Chapter 243
“The Azure Flow Demon King knew exactly what kind of power the Poison Well truly held.”
Chris recalled the words spoken by the Azure Flow Demon King.
“Black is the root, poison is the refining process, and destruction is nothingness.”
Refining.
If the Sacred Black of the Dark Mana Clan changes the very essence of existence, then the Poison Well strengthens the source of that existence through trial.
“In simple terms, it makes the soul’s essence much stronger.”
Thinking of the transcendent beings he would have to face in the future, strengthening the soul’s essence was absolutely essential.
“It’ll help me immensely, even right now.”
But the Poison Well didn’t just strengthen the soul’s essence.
It fortified every aspect of his being.
Mental strength, physical ability, the capacity of his core—everything would be honed beyond anything he’d experienced before.
“The most important part is that it allows you to harbor the Heavenly Poison.”
The completion of the Heavenly Poison body came through this very refining of the Poison Well.
“The problem is, it’s incredibly dangerous.”
Because of the method.
The Dark Mana Clan’s secret technique only absorbs energy near the Poison Well.
Even that alone is so perilous that most give up halfway.
But to achieve the effect Chris desired, he had to immerse his entire body directly into the Poison Well.
Into that horrific poison that had even melted Märchenzo, the highest-ranking 7-star demon.
It sounded impossible.
“But it’s doable. Someone’s done it before.”
Chris thought with a meaningful look.
“The Bloodletting Demon Queen strengthened her power this way.”
Originally a powerful demon queen, she became an even more terrifying being after strengthening her body and soul through the Poison Well.
“She could endure the Poison Well’s energy because she was a 9-star demon queen.”
But that was something Chris couldn’t replicate.
“What I’m going to try is different.”
Besides the Bloodletting Demon Queen, there was another who had strengthened their body and soul through the Poison Well.
The progenitor of the Dark Mana Clan, the Annihilation Demon King.
According to hidden secrets, the Annihilation Demon King also used the Poison Well to strengthen his body and soul.
“At that time, the Annihilation Demon King was only an 8-star, not a 9-star.”
The reason he could endure the Poison Well without reaching 9 stars was one thing.
“Thanks to the Dark Mana.”
Chris recalled again what the Azure Flow Demon King had said.
“Black is the root, so Sacred Black plays the most crucial role.
No one knows the true origin of the Three Primal Energies.
But one thing is certain: the three energies—Sacred Black, Poison Well, and Destructive Flame—are closely connected.
Among them, the highest source is Sacred Black, as the Azure Flow Demon King said.”
Therefore, by using Dark Mana, it was possible to control the poison of the Poison Well.
“Of course, it’s not easy.”
According to the secret records, the Annihilation Demon King miraculously succeeded.
And Chris was far below the Annihilation Demon King’s level back then, when he was only 8 stars.
“But it’s still possible.”
The purity of the Annihilation Demon King’s Dark Mana was 90%.
Chris’s was a full 100%. Just as the difference between 80% and 90% is significant, the gap between 90% and 100% was insurmountable.
More importantly—
“My talent surpasses even the Annihilation Demon King.”
Wrapping his entire body in Dark Mana, Chris stepped into the raging Poison Well.
Sizzle crackle!
The moment his foot touched the surface, a chilling mist rose—poisonous enough to melt steel.
But thanks to the Dark Mana, the Poison Well’s poison couldn’t dissolve Chris’s body.
The Poison Well’s energy trying to melt him and the Dark Mana holding firm were locked in a tense stalemate.
“Stay focused. One slip, and you’ll turn into bloodstains.”
Splash.
Chris stepped in as if entering a river, one step at a time.
Gradually, his body sank deeper into the Poison Well until he was submerged up to his head.
It felt like being immersed in magma—terrifying and suffocating.
“Let’s begin.”
Controlling the Dark Mana, he slowly absorbed the Poison Well’s energy inward.
“The key is to completely eliminate the poison and only take in the pure source.”
The Poison Well’s energy consisted of two parts: poison and source.
The Dark Mana Clan’s secret technique focused on removing as much poison as possible and absorbing only the source.
But since the poison was fused inseparably with the source, completely removing it was impossible.
Success depended on how much poison could be eliminated.
Even a little poison entering the body was fatal.
“Especially for me, since I’m strengthening both body and soul, I have to remove every trace of poison perfectly.”
Even with the advantage of Dark Mana, this was a near-impossible challenge.
And now, fully immersed in the Poison Well, one tiny mistake would mean his entire body melting away.
“Not just my body, but my soul could be destroyed. The Poison Well’s power isn’t just physical poison—it also carries spiritual annihilation.”
But Chris’s gaze burned with determination.
“I will not fail. I will succeed and one day enjoy the greatest glory the world has ever seen!”
Flash!
Chris’s Dark Mana glowed a deep black as his life-risking, razor-thin balancing act began.
Time passed in an instant, and the day of the clan head’s decisive battle arrived.
The Jinrok Fortress hung heavy in the air.
Tension so thick it felt ready to explode permeated the Extreme Poison Mana Clan.
“Today’s the day.”
“What do you think will happen?”
“The outcome is obvious, isn’t it?”
The clan members lowered their voices cautiously.
“Deputy Head will win.”
Everyone nodded.
It was a given.
No one expected the Duke of Huam to win.
“So, it’s come to this.”
“It’s a shame. In terms of character, no one compares to the clan head.”
“But in the end, power is what matters most to a demon.”
The demons who followed the Duke of Huam looked toward the clan head’s residence with regretful eyes.
The Duke was preparing for the duel with Marisa’s help.
“Is Prince Christian not here yet?”
“…No.”
“It’s been a week, and still no word. I worry he’s gotten himself into trouble by overreaching.”
Usually, it took a few days to absorb the Poison Well, but a week was far too long.
‘In this situation, I can’t even go check on him.’
After thinking this, the Duke of Huam shook his head bitterly.
‘Now’s not the time to worry about Prince Christian.’
There was a high chance he would lose his life today.
Marisa, helping with the duel preparations, looked equally grim.
Trying to reassure his daughter, the Duke forced a bright tone.
“Don’t worry too much. I’m no pushover. The Deputy Head will regret challenging me. I will win, no matter what.”
He meant it.
Though objectively weaker, he had no intention of surrendering.
He planned to create a miracle.
“I am an absolute demon. No matter the opponent, I will never kneel.”
The Duke stood.
“It’s time. I must go.”
As he rose, Marisa bit her lip tightly.
“When will that slowpoke arrive?”
She looked toward the path leading to the Poison Well.
Still no sign of movement—only silence.
But as they headed toward the duel arena, an unexpected visitor arrived.
“Who are you?”
“I am Merlin of the Dark Mana Clan. I have come to deliver a letter from Prince Christian.”
“Prince Christian?”
Merlin nodded.
“Yes. He asked me to deliver this letter to you in case he couldn’t return by the day of the clan head’s decisive battle.”
The Duke of Huam took the letter with a puzzled expression.
After reading it, his eyes widened as if they might tear.
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Marquis Goras was also preparing for the duel.
“Oh, finally, today our Extreme Poison Mana Clan will find its rightful leader.”
“It should have happened long ago. Congratulations on ascending to clan head.”
Those who followed Marquis Goras bowed obsequiously, as if the outcome was already decided.
But Goras’s reaction was strange.
“You’re all too noisy.”
“…Pardon?”
“I said, be quiet.”
“!!”
His voice was low and cold, his gaze icy.
His retainers swallowed hard.
‘What’s gotten into him?’
It wasn’t just today.
Since returning to the clan, Marquis Goras had been in this dark mood.
‘It’s not just a bad mood. Why do I feel such an ominous presence?’
Goras had always been feared.
But lately, it felt like facing a snake—something deeply unsettling.
“I’m going out now.”
“…Yes.”
As his retainers withdrew, Marquis Goras suddenly acted out.
Crack!
He grabbed the wooden table in front of him and smashed it to pieces.
“Damn it.”
It was hard to imagine such agitation from the usually cold Marquis Goras.
Then, a strange voice whispered in his ear.
A creepy sound, like a snake slithering.
“You… are a fake.”
“Shut up.”
But the voice didn’t stop.
“There is only one way for you to become real. Don’t reject me.”
The seductive whisper continued.
“I am the ‘Jinrok’ you must embrace to fulfill your wish.”
At last, the clan head’s decisive battle began.
All the clan’s demons gathered to witness the duel, and two absolute demons stepped into the arena.
“Deputy Head.”
The Duke of Huam called out to Marquis Goras in a low, heavy voice.
Marquis Goras’s face, which had shown a flicker of unease when he was alone earlier, was now completely cold and composed.
“There’s no need for pointless chatter. Let’s begin the duel.”
Marquis Goras summoned a surge of poison energy.
The overwhelming force of his poison made Duke Huam’s expression harden instantly.
‘How does he wield such a powerful poison?’
He had sensed it during their previous encounter as well—Goras’s poison was disproportionately strong for his level of achievement.
‘Could he have made a pact with a demon or something?’
The thought flashed through his mind, but he quickly shook it off.
No, that can’t be it.
Demon contractors can conceal their power, but only when they don’t reveal the strength granted by the demon. If this energy were demon-derived, it would carry a distinct, lingering aura—but there was none of that here.
“Daydreaming, are we? You seem quite relaxed.”
Marquis Goras gestured sharply, clearly annoyed.
The entire battlefield shifted in an instant.
He had unleashed his 8-star Dominion.
Goras’s Dominion was called the “Serpent Poison’s Green Veil.”
The area around them was suffused with a greenish haze, countless shimmering mirages of venomous snakes writhing like living poison.
‘The number of snakes…’
Duke Huam’s face stiffened.
The “Serpent Poison’s Green Veil” was a Dominion that trapped the opponent within a barrier of green poison energy, where the snakes would bite relentlessly until death.
The problem was the sheer number of snakes—too many to even count.