Chapter 394
Chapter 394
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 394
Chapter Title: Demon King Descent (3)
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The Abnormal raid operation wrapped up in a flash.
Calling in the priciest top-tier mercenaries from Outerica had paid off big time. From striking their main base to taking out Duke Gworang, the whole thing was over in less than a few hours.
'Partly thanks to the slight time acceleration feature in "Heavenly Demon World," though.'
Even factoring that in, this speed was downright unprecedented.
Everything had wrapped up so lightning-fast that even within the massive Abnormal faction, plenty of members hadn't fully grasped the situation yet.
Members who'd only heard that their base was under attack, without any updates since.
Forces dispatched for support, never imagining it was already all over.
Mopping them up was like taking candy from a baby.
"What was your name again?"
"...Tabur Fokan."
"Right, Tabur. You get the picture now? Or do you need more explaining? Or what, still itching for revenge somehow?"
The tiger-like hulking demon twitched under the enchanting voice that ensnared souls.
He'd tried to hold out at first...
But now he got it completely.
Resisting the absolute being before him was pointless and blasphemous in itself.
He judged the situation coolly.
The demon world was a realm where the strong ruled supreme, after all!
And the king who had slain the vile Duke Gworang stood right there before him.
The true king of the demon world—not Black Rock, not Dragon Duke.
What else could this be but fate?
Thud—
Unable to contain his surging impulse, he dropped to his knees right there.
Bowing his head in utmost reverence to the one before him.
"Perish the thought, my lord! I, Tabur Fokan of the Taino tribe, pledge my eternal loyalty to Lady Hella! I shall forever stand at the vanguard of your path!"
His bold roar proclaimed his loyalty loud and clear.
Hella nodded with a pleased smile.
Another count-level high demon had joined her ranks.
Just recently, convincing even one had taken considerable time and effort. This was a meaningful shift for her.
'Must be tied to that message that popped up right after I took out Gworang.'
In the human world, even claiming kingship required international recognition—not child's play. For a demon king at the pinnacle of an entire world like the demon realm? All the more so.
In that sense, "expansion of influence as Demon King" was practically a full-spectrum growth event, boosting all her stats.
Not just combat prowess spanning body and mana, but charisma, appeal, and all her sovereign qualities.
'Great start, huh? Let's keep the momentum going.'
With active cooperation from Abnormal's key figures, absorption efforts gained even more steam.
Her amplified influence controlled variables while pre-positioned personnel sorted the chaotic traffic.
As things progressed that way, even without her charm, more started seeing potential here, one by one.
"Already this far? What organizational takeover skills."
"I was just waiting to bail from the crumbling castle... but maybe..."
"Could be another shot."
For Abnormal's rank-and-file, whose loyalty to Duke Gworang was lukewarm at best, it wasn't a bad deal.
The faction had ballooned with additions like Dream Walker and other external forces, and the new boss had proven herself by slaying a duke-level demon to claim the throne.
'Switching to Dark Nest now? Doubt the welcome wagon would be warm.'
'Rack up merits here, become a close aide to the new Demon King...!'
'Dragon Duke always rubbed me wrong anyway. Perfect.'
Thus, the massive faction "Helheim"—having wholly absorbed most of Abnormal—emerged front and center.
Overtaking Black Rock Duke's Demoniac faction (tied to Abnormal), it rocketed straight to second-largest in the demon world.
A sudden shake-up in the demon world's landscape, as war neared its finale.
Naturally, rival factions—already on high alert amid the chaos—reacted sharply.
Demoniac reeled from their ally's sudden leadership swap.
Even Dark Nest, riding high on looming hegemony.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Deep underground in Dark Nest's stronghold.
Miyamoto Ken moved slowly through pitch-black darkness, his face tense.
'Whew, so this is it...'
Having recently offered up a marquis-level demon essence, he'd successfully embedded in Dark Nest's core.
Even in their massive faction—the largest in the demon world—marquis-level demons numbered only four.
That rarity, plus its historical value as a relic from the continental invasion, earned him the duke's trust in one shot.
'Well, wouldn't have worked if I weren't a count-level high demon myself. Sure, I've been aloof from org life, a bit of an outsider, but I'm no lightweight.'
In the process, he'd learned why the "demon world artifacts spreading on the surface"—the root of his dispatch—were needed.
The driving force behind Dark Nest's dominance after centuries of war...
'Who'd have thought they were bait to summon those monsters.'
Items made in the demon world but steeped in karma over ages outside it.
Those were the mediums summoning the unknown horrors here.
His marquis-level essence was the same.
Likely to summon far stronger, greater numbers than standard mediums.
And that would heavily tip Dragon Duke toward victory as Demon King Race's final winner.
'...Can't let that happen.'
Ken's tense expression hardened coldly.
A pair of fierce eyes blazed in the dark.
Though now a Dark Nest heavyweight, his heart had long turned elsewhere.
'Helheim, huh...'
The hot new faction buzzing lately.
The force born when the sudden ultra-high demon Hella slew Duke Gworang Sipar and seized everything—even in Dark Nest, it was prime gossip.
'I'd love to bolt there right now, but...'
Not yet.
He was handling something only he could do—more vital than joining Helheim outright.
'Dragon Duke is the biggest roadblock to Lady Hella claiming the Demon King's throne. And I haven't fully uncovered what else he's hiding.'
Ken was the spearhead to expose Dragon Duke's secrets—and Hella's covert dagger plunged deep.
He firmly believed he best grasped his lord's will, her most trusted subordinate.
"...We're here."
How long had he walked lost in thought?
He finally passed the shadowed passage to his destination.
"Whew."
After a steadying breath, he opened the iron door and stepped inside slowly.
What met his eyes was a space crammed with bones, skulls, ritual tools, clutter, and blood-drawn magic circles.
"Mm."
The sinister vibe—like a summoned demon might burst out any second—drew a low groan from him.
Then he remembered he was that demon and smacked his lips lightly.
'Said to hand it to the guy in charge here. Where'd he wander off to?'
This was one site for the ritual to open that "gate."
No exaggeration to call it Dragon Duke's most vital spot.
Delighted the overseer was away, he slowly scanned the room.
Hoping for some key intel.
'Only in here now 'cause of this delivery errand. Who knows when I'll get back.'
Using a count-level high demon as errand boy screamed tight security.
His access this time stemmed from scoring that rare item, upping his clearance.
Feigning calm as he circled the ritual chamber, he froze rounding a massive pillar.
"...What the?"
There, a colossal being barely clung to life in wretched bonds.
Strange runes on bandages and chains, stakes, spikes, hoses, wires jammed everywhere, linked somewhere.
Not a healthy inch on it—grim enough to wrinkle noses. But the real shock was...
"Balrog twice normal size. Four pairs of horns... no way..."
Duke Tuma Karakul.
One of the four who once quartered the demon world, now horrifically imprisoned underground.
A sacrifice for some unknown ritual.
'Thought he was long dead. Still kicking, huh.'
Ken stared blankly.
Who'd guess mighty Duke Tuma ended up like this here.
'...Makes sense. Duke-level demons are top-tier sacrifices, conditions be damned.'
This confirmed Dragon Duke was plotting more.
Nodding slowly, Ken's gaze drifted elsewhere.
One thing had nagged him awhile.
A lone door in the giant pillar behind the bound duke.
The ritual chamber was open-plan despite sections— that door stood out.
'Why a door just there? What's inside?'
Swallowing unconsciously, Ken approached slowly.
Not mere curiosity.
Something unknowable called to him.
His body instinctively drawn there.
Feeling his heart pound wildly for no reason, he stopped at the door.
Grasping the handle cautiously—
"Warning. You are not yet authorized for internal access."
A flat voice pierced his senses, nullifying his detection.
Startled, he whipped around.
There stood a weary-faced woman in a shabby robe, hollow eyes fixed on him.
"Apologies. If I startled you, sorry. Introduction. We haven't formally met. I am Sodion. I've heard about you."
Her odd speech came with a polite bow.
But her expression never twitched—like a mask.
'Robot of a woman.'
No room to scoff, though.
She was the overseer, sole researcher—a marquis-level demon.
Her home turf, magic-specialized to boot...
"Guidance. Let go of that and follow me."
Ken released the handle and trailed her lead.
Regretful, but no choice.
She was unbeatable right now.
He glanced back briefly.
The massively restrained balrog on the brink, and the door behind it.
Gazing a moment, he turned and caught up to Sodion.
No need to rush now.
Time was plentiful; opportunities would come with patience.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Whoosh—
Crimson flames erupted.
The blaze he'd seen just recently.
But the wielder had utterly changed.
"Oho! Impressive, Davidson."
Hella nodded appreciatively, patting the mount she rode.
Another streak of scarlet fire spewed from its maw.
"Hellfire," gained after devouring Duke Gworang's colossal corpse whole.
'Unexpected haul. Never dreamed I'd snag this.'
A surge of gratitude for the now-deceased Sipar welled up.
He'd left her so much.
The gift that keeps on giving, no doubt.
"Ahem."
A guide beside cleared their throat uncomfortably.
Evidently spooked by Davidson's fiery display.
'Fair. It is intimidation with a side of showmanship.'
Hella shrugged lightly.
This wasn't burgeoning Helheim territory.
A bit removed—
"Your Grace, the guest has arrived."
—Black Rock Duke's Demoniac lands.
She'd come personally to meet the master here.
"Send her in."
Creeeak—
The door swung open slowly.
Beyond sat a figure quietly.
Draped in flowing black robes, goat-skull helm inverted on head—a supremely shady sight slowly turned their way.
Blue soulfire flickering fiercely from eye sockets.
"Heh, amusing."
Hella hopped off Davidson's broad back, sprawled atop it.
A bright smile bloomed on her lips.