Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 166: Demon King

Episode 166: Demon King

(Note: Special for this chapter the MC’s dialogue is written in ‘…..’.)

‘(Whoa, what the heck!?)’

The floor beneath me burst through the carpet and shot upward, easily breaking through the ceiling. I was thrown into the air. The floor, unable to withstand the incredible acceleration, shattered and scattered through the sky. 

Eventually, I reached an altitude where clouds drifted, and the upward speed slowed to zero. I activated my flying artifact and began to hover. Then, I asked the person who had jumped into the air with me.

‘Um, what exactly is this…?’

“You needn’t ask. I am personally testing your strength,” 

Said the Demon King, standing tall in the air with a silver scepter in hand.

‘No, now’s really not the time for this! I already told you, Karkinos is coming. We should be working together on a plan…’

“Still spewing such nonsense? No matter. My answer is the same as before: you are woefully unfit to stand alongside me.”

‘If you’re doubting my abilities, I’ll just take down a Beast King or something, and—whoa, close one!’

“My patience isn’t that long. If you want to prove your worth, show me here and now,” 

The Demon King said, as the scepter moved gently.

Even with that subtle motion, a torrent of |Mana| surged forward like a mighty river. If I hadn’t started moving early, thanks to my [Projectile Prediction] skill, I’d have been swallowed by that force.

|Mana| bullets kept coming one after another. But I dodged them, keeping a safe distance.

‘Damn it, you started this! Fine then, let’s do this—[Sun Sovereign]!’

“[Order of Truth].”

I pulled my entire body out from the expanded spatial pouch and activated my [Skill], summoning a floating crown made of crystal. In response, the Demon King also used a [Skill], donning a crown of intricate white symbols.

It was probably a human version of the [Sovereign-type Skill].

“Hmm, so this is your true form. A massive body, comparable to a castle. You certainly live up to the name ‘Beast King’.”

‘Are you really going to fight? Honestly, with this size difference, I don’t think you stand a chance.’

“Ridiculous. Size alone does not determine strength, you beast. [Order Alteration].”

An unimaginable amount of |Mana| gathered around the Demon King—far more than the |Mana| he should have had alone. The condensed |Mana| suddenly burst apart and split into eight streams.

Each stream of |Mana| was thicker than my diameter and flew as fast as the “Polar King’s” light bullets. They swirled and spread out, coming at me from multiple angles.

‘(No need to dodge this.)’

Instead of dodging, I stood still. I had been evading earlier out of reflex, but these attacks wouldn’t hurt me. The streams of |Mana| that touched my body shattered like waves crashing against a cliff.

“…What?”

‘I’ve got high |Toughness|. Not to brag, but I almost never take damage.’

There was probably also a difference in our <Levels>. Judging by the Demon King’s movements, his <Level> was around 500. That’s astonishing compared to the average Hero-rank adventurer, who barely reaches <Level 100>. But it’s not enough to pose a threat to me.

I was hoping he’d give up. But instead, the Demon King just nodded. He seemingly understood something.

“I see. So your |Toughness| is the source of your confidence. But how about this?”

This time, countless |Mana| arrows were launched at me. Knowing they were likely imbued with some effect, I dodged them smoothly, letting one of my drones take the hit.

A sharp, needle-like pain shot through me.

‘Is this… piercing through my defenses?’

“Indeed.”

‘(So that’s what the Order Attribute is capable of.)’

The Demon King stood calmly, not launching a follow-up attack, which gave me the chance to analyze the situation. 

The Demon King’s abilities were well known, given he was the most renowned and powerful magic user. I’d already received intel from Paula about his powers.

The Demon King has the Order Attribute

The power of the Order Attribute can be broadly described as the ability to create and enforce rules or laws. For example, it can restrict actions, prevent the activation of [Skills], or even stop a heart from beating.

‘(If it were just that, it wouldn’t be a problem…)’

Effects that restrict others’ abilities or actions can usually be mitigated with |Resist|. Given my ridiculously high |Resist|, I wouldn’t be easily controlled like the cult leader and her merry band. So far, so good.

But order magic isn’t limited to just that. It can also manipulate the properties of |Mana|, like an artifact, imbuing it with destructive force before releasing it. On top of that, it can bypass defenses. Most likely, the Demon King has altered the very rules governing the |Mana| under his control. In terms of |Mana| manipulation, order magic far surpasses my artifact technology.

‘(Well, this much is within expectations.)’

The Demon King is a hero who unified the world during times of war. It’s only natural that he wouldn’t be limited to debuffs and would have some form of direct combat capabilities. I hadn’t given it too much thought since direct confrontation wasn’t part of the original plan. But I knew he’d be a hassle to fight.

Yes, a manageable hassle.

‘I mentioned earlier that the size difference mattered, but the <Level> difference is also massive.’

I circulated |Mana| throughout my body, accelerating all at once. At my full <Level 928>’s  |Speed|, I moved faster than sound, closing in behind the Demon King—

“—I will not allow it.”

‘Whoa!?’

A barrage of |Mana| arrows converged on my destination. I was forced to stop abruptly, dodging them. But I failed to get behind the Demon King.

‘(Fine, then how about lightning!)’

“[Order Orbit], Divert the Lightning.”

Thunk.

The lightning, which had been aimed straight at the target, suddenly changed trajectory and disappeared into the sky.

‘(Maybe it was because I held back the power, but can he control even [Unique Skills]?)’

“You spoke of the <Level> difference. Did you think that by surpassing me in |Speed|, you could not lose? How naive. My reaction speed is greatly enhanced through magic. The performance of magic has nothing to do with one’s <Level>. Don’t assume you can win easily.”

So that’s the trick behind keeping up with my movements. Given how absurdly versatile order magic is, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had a skill akin to [Clear Tranquility], allowing him to stay perfectly composed.

This is becoming a bit of a hassle. I had hoped to settle things peacefully, considering we need to cooperate. But it looks like I’ll have to get a little rough.

‘Sorry, but I’m going all out now. Watch out for the shockwave—[Territory], Activate!’