Chapter 156: The Hunt Begins

Gaon had spent a long time analyzing and re-analyzing circles in order to reach the 9th Circle.

That was why he could tell.

He had become able to enter the 10th Circle.

Of course, it meant a spot for the tenth circle had been created, not that he could create it immediately.

To create the tenth circle, he needed far more Pacheonki than now.

At least twice as much was required.

He was not disappointed that he could not create it right away.

Just being able to enter the 10th Circle—a realm not permitted to humans—was extremely satisfying.

Swoosh

Gaon glanced at Mayporin’s dragon heart.

Not much mana remained in the dragon heart.

Only about 20% compared to the beginning remained.

However, this was not the end.

*If I absorb all of the ones who abandoned mana as well……..

Now Gaon planned to kill the dragons who had abandoned mana.

Even though they had abandoned mana, a dragon was still a dragon.

They all possessed dragon hearts.

If he absorbed every single dragon heart?

He would be able to secure enough Pacheonki needed for creating the tenth circle and entering the 10th Circle.

The elixir only needs the shell anyway.

Moreover, the dragon hearts needed for elixir manufacturing did not require mana.

Having finished his thoughts, Gaon began cultivating by absorbing the remaining mana in the dragon heart.

A bright smile that could not be brighter appeared on Gaon’s lips as he cultivated.

The base of the dragons who had abandoned mana.

Pagrann, the leader of the Red Clan, made an anxious face.

*Since he hasn’t come back yet……..

Mayporin had gone to obtain the clan’s sacred relic.

Yet even after a long time had passed, she had not returned.

Not returning even now?

There was only one meaning to that.

She had been defeated.

That was why he was flustered.

Mayporin was ranked within the top ten strongest among the kin who had abandoned mana.

So how could Mayporin have been defeated?

Did Ferbeng or Tron team up on her?

Mayporin was strong.

However, that did not mean she was invincible.

There were still a few among the kin who still communicated with mana who could subdue Mayporin.

The leader of the Gold Clan, Ferbeng, for example.

The leader of the Blue Clan, Tron, for example.

*But even if they teamed up, she should have been able to escape……..

However, only if they fought to the end would she be subdued. With Mayporin’s ability, even if the two dragons teamed up, she should have been able to escape easily.

Moreover, Mayporin valued her life highly.

She was the type to think of running first the moment she felt her life was in danger.

Ugh…….!

Pagrann frowned.

He did not know how Mayporin had been defeated.

But one thing was certain.

It had something to do with the kin who still communicated with mana.

Damn bastards!

Curses came out naturally.

In a situation where even the gods have already been defeated!

The reason Pagrann had abandoned mana and accepted demonic energy was because that was the only way to survive.

The heavenly realms had lost to the demon world.

And the demon world had invaded the middle world.

Blocking the demon world without the heavenly realms’ help was extremely difficult.

Moreover, the demon world was strong enough to defeat even the gods.

That was why he had abandoned mana and accepted demonic energy.

There was no other path to survival in sight.

Of course, not everyone accepted demonic energy for the same reason as Pagrann.

Some did it for greater power.

Some because it seemed fun.

Some to reclaim positions that had been taken from them.

In Mayporin’s case, who had been defeated this time, she had accepted demonic energy to reclaim the position of clan leader that had been taken from her.

I can’t stay like this.

Pagrann gritted his teeth.

Originally, he had planned to pressure them gradually.

Because the scales of victory had already tilted.

Because even if it took some time, it was a situation where they could safely bring victory.

However, the situation had changed with Mayporin’s matter.

He did not know how Mayporin had been defeated, but if they continued to be defeated one by one like this?

Time would no longer be their ally.

Moreover, Mayporin had gone to obtain the ‘sacred relic.’

In other words, the opponent now possessed the sacred relic.

If they used the sacred relic to escape?

I have to go all out.

Having made his decision, Pagrann immediately sent a message magic to his kin.

[Mayporin has been defeated. Everyone gather.]

……Will you really be fine alone?

Ferbeng asked.

His voice was full of worry.

“Yes, alone is enough.”

Gaon answered with a smile.

Now Gaon planned to go kill the dragons who had abandoned mana.

And not together, but alone.

There was a reason Gaon wanted to go alone.

It was the spoils.

If he went together, he would have to share spoils like dragon hearts.

At a time when he already needed many dragon hearts, Gaon had no intention of sharing them.

Moreover, it was not greed that was making him overdo it.

Through the spar with Ferbeng, Gaon had gained certainty.

Certainty that he could kill them all alone.

“If it seems impossible, I’ll ask for help then.”

If it turned out to be impossible despite his confidence?

He could ask for help then.

“Alright, I understand. Tell me anytime.”

Ferbeng had no choice but to accept Gaon’s overflowing confidence.

“Does anyone have any objections?”

Ferbeng then asked the dragons seated around them.

“

“

“

No one opened their mouth.

It was not because they had nothing to say.

There were definitely dragons who had things they wanted to say.

However, the opponent was Gaon, and Ferbeng had already agreed, so they could not voice objections.

And both Gaon and Ferbeng knew it was that kind of situation.

“Seems like no one does.”

“Seems so.”

The two pretended not to know even though they did and finished the conversation.

“Then I’ll head out right away.”

They had already talked enough.

And by now the dragons who had abandoned mana would have noticed Mayporin’s death as well.

In other words, the probability that they were preparing countermeasures was high.

Since it would be easier to finish them before they completed perfect countermeasures, Gaon planned to depart immediately.

“Be careful. I’ll be waiting, so come back anytime if you need help.”

“Yes.”

After bidding farewell to Ferbeng, Gaon immediately left the base and soared into the sky.

He began flying toward the base of the dragons who had abandoned mana.

Not long after, he arrived at the neutral zone where mana and demonic energy coexisted.

And demonic energy gradually grew denser.

“….!”

Gaon’s eyes flashed.

It was not because the demonic energy was denser than he thought.

It was because of the numerous auras detected by his senses.

Judging by the level of the auras filled with demonic energy, they were clearly the dragons who had abandoned mana.

If it’s this many, did they all come?

He had heard from Ferbeng.

The number of dragons who had abandoned mana.

The number detected by his senses now was similar to what he had heard from Ferbeng.

But why did they suddenly gather?

Gaon was curious.

Why the dragons who should be at their base had appeared.

Are they trying to avenge Mayporin?

No matter how he looked at it, it was only Mayporin.

It seemed they had all gathered after learning of Mayporin’s death to take revenge or respond.

There was no other reason that came to mind.

Well, that’s convenient.

Gaon smiled brightly.

He had been spared the trouble of going to find them.

Moreover, this place was not a demonic energy dominant region.

Although demonic energy was denser, it was still a neutral zone.

In other words, it was a place where hunting would be easier.

Since they’ll notice perfection anyway, should I push them from the start?

It was impossible to hide perfection.

The dragons’ level was too high to hide it from.

Or should I make it close?

Gaon pondered.

If he acted as if it was close?

They would misunderstand.

If we combine our strength, maybe we can catch him?

If he used that misunderstanding?

He would be able to catch more dragons.

Yes, let’s make it close for now.

Gaon decided to act.

If a dragon who noticed appeared?

Then he could overwhelm them at that time.

There was no loss in acting.

Having made his decision, Gaon began preparing.

Soon a group of dragons appeared in front.

And the group of dragons that discovered Gaon all stopped moving at once.

The group of dragons had extremely flustered faces.

It was clearly because of perfection.

It was then.

“

……Gaon?”

One dragon at the front spoke.

Gaon looked at the dragon who had recognized him.

“Hoo, Bestas.”

It was the Gold Dragon Bestas.

“How are you here…….”

Bestas trailed off in an extremely flustered voice.

“I’m also curious why you’re there.”

Gaon answered Bestas’s words while casting the magic he had prepared.

Swoosh!

At the same time as casting, a golden spear flew toward Bestas.

And Bestas also hurriedly cast opposing magic.

Then a golden spear identical to the one Gaon had created appeared.

The energy was greater than the one Gaon had created.

Judging by energy alone, Bestas’s golden spear was stronger.

However, Gaon’s golden spear contained perfection.

Crack!

Soon the two golden spears collided.

And what disappeared was Bestas’s golden spear, which had contained more energy.

Bestas gritted his teeth and created a protective shield.

Boom!

And the golden spear struck and exploded.

Large cracks appeared on Bestas’s protective shield.

However, that was all.

The protective shield was not pierced.

“…….

“

Gaon let out a groan and showed a flustered reaction.

And several dragons’ eyes flashed.

Gaon smiled inwardly at the dragons’ reactions.

That Bestas’s protective shield had not been pierced was what Gaon had intended.

It was then.

“I don’t know how you obtained perfection, but…….”

Pagrann, the leader of the Red Clan and the most influential among the dragons who had abandoned mana, opened his mouth.

“Appearing alone was your mistake.”

After finishing his words, Pagrann raised his hand.

And he gave a signal.

All the dragons who saw the signal flashed their eyes and stared at Gaon.

The dragons’ eyes looking at Gaon were full of killing intent.

At the dragons’ killing intent, Gaon made a troubled face and slightly furrowed his brow while thinking.

Perfect.

It seemed the acting had worked properly.

Of course, now the real beginning started.

He had to deal with them one or two at a time while keeping it close.

If he got greedy and killed several at once?

The dragons would notice.

That all of this was acting.

And they would start to run away.

If that happened, he would have to invest more time in hunting.

It was then.

The dragons who had shown killing intent began casting magic one by one.

Not all dragons were preparing magic.

Some were preparing Breath.

Gaon created a curtain protecting his entire body and thought.

I should block the magic and let the Breath pierce slightly.

Honestly, he could easily block both magic and Breath.

However, Gaon had no intention of doing so.

If he blocked them easily, the dragons would suspect.

But he could not let them pierce completely either.

Because they would suspect then too.

That was why Gaon planned to block the magic and take the Breath.

Swoosh! Rumble! Swoosh!

Soon colorful magics began flying toward him.