Episode 1207

‘What kind of person is this? Just what faction raised a mage like that?’

“I apologize. That was rather rude.”

The undying one immediately yielded.

It was not yet the time to antagonize a powerful foe with his goals still unachieved.

Of course, just because they clashed head on did not mean defeat was certain, but who knew what cards the other party held…

“What do I say?”

Lee Han whispered to Hamster, slightly flustered.

It was the first time he’d been so politely apologized to by an evil god worshipper.

Every evil god worshipper he had met before had usually screamed, cast inscrutable curses, or shouted things like “Eek! A monster!”

-The guy is scared.

Hamster instantly read the situation from the other party’s reaction.

Evil god worshippers were the epitome of those who pressed down on the weak and bowed to the strong. They would never show such an attitude lightly.

For someone this high up in the hierarchy to act this way, it was clear they’d misunderstood after seeing Wardanaz’s powerful magic defense just now.

“A misunderstanding?”

-Normally, divine powers don’t bounce off like that. It’s not like you resisted halfway through, either. As far as he’s concerned, he has no idea what kind of monster you are.

“I see…”

Lee Han nodded to Hamster’s advice.

It was true—his magical power often led others to misconstrue things. This evil god worshipper definitely had an exaggerated impression of him.

-Be as strong and arrogant as you can. There’s no benefit in being underestimated by that crowd.

“Ah, understood.”

Before the other could get suspicious, Lee Han quickly followed his advice.

“Hmph. Such trash—such a petty power.”

-…I told you to act strong and arrogant, not to pick a fight!

Hamster was aghast.

There’s a difference between acting strong/arrogant and provoking or insulting. Just saying “my magic is special” would work—but why go out of your way to say the power was as worthless as trash?

“No, but you told me to act strong and arrogant!”

Lee Han was genuinely aggrieved.

All the strong, arrogant magicians he had ever seen acted like that!

Hamster realized that being surrounded constantly by mad mages had numbed Wardanaz’s sense of proportion.

He should have had exposure to moderately strong and arrogant wizards—instead, all in his circle were extremely strong and arrogant.

“A statement from someone ignorant of the truth is easily ignored.”

Fortunately, rather than smiting the insolent Lee Han, the undying one stepped back once more.

He could sense the confidence beneath the provocation, and suspected it might even be a calculated ploy. He coolly sized up the opponent.

“What brings you to this realm?”

“For the same reason as you. You must have a contract with the Hag as well.”

“…So you’re the Hag’s contractor?”

‘Huh?’

The undying one seemed surprised, making Lee Han puzzled.

Since the other party had spoken politely from the start, Lee Han assumed they already knew about their mutual connection to the Hag…

But—he didn’t know?

“That’s strange. Why be so polite if he didn’t know? Maybe it’s a trap.”

-He’s just seen you fight and thinks you’re a top-class threat.

Hamster spoke as if it was obvious.

If the other didn’t know about the Hag but still spoke with respect, there was only one reason left.

He misunderstood after watching the fight.

Lee Han’s specific style—his brute magical power and reserves—were easy to overestimate for outsiders. By now, they were probably several ranks off in their mental estimate of him.

“…Ah, I see.”

“When I heard the Hag contracted you, I was surprised… But now that I see you, I get it. Impressive.”

The undying one quickly regained composure.

He was surprised to hear Lee Han was the Hag’s contractor, but in a way, it also made sense.

What magician could interest that picky monster? If it was someone like this, he could believe it.

“So then you too are here to destroy Sangueros’s followers.”

“That’s right.”

As Lee Han answered, he calculated behind his calm face.

How could he best use these people?

“How did you find this place?”

“?”

At the unexpected question, Lee Han paused.

-He didn’t get an invitation from Sangueros. He probably doesn’t even know what Sangueros’s true nature is.

‘Ah.’

That was true.

Unlike Lee Han, who’d spoken directly with Sangueros and received a key, these evil god worshippers must have gathered clues one by one and found the domain on their own.

Naturally, he couldn’t just say that out loud…

“Pathetic. Asking about something so trivial?”

Lee Han replied as if disgruntled. At this arrogance, a glimmer appeared in the undying one’s eyes.

‘These mages… all so arrogant and overbearing.’

All magicians were the same.

Ignorant of the true way, they trusted only their paltry knowledge and strutted about.

And the most humiliating thing was that he, the undying one, didn’t know what this upstart wizard knew.

How did he manage to get here so fast?

‘Did the Hag tell him? That damned monster. Since when does she dote on her contractors so much?’

The Hag had never been one to show that kind of kindness.

Even if she wanted Sangueros’s worshippers dead, she’d have ordered her contractors to fetch heads on their own, not given direct locations.

“I think that’s enough pointless talk. Further conversation would only waste time.”

Resolved, Lee Han quickly cut off the exchange.

He’d wanted to exploit the other party, but it was clear they wouldn’t bend easily.

Rather than risk giving away his identity or secrets, it was better to go separate ways now.

‘How dare he! Such arrogance!’

The undying one seethed inwardly at the curt dismissal.

Who else would ever act this way to his face?

It had been so long since anyone had shown such disrespect.

Still, the undying one controlled his emotions. There would be time for payback later.

“Each to our own, then! Carry my regards to the Hag!”

Lee Han did not answer. He planned to widen the gap before his secrets could be exposed.

But something unexpected occurred.

-Outsiders, how dare you trespass so freely on a sacred vampire clan estate.

With an eerie voice, a group appeared from deep within the swamp.

Lee Han shuddered at the intense, warped energy. They were nothing like the dead he’d just subdued.

They must have been a powerful group even in life. From their armor and arms alone, their status was clear.

Now, faded and rusted though those were, the domain’s twisted energy flowed over them like a curse.

‘Like an elite guard for a western vampire clan?’

-Be careful. These guys won’t be easy like the last ones.

Hamster instantly recognized the situation and warned him.

They looked like veteran soldiers used to fighting magicians, and with evil power as well, their magic resistance would be even greater.

He might have to be ready for close combat.

“A vampire clan? Acting all mighty after being abandoned by their master and losing their sanity—you’re just slaves.”

The undying one scorned them outright.

Since he didn’t know the nature of these dead or the domain’s peculiar rules, the bishop was utterly unreserved.

In the realm of evil god cults, such mindless, undead beings were usually losers—dropouts from faith, or traitors, or greedy fools.

Such losers had no business trying to pressure the living with their old titles.

“…I’m a noble of a vampire house. Isn’t it obvious?”

“?!”

The undying one—who’d been preparing for battle—was thrown off by Lee Han’s statement.

He couldn’t make sense of it at all.

Surely a magician of this caliber wasn’t afraid and trying to avoid a fight…

Was there some hidden message?

‘No way such twisted, corrupted dead would bow to words like that… What is he aiming for?’

-I see. You are indeed a noble from a vampire clan.

“!!!”

But the dead contradicted the undying one’s prediction yet again.

Instead of ignoring Lee Han, as expected, they accepted him without question.

The undying one sensed something unnatural. It seemed this domain had rules he didn’t understand.

-Very well. Then destroy those wretched maggots!

“…Prepare for battle! Turn these slaves into dust of the dimensions.”

As the two sides faced off, Lee Han let out a sigh of relief. He’d hoped to avoid a direct fight with those opponents.

‘I ought to thank the Hag.’

Perhaps the Hag had foreseen this and encouraged alliance from the start.

Evil god worshippers were so belligerent that, with just a nudge, they’d turn into arrow fodder in no time.

‘…Though, that can’t be right…’

Hamster quietly thought to himself.

No matter how powerful a being was, could even a dimensional heavyweight anticipate things at this level?

---

“Um, this is taking longer than I thought—shouldn’t we check in just in case?”

Professor Garcia asked the Yaksha King cautiously.

With the Yaksha King’s overwhelming authority, even Professor Garcia approached with hesitation.

Professor of Einrogard. Disciple of Osu is handling the exam well on his own. If true danger strikes, I’ll be able to see it—yet do you ask this anyway because of insecurity in your own fighting ability? If so, you’re projecting that onto your student…

Professor Garcia found himself turned inside out, down to the depths of his soul, and returned to his place.

Struggling to regain focus, Professor Garcia thought:

‘How on earth does student Lee Han get along with that guy?’

No matter how he looked at it, it was a mystery.

Sure, his student made a habit of befriending all kinds of outlandish beings, but that Yaksha King was really something else.

“Professor. Professor.”

“What is it?”

Professor Kirmin answered warily.

Lately, Professor Garcia had been so frightening that even he was nervous.

“Shall we slip off and keep an eye on things?”

“Hm.”

At the unexpected suggestion, Professor Kirmin fell into thought.

It was true—he didn’t much like the Yaksha King’s plan.

Logically, Lee Han was the only one who received the key, and rather than risk provoking a mad evil god, it was for the best to let him act solo and find the way.

…Still, sitting still as a professor hurt his pride.

“Well, even from a distance, if we move before the evil god notices, we could cover our tracks.”

“Exactly!”

Once in agreement, the two professors sought a third accomplice.

Professor Voladi.

“Professor Baegrek, what do you think?”

Professor Voladi gave no reply.

“??”

“Voladi, why aren’t you answering…”

Professor Kirmin’s face fell.

No way—

Thump!

Professor Kirmin kicked his friend in the leg. The sound was that of hitting hard stone, not flesh.

He’d already substituted a clone and snuck off long ago.

“……”

“H-how?!”

“The angel’s dimension! Angel! Let’s have a word!”

Grinding his teeth, Professor Kirmin called for Apazragon.

Because that dimwitted angel had lost his dimension, his friend had pulled off even more dirty tricks than usual!