A/N: So I decided to drop a brand new chapter because why not? 😗. How are you all liking the novel so far. If there is anything you are not happy with please let me know.
And from what I've gathered. It seems the Fanfic competition works on how many collections a novel has. So if you want to help me win, please add the novel to your collections 🙏
ENJOY THE CHAPTER :)
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Using Magic Sense, Haru examined himself closely. Indeed, he no longer had that hideous, beast-like body. His form was now that of a normal-looking man, lean body with some muscle and form. Maroon hair that shimmered faintly under the dim light, and two sleek horns curving slightly from his head.
He couldn't help but admit it—he looked fairly handsome. If Hima saw him like this, she'd practically beg him to date huh. He laughed slightly at his unrealistic thoughts.
Turning his gaze, he noticed Venom watching him with a knowing smile. Venom was happy indeed, after such a long time with no development. It seemed Haru wasn't the only one who had gained something from their long battle. Though Haru had no idea, Venom had awakened a new Unique Skill—Divider.
This is the skill that would earn Venom a reputation in the Underworld. The ability to breakdown anything on a molecular level with just a touch, how terrifying.
And to think Diablo just waved that attack off like it was nothing when they first met. What a monster.
Venom broke the silence first. "I see you've evolved and you've escaped death. What a lucky man you are."
Haru stretched, rolling his shoulders lazily. "I wouldn't call it luck, you know."
Venom studied Haru and then frowned in disgust. "Put some clothes on, you dirty bastard."
Haru blinked and looked down. Indeed, his "thing" was out in the open. Well, it wasn't exactly his fault, his thing wasn't visible before, but now with a human body, it definitely was.
"Ah, right…" Haru muttered, quickly using Material Creation. Within moments, a sharp, dignified outfit wrapped around him: a maroon suit paired with a black shirt and white tie, black gloves, and polished black shoes.
Ah, clothes he thought to himself. He had been waking around for 2 years naked. So having clothes on now felt weird.
Venom squinted at him. "Why the hell are you dressing like an old man?"
"Suits are dignified Punk Demon," Haru said flatly. "They command respect, and I'm a Greater Demon now—I have to show it."
Venom sighed and rolled his eyes, but Haru was already lost in thought. Then, as if remembering something crucial, he raised a hand and began channeling his magicules. Half his reserves flowed out as he forged a pristine katana—a gleaming blade with a white hilt and a matching sheath. He hung it by his waist, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
Finally… I have a sword.
Without realizing it, tears began trailing down his cheeks.
Venom stared, completely confused. "What's that for?" he asked, pointing at the sword. But once he noticed the tears, he barked out, "What the hell is that for!?"
"You don't understand, Punk Demon," Haru said, his voice trembling with emotion. "You don't know how hard it is to be a swordsman without a sword."
A vein popped on Venom's forehead. "Since when are you a swordsman?"
"Since forever," Haru replied matter-of-factly.
Venom growled. "You didn't say that before."
"You never asked."
Venom dropped back onto the ground with a sigh. "Now my victory really doesn't even feel earned. First you were a Lesser Demon, and now I find out you weren't even fighting in your preferred combat style. You know what, let's call this fight a draw. I at least have that much decency."
Haru sat down as well, chuckling. "It's a deal. But when I have a sword, I'm literally unstoppable. Nobody has better swordsmanship than me, so you might lose."
Venom scoffed. "Best swordsman? I think that title belongs to that man who serves that crazy woman, Juane. I fought him once and he was crazy strong."
Jaune, Yellow??? Haru thought for a bit. Then Haru's expression shifted as realization hit him. Agera… of course.
The man formerly known as Byakuya Araki, the founder of Hazy Style Swordsmanship. The style used by King Gazel and the absolute beast that is Old Man Hakuro.
"I wonder how his style compares to my Minamoto swordsmanship," Haru thought aloud, a slightly unhinged smile forming on his face. "I want to find out".
Little did he know, he was already beginning to fall into the nature of his Maroon lineage—a bloodline of pure battle maniacs.
Venom folded his arms and looked over at Haru. "So what do you plan on doing now?"
Haru stretched, his expression calm. "I'm going to challenge the Demon Swordsman, of course."
Venom's eye twitched. "Are you stupid?"
"I don't want to hear that from you," Haru shot back. "You were about to confront a demon way above our level just moments ago."
"A demon that we couldn't defeat even with our combined effort, even right now.
Venom was confused and asked "Why does it sound like you are describing a Primordial" Thats because I am Haru internally shouted.
"And that was different!" Venom snapped. "The Demon Swordsman is probably in Juane's territory. Those demons are crazy, I'm telling you. You don't want to be anywhere near them. Especially Juane—she's unhinged, popping nukes everywhere!"
Haru placed a hand on his chin and smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'm good at calming women down."
He literally had a skill for that, he thought.
Venom sighed, realizing that trying to reason with him was pointless. "So you're really going to go, huh?"
"Yes," Haru replied, his expression softening into a smile. "For some reason… this is something I can't let go."
The air fell silent for a moment before Haru changed the subject. "What about you? What do you plan to do?"
Venom smirked. "I'm going to train up a new skill I gained."
Haru raised an eyebrow. "A new skill?" he muttered, eyes narrowing in suspicion. Could it be Divider?
Venom's grin widened. "Yes. I gained a new Unique Skill from our fight—and it seems crazy powerful."
Haru chuckled. "It seems this is where we part ways, then."
Venom nodded. "In a hundred years, we'll have our rematch. By then, I won't hold back."
Haru laughed quietly. "You're awfully confident of yourself."
To demons, a hundred years was nothing. It passed like a breath.
Venom spread his wings, giving Haru one last sharp look. "Don't die before then."
He launched into the air, black wings slicing through the underworld sky.
Haru watched his retreating figure with a faint smile. "Goodbye, Venom-sensei," he said softly. "Thank you for the lesson."
Then he blinked, realizing something. Wait… didn't I basically help him awaken Divider? Does that make me a sensei too?
He shook his head. "No time to think about that."
Looking up at the crimson clouds above, Haru smiled and unfurled his bat-like wings. "Agera… wait for me."
He kicked off the ground, soaring into the sky. Technically, he didn't need wings to fly—
but wings just looked cooler.
—
Somewhere deep in the underworld, Agera suddenly sneezed.
He blinked, confused. "A cold? Impossible. Demons don't get colds."
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