The Invitation
“Then I’ll contact you once the research is done.”
“Hope it’s good news.”
Gepelt finished accelerating the armor’s adaptation and vanished into his room for research. As soon as he stepped out, Garba quietly cracked the door open and peeked in.
“My lord?”
“What.”
“Ahem. You work fast, my lord. Already done? Uh, may I come in?”
“……Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not that, so don’t misunderstand.”
“Yes, understood. I saw nothing. I swear I’ll never tell a soul.”
“I said it’s not!”
“S-sorry!”
Garba apologized and approached as Sung-tae snapped in frustration. In his hand was a single letter.
“A letter that flew in for you, my lord.”
“For me? I don’t know anyone here.”
He’d only just arrived at the castle—there was no way he knew anyone. The envelope Garba handed him was addressed to “The Castle’s Master”.
Originally, the castle’s master had been Ignis, so this must be for him.
Hmm. A letter, huh. I figured they’d use communication magic or something. Guess there’s no such thing?
He’d have to read it first. Sung-tae tore open the fancy envelope and checked the contents.
Ignis, behold. It’s already been twenty years since you started calling yourself the Demon King.
Yet you’ve never once replied. Even if you skip the meetings, shouldn’t you at least have the basic courtesy to respond?
On top of that, we sent letters telling you to shrink your territory, but nothing changed. Got a death wish?
I don’t know what you’re doing holed up in your room, but if you don’t want to reply, at least set up communication magic or something.
Anyway, please reply this time.
P.S. – A gathering is coming up soon. This is your last chance, so think it over.
—The Demon King Association
“Demon King Association?”
Demon King Association? Demon kings had their own association? Wait, first off, wasn’t Ignis the only demon king?
To clear up his curiosity, Sung-tae glanced at Garba, but even he scratched his head, clueless.
“I don’t know either… Sorry!”
“Nah. Demon King Association. What kinda group is that?”
“It’s a forum for sharing info, created by demon kings long ago.”
“!?”
Gepelt popped up like a fairy—he must’ve eavesdropped on Sung-tae’s mutterings—and answered. In his hands were a flask and strange crystal he’d just started experimenting with for his research.
“Whoa! What’s that mean? Info-sharing forum?”
“Exactly that. Long ago, the world’s demon kings were all like Ignis—lone wolves carving out territories with overwhelming power.”
Hmm. So there’s more than one demon king.
“Back then, it wasn’t a problem. Greedy dragons avoided clashing with demon kings, elves and dwarves hid away, and humans were too busy fighting each other. But when humans united, and elves and dwarves emerged, everything changed.”
Sung-tae perked up his ears, hooked by the classic fantasy tale, and listened intently.
“Once united, humans started challenging demon kings in ways they’d never dared before. Demon kings had ignored them like pests, but their combined might was stronger than expected.”
“Did they catch a demon king?”
“No. No matter how united or strong humans got, they couldn’t kill a demon king.”
“What the—.”
It sounded like humans had repelled demon kings with their power, but then…
As if to resolve his doubts, Gepelt continued.
“Do you know about heroes, my lord?”
“Of course!”
That’s what I wanted to be.
Swallowing those words, Sung-tae recited what he knew.
“Exceptionally strong humans. Sword saints who cleave skies and mountains, wielding magic beyond grand mages—blessed beings, right?”
“You know your stuff. Exactly. Humans have heroes. As strong as demon kings themselves—and not just one, but many!”
“Many!?”
Demon kings came in multiples, and now heroes too? Ignis must be a small fry.
Sung-tae’s opinion of Ignis plummeted further.
“Even united, humans couldn’t match demon kings. But heroes were different—individuals with power rivaling demon kings. These sudden arrivals massacred demon kings who’d been objects of terror.”
“Massacred?”
Heroes weren’t just equals—they massacred them?
“Surviving demon kings fled to the continent’s edges. Now they wander alone or with a few loyal minions, keeping low. Demon kings like Ignis who build territories might as well scream, ‘Come kill me!’ to humans.”
“Then how’s Ignis still alive?”
“Probably no new heroes have appeared. Strangely, each hero kills just one demon king and loses interest.”
Odd. Why only one? Sung-tae puzzled over heroes’ motives but had no answers, so he focused on Gepelt’s ongoing explanation.
“Anyway, when Ignis first ventured into human lands, he ran into a hero. Barely escaped without a fight. Lucky for him, the hero was busy and didn’t pursue. But Ignis, haunted by the fear one might come kill him someday, built this territory and army.”
“Got it. All-in desperation against heroes, huh.”
“Yes. Started as a rematch plan, but he never went back—just kept building forces.”
“A guy that prideful?”
“That’s how terrifying heroes are.”
How strong are they exactly? Not stronger than me, right?
A twinge of unease hit, but he reassured himself: in a world where his mere existence made him the strongest, he’d be fine.
“Anyway, demon kings, now loners or small groups, started meeting regularly to share info and chat. That invitation is the start for joining those gatherings.”
“I see.”
Like a support group for wounded beasts licking each other’s wounds. Sung-tae pitied this world’s demon kings.
“If heroes scare ’em that much, they should band together…”
“Demon kings are born with unmatched strength. Pride wouldn’t allow it.”
“Got it. Thanks for explaining.”
“Then I’ll return to my research.”
Watching Gepelt trudge out, Sung-tae wondered, Why pop in like magic but walk out normally? But the thought vanished under invitation fantasies.
“Demon king… Demon king… Demon king!”
“My lord?”
Chanting “demon king,” Kim Sung-tae’s twenty-something hot blood and imagination ran wild, conjuring images.
[Oh? Finally showing up, newbie demon king? So you’re Ignis?]
[Cool armor. Hmm, you built a territory? Mind if I join?]
[So manly. So strong. Too hot!]
Bat-winged queens in revealing outfits. Succubus queen who loves men. Beastkin demon kings who crave the strong.
“Heh… Kekeke… KAHAHAHA!!!”
His fantasy demon kings brought a smile he’d never worn before. Zero chance they were all female, but at least one might be?
“Demon king… Female demon king!”
“M-my lord! Are you okay!?”
“I’m fine, Garba!”
“Yes, my lord!”
“Tell them about the upcoming demon king gathering. I’m attending—not Ignis, but me, Kim Sung-tae!”
“Understood, my lord!”
After sending Garba off, Sung-tae sat on the bed, heart pounding with uncontainable excitement. Even with his armor-weakened body, the thumping vibrated the air, shaking the castle.
Demon king… Female demon king… Beastkin… Succubus…!
Garba felt it too as he left. Crumpling the invitation despite knowing better, he teared up, moved by his new lord’s zeal.
As expected of my lord. Thrilled to meet demon kings, burning with fighting spirit!
Clueless about sexual excitement, Garba misinterpreted.
Definitely fired up to battle them. Plans to subjugate every demon king! A plain reply won’t do.
He bolted to his new room, heart racing for different reasons.
They trusted me to reply. I must reward that faith. No half-assed challenge letter!
The reply morphed into a challenge in his mind. Warrior Garba, no scribe, agonized over it.
How to write… How…
By late evening, the paper stayed blank. No ideas.
“Argh! How do you even write one!?”
“What’s with the noise? Still up?”
“My lord!? What brings you to this humble room…”
“Couldn’t sleep, so I’m wandering.”
Sung-tae played it cool, but he’d been pacing with fantasies till then.
Seeing Garba with pen in hand, he muttered, baffled.
“Still writing? Don’t overthink. Keep it simple. Short and to the point beats fancy words.”
“Got it, my lord!”
“Alright, I’m off. Whew, body’s heating up.”
Sung-tae’s heartbeat resumed, vibrating the demon king castle late at night.
Still burning with zeal. He’s really looking forward!
Garba refocused, etching the advice deep.
Simple. Short. Just the point!
Black ink bloomed on white paper—short, clear, simple.
“Heh. Perfect challenge letter.”
Garba headed to Gepelt’s room to send it—mages handled mail. The “challenge” read:
Gathering. Will attend.
And kill you all.
＊＊＊
Days after sending the invitation, one afternoon. Thanks to Gepelt’s steady prep, the warp magic to the gathering site was ready. Standing in the demon king castle’s magic circle whisked you there instantly.
“I found a way to alter your armor, my lord.”
On the day of the demon kings’ regular gathering, Gepelt announced his success.
“This’ll really work?”
Sung-tae eyed the magic circle etched on his armor skeptically. Aside from the blue dye, it looked unchanged. Surely not passing off a tattoo as a makeover?
Gepelt just smiled silently under his gaze.
“Just wait a moment. The circle will seep in. This special one embeds semi-permanently into Black Oriharcon, activating magic indefinitely.”
Sure enough, the circle faded and vanished. But the armor still looked the same to Sung-tae.
What gives? Before he could ask, Garba rushed in.
“My lord, time to depart. My lord? Gepelt, where’s my lord?”
“Right here.”
Garba didn’t recognize him despite standing there.
Staring, Garba bristled like a cat facing a foe, baring hostility.
“Who are you!? Human? Black-armored one!”
“It’s me. Your lord, Kim Sung-tae.”
“Hmph!? That voice… and the scent… My lord!”
“Heh. How’s that?”
“How’d you do it?”
No visible change, yet Garba hadn’t recognized him. Sung-tae inspected the armor repeatedly—same as ever.
“Simple principle. Optical illusion magic. Not imprinting the armor’s full features, just emphasizing armor and black. Even those who know Ignis will see just ‘black armor.’”
“Ooh, nice! Thanks!”
Sung-tae thanked him, unaware of the feat. Etching magic into Black Oriharcon rivaled forging it—possible but demanding immense effort and knowledge. Gepelt had researched sleeplessly since the request.
As a tree monster, he didn’t need sleep anyway.
“Glad you like it.”
Beaming at the happy demon king, Gepelt raised a finger with advice.
“One thing: master mages see through it. At least my level or higher.”
“Huh? Demon kings too?”
“Likely. But no worries. Even if they do, you’re far from Ignis now—size, personality, strength. They’ll know you’re different instantly.”
“True. Wait—heroes too?”
“Obviously.”
His gauntlet clanged against the helmet.
He’d wanted something heroes couldn’t pierce. This fell short of his goal. About to brainstorm alternatives, Sung-tae settled for it.
Fine. Demon kings see someone else, heroes will too. Size and personality differ. They won’t attack on sight yelling ‘Ignis! Die!’
“Whew. Thanks anyway. Gotta go before we’re late.”
“Yes, my lord. Safe travels.”
“Gepelt, hold the fort.”
Just days in, the demon king castle already felt like home. Human adaptability? Or just his shamelessness? Probably the former. Convinced, Sung-tae stepped into the magic circle’s large triangle.
“Don’t worry about the castle. I’ll guard it with my life till you return. Come back safe.”
Safe?
Not off to fight, yet “safe”? Gepelt’s sweeter than expected.
He didn’t know Gepelt had checked Garba’s reply before sending.
“Alright. I’m off!”
The circle blazed, enveloping them. Light absorbed back, pulling them in—then vanished, taking the pair with it.
Gepelt stared at the empty spot, heart racing with anticipation over the chaos ahead.
Whew. Hope demon kings don’t attack on arrival…
No heart for a tree monster, though.