These Demons Do it for Free-Chapter 89

The black ball of mana in mid-air fizzled and faded.

What I was trying to do was this: firing a magic bullet remotely.

Inspired by Mea’s demonology lesson, I realized that it’s possible to develop demonology beyond the fixed structure of spells.

The properties of a demon’s mana—the faint but distinct traces embedded within it, even if they couldn’t be called fragments of power—how much I could leverage those was also part of demonology.

Seir’s mana property is movement, and the authority I borrowed relates to spatial movement. So, theoretically, it should be possible to move the mana itself outside my body, form a magic bullet, and fire it from there.

“It seems like it could work.”

It felt a bit like drawing different shapes with each hand—a sort of brain fitness. But instead of simple shapes like triangles or squares, it was like drawing an octahedron and a nonagon simultaneously. A different league altogether.

I split the mana, deploying one to set up an axis and pinpoint a location, then moved the other to that spot to condense it into a magic bullet. Shooting directly from my hand was now mostly muscle memory, but using the axis was different.

[You don’t have to rely on that staff so much, Contractor. The staff merely standardizes sensory information; everything ultimately hinges on your own perception.]

[He’s not going to understand if you put it like that.]

[Heh, Archfiend. It’s fitting that your rhetorical skills match those of a duke. As a duke, you possess a sophistication unattainable by a marquess.]

[What’s this maniac even talking about?]

Ugh.

With my brain already strained from practice, their high-level discussion felt overwhelming.

“Alright, let’s call it a day.”

It’ll work out someday, I suppose.

---

The next morning, I visited the inn where the two of them were staying, which was unusual since they usually came to the Telema faction’s side. But this time, I was quicker.

As I ordered a simple breakfast and waited in the inn’s dining hall, a familiar hooded figure appeared from the stairs.

“You’re here?”

Leif ran over and took the seat across from me.

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

“Good morning.”

“Morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes! I think I got a good rest for the first time in a while.”

Maybe it was the new clothes, but Leif sounded more cheerful than she had yesterday morning.

“So, what are we doing today? Are we going to get new gear?”

“Not exactly.”

Just as I was about to continue—

“What? Why are you talking without me?”

Thud, thud, bang!

Ray condensed the twelve steps of the stairs into three giant leaps, making the innkeeper shout at her to take it easy.

But Ray ignored him and plopped herself between me and Leif.

“So, from the top.”

“Nothing important. Just small talk about sleep and plans for today.”

“Alright, so let’s get started. What are we doing today? Getting gear?”

“…Did you two talk about this before bed or something?”

After a few more trivial exchanges, I brought up the main topic.

“We’re not going out today. I wanted to talk to you both.”

“That’s fine.”

“Hm…that sounds boring.”

But it was necessary. And once they heard what I had to say, it wouldn’t be so boring anymore.

“This is just my personal opinion, but…”

“Yeah?”

“What is it?”

“I think we might need one more team member.”

Both of them flinched, as if I’d just dropped a bombshell. They squirmed like fish pulled out of water.

“Suddenly?”

“Why? What’s the problem?”

Ray, who seemed opposed to adding anyone new, reacted harshly.

I calmly explained my reasoning.

“Our original positions were Ray at the front, me as the main firepower, and Leif supporting. But that setup has completely fallen apart.”

Frontline? Ray might have technically been in that role, but I wasn’t sure we could still call her a tank. From the start, Ray’s position was more of a damage dealer than a pure tank. With the addition of the Azure Rail movement skill, Ray was more of a close-range striker than a tank.

She didn’t have defensive skills to begin with, so expecting her to tank was always a stretch.

‘Maybe if we call it dodge-tanking, it wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate.’

It felt like forcing a puzzle piece where it didn’t belong. It wasn’t impossible, but it was inefficient and felt like a problem waiting to happen.

“Neither Leif nor I strictly need a frontline, but it’s worth considering at least once.”

We could manage without a tank, using aggro-ping-pong tactics if necessary.

I had Blink, Ray had Azure Rail, and Leif had Aerial. All three of us had evasive or movement skills.

That was probably why neither of them had brought this up before; consciously or unconsciously, they figured we didn’t need a tank.

“Roman, do you already have someone in mind?”

“Wait, is there someone?”

“No, nothing like that.”

If I had to pick, I’d be interested in recruiting Luke, but he was known to prefer solo play. He even turned down Viola’s invitation, so he’d likely reject mine, too.

“It’s more about considering the need.”

“I’m against it.”

“Hmm…”

Ray outright opposed the idea, half out of stubbornness and half out of disinterest, while Leif seemed thoughtful.

They both knew our situation wasn’t ideal. Viola had picked up on it and even offered advice. Expanding the team would be the quickest way to reduce our risk.

“What about Ellowen…?”

“Ellowen?”

“She’s not a bad option. Earth spirits have the strongest defense…”

And Ellowen would be under Leif’s control. Plus, they shared a common background, which could be a bonus. Though Ellowen was technically affiliated with the elves, she wasn’t tied to any other guilds.

“I don’t know about her. Every time I try to have some fun with Leif, she’s all, ‘Stop that,’ or ‘Mind your manners,’ or something.”

“That’s because you’re always teasing.”

“She says that even when I’m not!”

Ray pouted, her lips pressed into a tight line.

“Isn’t there a beastfolk around? A beastfolk.”

“Theresia?”

“Ugh, no, not the bat…”

She seemed to be against everything.

“Finding a mage who can tank is practically impossible.”

Ray had flopped back against the table in resignation, but suddenly slammed her fist on it as if she’d thought of something. The innkeeper shouted again, but Ray ignored him, being a long-time patron.

“I know someone!”

“Who?”

“That guy who tried to scam us on the floating island. Can’t we use him? Make him carry some of our stuff, too.”

“Oh, Bongshik?”

So she hadn’t completely forgotten about him after all.

Leif looked uncertain, her lips twitching as if debating whether to voice her disapproval, but I waved it off before it came to that. Although it was a good idea, it wasn’t one I could pursue.

“Unfortunately, I have other plans for Bongshik.”

“Plans?”

“Yes. I think he might help us decide on our next destination.”

---

“Wait…me?”

Bongshik’s voice shook as he heard the assignment I’d given him, his fingers fidgeting as if trying to deny reality. I repeated it clearly.

“Yes, you.”

“Um…do you know who that person is?”

Oh, I knew all right.

“Balhen Wickerton, the Shadow Puppeteer. A well-known information dealer.”

The one who fed Bongshik information about the altar on the floating island and the source mentioned in Cordelia’s clues about the undiscovered ruins.

“I need to meet him.”