The Useless One Chosen by Darkness

"He vanished…?"

The demon sneered, eyes gleaming with contempt. "Hah. Have you ever even fought a real battle in your life?"

But a calm voice echoed behind him.

"Why wouldn't I?" Jihoon said coldly. "I'm still fighting. Right now."

Before the demon could react, Jihoon struck from behind with Shadow Slash. The attack sliced through the air like death itself—but the demon twisted away in time, instantly closing the distance.

"You really think I wouldn't notice?" the demon growled.

But then… he froze.

Jihoon's next words struck deep.

"You know... I'm not as weak as you think."

The demon's gaze darkened. For a brief moment, he was caught off guard.

"What did you just say, insect?"

"Abyssal Laceration!"

With a roar, Jihoon's sword swept outward in a sharp arc, releasing a pitch-black crescent of energy. The demon, too close to dodge, took the full force of the hit.

"AAAAARGH!" the demon bellowed, stumbling back. "You filthy human - using such dirty tricks! I won't give you another chance!"

[Enemy HP: 18000 → 16000]

Furious, the demon lunged forward, his fist crashing into Jihoon like a meteor.

BAM!

Jihoon was sent flying, slamming into the ground. Blood burst from his lips.

[HP: 8500 → 4000]

"…That hit was stronger than before…" he gasped, trying to rise. The demon had become even more savage - more dangerous.

Eyes blazing, the demon raised a single finger and traced a fiery circle in the air. From within, black flames erupted, snaking toward Jihoon like living serpents.

"Shit… not his fire again!"

Jihoon blinked away with Shadow Step, dodging repeatedly. But the flames followed, tethered to the demon's will like a shadow of death.

"It won't stop... It's going to kill me!"

Desperate, Jihoon slashed with Shadow Slash, but the flames consumed it like dry leaves in a storm.

"…The level gap… it's too wide…"

Snarling, Jihoon launched Blood Reap—five blood-imbued slashes shot toward the demon.

But with a mere thought, the demon's flames devoured them mid-air.

Then—BOOM! The black fire engulfed Jihoon.

His skin scorched. Vision blurred. Agonizing pain surged through him.

Before he could react, the demon appeared againn - fists raining down like hammers.

[HP: 4000 → 2000 → 1000]

[ Warning: Your life is in danger!]

Blood streamed from Jihoon's mouth. His body trembled, unable to move. And yet… he smiled.

"Bye bye," Jihoon whispered. "We'll meet again soon."

The demon froze. "What...?"

Before he could land the final blow, Jihoon vanished - summoned back to the Shadow Realm.

"Teacher… you saved me again…" Jihoon gasped.

Without a word, Shadow pressed his hand to Jihoon's chest and activated Shadow Heal. In seconds, his wounds vanished.

"You did well," Shadow said. "He's strong - but this time, you actually hurt him."

Jihoon nodded. "Yeah. It wasn't just a scratch. I hit him hard."

Shadow smirked. "You'll train here two more days. After that... finish it."

Jihoon took a stance, eyes burning. "That was my plan."

Watching him, Shadow whispered, "That child… truly has an unbreakable heart."

Two Days Later...

"I'm ready."

Shadow raised his hand. "I knew you'd say that."

In a flash, Jihoon was sent back into the demon's domain.

But this time—it was different.

The air was molten. Dark mist swirled like a storm, and rage itself seemed to hang in the atmosphere.

Jihoon grinned. "Is this all it takes to drive you mad? This is just the beginning."

He launched Shadow Slash, but the demon blocked it with one hand and retaliated instantly with a brutal punch.

BOOM!

Jihoon crashed hard, but before he could recover, the demon hurled black flames at him.

"You're trying that same trick again, aren't you?" the demon sneered.

Jihoon reacted fast - using Abyssal Laceration over and over to counter.

It worked briefly.

But the flames didn't vanish.

They reformed and slammed into Jihoon like a tidal wave.

[HP: 8500 → 1000]

[MP: 6000 → 0 (Abyssal Laceration overuse)]

"Damn it… I didn't even scratch him this time…" Jihoon collapsed to his knees.

He was summoned back again. Healed again.

And this time, he didn't even flinch.

"Jihoon didn't just fight the demon once - he fought him ten times. And each time, all he found was defeat. It felt like dying over and over again… only to come back and suffer all over again. Eventually, even the pain faded. He couldn't feel it anymore." It's like… I've gone numb."

Meanwhile, the demon was fuming.

"Do those two bastards think I'm their training dummy?! I won't tolerate this anymore!"

"This time… this will be the last."

Back in the Shadow Realm…

Jihoon's fists trembled. Shadows coiled around his arms.

"This time… either he dies, or I do. I'll use every nerve, every drop of strength."

"I've seen through all his attacks. He has nothing left to surprise me."

Shadow's voice echoed. "Are you sure? If you lose again… you'll have to follow my orders. No more reckless charges."

Jihoon smirked. "Deal."

Inside the Demon's Domain...

"That damned human again," the demon growled. "I've had enough. This ends now."

As Shadow raised his hand, dark mist surged and Jihoon vanished.

He reappeared in a realm of fire and fury.

The ground bubbled with lava-like energy. The heat was suffocating. The sky crackled with chaos.

BOOM!

A wave of energy erupted with his arrival.

From the darkness, the demon's voice thundered, "Oh? You've returned, little worm."

Jihoon narrowed his eyes. "This time… you're not walking away."

"We'll see who walks out in the end."

Suddenly, the demon vanished.

[Skill Activated: Dark Perception]

[ Warning: Enemy approaching from behind!]

Jihoon grinned. "Predictable."

He spun, unleashing Abyssal Laceration. The wave struck the demon's chest directly.

[Enemy HP: 18000 → 14000]

"That was a good hit," Jihoon chuckled.

"You filthy little plaything!" the demon roared.

Jihoon raised a hand. "Then be still—Shadow Binding!"

Dark chains erupted, snaring the demon's limbs.

But the demon exploded with black fire, burning the chains away.

"WHERE IS HE?!"

Jihoon appeared behind him and slashed across the demon's horns.

CRACK!

"YOU DAMNED HUMAN!"

Jihoon sneered. "Told you - I'm going to use those horns as ''fishing hooks."

Furious, the demon flew into the air, flames spiraling around him like a tornado.

Jihoon prepared Blood Reap but suddenly, the demon vanished.

CRASH!

The demon's fist slammed into Jihoon's chest, pummeling him mercilessly.

[HP: 8500 → 7000 → 6000]

Then—CRACK!

Jihoon screamed as his leg shattered under a devastating kick.

"AAARGHH!"

"You're dead today!" Jihoon roared through the pain.

The demon hurled more fire straight at his broken body.

Jihoon's body wouldn't move.

"Damn it… I have to dodge…!"

But his legs wouldn't listen.

"Why… Why can't I stand?!"

Snarling in fury, Jihoon stabbed his own injured leg with his sword.

"AGHHHH!"

Blood sprayed.

Agony exploded.

And yet… Jihoon laughed.

A low, guttural laugh that chilled the demon to his bones.

"Hahaha… This pain… it's amazing. GIVE ME MORE! I WANT MORE!"

[ Warning: You are damaging your own body]

Even the demon hesitated, visibly shaken.

Jihoon forced himself to his feet, blood dripping from his body.

"I'll feast on your flesh tonight, demon," he growled. "I'll rip you apart with my bare hands."

Just then, the demon's fire surged again.

Jihoon gritted his teeth. "Shadow Step!"

And vanished.

The demon looked around, breathing heavily. "Where… where did he go this time…?"