"His mana reading is still intact . . . What does this mean?"

Few seconds since the magic was cast .

It was demon Giwald who threw that question .

"It means I'm alive of course . "

The manmade needles disappeared as I said that .

Demon Giwald sounded perplexed when it saw me .

"You're unharmed!? You . . . couldn't possibly have blocked those needles, could you!?"

"Yea . . . I mean I blocked your other attack magic . Why couldn't I mere needles . "

I check the surrounding mana while replying to the demon .

--Giruas's mana reaction is coming closer .

Looks like we're nearly done buying time here .

"No . . . You did not block those needles . They moved like they intentionally missed the spot you were at--"

Advertis.e.m.e.ntDemon Giwald scanned over the ground below me .

There's absolutely no damage around it .

Even though all other spots have needles completely burying them .

"I see . . . No wonder you're trying to take [Dragon Vein Sword] . "

Looks like the demon has realized the real reason of the needles missing me .

I was controlling Dragon Vein .

Unlike human's magic circuit, controlling Dragon Vein externally is a simple task .

You can attack through Dragon Vein thanks to that . . . And conversely, you can defend against those attacks yourself .

Right before the demon invoked its magic, I interfered with the Dragon Vein below me and slightly altered the manifestation range of those needles .

As a result, the area around me turned into a safe zone .

"However . . . A mage of your caliber must have realized by now . You have no chance of victory . "

Demon Giwald looked surprised for a moment before regaining its composure .

Apparently this demon found out that I had no means to defeat it .

Though that's going to change very soon .

" . . . Good work . "

Right after I said that .

The wall next to me broke apart--as a huge lump of metal showed up through the hole .

It's the thing I've been waiting for .

--[Coffin of Sealing] .

Giruas carried it and threw it to where I was .

"What the c.r.a.p's up with that s.h.i.+tty thing's weight! Anyone else woulda been crushed to death by that!"

I could hear Giruas beyond the broken wall .

Giruas has done his role well .

"I see . You were waiting for that . . . But what are you planning to do with that box? What use is a locked box, no better than a blunt instrument indeed . "

Demon Giwald sneered when it saw me touching the coffin .

I don't have the [Key] to the [Coffin of Sealing] indeed .

And [Coffin of Sealing] is practically indestructible .

However-- .

"You do it like this . "

I pour my mana into the coffin .

Not ordinary mana of course .

But mana with a special pattern .

Then--the [Coffin of Sealing] came undone with a dull sound .

The pattern was correct .

"Wha . . . "

Demon Giwald opened its eyes wide in surprise to see the [Coffin of Sealing] opening .

It must have never occurred in its mind .

But of course it would open .

The magic put in this [Coffin of Sealing] originated from something I developed myself .

Why wouldn't the designer of a lock know how to open it .

"You . . . Just who are you?"

Demon Giwald asked in blank amazement as I took the [Man-eating Blade] in my hand .

I won't answer that .

Instead, I activate [Man-eating Blade] and establish a connection between my magic circuits and the Dragon Vein .

I feel an enormous load on my magic circuits along with the peculiar sensation from getting connected to Dragon Vein .

But the me right now can bear it .

"Iris, get back . "

"Got it!"

Iris retreated back .

Demon Giwald tried to hinder her--but a hand appearing out of ground blocked the magic the demon shot .

"That's . . . [Hand of Dragon Vein]!"

. . . It knew this magic huh .

Demon Giwald is indeed correct, right now I'm using a magic called [Hand of Dragon Vein] .