novelThe Red Lotus Demon Lance Aamon #2
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Chapter 78 - The Red Lotus Demon Lance Aamon #2
Translator: Jen
Editor: Zeroth Deuce
When both Aamon and Gusion were looking at Yong-Ho, Yong-Ho also looked back at them.
He then looked at Catalina and smiled, who was joyfully jumping up and down and looked like she was going to jump at him at any moment. He then further observed the rest of the audience.
Most of the spirits in the audience were spirits that he didn't know the names of. However, Kaiwan was sitting amongst them.
She was far away, so he couldn't read her expression. However, there was a certain warmth that simply couldn't be contained and he felt it.
If he yelled, she could probably hear him. But, Yong-Ho wasn't able to say anything. What would he say to her now?
That her younger brother fell sick and died? That he lost everything his loving sister achieved and was depressed until his very last breath?
He had to tell her eventually. But, now wasn't the time. Not now.
Yong-Ho turned around again. Even though the Steel Ox's corpse had turned into light and disappeared, a pile of light still remained in the same spot.
It was similar to the distortion that he had saw before.
A lump of pure mana.
Mammon's Arena wasn't created only to provide fighting experience and various artifacts to the future generations.
This lump of pure mana was probably the reward they would've received once they defeated the Floor Master.
Yong-Ho reached out with his left hand without hesitation. The colorful mana was swirling and it sucked into Yong-Ho's hand.
It was the same as absorbing ordinary spirits. Nothing was different.
Overwhelming pleasure.
A feeling that his mana had been increased.
But moments later, Yong-Ho had a hunch.
It was different from the other spirits he had absorbed. Not only Greed, but the blood flowing within him was screaming at him that it was different.
'Mammon's mana!'
Traces of the king was contained in Yong-Ho and Kaiwan's mana, but this was much more than that.
It was Mammon's actual mana.
When he realized it, he felt even more pleasure. The purity and intensity of it made his spirit tremble.
Ancestors' power.
It was the greatest piece of power which acted as the source of the House of Mammon's kings.
When comparing just the amount of pure mana, it was actually less than the mana he had obtained when he defeated Foras. However, it had a different effect. All of Yong-Ho's body reacted to Mammon's power and the effect of synergy between them was really surprising.
Kaiwan was definitely a genius. She was also hard-working at the same time.
Even so, she was still extremely strong for her age.
How was that possible? What made her really strong?
He had solved that riddle just now. Mammon's Arena made her strong. The power of the ancestors of the House of Mammon had awakened her.
And Yong-Ho didn't stop there.
The moment Mammon's power made him shudder, there was a skill that made him open his eyes.
Green flames rose out of Yong-Ho's eyes. The experiences he had stacked prior to fighting Foras was screaming at him.
Evolve.
Advance.
Advance forward!
It was in front of everyone, including Gusion. But Yong-Ho couldn't hold himself back any longer. Greed was urging deep within his body. The Power of Evolution encouraged Greed.
"Mana Development."
Light enveloped Yong-Ho's body. The green fire covered his entire body and it grew larger.
All the spirits were surprised. Even Catalina couldn't calm down.
But there was someone else who was the most surprised.
Gusion stood up from his seat. He was speechless. He yelled out a question without looking back.
"Is that, is that really the Power of Evolution?!"
Aamon didn't answer. The answer to Gusion's question was already in front of him.
Yong-Ho roared.
The green fire shot up and then disappeared after breaking up into smaller pieces.
The third horn that was on Yong-Ho's forehead disappeared. New horns appeared on top of the two horns that were located right above his ears.
The fourth horn.
The number of horns represented how powerful one's mana was.
Yong-Ho didn't develop his mana. He broke it and created a new set. It was bigger and deeper than before and this time he could fill it with even stronger rmana.
Yong-Ho wasn't the only one that transformed.
Within a demon family, gaining another horn is like a turning point for the one that gains it.
Black mana was gushing out of Catalina's entire body. A shadow-like thing surrounded Catalina's body. And within that shadow, Catalina hugged herself. She released a painful cry and then it turned into a joyful scream.
Another horn appeared on top of the horn that was located above Catalina's right ear. It was her third one. Since she was directly contracted with the House of Mammon, it personally impacted her. She was now one step higher in following Yong-Ho, no, her king.
The shadows that enveloped her disappeared. Her entire body was covered in sweat and she collapsed while panting. She was so exhausted than even panting was difficult for her, but her face was filled with joy.
Yong-Ho's and Catalina's transformation happened almost at the same time and it ended almost at the same time too.
Yong-Ho took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and enjoyed his transformation.
Thanks to the fourth horn, his mana and his physical abilities had become extremely strong.
He also felt Catalina's transformation. Eligor and Skull were outside of Mammon's Arena so he couldn't feel them, but witnessing Catalina's change was more than enough.
When Yong-Ho opened his eyes after calming down, two boxes of light appeared before him.
He was sure that it was the reward that he was promised right before starting the match.
But before Yong-Ho was able to pick one, a sudden change occured. Beside the boxes of light, another box appeared.
He was immediately going to ask Lucia, but Yong-Ho closed his mouth. His senses were really sensitive and he knew Gusion's intentions.
Gusion, who was sitting in the center of the audience, landed right in front of Yong-Ho. Gusion was physically big and since he landed a few meters away from Yong-Ho, the ground shook when he landed.
Gusion looked at Yong-Ho and stood up from the spot where he had landed. Yong-Ho didn't avert his gaze.
He was definitely strong. But, it was different from when he had first encountered Gusion.
The overpowering feeling was different. The emotions in his eyes had also changed as well.
Gusion looked at Yong-Ho without saying anything. And then, a small smile appeared on his face.
"Congratulations. You beat the first level. It's been a while since a competitor has beaten the first level."
It was definitely a friendly voice. However, Yong-Ho kept his guard up because he knew Gusion was still testing him.
That feeling was difficult to explain. Yong-Ho felt that Gusion was holding something back.
"Since you beat the first level, you need to be rewarded for it. Two boxes are usually offered, but I added another one just for you. Pick one out of the three. You won't get a losing ticket, so don't be burdened about it."
Basically, it meant that the quality of the rewards weren't equal.
"I would recommend thinking..."
"This one."
Before Gusion finished his sentence, Yong-Ho picked one of the boxes.
It wasn't a hasty decision.
Greed was guiding him.
Which one would be the most valuable to Yong-Ho?
Which one will help Yong-Ho achieve his goal?
Gusion didn't see any hesitation in Yong-Ho's eyes and he turned to the Red Lotus Demon's fire. Aamon didn't reply this time either. But, Gusion understood.
"Greed."
It was helping Yong-Ho. It relied on Yong-Ho's will and based on that, it activated a part of its power.
The young owner that Aamon had chosen.
"It's a surprising gift. Definitely a surprising gift."
Gusion mumbled as he opened his arms. He was telling Yong-Ho to quickly open it and after Yong-Ho extended out his left hand, he released his mana.
The box of light broke down and dispersed. The item that was inside landed on Yong-Ho's left hand.
"Skeleton Mage Scroll."
The other two boxes disappeared. Before they disappeared, Yong-Ho briefly saw the items that were inside them. One contained gold and the other contained a dagger that had magic abilities.
"The scroll allows you to summon one Skeleton Mage. Use your mana and then rip it. The type of Skeleton that will be summoned will be based on your luck."
Gusion gave a simple explanation and Yong-Ho nodded. He understood why this scroll was more valuable than the dagger.
He was already thinking about how he should use the Skeleton Mage.
"How about it? Want to start the second level?"
Gusion asked. Yong-Ho felt Greed stirring inside him once again. It was telling Yong-Ho that they wanted to feel Mammona's mana once more.
But Yong-Ho restrained himself.
He used too much of his mana. Thanks to the evolution, his mana capacity increased and a small amount of mana was restored, but not completely. On top of that, the third horn that Catalina was unexpected, so she was pretty tired too.
The Arena's Floor Masters weren't easy opponents. Continuing like this would only have a negative effect.
'But... '
Yong-ho looked ahead. Even though he made up his mind, he kept on hesitating because Kaiwan was stuck in his mind.
"Don't rush, young owner."
"You cannot rescue her with the power that you have now."
Aamon explained to Yong-Ho quietly. Since it was happening inside his head, Gusion couldn't hear him.
Kaiwan was looking at Yong-Ho desperately. She wasn't asking him to rescue her. She was asking Yong-Ho to tell her about her brother. She was saying that any news would be fine.
Yong-Ho closed his eyes and ignored her. Next time was what he told himself and then he looked at Gusion.
"No, I'll come back later."
"Anytime. Master Mammon and I will always welcome you to the Arena."
The man with the beast mask that led Yong-Ho into the arena stood in front of him. After showing his respect to Gusion, he guided Yong-ho once more and walked past Gusion and headed towards Catalina.
Gusion turned around and looked at Yong-Ho's back. A frown appeared on his face as if his mind was filled with different emotions.
"Too small. '
Yong-Ho can't be compared to Mammon.
He wasn't good enough to be compared to the great king that led his spirits up the skyscraper-like stairs.
Despite that, Gusion couldn't help but acknowledge him.
"They're similar. It's very small. Very small though."
He just beat the first floor. He was nothing but a weak competitor right now.
Aamon smiled at Gusion's stubbornness. He looked at Gusion with his divided conscious.
Aamon also remembered the same thing as Gusion.
The last moment of the strongest king in the demon world.
The last road he had walked on.
The image of him leading everyone.
The Red Demon Lance Aamon fired up and then walked past.
He looked at the present, not the past. He took another step forward.
Just like old times.
Following behind the king.
The wind blew.
The Red Demon's fire rose up.
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