Chapter 243
‘The Demon King of Azure Flow knew exactly what kind of power the Venom Source possessed.’
Chris recalled the words of the Demon King of Azure Flow.
- Black is the Root, Poison is the Tempering, and Ruin is the Void.
Tempering.
If the Sacred Black of the Dark Demonic House changes the essence of one's being, then the Venom Source strengthens the root of one's existence through trials.
‘Simply put, the very essence of the soul becomes that much stronger.’
Considering the transcendent beings Chris would have to face in the future, strengthening the essence of his soul like this was essential.
‘It will be a great help to me right now as well.’
What the Venom Source strengthened was not just the essence of the soul.
It was everything about his being.
His mental strength, physical abilities, the capacity of his core, and so on.
Everything would be tempered to a level incomparable to before.
‘Most importantly, it will allow me to embrace the Heavenly Poison.’
The completion of the Heavenly Poison Body was achieved precisely through this tempering from the Venom Source.
‘The problem is that it’s horrifically dangerous.’
It was because of the method.
The secret art of the Venomous Demonic House only involves absorbing the energy from near the Venom Source.
Even that is so dangerous that the majority of challengers give up on the secret art midway.
However, to obtain the effect Chris desired, he had to immerse his body directly in the Venom Source.
Into that horrific toxic energy that had melted even Märchen, a high-ranking magus at the peak of 7-Star.
It was an absurd notion.
‘But it’s possible. Because there is someone who succeeded.’
Chris thought with a meaningful glint in his eye.
‘The Demon King of Ruinous Blood strengthened her power this way.’
Already a powerful Demon King, she became an even more terrifying being after strengthening her body and soul through the Venom Source.
‘But the Demon King of Ruinous Blood was able to withstand the energy of the Venom Source because she was a 9-Star Demon King.’
It was something Chris could not replicate.
‘What I will replicate is something else.’
Besides the Demon King of Ruinous Blood, there was another who had strengthened their body and soul with the Venom Source.
It was the founder of the Dark Demonic House, the Demon King of Annihilation.
According to a hidden secret history, the Demon King of Annihilation also strengthened his body and soul with the Venom Source.
‘At the time the Demon King of Annihilation took the Venom Source, his level was not 9-Star, but 8-Star.’
There was only one reason why the Demon King of Annihilation, who had not yet reached 9-Star, was able to take the Venom Source.
‘It was thanks to Dark Demonic Energy.’
Chris once again recalled what the Demon King of Azure Flow had said.
- Black is the Root, so the Sacred Black plays the most central role.
No one knows the true origin of the Three Primordial Wells.
However, one thing was certain: the three energies of the Three Primordial Wells—the Sacred Black, the Venom Source, and the Flame of Ruin—were all closely related to one another.
Among them, the superior source, just as the Demon King of Azure Flow had said, was the Sacred Black.
Therefore, by using Dark Demonic Energy, it was possible to control the toxic energy of the Venom Source.
‘Of course, it won’t be easy.’
According to the secret history, even the Demon King of Annihilation had only miraculously succeeded.
Moreover, Chris’s level was far below that of the Demon King of Annihilation, who had been 8-Star at the time.
‘Still, it’s possible.’
The purity of the Demon King of Annihilation’s Dark Demonic Energy was 90 percent. In contrast, Chris’s was a pure 100 percent. Just as 80 percent and 90 percent were different, the gap between 90 and 100 percent was unbridgeable.
Above all else.
‘My talent is superior to the Demon King of Annihilation’s.’
Chris shrouded his entire body in Dark Demonic Energy, then stepped into the rampaging Venom Source.
Szzzz!!
A horrifying smoke rose where his foot touched. It was a terrifying toxic energy that seemed capable of melting even steel.
But thanks to his Dark Demonic Energy, the Venom Source couldn’t melt Chris’s body.
The energy of the Venom Source, trying to melt Chris, and his Dark Demonic Energy clashed in a tense stalemate.
‘Stay focused. If I make a mistake for even a single moment, I’ll be turned into a puddle of blood.’
Splash.
Chris moved forward step by step, as if entering a river.
His body gradually sank into the Venom Source, and soon, he was submerged up to the top of his head.
A horrifying sensation, as if he were inside magma.
‘Let’s begin.’
Controlling his Dark Demonic Energy, he began to accept the energy of the Venom Source into himself, little by little.
‘The key is to completely remove the toxic energy and accept only the source itself.’
The Venom Source is composed of two energies: the toxic energy and the source.
The core of the Venomous Demonic House’s secret art was also to remove as much toxic energy as possible and accept only the source.
However, completely removing the toxic energy, which is fused as one with the source, is impossible. Success or failure depends on how much of the toxic energy one can eliminate.
This is because even a small amount of the Venom Source's toxic energy entering the body is fatal.
‘Especially in my case, since I’m not just strengthening my core but my entire body and soul, I must perfectly eliminate every last trace of the toxic energy.’
Even using Dark Demonic Energy, an attribute with an advantage over the Venom Source, it was a challenge bordering on impossible.
Especially since his entire body was currently submerged in the Venom Source, a single slip-up, one misstep, would cause his whole body to melt.
‘Not just my physical body, but my very soul could be extinguished. The Venom Source doesn't just possess physical toxicity, but also a spiritual power of annihilation.’
But Chris thought with a powerful glint in his eyes.
‘I will not fail. I will definitely succeed and one day enjoy the greatest wealth and glory in the world!’
Fwoosh!
Chris’s Dark Demonic Energy emitted a deep black light, and the breathtaking, life-or-death tightrope walk began.
* * *
Time flew by in an instant, and the day of the Patriarchal Duel arrived.
A heavy atmosphere settled over Jinrok Fortress.
A tension that felt like it could explode at any moment hung in the air throughout the Venomous Demonic House.
“Today’s finally the day.”
“What do you think will happen?”
“Isn’t the result obvious?”
The poison wielders carefully lowered their voices.
“It will be the Vice-Patriarch’s victory.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
It was to be expected.
No one predicted Duke Huam’s victory.
“So, it comes to this in the end.”
“It’s a pity. In terms of character, there’s no one better than the Patriarch.”
“But in the end, the most important thing for a magus is power.”
The magi who followed Duke Huam looked toward the Patriarch’s quarters with regretful eyes.
With Marisa’s help, Duke Huam was preparing to leave for the duel.
“Is Grand Duke Christian not back yet?”
“…No, he’s not.”
“It’s been a week, and still no word. I’m worried he might have gotten greedy and run into trouble.”
It usually took several days to take the Venom Source, but a week was too long.
‘With things as they are, I can’t even go and check on him myself.’
After thinking that far, Duke Huam shook his head bitterly.
‘This is no time for me to be worrying about Grand Duke Christian.’
There was a high probability that he would lose his life today.
Marisa’s complexion, as she helped him prepare for the duel, was also incredibly grim.
To reassure his daughter, Duke Huam spoke in a deliberately bright tone.
“Don’t worry too much. This old father of yours is no pushover. The Vice-Patriarch will come to regret challenging me to a duel. I will definitely win.”
He meant it.
Although he was objectively at a disadvantage in terms of power, he had no intention of going down meekly.
On the contrary, he planned to create a miracle.
‘I too am a magus of the absolute realm. No matter who my opponent is, I will not kneel meekly.’
Duke Huam rose from his seat.
“The time has come. I must be going now.”
As Duke Huam stood up, Marisa bit her lip hard.
“When are you going to show up, you slowpoke.”
She looked toward the Path of Venom, where Chris had entered.
It was still silent, without any sign of activity.
But as they were heading to the dueling grounds, an unexpected person came to find them.
“And you are?”
“I am Melin of the Dark Demonic House. I’ve come to deliver a letter that Grand Duke Christian left for Your Grace.”
“From Grand Duke Christian?”
Melin nodded.
“Yes, he asked me to deliver this letter to Your Grace in case he couldn’t return by the day of the Patriarchal Duel.”
Duke Huam received the letter with a puzzled expression.
A moment later, after reading its contents, Duke Huam’s eyes began to widen as if they would tear.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Marquis Goras was also preparing for the duel.
“Oho, today is finally the day our Venomous Demonic House will find its rightful master.”
“It should have been this way long ago. I offer my early congratulations on your ascension to the Patriarch's seat.”
Those who followed Marquis Goras flattered him and bowed their heads, as if the outcome of the duel had already been decided.
But Marquis Goras’s reaction was strange.
“All of you are being noisy.”
“…Your Lordship?”
“I told you to shut your noisy mouths.”
“!!”
A low, sunken voice. His gaze was also incomparably cold.
The retainers of his faction swallowed hard.
‘Why is he acting like that?’
It wasn't just today.
Marquis Goras had been in this kind of somber mood ever since he returned to the house.
‘It’s not just that he’s in a bad mood. Why do I feel such an unsettling aura from him?’
Marquis Goras had always been an object of fear.
But lately, they had often felt a horrifying sensation from him, as if they were facing a snake.
“You may all leave now.”
“…Yes, Your Lordship.”
As his retainers withdrew, Marquis Goras suddenly did something impulsive.
CRUNCH!
He grabbed the solid wood table in front of him and crushed it with his hand.
“Damn it.”
He was agitated, a state difficult to imagine from the usually cold and composed Marquis Goras.
Just then, an unknown voice echoed in his ear.
A repulsive voice, like a snake slithering.
-You… are a fake.
“Shut up.”
But the ‘voice’ didn’t stop.
-There is… only one way for you to become real. Do not… reject me.
A tempting whisper continued.
-Embracing me, ‘Jinok,’ is the only way you will achieve your long-cherished desire.
* * *
Finally, the Patriarchal Duel began.
Every poison wielder of the Venomous Demonic House’s main family gathered to observe the duel, and the two absolute poison wielders ascended to the dueling grounds.
“Vice-Patriarch.”
Duke Huam called out to Marquis Goras in a low, somber voice.
Marquis Goras’s face was as cold and composed as ever, with no trace of the agitation he had shown when he was alone.
“There’s no need for useless chatter. Let’s begin the duel.”
Marquis Goras began to draw out his toxic energy.
Duke Huam’s face hardened at the power of the toxic energy that was overwhelming his own.
‘How does my elder brother possess such powerful toxic energy?’
He had felt it during their previous encounter as well, but the toxic energy Marquis Goras possessed was far too powerful for his level of achievement.
‘Don’t tell me he made a contract with a Devil?’
The thought crossed his mind for a moment, but he shook his head.
That couldn’t be it.
Devil contractors could hide their demonic energy, but only when they weren’t revealing the power they received from the Devil.
If that aura had originated from a Devil, the lingering scent of a demon would be present, but he felt nothing of the sort.
“Lost in thought? You seem to have plenty of composure.”
Marquis Goras gestured, as if displeased.
Whoosh. The surrounding scenery changed.
He had unleashed his 8-Star Dominion.
Marquis Goras’s Dominion was the ‘Verdure of the Serpent’s Venom’.
The entire area was stained with a green aura, and countless shimmering hazes made of toxic energy writhed like vipers.
‘The number of vipers…?’
Duke Huam’s complexion hardened.
The ‘Verdure of the Serpent’s Venom’ was a Dominion that trapped an opponent in a barrier of green toxic energy, where vipers would bite them to death.
The problem was the number of vipers formed from the toxic energy.
They were simply countless.