Chapter 54: Velled’s Temptation

In the Judgment Hall of Souls, Evan and Velled faced each other.

Though the body belonged to Arzel, the consciousness inside was undeniably Velled.

Velled merely smiled slyly, his eyes glinting as he looked Evan over.

There was a certain composure radiating from him.

Just by looking at him, Evan felt threatened.

A deeply rooted, malevolent energy sleeping endlessly within.

What was even more astonishing was his Chaos Value.

‘Chaos Value of 1,000? What on earth has he done?’

A Chaos Value of 1,000 was rarely seen. Yet, he was the leader commanding over 20,000 souls. Considering that, it made some sense.

Velled’s gaze held an expression of intrigue as he looked at Evan.

“…An unusual skill indeed.”

He must have been referring to the fact that he couldn’t sense the other souls that usually accompanied him.

Since Velled existed as an amalgamation of souls, this phenomenon was fascinating to him.

“Not only separating souls but even pulling them into this special space…”

The ability to selectively bring chosen souls into a specific area.

Such a power was unheard of.

Even Velled, who had researched every kind of magic, did not know of such an ability.

“This is truly fascinating! I’m curious about your identity. Who sent you?”

Only a handful knew about the power of souls, and even fewer could wield it.

For someone with such abilities to exist in a remote knight order like this was absurd.

Evan’s existence only fueled Velled’s curiosity further.

Meanwhile, Evan frowned.

‘That composure… I should test how long you can keep it.’

Evan raised the Sacred Sword of Akkrat, readying himself to start the fight immediately.

But Velled waved his hands to stop him.

“Don’t fight pointlessly. How about we talk a bit more? I rather like you, you know.”

Boldly acting, Velled approached Evan.

Evan pointed his sword and stepped back, but Velled ignored him and came closer again.

“I don’t want to lose such a rare subject so easily. There’s no need for us to fight. Just imagine how incredible we could be if we combined our powers. And once you learn about me, you’ll definitely want this power. No, you might even cling to me and beg for it.”

“What are you talking about…?”

Before Evan could respond, Velled had already started rambling.

“My physical body was from 200 years ago. Back then, I had a natural talent for magic and alchemy.”

As he spoke, Velled simultaneously cast several spells with ease.

Evan immediately realized he was no ordinary magician.

“But even with talent, the body ages and weakens. To have such gifts and yet die so quickly—what a tragic injustice. Unable to accept that, I began my research. I started with dark magic, then found the answer in alchemy.”

While scattering magic around him, Velled activated something as he continued.

“I kept developing alchemy fused with magic. And I discovered one astonishing secret in this world. Well, you’ll learn it naturally soon enough, so look forward to it. Anyway, through that, I reached a certain study.”

His lips curled into a wide grin.

“Immortality. I’m immortal even now, but only half-baked. As you can see, this isn’t a fully intact body. But if I complete it perfectly, I’ll no longer need to change bodies. I make you this special offer: accept me, and you will share this immortality. What do you say?”

Hieroglyphic symbols appeared floating above his palm.

From the symbols, a dark aura radiated, brimming with intense energy.

Just by seeing it, Evan could roughly understand.

‘Is that a transmutation circle? It’s on a whole different level from what I’ve seen. He’s not bluffing.’

As Evan silently stared at him, Velled misinterpreted his silence as consideration.

“So you’re thinking it over. Everyone dreams of immortality… And if you accept me, the legion you command will be yours. An immortal legion that never dies. And soon enough, it will swallow this entire knight order.”

At that moment, Evan tuned in to Velled’s words. The other’s true intent began to surface.

“After consuming this knight order and settling my 20,000 souls here, I will awaken the wraiths of the past and increase my forces. I will devour this territory, and eventually the entire kingdom. Then, the kingdom will be yours.”

“Ambitious indeed.”

“Thank you for the compliment. Now, accept me.”

With arms wide open, Velled slowly approached Evan.

Evan lowered his sword.

“A wise choice.”

Velled smirked wickedly and came close right in front of Evan.

Just as the hieroglyphics began to glow and the ritual was about to activate—

Fwoosh!

Evan’s sword pierced through Velled’s abdomen.

Without understanding what was happening, Velled looked between his wound and Evan’s face.

“W-What is the meaning of this?!”

“Do you think I’d fall for such a cheap trick? In the end, it’ll be you who takes my body.”

There was never any condition that Evan would accept.

He never even considered teaming up with someone like him.

Velled’s eyes reddened with rage.

“I told you! I didn’t think you’d be this stupid! I’ll make you regret this choice.”

Hieroglyphics began appearing all over Velled’s body.

Black light spewed from the symbols as Velled’s pierced flesh melted and sagged.

Before long, Velled reappeared at a distance.

Though his abdomen was still pierced.

Because the holy strike hadn’t fully healed him.

Without showing it, Velled glared at Evan with murderous intent.

“You’ll regret making me your enemy. But it’s too late.”

Evan steadied his stance again.

“Is that so? Right now, all I see is you looking desperate.”

Velled’s earlier attempt to convince Evan through conversation seemed strange now.

He was rushing to abandon his body and possess Evan’s instead.

‘He must be that desperate. That body can’t be that great.’

Indeed, using alchemy, Velled panted heavily and staggered.

Though he didn’t want to show it, the aftereffects seemed unbearable.

“You can’t fully use your skills with that body, huh.”

“…Shut up!”

Velled gathered himself and activated a transmutation circle.

Hieroglyphics spread out on the floor beneath him.

Evan also began drawing Aura.

***

[Ring of Flames effect activated.]

[Fire resistance increased by 50%.]

The scorching heat engulfed the surroundings.

It was the magic Velled had cast.

A 6th circle spell: Fire Storm.

A powerful area-of-effect fire magic.

But Evan was able to endure it to some extent.

Thanks to the Ring of Flames he received after clearing the Cursed Forest quest.

“Ugh! This crappy body is pathetic.”

Velled grimaced, coughing up blood as he staggered.

The fatal wound from Evan’s sword combined with the cost of using high-level magic.

Besides, Arzel’s body was not that of a mage.

Forcing magic through it only hastened its decay.

‘He’s a monster. How does he defy the laws and cast magic…?’

Hieroglyphics covered Velled’s entire body, and the transmutation circle on the floor was active.

He was clearly relying on alchemy to forcibly cast magic.

After some thought, Evan quickly found a way.

He immediately stood up.

“So much for a magician.”

Evan started taunting him.

Clenching his sword with both hands, he advanced toward the staggering Velled.

“You’re finished now, Velled. This era isn’t for you dead. Go back quietly to where you belong.”

At Evan’s provocation, the veins on Velled’s forehead and neck bulged.

“Such foolish words. Do you even know what this world has become? Fools like you will never understand…”

Velled spat blood as he spoke again.

“My time is ending. But I will never die. Though only half-immortal now, I will perfect it someday. Then my legion and I will come for you again.”

Arzel’s body wasn’t truly his.

Even if it died, Velled didn’t particularly care.

Suddenly, blood burst from all over him.

Krrrak!

At the same moment, powerful mana waves formed around his body.

“I’ll kill you before I go.”

The transmutation circle beneath Velled began expanding rapidly.

Sensing something ominous, Evan watched tensely.

‘What kind of magic is he about to use?’

Evan wanted to rush forward and stop him with his sword, but a shield surrounded Velled.

Approaching was effectively impossible.

‘If I can just endure this attack somehow, he’ll die anyway.’

Evan’s eyes gleamed as he awaited Velled’s magic.

Shortly after—

Kraaaak!

Dark storm clouds gathered in the sky, swirling rapidly and crackling with lightning.

“Now, die in despair!”

Velled sneered as he collapsed to the ground.

Kuuooo!

A blizzard mixed with hail and strong winds struck the earth.

“Ugh!”

The intense cold assaulted Evan, making it hard to breathe.

Just inhaling sent a freezing pain throughout his body.

‘Could it be Blizzard?’

A high-level frost magic that froze everything with a storm.

But it was far more powerful than the Blizzard Evan knew.

[You have been afflicted with Frostbite due to cold.]

[Your body is beginning to freeze, taking 10,000 damage per second.]

[Movement speed reduced by 150%.]

Warnings appeared for all kinds of negative effects.

Yet Evan still wore a calm smile.

He took an item out from his inventory.

‘Who was it that made this great mage’s item?’

Evan pulled out a Magic Storage Scroll.

An item rewarded after completing the Cursed Forest quest.

An S-rank item capable of absorbing and storing any magic spell once.

Though spells beyond the scroll’s capacity couldn’t be stored.

‘Of course, that means most spells can be handled. They said there are about eight 8th circle mages here, right?’

Evan activated the Magic Storage Scroll.

A message window appeared before his eyes.

[The magic currently absorbable is Blizzard (True).]

[Beginning absorption of Blizzard (True).]

The scroll glowed brightly.

A magic circle formed beneath Evan’s feet.

Krrrak!

The circle expanded rapidly, covering the entire Judgment Hall of Souls.

And it instantly absorbed the active Blizzard.

The dark clouds that had hovered vanished in an instant.

Everything frozen on the ground returned to normal as if nothing had happened.

“Ugh! W-What…”

Velled, collapsed on the floor and watching, widened his eyes in shock.