Chapter 7 - The Heavenly Demon Makes His Decision (1)
Chapter 7 - The Heavenly Demon Makes His Decision (1)
“W-wait a moment!”
The Saintess urgently cried out.
“There seems to be some misunderstanding—”
“Misunderstanding? There’s no way we wouldn’t recognize the Saintess. The Saintess of the Radain Church suddenly appearing in this remote village? Hiding her identity? And above all…”
The village chief didn’t lower the crossbow still aimed at the Heavenly Demon.
“Coming here alone with some suspicious man, without any escorts.”
‘This can’t be happening…’
The Saintess was flustered by the unexpected situation.
“And just who are you people?! Who are you to be tailing us like this?!”
“Former A-rank adventurer, Jakteain.”
“Likewise, former A-rank. Ever heard of ‘Red Butterfly’ Eina, Saintess?”
‘What rotten luck…’
Of all things, the village chief and his wife turned out to be former adventurers. And A-rank at that.
Euria silently cursed Juten for abandoning her.
“…Please, everyone calm down and lower your weapons. I can explain everything—”
But before the Saintess could finish her sentence—
“What’s this, old man? You started without us?”
This time, voices came from the opposite side of the village chief couple.
‘Now who?!’
Turning frantically, the Saintess saw two men approaching from the distance.
A massive bald warrior carrying a huge axe on his back, and a robed mage holding a long staff.
With the archer village chief and rogue-like chief’s wife, this formed a textbook adventurer party.
“What took you so long?”
“That’s harsh! We came running as soon as we got your letter.”
While the warrior and village chief exchanged familiar banter—
“…Is that the man who kidnapped the Saintess?”
The mage quietly observed the Heavenly Demon.
“…”
The Saintess’s heart sank.
“Kidnapped?”
“Ah, right! Just as we were about to depart, urgent news arrived from the guild. The Hakram Cult’s ritual summoned some unknown figure who subdued the holy knights and abducted the Saintess.”
“Oh ho.”
The village chief couple’s expressions darkened.
“Wait, everyone! I’m fine!”
“‘Fine,’ you say? Then is the Saintess claiming the Radain Church’s message was false?”
“No, that’s not what I—! Please listen!”
The Saintess floundered, unsure how to resolve this situation.
“…She seems to be under some kind of mental control.”
Hearing the mage mutter this while pointing his staff at the Heavenly Demon, the Saintess realized—
The situation had already passed the point of no return.
She anxiously checked the Heavenly Demon’s condition.
“…Huh?”
Surprisingly, he showed no emotion, merely staring indifferently at the village chief.
Though his ominous aura remained undiminished.
To my own surprise, I felt remarkably calm.
Perhaps confessing my true feelings to the Saintess last night had helped organize my thoughts.
‘I just want to live quietly.’
I reaffirmed my purpose.
I’ve had enough of playing the Heavenly Demon.
Time to live an ordinary life.
No more leading fanatics into war. No more fending off assassins.
But damn this system—it refuses to leave me alone, throwing me into yet another world.
At first, I tried to avoid conflict, using the Saintess as a hostage to escape without making enemies.
But now, facing these so-called adventurers, I’ve realized:
“These bastards need to be put in their place.”
“Huh?”
The Saintess looked bewildered between me, the village chief couple, and the two adventurers.
Running away like this would just lead to endless pursuit.
So then?
I’ll show these fools daring to chase me the overwhelming difference in our power.
I’ll make sure they never even think of challenging me again.
But if I’m doing this, I’m doing it properly.
And it starts with…
“A-rank, you say?”
I questioned the village chief.
“…Formerly, yes.”
“And those two behind you?”
“Oh, what’s this? Finally decided to speak? Hahaha! Pleasure! A-rank ‘Steel Helkin’ of the Radain Holy Kingdom’s northwestern branch! The bookworm next to me is fellow A-rank Vized.”
“…Why are you giving our intel to the enemy?”
“What? Scared, nerd? Don’t be such a wet blanket. That old man over there trained both of us. We partied together for nearly a year. So what I’m saying is…”
Helkin drew his massive axe with one hand and pointed it at me.
“Buddy, your luck’s run out. Of all people, you had to run into the strongest party in our branch.”
Hmm. Is that so?
“Saintess.”
“Y-yes?”
She’d been fidgeting nervously this whole time.
“They say they’re an A-rank party. How strong are they compared to you?”
“Eh?”
She stared blankly at my unexpected question.
“Well… A-rank represents the pinnacle of adventurers. Comparable to me… or perhaps even more threatening in one-on-one combat. Especially if they fight well as a party.”
“I see.”
So nothing special, then.
“Don’t move a finger until I say so. If you interfere, I’ll burst your heart on the spot.”
“Eek… But…”
When I glared, she reluctantly nodded after a long hesitation.
“What’s all that whispering? Planning your strategy?”
Just then, the bald man’s taunt reached my ears.
I turned and began leisurely walking toward the two men in the back.
First target: you, baldy.
‘This should be fun.’
Helkin had thought exactly that when the guild master read the Radain Church’s letter during the emergency summons.
This godforsaken Radain Holy Kingdom had become as monotonous as its scenery, with nothing exciting happening lately—just small fry and tedious errands.
Then suddenly, some demon kidnaps the Saintess? Now that’s excitement!
And his former mentor, ex-deputy guild master Jakteain’s letter said the Saintess was in Petin and requested backup.
Helkin immediately dragged his partner Vized out and raced through the night to Petin.
Finally coming face-to-face with the alleged kidnapper…
‘…What is this guy?’
Helkin couldn’t fathom his nature.
No detectable mana if human. No sinister aura if demon.
The cloak hid whether he was even physically trained.
‘Well, we’ll find out when we clash. No way someone powerless could kidnap the Saintess.’
Just as Helkin thought this—
Step. Step.
The black-haired man began walking toward him.
So naturally that Helkin didn’t even realize anything was amiss at first.
“Huh?”
When Vized raised his staff to cast a spell, Helkin stopped him with a hand.
“Wait. Let’s see what he’s planning.”
Ignoring Vized’s sigh, Helkin also started walking toward him.
Soon they stood facing each other in the snowy field.
“What’s this, buddy? Gonna try mind-controlling me like you did the Saintess? Sorry, but I’m immune to that—”
“That axe your weapon?”
“…Can’t you tell?”
Helkin looked slightly annoyed at being interrupted.
“Swing it at me.”
“Did I… hear you right?”
“I said swing it. At me. Use your mana or whatever—give me your strongest strike.”
Twitch.
A vein of anger bulged on Helkin’s shiny forehead.
“Don’t fuck with me.”
“Take your one free shot. No regrets.”
“Ha…”
‘This guy’s all talk.’
Changing his mind, Helkin obliged, swinging his axe downward—to split this disappointing man’s skull in half.
Whoosh—
Thunk.
“…Huh?”
His killing strike was effortlessly caught in the man’s left hand.
“Guh… Urk… Wh-what?!”
And that wasn’t all.
The man began twisting the axe held in one hand.
“Ah, ahhh!”
Refusing to release his weapon, Helkin twisted his body with the axe until he was forced to one knee.
“That idiot…!”
Eina immediately sprang forward.
‘Helkin, you still haven’t fixed your habit of underestimating opponents! You should’ve taken buffs first!’
“Vized! Jack!”
Though Eina only called their names, the other two moved instantly.
Twang!
Jakteain fired his loaded crossbow at the black-haired man.
“Gather, emanate, amplify!”
As Vized chanted, enhancement buffs covered the other three.
Though the arrow missed, it was just suppression fire. The real fight began now.
This four-member party perfectly exemplified a standard adventurer formation:
Helkin at the front, Eina disrupting between front and rear, Jakteain providing ranged support, and Vized assisting with spells and buffs.
Though Jakteain and Eina had retired five years ago, their bodies still remembered their prime tactics.
“Helkin, get up already!”
Once buffed Helkin broke free and regrouped, the once-famed northern A-rank party would reform.
“…”
Yet Helkin remained motionless.
The buffs should’ve taken effect—his vaunted strength at least doubled.
Yet he couldn’t break free.
In fact, his wrist gripping the axe was nearly twisted to breaking point.
“Hmm. This is the strongest adventurers have to offer?”
The man hadn’t even broken a sweat, casually mocking Helkin.
“You… bastard!!”
Finally abandoning all pride, Helkin released his axe.
Whoosh—!
His full-powered right fist shot toward the man’s face—
Thunk.
Caught effortlessly.
“Enough.”
The man pulled the captured fist, yanking Helkin forward.
“Wai—”
Crunch!
A seemingly light jab compared to Helkin’s bulk.
Thud.
Yet that single punch to the chin knocked Helkin out cold.
“…!”
As Eina froze at this unexpected outcome—
“Your turn now.”
Between blinks, the man stood nose-to-nose with Eina.
“What’s your specialty? Speed?”
The Heavenly Demon smiled—clearly the strong mocking the weak.