Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Butterfly's Whisper
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After escaping the dungeon.
"Dwarf sir!"
"Got it!"
Crunch!
We squeezed out every last drop of stamina to keep hunting.
And now, everyone was in a state of perfect exhaustion.
"Huff... huff...!"
Even breathing was a struggle, but still.
"It's finally over..."
"...We've done more than enough."
"Good work, everyone."
Once we'd hit our target number, a swell of proud accomplishment washed over us.
It felt like playing a game again after so long.
'This is what an RPG is all about.'
We were basking in that sense of fulfillment, resting at our makeshift camp, when...
"Here, have some food."
Barundel brought the meal over right on cue.
The menu was stew made from chunks of one-horned demon pig and herbs gathered from around us, boiled to a bubbling froth.
Our pre-packed rations had run out, so it was the only choice.
"Dwarf sir, this is really okay to eat, right...?"
Maybe the idea of demon meat was still nagging at him.
Thompson scooped up a spoonful of stew, his face uneasy as the thick broth dripped from his spoon.
"Just try it first and judge for yourself."
But Barundel was confident as ever.
It might not look appetizing, but he was sure of the taste.
I'd already experienced Barundel's cooking skills once before, so I brought the stew to my mouth without hesitation.
And...
"...It's good."
I was impressed by his culinary prowess yet again.
"It's good? For real, top ranker?"
"Why would I lie about something like this? Give it a try."
At my honest recommendation, Thompson swallowed hard and took a spoonful into his mouth.
And...
"Huh? Wha... What's this? Why is it so good?"
Color bloomed on his face in an instant.
Kayla and the survivor lady felt the same.
"Wow... Dwarf uncle, you could sell this. How do you make something this tasty from these ingredients?"
"Thank you... It's been ages since I had a proper meal."
The praise poured in nonstop.
Only then did Barundel smile contentedly and speak up.
"For all you know, I've spent half my life as a hunter. Give me a handful of weeds, and I can whip up something edible."
Proud of his skills, Barundel started explaining the secrets of the stew, clearly in high spirits.
"First off, the broth is key. You might think I just tossed in random weeds, but it's all in precise proportions..."
About thirty minutes later.
Barundel finally clapped his hands, signaling the end of his lecture.
"We should get ready for bed now. Gotta stock up on stamina if we're hunting tomorrow."
But...
Snore, zzz-snort-zzz, zzz-.
Everyone except me was already fast asleep.
Realizing this only now, having been lost in his own story, Barundel muttered with a hurt look.
"...I was talking to myself the whole time."
"It was delicious, Barundel."
"...You're the only one, Yoo Han."
Anyway, with bedtime preparations done, peace returned.
Lying in place, I began planning for tomorrow.
'I've leveled up plenty by now...'
What was left were the unresolved requests and uncovering the truth behind what happened to District 7.
The former could be handled with time; the latter would require some luck.
"Where am I supposed to find a smart demon?"
Demons that could talk were exceedingly rare.
Even if I found one, it would be trouble.
Demons got stronger the more intelligent they were, just like humans.
Hunting one down came with all sorts of risks.
'Might be better to track down another kin like Hagin.'
As I closed my eyes with that thought...
Crunch, cruuunch!
"Urk...!"
An immense pressure suddenly crushed down on my body.
It felt like being pinned under scissors—my body wouldn't move, and my mind grew hazy.
When I finally came to...
"Where... am I...?"
I was in an entirely different space.
A space blanketed in pure white.
I had no idea what was going on.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
I cautiously swung my arms first.
Thankfully, they moved fine, no issues...
"Hang on, something's off."
The way my arms moved was different from usual.
No, this was actually normal, wasn't it?
"This... this is my real body?"
It wasn't just my arms.
Arms, legs, head, torso.
Everything had reverted to my original body upon entering this world—not Yoo Han's, but my true self.
The body I'd longed for so desperately.
Emotion welled up to the brim.
Then...
[Hello there, my child.]
A seductive, intoxicating voice echoed from somewhere.
I turned to find the source, and there...
Flutter- flutter-.
A crimson butterfly flitted about in the air.
Plop.
I tentatively extended a finger, and the butterfly landed on it.
Gazing at it, I asked.
"Was that you?"
[Yes, it was.]
The voice was just as alluring on second listen.
One slip in focus, and I'd be swept away.
Gripping my mind tight, I asked it.
"Did you bring me here?"
[Yes, I called you, my child.]
"...Where is this place?"
[This is... your subconscious.]
My subconscious.
It clicked then.
Why my original body had appeared.
'...So that's how it is.'
I tried not to show it, but my lips twitched downward unwittingly.
I'd hoped, just a little, that I might have returned...
As that thought crossed my mind, the butterfly spoke.
[...You want to go somewhere.]
Her tone pierced right through my heart.
"How did you know?"
Pleased at being right, the butterfly fluttered its wings and replied.
[I know everything. Because you are my child.]
'...Child?'
Was it the creepy vibe?
Her words were starting to grate.
'What the hell is this thing? Keeps calling me child. You my mom or something?'
The retort rose in my throat, but I held it back.
I still didn't know what was happening.
Better to play it safe.
[My child, you can tell me anything. What do you desire? Where do you want to go?]
"What's it to you?"
[If you truly desire it... I'll make it happen.]
"...What?"
Her words made me flinch involuntarily.
"...You'll make it happen? Whatever it is?"
[Yes, whatever it is.]
In that moment.
Tsssizzle!
Unknown fissures cracked the space, and the pure white began to shift bit by bit.
Into the space most familiar to me.
'This is...'
My home.
The home I'd yearned to return to.
Emotion surged again.
"Ahh..."
My mind filled with one thought.
I wanted to go back.
Escape this endless torment.
Did she read that?
[Do you want to go there? Then tell me. What you truly wish for.]
"..."
[Just say the word.]
The butterfly demanded I voice my desire, and it sounded so sweet.
Like a demon's whisper...
Yes, like a demon's whisper.
My answer was short.
"Fuck off."
[...What, what did you say?]
"Fuck off. Cut the bullshit."
[...]
Maybe my firm tone threw her.
The butterfly stopped flapping and stared at me, dumbstruck.
Smiling as if greeting an old friend, I said.
"Long time no see? Asmodeus."
[H-How...?]
She looked visibly flustered.
Practically admitting she was Asmodeus herself.
"How? Who else pulls crap like this but you?"
I spat that out and focused my mind.
If this truly was my subconscious, as she said.
Then I was the master of this space.
Shoooo...
From my toes to my head.
My old body faded, replaced by the genius mage Yoo Han's.
At the same time.
Tsssizzle!
The space, altered into my home, began reverting to its original form.
Not just blank white, but exactly as she'd first designed it.
'The demon realm.'
The transformed space was unmistakably the demon realm.
Flutter- flutter-.
She halted mid-flight, as if surveying the surroundings.
Then...
[Heh heh, heh heh ha ha!]
She burst into genuine laughter, revealing her true colors.
Long, trailing black hair and skin white as polished jade.
Striking features and mesmerizing crimson eyes.
Fitting for the Legion Commander of Desire—her beauty was dizzyingly overwhelming.
But there was no swaying me.
Her exterior was flawless; her interior, pitch black.
Her seductive voice tickled my ears once more.
[Hee hee hee. How amusing. Just as I expected. The human who shattered my illusion...]
Hoo-.
Circling me, she breathed seductively close to my ear.
[Indeed... no wonder He takes an interest.]
He.
For a Legion Commander, only one being warranted that title.
Demon Legion Supreme Commander, Baal.
"Baal sent you?"
[...]
She hesitated at my blunt question before replying.
[Ignorant fool? Or admirably bold...?]
"Answer the damn question. No bullshit."
[Pffft-hee hee-]
Covering her mouth as she laughed, she shook her head.
[He is watching you, but... this isn't His doing. I simply wanted to meet you.]
With that.
Gooooo-!
Chilling demonic energy crushed my body mercilessly.
'...This much in my subconscious?'
A Legion Commander was a Legion Commander, after all.
It dwarfed any demonic energy I'd felt before.
Even breathing was a chore.
[And now I'm certain.]
"Wha... certain of... what...?"
Amused by my struggle, her eyes curved like crescent moons.
[That I must make you mine.]
No need to overthink it.
Asmodeus's power was [Corrosion].
Stimulating desire and deficiency until turning victims into puppets.
And knowing that...
I had no reason to fear.
I wouldn't fall for it.
Crunch!
The metallic tang rose from my bitten tongue.
Pain pierced even in the subconscious, easing the pressure just enough.
Seizing the moment, I spoke.
"If... you can do it, then try. You snake bitch."
I was confident.
I wouldn't yield to my own desires.
But Asmodeus shook her head.
[Not yet. But...]
Her crimson pupils flashed.
And I saw it.
The red moon reflected in her eyes.
[Don't be too disappointed. It won't take long.]
That's how it sounded.
The day the red moon rises.
Legion Commander of Desire Asmodeus will come for me.
The moment the great war truly began.