Goshiwon (3): Great Demon King Complete
'Delicious.'
I grinned happily, having devoured every last drop of broth without leaving a single bit behind. Yeah, this was the taste of ramen. My memory of the flavor had faded, but damn, it was good.
As I slurped it down, a thought crossed my mind.
'Computers don't require ID to buy, right?'
I could use the goshiwon's Wi-Fi for internet. I couldn't carry a phone around, but using a computer back in my room was fine. Sure, games needing real-name verification or paid ones would be off-limits for payments... but I'd just have to deal with that.
'I won't be playing properly anyway, so mid-range specs should do.'
Budget around 500,000 won? No home delivery, so I'd have to go to a store in person.
'If I get scammed, I'll chuck 'em into the Demon Realm.'
With that in mind, I left my room, pot in hand, and headed to the kitchen. A quick wash-up, and I returned the pot to its spot. Done and dusted.
[5:42]
'Nothing to do.'
Hours until the morning assembly, and zilch to fill the time.
'No monsters showing up?'
The cooldown should be up by now. It'd be nice if one popped out when I was bored, to reset the timer.
'Maybe practice some magic for old times' sake.'
How did I stay sane for centuries? Magic training, that's how. If I got into it, a few hours would fly by.
The door creaked open with a squeak, then slammed shut with a thud.
Back in my room, I sat on the bed and began drawing up my demonic energy.
Where did that energy flow? To my mind.
The world of imagery. One day during training, I gained the ability to perceive a spell's effects without even casting it.
Ever heard of seeing something plain as day? Mastery pushed my knowledge to near-prophetic imagination.
'Oh yeah, I haven't finished this spell yet.'
It was one I'd designed just before leaving the Demon Realm. Simply put, my ultimate technique.
Most of my spells were already nuke-level, but I wanted something uniquely mine—an ace in the hole.
'Nah, that won't work.'
I swiped my hand through the air, leaving a trail of demonic energy. Drawing the circuit like this would make it blow up before firing.
'Good, connect it here.'
My gestures linked the circuits. Each line optimized for peak efficiency—a path forged over centuries by a single monster.
No one could surpass me on this road.
A low hum vibrated through my mind as the final line connected. Checking the effect, it was every bit the monstrous ultimate it was meant to be.
'Spell name... Great Demon King? Yeah, that works.'
Lame name? Tough shit—nothing else fit.
'It's a buff spell.'
Think of my human form as Phase 1. Knight in armor? Phase 2. Great Demon King is Phase 3.
Hard to describe, but imagine Phase 2 on steroids.
'Phew.'
With that, my centuries of growth reached its peak. A wave of relief washed over me, like finishing overdue homework.
What time was it? I peeked out toward the kitchen.
[9:23]
"..."
Fuck. I was late.
Tap, tap-tap.
In a massive lab spanning thousands of pyeong, countless technicians hammered at their computers.
This was the Safety Maintenance Team, created to manage a single monster. They were its members.
"No reactions today either?"
A gray-haired old man asked a subordinate. Dr. Lee Young-han, team leader.
"None, sir. We're focusing on eliminating past observed possibilities."
"Good."
He turned to the front. There loomed a colossal monitor—like ten cinema screens fused together.
It was the Association's trusty 2nd Grade monster: A Glimmer of Possibility.
"As long as that thing stays quiet, the world's safe."
Its ability was straightforward: world destruction detection. Any sliver of potential apocalypse, and it calculated the odds on-screen.
To the Association, it was like a golden child. How many dooms had it helped avert?
The downside? It overreacted. Even infinitesimal chances got displayed—endless low-probability strings akin to the infinite monkey theorem. Most of their work was filtering junk.
"Hm?"
Dr. Lee Young-han blinked wide at the new info on the monitor.
[Great Demon King's Rampage 100%]
The others gawked too, reactions bordering on denial. And for good reason.
-What the fuck is a Great Demon King?!
-What kind of monster is that?!
World-ending at 100% probability from some unknowable cause. It felt like fate sealed.
"E-everyone, calm down!!"
Dr. Lee bellowed.
"It's the probability if that happens! Just prevent the scenario!!"
True enough. That's how they nipped crises—block the trigger.
The problem?
-What the fuck even is that thing...
No one knew what it was.
"Contact other departments now! Mobilize every usable monster!!"
Dr. Lee shouted, springing into action. The unprecedented alert sent everyone scrambling.
So no one noticed.
[Revival of an Ancient Being Sealed in a Goshiwon Building 10%]
Another doom slipped in among the probabilities.
'Today's fucked, shit.'
I rolled on the bed, kicking my feet. Late to assembly—jobs probably all taken! My money!!!
"Sigh..."
Yoo Hwa sighed deeply beside the bed.
"What's with that sigh!"
"Sighhh..."
"Urghhh...!"
Overwhelmed by frustration, I thrashed on the bed. I'd underestimated centuries-honed focus. A mere few hours was nothing.
"No helping it. Rest today."
"But nothing to do..."
"You're cooped up inside. Let's go out!"
She yanked the blanket off.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
"Eek!"
Someone pounded the wall right after.
"Keep it down—this is a goshiwon, soundproofing sucks."
Even with good welfare, walls were thin.
"I didn't know..."
Makes sense—she seemed from a Joseon-like era. Impressive she'd adapted to modern life so fast.
"Fine, shopping today."
No need for retirement funds—we could YOLO forever. Eat out, splurge on junk. Why not.
The door creaked open, revealing the entrance and stairs.
"Holy shit."
Weird part: a basement staircase that wasn't there yesterday.
"Oh my god..."
She knew the layout from bathroom trips and freaked.
Stays quiet when idle, but trouble brews when I wanna have fun? Like colds hitting only on weekends.
Step, step.
I approached the basement stairs.
'Pitch fucking black.'
I could see night like day, but beyond? Nothing. Not mere dark—monster vibes.
'What to do.'
Unlike before, just one staircase. Ignore and shop? No issue.
'Nah... let's check it.'
My goshiwon—can't have problems. Day one ruin means lost cash and time. Hard to find deals like this. Tiny building, unlikely mega-monster.
"Yoo Hwa, head back to the Demon Realm."
"Really?"
"It'll end before you need to step in. I'll call if necessary."
I opened a portal and sent her back. No civilians involved like the hotel—no need for her protection duty. Just sightseeing gone wrong.
"Call when done."
She vanished into the Demon Realm. I stepped toward the stairs.
Step, step.
Didn't take many before darkness swallowed me.
'Trip hazard.'
Dark even to my eyes. Definitely monster.
Step, step.
'Endless stairs.'
Insanely many steps. Felt like three floors down already. Monsters construction geniuses, digging sublevels in hours? Ace crew here.
Lost in dumb thoughts, a realization hit.
'Do I really need to walk into the shark's mouth?'
No problem for me, but getting chomped ain't my kink.
I spread demonic energy around to scout—gauge the amount beyond.
Know that, and I could blast spells from here.
Total volume ain't absolute strength. Like judging a diner by its kimchi alone—not definitive, but gives a rough estimate.
"Hm...?"
Feeling off. The energy dispersal tingled weirdly—prickly, itchy.
'Feels like demonic energy detection?'
Chills ran down my spine. I scanned around.
"Fuck."
No wonder I couldn't see. The whole space brimmed with demonic energy—visible to the naked eye, thick as fog.
Who puked this out?
Tap-tap.
Bipedal footsteps scampered.
The stairs I'd descended? Gone. Flat expanse now.
It revealed itself ahead.
Instinct screamed: this was leagues beyond anything I'd seen.
To that instinct, I grinned wide.
"This'll be fun."
A storm of demonic energy erupted from my body.