Chapter 412
Chapter 412
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 413
Chapter Title: Demons in Disguise
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“It was hidden in a place like this.”
Having stepped outside, I looked around in wonder.
Before my eyes stretched the vast, blue East Sea, and behind me was a small cave serving as the entrance to the demons’ hideout.
Illusion spells had been set up everywhere to conceal the surroundings.
“If you use the spells installed here when heading out, it will be fine.”
Seon-hwa, who had followed me, turned her gaze somewhere.
Just as she said, there was a spell there functioning as a door.
I nodded and turned around.
“But are you really planning to tag along?”
I’d been looking forward to some solo time out, but when she said she’d come as my guard, I couldn’t help feeling a bit burdened.
“As I mentioned, the Association’s security has been tightened. We don’t know what might happen…”
“I told you not to worry. Sneaking around in disguise is my specialty—you know that.”
Seon-hwa didn’t reply. Seeing her like that, I realized persuasion was pointless.
“Sigh. Do whatever you want.”
It was a bit annoying, but since I wasn’t planning anything major, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
I’d just treat her like she wasn’t there and ignore her.
“Thank you for understanding. Then I’ll hide in the shadows, so please don’t mind me…”
Shooo…
With those words, Seon-hwa’s body vanished somewhere.
But I could faintly sense her presence, so she was probably lurking nearby.
And so, with my hat and mask covering my face, I stepped beyond the barrier.
After spending time in the pitch-black demon hideout, the sunlight cleared my mind.
Then I arrived at my destination: Seoul.
“…Not much has changed.”
I’d wondered if the Ten Demons’ terror attack had altered Seoul’s landscape, but it was largely the same as before.
Buildings destroyed in the attack had been restored to their original state through various magic engineering and spells.
The roads were filled with people hurrying along just like always.
As I took in the peaceful Seoul scenery, I sensed a peculiar aura from a few people.
What was this aura? I pondered for a moment before realizing its nature.
“Ah—”
They were demons living hidden in human society.
Ever since becoming the Demon King, I could naturally distinguish them without using [Character Discernment].
“…There are so many.”
A demon talking on the phone while walking briskly, another listening to music with earphones in, one carrying bags in both hands…
A huge number of demons were living among humans, hiding their true identities.
Seeing these ordinary demons stirred an odd feeling in me.
Even beings who terrified humans had everyday lives, I thought.
Of course, that didn’t mean I was defending or pitying them now that I was their king.
No one knew better than I how many humans they’d killed just to survive.
I shook off the pointless thoughts and kept walking.
How long had I walked?
—…I was personally rooting for him, but this is a real shock.
—Yeah. But he’s smart—think they’ll catch him?
—Who knows.
I stopped at the sound of voices from somewhere.
Turning my head, I saw citizens gathered in front of a building, mesmerized by the outdoor LED screen.
I naturally followed their gaze.
[Kim Seon-woo, who deceived the nation to become the new Demon King. Where is he now?]
My face filled the screen in a massive news broadcast.
It wasn’t just there. My photo was plastered on LED screens everywhere.
[Kim Seon-woo, King of the Three Great Demons—his identity and motives? BCB exclusive report tonight at 10 PM.]
[The Mage Association’s Special Task Force is currently receiving tips on ‘Kim Seon-woo.’]
“…I really am the villain now.”
When Ha-ryeong told me, it hadn’t fully sunk in, but seeing it with my own eyes made it real.
Me, a villain.
It was so absurd I let out a hollow laugh.
Then a voice emerged from the screen’s speaker.
[It’s said that whenever the Demon King changes, the demons’ tendencies shift dramatically. Is that true?]
[Yes, it is. In fact, after the second Demon King took the throne twenty years ago, demon terror incidents spiked noticeably. Proof that the demons’ overall tendencies follow their king’s.]
[Demon society isn’t all that different from ours. With the Demon King changing after twenty years, what changes do you predict going forward?]
[It’s hard to speculate. We’ll need to observe for another month or so…]
I stared blankly at the news for a bit before moving on.
Leaving the city, I arrived at the national hospital near the Association.
The reason for coming here was simple.
Ha-ryeong had informed me that Yoon Ha-young and Lee Seo-jun were at this hospital.
Feeling an inexplicable tension, I headed to the park in front of the hospital.
Then a small voice whispered in my ear.
—…My king. Be careful.
“I know.”
The park was full of Association agents disguised as ordinary citizens.
A strolling citizen… one sitting on a bench reading a book… even one in a wheelchair looking unwell.
All of them were agents waiting, anticipating my arrival.
I’d expected it to some degree, but the thorough surveillance left a bitter taste.
I never imagined I’d end up at odds with the Association like this.
Just then, through a first-floor window, a familiar face caught my eye.
Yoon Ha-young sat on her bed with a gloomy expression. Lee Seo-jun sat before her, keeping her company.
Seeing them filled me with joy and relief.
They’re doing okay.
At that moment, her gaze shifted to the window.
She stared blankly at the park scenery as if lost in thought, then her eyes locked onto me.
As if sensing something odd, she slowly sat up.
Then the hospital room door burst open, and two people entered.
Yoon Ha-young’s gaze turned naturally toward the sound.
The newcomers were Kim Deok-hyeon and Ahn Hye-yeon from the Special Task Force’s demon investigation team.
Ahn Hye-yeon and Yoon Ha-young’s meeting.
It was a encounter foreshadowed even in the original story, so I watched with curiosity.
So much had changed, but some things stayed the same.
“What’s not to be surprised about?”
At Kim Deok-hyeon’s words, Yoon Ha-young shook her head and turned back to the window.
At the park’s entrance, she’d glimpsed a familiar silhouette.
She’d tried to get a closer look, drawn by the familiar vibe, but in that brief moment distracted by Kim Deok-hyeon, it had vanished.
Kim Deok-hyeon, puzzled by her actions, glanced out the window.
“Hm? Something outside?”
“Oh. No, nothing…”
Yoon Ha-young shook her head.
“…Well, okay. How’s your condition?”
“Much better.”
Yoon Ha-young gave a brief smile.
Kim Deok-hyeon looked at her and let out a deep sigh.
During his previous visit, she’d shared a lot with him.
The ‘Demon-Slaying Power’ known as the demons’ natural enemy.
And Kim Seon-woo, who’d approached her knowing that.
He’d also protected her from demons and hunted them together to train her Demon-Slaying Power.
Hearing all this had shocked Kim Deok-hyeon.
Kim Seon-woo’s actions made him strongly suspect the man might not be a demon after all.
“But who’s this?”
Lee Seo-jun glanced at the woman who’d come with Kim Deok-hyeon.
Kim Deok-hyeon, lost in thought for a moment, snapped back.
“Ah, no introduction. Ahn Hye-yeon, team leader of the Special Task Force’s demon investigation unit. She’s my old colleague from onboarding.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ahn Hye-yeon, team leader of the demon investigation unit.”
Ahn Hye-yeon flashed a bright smile. Yoon Ha-young stared at her warmly and bowed her head.
“Hello.”
“Oh! I’ve heard about you, Ha-young. You can use the Demon-Slaying Power, right? And you took down the king.”
“Ah, yes…”
What was she getting at? Yoon Ha-young stared at her.
“As a demon investigator, I’m very interested in your abilities. And we need them.”
Yoon Ha-young blinked at the sudden statement.
Ahn Hye-yeon smiled at her again.
“Join our team. You want to find Kim Seon-woo, don’t you?”
Having seen Lee Seo-jun and Yoon Ha-young’s faces, I left the hospital without lingering and moved on.
With so many futures changed, there were still things to wrap up.
My next stop was JWK, the company I’d set up under the name Kim Jin-woo.
Entering the office, Yang Tae-min looked at me in surprise.
“Jin-woo? What brings you here without notice?”
Yang Tae-min recognized me instantly. I gave him a small smile and took off my hat.
“Just came to say hello.”
“…Hello?”
The Association was probably starting to get suspicious about the connection between ‘Kim Jin-woo’ and ‘Kim Seon-woo.’
The investigation might have already begun.
I wanted to solidify everything related to Kim Jin-woo before it was too late.
“I’ll be busy for a while, so I won’t be able to visit. Contact might be tough too.”
Yang Tae-min’s expression hardened.
Sensing the gravity in my demeanor, he seemed to realize something was off.
After a moment of silence, Yang Tae-min smiled faintly.
“Then I’ll wait. You’ll come back someday, right?”
“Yeah. I will. Definitely.”
I meant it.
I was Kim Seon-woo. And Kim Jin-woo. I had no intention of abandoning what I’d built. Someday, I’d reclaim it all.
“Then I’ll keep producing the mana bombs as requested.”
“…Yes. Do that. Oh, and…”
I pulled a small piece of paper from my pocket.
“If Han Se-yeon comes by, please pass this to her.”
“…?”
It was a short message for her.
I wanted to contact her directly, but there was a risk of the Association tracing it. Plus, with her under watch because of Han Se-jin, getting involved with me wouldn’t do her any favors.
Her brother Han Se-jin had been caught for associating with the Demon King—if it came out she was close to the new one, the Association wouldn’t let it slide.
It was a crucial time for her, and I didn’t want to get in the way.
Yang Tae-min took the paper from me and nodded.
“Yes, I’ll make sure she gets it.”
At the same time.
Having finished the Association’s relentless interrogation, Han Se-yeon was on the phone with a subordinate while heading somewhere in her car.
—Ellen, who guarded Vice Chairman Han Se-jin, says she has information on Kim Jin-woo and wants to meet. What should we do?
“Ellen?”
She remembered the name.
Han Se-jin’s constant shadow, his bodyguard. And oddly close to Kim Jin-woo, as she recalled.
“Hmm. Tell her to wait two hours—no, one. I’ll be right there.”
—Understood.
Screech.
Just then, Han Se-yeon arrived at her destination: JWK’s office.
With Kim Jin-woo missing, this might be the only place to find clues to his whereabouts.
Stepping inside, Yang Tae-min saw her and looked shocked.
But the surprise was different from usual.
“…Director Han Se-yeon?”
“Oh, sorry. I should’ve called ahead. I have something I’d like to discuss briefly.”
As Han Se-yeon smiled lightly, he said,
“The president was just here… Did you miss him on the way?”
“…Jin-woo was?”
“Yes. Just now.”
At those words, her body bolted outside on instinct.
It had been ages since she’d moved this urgently.
Outside, she quickly scanned the surroundings.
But she was a step too late—no trace or presence anywhere.
“…Ugh.”
“Director!”
Then Yang Tae-min’s urgent call came from behind.
Turning, she saw him running toward her, out of breath.
“The president said to give this to you if you came…”
Yang Tae-min held out a small piece of paper.
Han Se-yeon took it, puzzled.
[I promised to share my story next time, but something came up, so I can’t keep it. Wait a little longer.]
Gripping the paper tightly, Han Se-yeon thought,
I knew it—you’re in on everything!
At that instant.
Shwooooo!
A fierce wind brushed her skin from somewhere.
Simultaneously, the sky darkened as if shadowed, then brightened again.
Something massive with wings had streaked across the sky.
Stunned by the sudden phenomenon, Han Se-yeon and Yang Tae-min stared up blankly.
“…What was that.”