How to Live the Life of a Demon Chapter 12 - If there are too many cooks (2)

 

 

Forest-type demons such as Dryads are very weak to fire. As such, their compatibility with demons who manipulate fire was unfavorable.

 

Therefore, Esf thought that Lucius must have been damaged by the explosion just now.

 

However, contrary to expectations, not a single strand of Lucius’ hair was damaged.

 

On the other hand, the twin demon had collapsed and couldn’t come to their senses.

 

Esf muttered as if he was lost.

 

“That guy is really a dryad? I thought that dryads are weak?”

 

Irinushka shook her head slowly, as if she had already expected it.

 

“He is not an ordinary dryad…be on your guard.”

 

Lucius approached Hurn and Bern, who were still struggling to regain their senses. Seeing them unable to stand properly bothered him.

 

‘Did I underestimate how much power I used? Perhaps I should exert less force in the future,’ he thought, thinking of them as children.

 

Recalling Dummett’s advice while assessing the twins’ condition, Lucius claimed three cards from their pocket and focused his attention on the other two individuals.

 

Irinushka and Esf’s expressions hardened instantly, realizing it was their turn.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

A deep silence filled the air, accompanied by the tension that ran through their spines.

 

They lowered their stances and watched Lucius’s every move, anticipating his next actions.

 

With a mere gesture of his hand, unimaginable amounts of ferocious demonic plants were summoned before them, causing cold sweat to involuntarily trickle down their brows.

 

Saliva flowed down their parched throat.

 

Lucius took a halfhearted step towards the wavering duo before abruptly stopping in his tracks.

 

“Irinushka, Esf.”

 

They were startled by the voice calling them and tightened their grip on their weapons.

 

Even though Lucius knew they would lose, he liked the sight of them in a fighting stance as if they were ready to jump out at any moment.

 

He didn’t mean to scare them this much, but it’s still not that bad.

 

It was much more preferable than showing an awkward attitude while claiming to be a classmate.

 

“Are you planning on fighting me like this?”

 

“Of course!”

 

Esf was surrounded by blue flames with the determination to fight.

 

“Irinushka, you too?”

 

“…”

 

However, Irinushka’s mouth did not open.

 

She couldn’t answer hastily.

 

Even though four people attacked Lucius, two of them fell.

 

Plus, she’s already got five cards, so she just needs to get out of this situation somehow.

 

Esf must have noticed her distressed expression and asked urgently.

 

“I-Irinushka! A-are you really planning on running away alone, leaving me behind?”

 

“…”

 

“Think about it carefully. Even if you run away anyway, you will eventually be caught and your cards taken away. Wouldn’t it be better to fight in that case? If it’s just the two of us, it’s still worth a try!”

 

Despite Esf’s earnest persuasion, her tightly closed mouth did not open.

 

There was a risk of being caught if she ran away as Esf said, but she thought that the two of them had no chance of winning against Lucius right now.

 

Then the best answer is.

 

“Lucius. These are all the cards I have.”

 

“W-what are you doing?”

 

When Irinushka took out two cards from her chest pocket and laid them down, Esf was shocked.

 

“Is that your choice?”

 

“Yes. Five pieces, including what you just had. Right now… you can finish class.”

 

Lucius quickly understood Irinushka’s words.

 

“So, it means you don’t want me to attack anymore.”

 

“Because I don’t want to fall like those two.”

 

Irinushka pointed to the fallen Hurn and Bern.

 

If they left things as they were, they wouldn’t be able to do anything until the end of the lesson. However, if they maintained their combat capabilities and left this place, they would have a chance to acquire other cards.

 

“Alright, let’s do that. If that’s the case, what are you planning to do?” Lucius’ gaze shifted towards Esf.

 

There was also a deep sense of disappointment in his eyes.

 

“… I only have 2 cards.”

 

Esf also took out his cards, unfolded and placed them on the ground, then slowly walked back.

 

As they left, carrying the two fallen demons, Lucius picked up four cards with a satisfied expression.

 

“Now, there are 42 cards left. This should be no problem.”

 

* * *

 

Esf thought he had gained enough distance from Lucius, climbed under a tree trunk and put down Bern, who he was carrying.

 

Irinushka also put down Hurn and sat down. Then she looked back on the battle with Lucius.

 

Even though he was still a young dryad, the types of plants he handled and his sense of battle were fearsome.

 

“Irinushka, did you really have to retreat without fighting?”

 

“It’s not always necessary to fight to know the outcome.” 

 

Irinushka shook her head resolutely.

 

“The two of them drew attention and made a surprise attack, but they were knocked out. What do you think will end up happening to the two of us?”

 

“Their fighting power is not great. Maybe they were caught off guard.”

 

Esf, unlike Irinushka, still seemed disappointed.

 

Irinushka smiled bitterly, looking at him expectantly.

 

“If that alone isn’t enough of an explanation…Did you sense his presence?”

 

“…!”

 

Finally, Esf turned his gaze to the other two demons, realizing the point she had made.

 

Why did he bring those two in first?

 

It was because they were members of the Lantern Clan, known for their exceptional detection magic. However, even they failed to perceive any signs until the plant creatures controlled by Lucius initiated the attack. They couldn’t even pinpoint his location, even after being attacked.

 

“Now do you understand? He was…watching us,” Irinushka nailed it.

 

Perhaps the three cards remaining in her arms were his mercy.

 

Now it was best to collect two more cards and end class quickly.

 

On the other hand, Esf seemed quite shocked and could not even open his mouth.

 

Irinushka waited for a while, but when Esf said nothing, she tried to get up.

 

“It looks like you need some time to organize your thoughts. Then I…”

 

“Now, wait a minute. Irinushka, can you listen to me?”

 

“… Sure.”

 

“This is my idea, but he won’t end the class like this.”

 

Since Lucius had taken away 7 cards, he could have ended the class if he wanted to, but Esf didn’t think he would just leave because he was so confident in his skills.

 

Besides, if Lucius’ goal had been to finish the class, he would have been content with just securing five cards.

 

“He’s a formidable opponent. He’ll probably go to attack the others as well. There’s no difference between him and the others. We can’t win if we face him individually.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“It’s time for us to join hands. Even if it’s just to achieve the class goal. If the four of us aren’t enough, just add more colleagues.”

 

It was a valid statement, but Irinushka could not willingly say so.

 

She could end the lesson once she secured just two cards. Did she really need to take unnecessary risks?

 

It wasn’t that she didn’t believe she couldn’t defeat Lucius or that she didn’t have confidence to find two more cards and end the lesson.

 

‘If I had known this, I would have ended the class as soon as I collected five cards.’

 

While Irinushka was regretting it, Esf, who was impatient, urged her to answer.

 

“What are you going to do? You’re not planning on running away like this, are you?”

 

“I’m not running away. I’m just choosing the best course of action… I’m sorry, but I’ll act separately. May luck be with you,” Irinushka replied.

 

When she got up from her seat, Esf could not hide his disappointment.

 

“I can’t help it. I can’t tell you what to do with your choices.”

 

Esf got up from his seat and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

 

Then he shook the unconscious twins awake.

 

Meanwhile, Irinushka turned her back to the direction where Lucius was and ventured deep into the forest. 

 

Hoping a few of the unclaimed cards would still be there.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, Rayel was moving carefully, observing the surroundings with detection magic using the wind spirit.

 

His detection ability was limited to locating magical objects, so he couldn’t figure out whether it was a card or a student.

 

So, Kian was next to him, sniffing to determine whether there were students in the direction pointed by Rayel.

 

“There are about five people over here.”

 

“There are five people?”

 

“It smells a bit like water… The smell of mud… Is it a swamp? It smells a bit like gunpowder. And, although weak, there is Lucius Kendrick’s body odor.”

 

“Lucius?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Rayel, who was about to turn around and avoid the situation when he heard that there were five students, changed his mind.

 

It had been a while since the class started, so it was obvious that most of the cards were in someone’s hands.

 

However, they have only been able to collect 8 cards. In other words, he needed two more cards to pass, so he had no choice but to collide with other students and snatch their cards.

 

If time continues to lag like this, only the strong students will be left.

 

Rayel nodded cautiously with a nervous look on his face.

 

“Then, let’s approach them.”

 

“Are you going to be okay?”

 

“It’s something I have to do someday. First of all, it would be better to look at the situation from afar and take the card if there is a good opportunity.”

 

And if.

 

Rayel swallowed dry saliva.

 

“If it’s Lucius… let’s make him regret it,” Rayel said.

 

“I get it.”

 

Kian agreed and ran with Rayel on his back.

 

Soon, the smell of the swamp began to be felt at the tip of Rayel’s nose.

 

Kian hid in the nearby grass and put Rayel down.

 

Rayel flew closer and carefully looked at the place where magical power was felt.

 

In the center of a huge swamp, five students were hanging upside down, unconscious, tied to vines.

 

“Oh my god!”

 

Rayel was shocked and approached after confirming that there were no other students around.

 

“Everyone! What happened! Come to your senses!”

 

“Ugh, ugh. Cla, class president …?”

 

“My head is spinning… Let me down, squeak!”

 

“Hey, class president, get me down!”

 

“What on earth happened? This is ridiculous… You can’t stay like this. I’ll let you down first. Wait a moment.”

 

“Wait a minute, Rayel.”

 

Rayel tried to control the plants by placing his hands on the vines that wrapped around the students. But there was a hand stopping him.

 

It was Kian.

 

For a moment, Rayel was puzzled by the sudden action, but he soon noticed that Kian’s gaze was fixed on the plant that Rayel had touched.

 

And soon Rayel realized why Kian had stopped him.

 

In this area, it was that plant where he could feel Lucius’s presence most strongly.

 

Fairies can also manipulate and move plants like Dryads, but their power is much weaker than that of the Dryads.

 

If it was a plant under the control of a dryad, it would definitely not move with Rayel’s power.

 

If the plants were under the control of a Dryad, it was highly likely that Rayel’s powers alone wouldn’t be enough to move them. That was the least of their concerns, though. There could be a counterattack.

 

Of course, he didn’t know if Lucius had that much skill, but since Kian was watching, he had to move more carefully.

 

Having come to a decision, Rayel looked at Kian and nodded.

 

As if waiting for that signal, Kian extended his claws and swiftly severed the vines, eliminating them in one fell swoop. By cutting off the vines, they could at least ensure they wouldn’t be counterattacked.

 

With relief, they landed on the ground. Rayel, with a determined expression, asked the now freed students, “Who was responsible for making you like this?”