Chapter 162
Chris gave a sly smile.
“Looks like I still have a long way to go today.”
“……”
“I’ll see you again tomorrow.”
The mock duel wasn’t meant to be a one-time thing.
They had agreed to repeat it every single day.
Today was only the beginning.
‘He’s not really going to land a hit on me one day… is he?’
Marquis Shupen frowned slightly as he looked at his faintly tingling fingers.
Even with the barrier of demonic energy up, the impact had still gotten through.
‘No way…’
Marquis Shupen shook his head.
But with each passing day—
Christian kept showing something new.
The gap between them hadn’t narrowed.
It wasn’t a distance that could be closed in just a few sparring matches.
Even so, Marquis Shupen kept finding himself shocked every time.
Despite the obvious mismatch.
Despite the insurmountable difference, Christian managed to pull off dangerously sharp strikes in brief moments.
There were even times when Marquis Shupen himself felt a flicker of threat.
‘A monster is still a monster, I suppose.’
Considering the gap between them, it was absurd.
No matter how hard a rabbit struggles, it can’t threaten an elephant.
And yet, here it was—this unthinkable scenario.
It all came down to Christian’s absurd level of genius.
He kept trying to read every one of Marquis Shupen’s movements, exploiting the tiniest patterns in his demonic energy, aiming for weaknesses—even ones the marquis himself hadn’t been aware of.
Or rather, could those even be called weaknesses?
They were spots left slightly open simply because there was no need to guard against something unexploitable—but Christian never missed even those.
What was chilling was that with every duel, his growth was visible.
From yesterday to today—
Even from the start to the end of today’s duel, the difference was stark.
‘By tomorrow, he’ll have changed again.’
Marquis Shupen clicked his tongue.
For a moment, the thought flashed through his mind that one day, Christian might actually land a real blow.
“…Truly remarkable talent. Even Lord Nordian’s brilliance would pale in comparison to yours.”
It was high praise.
In truth, with each bout, Marquis Shupen was growing more fond of Christian.
It was clear—Christian would be the one to lead the future of the Dark Demonic House to greatness.
But then, Christian gave an unexpected reply.
“It’s not because of talent.”
“…What?”
“No matter how much of a genius I might be—do you really think it’s possible to display this level of skill against a top-class Magus like you, sir?”
Marquis Shupen couldn’t respond right away.
"The reason I’m able to show this level of performance—there’s only one."
“…What is it?”
“Because I’m determined to land a blow on you, sir. No matter what.”
“…Hah.”
At that same thunderous, reckless declaration, Marquis Shupen let out a small laugh.
“You still haven’t figured out your place, have you.”
“No, I have. I know very well that with my current strength, it’s nearly impossible for me to even brush the edge of your sleeve.”
“Then why go through with such a foolish attempt?”
“Because as the one who will become the next head of the Dark Demonic House… I want to land a blow on the one who has abandoned his duty.”
“…What?”
For a moment, Marquis Shupen stared blankly.
He wasn’t sure he’d heard that right.
But he had.
“…Have you lost your mind?”
“I haven’t. And while we’re at it, may I say one more thing?”
An even more outrageous, insane thing came out of his mouth.
“As the future successor of the Dark Demonic House, I ask you this—do you truly believe you’ve given your utmost loyalty to the House without a shred of shame?”
“…What madness—”
Marquis Shupen was about to flare up in anger but suddenly closed his mouth.
It was because of Christian’s eyes.
It wasn’t just arrogance in his gaze.
There was something deeper—settled.
Eyes that carried the weight and pressure of one reprimanding from above, like a supreme being chastising a subordinate.
Just like how Lord Nordian used to look in the past.
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve devoted my entire life to protecting the Dark Demonic House.”
“Then why are you turning a blind eye to the wrongdoings happening in the main family?”
“!!”
He was referring to the sins committed by Marquis Langham.
With burning eyes, Chris pressed on.
“Marquis Langham not only colluded with the Four Kings' Star, but also committed countless atrocities behind the scenes to forcibly push past his limits. You’re fully aware of all this, aren’t you, sir?”
It hadn’t been made public.
But Marquis Langham had indeed resorted to despicable, inhuman deeds in secret just to break through to a higher realm.
Compared to that, the human sacrifices once performed by Ashid almost seemed tame.
“……”
Marquis Shupen was at a loss for words.
Of course, he knew.
No matter that Langham had already been cast out from the head position—what he’d done was still unforgivable.
“…I—and the House of Shupen—are merely shields for the main family.”
“Kuhuhu, you call that an excuse?”
Christian’s gaze turned sharp, almost scolding.
“You’re saying it doesn’t matter how much rot festers within the Dark Demonic House, as long as you stay in your lane and mind your own business? Can that truly be called loyalty?”
“……”
Marquis Shupen had no words to respond with.
The former head, Lord Nordian, could not interfere in clan affairs due to the restriction.
That was why, even after learning about the atrocities committed by Marquis Langham, he couldn't punish him.
At present, the only one within the Dark Demonic House who had the authority to discipline Langham was Marquis Shupen himself.
And yet, he hadn’t stepped forward.
Because, as a cadet branch, he believed it wasn’t within his rights.
“…May I say just one more thing?”
“…What is it?”
“Truthfully, don’t you want to step in?”
“!!”
Marquis Shupen’s eyes trembled.
Christian continued in a low voice.
Almost like a rebuke.
Or—depending on how one heard it—like temptation.
“You want to flip the table right this instant, don’t you? But you’re forcing yourself to draw a line and hold back.”
Marquis Shupen clenched his teeth.
He was right.
Shupen was, more than anyone else, a true Magus at heart.
He had been furious—burning with rage—over Langham’s deeds committed behind closed doors.
But he had forcibly held it in.
He had no choice.
As someone from a cadet branch, intervening in the main family’s affairs would be inappropriate.
The moment he took action, the identity that House Shupen had built—as the shield protecting the main family—would be shaken to its roots.
House Shupen would no longer be able to remain the loyal watchdog of the main family.
‘This… This is why Marquis Shupen hasn’t reached the 8-star rank.’
Chris thought to himself.
In truth, Marquis Shupen was already fully prepared to ascend to 8-star.
But 8-star was the domain of the Absolute.
A realm where one doesn’t just bend the laws of the world—but reigns over a microcosm.
To reach that stage, there must not be even a trace of contradiction left within.
“…Are you saying I should intervene in the main family’s affairs?”
“Well. I’m not forcing you.”
Christian shrugged and spoke in an infuriatingly casual tone.
“Even without you, I’ll end up punishing Marquis Langham myself.”
“!!”
“I’m simply offering you a choice.”
Christian lifted the corner of his mouth in a smirk, almost mocking.
“Whether to keep living with shame—or to stand tall before yourself. Forget the excuses about being a cadet branch. That’s just cowardly.”
“!!”
Marquis Shupen’s eyes shook again.
Chris spat blood to the side. His mouth was busted from how badly he’d been beaten during the duel.
His body was a wreck, but he rose to his feet and pointed his sword once more.
“But remember this—if you truly want to protect something, then sometimes, you must be willing to cross the line and move forward.”
“!!”
“If you become too obsessed with simply preserving what you have, the day will come when you won’t even be able to protect what truly matters.”
Paaat!
The sword came sweeping in.
It had only been a few days.
But his movements were now clearly different from when the duels had first begun.
Though only at 5-star, he was now facing off against Marquis Shupen, who stood at the peak of 7-star.
Of course, if Marquis Shupen were to fully release his true power, the match would end instantly—but even the fact that Chris could stand against him with technique alone was an astounding feat.
‘It’s not just because of talent.’
Marquis Shupen acknowledged it.
This wasn’t something talent alone could achieve.
It was will.
Just as he’d said himself, Christian didn’t place limits on what he could do.
Even if facing Marquis Shupen was like throwing an egg at a boulder, he never hesitated.
He kept charging in again and again, as if he truly believed he could shatter the boulder with that egg.
Even now.
‘That sword…’
It rose sharply from below.
Normally, that kind of attack shouldn’t even be attempted.
Sure, it could target an opening—but the risk was far too great.
Yet Christian had launched this kind of attack countless times before.
And every time, he’d succeeded in striking a weak point.
In that moment, a single thought crossed Marquis Shupen’s mind.
‘Could it be… he’s trying to show me something?’
Christian’s actions up until now flashed through his mind.
Marquis Shupen was a Martial Magus.
He had mastered martial combat far more than black magic.
So he understood what Christian’s movements were saying.
Throughout the entire duel—
Christian had never once defined his own limits.
As if putting it on full display.
As if making a statement.
To him.
‘…It’s beautiful.’
Marquis Shupen thought, before he even realized it.
That reckless performance Christian was putting on—
The way he swung beyond his limits stirred something deep in the Martial Magus’s heart.
‘I was like that too, once…’
When he was young, he’d been different.
He’d thrown himself into anything to grow stronger, caused all kinds of trouble.
There was even a time he nearly died after storming into the Bloodsword Demonic House, demanding a duel.
But at some point, he’d changed.
Age and responsibility had weighed him down.
‘I’ve been bound…’
Just then, Christian’s sword came slashing in from a diagonal angle.
As expected, a sharp, threatening strike that targeted a gap.
It was impressive, again—but Marquis Shupen had no intention of getting hit.
He narrowed his eyes and extended his hand.
But something unexpected happened.
The demonic energy swirling around his hand suddenly surged out of control.
‘Is he trying to interfere with my demonic energy using the dominion trait of Dark Demonic Energy? How dare he?’
Marquis Shupen’s Dark Demonic Energy was at 70% purity.
In contrast, Christian had a full 100%.
So, in terms of dominion over Dark Demonic Energy alone, Christian held the upper hand—allowing him to attempt an interference like this.
Of course, the gap in mastery between them was far too wide, so it should’ve been a meaningless attempt.
In fact, during previous duels, Christian had made several similar attempts—all of which failed.
‘This kind of thing…’
Shupen tried to shake off the interference with a flick of his hand—but his eyes widened.
Unlike before, the dominion didn’t shake off.
For a brief moment, his hand was bound.
“You remember, right? I said I don’t believe in limits.”
The black blade aura flew straight for his throat.
‘Tch—’
Marquis Shupen immediately resorted to another method.
Using the authority of a 7-star, he manipulated a law.
He bent the trajectory of the sword, forcing it to veer off its linear path into a diagonal arc.
‘He’s forcing me to manipulate laws just to defend…’
But the surprise didn’t end there.
Even though the law had been altered, the sword’s path didn’t waver.
It flew straight—unchanged—right at Marquis Shupen!
‘Why?’
And then, Marquis Shupen understood the reason.