Chapter 419
Chapter 419
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 420
Chapter Title: The Weakest King
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In the chairman's office located at the top floor of the Mage Association.
“The black magic beasts’ proliferation rate has dropped by 80% compared to last week. The colonies of black magic beasts that infested the Chinese and Mongolian continents have also been nearly eradicated.”
Kim Deok-hyun was giving his report to Kim Jin-cheol.
Kim Jin-cheol gazed out the window at the scenery below
and replied.
“The lizard that summoned the black magic beasts?”
The entire association already knew that the black magic beasts were familiars created by one of Cruas’s subordinates.
It was thanks to the data obtained from the “Beast of Disease” incident last winter.
They had succeeded in driving the black magic beasts off the Asian continent for now, but if they failed to subjugate the true culprit, it would all be meaningless.
“Early this morning, draconic mana was briefly detected near Baekdu Mountain. However,
we lost track of it afterward.”
“Baekdu Mountain...
If the one from Mongolia made it all the way to Baekdu, then South Korea may be its destination.
And if his hunch was correct, it was undoubtedly moving on Cruas’s orders.
In that case, what could Cruas’s objective be?
It had to want something to be taking action like this.
“Confusing.”
Inexplicable events had been piling up lately.
Starting with Kim Seon-woo becoming the Demon King, then the calamity-grade magic beasts.
On top of that, for some reason, demon attacks on humans had noticeably decreased since Kim Seon-woo’s ascension to the throne.
Even Kim Seon-woo couldn’t possibly suppress the demons’ bloodlust entirely.
“Chairman. There’s one thing I’m curious about.”
Kim Jin-cheol turned around at Kim Deok-hyun’s words.
A face lost in heavy thought...
Kim Jin-cheol had a vague idea of what was on his mind.
“About Kim Seon-woo, I presume.”
Kim Deok-hyun nodded.
“I heard you firmly declared that Kim Seon-woo is not an enemy of the association.”
“...
Well, it’s hardly a secret to the public anymore.”
Kim Jin-cheol’s public endorsement of Kim Seon-woo had been known for ages.
It had sparked a recent surge of criticism against him,
even igniting debates about his fitness as chairman.
Kim Deok-hyun gazed at him and spoke.
“If Kim Seon-woo truly isn’t an enemy of the association—no, of humanity, as you say...
do you believe humans and demons can coexist?”
For ages untold, humans and demons had waged endless war.
The hatred accumulated over that endless span couldn’t be explained away by something as simple as “demons drink human blood.”
“That’s impossible. Humans and demons can’t coexist.”
Kim Jin-cheol’s words were resolute.
He had merely argued that Kim Seon-woo wasn’t a demon—not that he was defending demons as a race.
“It’s not just demons. Magic beasts, monsters...
all other races are the same. Interspecies coexistence can’t be forced by anyone’s mere willpower.”
Kim Jin-cheol turned back toward the window.
“This is the natural order and the law of the world—unchanging by any hand.”
Muttering those lofty words, Kim Jin-cheol continued.
“Only a god could rewrite such rules.”
I purchased new traits from the Point Shop, and more time passed.
During that period, I devoted most of my time to researching [Berserk Transformation]
instead of my usual mana training.
It offered a peak as high as Moon’s Blessing,
yet possessed the versatility to be used in virtually any situation.
[‘Transcendent Will (S)’ influence: Mental strength slightly increases.]
[‘Partial Berserk (A)’ proficiency increases by 12%.]
[A strong will settles into your flesh.]
[Succeeded in controlling unfamiliar energy.]
[‘Mana Control Technique (A)’ proficiency increases by 2%.]
[Achieved ‘Honorary Demon’ feat.]
[Acquired 3,000 points as reward.]
[Future divergence detected.]
[Karma rises by 0.8.]
The results of my week-long training weren’t bad at all.
I had burned through 10,000 points on [Proficiency Elixirs] as a shortcut, but the gains made it worthwhile.
Even setting aside the proficiency boosts across various traits, my berserk state’s rational maintenance time had extended from 50 to 55 seconds.
The one regrettable part was that my Mana Control Technique remained stuck at A-rank.
“Can I even reach S-rank like this?”
Barring those rare 1% bumps from specific events,
there was no sign of progress, which was frustrating.
It felt like an enormous wall loomed between A and S.
“But I feel like I hit S pretty quick before.”
Ironically, even as a mere A-rank wizard, I was confident I could take on most S-rank wizards.
Not only could I manifest “golden mana”—an S-rank wizard’s hallmark privilege—but I could also wield “Counter Sphere,” something even grand wizards dared not attempt.
“...
Guess I’m being too greedy.
Just two years ago, I was still B-rank.
Climbing this far in two years is insane progress in itself.
Plenty of people go five, ten...
no, fifty years without ever hitting S-rank.
“Sigh.”
As I let out a short breath, the door opened, and Ha-ryeong stepped inside.
“Your Majesty. It’s about time to head out.”
Today marked the grand demon society event: the Throne Succession Ceremony.
I’d even been forced into ornate robes I’d never normally wear.
“The ceremony’s in four hours, right?”
“Correct. Numerous demons have already arrived, and preparations are complete.”
The ceremony was to be held on a hidden island somewhere in the Pacific.
The island’s name: Moon’s Isle.
It was unfamiliar even to me, as the original story never mentioned it.
According to Ha-ryeong, Moon’s Isle was like a floating island that emerged from the full moon’s mana pull, triggering unique mana phenomena.
Namely, the entire island becoming shrouded in thick demonic energy.
“As I mentioned before, the Great Elder plans to attend this succession ceremony. He may act rudely toward Your Majesty, so please stay vigilant.”
“Don’t worry.”
I had no idea what this Great Elder guy was about, but I was plenty familiar with the arrogance of ancient demons, so it wasn’t worth fretting over.
So long as they didn’t cross any lines.
With that, Ha-ryeong and I boarded a ship and set off.
It was evening, so the sea was dyed red by the sunset.
After about two hours,
we arrived at a small island shrouded in fog.
[Achieved ‘Entering Moon’s Isle’ feat.]
[Acquired 3,000 points as reward.]
[Mysterious energy flowing from Moon’s Isle envelops your body.]
[Mental strength slightly increases.]
Stepping onto the island, I slowly surveyed my surroundings.
It seemed untouched by human hands, filled with dense forest, and here and there I spotted demons in black robes heading somewhere.
A few who noticed me offered polite bows.
“Strange island.”
Viewing it with Outsider’s Benefit, I could see the special mana phenomena Ha-ryeong described.
Concealment mana permeated the air to evade easy detection, and even with the full moon obscured by clouds, I could feel the demonic energy swirling thickly.
“This way.”
Following Ha-ryeong into the forest led to a space resembling ancient ruins.
Dozens of demons clad in finery filled the area, with what looked like an altar atop the ruin’s steps.
The vibe was like an outdoor banquet hall.
I’d noticed it before, but demons really placed great stock in ancient traditions.
“Hmm.”
I should’ve been used to it by now, but standing before demons still felt off somehow.
The sight of them holding goblets filled with blood didn’t help.
Honestly, it wasn’t pleasant at all.
Probably because my mind was still hardwired to see them as “enemies.”
—...It’s the king.
—...Wow. As rumored, the least imposing king in history.
Whispers from demons who spotted me drifted over.
Distrust and ridicule.
A notable number eyed me warily.
Conversely, some shot me looks of reverence and bowed their heads at once.
“We greet the king.”
Voices rang out in unison.
—...Traitors, those guys.
—To think it shares our bloodline.
Those words drove home what Ha-ryeong and Seon-hwa had endlessly stressed: the importance of public sentiment.
They’d feared rifts and conflict in demon society.
And judging by the scene before me, the demons were already dividing, with me at the center.
“...
So that’s how it is.”
The sudden emergence of that “Weakest” title.
I’d wondered why, but it stemmed from my path diverging wildly from the Second Demon King’s.
Per Ha-ryeong, the moment the Second Demon King took the throne, he’d pressured the Elder Council—loyal holdovers from the First Demon King—to seize control of demon society.
The masses, who followed strength, instantly rallied behind him.
Now it all made sense.
Right then.
A colossal presence began to make itself felt from somewhere.
Turning toward the source, I saw six demons approaching us.
All were aged elders.
Every demon at the banquet bowed toward them in unison.
Instinct told me who they were.
The elders Ha-ryeong had warned me about.
“We greet the king.”
The elders spoke to me ramrod straight, without bowing.
Their tone and expressions
radiated arrogance.
Ha-ryeong glanced at me briefly before bowing toward them.
“Didn’t expect you to arrive first.”
The lead elder addressed Ha-ryeong.
“Twenty years, has it? I was shocked to hear you’d gone from guarding the First King to becoming this new king’s loyal retainer.”
I eyed the elder at the front.
Ha-shin.
The head of the Elder Council—the Great Elder Ha-ryeong had cautioned me about.
Ha-shin turned his gaze to me.
“...
Hmm. The rumors were one thing,
but seeing you in the flesh, I get why they say what they do.”
Ha-shin gave me a sinister smile.
“They call you the Weakest King, don’t they...
Come to think of it, I heard you borrowed human help to slay the Second King?”
“Refrain from rude remarks toward the king.”
Black energy instantly emanated from Ha-ryeong’s body.
Ha-shin hardened his expression and glared daggers at her.
“...
Insolent whelp.”
What was this situation?
I’d heard they might act rudely, but I hadn’t imagined outright hostility like this.
Seeing them pressure Ha-ryeong—who’d been working so hard by my side lately—stirred discomfort in me.
Ha-shin scanned the tense demons around us, then bellowed loudly for all to hear.
“We cannot accept a new king of unclear origins who joins hands with humans!”
Black energy began seeping from Ha-shin’s body.
At the same time, the eyes of the five elders behind him blackened.
Ha-ryeong, at my side, blackened her own eyes to counter them.
“That’s enough rudeness.”
“We cannot pledge loyalty to the likes of him. A nameless king must prove his worth before we withdraw—but isn’t this case different?”
The elders truly commanded universal respect, as a sympathetic mood rippled through the crowd.
Soon, the elders’ black energy began enveloping my body.
“...
We don’t care what trick you pulled to claim the throne. You’ll never earn our recognition.”
Seeing this, the Second King’s every action suddenly clicked.
He’d sought to imprint himself on everyone—to bar anyone from rising against him.
As the black energy tightened around me,
just then, the full moon—previously veiled by clouds—
began shining down into the ruins.
[Received moonlight.]
[‘Moon’s Embrace’ effect activates.]
Moon’s Blessing triggered simultaneously, unleashing a surge of potent mana from within me.
The elders’ demonic energy pressing on my body began to recede.
Bewilderment filled Ha-shin’s eyes at the abrupt turn.
I didn’t stop there, activating Partial Berserk to draw forth my own demonic energy.
It swiftly repelled the six elders’ energy entirely, instead constricting their flesh.
I addressed them.
“Why should I need your recognition?”