Fill the Lower Demons of Dirke Village with Satisfaction?
Han Ji-woo read the mission aloud and scanned his surroundings.
"A village… huh?"
Since the mission had triggered, this must be Dirke Village. But there wasn't a single building in sight—no way he could've recognized it as a village. Just barren, ash-like soil, bizarre rock formations jutting up out of nowhere. Over there, a sheer cliff of red stone towering into the sky. This way, a sudden drop-off into a chasm. Thick clusters of black grass called bloodweed, and skeletal gray trees with nothing but bare branches. That was it. Oh, and way off in the distance, a red pool bubbling up smoke—probably lava, from the look of it.
Who the hell would call this a village?
Still, it looks like demons live here in groups.
A settlement might be a better word. No, even that implied some ramshackle shelters.
Do they live in caves or something?
Mulling it over, he eyed the lower demons. They drooled at the meat gripped in Kerberos's jaws but didn't dare approach. Fear was etched on every face.
Krrrrowl.
Kerberos chewed the meat and growled.
"Blackie."
Han Ji-woo pulled out a chunk of beef, extending his empty hand.
"Hand."
Thwap!
Blackie reflexively pawed forward, then fumed.
"Other hand."
Thwap!
"Jump."
Hop!
"Sit."
Plop.
"Bang!"
Thud.
"But your body's saying something else."
Han Ji-woo pointed behind Kerberos. The beast twisted its heads to see its tail wagging furiously.
Reading into it, Han Ji-woo asked, "Hey, weren't you the guardian of the Demon Realm's gates?"
"Did you guard it all by yourself?"
Pride swelled on Kerberos's faces.
"How long?"
"All alone for a thousand years? Tsk. I see."
This guy must've been lonely as hell. Sure, he was foul-tempered and rude as they come, but Han Ji-woo had noticed long ago that Kerberos loved being played with. Last time he'd summoned him, tempting with meat and giving commands—the beast grumbled about vengeance and insults, but its tail spun like a propeller.
Such a dishonest mutt.
If the phrase "pride possessed his body" came to life, it'd be this guy.
"Here."
He tossed the beef. All three heads snapped it up, dividing it neatly.
"Eat up, Blackie."
"Your tail's waggin' so fast, you might take off."
"Then why?"
Han Ji-woo smirked, gathering the scattered loot and gear dropped by the demons. Kerberos's hellfire turned flesh to ash, but equipment survived—dungeon rules at play. His Inventory filled with weapons and armor, though nothing impressive.
Kerberos swallowed the last bite before answering.
"Oh yeah? Was the mini-dungeon your homeland too?"
Kerberos clammed up, pretending otherwise.
"Anyway, we should feed these guys something."
The lower demons lingered, circling hungrily. Han Ji-woo opened his Inventory.
"Not sure what to make. Demons, right? Raw meat okay?"
Grrrgle. Grrrowl.
About thirty of them, bellies rumbling nonstop. But his meat stock wouldn't cut it—not with the Hidden Space livestock booming but family growing too.
"Hmm… Guess I'll grill meat and cook rice."
He had rice in spades. A big feed would max their satiety. Optimizing for speed, he opened the crafting window.
Bricks 180 + Mud 90 + Fireflower Petals 4
— 'Hearth' x4 (Synthesis Possible)
He hit synthesize. Four hearths appeared. He topped them with three iron griddles, then crafted more.
Dungeon Tree Branches 120 + Fireflower Petals 4
— 'Eternal Campfire' x4 (Synthesis Possible)
He'd learned Dungeon Tree branches regrew fast during hotpot. He'd snapped off 200 extras, just in case. Perfect now!
Whoosh!
Campfires in the hearths. He pulled out three huge pots, rice, and water. But not enough to rinse the rice properly—no water around anyway.
Can't be helped. Skip rinsing.
Demons wouldn't care. He filled the pots generously and set them to boil. Meanwhile, he chopped meat into grillable chunks.
"This'll do."
Pots on hearths. Kerberos feigned disinterest, sprawled out—but his eyes tracked every move. When Han Ji-woo's gaze flicked his way, the tail twitched involuntarily. Of course, it was just a glance amid cooking.
The wagging tail drooped.
"Grill time while rice cooks."
Sizzle!
Meat hit the griddle, aromas exploding. Flipped, sliced into bites with scissors.
Osgeelro owes me big time.
Tongs and shears from the dwarf. Meat piled in wooden tubs: beef, pork, chicken. Scents mingled intoxicatingly with rising steam from the rice. That fluffy rice smell stirred something deep—pure comfort, especially for Koreans. Soon, Han Ji-woo's face lit with joy.
"Phew, done."
Mountains of meat. Rice perfect—each pot fed ten easily. He divvied meat, added salt, MSG, sesame oil, mixed thoroughly. A taste:
Nom nom. Gulp!
"Oh~ nice."
Fluffy rice, juicy meat, balanced salt, umami kick, nutty oil. Perfection. Pots down, he eyed the demons. They drooled but feared the stranger.
"C'mon, you're demons, right? Why so skittish? Eat up!"
They hesitated. Then Kerberos rose.
Han Ji-woo worried they'd bolt. Instead, they swarmed the pots.
"Really? Why so timid?"
"Weird."
Satiety bars climbed: 0, 7, 15, 22, 38, 49… Quest clear incoming, easy.
Then—flap flap!
A flock approached. Demons scattered mid-bite.
"Damn it."
They ducked behind rocks. "Hundred at least?" Mostly common demons like before, same armor. Weapons varied. High demons interspersed. Front: 2m devil—Andromalius, 72nd high official demon.
Andromalius scanned, frowning. "Blood reeks of my soldiers… Not Azid's doing, surely."
A general behind: "Lord, this is Azid's turf. Trespassing without leave… who knows."
"My men trampled here plenty, no issue."
"Azid ignores common and high demons oddly. But high officials on his land? Unforgivable…."
"Says who?"
"Rumors."
Andromalius snorted. "Half-human half-prince, exiled to this dump. Think he can touch us, favored by the Demon King?"
He spotted a trembling lower demon. "Perfect snack."
Black magic lashed like a whip, coiling its neck.
"Kek!"
Dragged forward. Jaws gaped—
Slash!
Black blade at his throat. Clang! Andromalius recoiled, claws blocking.
"…What the hell?"
A random human with a sword? Han Ji-woo's ambush foiled, he smiled resignedly. "Beats me."
If even one lower demon of Dirke Village dies, the quest is considered failed.
Meanwhile, someone watched amused from afar.
"Whoa, that weakling human's power spiked. Hiding strength?"
Azid Devil, the Demon Realm's certified madman, 7th prince.