Academy's Gumiho is a Magic Genius

My muscles tore from the intense movement.

In addition, my bones were damaged, my skin was ripped off, and I was in a state of complete exhaustion.

But the gaps were filled by magic.

It replenished the lack of blood and held the torn muscle fibres together.

The broken bones in my right hand were forcibly reassembled, allowing me to grip the spear.

However, there was a clear limitation.

No matter how advanced my spear techniques were, my physical abilities, inferior to those of a student, were insufficient to keep up with Yuren's swift movements.

Thus, I supplemented my lacking strength with [Body Enhancement] magic, which uses mana and spells to strengthen the body.

I used [Body Enhancement], fully aware of the significant aftereffects, but even that wasn't enough. My tail extended, and my heightened cognitive abilities instantly identified the deficiencies.

Resolving to become half-crippled, I used a forbidden technique to push my body to its limits, something I had only used during my prime. Only then could I finally react to Yuren's speed.

But now, another problem arose.

Sizzling sounds and the smell of cooking meat filled the air.

The source was my right hand.

It was because of the Purple Flame Spear.

Ordinary flames could be controlled with [Pyrokinesis], allowing me to adjust the heat.

So, when using flames, I always kept the heat as low as possible.

But the [Fox Fire] was uncontrollable.

It was like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins.

It was beyond my current ability to control.

Yet, I couldn't afford not to use it.

Instead, I let the wild horse run free.

['Fox Fire' burns fiercely.]

[The fire demon engulfs the surroundings!]

Cursed flames erupted.

The purple flames spreading everywhere reminded me of hell.

No, this place was already hell itself.

──Hiiieeeeeek!

──Kuuuaaaaaaah!

──Ki, kill meeeeeee!

Grotesque voices echoed from beyond the flames.

Among them were illusionary monkeys and voices that sounded human.

These were all ghostly wails.

Each one was the cry of a demon I had killed.

Their souls, even in death, burned as fuel for the [Fox Fire]. How could they not wail?

***

"Haha, you're a complete psychopath."

Yuren, who had realized the source of the curse, spoke.

He wasn't one to talk, but using the souls of the dead as fuel for flames?

It was beyond eerie or sinister—it was madness.

I felt an instinctive revulsion.

It wasn't a physiological issue.

It was just that Yuren, as a living being, felt a natural disgust.

Well, what kind of skill is that?

"Is this really the bloodline of a Gumiho...."

In the past, during my mercenary days, I had seen several murals in China and Japan. Murals of foxes with multiple tails.

In the corner of each mural, there was always a fox stained with black spots.

At the time, I thought it was just a stain from the passage of time.

Why does that stain come to mind now?

Yuren desperately suppressed the rising thoughts and strategized.

First, I need to create some distance.

Yuren's gaze turned toward Seung-woo's body.

The body, pushed to its limits, was slowly breaking down.

It seemed to be moving somehow with vast amounts of mana.

If I create distance and buy as much time as possible, an opportunity will surely come.

Yuren fumbled in his pocket and pulled out five cursed dolls.

Poof!

The dolls exploded, and Yuren split into six.

It wasn't a high-level ability like cloning. It was the power of the cursed dolls.

Each Yuren fled in different directions. The fierce flames chased after them, but the flames split according to the number of clones.

If all nine flames chased one, it would be different.

But with two or three flames each, it was hopeless. Watching this, my eyes flickered.

Ruby-like pupils shimmered blue, sparkling like amethyst.

['Demon Eye' fully opens.]

[An eerie gaze observes the 'flow of mana' and 'gaps'.]

[Distinguishes the 'void' and 'substance' of objects.]

The six dolls come into view at a glance.

Five are illusions. Then, the real body must be the remaining one.

"...Were there six cursed dolls?"

The number of dolls in his hand was a trick.

Then, where is the real body hiding?

The surroundings were covered in blazing flames. A faint gap was visible.

A trace of a person that the cursed dolls couldn't mimic.

I reached out toward it.

Along with it, a pillar of fire rose from the ground, forming a massive wall.

Woosh!

A wall of fire, different in quality and structure from the existing barriers, burned and targeted Yuren.

He tried to quickly escape outside the wall.

But no way.

[Double Helix.]

Another wall rose from the ground.

The two walls resonated with each other, forming a single barrier.

"Now, there's no way to escape from here."

Of course, the same goes for me.

We are trapped inside this barrier.

Now, he's a cornered rat... I'd like to say, but given how tricky he is, I can't rashly claim victory.

The eye that glimpses the future, the treasure trove of various artifacts, the seasoned experience honed through mercenary life, and so on.

Just cutting off his right arm and dropping a gun doesn't weaken him. Rather, I need to be even more cautious.

A seasoned mercenary like him only grows stronger when cornered.

Even a mouse, when cornered, will bite a cat.

What more of Yuren? No need to think long.

'As quickly as possible, end it swiftly.'

I bent my waist and took a stance.

It had been five years since I last took this stance, so it was a bit awkward, but I stepped forward with my left foot. A low sweep across the ground.

The ground shattered, leaving only footprints.

Simply stepping forward.

Yet, that action alone made Yuren feel pressured.

"...What is this?"

The momentary pressure pressed down on his body.

It was brief, but it was definitely the same sensation as facing a demon's fear. Is this also possible with the bloodline of a Gumiho?

There were many questions, but no time to ponder.

Because I, having stepped forward again, sprang up like a bullet.

The cartilage in my left knee gave out from the current movement.

I replaced the cartilage with mana, but it was only momentary. I had to end this as quickly as possible.

Moving at high speed, I swung my body wide.

Then, the spear in my hand emitted flames, drawing a graceful curve.

Drawing a crescent from below to above. Aiming for the groin and lower abdomen.

Yuren wrapped his legs in mana and retreated backwards.

Whoosh!

The spear split the air. No one was hit by the spear.

But there was one peculiarity. This spear wasn't a cold weapon but a skill and magic manifestation.

Whoosh────!

The spear's handle extended.

It stretched out like a whip, writhing like a snake, and bound Yuren's ankle.

Good, this seals his movement──!

──Chwaaak!!

A red aura cut through the purple flames. It was Yuren's sword energy.

The embers that bound his ankle like shackles scattered powerlessly into the air.

His sword cut through the flames and came at me.

Mid-stance, the tip of the sword aimed at my head.

I swung my spear wide to block the sword strike.

Pazzzuk!

The sword and spear clashed, sparks flying.

These sparks weren't my intention. They were born purely from friction.

"Puhaha, your body is so weak. Why don't you go drink some more of your mother's milk!"

The sword and spear continued to clash.

My pitiful physical abilities couldn't withstand the continuous strikes.

With each clash, my body began to break down.

My ribs broke. The lack of oxygen in my blood made the sensation in my fingertips strange. My palms continued to burn from the 'Fox Fire', and I suffered third-degree burns all over my body.

I was practically on the verge of death.

Yet, I didn't let go of the spear in my hand.

I silently suppressed the screams rising in my throat and waited for the right moment.

Among the many means at my disposal, I chose to wield a spear for a reason.

A spear is long and easy to swing.

Among cold weapons, it has the longest reach.

It's perfect for blocking and deflecting swords.

I stubbornly stuck to defensive spear techniques, biding my time.

The moment the tired opponent from the continuous strikes uses a big technique.

That moment is when my plan will truly shine.

"Your skills are impressive, but your body is trash!"

Yuren swung his sword madly.

No signs of fatigue were visible.

In contrast, my skin turned pale like the colour of the flames.

Already lacking oxygen due to [Solar Severed Meridians], the rough movements and oxygen-consuming flames were draining my strength.

Yuren's sword did not miss that fact.

The moment my breath hitched, a powerful slash came at me.

The sword cut through the wind as it approached.

A strike that would be fatal even if it just grazed me.

I immediately moved my leg.

Thud!

The sword dug into my flesh.

A groan I couldn't utter swirled in my mouth. Struggling to open my eyes, I saw Yuren's surprised expression.

Haha, well, it's the first time he's seen a madman like me.

The sword dug into my abdomen. It wasn't the area he had aimed for.

Yuren had aimed for my neck and face.

But I had moved my abdomen to twist the trajectory.

Blood overflowed, and I felt my guts brush against something.

Death was close.

I swung the spear in that state.

No, the spear was too long. So, I changed it into a short dagger.

[Pyrokinesis]

Whoosh, the shaped flames turned into a short dagger.

Yuren, realizing the situation, tried to slash through my guts with his sword.

Quaddeuk───!!!

But since my left shoulder blade was torn out entirely, I was helpless.

Flesh severed, bones broken.

A splendid feat at the cost of my abdomen.

Ah, now it's not a metaphor but truly helpless.

Both his arms are severed.

Yuren with both arms cut off and me on the verge of death.

This is almost a mutual strike.

So, I prepared to deliver the final blow─

──Thud!

Yuren collapsed.

I was puzzled by the sight.

I had cut off his arms, not his legs.

Tap! Tap!

I poked him a few times with my foot, but he didn't move.

Having touched many corpses on the battlefield, I knew.

No last-minute revival or anything, he was definitely on the verge of death. Cutting off his left arm and stuffing curses into the wound must have been the fatal blow.

Getting closer, I realized why he had collapsed.

The curses had spread throughout his body. It was the same for me, but Yuren's case was different.

Using my [Demon Eye], I saw it more clearly.

The purple flames that had clung to him seemed to have used the resentment within Yuren as fuel, casting an even stronger curse.

Just how many people had he killed to collapse before me, who had lower stamina?

"...Ah, is this my defeat?"

Yuren looked at the sky with blurry eyes.

There was no event like the rising dawn illuminating him.

The night was still dark and deep. Only the flames burning around him lit his vision.

"I-I became a demon to... to cure my daughter's... illness...!"

Suddenly, Yuren began to spout his last words.

I looked down at him and thought.

A villain with a backstory. How novel-like.

"Nine Yin, I must... cure..."

"Sorry, but that's as far as you go."

I changed the dagger back into a spear.

The flames burned ominously. Sorry about your daughter's last words, but I have no intention of listening.

A spear aimed at the heart.

Thud!

The spear pierced without any resistance.

"Aaaaah..."

"One more stab."

Just in case, I aimed the spear once more.

To block any novel-like cliché of revival with just the brain, I aimed for the head as well.

This time, the spear also pierced without resistance. The yellow brain matter on the tip quickly cooked, turning into steam.

No guilt, no sense of sin.

It was just a confirmation kill.

I have no mercy to grant a criminal who killed guards and targeted students the chance to utter his last words.

Rather, I felt a refreshing sense of relief, thinking I could finally sleep peacefully.

Ah, of course, with this state, I'll have to be hospitalized for a while.

"Ugh... I feel like throwing up..."

I cauterized the wound on my stomach with fire.

It was first aid. This way, it's disinfected, and I don't have to worry about bleeding.

The rest, I'll leave to the doctors at the hospital.

After finishing the first aid, my eyes slowly began to close. It was against my will.

If I sleep here, I'll catch a cold.

I wanted to go to the nearby infirmary or shelter, but my body was reaching its limit.

I managed to hold on during the fight, but I couldn't stop my strength from draining any longer.

I need to take a nap.

I moved my body.

Sleeping on the grass would be much better than sleeping on the ground. So, I looked around.@@novelbin@@

No matter how much I turned my head, there was no green grass anywhere.

Everything was charred black.

Ah, right. I burned it all.

With no other choice, while looking for a place to lie down on the ground, Yuren's corpse caught my eye.

"...What's this?"

I was blankly staring at the corpse.

Suddenly, I noticed the residual mana in the corpse moving toward the eyeballs.

Wondering what was happening, I fully used my [Demon Eye].

A monochrome world. The blue mana gathered in the eyes, and I realized some kind of work was being done.

It didn't seem like something that would threaten me, so I waited quietly until the work was done.

"A byproduct...?"

Yuren's eyeballs, are now tinged green.

There was no life there, but there was light.

It was a familiar colour.

It was the colour that appeared when he used [Ten-Mile Eyes].

Out of curiosity, I plucked out Yuren's eyeballs.

There was no hesitation or respect for the dead.

Respect for someone who tried to kill me? Nonsense. What's more important is whether it's useful to me.

It felt a bit hard to the touch.

Could it be processed like a demon's horn or bone to make a weapon or item?

I tried applying more pressure to test its strength.

Then...

Crack!

...Yuren's eyeballs shattered and scattered.

Too weak.

What on earth is this?

The fragments of the shattered eyeballs emitted mana charges, resisting before being quietly absorbed into my body.

[You possess an 'Energy Absorption' type skill.]

[You absorb 'Ten-Mile Eyes' from the target.]

[The trait 'Ten-Mile Eyes' is integrated into the skill 'Demon Eye'.]

A series of status windows appeared.

I looked at the sky and let out a hollow laugh.

"Is it always this easy to get stronger?"

I stole the opponent's ability.

And so simply, it was almost laughable.

But how did I steal it?

Suddenly, the phrase 'Energy Absorption' in the status window caught my eye.

I tried to interpret what it meant, but my vision suddenly darkened.

Ah, I'm sleepy.

That was the last thought.

I collapsed to the ground.

My body couldn't hold on any longer.

I needed some rest.

Even just a little. I wanted to close my eyes.

The situation wasn't over yet.

The high-ranking demon targeting the protagonist and the students was dead, and the mastermind of the attack was caught. But demons still roamed the academy, threatening the students.

"Heh, hehe..."

Yet, a foolish laugh escaped my lips.

I survived. I made it.

That fact alone made me so happy.

Then, a powerful wave of mana erupted in the distance.

A warm breeze blew. The comfort made my eyes close on their own.

Ah, someone must be fighting.

Well, I can leave the rest to others.

With that, my vision, and then my consciousness, gradually darkened.

***

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