Side Story 2) The Heavenly Demon
The moment I opened my eyes, an unfamiliar ceiling greeted me.
Soft silk sheets. A faint scent of incense. And the gentle warmth of a woman's body pressed against mine.
I blinked slowly, trying to process the situation.
This isn't my room. No, this isn't even my body.
The hand I raised in front of my face was pale and slender, yet it carried an unmistakable aura of absolute power. The kind of hand that could crush mountains or slaughter thousands without a second thought.
A low groan escaped my lips.
"...What the hell is this?"
The woman beside me stirred at the sound of my voice. Her long black hair spilled across the pillow like ink on snow as she lifted her head. Beautiful crimson eyes met mine, filled with a mixture of adoration and something far more dangerous.
"My lord... are you awake already?" she whispered, her voice like velvet wrapped around a blade. "You were so fierce last night. I thought you'd sleep until noon at least."
She traced a finger down my chest with practiced intimacy. I caught her wrist without thinking.
"Who are you?"
Her eyes widened slightly, then narrowed with amusement.
"Playing games so early in the morning, my Heavenly Demon? Very well. If that's what you desire..." She leaned in closer, lips brushing against my ear. "I am your most devoted servant. The one who would burn the world to ash if you merely wished it. Your first wife, Seol-Hwa."
Heavenly Demon. First wife. Burn the world.
The memories hit me like a freight train. Not my memories. Someone else's. A lifetime of conquest, blood, and absolute dominion over the Demonic Cult. The supreme ruler who stood at the pinnacle of the martial world.
Yayul Haran.
That was this body's name. No, that was me now.
I sat up abruptly, causing the woman—Seol-Hwa—to let out a surprised yelp as she tumbled back onto the bed. The silk sheets slipped down, revealing far more than I was prepared to deal with at the moment.
"My lord?"
I swung my legs over the side of the massive bed and stood up. The room was opulent in a way that screamed 'evil overlord headquarters.' Black and crimson dominated everything, with golden accents that probably came from plundering half the continent.
My reflection in a nearby mirror confirmed it. Long white hair. Sharp, aristocratic features that somehow managed to look both beautiful and terrifying. Eyes that glowed with an inner crimson light.
I'm the Heavenly Demon now. The actual, literal final boss of the martial world.
A soft laugh came from behind me. Seol-Hwa had propped herself up on one elbow, watching me with open appreciation.
"Even after all these years, the sight of you never fails to take my breath away," she murmured. "That perfect back... those shoulders that have carried the weight of the entire Cult..."
I turned to face her, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity despite being completely naked in front of a woman I'd apparently spent the night with in this new body.
"Seol-Hwa. Status report."
She tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "The Cult is stronger than ever. The Righteous Faction has been pushed back to the northern borders. Three of their sects have already sworn allegiance to us. And your harem continues to grow more devoted with each passing day."
Harem.
The word sent a chill down my spine. Not because I was opposed to the concept—hell, who would be?—but because of the sheer scale of it. Dozens of women, each one a formidable martial artist in her own right, all completely obsessed with the Heavenly Demon.
With me.
"And the other wives?" I asked carefully.
Seol-Hwa's smile gained a dangerous edge. "They are... managing their jealousy as best they can. Though I suspect young Mi-Ryeo tried to sneak into your chambers again last night. I had to remind her of her place."
The way she said 'remind' suggested broken bones and possibly some light torture. These women were yandere to the extreme.
I ran a hand through my long white hair, trying to process everything. The original Han Young-hoo had been a lazy shut-in who just wanted to play games and avoid responsibility. Now I was the supreme ruler of a demonic organization that could probably conquer the world if I felt like it.
And apparently I had a harem of beautiful, dangerously possessive martial artists who would kill for my attention.
This is going to be complicated.
A knock sounded at the massive doors to the chamber.
The Heavenly Demon has awakened. All elders and branch leaders are to assemble in the Grand Demon Hall within one hour. Those who are late will have their limbs severed as punishment.
The voice outside the door was trembling slightly. "M-my lord? The elders are waiting for your presence..."
Seol-Hwa stretched languidly on the bed, completely unbothered by her state of undress. "Shall I accompany you, my lord? Or would you prefer I deal with the ones who dared disturb your rest?"
I looked at her, then at my reflection again. The weight of an entire demonic empire rested on these shoulders now. The responsibilities, the power, the women who would probably start a civil war if I showed favoritism.
A slow grin spread across my face.
"You know what? This might not be so bad after all."
I reached for the blood-red robes that had been laid out for me. They felt like they weighed nothing, yet carried the authority of a thousand conquered battlefields.
"Tell the elders I'll be there shortly. And Seol-Hwa?"
"Yes, my Heavenly Demon?"
"Prepare the bath. After I deal with them, I want you to join me. We have... much to discuss about the current state of my harem."
Her eyes lit up with dangerous delight. "As you wish, my lord."
As I walked toward the doors, the full power of the Heavenly Demon coursed through my veins. It felt natural. Right, even.
Alright, universe. You threw me into the body of the ultimate final boss with a psychotic harem and an evil empire to run. Game on.
I pushed open the doors, and the servants outside immediately prostrated themselves, foreheads touching the ground.
"All hail the Heavenly Demon!" they cried in unison.
Yeah. I could definitely get used to this.