Chapter 21
The Demonic Realm was a land overflowing with mana.
This immense concentration of magical energy had mutated the animals living there.
The resulting monsters and demonic beasts multiplied explosively, eventually invading human territories.
Back then, it was common for these creatures to roam throughout the Empire, slaughtering humans indiscriminately.
The Empire tried to stop them, but with its forces tied down at several national borders, they struggled to mobilize enough troops.
As a self-defense measure, the Empire decided to seek help from civilians rather than relying solely on the regular army.
Driven by massive rewards, anyone who could wield a weapon rushed to help. After decades of subjugation campaigns, the beasts and monsters spread across the Empire were finally dealt with.
"After that, the mages erected a massive stone wall to separate the Demonic Realm from the Empire's border."
At Kahlian’s words, Mitchel looked up at the distant stone wall.
Despite the distance, it looked enormous.
Perhaps because it was a wall created by magic, it felt entirely artificial.
While Mitchel looked at the wall in awe, Kahlian continued his explanation.
"Thanks to that, monsters and demonic beasts are now barely seen outside the northern part of the Empire. However, because their remains make for excellent equipment, a village was formed at the only entrance to the Demonic Realm to acquire them."
"That would be 'Grimwall,' where we're headed now."
Mitchel recalled what he had read in books and spoke the village's name.
He then mentioned another detail he remembered.
"Since the civilians helped the Empire, the 'Martial Families' and 'Martial Sects' were formed and began to gain power as they have today. And one of those who made a name for themselves back then was Kahlian Rune. Right?"
"Correct. Hoho, it seems you’ve done some research on me."
Mitchel nodded at Kahlian’s words.
He felt he should at least know something about his own master.
"But one thing is wrong. I wasn't just 'one of them.' I was the greatest warrior of that era."
"Ah... yes..."
Well, if he said so himself, who was Mitchel to argue?
Mitchel nodded to avoid hurting Kahlian’s pride and changed the subject.
"Master, have I completely absorbed the elixir by now?"
For a while after drinking the elixir, he truly felt like he was dying. Even staying still for a moment caused the energy to swirl through his body and torment him.
That was why he had been moving here using the Ghost Soul Step without a single moment of rest.
However, his Aura Hole had grown noticeably larger—enough that he didn't regret drinking it.
"It feels like I'm roughly on par with a 4th-class Aura User."
"Hmph, only 4th-class? In terms of the amount of Dark Aura alone, you’re close to an average 5th-class user."
"Oh!"
"Don't get too excited. Reaching a higher stage isn't determined solely by the amount of aura. If it were me, I could suppress you with an amount of energy no larger than an ant's eye."
Mitchel knew well that Kahlian wasn't exaggerating.
He might have beaten Barque, but that was closer to a stroke of luck.
No, to be precise, he had lost. Kahlian was the one who solved the problem.
Besides, hadn't he seen the battle between Kayden and Cain in Lapel?
A fight between 6th-class Aura Users.
Every single strike from those who were on the verge of becoming Masters was terrifying.
If those attacks were aimed at him, he probably could have blocked only one move at best.
He felt that even with the massive energy currently in his Aura Hole, that would still be his limit.
But that only made him feel better.
Before, he wouldn't even have been able to block that single move.
"I know that. But it's still good, isn't it? Even if it's just the amount of aura, I'm better now than I was before."
"Well said. Martial arts is ultimately a battle with oneself. Never forget that mindset. The moment you forget it, heart demons will come to devour you."
"Yes, I will keep that in mind!"
While they were chatting, they arrived at Grimwall, the village situated at the entrance of the Demonic Realm.
Mitchel headed straight for an inn to wash his sticky body.
However, the atmosphere of the village was quite poor.
A gloomy mood hung everywhere. Children weren't out playing, and the expressions of those who were out were dark.
'Something must be wrong.'
And it seemed like no small problem.
Mitchel headed to the inn first.
Whatever the issue was, he figured he could think about it after washing up and filling his stomach.
Upon entering the inn, Mitchel immediately secured a room, washed away a week's worth of fatigue, and came back down.
"What would you like for food?"
"Lamb, please."
"The thing is... we don't have any lamb right now..."
"No lamb?"
Lamb was one of the specialties of the North.
Since most residents raised sheep for warm wool, lamb was practically a staple food in the region.
To be told there was none was strange.
"I guess they don't raise sheep in Grimwall."
At Mitchel's remark, a sigh escaped the innkeeper's mouth.
"It’s not that. A pack of demonic beasts came down recently and slaughtered the livestock. The sheep we have left aren't even enough for wool."
"Then what food do you have available?"
"Only vegetable soup and potatoes..."
No wonder there was no one in the inn.
Aside from himself, there was only one other person seated, and even he was drinking beer without any snacks.
"I'll take that, then."
At Mitchel's word, the owner left and returned quickly with the food.
As the owner set the food down, Mitchel handed over 5 silver.
"Guest, I think you gave me the wrong amount... the food is 50 copper."
"It's a tip. More importantly, since there aren't many customers, why don't you talk with me for a bit?"
At those words, the innkeeper looked over Mitchel’s appearance.
His clothes were shabby, but every outsider who came here looked similar.
After all, the nearest village was nearly a fifteen-day walk away.
However, the goal of such outsiders was usually the Demonic Realm.
Sure enough, he saw a sword by Mitchel’s side.
"You must be here for the Demonic Realm."
"Yes, so I have a lot of questions. Looking around on my way in, the atmosphere didn't seem great. Is it because of the beasts you mentioned?"
"That's right."
The owner nodded and, having received a generous tip, answered Mitchel’s questions sincerely.
"Originally, hunters lived at the entrance of the Demonic Realm and kept the population in check. Thanks to them, there was rarely any damage to the village."
But suddenly, a problem occurred in the Demonic Realm.
For some reason, the firmly established territories of the beasts and monsters shifted, causing chaos.
While territorial disputes were normal, this time the changes were so drastic they could be called a cataclysm.
"Because of that, several hunters died, and those who remain are too afraid to go inside. Then recently, a beast that escaped the realm even attacked the village."
"Was the damage severe?"
"Fortunately, the beast that came out was a weak one, so the hunters and soldiers handled it without any casualties. But the livestock took a heavy hit."
