Chapter 164
Chapter 164
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Hahoe Mask Rise (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It had been nearly two weeks since Princess Riley was captured and brought to the Immortal King's castle.
But whether humans truly were creatures of adaptation, she had grown accustomed to the place before she knew it. Unlike her initial days, she was now leading a relatively peaceful life.
Worrying wouldn't change a thing anyway.
So she decided to set aside all her needless anxieties and first find some peace of mind.
And there was one person whose influence had greatly shaped this change in the princess's attitude...
"Ahem...? So Hesperon isn't your real name?"
"Uh, yeah. Right? But since we're heading to another world, don't I deserve a cool new name fitting for a fresh start...? Ahaha!"
It was Hesperon, the self-proclaimed otherworlder who had recently moved into the castle.
"So, what's your real name?"
"It's Ha Seung-hun, but just call me Hesperon. It sounds way cooler!"
"Ha... Hmm, fine. That's not important anyway."
Riley shot a displeased glance at the clueless-looking man before her.
With his black hair and black eyes, he was of the same race as Isea, but his personality couldn't be more different.
While she appeared somewhat cold on the outside but was actually bright and diligent—like a model student—this guy looked smart but was hopelessly scatterbrained and naive.
In this dire situation of being imprisoned by the Immortal King, not knowing when disaster might strike, seeing him laugh so carefree without a worry in the world made her feel like a fool for brooding over it.
But there was one astonishing way he resembled Isea...
Crackle—
An overwhelming talent for magic.
"Ooh! Got it, got it! Riley, look here!"
"Again, again. Use proper honorifics!"
"Ah, sorry! Got excited. But check this out. Isn't this easier than last time?"
White sparks writhed above Hesperon's palm.
It was meant to be a casual favor, reminiscent of teaching Isea, but...
His growth rate was even steeper than hers back then.
'...Do Earthlings just have innate talent for magic?'
Otherwise, this made no sense.
Some people lingered at beginner level after a decade, yet these guys shamelessly surged past her one after another!
'Ugh, even if I didn't give it my all, ten years is still ten years.'
But this misunderstanding stemmed from her ignorance of his uniqueness.
Hesperon was indeed learning magic for the first time...
'This much is nothing. Even if black magic differs in direction, fumbling over basics would tarnish Hans's reputation.'
He shared thoughts with Hans, the Immortal King himself.
Of course, physical limitations prevented high-tier magic, but wasn't this just the foundation stage?
On top of that, skills like Wicked Wisdom, Forbidden Knowledge, Path of the Sorcerer, and Mana Control provided indirect aid.
No Nobel laureate with a supercomputer whispering answers would struggle with middle-school problems.
"...Well done. Let's move to the next step. Whew—I never imagined someone even more extreme than Isea."
For reference, Isea had surpassed the princess early on without such assistance—she was simply a genius.
And while Princess Riley and Hesperon spent their time together like this.
What was Crown Prince Simon, trapped in the same space, up to?
"Your Highness? I distinctly recall telling you to finish cleaning, laundering the bedding, and tending the garden...
Did my words fall on deaf ears?"
"Urk— I-I'm the crown prince of the Ajerion Empire! As if I'd ever done such things..."
"Talking back again? Maybe I skimped on the discipline... No helping it."
"N-No, that's not it. I..."
"Ufufu! Come here. I'll educate you properly to make a new man of you. Growth always comes with pain, after all."
"No! Why leave Riley alone and pick on me?!"
He had barely savored his freedom from his former tormentor Andrew when he became Siana's plaything—under the alias Lilith—enduring grueling days.
Crack—
Siana swung a small riding crop with a delighted smile.
Having once masqueraded as an imperial noble, this chance to toy with a crown prince freely was deeply satisfying.
Of course, Princess Riley just assumed he had done something to displease her again, but naturally, the Immortal King's influence extended there too.
The throne at the center of the demon king's great hall.
Hans sat there, surveying events throughout the castle at a glance.
'Hmm, no need to worry about the prisoners. With Hesperon there, I'll know immediately if issues arise.'
Managing followers inside the demon king's castle was fully delegated to Siana, while the sarcophagus of Salma—steeping smoothly in the abyss—was left to Archlich Dwell.
Truly, he had nothing pressing to handle right now.
[Then, I'll leave the rest to you while I'm away. Olivia.]
[Worry not, my lord... I shall obey your command...]
Olivia bowed politely at Hans's low command.
Of course, she wondered where he was going, why leave them behind—but she dared not question the Immortal King and simply acquiesced.
Finally scanning the castle one last time, Hans vanished from the spot.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The dead of night.
Whoooosh—
A black shadow silently glided over the dark night sea, illuminated only by faint moonlight.
Blending seamlessly with the night's darkness, it moved at high speed without a trace.
Naturally, its identity was Hans, the Immortal King, who had crossed to Earth.
'Never been here before, so spatial jumps are risky. Annoying, but flying low like this is the way.'
After crossing space to Busan, he immediately headed southeast, traversing the sea.
To evade radar and satellites, he flew low and slow—but that "slow" was relative to him.
Ten minutes after departing Busan, he passed Tsushima; after over twenty, Japan's islands entered view.
'Thirty minutes from Busan gets me to Fukuoka with time to spare. Makes sense—shorter than Seoul to Busan.'
Fukuoka, the third-largest city on Kyushu—the closest major city to Busan.
A fitting start for the momentous debut of the Hahoe Mask abroad.
'My first overseas trip, too.'
He ignored a faint security barrier—like breathing—and slipped inside.
But as he headed toward the brightly lit harbor even at this late hour.
'Hm? What's this?'
A familiar presence emanated from a spot a bit removed.
'...Shall I check it out.'
Familiar to Hans was rarely a good sign.
Sensing trouble before even setting foot on Japanese soil, he headed straight there.
Splash—Crash—
He arrived at a fairly large ship floating mid-sea.
Bobbing gently on periodic waves in the dark sea, it drifted silently like a ghost ship, without a single light.
Faint black mana and deathly aura leaked from within—imperceptible to any but him.
'Impressive. The barriers are thorough.'
But Hans entered as naturally as stepping into his own home, heading to the cabins.
What he encountered inside was exactly as expected.
Blood ritual circles—clearly sinister—covered the floors, grotesque catalysts placed around amplifying the eerie mood.
And atop the central altar, corpses split open as offerings.
'Why do all black magic users pull the exact same stunts?'
From those captured in Outerica to those hunted in Korea.
The nature of the energy made it inevitable, but it was still lamentable.
"...!"
Around a dozen men and women, laughing and chatting by the altar, belatedly noticed him and caused a commotion.
Alertness, warnings, tension, killing intent...
All too feeble against Hans, but rather than dispatch them immediately, he pondered.
[Hmm, tricky.]
"%*#&!"
"@&*#%#?"
They shouted something, but he couldn't understand a word.
He'd grown too used to seamless communication.
Obviously wary of the intruder now, but planning activities in Japan meant smooth communication was essential.
'Can't judge hastily based on context alone—might err.'
Language was key abroad, whatever the endeavor.
But this wasn't a big issue.
[Kukuku—If needed, I can learn now.]
Didn't know it? Learn it.
Simple.
Roooar—!
At least for him.
"Hup!"
"Kuh!"
A colossal presence filled the cabin.
The tensed foes clutched their hearts, staggering.
They struggled to resist, but their black mana rampaged wildly, escaping control, limbs unresponsive.
Like fish on a cutting board. Hans approached slowly, seizing one man's head.
"Gaaaaah!"
He swiftly devoured the memories within.
Unlike usual, he focused not on key events but language systems.
But mastering a language wasn't easy.
'Looks like I need to boost more than just mental power—memory, inference, cognition too...'
These would benefit long-term.
He had ample points left, steadily accumulating—no need to skimp.
'Perfect timing, with serious magic studies underway.'
While his main body diligently spent points, Hans leisurely surveyed the surroundings.
The others cowered, terrified after one was sacrificed before their eyes.
Even injustice flickered in their gazes amid the shock.
'...Shameless, really.'
He glanced at the sacrificial corpses, then resumed 'learning' earnestly.
Thankfully, plenty of devoted native tutors remained.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Unlike the brightly lit harbor, the outskirts' warehouse district exuded a gloomy aura.
There, a group met and exchanged meaningful words.
"Hey, how's the merchandise this time?"
"Check it out. All fresh catches."
One opened a container, inspected inside, and grinned in satisfaction.
Terror-stricken young men and women huddled bound within—some appearing underage.
"Puhihit—Thanks as always. We can't hunt ourselves easily; even feeding is a chore. You've made it convenient."
"Money talks—we do anything. Use us more."
The deal wrapped swiftly; a demon with blood-red glowing eyes and a tattoo-covered human shook hands amiably.
But then.
Amid their warm mood, a chilling voice echoed from the depths.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Indeed, I can understand decently now. Highly effective.] "What?!"
"Who's there?!"
This heavily secured, controlled area barred outsiders.
Sensing danger instinctively, they heightened vigilance and turned toward the voice.
Swooooosh—
Chilled, eerie air surged as something slowly emerged from the shadows.
A pitch-black body blending with darkness, a grotesque wooden mask grinning amid it.
And within, a pair of blue eyes blazing like will-o'-the-wisps.
"Kuhuhu—Still a bit short, though. Mind helping out a little more?" The moment the 'Flower Hahoe Mask' crossed the sea and made landfall in Japan.