Chapter 30. To the North Continent.
Kang Ji-hyuk never imagined the princess would make such a proposal. He hadn't participated in the Kigant subjugation war even once across all his loops. There had been a chance in the 14th loop, but back then, he had no connection with the muscle woman Ganesha. And he had zero interest in joining a Demon King subjugation anyway.
…But this time was different. Should I give it a shot…? It was something he'd have to do eventually. He had absolutely no experience fighting Kigant, which nagged at him a bit, but they had an S-rank hero ranked third on their side. With him joining, their forces would be more than enough.
"Don't wanna?"
"No, I'll do it."
His crisp reply made Ganesha's lips stretch wide into a grin.
"Fuckin' A, I like a straight answer."
"…By any chance, could my guild's hero join as well?"
"Who?"
"A mixed-blood suin named Mahushu."
"Mahushu?"
Ganesha frowned thoughtfully for a moment before nodding.
"Fine… one extra won't hurt."
"So that leaves two teams open?"
"Yeah."
Ji-hyuk paused in thought, then spoke up.
"Mind if I recommend one more? It's up to you whether to include them, Your Highness…."
"Ugh… fine. Who's this fucker now?"
"A hero named Gunda."
"Gunda?"
The princess nodded as if committing the name to memory and rose from her seat. Ji-hyuk stood as well.
"Got it. I'll consider it. …If he's a worthless shit, get ready for an earful, asshole."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Fuckin' punk."
Ganesha smacked Ji-hyuk's arm once, hard.
"And our little bet ain't over yet, got it? …Asshole, if I get serious, you're fuckin' dead. …Huh? Smirking? Holy shit, this prick's smirking? Goddamn it. Wanna go right here?"
"It's nothing."
"Bullshit, it's nothing. Fuck! Ugh, fuck. …I'm busy, so I'm out."
The muscle woman glared once more before storming out of the drawing room. Ji-hyuk stared at the door she'd exited through, then immediately summoned all his guild members. The servants bolted off to drag back the drunken thug trio from their bar crawl. He headed to the meeting room to wait.
It took a while, but even the booze-reeking thug brothers finally showed up, and with Yael absent, everyone else was present. The room buzzed briefly with chatter. When the hero rapped the table lightly with his knuckles, the noise vanished instantly. All eyes turned to Ji-hyuk.
"Big news hit this morning."
The thug trio nodded knowingly—they'd already heard the rumors. But most of the others hadn't.
"A demon cultist showed up calling himself a messenger of death, declared the Demon King Kigant's descent, and demanded we submit."
Demon King—that single term carried enough weight to crush them. The king of demons who ruled the mighty fiends of the demon realm!
"…That's bad…."
Half-witch Ludvine muttered worriedly under her breath. Everyone felt the same. Not just any demon—a Demon King descending. It was a rare event even in the continent's long history. And it had to happen now.
"The Empire's decided to assemble five hero teams to subjugate the descended Demon King. …Ganesha, the S-rank hero, came and asked me to join. I accepted."
…Ah…!
Shock rippled through the room. No one had expected to fight in a Demon King subjugation. Tension flickered in their eyes.
Reading the uneasy mood, lizardman Kayak quickly scanned the faces and chimed in.
"If the boss has decided, we'll follow him to the ends of hell."
Orc Grendal jumped in right after.
"It's what a hero team should do. With the boss, I'd gladly dive into fire."
The stiff atmosphere eased a touch. Then the eldest thug brother, bald Gid, slammed the table with his palm and shot to his feet.
"Fuck yeah! If we're a hero team, fuck, we gotta bag a Demon King or somethin'! I'll be the bar's top stud after that!"
"Hey, what about me, bro?"
"Fuck, why'd you leave me out?"
Scarred brute Bruce and dog-headed Jepopo piled on. The trio bickered over who the real star would be, turning the mood upside down. Fear faded, replaced by courage.
Ji-hyuk swept his gaze over his comrades and added,
"Mahushu's team is joining too. The whole guild's going."
"Fuckin' sweet! Let's go all the way!"
"From today, prep meticulously. This ain't some casual expedition. Playtime's over, got it?"
The thug trio winced like they'd been slapped. Of course, Ji-hyuk wasn't planning blind restrictions.
"One free day every four days. …That enough?"
"Understood, boss."
They'd partied hard enough lately—it was time to work. Ji-hyuk grinned and clapped.
"Dismissed."
Gunda, who had been drilling his spear techniques like a madman, freaked out at the news of an S-rank hero—Ganesha no less—visiting. He couldn't guess her purpose. There was no reason for an S-rank hero, a member of the imperial family, to visit a mere B-rank nobody.
He wiped his sweat and rushed out to greet her politely. One look at her hulking muscles sent a chill down his spine. The sheer intimidation was indescribable.
Arms clasped behind her back, the muscle woman eyed him up and down with a blank expression.
"You Gunda?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Heard you're B-rank?"
"Yes."
Hmm—. She clearly wasn't impressed.
"…Got my hopes up since that fucker recommended you."
"…Pardon?"
"What? Gonna keep me standing?"
"Ah, please come in."
Gunda hurriedly ushered her inside. They entered the drawing room. He sat ramrod straight like a recruit, swallowing hard.
"Relax. Think I'm gonna eat you? …I don't give a shit about weaklings."
"Ah, yes…."
He knew he was weak, but hearing it straight stung. He clenched his fists on his knees. …I'll climb higher. No matter what, I'll get strong. Strong enough not to be ashamed in front of Mahushu. He steeled himself repeatedly.
The muscle woman eyed him indifferently. His skills weren't great, but he had grit.
"Know why I'm here?"
"…Sorry, no clue."
"Heard about today's shit in the capital?"
"Yes, just now."
"We're subjugating the Demon King. You know hero Kang Ji-hyuk? He's in. He recommended you. That's why I'm here. See what the fuss was."
"…Pardon?"
"Deaf? Want me to repeat, fuck?"
"No, I heard. Sorry."
It finally clicked for Gunda.
"Gonna give that fucker an earful. Said you were solid, but you're a scrawny shit with no fire."
"…Not true."
"What?"
"I do have fire."
Gunda glared fiercely at the princess. One corner of her mouth twitched up.
"There we go, that's better. …You were a total pussy a second ago."
She crossed her legs, foot jiggling.
"What… you can handle some demon trash, right? Not asking you to kill the Demon King, so don't piss yourself."
"I'll take down whatever you point me at."
"Listen to that voice? …Fuck, this a vacation?"
"I'll do exactly as ordered—!!"
"You wanna go?"
"…I do. I'll follow—!!"
"Fine… get ready."
Ganesha stood abruptly. As she turned to leave, she paused and glanced back.
"And level up, yeah? Fuck, it'd be embarrassing dragging your weak ass around. Skinny shit… got it?"
"Yes—!"
Gunda bellowed. As the princess headed out, she waved off his trailing steps. Soon she was gone.
Haa—. Gunda slumped into a chair with a heavy sigh. Then thoughts of Kang Ji-hyuk and Mahushu hit him, and he sprang up. He dashed out, hopped into a carriage.
"To hero Kang Ji-hyuk's estate."
"Right away, sir."
The middle-aged coachman knew the route well. At the estate, Gunda leaped down and strode in. The manager greeted him and led him to the drawing room. He waited for Ji-hyuk.
…He desperately wanted to see Mahushu first, but protocol mattered. He had that much sense. …Sense my ass, he mocked himself, recalling nights jerking off to thoughts of her. Guilt deepened knowing Ji-hyuk had vouched for him.
…Guess that's the difference in caliber.
Ji-hyuk soon entered, smiling warmly.
"Gunda, long time."
"Long time, hero. …How've you been?"
"Good. You?"
"Same."
They shook hands firmly, exchanging brief greetings.
"I just met with Her Highness."
"Ah, I see."
"You recommended me…."
"Thought you'd do great. Sorry if it was presumptuous."
"No, not at all. I'm grateful you thought of me. Feels a bit much for my level."
He meant it. A promising hero like Ji-hyuk vouching for him? Overwhelming—and motivating. It whipped him harder.
Ji-hyuk smiled kindly. Gunda saw the man's boundless magnanimity.
"I believe in you, Gunda. You can rise high. Trust yourself."
If even one person in this world saw your worth, it was worth living—or so they said. Gunda felt profound gratitude toward Ji-hyuk's faith. Their first meeting hadn't gone well, but now he held genuine thanks and deep friendship.
"Mahushu's going too."
"…Really?"
Gunda's face lit up. Ji-hyuk told him to go see her.
"Got urgent business."
"Ah, yes. …See you later."
Ji-hyuk left. Clutching his swelling heart, Gunda headed to the back yard. She'd be training there as usual. He hurried.
Soon he spotted Mahushu whirling her spear. Ah—! The mixed-blood suin beamed like reuniting with a close friend. Same hero rank, same spear art, same goals—she felt a deep kinship.
"Gunda—!"
She approached, wiping forehead sweat with her hand. Her musky scent hit him. …Oddly, it wasn't off-putting.
"Mahushu."
"Whoa, so glad to see you—! What brings you?"
"Had some business."
They shook hands warmly. …But Gunda felt a strange emptiness. Today, she hadn't said her usual line about her tits popping out.