Ekarshi’s estate to report.

Entering the Count’s office, Johan was met with a serious-faced Count Ekarshi, who inquired.

“What happened?”

“It’s a clear flood of demon beasts.”

Johan, seated on the sofa in the office, added,

“And during the investigation, we were ambushed.”

“Ambushed? By whom?”

“Hyenas.”

“Hyenas, you say?”

Hyenas were notorious, having sworn loyalty to certain noble houses and working in the underworld.

“This is the evidence.”

Johan presented one of the hyena’s daggers he had picked up. Count Ekarshi frowned as he examined the blade.

“This is…”

“With this, we’ll be able to track down the mastermind.”

“…Understood. I’ll ensure a thorough investigation.”

Taking the dagger, Count Ekarshi nodded grimly.

His investigation would greatly aid in bringing down Kasys Lenokhnen.

As a Count recognized by the Imperial Court, he was the lord of a vast domain.

“So, what about the flood of demon beasts?”

The Count asked, his expression tense. A flood would bring problems to the entire territory, after all.

“I’ve taken the minimum precautions. The storm is raging, so it cannot be approached right now, but the flood itself has calmed to a degree; with enough management, it should be fine.”

Upon hearing Johan’s words, the Count seemed relieved, exhaling a deep sigh.

“That’s a relief. It could have posed a huge problem given the proximity. I’ll extend my gratitude to the Harsen Archmage.”

“Not at all. As a Public Affairs Officer and an Archmage, it was simply my duty.”

While collecting the dagger from the table, the Count added,

“You must be tired, so please rest and depart tomorrow. The Ekarshi household will do its utmost to ensure you have a comfortable stay.”

From his perspective, Johan was a near savior, having thwarted the flood of demon beasts single-handedly.

“Then I won’t refuse your hospitality. Thank you.”

Once Johan nodded, the Count beamed and rang a bell. The head butler, who had been waiting, entered the room.

“Make sure the Harsen Archmage has the best rest possible.”

“Yes sir.”

The butler bowed politely and immediately began the guide.

Johan offered a light greeting to the Count before following him out.

“Phew.”

As he left the Count’s office, Johan let out a short sigh. Fatigue wrapped around his entire being, but it didn’t reveal itself on his face.

Yet, the strange heaviness in his stride spoke volumes about the weight of the battle he had just endured.

“This way.”

Led by the butler to the bathroom, Johan sank into a tub filled with water that had been prepared by the servants.

Shwaaa.

Amidst the rising steam, Johan’s eyes sank deep within themselves.

‘Kasyis Lenokhnen, this time I won’t let it slide like before.’

If he could connect the evidence to the previous attack, escaping this time would be impossible.

He was indeed a fool, blinded by his affections for a woman.

Though there was a chance he could sever ties and slip away unscathed, he’d still have to relinquish his position as the heir of the House of Lenokhnen. Probably losing all his authority in the process.

Johan allowed a slight smile to grace his lips as he closed his eyes.

Soon, he would witness the downfall of Kasys Lenokhnen.

He was just too foolish to even consider it.