Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 261 The Hero Party. They proclaimed themselves wanderers. All for the sake of driving out the darkness that had settled throughout the continent. That darkness was sometimes wanted criminals. Sometimes monsters who claimed to be gods and sought to turn entire villages into their servants. Sometimes fiends who received both reverence and contempt from the world. The darkness that the Hero Party pursued took various different forms. However, there was one thing. One characteristic that encompassed them all. Incomprehensible. Most of them possessed powers that could not be understood from a general perspective. Thus, no one dared to face them, their infamy accumulated, and it reached the Hero Party. The Hero Party proclaimed themselves to be the adversaries of such incomprehensible darkness. "To defeat that monster...!!! As expected of the heroes!!! Even the Upper-Class Adventurers trembled at the sight of that monster's power, saying it might truly be an evil god...!" "Hehe. Do not fear. Evil gods do not exist. Only the main god is the great will that you can feel." "Is, is that so...!? Then, what about that infinite Life Force-" "Magical Power corrupted by Impure Power becomes distorted and takes on unusual properties. However, in the end, its essence does not change. Though it appears to be infinite Life Force, it is ultimately not infinite." "Kahahaha!!! Listen well to the Saint's words and look at this! If that bastard's Life Force was infinite, would its head be sitting on my axe like this!?" "In, indeed...!" From the Hero Party's perspective, it was nothing more than simple darkness, not something incomprehensible. "Mon, monstrous bastards...!" "Look at this bastard!!! Chattering with your severed head while calling someone else a monster, kahaha!!!" Rather, they were the ones who could be said to be beyond the realm of understanding. A collection of power that even incomprehensible darkness found incomprehensible. Heroes praised as miraculous. The Hero Party was such an existence. "Hey, Noble! Are there any other bastards like this one who go around bragging about being evil gods and causing trouble!? If there are, tell me about them! Just when my body was getting heated up, he dies so anticlimactically that it's not satisfying at all!" However, even for such a Hero Party, there was definitely something incomprehensible. "Then, heroes! How about going west!?" "What else is there?" "According to rumors, the owner of that city was devoured by some demon! Before you heroes, wouldn't those demons also be powerless!?" "..." "...Everyone?" Demons. It was unknown where they came from, and unknown where they went. Thus they were immortal, and thus incomprehensible. To many people, demons were one of many incomprehensible things. However, for the Hero Party, they could truly be called the only incomprehensible thing. "West. Understood." "Hero!?" "Ah, Lindal! Damn, demons are nauseating-" The miraculous heroes dreamed of a true miracle. The end of the incomprehensible. The termination of immortality. *** Miracle. To the Hero Party, it was now a word that had become tiresome. Whenever they drove out new darkness and achieved new feats, that expression "miracle" would invariably follow. "A miracle, it's a miracle...!" When someone shouted like that, they would look at each other and shrug their shoulders or let out a chuckle. That was the Hero Party's general attitude toward 'miracles'. "Don't, don't make a fuss, Shuyen. Miracles are something only the main god can perform-" "Oh, really! Is now the time for such stuffy talk!?" "Shuyen is right. Tara. I guarantee that even that bastard called the main god couldn't do something like this." "Kudalak! You crazy barbarian!!! What are you-" "Now, now. Everyone please calm down. Should we be getting worked up at each other during this momentous occasion? Tara. In fact, don't you also vaguely agree? That what we've accomplished is like a miracle." "..." However, this time was quite different. Saint Tara Dollin was confused. At the same time, she was feeling an indescribable wonder and overwhelming emotions. It was clearly the reaction of someone who had witnessed a miracle. The Saint carefully reached out her hand. At the end of that touch was a demon. A high-ranking demon that the Hero Party could only subdue by combining their strength. However, it was a demon that could not be destroyed by any means, so they had to be satisfied with sealing it. When they first sealed the demon, the Mana Stone that became the core of the seal contained murky darkness like night fog. "Do you see? That impure demon's aura has become this clean. Tara. This is what you've accomplished." And now, that Mana Stone was emanating sacred light like the Saint's aura. "I accomplished this?" "Yes." "What did I accomplish...?" While no one could rashly answer, the giant barbarian boldly shouted. "What do you mean! Star of Purification! You've purified the demon with your power!!! That immortal evil spirit has been extinguished! If this isn't a miracle, then what the hell is a miracle, kahaha!!!" "..." The Saint still brought her hand to the Mana Stone with an expression of disbelief. "Ah..." There was no mistake. The aura felt from the demon sealed in the Mana Stone. It certainly contained Divinity. "Coiling Shadow..." The Saint called the demon's name. -... What returned was silence. The demon paused for a long time before finally answering. -Saint... In answer to your call... I can no longer feel the shadows... I feel my existence has become pure light... "...!" The demon's calm voice. No. Its calm voice. The Saint pondered this for a while. Soon, she spoke with a quite different expression. "Purified Darkness..." Demon. It was the moment when that seemingly eternal darkness was illuminated. Right now, at this moment, the Saint could clearly feel the presence of the main god. "Miracle..." She murmured softly. *** [Title: Wow, but aren't the priests in this game really in an extreme profession?] Content: Watching dark mages and demons being all lovey-dovey next to you would make me seriously question reality, right? -: For real lololol -: Demon < Replies immediately when you send a message, sometimes even sends gift cards Main god < No matter how long you wait, the message '1' doesn't disappear, gift cards are nonsense and it's hard to expect a reply -: But demons are yandere, damn it There's a truckload of people whose lives got ruined from texting with them -: But they had a lot of fun until they got ruined, right? -: For real lol, if you saw the peak of life, that's enough But main god < this bastard? There's no difference whether you believe or not -: Divinity gets stronger though ㅠㅠ -: Divinity is just magic that uses the 'will' stat instead of 'magical power' -: Is it really true that Divinity increases just by believing in anything?????? -: Isn't there actually an event like that? When sending away proselytizing Religious Order priests, if you choose the option 'I'm sorry. I already believe in flying spaghetti' Divinity actually increases -[Author]: Flying spaghetti is actually legit though -: For real, looking at it this way, priest is really an extreme profession in this world Good gods that people desperately believe in and want to exist don't show their faces at all, but bastards you could call evil gods are extremely active lol *** Lights turned on in Tara's house, which had been about to welcome a peaceful night. Tara immediately called out Shuyen after retrieving the Vessel from Risir's room and explained the whole situation to her. "This is unbelievable..." The fairy Shuyen still clearly remembers that moment. Her proud companion Tara Dollin. The moment when that Saint truly performed a miracle. The purification of a demon. It could be called a great achievement that stood out among the countless accomplishments the Saint had made. After all, it proved that there was no such thing as eternal darkness in this world. -Even demons are equal before the main god's Sacred Fire. Tara believed she had proven the existence of the main god through the purification of the demon. The great will and providence that watches over all things in the world from a high place that no darkness can approach! It was also the foundation of belief that made the Religious Order's influence possible today. But- "The Purified Shadow was behind this incident?" The demon had not been purified. It was merely deceiving them. "Since when, since when have you been deceiving us!?" -From the beginning... "...!" The fairy's small face was soaked with shock. Tara was the same. They knew all too well that demons were evil beings that should not be trusted rashly. Yet, they had not considered the demon's deception at all. "How... how is that possible? Surely, that Negative Energy must have been purified...!" A being that had lost its negativity and was newly filled with divinity. In their view, it was no longer a demon. -Nevertheless... I was still a demon... "Don't be ridiculous!!! A sacred demon!!! Is such a thing even possible!?" Kukukukukuk. It let out a sinister laugh while watching Shuyen scream. It was seeing in Shuyen the image of a frightened beast crying out. "Wasn't the foundation of demons in that Negative Energy...? When that energy is destroyed, shouldn't the existence also be destroyed!!!" The incomprehensible darkness that they had believed was certainly ended was once again surging forth and consuming them. -Mortal beings... The demon clearly felt it. The heroes' firm courage had cracked. Through those gaps, the seeds of delusion had sprouted. -Now you must have realized... that your lives are made not of blessing but of the curse called mortality... No matter what you do, you cannot resist us who are born with the blessing of immortality... "..." Like leaves scattered by wind and rain, the fairy's eyes shook powerlessly. -Fairy Shuyen... great mortal... you have done well enough... I value your will and your strength highly... you certainly belong to the excellent ones among mortals... I make a proposal to you... serve me... then I promise to mercifully embrace at least the things you believe in and love... I will share the glory of immortality with you... Could it really be true? Are we ultimately nothing but insignificant creatures trapped in the curse of mortality? Demons. Is opposing those immortal beings ultimately just meaningless struggle? The incomprehensible darkness instantly colored the fairy's thoughts. Her world began to fill with pessimism. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before the fairy succumbed to that despair. "Shuyen. Get a grip. Don't listen to that bastard's words." What awakened the fairy was the Saint's voice. The fairy, who looked at her in surprise, opened her eyes wide. "Tara!? How!? How can you maintain your composure in this situation!?" The incomprehensible darkness they thought they had uncovered was actually still intact. The Saint was equally confused. However, considering the situation as the fairy said, her condition seemed composed. -Don't listen to that foolish thing's words!!! "...Huh?" Shuyen belatedly realized the anomaly. "Tara. Right now, you can't hear this bastard's voice? So what I'm saying is- this bastard is only whispering to me?" "Yes." -Shuyen!!! Shuyen tilted her head. What was so troublesome for that supposedly great immortal being that it was plotting so pathetically? "Come to think of it, Tara. What happened to Risir? Is he okay?" "Not just okay... right?" "...What do you mean?" "Do you know what this bastard said when it first called me out?" -Ignore her!!! That thing is jealous of you!!! Because I only show interest in you!!! "It begged me to save it." "...What?" "It said it would do anything if I would separate it from Risir." "..." "So, I separated it from Risir to see what it would do- and what it does is try to bewitch you without my knowledge." Haa. Tara let out a deep sigh. "This way, there's no room for doubt..." "What doubt...?" "The aura is still sacred, but its nature hasn't changed at all. It's still a demon." Shuyen was once again surprised by Tara's frank revelation. The incomprehensible darkness that they had believed was certainly driven out had returned with substance again- How could she be so composed? "Everyone? What are you doing gathered here?" The one who answered that question was a third person who arrived at the scene late. Risir. He looked at them with a drowsy expression and spoke. Purified Darkness. That demon's last desperate struggle with all its might was quite effective. Risir still hadn't noticed the demon's presence. For him, the criterion for identifying demons was 'blatantly Negative Energy'. As such, his atmosphere having just woken up was extremely peaceful. -Shuyen! This is your last chance!!! Accept me right now!!! Thanks to this, the demon's reaction stood out even more. "Ah." Shuyen nodded. She had forgotten for a moment due to being so flustered. In fact, aside from being flustered, it was also a fact she still couldn't accept. She cautiously opened her small mouth while looking at Risir. "Risir. Is what you said back then true?" "Yes?" "Those spirits you showed us back then. Were they really originally demons?" Risir blinked and scratched the back of his head. It was a gesture that seemed to say 'Why are you asking something so obvious now? "Ah..." Shuyen finally understood completely. Tara's composed atmosphere. -Shuyen!!!! The demon's somehow unnatural behavior. "Tara. How about continuing to keep it secret from Risir?" "No. Looking at it, it seems better to just leave it to Risir rather than reassuring it and then interrogating it." "Everyone, what are you talking about?" "Well, you see-" The miraculous heroes. They had screwed up. *** "This is amazing... a sacred demon, you say..." Risir expressed amazement while looking at the 'Vessel'. "But are you sure, everyone? That there's a demon here?" He tilted his head. No matter how much he called, the demon wouldn't answer. "Interesting..." "Yes? Lady Shuyen? What do you-" "Originally it was making a huge racket, but the moment you arrived, it suddenly started acting like a dead mouse?" "Ah. I see." He observed the vessel once more and said. "What's this bastard's name?" Shuyen glanced at Tara. Then she cautiously opened her mouth. "...ified Darkness-" "Yes?" "...No, I misspoke. Coiling Shadow. That's the bastard's name." -Coiling Shadow...! Whoosh! A Grayish-White Fireball that flared up exclaimed in a surprised tone. "Oh. What's this. Dangaleon. Do you know it?" -Not as much as Berbande...ss! nim, but it's a guy with a pretty high status!!! -Dangaleon!!! Know your shame!!! To act as a mortal's lackey, how did you fall to such a beast!? -Shut up! You treacherous thing!!! Do you think I'm a petty demon like you!!! -... The demon fell silent. Yeah. You're a demon. So what? Such a voice seemed to be heard. "Risir." Then. Tara opened her mouth after much deliberation. "If you're okay with it, this demon. Could you manage it?" She thought. If it's Risir- No. Risir is the very person who can control this darkness. "..." Tara became extremely tense and began watching Risir's reaction. Shuyen was the same. Controlling a demon. It was a heavy responsibility that even a massive organization like the Religious Order would find burdensome. To impose such responsibility on just one individual. No matter how capable this man is, he wouldn't easily accept it- "First, shall I try purifying it once?" Risir said in a light tone. After placing his hand on the 'Vessel', he began pouring in energy with all his might. -Kraaaaaah!!! Please!!! No!!! It began letting out screams along with the sacred aura. "...!!!" In an instant, Tara and Shuyen jumped up from their seats in terror. Shaaaah!!! A massive serpent as thick as a large tree trunk burst out from the necklace's gem. Coiling Shadow. That giant serpent with only its surface painted white. Tara and Shuyen thought it was charging toward Risir. It wasn't. It was trying to flee with all its might to the opposite side of Risir. Thud. Risir casually grabbed the end of its tail. Even the tail was so thick that it could barely be grasped with both hands. -Let go of this!!! The snake writhed. It seemed like a massive tree stretching to the sky's end was writhing with will. In the aftermath, Tara's small cabin instantly became a pandemonium. Thud! Thud! Just a brief brush from the massive body caused the cabin's walls to crumble and pillars to collapse. Coiling Shadow had instantly regained its original majesty. That majestic appearance reminded the two heroes of the fierce battle from the past. That massive castle wrapped in threads of darkness! Kiiiiik- The Saint's cabin collapsed helplessly. The massive serpent had coiled around the cabin as if it would swallow it in one bite. The Saint and Shuyen were momentarily overwhelmed and staggered backward. "Risir!!!" And immediately tried to help Risir- "Geez. What a mess. Just stay still for a moment." Considering the thickness and size, the way it was caught, the snake's tail was more like overflowing from Risir's hand rather than being held by it. Normally, the moment the snake writhed, that insignificant grip should have been shattered like a small fish hit by a whale's tail. However. Risir holding that massive serpent's tail looked utterly peaceful. Only the part touched by his hand was moving slightly as if drained of strength. No. It was getting smaller. "...Huh?" The Saint and fairy blinked, wondering if they had seen wrong. They hadn't. "Oops." Risir straightened his posture. He began gripping and pulling the snake's tail again, which had escaped his grasp because it had become too small. -Let go, let go!!! Let go, you monster!!!!!!! The more violently the snake struggled, the more the change accelerated. After placing the tail end on his palm and pulling the snake's body with his other palm, how much time had passed? The massive serpent that could swallow the Saint's cabin in one bite had disappeared like a mirage. On the man's palm, a thin white snake coiled like a ball of thread. -Hisss!!! It bravely(?) hissed at the man. "Oh, what's this. Looking at it like this, snakes might be kind of cute?" When Risir brought his hand close, the snake began rubbing its head mercilessly against his thumb. -Hissssss!!! A cute sound for a snake came out along with its flicking tongue. "Everyone, somehow this seems to have worked out well." Soon after, Risir nodded and said. "This demon. I'll take good care of it... everyone?" The fairy and Saint were gradually distancing themselves from Risir. The demons that had become Risir's spirits. They thought it was the result of some grand ritual. A great ceremony that would take Risir and his companions a long time and all their efforts to barely complete! It wasn't. Risir casually gathered up the serpent as massive as a pillar of heaven and obtained a cute pet. That was the ritual process they had witnessed right before their eyes. Now demons weren't even on their minds. The incomprehensible darkness within them had lifted in a different sense. "That's... how it works...?" A new incomprehensible thing had taken root within them.