Dekan's Match Was a Bit of a Mess

Inside Phantom Canyon.

The preparation time is gradually coming to an end.

However, neither side showed any intention of starting a fight.

"Could you please tell me who gave you these instructions, and what the specific details are?"

With a warm smile on his face, Dekan asked.

"No, no..."

Belica clutched her head, her face pale.

If she reveals those details, she will have nowhere to go.

She only realized now that she had been suddenly terrified, which was why she had answered Dekan's questions in a daze.

Not a single word of those things should have been said!

It is common knowledge that the Northern Nations have made things difficult for Dekan.

But when she, as a witness, says it, the nature of the situation changes.

Do you really think they can protect you?

Dekan's meaning is very clear.

The Resurrection Church has no way to deal with a kingdom.

But if you want to torment someone in the kingdom.

It would be a piece of cake for any bishop.

"I..."

Belica was in a state of extreme struggle.

She wanted to escape, but she didn't dare to.

This seemed to be Dekan's final ultimatum to her.

If he were to run away in front of Dekan, he feared he would never have another chance to discuss the matter with Dekan.

Compared to a present world where you could die at any moment.

Even facing the Phantom Canyon of Dekan gave her an immense sense of security.

But what if I were to reveal those secrets as a witness?

Not only will he be of no use to Dekan from now on, but he will also face retaliation from the Northern Nations.

Even if she dies, she must not say it.

Belica gritted her teeth, tears streaming down her face, afraid to make a sound and disturb the person opposite her.

She regretted getting involved with someone she shouldn't have.

No...

That night, at first glance...

She was certain.

The Dekan are not human beings at all, but a race that should not exist in this world.

The pupils of that absolute superior demon cannot be created through mimicry.

Only by seeing it with your own eyes can you feel the suffocating sensation that sends chills down your spine.

"Call..."

Upon seeing Belica, it seemed he had no intention of saying anything.

Dekan sighed.

It seems the psychological impact on her wasn't quite enough; it didn't frighten her into completely submitting.

Dekan had no interest in pursuing the Northern Nations relentlessly.

The punishment they received was sufficient.

Sometimes, not retaliating but keeping your opponent in a state of fear is also a form of revenge.

But when an opportunity to have some fun arises, Dekan won't miss it.

To get Belica to tell the whole story during this opportunity, we need to put a little more mental pressure on her in Phantom Canyon.

Dekan actually has a backup plan.

It was a technique he had never tried before.

That should scare Belica.

As for the extent to which he would be frightened, Dekan was unsure.

Because he is also doing scientific research.

Do you know what? You are very happy right now.

Dekan looked at Belica with pity.

"Because you're still trying to survive."

Belica: "Huh?"

"You'll understand what I mean when you start wanting to die."

Belica stared at Dekan's chilling smile.

He was smiling like an angel at that moment.

But she felt that this guy was the darkest darkness in the world.

"Whether it was Bishop of Ruin Evans of Destruction or Bishop of Corruption Fahim of Corruption, when they died, their thoughts were all begging me to kill them, weren't they?"

This was accompanied by Dekan's words.

The map of the surrounding mountains and fields, which was originally displayed, began to change out of control as if it had malfunctioned.

Then a fierce wind blew up, turning the sky dark and the world into a scene of hell.

Belica stared wide-eyed at the dramatic changes unfolding in Phantom Canyon.

They had no idea what had happened.

She even felt that she could no longer see the prompts for the Artificial Shadow World!

It was as if [Phantom Canyon 2.0], which was originally touted as having no security issues whatsoever, had been completely taken over by Dekan.

Dekan: "You can choose to escape Phantom Canyon, but the nightmare will one day find you again."

Belica: "Please, please let me go..."

Dekan's final warning dispelled Belica's impulse to flee Phantom Canyon immediately.

And then the scene changed.

Actually, it was Dekan who just activated a Spell Card.

[Phantom Barrier]

[Category: Spell Card]

[Grade: Purple Rare]

[Class: 5]

[Effect: Activating this effect will consume a large amount of mana, projecting the surrounding environment as scenes experienced by the user.]

[Note: Dekan modified version]

This purple Spell Card is available for purchase; its primary use is in everyday magic.

For example, it can be used for theatrical performances, party projections, etc.

It is also one of the many basic techniques used to construct the Artificial Shadow World Initiator.

Although the presented illusionary scene can be adjusted according to the user's wishes in terms of details.

However, due to the excessive mental burden it places on users, creating a large scene out of thin air and maintaining its stability is too difficult, and may even lead to the collapse of the user's will or the scene itself.

Therefore, they often conjure up a scene that the user has personally experienced and that left a deep impression on them, so as not to give themselves away.

It is rarely used in combat because it consumes a lot of resources, cannot change the actual terrain, and does not provide any combat attribute bonuses.

However, in Dekan's hands, this card became a purely intimidation-based countermeasure card.

Furthermore, Dekan improved this card so that it blends seamlessly with the projection of Phantom Canyon. If used within Phantom Canyon, the effect is more realistic, and there will be no trace of casting Spell Card, making it difficult to Appraisal Magic.

In Phantom Canyon.

Belica was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground.

That's why the scene was so terrifying.

This is because the scenario simulated by Dekan is--

Devil King Tomb.

It felt as if the ghostly figures of demons were roaring all around.

The small hill in front of us has now turned into a mountain of the Demon King's withered bones.

At the mountaintop, there seemed to be a throne made of fragments from the Devil King Tombstone.

Welcoming the most evil, wicked, insane, and mad demon king who will bring the Demon Realm from its birth to its destruction.

Dekan, on the other hand, had already used [Blood Mimicry] to transform into a demon male and, together with his Master, taken control of his body, reverting to the state he had been in at the Devil King Tomb.

Dekan held a jet-black longsword that exuded an ominous Magic Power.

At the hilt of the sword was the head of a demon, howling mournfully, as if tears of blood were streaming from its eyes.

He walked step by step to the throne and sat down.

He then plunged the sword into the ground, emitting a mournful hum, and simultaneously activated [Three-Corpse Berserk].

The incessant howls and roars of the demons assaulted Belica's eardrums, causing her, already trembling and with red eyes, to cover her ears tightly.

Her eyes, constantly streaming with tears, were lifeless and filled with despair.

He was muttering incomprehensible, unclear words to himself.

She not only seemed to be going crazy, but her body was also completely out of her control.

Dekan was slightly surprised by Belica's condition.

The performance turned out surprisingly well.

Actually, half of the special effects come from the scene, and the other half comes from the sword in his hand.

[Batchel's Sword of Despair]

[Category: Equipment Card]

[Rarity: Orange Epic]

[Class: 5]

[Effect: Swinging the sword produces Batchel's mournful howl, causing mental shock to all enemies and reducing their resistance to mental magic.]

[Note: Have you heard Batchel's lament?]

This sword has little offensive power; it's essentially an unsharpened decorative sword, not even very sharp enough to peel fruit.

Its design is incredibly frightening, and the special effects it emits even make one wonder if it has reached that legendary grade.

This weapon was crafted by Dekan using the Purple Rare material [Heart of Batchel's Fear], which he obtained in the Shadow World: Demon Academy Tales, as its core material.

Actually, Dekan didn't have high expectations for this card at first.

Making Purple Rare card should be enough, as planned.

He didn't expect to create an Orange Epic card this time; based on the design and the quality of the core materials, the probability of getting an epic card was too small.

Unexpectedly...

Perhaps it was because of the deep bond he shared with his teacher, Mr. Batchel, and the fact that he poured so much memory, emotion, and soul into the production.

This made it an epic card, which surprised even Dekan.

Dekan looked down at Belica, who was on the verge of losing her will, and said coldly:

This is your last chance.

"Don't want!!"

Belica screamed at the top of her lungs, like a madwoman.

She only wants to commit suicide right now.

But she also knew that committing suicide here wouldn't solve the problem.

She will be teleported out of Phantom Canyon unharmed.

And she was quite certain that Dekan's warning would come true.

She will face a true nightmare in the present world from which she can never awaken.

Looking at Belica's condition, Dekan felt that it seemed to have exceeded his expectations.

If this continues, it might drive this guy completely insane.

So Dekan temporarily sheathed his teacher Batchel and his sword of bonds, and said calmly:

"I promise you that as long as you confess all the crimes committed by the Northern Nations, everything that happened before will be wiped clean. I will not cause you any more trouble, and I will guarantee your safety in the name of Dekan."

He emphasized the word "everything" when he said it.

He believed Belica would understand what he meant.

Belica stared blankly for a few seconds, then looked at Dekan as if grasping at a straw and shouted:

"I promise you! I'll tell you everything!"

And so it ended.

A match was turned into a public trial by Dekan.

Many powerful figures from the Northern Nations who were watching the game turned off the broadcast with dark expressions.

Dekan will probably not cause them any more trouble.

However, the Kingdom Association seized a golden opportunity to suppress them.

After that, there will be plenty of headaches.

In Phantom Canyon.

Dekan seemed finally satisfied.

You can leave now.

"Um..."

With Dekan's permission, Belica tremblingly surrendered.

Her figure gradually blurred and disappeared into the Phantom Canyon.

The words "[Winner: Dekan!]" began to appear in the sky above Phantom Canyon, a celebratory message.

Dekan rose from his throne, raised his hands, and stretched with a contented expression.

Like a sunny boy who has just woken up on a Saturday morning and comes out to bask in the sun on the balcony.

"This kind of one-sided, crushing match is really boring."

With that statement, Dekan also chose to leave Phantom Canyon.

"This guy even knows he's in a competition?"

"A one-sided crushing victory? Have you no shame?!"

"You know what, at least Dekan actually made it into the game this time, which is much better than the last game."

All the viewers noticed.

Every time Dekan plays, the atmosphere is completely different.

Furthermore, whether it can truly be called a "competition" is debatable.

From a competitive standpoint, every game Dekan played was undoubtedly a terrible one.

But ironically, it also makes people wonder what kind of antics this guy will pull next.

The entertainment value is unmatched by regular competitive events.

And what the audience doesn't know is what Dekan would be like if he really went all out.

A brief post-match Q&A session.

Dekan's rival, Belica, has been taken in for questioning by the Kingdom Association's prosecutors.

Dekan also began giving post-match interviews.

The host, striving to maintain a professional smile, asked Dekan:

"First of all, congratulations to Mr. Dekan on advancing to the semi-finals! He truly deserves to be the undisputed number one contender for the championship! However, we've always had one question: in your opinion, who is your biggest rival in this competition?"

After listening to the questions.

Dekan shook his head.

"Heh, I have no equal. At least a bishop from the Resurrection Church would be enough to challenge me, right? I defeated two bishops when I was 16. What about you?"

As Dekan finished speaking, he seemed to glance around in the direction of the other players.

Dekan's arrogant remarks clearly caused an uproar.

"However, if we're talking about enemies, there is one."

No matter what the reporters asked, he was already prepared to steer the conversation toward this topic today.

Dekan's eyes sharpened, and he pointed at the camera.

"Lord of Calamity, you're next. Just you wait."

In the picture, Dekan is full of vigor, openly declaring his stance to the Lord of Calamity!

Dekan's stylish move instantly ignited the atmosphere.

"Just for that sentence! I support you to win the championship!"

"The Bishop of Pain is greater than the Lord of Calamity!! Who supports him, who opposes him!!"

"Let that cowardly Lord of Calamity see the true Underworld! Bishop of Pain! Even the Underworld can be surpassed!"

The cheers and triumphant shouts seemed to echo from the arena throughout the entire city!

They all know.

Dekan was arrogant.

But he has reason to be proud!

No matter how absurd his methods are.

At this moment, everyone was absolutely certain that if it was Dekan, he would definitely be able to Lord of Calamity!

Fight poison with poison!

Dekan is the most poisonous!

And.

Many contestants, if they win, may use the reward of "Astrologer's Ninth-Tier Epic Card Divination Opportunity" in a way that benefits themselves or their country.

Even if some contestants were willing to use the title of "Lord of Calamity," they wouldn't dare to announce it to the world like that.

Dekan was the first.

Those who dare to openly declare war on the Lord of Calamity!

This spirit is unmatched by anyone else!

In the audience seats.

Alice was so envious and excited that she almost shook Mie into a roly-poly toy!

She really wants to dress like that just once!!

Cat Teacher: "..."

Looking at Dekan's "I will kill myself" declaration, Cat Teacher has a thousand words to say.

But it's something you can't say, just like the frustration of not being able to post a message while reading a book.