A Morning with Three Akashas
The ancient god of the beastmen. “Good morning, Akasha.”
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Akasha’s face. She sat quietly beside the bed, watching over me. The moment our eyes met, she beamed and greeted me brightly.
“Good morning, Sieg-nim!”
A full day had passed since our first encounter with the demons. Is it morning already? My body felt unusually heavy today. Too lazy to get up, I rolled over to the other side.
“Good morning, Sieg-nim!”
“Huh?”
There was Akasha again. Wait—hadn’t she just been on the other side? I turned my head back, and sure enough, she was still there. Akashas on both my left and right. Maybe I was still half-asleep, but I slowly pushed myself upright.
That was when I discovered the third creature.
“Hello, Sieg-nim!”
The third Akasha was sitting right on top of me. No wonder my body felt heavy. No matter how small she was, having a whole person perched on you was bound to weigh something down.
Three Akashas in total.
She must be using her ability.
So I hadn’t been seeing things. For a second I’d thought it was a nightmare.
“What’s going on?”
“Well…”
The Akasha sitting on the blanket explained. It was her unique magic—Self-Replication. Normally she only summoned one or two during battle. Since each clone maintained its own ego, she usually avoided calling them out. Even though the information returned to her main body once dismissed, she said the whole process felt strange.
But of course. It’s the fox bead.
Now that she possessed the fox bead, her power was overflowing and she could no longer control it. Thanks to that, multiple Akashas had been waiting patiently in my room. From what I heard, the real one was currently training with Emilia, preparing for the upcoming martial arts tournament finals.
In the end, all three Akashas before me were clones.
“Are they really identical to the real Akasha?”
I understood the concept, but seeing the replicated versions in person was fascinating. Every detail from head to toe—even the occasional vacant expression—was exactly the same.
“So soft.”
When I gently stroked her head, all three fox ears twitched in perfect unison. What adorable creatures.
Still, if these three ever decided to go for my throat? I wouldn’t last a second. They followed me obediently now, but in the original novel each one had been a corps commander—a walking catastrophe. It really was a relief.
Knock, knock—
At the sound of knocking, Soho entered. The Akashas hurriedly covered themselves. She was still hiding the fact that she was a beastman. Fortunately, Soho already knew about the clones. She accepted it without question since it was unique magic. Every living being had their own, after all. Just like my so-called healing magic.
Soho took one look at me and immediately pressed herself against the wall, face flushed scarlet. What was that about?
“A-a man shouldn’t be so defenseless first thing in the morning!”
“You’re the one who came in, Soho.”
“That’s true, but still! You should have been more careful when you heard the knock! It’s… it’s too indecent!”
At her outburst I finally checked my own state. I’d gone to sleep in loose clothes, so my shoulders were completely exposed. I hadn’t thought anything of it, but apparently it was a big deal to her.
“So what’s the matter?”
“Big sis Daeho wants you to come.”
“This early? What for?”
“I heard the analysis of the Garcia ring is finally complete…”
After obtaining the Garcia accessory at the auction, I had given the necklace to the princess but kept the ring the demon had handed to me and Daeho. Since it still carried the curse, I’d wrapped it tightly and stored it away. Just now, Daeho had finished analyzing it with a magic tool. With this, we should be able to locate the Demon King’s Army hideout that had infiltrated the capital.
I told Soho I understood and finished getting ready. Today we might finally track down the demons who had cursed Daeho and Soho’s family.
*
At Daeho’s summons, we headed straight for the Demon King’s Army hideout. Since I had reduced the demon Mammon to ashes yesterday, we wasted no time. If we delayed, they might already be gone.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes…”
Daeho gave a slow nod. She looked slightly tense. It was understandable. She had never gone into detail with me, but as someone who had read the original novel, I knew exactly how much damage the curse had caused. Countless members of the Baekya Ducal family had died coughing up blood. Daeho and Soho could only watch helplessly. The church had kept them alive, but living in constant agony was no life at all. Many had even begged for death.
It made perfect sense that Daeho—who had always shown a bright face—now wore such a rigid expression.
Hoping my favorite character’s wish would come true, I said, “I hope we find the bastard.”
“Since they’re definitely in the capital, they must be hiding here. Shall we?”
Daeho slipped inside the building without a sound.
“Leave the guarding to me.”
Before entering, Emilia spoke with confidence. Having already reached the realm of Sword Master, she could handle most threats. Thanks to her, I followed along without worry.
The other companion was Akasha. Emilia, who knew her capabilities well, had recommended bringing her.
“Sieg-nim! I’m here too. I’ll protect you!”
Since Soho had no combat ability, she was waiting back at the lodging with Jakan.
Creepy.
The area was deserted, so the hideout was an abandoned building. The door opened with a worn-out groan. Creeeeak— There were no signs of life.
“It’s pointing to the basement. Must be here.”
Daeho activated the magic tool inside. The ring shattered. This was the second one; the first had been used to locate the building itself.
“I’ll take the lead.”
Emilia drew her sword and moved ahead, but then clicked her tongue.
“You may come in now.”
At her call we followed her inside. The scene that greeted us was unmistakable even in the dim underground light. The metallic stench of blood hit our noses. Bodies lay neatly lined up across the floor.
“The Demon King’s Army… already wiped out?”
Daeho approached the corpses and examined them, eyes wide. Every single body belonged to a demon. They appeared to have been ambushed before they could resist—and the wounds were brutally savage.
I felt no sympathy for demons, but a one-sided slaughter like this still felt cruel.
“Who would do something like this?”
I was just as shocked. I had assumed the bodies were human. To find only demon corpses was completely unexpected.
“It looks like total annihilation…”
Emilia had checked all the way to the end of the corridor.
“What could have caused this?”
“Internal strife among the demons? Or a third party’s attack? I have no idea.”
I asked Daeho, but she could only shake her head.
“Sniff sniff… There’s something here!”
At Akasha’s call we entered another room. More demon corpses piled like a mountain, and something written across the wall.
DOWN WITH THE DEMON KING’S ARMY!
“The church’s heretic inquisitors?” Emilia read aloud. “It’s clearly the work of someone who despises the Demon King’s Army.”
Who could it be?
Having a common enemy was cause for celebration, but this was a development that hadn’t existed in the original novel. As a reader who thought he knew every secret of this world, the unexpected turn left me genuinely bewildered.
“Then can we assume the Demon King’s Army in the capital has been wiped out?”
“Hmm… but we can’t let our guard down with those filthy creatures.”
Daeho answered my question carefully. She was right. The Demon King’s Army always prepared to stab you in the back. We had to verify everything.
Agreeing with her, I quietly turned around, hoping we might find another clue elsewhere.
That was when it happened.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor. Instantly, Akasha, Emilia, and even Daeho shifted into combat stances.
“Damn human bastards, attacking without even a declaration of war. What a pain. Chwi-ik!”
The owner of the footsteps was a massive orc. Green skin, demon horns, and tattoos covering both arms. I knew exactly who this was.
“Demon King’s Army Corps Commander, Chierre?”
“Correct. We’ve encountered a major player.”
Daeho’s face had gone slightly pale as she nodded.
“You people caused this mess? Chwi-ik!”
“No, it wasn’t us.”
“You expect me to believe that? Chwi-ik?”
Chierre swung her club. Veins bulged on her face—she was furious.
“But if you hand over that male, I’ll let it slide this time! Chwi-ik! Mating season’s almost here and I need something to fill my hole! Chwi-ik! His face is exactly my type!”
“What did you just say, you crazy bitch?!”
Provoked, Emilia charged. Sword qi flared along her blade as she swung.
Thud!
The attack was blocked. Chierre had casually stopped it with her club.
“A Sword Master? Without this weapon I’d have died in one hit, chwi-ik! But as long as I have it, I won’t die! Chwi-ik!”
Despite the surprise attack, she looked completely relaxed.
“Grrrrr!”
Akasha leapt in next. She created two clones that grabbed both of Chierre’s legs while the main body went for the throat.
“Human and beastman? What a strange combination! Chwi-ik!”
Chierre broke free instantly and dodged. She couldn’t avoid it completely, though—blood poured from her shoulder.
Drip. Drop.
Blood fell to the floor like hailstones.
“Cowardly bastards, ganging up in a warrior’s fight. You aren’t warriors at all! Chwi-ik!”
“Since when did you lot ever fight fairly?!”
Burning with rage, Daeho chanted, “Fire!”
Flames engulfed the orc, even burning her eyes.
“Uwaaaaah! Sneaky human bastards as always! Chwi-ik! I wanted a one-on-one duel! Chwi-ik!”
Chierre screamed in agony.
“Did we get her?”
“No! Don’t say that!”
Before I could stop her, Emilia had already shouted. Raising a death flag like that suddenly made me anxious.
That was when it happened.
Ziiiiing—
A black aura appeared behind Chierre, and another demon materialized.
“Ladies and gentlemen. How do you do?”
A sinister figure in a black suit and mask had appeared.
“Lucifer?!” Daeho cried out.
Lucifer—the very demon who had cursed the Baekya Ducal family. The one Daeho had been hunting.
“Oh my, if it isn’t Daeho Baekya. It’s been a while. Hehe. Unfortunately we don’t have time for a long chat. My friend is in pain, you see~”
Lucifer gestured, and the flames vanished instantly. She stroked Chierre’s head.
“Let’s go back to the Demon King’s castle. I’ll take care of you.”
“That’s… disgusting. Between women? Chwi-ik! Bring me that male instead! Maybe it’ll be better if he does it!”
Disgusted, Chierre pointed straight at me. Lucifer turned to look at me with sudden interest.
“A man possessing the power of the beastmen’s ancient god. How fascinating. Chierre, as you said, he might be able to heal you—but then you’d betray us. Let’s just leave.”
“Ancient god? What’s that? Chwi-ik!”
The pair prepared to flee with those cryptic words. I felt a pang of regret. After all this, we were just going to let them escape? No way.
“Akasha, bite!”
“Yes! God-nim!”
Right before the black aura vanished, Akasha shot forward like a bullet.
Thud.
Akasha hit the floor. Unfortunately she hadn’t caught Lucifer or Chierre.
But still—
“Mmph.”
Something was in Akasha’s mouth.
It was a hand.
Lucifer’s left hand—the one she had lost while fleeing with Chierre.
*
“Are you alright? Chwi-ik!”
Right after escaping to the Demon King’s castle, Chierre asked with clear worry.
“I’m fine. It ended with just the hand.”
Lucifer stemmed the bleeding on her left arm. Her hand had literally been ripped clean off.
“To pierce the Absolute Domain… that shouldn’t be possible. Chwi-ik!”
“…”
Chierre was right. The magic Lucifer had used was her unique ability—Absolute Domain. It created a personal space where she could wield power freely. Interfering with that domain should have been impossible.
At most, only a handful of people in the entire world could do it. It definitely wasn’t something a young beastman girl should have been capable of.
So my intuition was correct. He really is an ancient god.
Lucifer’s instinct had been spot on. Akasha had only been able to do that because of that man’s command.
We cannot treat this capital incident lightly.
Lucifer summoned her subordinate. She intended to use the words they had prepared for the upcoming banquet in the capital.