The various roars, wails, and crashing sounds that had continuously echoed within the entertainment facility completely vanished the moment the sky was filled with ice shards and dust x
"Hmph…"
Yukinoshita Yukino finally lowered her raised hand, letting out a soft sigh, as if exhaling the complex emotions in her heart.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Leo, who had been observing the entire time, only now began to applaud, his eyes and face full of admiration.
"Well done, Yukino," Leo praised with a smile, "I thought you wouldn't be able to go through with it."
"…It's probably because that monster wasn't in human form, right?" Yukinoshita Yukino said with a somewhat complex expression, "If he had been in human form, perhaps I really wouldn't have been able to do it."
She didn't want to appear too weak, but having just personally ended a living life, it was hard to act tough no matter what.
For Yukinoshita Yukino, who was just an ordinary human a month ago, asking her to personally kill a person—even she couldn't remain indifferent.
Fortunately, that Rogue Demon was no longer human; he was completely a monster and had committed such heinous acts. Only then could Yukinoshita Yukino steel her resolve.
Otherwise, her performance tonight would definitely have been compromised.
"You've already done very well." Leo, however, was quite satisfied. Seeing Yukinoshita Yukino still with a complex expression, he immediately reached out and ruffled her hair, saying, "To perform like this in your first battle, even many people who grew up in environments exposed to the supernatural can't do it."
"I can tell you with certainty that your performance tonight surpasses at least ninety percent of Familiar Demons."
"And the opponent was just a damned piece of trash; there's no need to show such a complicated expression."
Yukinoshita Yukino silently allowed Leo to do as he pleased for a few seconds before swatting his hand away and returning to her usual demeanor.
"I know, that guy deserved to die, and what I'm doing is right. You don't need to comfort me."
The opponent was an existence that the rules of the human world could not bind, so he should be dealt with according to the rules of the supernatural world.
And in the supernatural world, that guy had already been sentenced to death, with no injustice whatsoever.
Since that was the case, what she was doing was absolutely correct, as she had accepted the task of executing the opponent, just like law enforcement officers in the human world.
Thinking of this, Yukinoshita Yukino's emotions calmed down quite a bit.
Then, some doubts arose in Yukinoshita Yukino's heart.
"That Rogue Demon just now must have been a very brutal person even before his reincarnation, right?" Yukinoshita Yukino hesitated for a while, and finally spoke hesitantly, saying, "Why do I feel like he was a bit… weak?"
Yes, weak.
The opponent was an existence that would not hesitate to become a monster to indulge in power and desire. Yukinoshita Yukino had originally thought that such an existence would be very dangerous, as Leo had said earlier. For this, she had almost planned to summon ice princess and use the Divine Artifact from the start to fight.
But the result was that the opponent's performance was not as terrifying as she had imagined at all. Besides his impressive speed, he didn't give Yukinoshita Yukino any amazing feeling.
Could such an existence truly be considered "dangerous"?
Yukinoshita Yukino felt it was a bit subtle.
In response, Leo just smiled.
"You think he's weak?" Leo said meaningfully, "What if I told you that the Rogue Demon just now, in terms of strength alone, actually surpassed the Fallen Angel who killed you a month ago?"
"What?" Yukinoshita Yukino was stunned for a moment, then said in shock, "That monster… was stronger than the Fallen Angel a month ago?"
Really?
Even today, the Fallen Angel Varden remains a significant shadow in Yukinoshita Yukino's heart.
So Yukinoshita Yukino has always remembered the events of that day very clearly, and she remembers even more clearly that she couldn't even escape in front of him. With just a turn, he was behind her, piercing her abdomen with a spear and killing her.
It should be known that although Yukinoshita Yukino was just an ordinary human at that time, that didn't mean she was a helpless girl.
Basically, Yukinoshita Yukino had excellent talents in all aspects. Not only was she intelligent and academically outstanding, but she was also skilled in all household chores. Whether it was cooking, laundry, cleaning, or anything else, she could achieve excellent standards, making her a versatile homemaker. She had also dabbled in equestrianism and knew how to ride horses. Although her physical stamina was somewhat poor, she had studied Aikido. As long as stamina wasn't an issue, the results she could achieve in various sports would also be above average, not inferior to those sports club members who trained diligently day after day.
For someone like her to be unable to run more than a few steps, and to be killed with just a turn of her body, one can imagine the strength of the Fallen Angel Varden.
Yukinoshita Yukino had always thought he was very strong, but who would have thought that Leo would tell her that the Fallen Angel was actually weaker than the Rogue Demon she had just casually ravaged?
Looking at Yukinoshita Yukino, who was stunned by his words, Leo didn't keep her in suspense and offered an explanation.
"Although that Fallen Angel could easily kill the old you, that was him bullying an ordinary person like you with supernatural power; it doesn't prove anything."
"Don't let his arrogant tone fool you, always calling others inferior beings. That guy was just a two-winged low-ranking Fallen Angel, at the very bottom of the bottom in any faction."
"As for the Rogue Demon just now, he was already nearing the level of a Mid-level Demon before betraying his master. After transforming his body and degenerating into that appearance, he had completely crossed into that level, much stronger than ordinary low-ranking Demons, low-ranking Angels, and low-ranking Fallen Angels."
If Varden and that Rogue Demon just now were to fight, Varden should be able to win.
But that's because he is a Fallen Angel, possessing the power of light that restrains demons. The Rogue Demon just now had his mind in a semi-crazed state; even if he was stronger than others, he would only charge recklessly as he did just now, unable to employ many decent combat techniques. That's why Yukinoshita Yukino could easily ravage him, and Varden could also ultimately defeat him and claim victory by leveraging his light power that restrains him.
However, purely in terms of raw power, that Rogue Demon just now was undoubtedly superior to Varden. For one thing, his super speed, derived from the "Knight" rank, was not something a mere low-ranking Fallen Angel could compare to.
"The reason you think he's weak is, firstly, because he has indeed degenerated to the point of losing proper combat etiquette, becoming a beast that only howls and roars. Secondly, you're underestimating your current strength a little."
Leo did not stint on praising Yukinoshita Yukino, revealing the evaluation she deserved now.
"You were born with magic power sufficient to stand out among Mid-level Demons, and in this past month, you have diligently read books, memorizing and learning all the techniques and applications of manipulating magic power recorded in them."
"The books collected in our mansion's study are not cheap, common books, but ancient texts treasured by my Erigor Family since ancient times. All the knowledge recorded in them is extremely valuable and high-level. Anyone who can learn even a trick or two from them can stand out among ordinary demons."
"Therefore, you have unknowingly completed your transformation. Even without a Divine Artifact, you can achieve a rating comparable to a Mid-level Demon."
Leo patted Yukinoshita Yukino's shoulder amidst her stunned expression, speaking with satisfaction.
"Your talent, your excellence, far exceed my previous estimations of you, making me realize that you, who were already an honor student in the human world, are still an undeniable genius even in our world."
At least, purely in terms of talent, Leo, who possessed half pure-blood demon lineage, was inferior to Yukinoshita Yukino.
At the very least, when he first stepped into the supernatural world, it took him a full three months of arduous training to achieve strength comparable to a Mid-level Demon.
Although he was young at that time, his soul was that of an adult, and magic power had little to do with physical age. Even the smallest child, if their magic power was strong and their manipulation skills high enough, it wouldn't be strange for them to be able to contend with High-Class Devils.
"If that Fallen Angel were still alive now, with your own strength, you could exact your revenge and unilaterally ravage him, just as you did the Rogue Demon just now." Leo said with extreme certainty, "This is your current strength. You can be proud and boastful of it."
Leo's words, like a gust of wind, blew into Yukinoshita Yukino's heart.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Leo, who was smiling at her, and felt an inexplicable emotion stirring within her heart.
"That…"
Yukinoshita Yukino wanted to say something, but being unskilled in social interactions, she didn't know what to say at that moment.
"It's a pity I didn't get to see you use the Divine Artifact, and I don't know what level you're truly at when you unleash your full power." Leo seemed not to notice this, muttering with some regret, "It seems I'll have to find you a stronger opponent next time, otherwise it won't serve as proper training."
Yukinoshita Yukino immediately fell silent, responding with silence.
"The matter is resolved. Should we go back now?"
After a while, Yukinoshita Yukino turned around and said this.
"Wait." Leo looked at the entertainment facility in front of him, narrowing his eyes, and said, "Let's go in first and check if there are any survivors, and what the casualties are."
Hearing this, Yukinoshita Yukino's face darkened as she remembered what the Rogue Demon had said, and she nodded.
The two walked together, entering the building shrouded in darkness…
The various roars, wails, and crashing sounds that had continuously echoed within the entertainment facility completely vanished the moment the sky was filled with ice shards and dust.
"Hmph…"
Yukinoshita Yukino finally lowered her raised hand, letting out a soft sigh, as if exhaling the complex emotions in her heart.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Leo, who had been observing the entire time, only now began to applaud, his eyes and face full of admiration.
"Well done, Yukino," Leo praised with a smile, "I thought you wouldn't be able to go through with it."
"…It's probably because that monster wasn't in human form, right?" Yukinoshita Yukino said with a somewhat complex expression, "If he had been in human form, perhaps I really wouldn't have been able to do it."
She didn't want to appear too weak, but having just personally ended a living life, it was hard to act tough no matter what.
For Yukinoshita Yukino, who was just an ordinary human a month ago, asking her to personally kill a person—even she couldn't remain indifferent.
Fortunately, that Rogue Demon was no longer human; he was completely a monster and had committed such heinous acts. Only then could Yukinoshita Yukino steel her resolve.
Otherwise, her performance tonight would definitely have been compromised.
"You've already done very well." Leo, however, was quite satisfied. Seeing Yukinoshita Yukino still with a complex expression, he immediately reached out and ruffled her hair, saying, "To perform like this in your first battle, even many people who grew up in environments exposed to the supernatural can't do it."
"I can tell you with certainty that your performance tonight surpasses at least ninety percent of Familiar Demons."
"And the opponent was just a damned piece of trash; there's no need to show such a complicated expression."
Yukinoshita Yukino silently allowed Leo to do as he pleased for a few seconds before swatting his hand away and returning to her usual demeanor.
"I know, that guy deserved to die, and what I'm doing is right. You don't need to comfort me."
The opponent was an existence that the rules of the human world could not bind, so he should be dealt with according to the rules of the supernatural world.
And in the supernatural world, that guy had already been sentenced to death, with no injustice whatsoever.
Since that was the case, what she was doing was absolutely correct, as she had accepted the task of executing the opponent, just like law enforcement officers in the human world.
Thinking of this, Yukinoshita Yukino's emotions calmed down quite a bit.
Then, some doubts arose in Yukinoshita Yukino's heart.
"That Rogue Demon just now must have been a very brutal person even before his reincarnation, right?" Yukinoshita Yukino hesitated for a while, and finally spoke hesitantly, saying, "Why do I feel like he was a bit… weak?"
Yes, weak.
The opponent was an existence that would not hesitate to become a monster to indulge in power and desire. Yukinoshita Yukino had originally thought that such an existence would be very dangerous, as Leo had said earlier. For this, she had almost planned to summon ice princess and use the Divine Artifact from the start to fight.
But the result was that the opponent's performance was not as terrifying as she had imagined at all. Besides his impressive speed, he didn't give Yukinoshita Yukino any amazing feeling.
Could such an existence truly be considered "dangerous"?
Yukinoshita Yukino felt it was a bit subtle.
In response, Leo just smiled.
"You think he's weak?" Leo said meaningfully, "What if I told you that the Rogue Demon just now, in terms of strength alone, actually surpassed the Fallen Angel who killed you a month ago?"
"What?" Yukinoshita Yukino was stunned for a moment, then said in shock, "That monster… was stronger than the Fallen Angel a month ago?"
Really?
Even today, the Fallen Angel Varden remains a significant shadow in Yukinoshita Yukino's heart.
So Yukinoshita Yukino has always remembered the events of that day very clearly, and she remembers even more clearly that she couldn't even escape in front of him. With just a turn, he was behind her, piercing her abdomen with a spear and killing her.
It should be known that although Yukinoshita Yukino was just an ordinary human at that time, that didn't mean she was a helpless girl.
Basically, Yukinoshita Yukino had excellent talents in all aspects. Not only was she intelligent and academically outstanding, but she was also skilled in all household chores. Whether it was cooking, laundry, cleaning, or anything else, she could achieve excellent standards, making her a versatile homemaker. She had also dabbled in equestrianism and knew how to ride horses. Although her physical stamina was somewhat poor, she had studied Aikido. As long as stamina wasn't an issue, the results she could achieve in various sports would also be above average, not inferior to those sports club members who trained diligently day after day.
For someone like her to be unable to run more than a few steps, and to be killed with just a turn of her body, one can imagine the strength of the Fallen Angel Varden.
Yukinoshita Yukino had always thought he was very strong, but who would have thought that Leo would tell her that the Fallen Angel was actually weaker than the Rogue Demon she had just casually ravaged?
Looking at Yukinoshita Yukino, who was stunned by his words, Leo didn't keep her in suspense and offered an explanation.
"Although that Fallen Angel could easily kill the old you, that was him bullying an ordinary person like you with supernatural power; it doesn't prove anything."
"Don't let his arrogant tone fool you, always calling others inferior beings. That guy was just a two-winged low-ranking Fallen Angel, at the very bottom of the bottom in any faction."
"As for the Rogue Demon just now, he was already nearing the level of a Mid-level Demon before betraying his master. After transforming his body and degenerating into that appearance, he had completely crossed into that level, much stronger than ordinary low-ranking Demons, low-ranking Angels, and low-ranking Fallen Angels."
If Varden and that Rogue Demon just now were to fight, Varden should be able to win.
But that's because he is a Fallen Angel, possessing the power of light that restrains demons. The Rogue Demon just now had his mind in a semi-crazed state; even if he was stronger than others, he would only charge recklessly as he did just now, unable to employ many decent combat techniques. That's why Yukinoshita Yukino could easily ravage him, and Varden could also ultimately defeat him and claim victory by leveraging his light power that restrains him.
However, purely in terms of raw power, that Rogue Demon just now was undoubtedly superior to Varden. For one thing, his super speed, derived from the "Knight" rank, was not something a mere low-ranking Fallen Angel could compare to.
"The reason you think he's weak is, firstly, because he has indeed degenerated to the point of losing proper combat etiquette, becoming a beast that only howls and roars. Secondly, you're underestimating your current strength a little."
Leo did not stint on praising Yukinoshita Yukino, revealing the evaluation she deserved now.
"You were born with magic power sufficient to stand out among Mid-level Demons, and in this past month, you have diligently read books, memorizing and learning all the techniques and applications of manipulating magic power recorded in them."
"The books collected in our mansion's study are not cheap, common books, but ancient texts treasured by my Erigor Family since ancient times. All the knowledge recorded in them is extremely valuable and high-level. Anyone who can learn even a trick or two from them can stand out among ordinary demons."
"Therefore, you have unknowingly completed your transformation. Even without a Divine Artifact, you can achieve a rating comparable to a Mid-level Demon."
Leo patted Yukinoshita Yukino's shoulder amidst her stunned expression, speaking with satisfaction.
"Your talent, your excellence, far exceed my previous estimations of you, making me realize that you, who were already an honor student in the human world, are still an undeniable genius even in our world."
At least, purely in terms of talent, Leo, who possessed half pure-blood demon lineage, was inferior to Yukinoshita Yukino.
At the very least, when he first stepped into the supernatural world, it took him a full three months of arduous training to achieve strength comparable to a Mid-level Demon.
Although he was young at that time, his soul was that of an adult, and magic power had little to do with physical age. Even the smallest child, if their magic power was strong and their manipulation skills high enough, it wouldn't be strange for them to be able to contend with High-Class Devils.
"If that Fallen Angel were still alive now, with your own strength, you could exact your revenge and unilaterally ravage him, just as you did the Rogue Demon just now." Leo said with extreme certainty, "This is your current strength. You can be proud and boastful of it."
Leo's words, like a gust of wind, blew into Yukinoshita Yukino's heart.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Leo, who was smiling at her, and felt an inexplicable emotion stirring within her heart.
"That…"
Yukinoshita Yukino wanted to say something, but being unskilled in social interactions, she didn't know what to say at that moment.
"It's a pity I didn't get to see you use the Divine Artifact, and I don't know what level you're truly at when you unleash your full power." Leo seemed not to notice this, muttering with some regret, "It seems I'll have to find you a stronger opponent next time, otherwise it won't serve as proper training."
Yukinoshita Yukino immediately fell silent, responding with silence.
"The matter is resolved. Should we go back now?"
After a while, Yukinoshita Yukino turned around and said this.
"Wait." Leo looked at the entertainment facility in front of him, narrowing his eyes, and said, "Let's go in first and check if there are any survivors, and what the casualties are."
Hearing this, Yukinoshita Yukino's face darkened as she remembered what the Rogue Demon had said, and she nodded.
The two walked together, entering the building shrouded in darkness…
You can visit my Patreon to read more chapters of the book.
patreon.com/02Fanworks