Chapter 12. Demon Realm
The first night in the Demon Realm passed without incident. Waking up in a cold sweat from nightmares or pissing yourself at the sound of demonic screams—those were commonplace here, so no one made a fuss. The group greeted the morning with haggard, ashen faces. Fortunately, the weather was clear today, which dulled the eerie aura compared to yesterday. They packed up their squalid campsite in their grubby state and set off again. They'd slept, sure, but everyone's steps lacked vigor. The knights, in particular, looked like they regretted this ordeal born of pointless bravado—their expressions said it all. It wouldn't have been surprising if complaints erupted right then.
Judging by the group's condition, Ji-hyuk figured they'd have to settle things by tomorrow at the latest. At this rate, they'd collapse from within before even facing the demon. With sunlight suppressing the demons' power, there were no illusions or auditory hallucinations like yesterday. He resolved to hurry and find that stele before nightfall.
"Come on, everyone—just a bit more effort."
Ji-hyuk clapped lightly to rally them, but it had little effect. Pessimism had already coiled tight in their hearts. The group trudged on and on. The herb gatherer finally sounded confident: "I think we're on the right path now—"
Ji-hyuk glanced back at the others. Exhaustion was plain on every face. He called for a break. They slumped to the ground with groans of misery.
"Speak up if anything feels off." Of course, they couldn't rest long. Once he'd deemed it enough, he urged them onward. Even the bald prick had gone mute. In heavy silence, they dragged their weary bodies forward. They walked like that for a good while longer. The numbed killing intent sharpened again, bit by bit. The faint demonic energy thickened gradually. It was a good sign—the distance to that damned demon bitch was closing.
Soon, they spotted shattered stone ruins scattered across the ground, just as the herb gatherer had described. Long crumbled and toppled, the debris was overgrown with moss and weeds. Ji-hyuk gauged the distance to the stele from here. He knew the direction precisely, but time had blurred the exact mileage. Probably about half a day... If they hustled, they could reach it by evening.
Should we head out now, or wait for dawn tomorrow? No, that bitch wouldn't just watch us all night. Ji-hyuk was certain she'd strike first. Whatever made her treasure that stele so much, she wouldn't want to expose it to us. She'd thrown a fit last time, too. Better to arrive by evening and fight sooner. The showdown with Demon Shaia was inevitable anyway. Striking first beat a nighttime ambush. He figured denying that slut as much time as possible was key—give her a moment, and who knew what tricks she'd pull.
"Alright, we've found the path. We'll probably clash with the demon by late afternoon. Get your heads straight."
Ji-hyuk announced the battle ahead. Better to steel their resolve early. The group's faces grew complicated—realizing they'd actually fight a demon brought real tension. He couldn't micromanage their inner turmoil. Those with courage would muster it; the rest would cower. That was on them.
After a brief rest, they pressed on. As they drew nearer the demon, illusions and whispers returned for some. But having endured it once, reactions weren't as severe as yesterday. Still, it wore them down—their faces turned deathly pale. Finally, one porter collapsed in convulsions.
"Aaaagh! Aaaaaaagh—!!"
He flailed at empty air, screaming stay back—hallucinating something. No one could help; he had to ride it out. He soaked his pants and foamed at the mouth before passing out. Fellow porters rushed to massage his limbs until he came to.
"Ugh... uwaaaah."
He wailed that he couldn't go on. Ji-hyuk lacked the mental bandwidth to coddle him—his own nerves were frayed enough.
"If you wanna turn back, I won't stop you. Otherwise, move."
His voice was harsh toward the sobbing porter. The others persuaded him, and eventually, he pulled himself together and followed. The mood turned grim after that. Physically and mentally drained, but Ji-hyuk wouldn't quit. Backing down now would topple everything they'd built.
Another short break. Then Gid, gauging the mood, shot to his feet and bellowed.
"Fuckin' hell, why's everyone so goddamn limp?! Yeah, it's tough—boo-hoo, fuck! Demon? Pfft, big deal. You gotta catch a demon in your lifetime to make it worth livin', right? Gotta have one brag-worthy tale—!"
He chuckled gutturally, prancing around like a fool to lighten things. Tensions eased; faces softened. Kayak, watching, grinned for the first time in ages.
"Gotta admit, the bastard's got street smarts from rollin' in these pits."
Gid's antics lifted spirits considerably. Simple words, but they perked everyone up visibly. Ji-hyuk patted his back. "Good job."
"Hook me up with some real pocket change next time, heh."
"Enough to bed bitches on both sides."
"Now that's the dream."
They set off again, steps firmer than before. Even the knights seemed resolved—slaying a demon would pave their path to glory. With morale up, they shrugged off the illusions and whispers. Seeing that eased Ji-hyuk's mind. Having a clown like Gid around wasn't so bad—sometimes you needed a mood-flipper.
Anyway, they steadily closed in on the demon. The air had shifted palpably. Chilling demonic energy pricked their skin like needles.
Kyaaaaaaaah—.
Screams echoed, growing more sinister. Faces hardened; porters' eyes brimmed with terror. Mahushu, with her half-beastkin blood, suffered most from her acute senses. The demon's miasma grated on her fiercely. No wonder beastkin heroes retired young—they were too sensitive. Ji-hyuk checked on her during breaks. She'd force a smile, claiming she was fine, but she looked wrecked. Still, the proud desert warrior refused to show weakness.
Yael struggled too, though less acutely. Already rattled from last night, the miasma pushed her to the brink.
"...You okay?"
Ji-hyuk asked the slumped mage.
"Ah—." She startled at the sight of her leader.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine..."
"Good. Speak up if it's bad. You know shit hits the fan if something happens to you? Your life is our lives—treat it precious. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Alright."
He patted her shoulder and moved on. Yael stole glances at his broad back.
Why the hell did I do that? I'm insane. ...I wanna die.
...But a bigger issue loomed.
- Spread your pussy.
If the leader demanded it again, verbatim, could she refuse? Strangely, Yael doubted she'd say no. She couldn't predict her own limits with him. Hell, she'd stripped and spread for him beside sleeping comrades! She terrified herself—how slutty had she become? The unknown scared her more. Things once unthinkable now felt casual. Reason and morals had crumbled; boundaries vanished. Or rather, she'd grown infinitely lenient toward him. Whatever he wanted, she'd do it. Her heart had twisted that way.
"Move out."
The command snapped her from reverie. The sharp assistant shook her head to clear the fog. With danger imminent, she needed rational focus. Right—ditch the distractions. Kill the demon first. Deal with that later.
...Later.
The sun dipped low; forest shadows deepened the gloom. They lit torches held high. Twilight fog thickened with creeping dread.
- I'll kill you allllll—!!!
The demon shrieked, enraged at intruders in her lair. Wind hissed through rustling leaves like ghostly rain. Porters trembled, eyes darting. Weapons drawn, they advanced warily, breaths held.
Ji-hyuk unsheathed his cursed holy sword; vengeful energy tingled his palm chillingly. Wait up, you fucks. I'll send your pussy-ass to hell nice and friendly.
No more sneaking. The fight had begun. Ominous aura enveloped them. Ji-hyuk raised a fist—halt. The group froze.
"It's coming. Ready up."
They formed ranks swiftly, herding the herb gatherer and porters center, circling protectively. Gid slammed his shield down.
"Come at us, you dogshit bastards—!!"
Battle fervor ignited. Knights gripped weapons, poised. Yael floated light orbs, illuminating beyond torchlight. Quadrupedal beasts slunk forward—not one or two, but about seven.
"Don't break. Grendal, focus. You're key."
"Yes, boss."
The orc healer was calm, eyes boiling with excitement. Orc was orc, healer or not. Kayak gripped his spiked mace, glaring. Mahushu roared beastlike, lowering into a crouch with her spear double-handed, ready to charge.
The beasts lunged. Bloody combat erupted. Systematically: Gid tanked front, Kayak and Mahushu hit stragglers, Yael fire-supported rear. Ji-hyuk aided the knights, balancing their weak roles to minimize losses.
These numbers posed no real threat. The demon bitch had underestimated them. The group slaughtered them all. Victory swelled their spirits—not so bad, their faces said.
- Kyaaaaaaaah—!!!
The demon raged, naturally.
"No slacking. This is just the start."
They wet their throats and pushed on. Eerie wind buffeted them. Then immense killing intent flooded in—enough to make proud warrior Mahushu yelp in terror.
...Here it comes. The damned slut was moving personally. Truth be told, she didn't scare him. Just a whore who spread for cock, unworthy of "demon." But her escorts? Not to underestimate.
"...Ah...!"
Yael clapped a hand over her mouth. Something monstrous approached from the shadows. Porters fainted amid the surging miasma; two knights collapsed. Even Ji-hyuk's team trembled tautly.
Demon Shaia emerged leisurely, clad in a tattered dress—near-naked. Her serpentine hair writhed; skin gleamed blue. Six breasts strained her ripped top, nipples black. Legs goatlike. But her face... featureless blue porcelain, black streaks writhing to form and erase eyes, nose, mouth repeatedly.
That pussy demon was nothing. The real issue: her twin flankers, eternal guardians of the fugitive Shaia.
Death Knights.
Ji-hyuk cracked his neck sidewise, aura blazing. Bet this bitch spread for them in life too, to ensure protection. She'd do it. Even begged him—a human—with legs wide to avoid death. Succubus Queen had more honor; at least she fought.
"I'll take one. You handle the other. They're insanely strong. No mercy."
"Got it, boss."
Kayak replied.
- Kyaaaaaaaah—!!
Shaia screamed. The death knights—towering over orcs—advanced with crushing presence.
"And don't die."
With that, Ji-hyuk charged.