The Necromancer Who Was Despised

I had used up most of my magic, and I hadn’t recovered yet.

Even if I were in a normal state, resisting would be difficult, but the situation was the worst.

“What about now? Will you accept the contract?”

“‘Eat your words.'”

It was true that it was dangerous, but I had no intention of making a contract with the demon again.

Even if it meant death, I would rather die as myself.

“A shame.”

When Eloseett realized that I had no intention of making a contract with him, he stopped persuading me.

Eloseett’s magic was heading towards my chest.

It seemed like he was trying to take control of the Circle first.

I was about to use the Circle’s power to force him out at the risk of my future.

Hmph.

“…Hmm?”

The seal on my chest, which had made a contract with the demon world, was reacting strongly.

And at the same time, an enormous amount of demonic energy began to pour out.

-This is….

Even Elroset was caught off guard by the unexpected situation, and the demonic energy pouring out was pushing back Elroset’s own energy.

I didn’t know what was happening, but this was an opportunity.

I started to desperately push back Elroset’s energy along with the demonic energy flowing out of the seal.

Just a moment ago, that guy was overpowering me, but with the addition of the seal’s energy, he was no longer able to exert his strength.

-What is this? Why is the demon world’s energy….

He looked like he couldn’t understand, and his frustration was palpable, yet he was still trying to take control of my body.

At the same time, I instinctively realized that I was in a very dangerous state.

‘…Damn it.’

My energy, the demonic energy from the seal, and Elroset’s energy were all clashing inside my body.

The demon world’s pure energy was something I had tried to avoid as much as possible, but it was undeniable that this wasn’t entirely mine.

And there was too much of it.

At first, it was the least, but the continuously pouring out energy was enormous.

Although I was a mage, my vessel was large and sturdy, but I was still human.

If this continued, it seemed like my body would break down before I could push back Elroset’s energy.

‘It’s dangerous.’

My vessel was already full.

No matter how much energy I had consumed before, Elroset’s energy and the demon world’s energy were filling the gaps and continuously pouring into me.

And the shock from their collision was also occurring.

No matter how sturdy my body was, it had a fragile side, and if this continued, I would die even if I didn’t get taken over by that guy.

I gave up fighting Elroset and moved to protect my body.

However, this was only a temporary measure.

I was still pushing back Elroset, but the speed had greatly decreased.

The crisis had passed, but my one arm was still surrendered.

There was no guarantee that I could hold out until the demon world’s energy pushed back Elroset’s energy entirely.

-…Is it going to end like this?

At that time, Elroset seemed to realize that if he continued like this, he could kill me but couldn’t take over my body, and he muttered with a hint of regret.

-There’s no choice. If this is the demon world’s will, then so be it. However….

He said, as if he had made up his mind.

-If I can’t have you, then no one else should be able to either. You’re too dangerous. Moreover, you’re unbelievably strong, to the point where it’s hard to believe you’re human. So….

The demonic energy inside me, which was Elroset’s, began to move in a very rough and brutal manner, unlike before.

Unlike before, when I was desperately trying to protect my body and take control, now it was as if it would destroy everything.

-Just die like this. No, disappear. Don’t leave any traces. I won’t let anyone see your remnants.

What possibility did he see in my body?

Even the demon kings who saw me didn’t have this level of obsession.

I was only seen as a usable avatar on the continent.

But Eloseut seemed to have noticed something beyond that.

Of course, the Demon Kings indirectly saw through their contractors.

In comparison, Eloseut had direct contact, going as far as to touch.

It was hard to understand why he would go to such evil lengths.

‘Khuk.’

One arm was numb.

At a glance, the occupied arm was dyed a deep purple, with blood oozing out from the torn skin.

“Master!”

Kayla’s urgent voice was heard.

It wasn’t just her who was urgent.

Although my thoughts weren’t clear, I heard Eloseut’s words, and he openly declared that he would annihilate me.

That’s why they were urgent; it was understandable.

As Eloseut’s magic began to move on its own, ignoring my body, the magic of the demon realm couldn’t respond properly.

No matter what, the demon realm’s magic was trying to protect me, and because of that, it couldn’t move as recklessly as Eloseut’s magic.

As a result, the magic that I had barely managed to hold back began to surge towards my chest once again.

I desperately tried to block it, but I couldn’t fully control the magic that was destroying everything without limits.

Khuk.

Blood spurted out of my mouth, and I found myself kneeling down without realizing it.

My body was crumbling.

My consciousness was growing hazy.

My body, my vessel, was breaking down.

‘…Once and for all….’

I had to push it back.

I had no choice. If I continued like this, I would lose my mind and die immediately.

It was a gamble from the start. I had been able to delay it with unexpected help, but… I had to do it now.

I activated the circles and used the magic of the circles to push back Eloseut’s magic once and for all.

I didn’t know if I could recover.

But it was better than dying.

Eloseut seemed taken aback for a moment, as if he didn’t expect me to do something so reckless without thinking about my body.

-Is this… suicidal?

The demon realm’s magic, which had been desperately trying to protect me, responded to my will and began to push back Eloseut’s magic.

Eloseut’s magic surged even more, but it couldn’t withstand the reckless, unstoppable movement that didn’t care about its own body.

-Is this the end? Tsk. There’s no choice. I never thought it would come to this. But it’s meaningless. You can’t escape this place anyway. After you die, the fragments of the abyss will annihilate you.

Was it because of the demon realm’s magic? It seemed to have given up on retrieving me after I died.

Eloseut’s magic completely retreated, and I desperately tried to stabilize my internal state.

But the demon realm’s magic didn’t stop.

-…What?

The demon realm’s magic, which was inside me, surged towards Eloseut’s staff.

I could feel the magic moving violently, as if it was seeking revenge.

An overwhelming amount of magic poured out.

Thanks to that, I’ve improved a bit….

“You’re going to… No… “

The one who had violently thrown the circle, and the one who had recklessly thrown their body, suddenly appeared together.

– This is…!

“Da-in-ha!”

Was it because the demon’s magic had escaped from me, or was it because I was fighting the demon’s magic in the demon world that I lost my mind?

Suddenly, I saw Tinus, who had somehow regained mobility, rushing towards me.

– No way!

Just before I lost my consciousness, I saw Elrose’s dragon heart, which was attached to her staff, shining brightly, accompanied by her scream-like cry.

◈ Half a step back

When I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling.

It was a white ceiling like a hospital room, but when I looked closer, it was just made of bones.

“It felt like I had a dream… “

It was a strange and pleasant dream, like floating on the sea.

“But wait a minute. Why am I lying down? Where is this place?”

I had no memory of falling asleep.

At the same time, I realized that I had fainted, and the events that had occurred during that process quickly flashed through my mind.

Roches. The fragment of the abyss. Atina. Elrose. The contract. The seal. The staff. The circle’s rampage….

I quickly sat up.

Thud.

As I sat up, the door opened, and someone came in.

“…Master?”

When I turned my head, I saw Kaila standing there.

“Master!”

She saw me sitting up and quickly ran towards me, embracing me.

As I looked at Kaila embracing me, I stroked her back with a bewildered expression.

“What happened? What about Elrose?”

Kaila didn’t answer.

But that was enough.

If it was an extremely urgent situation, she would have at least given me a hint.

‘Is it wrong to think like this right now?’

But I couldn’t help it because I was most worried about that guy.

She had been embracing me for a while, and I silently stroked her back.

“How’s your body? How’s your body?”

After embracing me for a while, Kaila finally calmed down and asked me, her voice trembling.

Her eyes, which had been red, looked a bit teary.

I pretended not to notice and replied.

“Hmm… it’s not bad. No, it’s strangely light… “

As I spoke, I felt a sense of unease.

‘…Why am I okay?’

I unleashed the circle at the last moment.

In reality, it was a life-or-death act, and doing something like this would normally result in death or crippling.

Just saving my life was a blessing, and returning to my previous normal state was an extremely difficult task.

I closed my eyes and focused inward.

And I couldn’t help but feel astonished.

“What the…!”

“It seems what Tinos said was true. I was worried sick since you’d been out for several days…”

“What’s going on… Why are there eight circles… No, before that, how many days have passed?”

“Yes, you’ve been out for about a week.”

“…A week?”

Despite that, I didn’t feel hungry or thirsty, but that wasn’t the important thing.

“Clearly… I clearly unleashed the circle, so why are there more circles?”

“…I heard the story, but you really did something reckless. Don’t do that again…”

“I had no choice. I would’ve died otherwise.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“If I could’ve controlled him…”

“That’s nonsense. He wasn’t an ordinary person. Even Tinos couldn’t handle him, so why are you blaming yourself?”

In reality, Tinos was easily defeated because his strength was extremely restricted at the time.

And the fact that he interfered with me through his staff was also a reason.

I was holding the staff, and it was likely that I had interfered with my undead through it.

It was an unexpected ambush, and therefore, no one was to blame.

If anyone was to blame, it would be me.

At least, it wasn’t Kaila’s fault.

“But… if I were stronger…”

I let out a sigh as I looked at her, still blaming herself.