Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 86 Asking a personal favor from someone he intended to kill required considerable courage. Risir admired Rodan’s audacity, though he didn’t show it outwardly. The death of a cultist didn’t negate Rodan’s brute strength. Pointing out that shamelessness would be like needlessly provoking a madman with unbearable power. Rodan's power was pure, unlike his mentality. In terms of the purity of that magical power alone, it was more refined than even Lord Meltas or any of the strong individuals he had encountered so far. In other words, he was among the most powerful enemies(?) he had ever faced. But unlike dealing with dark mages, it was impossible to gain an advantage through elemental compatibility? In this situation, backing down was the wisest way to navigate the world. 'If you're going to leech off a cultist anyway, why not go out and meet some demons, get absorbed in black magic or something. What an antisocial fellow.' Risir forced himself to set aside such complaints and think. What would be the best choice here? If he didn't grant the request, the man would probably start kicking people and throwing gravel around again, so let's assume granting the request was a basic premise. But even granting a request had its own ways. Risir checked on his companions' condition. Valrod was in the best condition. Though he had been caught up in his own flame magic, he had suffered almost no damage from the ignition. Instead, perhaps because the impact when Shakan came flying was significant, his originally stubborn-looking upright posture had become hunched. Next was Shakan. Since she wasn't a flame mage, she didn't seem to have sufficient resistance. Traces of being caught in flame magic remained all over her body. Her skin was swollen red, and the tips of her ears and tail fur were singed. The clear handprints on her neck and her awkward posture clutching her stomach from where she'd been kicked were additional concerns. Finally, Maldad. He appeared to be in the most serious condition outwardly. His appearance after taking the swordmaster's gravel bombardment directly was, frankly speaking, like a rag. Strictly speaking, none of them had injuries serious enough to threaten their lives or leave permanent disabilities. Considering the power and vitality they possessed, with sufficient rest and recovery, they would be able to heal completely. The fact that a swordmaster had only used his feet and gravel was evidence that Rodan had shown restraint. The problem was that even these non-serious injuries were originally unnecessary. Moreover, if the situation hadn't reversed, it would have been only a matter of time before the swordmaster drew his sword and stained it with blood. There were too many disappointing aspects to grant the request with a willing heart. Even if Risir would fulfill his request, he intended to extract as much compensation as possible in the process. Of course, negotiation could only be established on equal footing. A deer couldn't request negotiations with a wolf. If Rodan set his mind to it, he could cut off their breath at any time. At such a point, there was no way a negotiating relationship could be established. Before seeking profit through the request, Risir was in a position where he should be begging him to please spare their lives. However- "Damn it. This is the first time I've been in this kind of situation, so I don't know what to say. Risir. You definitely said it just now, right? That you wanted to help me in place of that cultist." Risir detected a slight bewilderment in Rodan's attitude, which at first glance appeared merely shameless. It was subtly different from his reckless attitude when dealing with the other three people. 'He's being wary of me. Because of anxiety that he might not receive help? No. That's not it.' What Risir clearly felt in that short time. That Rodan wasn't the type to be anxious about whether someone would grant his request. He was the type who would pull out a gravel shotgun, claiming to know a better means of conversation than talking. But now he wasn't fiddling with gravel or placing his hand on the sword at his waist. Gestures. The body that had displayed overwhelming might was now being used only to release feelings of frustration. Risir succeeded in inferring one fact from Rodan's behavior. 'He's being wary of the power I possess.' Humans are wary of what they don't understand. In his own case, it was the ignorant power that Rodan possessed. And from Rodan's perspective, it would probably be the purification power he possessed. -Does this ignorant human not even know how to ask for a favor? If you’re clueless, I, Dangaleon, servant of the great Master, will tell you myself. Bow your head and show respect before the Master’s name! That power which Dangaleon courted and Martael was anxious about. "If you want to make me bow my head, using force rather than words would be faster." Rodan burst into laughter at Dangaleon's words. Though he might have felt displeasure at his nature, his reaction was merely one of disbelief. That reaction turned Risir's thoughts into certainty. 'This guy. He's definitely being wary of the power I have. Should I say he's... viewing me as an equal opponent.' Risir knew how to handle this kind of situation. Didn't they say that beasts show respect not to polite opponents but to the strong? If he approached with a low posture just to save his life, it would only backfire. Risir smiled leisurely. "You're probably already feeling this way, but you don't need to pay too much attention to Dangaleon's words. By the way, how should I address you? I think your name was Rodan. Would it be alright to call you that?" Though it appeared polite on the surface, it was essentially no different from 'calling you informally.' Rodan's eyebrow twitched slightly, but that was all. "Sure, call me however you want, comfortably. I'll call you however I want too." "Then, gladly. Rodan. Let's return to the main topic. Certainly, I told you I would help you in place of the cultist. But before doing so, may I ask one thing?" Getting wordy, aren't you. Rodan thought this wasn't a good sign and openly displayed his displeasure. With just that, the atmosphere of the place changed. Risir felt his shoulders grow heavy while simultaneously feeling as if all the hair on his body was standing on end. The presence of a superhuman who had entered the 8th rank pressed down on him. 'Whoa, he's already blowing his top?' It was the moment when the Blue Breath, which had become almost orthodox after overcoming numerous life-threatening situations, shone. Though Risir felt intimidation inwardly, his thoroughly controlled breathing suppressed the expression of emotion. Thanks to this, what Rodan saw was a man who smiled leisurely despite his anger. Behind him, the reactions of the three people who sensitively responded to Rodan's anger formed a contrast. Rodan took in the sight of Risir and his companions at a glance and nodded. As expected, this guy called Risir was something different. With a grin, Rodan withdrew his anger as if nothing had happened and laughed lightly. "What are you curious about? Ask to your heart's content." "It's about your cooperative relationship with Dranoff. For reference, I have no intention of criticizing you for this." Since he didn't seem like a reasonable human who would respond to criticism anyway. "I'm simply curious. Dranoff promised you he would help your friend. Then, what did you promise Dranoff? Someone of Dranoff's caliber wouldn't have simply asked for an escort." The companions who understood Risir's intention couldn't help but be shocked. He was probing about the price Rodan had promised Dranoff. He was indirectly asking what compensation he would pay. To think he was trying to negotiate on equal terms with that crazy swordmaster. The three clicked their tongues at his boldness. And they were surprised once again by Rodan's subsequent reaction. "Hahaha!" Rodan burst into delighted laughter. "What's this? Earlier you were talking about salvation from evil demon's grasp and such nonsense, so I thought you were some airheaded fool. But you're actually quite sharp at judging situations, aren't you?" What exactly pleased him so much? Now Rodan's eyes looking at Risir even contained goodwill. Along with strong curiosity and competitive spirit. Risir felt as if a wolf was prowling around him. "Right. I like this better too. Give and take between each other. That way it's clean without any complications, right?" Rodan pulled out a pouch from his chest and threw it to Risir. "That's it. What Dranoff demanded from me as payment." -Master...! It was then that Dangaleon cried out in shock. -I sense a disgusting aura from inside that pouch!!! "Disgusting aura?" What would be a disgusting aura to a demon? Could it contain some sacred relic? Risir took out the contents from the pouch to check. It was a box just the right size for a ring. Risir tried to apply more force to open the box. *** ───── [Darkness consumes you] [You have resisted] ['Trait: ??? Aura' consumes the darkness] [Darkness writhes] ───── *** "Huh?" It was a strange sensation. As if something inside was desperately trying to prevent the box from opening. "Won't open?" "What is this?" "I was curious about that too and was going to ask once things settled down—" Rodan turned his gaze toward Dranoff, who had become a cold corpse. "Either way, it's definitely a rare item. Since it's something secretly stolen from a great noble family's warehouse." "..." Did something huge just get mentioned? Risir carefully placed the pouch inside his jacket. He'd have to return it to its owners when he got the chance. "Well, satisfied?" Rodan pressed Risir with his gaze. He nodded. "Really? Then let's go." Rodan guided Risir to the place where his friend who needed help was. *** ───── [Title: Guys, what's inside this box?] Content: [Photo] When I try to open it, it says [Do you really want to open it?] It kept doing this crap so I just left it alone -: This guy's good at the game... -: Are you a pro gamer? -: What's with that killer instinct detection for real -[OP]: Kek lol -[OP]: So what is this thing -: If you open that, there's an archdemon fragment inside yeah -[OP]: Fuck, of course lol -[OP]: So what happens if you consume that archdemon fragment -: So you were bragging without even knowing what it was? -[OP]: No, the name itself is fucking awful... -[OP]: Just looking at it, doesn't it seem like some shitty status window saying [Something somethings you] would pop up and start a timed quest? -: Is this guy really a pro gamer? -: For real, it's uncanny -: Just like you said, if you consume it, a shitty status window pops up and a shitty timed quest starts -: It's this game's final quest, the archdemon quest yeah -: Looking at it, it seems to be a Sorodal fragment -[OP]: Sorodal? -: Yeah, the weakest among the archdemons -[OP]: Then can I possibly clear it now? -: What level are you -[OP]: 79 -[OP]: Grinding to hit 9th rank -: Lol -[OP]: Ah fuck just shut up -: That thing won't open unless you're at least level 80 anyway yeah *** Risir reflected on what Rodan had said. It was about his friend who needed the help of a demon follower. -She's fallen into a deep sleep for some reason. -According to expert opinion, only a high-ranking demon can wake her up. -Because her birth is related to demons? Thus, Risir headed to where Rodan's friend was, accompanied by Dangaleon. From what he heard, Dangaleon was a demon with sufficiently high rank, though not as much as Martael. With Dangaleon's help, they should be able to restore her without difficulty. Eventually, they arrived at their destination. "This is it." "This place is—" The place Rodan guided Risir to was a high-end weapon shop located in Bondaless's commercial district. "Hey, I'm here." Rodan said as he entered the shop. Then, a small little girl came out from inside the shop to greet them. "...Huh?" No. Wait. She wasn't a little girl. She looked as if an adult woman had been shrunk down— 'A dwarf...?' A race he'd never seen before. Risir stared at her in a daze. Then she responded with a grin, a smile that looked strangely innocent due to her appearance. "What's up, mister? First time seeing a dwarf?" "Ah, I apologize." "Hehe. It's fine. You look cute so I'll let it slide. Besides, you're a guest the Outer Sword brought. You're also a sword wielder—...or not, it seems. Too bad. I wanted to put one of my swords in the hands of the Outer Sword's acquaintance." She nodded at Rodan's gesture and headed toward the back of the shop. Soon she came back out and climbed onto a chair placed in front of the counter. Then she placed something on the counter desk. It was a sword in its sheath. Risir couldn't understand the situation. "Don't tell me the friend is..." "Mister. This isn't just a sword, it's an ego sword." It was the dwarf girl who answered Risir's question instead. "An ego sword?" "Yeah. A sword with its own ego. Super, super, super! precious sword. Even decent famous swords probably couldn't even present their business cards in front of this one?" "Ah..." Only then did Risir nod in understanding. 'It's the sword version of Mr. Duran.' This crazy guy's precious friend—he wondered what kind of person it would be— "How is it, any progress?" Rodan asked the dwarf girl while carefully caressing the sword. She shook her head back and forth. "No. It still won't come out of its sheath. What I mentioned before seems to be the only means." "..." Rodan picked up the sword with a serious expression. His left hand gripped the sheath, his right hand the hilt. Increasing force. The sword didn't even budge. He muttered with a wistful face. "Master..." "..." Risir's expression crumpled slightly. Friend, master, and beloved sword all in one. Hasn't he condensed human relationships too much? This is why the kid became a maniac who tries to solve everything with force. "Hey." Rodan showed the sword with a resolute face, then placed it back on the desk. It was a desperate expression. The kind of expression that suggested he might cause some incident if he couldn't achieve what he intended. "..." Risir felt his mouth go dry as he placed the gray crystal orb beside it. "Dangaleon, please." -Understood, Master! Pathetic creature! Answer the call of the great Burning Black Fire, Dangaleon! ‘Hey, he called it his master, so don’t call it a pathetic creature—’ Risir was horrified. Fortunately, Rodan seemed not to have heard as he was focused on the sword's condition. His expression was colored with expectation. However, that expression gradually hardened. -I said respond! Despite Dangaleon's repeated calls, the sword didn't even stir. "Rodan, please show some restraint inside the shop." The dwarf girl said. Strong killing intent flowing from Rodan crawled over Risir's skin. Then, Dangaleon spoke. -Master, how about asking her for help!? "Her?" -Verdande...s! I mean her! "..." The desert's demon. To the mischievous Verdandes of the hills? Though reluctant, Risir summoned her. "Master!!! I was taking a nap!!!" "Oh dear, naps are serious business. Sorry. I need your help." "Still, I’m happy to see Master now that I’m awake! I’ll help you!" Verdandes raised both arms energetically. Risir patted her head and said. "Then, can you wake up that sleeping sword?" "Got it! Sword! Wake up! It's morning! You can't be the only one taking a nap!!!" Verdandes grabbed the sword and spoke to it. Still, there was no reaction. The killing intent Rodan emanated grew stronger. Feeling frustrated, Risir picked up the sword. That was the moment. "...?" Risir felt a strange sense of discord. -Finally...! You, what's your name!? An excited woman's voice echoed in his head. *** [Ego Sword: Blue Lotus has been bound to you] *** ───── ■Rodan Level: 70(68) > 68 ───── ───── ■Risir Level: 44> 52(44) ─────