Damn Necromancer-Chapter 295
Chapter 295: Upper Ranking Battle
Upper Ranking Battle
The time to undergo the Upper Ranking Battle approached.
As Kim Minwoo took a step forward, the massive circular arena unfolded before his eyes.
He looked around.
‘From 1st to 24th.’
Now, the levels of the proxies were definitely distinctly different.
“Is that the human Necromancer?”
“I heard he is Vulcan’s contractor.”
“Hmph. For someone backing a lowly Lord.”
All the upper proxies growled while looking at Kim Minwoo. Whispers came from all directions.
Kim Minwoo didn't care about the words of ordinary people.
His gaze was directed at only one place.
Toward the group of five showing an overwhelmingly dominant spirit even among dozens of proxies.
‘Those are the ones.’
The names Andromalius tipped him off about.
The treasure-like proxies of the highest-ranking Demon Lords.
Rank 1, Baal’s Proxy.
It was a massive demon clad in black armor.
Four arms held different weapons each, and crimson eye glints leaked from the eye sockets.
Like a lord of the battlefield, the existence itself looked like a weapon forged for slaughter.
‘Iron Blood King Carnos.’
He was called the number one contributor who participated in a total of nine Ranking Battles for Baal and maintained his rank.
Rank 2, Vassago’s Proxy.
A female demon with pale skin. Her silver pupils were empty, and a chill of death rose from between her lips. The wave of mana flowing from her fingertips was unusual.
‘Witch of the White Night Elise.’
Magic specialization.
And at a considerable level at that.
An opponent Merhen would like.
Rank 3, Agares’s Proxy.
A Dragonkin covered entirely in golden scales.
His pupils were vertically slit, and flames shimmered at the tip of his tail.
It was clear he was a physical enhancement type.
‘Golden Scale Duke Drakan.’
Looks strong, but seems a bit lacking in the head.
Rank 4, Gamigin’s Proxy.
A faint outline like a shadow.
It was unclear whether it even had a physical body. Assassination specialization.
A type skilled in surprise attacks rather than head-on confrontations.
‘Formless Sword Wraith.’
Must be an annoying guy.
Rank 5, Marbas’s Proxy.
An angel-type demon with six wings.
Corrupted divinity wrapped around its body in a twisted form.
A grotesque existence standing on the border of divinity and demonic nature.
‘Apostate Rafaela.’
Kim Minwoo’s eyes narrowed.
Truly, coveted prey.
High-ranking Beings.
It was an essential condition for the Legion Commanders' soul absorption.
Not only did they protect their Lords' rankings by participating in Ranking Battles several times each, but they were also beings who became stronger by receiving support for over hundreds of years.
‘If it’s that level…… surely they can be absorbed.’
It was said that part of the target's authority would be inherited.
He was very curious about exactly what kind of authority would follow.
Five proxies.
Five souls.
Kim Minwoo smirked.
“Merhen, Cedric.”
Two Legion Commanders approached.
Naturally, the gazes of the two and the five proxies met each other.
“Necromancer.”
Iron Blood King Carnos.
He looked at Kim Minwoo with an arrogant gaze.
“Are you the human called Vulcan’s contractor?”
Iron Blood King Carnos took a step closer.
The weapons held in his four arms made a clanking sound.
“Great Baal commanded me. To bring your treasure fragment.”
Kim Minwoo smirked.
“Who says I’ll give it?”
“What?”
“Are you deaf? I said who says I’ll give it.”
Crimson eye glints blazed in Carnos’s eye sockets. Killing intent crushed the entire arena.
However, Kim Minwoo didn't budge an inch.
“Ah, and…….”
He leisurely scanned the five proxies.
“I’m telling you in advance.”
The corners of his mouth went up.
“You five will all die by my hands.”
Instantly, the arena froze.
Instantly, the killing intent of the five proxies exploded.
“How dare this bug-like bastard!”
Carnos’s four arms raised their weapons simultaneously. Chill poured from Elise’s eyes, and Drakan’s golden scales stood on end.
However, Kim Minwoo didn't budge an inch.
Rather, he was smirking.
Then.
〈I shall begin the Upper Ranking Battle.〉
The Demon God’s voice shook the entire arena. The air filled with killing intent froze in an instant.
The Demon God’s voice crushed the arena.
〈The Lower was survival. The Middle was defense.〉
〈The Upper is different.〉
The Demon God’s voice settled coldly.
〈In this Upper Ranking Battle, there are no themes, forms, or restrictions whatsoever.〉
Silence flowed.
〈Only one thing.〉
〈Who survives to the end.〉
〈Only that proves the strong.〉
〈The order in which the proxies die.〉
〈That shall soon become the ranking of the Lords.〉
The entire arena stirred.
Killing intent rippled like waves.
The Demon Realm runs on the logic of power.
Die, or kill.
〈Then, prove yourself. I shall begin the Ranking Battle.〉
The stage changed.
＊ ＊ ＊
There were a total of two proxies participating in this Upper Ranking Battle.
Andromalius and Kim Minwoo.
But when the stage changed, no one was by Kim Minwoo’s side.
[Upper Ranking Battle begins.]
[This place is Sky Island.]
[If you leave the island, you die immediately.]
[Proxies belonging to the same Lord can exchange contact once every two hours.] 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
[The Ranking Battle ends in 3 days.]
As the Demon God said, there were no restrictions whatsoever except leaving the island.
‘The size is extremely vast.’
A plain so wide the end couldn't be seen was visible at a glance.
Five proxies per Demon Lord.
The number of proxies participating in the Upper Ranking Battle was about one hundred in total.
‘Andromalius will do well, probably.’
He would have skills enough to protect his own body.
Contacting him right away wouldn't increase the probability of encountering Andromalius on this vast map, so…….
‘Let’s save the contact for now.’
What to do right now.
‘Find and kill even one more quickly.’
That was precisely slaughter.
Everyone covets the treasure map.
And this place is a lawless zone.
Joining hands to attack and kill him first, then fighting over the ownership of the treasure map, would be the most rational judgment.
That is why.
“Merhen.”
―Yeah.
“Let’s fly.”
Merhen snapped her fingers.
Cedric, Kim Minwoo, and even the Dragon Tooth Soldiers.
Everyone's bodies rode the wind and advanced at high speed.
Before the other guys combined their strength.
Find them first and kill even one.
Far away, a golden flash was seen cutting through the grassland and advancing.
‘Fast.’
Kim Minwoo’s eyes narrowed.
With every step, the earth exploded.
Exploding mana became shockwaves and scattered in all directions.
“Merhen.”
A short call.
That was enough.
―Yeah.
Silver hair fluttered in the wind.
A purple magic circle bloomed from Merhen's fingertips.
―Stop right there, idiot.
Crunch―!
Chains drawn in the empty air shot out like lightning.
They instantly wrapped around Drakan’s limbs and waist.
Dozens of layers of mana shackles were placed over the golden scales.
“What―!”
His sprint was cut off abruptly.
When his upper body tilted forward, Kim Minwoo had already dug in right before his eyes.
Hell Rhapsody popped out of its sheath.
The blade howled low while harboring darkness.
Jiiing―!
Along with an ear-scratching dissonance, the sword tip plunged toward Drakan’s chest.
Kwang!
A shockwave exploded.
Dust rose as if exploding.
“……Hmph.”
Drakan’s brow furrowed slightly.
A long white scratch was gouged over the golden scales.
However, that was it.
Far from piercing, not a single scale was broken.
Kim Minwoo raised the corners of his mouth.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?”
The vertically slit pupils turned toward him.
Hot steam puffed out of his nostrils.
“I’m in luck.”
A low and thick voice. The growl of a beast was mixed in.
“To think the treasure map rolled in on its own feet. Saved me the trouble.”
The chains of bondage creaked.
Every time Drakan’s muscles twitched once, the chains screamed.
Crack, crunch―.
The sound of bones rearranging.
Red mana surged like lava between the scales. His body swelled up.
Two spans, three spans.
Before anyone realized, he had instantly become a giant over 3 meters tall. The scales that were golden darkened to a deep crimson. Flames soared from the tip of his tail.
―Minwoo.
Merhen’s eyebrow twitched.
―The bindings are breaking.
Snap―!
Dozens of layers of mana chains burst all at once.
Purple fragments scattered into pieces in the air.
The completely transformed Drakan revealed his form.
“I, the Golden Scale Duke.”
The moment he took a step.
The earth caved in deeply. Cracks split in all directions.
“Shall personally burst your heart.”
“Try it. If you can.”
Before he could even finish speaking, Drakan charged.
Bang―!
He flew in, bursting the air.
His massive body dug in at an unbelievable speed.
Instead of countering head-on, Kim Minwoo set his sword at an angle and deflected the fist.
Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!
Every time he deflected, a numbing sensation rose up his arm.
‘Crazy strength.’
Just the grazing impact made his bones vibrate.
The moment he blocked head-on, it was a force that would break not just his arm, but his entire torso.
“Summoner bastard!”
Killing intent flashed in Drakan’s eyes.
The target was only Kim Minwoo from the start.
‘As expected.’
The common weakness of all summoners.
It ends if only the main body is killed.
Drakan knew that too.
Then…….
‘I’ll change my method too.’
“Block.”
One Dragon Tooth Soldier jumped forward.
The next moment, it was crushed as is by Drakan’s fist.
Pung―!
Black smoke scattered instead of flesh.
In that gap, Kim Minwoo stepped aside.
A fist struck the spot where he had been standing just moments ago.
Kwang!
The ground was gouged deeply.
“Dodging well like a rat!”
Fists poured down continuously.
Kim Minwoo threw a Dragon Tooth Soldier forward each time.
Pung! Pung! Pung!
Every time a summon disappeared one by one, Drakan’s attack dug into that spot.
However, Kim Minwoo’s breathing was still even.
‘A type pushing with strength.’
He just had to dodge and aim for an opening.
Then.
Blue mana rippled.
Silver hair brushed past his vision.
Merhen raised her staff.
Two Dragon Tooth Soldier Mages stood side by side next to her.
The mana circuits of the three connected as one.
A massive magic circle bloomed in the air.
Ancient language overlapped and rang out.
[Dragon Tongue: Eternal Bind (SSS) activates!]
[Dragon Tongue: Inescapable Curse (SSS)…….]
Mana condensed.
The air was crushed.
Drakan’s movements noticeably slowed.
“……What?”
The summoner right in front of his eyes looked like he was moving in slow motion.
The arm swinging his fist felt heavy, as if cutting through water.
‘My body…….’
Grind―.
Drakan ground his teeth.
In that instant.
Kim Minwoo dug in.
Drakan’s fist. Exactly the back of the hand.
Hell Rhapsody struck down like lightning.
Clang―!
Sparks flew over the hard scales.
A minute crack spread.
[You have hit the same spot! Damage increases.]
‘Break the hand first.’
A martial artist type.
If the fist is ruined, half of his combat power flies away.
Kim Minwoo did not pause for breath.
Sticking close to the trajectory of the slowed arm, he dug into the same spot.
Bang―!
Every time sword and hand clashed, the scales on the back of Drakan’s hand began to lift little by little.
Drakan’s eyes widened.
‘This guy…… is dodging all my attacks while aiming for the same spot?’
Clearly, the one who is faster is himself.
His strength is overwhelming too.
And yet…….
Every time he dodges, every time he deflects, the sword tip follows like a ghost and strikes the back of his hand.
Dangerous.
Instinct warned him.
If the outer shell breaks like this, the tide of the battle will rapidly turn against him.
Drakan inhaled deeply.
His chest swelled up.
A red light soared from deep within his throat.
Hot mana filled his mouth to the brim.
Heat like lava exploded.
Kwaaaaa―!
Golden flames poured out over a wide area.
It was an angle and range that left no room to dodge.
“Kku-u!”
Hayang soared up.
Its small body flew in front of the flames.
The flames were sucked into Hayang’s beak.
Red light seeped between its feathers.
“Kku, Kku-u……!”
Its small wings trembled.
The dragon’s breath was too heavy.
It was not enough to swallow it all.
The remaining heat surged in unabated.
―Uwooo!
Dolsoe, the Bone Golem summoned before anyone noticed, jumped forward.
He set up his massive rock body like a shield.
Cedric and the Dragon Tooth Soldiers formed a line behind him.
Kwaaaaa―!
The flames engulfed them.
Dolsoe’s surface glowed red.
Cracks appeared on the rock surface. Fragments chipped away.
The armor of the Dragon Tooth Soldiers melted.
Shields burned away.
Dolsoe and the soldiers, who held out for a moment, eventually turned to ash in an instant and disappeared.
―F, r, e, e, z, e.
Merhen’s cold voice, having gathered mana in the meantime, rang out.
Blue magic circles floated up in succession.
Layers of ice walls rose up.
Chiiick―!
Flame and ice collided.
Steam erupted like an explosion.
Kim Minwoo stood behind Merhen.
Her mana wrapped around his body like a protective shield.
His breath was hot.
The heat brushing past his skin stung.
‘This is no joke.’
Rank 3 Demon Lord’s proxy.
This much power with just a single breath.
However…….
‘I will endure.’
The breath is not eternal.
The moment it stops, an opening reveals itself.
Beyond the hazy vision mixed with ice, fire, and steam, Drakan’s silhouette was faintly visible.
And finally―.
The force of the flames visibly diminished.
“……Huff.”
Drakan’s chest heaved roughly.
Black smoke leaked from the corners of his mouth.
He had been waiting for that moment.
Kim Minwoo moved.
Hell Rhapsody struck out like lightning.
The back of the hand.
The spot he had already slashed multiple times.
Bang―!
This time, it was certain.
Golden scales shattered into pieces and flew up.
Flesh tore.
Blood splattered.
“Kugh……!”
Drakan’s arm twisted.
His fist was half-ruined.
“You bastards…… the scales of this Golden Scale Duke…….”
His eyes glistened as if in disbelief.
He looked down at his hand.
Blood flowed.
It was a sensation felt for the first time in hundreds of years.
Kim Minwoo raised his sword.
Drops of Drakan’s blood gathered at the tip of the sword.
“Got through one.”
The corners of his mouth went up.
One fist was smashed.
There would be more openings.
‘Next is…… the neck.’
Golden scales.
Hard.
But not perfect.
Between the scales, near the collarbone below the neck. A gap that opened ever so slightly with every breath.
It would have been difficult to aim for if his body were in perfect condition.
But now was different.
While exchanging blows with Drakan, whose strength had been significantly drained.
Kim Minwoo’s sword thrust into that gap like a snake.
Puuk―!
“Kugh―!”
A soft sensation.
The Mythical rank sword dug precisely into the gap like slicing a steak.
Drakan’s eyes wavered greatly.
Kim Minwoo twisted the sword.
“You talk too much.”
Seogeok―!
Blood sprayed like a fountain.
