Chapter 54
Just as not all wines produced in the world have equal value,
Not all forms of purity in the world hold the same worth.
The innocence of a 10-year-old child differs from the purity of a 30-year-old adult.
Just as the chastity of a basement-dwelling hikikomori cannot equal that of an SSS-tier beauty.
Purity too has different values assigned to each person.
The method of valuation wasn't difficult either.
The longer preserved, the rarer, and the more precarious it seems, the higher its value rises.
To seem precarious means that despite everything, one has maintained their purity.
Thanks to this, the One-Horned Lord couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Magnificent!"
The purity is concentrated. Which means, compared to their apparent age, they've preserved their purity for a long time.
Perhaps there are elves in this world too? Or maybe there's some space where time flows more slowly?
Unfortunately, the One-Horned Lord could only detect the presence and intensity of purity.
He didn't possess the power to discern anything else. But that hardly mattered.
After all, what was important to him was ultimately just the other's purity!
"Sniiiiff, haah."
The One-Horned Lord takes a deep breath and exhales.
A pleasant fragrance deeply penetrates his nostrils.
"This concentrated scent of purity... truly exquisite!"
The One-Horned Lord exclaims with a bright smile.
Hearing this, Yor frowns in disgust.
"Why are all you demon bastards such crazy freaks?"
His face was slightly red. Even for him, it was embarrassing to receive such a public purity certification.
Of course, regardless of that, the One-Horned Lord just kept smiling.
The purity isn't just concentrated either. No, that's not all.
The other party's purity was of high quality from the start.
After all, isn't the purity of a beautiful 20-something who's received dozens of confessions more valuable than that of an unemployed 30-something basement dweller who only browses the internet?
In wine terms, the other party was like wine made from quality grapes and aged for years. Moreover, it had been aged even faster through special(?) methods.
Seeing this, Amducias couldn't help but be pleased.
"Yor, come with me...! Heek!"
"Why is he so damn fast...!"
And that wasn't all. As time passed, two more fragrances were added.
Yoo Chae-rin and Im Ha-neul had arrived at the One-Horned Lord's location.
Though their fragrance wasn't as strong as Yor's, those two also wonderfully maintained their purity.
Seeing this, the One-Horned Lord broke into a wide smile.
"My word, what blessed day is this? For so many pure ones to gather at once!"
When the One-Horned Lord first entered this world, to be honest, he couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed.
Because there were more people who frivolously played below than he had expected.
He knew purity would be rare, but to think it would be to this extent.
Well... maintaining one's principles for long is foolish and old-fashioned.
Chastity is just a word old people bring up, sounding tedious to young people.
Life is lived only once, so the One-Horned Lord understood intellectually that one should meet many people.
But should that diminish the meaning of purity?
He couldn't help but lament the current state of affairs.
And in such an age where purity had become a crude joke... pure ones appeared before him in droves.
Naturally, the One-Horned Lord's joy was understandable.
"At this rate, my powers will be depleted today. To think there would be so many deserving of gifts."
"Just shut up!"
Of course, Yor was just embarrassed.
Concentrated? Is this bastard really reading even his past?
Having his purity, which wasn't even preserved by choice, exposed to everyone like this was making his face burn.
So Yor swung his sword to shut him up.
The sharp longsword rushed toward the demon's neck.
But such an attack wouldn't work on him.
Clang-!
The One-Horned Lord blocked Yor's strike by swinging his horn.
Even though it was a strike imbued with sword energy, not even a scratch appeared on the One-Horned Lord's horn.
An absurd level of durability.
"My, though pure you have quite the violent temperament. No, perhaps that temperament is precisely why it's been preserved until now... even better."
"Please... just shut up......"
Yor looked at his companions with a reddened face.
They were both staring blankly at the scene. What could those two be thinking right now?
Unfortunately, Yor, not being a "man" in that sense, couldn't easily predict.
One thing was certain - in his original world, a man being a virgin at his age was considered problematic.
Of course, though there were various unavoidable circumstances... personal embarrassment was a separate matter.
Yor tried to continue his attacks, but was stopped before he could act.
Because the One-Horned Lord stepped on air and rose into the sky.
Seeing this, Yor shouted:
"Get down here! You damn horse head...!"
"How lamentable. To think such pristine whiteness must be at odds due to the positions of demon and human..."
Yor frowned.
There weren't many ways to attack an opponent in the air.
Should he throw a dagger?
No, even then, whether he could hit the demon was uncertain.
Meanwhile, the demon continued speaking:
"Nevertheless, it matters not. The pure must naturally receive their due rewards."
After saying this, he looked around at Yor and his companions as if appraising them.
That's when it happened.
A new figure appeared at the edge of their vision.
A figure approaching with a red dot (REC) floating in the left air.
"Wow everyone, we finally found it! This is where Amducias is!"
[Oh]
[Wow a unicorn!]
[These guys are already here lol]
[Looks like something's happening?]
In other words, Kim Ma-ri.
"Haah..."
Seeing this, Yor let out a small sigh.
*
The first to receive a gift was Yoo Chae-rin.
"You're an Otherworlder, I see. Hmm, your kind is particularly difficult to judge purity-wise. As if there's some veil blocking the causality..."
The One-Horned Lord continued.
"But looking at you, even beyond that causality you seem white. For you, though modest, I shall grant the ability to play instruments well."
"Ah, um......"
With those words, a small portion of the One-Horned Lord's authority seeped into Chae-rin's body.
Originally, he was a renowned musician who ran an orchestra in the Demon World.
When it came to music-related powers, he could grant small abilities to others.
What settled in Chae-rin was delicate hand dexterity. Honestly, the change was so subtle she probably wouldn't notice much.
Well, it would make things easier if she ever needed to play an instrument.
It might help with weapon wielding too, or it might not.
Next, the One-Horned Lord's eyes turned to Im Ha-neul.
"Your fragrance is a bit stronger than that maiden just now. Clearly you've aged your purity longer."
"......"
At those words, Ha-neul's face slightly wrinkled.
It felt like he was mocking her for not having dated any men until age 26.
Of course, she managed to maintain her composure by reminding herself this was just a game...
After all, the One-Horned Lord was surely just judging based on '18+ Mode'.
"Admiring that purity, I shall grant you clearer pronunciation and vocalization. From now on, your voice will carry more power."
Thus Im Ha-neul gained more knowledge about diaphragmatic breathing.
From now on, her voice would become louder and clearer.
... Well, it should help when casting spells at least.
Finally, the One-Horned Lord's eyes turned to Yor.
"And you!"
"......"
Yor pulled his hood down deeply. He didn't care anymore.
He just wanted to go back to his cave and hide.
"A fragrance as if aged forty years! A purity that seems to have never even held hands with the opposite sex!"
"Shut up. Please be quiet..."
"And that precariousness as if it could break at any moment! Ah, how beautiful yet pitiful! Why must such brilliantly shining purity seem so close to vanishing! Well, perhaps it's precisely because it seems so easily broken that it holds such value."
Whoosh-!
Yor threw a dagger straight at the other party.
But the other was still a mighty demon with rank. Moreover, being in the air made aiming difficult from the start.
Though the power contained in the dagger was certainly strong, such an imprecise throw could easily be avoided.
Thanks to that, the poor dagger just disappeared into the sky above.
Yor briefly turned his head to check the chat window of Kim Ma-ri's stream in the distance.
[Wait is this dude actually a virgin? lol]
[Male virgins are rare wwww]
[His name was Yohan or smth but like how much of a loser do you have to be for Amducias to simp this hard]
[Can't see his face cuz of the hood so dunno yet]
[If he was confident about his looks why'd he wear a hood? lol]
[But lol he's lol kinda lol cute? lol]
[It's ok I can take it for you]
[ㄴ You have been banned by the moderator.]
"Phew..."
Yor let out a small sigh. Thank goodness he came wearing a hood.
Meanwhile, the One-Horned Lord continued speaking:
"I shall put special effort into your gift. What do you think is most important for enjoying music? Skilled hands? A voice that moves hearts? Clear pronunciation and projection?
No, those are all just supplementary things. What's ultimately most needed to enjoy is sensitive and delicate hearing."
Thus, Amducias's power settled into Yor.
Instantly, Yor frowned and covered his ears.
"Urgh!"
Suddenly everything became too clearly audible.
The sound of wind brushing clothes. The sound of hearts beating strongly. Even the breathing of companions behind him.
All of it rushed toward his ears, too loud and too distinctly.
Seeing this, the One-Horned Lord carefully continued.
"Oh my, it seems I got excited and made the gift too strong... But worry not. There's a reason it's called a gift. You'll surely be able to control that hearing once you adapt to it. May you hear many beautiful melodies."
So noisy.
The One-Horned Lord's dignified voice penetrated his ears.
Damn it, is this really supposed to be a gift?
Going by the feeling, it's like being hit with some kind of sound technique.
But anyway.
With this, the One-Horned Lord had given out all his gifts. With a satisfied smile, he prepared to leave.
"Well then, shall I take my leave... I've used too much power today."
"Wait, just a moment...!"
But that's when it happened.
Kim Ma-ri, who had been watching silently until now, urgently stepped forward.
Come to think of it, she too had come for that gift, so the One-Horned Lord leaving like this wouldn't do.
"Could you perhaps look at me too?"
"Hmm?"
She carefully asks the One-Horned Lord.
Amducias's black pupils turn toward Ma-ri.
Gulp, Ma-ri swallowed for a moment.
Even though she hadn't cleared '18+ Mode', facing a demon up close was still intimidating.
Still, she managed to push away her fear.
'Right, what is there to be afraid of.'
Though she might not be a virgin, she's only enjoyed sex in reality.
And the other is ultimately just a being in the game.
So from his perspective, he should only be able to detect '18+ Mode'.
Which means she must appear pure to him, so he'll have no choice but to buff her.
Thus Ma-ri pushed away her fear and put on a confident smile.
But what came from him was...
"WRETCH!!!!"
A roar that pierced the eardrums.
And before she could be surprised, the One-Horned Lord's horn pierced through her chest.
"Urk...! Why?"
Along with the sharp pain, questions arose in her mind.
The One-Horned Lord answered with an angry voice.
"You! Did you think hiding behind the Otherworld's veil would prevent me from discerning?! Nonsense!"
"Ah..."
Kim Ma-ri frowned and nodded.
I see. The other party has now evolved beyond '18+ Mode' to be able to detect real-world purity.
Well, after meeting so many Otherworlders while wandering around, maybe he learned to distinguish...
She tried to accept this and close her eyes.
... But only briefly.
Soon after, feeling a strange sense of dissonance, chills ran down her spine.
'...?!!'
No, wait.
How exactly did he distinguish that?