Chapter 12. Demonic Forest
The Demonic Forest. A sinister air hung black and heavy over it. The group relied on just a few torches for visibility. Now, no matter which way they looked—left, right, front, or back—it was nothing but pitch-black woods.
Some flinched in startlement, as if hearing phantom sounds, shooting glances into the darkness.
“...Song, you hear it?”
“Song?”
“Yeah, like singing...?”
One knight claimed he heard a song. Ji-hyuk warned them.
“It's the demon's song. Keep your heads straight. Get bewitched otherwise.”
Demon's song— The knight's face drained to a deathly pallor.
The group took a short break. That's when Yael approached Ji-hyuk. She said she could hear it too.
“Sounds like an ancient language. Not my specialty, so I can't make it out. But it's incredibly beautiful... and sad.”
“Don't get too immersed. You'll get charmed by the demon.”
“Yes.”
Ji-hyuk figured this whore of a demon bitch was already up to her tricks.
Then the knight who'd heard the song started trembling violently and let out a wail.
“Dravra, ark nam ete fehurkam—”
Suddenly, he grabbed his axe and hacked at his own leg—thunk, thunk. Flesh tore open, blood spurted.
His fellow knights threw themselves at him, grabbing his arms.
“Stop him! Stop him!!”
“Kamte, snap out of it, you fucker!”
They wore only light chainmail, leaving their thighs and legs exposed. No surprise the sharp axe ravaged flesh and bone mercilessly.
Only then did the knight regain his senses, shrieking in agony as he thrashed about. Left like that, he'd be crippled for life.
“Healer! Healer!!”
The orc healer Gorsh rushed over and cast a heal. The grievous wounds began knitting rapidly. But they were so deep it'd take quite a while for full recovery.
Mental shock didn't fade, though—shock lingered on the knight's face.
Ji-hyuk stepped forward and issued a stern warning to the group.
“This demon's a total sleaze. Watch for illusions and auditory hallucinations. Don't freak at weird sounds or sights. Stay mentally sharp, and you can beat it. Got it?”
They all nodded. Having witnessed the horror firsthand, they'd be more cautious now.
The group pressed on. Suddenly Yael clamped her hands over her ears. This time, Ji-hyuk heard it too.
Kiyaaaaaaa—
An ear-piercing shriek that raised goosebumps. But he kept walking like nothing was wrong. The scream cut off soon enough.
This fucking bitch... Ji-hyuk felt a surge of irritation. Every damn move she made grated on him.
Another knight lost it this time. He claimed to see a terrifying ghost. Shaking like a leaf, he sobbed.
“Th-they're watching me. From all sides right now. Watching me!!”
The knight captain seized him by the collar and shook him hard, yelling to snap out of it. But the guy took one look at him and screamed in terror.
“M-monster! It's a monster—save me, save me!!”
The captain couldn't hold back his anger and smashed a fist into the guy's jaw.
Crack—
Only then did some sense return. With his subordinates causing such a ruckus, the captain looked mortified glancing at Ji-hyuk. He hurried forward, bowing his head.
“First expedition like this—no helping it. Demons ain't pushovers.”
“I'll drill some mental discipline into them.”
“Don't push too hard. Time to soothe, not rage.”
“Understood.”
The commotion died down without escalating. They delved deeper into the Demonic Forest.
The herbalist kept tilting his head puzzled. Ji-hyuk sensed something off.
“Problem?”
“No, it's just... should've shown up by now. Strange, sir.”
Ah— The moment he heard that, Ji-hyuk thrust his fist upward and halted. Everyone froze at the signal.
“Yael!”
Ji-hyuk called the junkie mage. She scurried forward from the rear.
“Yes, boss.”
“Scan for barriers around us.”
He'd half-suspected it. If there was one, he'd have sensed it too. Needed to check if he'd missed it or something else.
“...Barrier?”
Yael chanted a spell. Mana spread out.
“...No barrier... wait.”
She shook her head at first, then her face turned grave. She chanted again. More mana fanned out everywhere.
...Ah...!
Yael's mouth fell open slowly. No barrier? Nah—it was just massive. Mana took time to bounce back.
“Th-there is one. But it's huge. Enormously.”
Ji-hyuk's face said figures.
Explained the barrage of illusions and sounds. Trapped in a barrier. Just the kind of sleazy shit this demon bitch would pull.
“Closest edge? Rough direction's fine.”
“Uh... that way-ish.”
Yael pointed. Ji-hyuk said head there.
The group moved. The junkie mage stuck by the boss's side. The air grew ever more chilling. Mahushu's expression hardened further.
“Rest.”
Ji-hyuk called for a major break. Pitch black all around—they'd lost track of time. Growling stomachs suggested around noon.
Yael chanted again. Mana rippled out, hit the barrier, returned.
“How much left?”
“Still quite a ways.”
Ji-hyuk nodded and patted her shoulder. “Good work.”
He circulated among the group, checking for issues. Speak up on any hallucinations or sounds.
They ate a simple meal. No appetites—picked at food halfheartedly. Who'd have appetite in a place this creepy?
Scanning his listless crew, Ji-hyuk suddenly spotted something through the distant trees.
Not a monster silhouette.
...A naked woman. Ghostly pale skin, black hair swaying to her waist, a face that could steal souls, and a lithe, slender figure.
She approached Ji-hyuk slowly, a faint smile on her lips. No one else reacted. Pure illusion.
Obvious demon bitch handiwork. Targeting the leader to take out the whole group at once.
The naked woman drew near. Dazzlingly beautiful—even her even teeth flashed prettily when she smiled radiantly. Gid would've shoved his dick in, illusion or not.
But Ji-hyuk didn't budge an inch.
She lay before him, writhing in seductive poses. Fuck me, plain as day.
He approached slowly. Her smile deepened—hook, line, and sinker.
But Ji-hyuk whipped out his sword and shunk—plunged it into the heart of the sprawled figment.
—!!
Shock on her face, she crumbled to dust.
The group stared at his sudden move. He'd stabbed empty ground. He sheathed it with a grin.
“Nothing. Don't mind.”
Ji-hyuk smirked into the darkness, toward the spying demon bitch. No matter the illusions or sounds to scare them—it ain't working.
Past heroes failed this expedition because they cracked under constant mental assault. Days of it wore down even the toughest minds.
Exhausted before the fight, they fled without a real battle. D- and C-rank heroes who underestimated her and got their asses handed to them.
His crew wasn't immune either. Already suffering. A few more days, and they'd be too battered mentally to fight.
Key: don't drag it out. That's why small group—no excess bodies meant delays from incidents.
Concise and swift. Crucial to corner this demon bitch.
Clap clap.
Ji-hyuk clapped lightly. Time to move.
They hoisted heavy asses and packs. Priority: bust out of the barrier fast. Sleeping here meant nightmare hell all night.
Soon, the burdened porters faltered—screaming, fainting. Slowed them constantly.
“Dump anything unnecessary. Move fast.”
Tossed two of three tents. Devoured food stores. Water skins filled max to lighten porter loads.
Lighter shoulders, porters looked relieved.
Ji-hyuk pushed to escape ASAP. Yael measured periodically. Almost there.
“Just a bit more—push!”
Ji-hyuk encouraged. Legs dragged, but no choice. Forced march.
Finally, after the ordeal—they broke free of the demon's barrier.
Still Demonic Forest inside or out. Effects lessened—no more wailing or fainting.
Ji-hyuk gave rest time. Climbed a tree to gauge position. Spotted field to right, oriented.
Told the guide. Herbalist nodded knowingly.
“Not far from the rock pile.”
“Which way?”
“Uhh... that direction.”
Herbalist pointed. Ji-hyuk scratched an arrow in dirt just in case.
“Camp here tonight.”
They unpacked, set up. Ji-hyuk's team on watch—six in pairs. Yael with Ji-hyuk. Frail mage, so first watch.
Three fires: Ji-hyuk team, knights, porters.
Ate, prepped sleep. Exhausted porters out cold instantly. Knights fidgeted then conked.
“Sleep deep.”
Won't be comfy—the demon bitch won't allow it. Still, sleep while you can. Nightmares or not.
Ji-hyuk set sand timer on thick flat tree root. Grains trickled ssss.
Watch partner Yael stole glances at the boss opposite. Heart pounding weirdly, excited. Nipples stiff as if erect.
Seeing boss always recalled that monstrous cock—driving her mad.
Why am I such a slut now, seriously.
But her heating body wouldn't obey. Just endure.
“Double casting coming along?”
“Ah, yes... much better.”
“Good. Practice makes perfect. You'll get it someday.”
“Yes, I will.”
Boss always encouraged. His kindness, generosity... and monster cock... damn. Cock again. Mouth watered.
She ducked her head slightly.
“Yael.”
“...Yes?”
“Spread your pussy.”
The junkie mage's heart dropped. Boss said it out of nowhere.
She panicked briefly. But answered like she'd waited forever.
“B-but people around.”
“Don't make noise.”
“Still...”
“Don't want to?”
No, hell no—craved that cock so bad!
“N-no, not that...”
“Then hurry.”
Just a little. Sneak it—no one'll know.
Couldn't defy boss. Glanced around—all deep asleep. Safe.
Yael wiggled her ass, yanked pants down sitting. Lay back slow, legs up, hands spreading pussy wide for his view.
Embarrassing, but thrill of getting fucked dwarfed it.
Finally. Finally—!
“Sp-spread it.”
Now just shove cock in. Cock...
Yael burned with anticipation.
But he sat still.
“Boss... I spread my pussy. Cock. You can put it in now. I won't make noise... Fuck my pussy, please.”
Suddenly, boss's voice changed.
“Yael... what the hell you doing?”
“...Huh?”
“Why suddenly? ...Why'd you pull your pants down?”
..........
Aaaah........
Yael realized—it was an illusion. The one thing she craved most.
She yanked pants up fast.
Oh god, wanna die. Crazy bitch. Crazy bitch. Ah, ah. Wanna die. For real. Fuck. So fucking mortified.