Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 126 [Title: Emergency emergency, I think I just came up with an amazing idea?] Content: What do you think about adding someone with penalty-ridden trash skills to the Face Thief subjugation party to induce self-destruction? Looking at this bastard, it seems like his skill theft is passive rather than active, so I think the Face Thief is already screwed? -: Wow, that's a freaking amazing idea? -: Are you perhaps a Pro Gamer? -: Do only I think the way of speaking is fucking weird? -: Just add 'man' at the end, damn it, man -: But what skills are there that ruin your life just by learning them? -[Author]: Forbidden Necromancy on standby lololol -: Damn lolololol -: Face Thief, are you possessed by Satan, you bastard? Face Thief: Yes lol -: Evil spirit mukbang controversy lol -[Author]: ? -[Author]: What the hell is this bastard -[Author]: He's controlling evil spirits? -: Forbidden necromancy became consensual necromancy lololol -: It seems you resolved things amicably through dialogue with the tenant? -: Ah, dialogue is the key to peace that resolves all conflicts -[Author]: No, what the fuck is this -[Author]: Why does the skill keep succeeding -[Author]: Where did the 50% chance (feels like fucking 99%) of being consumed by evil spirits go -: Does the Faceless One's Fluid look like a pushover to you? -: For real lol, he's the kind who steals skills after seeing them once Do you think skill side effects would work on him -: Faceless One's Fluid < it's a kind of Divine Authority so When he steals skills, he just handles them perfectly yeah, even seeing the face of her (skill) that I didn't know is totally possible -: Face Thief: Hey~ skill owner-kun, are you watching? lol -: Skill: Sorry oppa... in front of this person, I... -: Oppa, what the hell -: What's with the incest gang intrusion, damn -[Author]: No, damn it, earlier you said it was a freaking amazing idea -: Just because it's amazing doesn't mean it will necessarily succeed - Kim Bupyeong -: Who is Kim Bupyeong? -: Me - Kim Bupyeong -: Damn, Bupyeong ham is awesome - LeBron James -: Crazy, are you really LeBron? - Kim Bupyeong -[Author]: Ah, should I just kill them all *** Face Thief. He believed in his ability. More precisely, he believed in the Divine Authority of the Faceless One's Fluid that had become his power. Through contact with Risir, an existence beyond normal parameters, that absolute faith had developed some cracks, but the belief remained firm. After all, hadn't he shaken off even that terrible Mental Image of the Evil Sword? Given enough time, he would not only perfectly control that Mental Image but even be able to master the Evil Sword itself. Face Thief did not dare judge the limits of the Divine Authority. Risir. He did not think that bastard was an existence above the Fluid's Divine Authority. That mysterious Enhancement ability the bastard had used. If that bastard could handle that ability, then the Faceless One's Fluid could handle it too. The possibility that suspicious side effects were contained within that power, like with the Evil Sword? It was fine. The Divine Authority's power had overcome the Evil Sword's Mental Image and grown stronger by stealing the faces of the Special Forces captain and vice-captain. It was entirely possible. This time, there would be no unexpected variables. Between composure and excitement, Face Thief was certain. And he was betrayed by that belief. "Cough!!!" The Enhancement power stolen by the Divine Authority sucked up all his Magical Power like dry cloth in an instant and began operating it in an abnormal way. Realizing the true nature of the Enhancement ability, Face Thief fell into shock. 'Such a reckless bastard...!' He had believed that the Enhancement ability Risir used involved borrowing power from external sources. That was the most common method for drawing out power beyond one's natural limits, and realistically the only method. But it was different. The true nature of that ability was making one's own Magical Power run wild. In some sense, it could be called an incredibly ingenious method. And for good reason. The word that best described this method of Mana operation was not 'Enhancement' but 'Self-destruction.' Who would seek to break through limits through self-destruction? And it wasn't even simple self-destruction. Full-power self-destruction. This was an ability that ran at full speed down the path of ruin. 'Using Resonance to make Magical Power run wild, while using Blue Breath to contain and control that runaway Mana simultaneously-' Magic and Swordsmanship overcoming their respective limits through mutual interaction. Theoretically, it was an ideal ability. The problem was that translating that theory into reality was impossible. Even at this very moment, the Fluid's Divine Authority was functioning to overcome that impossibility. Magic and Swordsmanship. With the Divine Authority's power that could skillfully imitate any force, it constantly shifted between Magic and Swordsmanship, attempting to control the side effects. It wasn't enough. It was like trying to stop water leaking from both directions with one arm. Focusing on Resonance meant his body couldn't withstand the runaway Magical Power and collapsed moment by moment. Focusing on Blue Breath meant the uncontrolled Magical Power would rampage and accelerate the runaway. The Fluid constantly shifted between Resonance and Blue Breath, trying to satisfy both requirements. Freely moving between the domains of Magic and Swordsmanship. It was a technique—no, literally a Divine Authority—that even Sword Masters and Archmages couldn't imitate. Thump! Thump! Yet this Enhancement ability remained uncontrolled. Because the core of the ability wasn't freely moving between the domains of Magic and Swordsmanship. Executing Magic and Swordsmanship simultaneously. That was the true core of this Enhancement ability. Face Thief could state with certainty. That it wasn't nearly impossible, but impossible itself. This was why this ability should be classified as self-destruction rather than Enhancement. Thus Face Thief realized the true nature of the ability— And realized Risir's intention in using this ability. Unlike himself who had merely imitated it, that bastard would have understood the essence of this power. Along with the fact that using this power would inevitably lead to destruction through severe Overload. In other words— 'To induce mutual destruction—' Face Thief was disgusted by that determination and viciousness that gave no thought to consequences— Then wore a sneer born of spite. And for good reason— 'Foolish bastard, I am different from you!!!' Right now. Risir's body would be collapsing at an uncontrollable rate, unable to manage the side effects. But he was different. The Fluid's Divine Authority never gave up and continued functioning tirelessly to conquer the Enhancement ability. In that process, methods to mitigate the worst outcomes to lesser evils were being derived. 'Only you will be destroyed!' It was time to put an end to the humiliation that began with the Evil Sword. Face Thief looked at Risir with a victorious smile. At him dying in Tua's arms. "Huh?" Suddenly making a dazed sound, then regaining his composure with a calm face. Rising from his place as if nothing had happened and facing him. Did he also have a way to mitigate the worst outcome to a lesser evil? No. His current state wasn't a lesser evil at all. *** ▷Fate 74: Face Thief - has been deactivated. Corresponding Perks are granted. ■Risir Level 60(58) > 59 Status Ailment has been recovered. [Status Ailment: Overload (High)] *** It was like having taken a deep sleep. Perhaps, like being newly born. It was the optimal state. He had completely escaped the aftermath of 'mutual destruction.' "What did you do...! Urgh—" Face Thief couldn't hold back and shouted. As his attention, which had been focused on recovery, scattered, his condition deteriorated. Trickling down. Every opening in his face. The bleeding that had stopped worsened again. The worst outcome he had barely escaped entangled him once more. Face Thief didn't care. He was already not in his right mind. "I see!!! You bastard!!! You've been planning this for a long time!!! Thinking to trap me!!! Who is it!!! Who put you up to this!? The Religious Order!? Black Hand!? What did you just use!!! Their Sacred Relic!?" "No!!! This just happens sometimes!!!" "Shut your mouth!!!" His pupils were soaked with blood, and from his open mouth, saliva and blood mixed to create sticky threads. Nothing else mattered anymore. Except completely killing that detestable bastard. The Fluid's Divine Authority responded to Face Thief's will. It no longer tried to suppress the 'self-destruction' ability. Face Thief surrendered himself to the euphoria that accompanied destruction. Then the collapse accelerated. Teeth and nails fell out, skin tore and split. It was fine. He could clearly feel the power that broke through natural limits, obtained at that cost. The appearance of Face Thief imitating 'Risir' crumbled. The skin all over his body boiled as if breathing alive. Muscles expanded. Thump! Face Thief stepped forward. Not a trace remained of the noble appearance that had previously imitated someone. It was a hideous giant. No. It was a mass of flesh with will. It looked like a rock made of flesh and muscle with limbs sprouting from it. The Faceless One's Fluid. It had completely devoured Face Thief. -AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! It let out a roar. Child and youth. Middle-aged and elderly. It was a sound as if all types of humans were crammed into a mold and squeezed. Risir's expression twisted. Because within that sound, he could hear the voice of the wandering swordsman, Brien. Tua and Mangnus showed the same reaction. It hurled its massive body toward Risir's group. Arms like logs swung like war hammers. It was as if an explosion had occurred. Dust clouds billowed up thickly. A crater formed where its arm had struck down. It was an brutally powerful blow. But equally sluggish. Risir's group scattered in unison, easily avoiding that strike before launching a counterattack. The troublesome genius who had stolen every technique on the spot was no more. Dominated by emotion, he had lost his Ego and been devoured by the Fluid. Now it was nothing more than a mass of swollen flesh and Magical Power. Compared to Face Thief, it was a simple opponent that felt almost kind to deal with. Thud! Thud! Of course, being a simple opponent didn't necessarily make it an easy one. "This is...!?" Tua and Mangnus, who had penetrated from the side and thrust their swords into its flank, grimaced. Its body, forged from Magical Power and muscle, was more solid than imaginable. "KAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" It roared and swung its arms. It was like struggling to drive away annoying insects. To think that their strike, delivered with full force to inflict fatal damage, was treated like a bug bite. Tua and Mangnus felt perplexed before feeling humiliated. "Mangnus!" The Special Forces captain and vice-captain exchanged glances and simultaneously shook their heads. No more waste was necessary. They could infer enough from their first strike. It was impossible to stop that monster with their power alone. "What the hell—" "Captain!?" "Risir!!! What is all this—" In that sense, perhaps it was fortunate. The explosive-like roar created by its attacks caused a commotion that drew people together. Guards of Gus's Mansion. Guests staying at Gus's Mansion and their escort forces. Plus other Special Forces members. In an instant, a crowd worthy of being called an army had formed. "Maintain distance and attack from range!!!" Most of them being experienced forces, they immediately took skilled measures. All manner of attacks including Magic and arrows were directed at it in unison. Being large in size, it accepted all those attacks without an inch of waste. "..." It paid no attention at all. It didn't even let out the roars it had made when attacked by Risir's group. It was a monster created by rage toward Risir's group. It had no interest in anyone but Risir's group, and possessed the power to justify such indifference. "What the hell is that—" Those watching it from a distance showed bewilderment. How the hell were they supposed to stop such a monster? For those facing it while receiving its full attention, it was even more absurd. "Risir!!!" Tua shouted urgently. "Do you have a way to subdue it!?" Now all they could trust was his 'somehow' pocket. Tua hoped that once again, something that could 'somehow' resolve the situation would come from his pocket. "...Sword Aura!" Risir shouted after much deliberation. "If it's Sword Aura, wouldn't attacks work on it!?" At Risir's words, Tua and Mangnus smiled bitterly. "Yes, it would work!" Sword Aura was a blade forged through will. In other words, an ability that applied the principles of Idealization. Tua and Mangnus, who had reached the 7th Rank, could skillfully handle the principles of Idealization. "Then—" "But I still can't handle Sword Aura skillfully!" Nevertheless, they were still insufficient to handle Sword Aura in actual combat. The explosive power to manifest Sword Aura. The concentration to maintain it. Those qualities required for Sword Aura couldn't be acquired simply by mastering the principles of Idealization. Tua and Mangnus felt no particular shame about that. Sword Aura wasn't the symbol of Sword Masters for nothing. It was an ability that required reaching at least the latter stages of 7th Rank to imitate, and the early stages of 8th Rank to apply in actual combat. "So, isn't there any other method besides Sword Aura!?" "No! Let's go with Sword Aura!" "Didn't you hear what I said!" "I can handle it, albeit limitedly!" "?" "?" Tua and Mangnus looked at Risir, doubting their own ears. At him who was calmly bleeding from every opening in his face. "...Is that so!!! That's wonderful!!!" "Yes?" "I'm saying we'll provide cover so you can approach it!" Their conversation was taking place while dodging its attacks. It was truly a leisurely scene, but even that had its limits. They were gradually being driven against the Mansion's walls. Changing direction would lead it toward other people. Now they had to settle this. "Captain!!!" "Don't come!" Then, Tua stopped the Special Forces members who were trying to break away from the group and get closer. "Ugh— Is there a way to stop it!?" "We'll use Sword Aura!" "Sword Aura...!?" Awe appeared in the eyes of the Special Forces members looking at Tua. "Understood! Captain, we'll provide cover!" "Cover Risir, not me!" "?" "The one who will strike it with Sword Aura is Risir!" "?" "Risir, are you ready!?" "Yes! I'm in perfect condition!" "..." "..." Tua and Mangnus barely left behind Risir, who was bleeding from every opening in his face while claiming to be in perfect condition, and sprang into action. They abandoned the distance they had maintained with it and rushed in. Whoosh! It swung its arm with all its might toward Tua, who was penetrating from the right. Tua avoided that attack, but given the close distance, strong wind pressure struck along with the sound of air being crushed. "Ugh!" Tua barely maintained his stance and thrust his sword into its exposed flank. With a battle cry. Using literally all his strength. Simultaneously, Mangnus, who had penetrated from the opposite side, slashed at its little toe with all his might. Cracks appeared in the thick flesh. "UAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" A scream burst from its mouth. This time it was truly a sound worthy of being called a scream. It flailed both arms wildly like an angry child. Comical appearance but serious power. Boom! Boom! Between those vicious sounds of tearing wind, a heavy thud mixed in. They had only been grazed by the tip of its swinging arm. Just from that, Tua and Mangnus's bodies flew at tremendous speed, crashed into the wall, and rolled on the ground. It roared while stomping its legs. Its gaze fixed on the now defenseless Tua and Mangnus. Having no intention of missing this opportunity, it moved forward once more to definitively cut off their breath. "Hey." Just then. A sudden brake was applied to its body. The most hated voice captured its attention. The direction the voice came from was close behind. It turned its body and swung its arm. The tip of its log-thick fingers barely grazed past Risir's nose tip. Even in that precarious situation, Risir's stance didn't waver in the slightest. He was crouched in a drawing stance. His gaze faced forward. At its front, defenseless from swinging its arm with all its might. Step. It was a footstep that contrasted starkly with its heavy steps. That incongruously light footstep led Risir instantly into its embrace. "!!!" Its blood-soaked, bloodshot eyes flashed with joy. That detestable insect had voluntarily entered within range. It raised both arms with all its might, trying to strike down at Risir- But by then, Risir's sword had already been swung. It was an upward slash that captured all his momentum. "Cough!" Risir spat out a handful of blood. Unlike before, he was in perfect condition. Yet he coughed up blood as before because he had exerted himself to the point of reproducing that previous exhaustion. The assassin's Breath Stealing that contained everything in one strike. Added to that was Risir's Enhancement that contained everything in an instant. For a moment, Risir's sword seemed to extend. Such a vivid Sword Aura enveloped his blade that it appeared so. Crack. Its body made a sound like rock splitting. Then a diagonal line was drawn across its body. Its body split along that line. Blood and pus poured from the split gap. Battle over. *** "Huff—...! Huff... Huh?" Risir, who had been catching his breath after pouring everything into one strike. He approached Face Thief's corpse. There lay a fist-sized mass of Fluid. *** Silence lingered over the place for a while. "A Mage using Sword Aura..." What broke that silence was a Special Forces member's stunned muttering. Sword Aura. It was the ultimate ideal and symbol for swordsmen. Such Sword Aura had been displayed not by the Special Forces captain or vice-captain, but by a Gray Magic Tower Mage. The Special Forces members and other swordsmen felt confused, unable to accept the situation. Eventually, cheers erupted from among the crowd, leaving them behind. They were merchants who felt something like 'Wow!!!' about the current situation. Eventually, some merchant asked his escort excitedly. "You! Did you see!? Lord Risir's technique!!!" "...Of course I saw it." "How about it, can you use it too? In terms of Swordsmanship skill alone, you as a swordsman should be superior!" "..." Around them, the expressions of those with swords at their waists became complicated. "Hmm? Ah, perhaps it's Magic rather than Swordsmanship? Well, Lord Risir's main profession is Mage after all." "..." "..." "..." The expressions of those with swords at their waists darkened.