The Disaster God's Long-Awaited Return
Ten thousand years have passed since I fell into the Demon Realm. Today, like always, I'm searching for a way back to Earth. Not that I've had any luck so far.
I gazed down at the massive demon sprawled on the ground, bleeding out.
"Hey. You passed out?"
No response, even when I prodded it firmly with my foot. I'd figured this thing ruling a huge castle would be tough, but it went down just like that.
"Eung."
I scanned the castle interior. No signs of life besides this demon. No people, either.
"Ten thousand years, and not a single person..."
I slumped to the floor in despair. I'd reached this fortress at the edge of the Demon Realm, hailed as its end, but no real gains.
Staring blankly into space, I reflected. All those years, battling from giant beasts to great demon lords, slaughtering monstrous Demon Race like a fiend. Driven by one burning wish—to go home—I killed everything in the Demon Realm and grew stronger.
So much had changed. My race transformed, turning me into a beautiful woman. I gained an immortal body. I awakened the power to devour anything. I became mighty.
The Demon Race that once charged at me in droves began to fear me. And somehow, I earned this weird title.
But nothing really changed. This was still the Demon Realm. I craved people. I missed life on Earth.
"Uwaaa."
Frustrated, I flopped onto the cold floor with a grumble. A shiver escaped me.
"Eek!"
Seo-ah?
A low voice. My Magic Tome, back from scouting another part of the castle, had spotted me and called out.
Are you alright?
"Hic, no, it's c-cold, so c-cold."
You never seem fine, no matter when I look.
I wriggled upright.
"I'm always totally normal!"
You don't look it at all.
"What? You wanna see me mad?"
I puffed out my cheeks dramatically. Super mad mode activated! Horns make Demon Race scary as heck. Hehe.
The eye embedded in the Magic Tome's center stared at me silently.
......I see. My apologies.
The Magic Tome lowered its eye.
"Hmph."
This Magic Tome—which I call just Book—was something I created thousands of years ago. Infused with a soul from the Demon Realm, it can talk. Useful for crafting and more. Shame it's not a person, though.
I sighed and turned my head. Right there, flickering annoyingly: that damn status window.
I don't need this stupid status window anymore. I want people. Humanity. No more Demon Race.
"Ugh."
Today, it bugged me extra. Looking closer, it seemed to glow faintly.
......Glow?
A blue light from somewhere began assembling letters.
Defeated the Last Evil God of the Demon Realm.
You have achieved the ultimate feat.
I blinked. The massive demon that had collapsed moments ago floated into the air, crumbling slowly into dust.
You have brought disaster upon the Demon Realm, conqueror of multiple universes.
Having reached the pinnacle attainable by the Demon Race and accomplished this great feat, we salute you and welcome you as the apex predator of the multiverse's food chain—the first and last Disaster God.
Linking this designation to your return point.
Congratulations on reaching the pinnacle.
Returning to Earth.
"Ehehe?"
Before I could even process the words, blinding white light filled my vision.
...
I drew in a deep breath. Fresh air rushed into my lungs. Blood poured off my body in torrents, but damn, it felt good.
Expanding my view, I saw towering skyscrapers piercing the sky. A straight road stretched ahead. A sign reading "Seoul." And standing there, one by one locking eyes with me...
"People."
People. The shapes etched forever in my hazy memory, impossible to forget. Nothing like the two horns on my forehead or the thin tail at my back. The beings I'd longed for to the point of madness.
Not damn Demon Race...People.
These are humans? They match the knowledge I acquired. But their mana density is so weak— Hey, where are you going?!
"People!"
Clack-clack-clack. I bolted toward a man who'd met my eyes, skidding to a halt right in front of him. His face drained of color.
"Gaaah!"
"Hello!"
"M-mon, m-mon, monster.... E-eyes are weird..."
"Not a monster. My eyes are fine. I see great."
"Uh, uh.... R-right, got it..."
The man backed away, then screamed and fled. I tilted my head.
Then my eyes met a woman's.
"Eek!"
She muttered something about a monster and ran the opposite way. Left alone on the street, I blinked.
Eung. This isn't right.
Seo-ah.
Book floated up beside me.
"Book, people are weird. They all freak out and run. People in my memories weren't like this. I finally made it to Earth."
This planet's race is indeed humanity. But look at yourself.
Book rustled its pages and produced a mirror. I peered in.
Long white hair. Colorless, empty pupils. Bloodstained face and body. Two long horns on my forehead.
"Super duper cute, right? Even if I'm covered in blood right now?"
Cute, I'll grant you. But you clearly differ from humans right now. Wash off the blood first.
"Eung."
I grumbled and used mana to cleanse the blood. Then I glanced around. Distant onlookers averted their eyes in horror when our gazes met.
They're terrified of a demon.
"Why's everyone so scared?"
I shook my head. The air's mana density was low, too. That man earlier had barely any mana. But that meant humans had mana. There must be stronger ones. And he said "monster," so Earth wasn't just humans.
"First, find more people."
I finally met some—I didn't want to be alone. I moved fast, seeking crowds.
Soon, screams ahead. A massive wolf with two heads was smashing into a building's glass wall. Inside, terrified people huddled together.
"Why's a large monster in the middle of the city?!"
"When's the Magic Control Bureau coming?!"
A young man trembled in front, clutching what looked like a stick.
"C-calm down, everyone! Trust me, a Magic Control Bureauhunter..."
"Just do something!"
"Even a rookie hunter is still a hunter, right?!"
Each headbutt cracked the wall. I blinked.
"People: five... six..."
Lots! Perfect spot.
As I approached, the wolf spotted me and charged with a roar. I blinked. First Earth mana harvest— this guy?
I opened my mouth wide, then snapped it shut.
"Crunch."
Giant fangs etched into the wolf's body. It split in two, becoming a corpse. I chewed, extracting only its mana.
"Mmm. Mint candy flavor."
Weak yield and taste. Just a regular mana beast.
I turned. The people stared in horror. I eyed the wall between us. Mana-reinforced.
I swung my hand. The wall shattered, debris flying. I smashed surrounding obstacles, hurling fragments far away. Smash, smash, smash. Clear it all.
People screamed. With clear sightlines, I nodded, satisfied.
"Now I can talk to people."
I bowed politely.
"Hello."
Straightening up—
"That was a magic-reinforced barrier..."
"R-real monster!"
Chaos erupted. I pouted. Can't they at least return a greeting? When will I have a real chat?
What a mess.
"Book, they won't greet back."
Maybe approach slower? Given how they call you a monster.
I tilted my head.
"That'd be too slow."
......
"Plus, I talk and greet politely. Not a monster. Hmph."
...Though I'm a Demon Race, different from humans. Pale skin, colorless eyes, horns—totally not human.
The rookie hunter stepped forward, trembling with his stick, face pale with fear.
"E-everyone, run while you can...!"
The crowd hesitated. I scanned them. Only the rookie had mana. What now?
Sirens wailed nearby. I turned. Black vehicles screeched to a halt. "Magic Control Bureau" emblazoned on them flashed.
Armed personnel in uniforms disembarked, forming ranks. A woman in a black uniform followed.
She stepped forward through them, touching her earpiece.
"Magic Control Bureau, Shin Chae-ah. Commencing on-site response and suppression now."
I watched her closely.
"Oh."
She had mana. Clearly stronger than the others. Her cold gaze met mine, black hair whipping. Finally, someone I can talk to. No more being alone?
My mood lifted.