Chapter 406
Chapter 406
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 406
Chapter Title: To the Demon Realm
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Having finished the interview, Big Mouth bowed politely.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Hard work? I was just answering questions."
At Soo-hyuk's humility, Big Mouth would normally have grinned from ear to ear.
But Big Mouth couldn't do that.
His pounding heart wouldn't calm down. It had started when Soo-hyuk mentioned tackling the Guardian.
He was excited at the prospect that the frozen time for Players would start flowing again.
So Big Mouth asked once more.
"That comment earlier... can I really run it as an article?"
"The Guardian攻略?"
"Yes. As you know, once words are spoken, they can't be taken back. Especially if they make it into print."
He knew it was overstepping. Someone might even say:
How dare he give advice to someone like that?
He knew. Big Mouth wasn't foolish enough not to realize.
But even so, the Guardian攻略 demanded caution.
It had gone unconquered for over twenty years—practically deemed impossible.
"If you declare it in an article and fail... the reputation you've just rebuilt will crumble."
"You're saying something strange."
"Pardon?"
"We didn't conquer the Hydra on the first try either. Everyone seems to misunderstand, but against the Guardian, we've always been the challengers."
"Ah...!"
Big Mouth looked like he'd been struck on the head. Then he beamed and pulled out his notepad again.
"I'll include this line too. 'We are challengers'—I've got the headline."
"Huuuuh—."
Watching Unhyang take deep breaths to calm her racing heart, Cheongryang clicked her tongue.
"Are you that scared?"
"It's not fear, it's awkwardness."
"You look totally spooked."
"I'm not!"
Unhyang snapped, then pouted and lowered her voice.
"Really... I'm not scared anymore."
It was sincere.
She could hardly believe it. He used to be the most terrifying being in the world. She'd trembled like a mouse before a cat, constantly terrified.
Now, it wasn't fear—just awkwardness. She had no idea how to act around him.
"Just treat him like before. He was still a guy, right?"
"True, but..."
"What? You think he's turned into a good person now?"
Even after hearing about the Heavenly Demon's change of heart, Cheongryang's opinion hadn't shifted.
"Whether he's changed or not, judge by his future actions. He hasn't done anything yet, so he's still the same person, isn't he? A person's goodness or badness comes from actions, not thoughts."
"That makes sense, but..."
"Don't overthink it. Your relationship with the Heavenly Demon can start when he first shows that fatherly side."
It wasn't anything special. Seemingly obvious advice.
But hearing it from someone she could rely on made it hit harder than expected.
"Sometimes you sound just like an older brother."
"I've always been that way."
"Always? Reeeeally?"
Then came Soo-hyuk's voice.
"We're back."
Unhyang reacted like a shot.
"Soo-hyuk's here!"
She practically flew toward him. Cheongryang, who'd just been chatting with her, let out a disbelieving chuckle.
When the two stepped out, the living room was filled with the group that had gone out with Soo-hyuk.
Hailz greeted the four first.
"There were a lot of annoying pests outside, but you made it in fine."
"What could we do, just wait? Reporters need skill too."
Getting past the reporters crowding the guild house entrance hadn't been hard.
No stealth even needed. If they'd intended to sneak in, the reporters couldn't have tracked Soo-hyuk and his companions.
The door to the Heavenly Demon's room burst open. They thought it might be him, but surprisingly, it was Jin-un who stepped out.
His face looked thoroughly irritated as he asked:
"How long are you planning to stay here?"
"Why? Bored?"
"Yeah. Away from home is tough. Let's head back soon."
From the looks of it, he'd been hanging out with the Heavenly Demon and gotten fed up. Plus, he'd probably started missing his daughter.
For Jin-un, his home in the Murim World was a place that eased his longing for her, even a little.
"Perfect timing. I wasn't planning to stay longer anyway."
Of course, they weren't heading straight home.
"Uncle, you go ahead. We've got something to do."
"We? You four?"
"Yeah. A friend gave us homework."
"Friend? Homework? What're you talking about?"
"Gyu-seong said something before he died."
At Gyu-seong's name, Unhyang's bright face sobered. She was the only one here besides Soo-hyuk who'd been there.
"...What did he say?"
"If you want to know about the 'event that will someday begin,' go meet the Three Demon Kings."
Hailz's ears perked up at the mention of the Three Demon Kings.
Since the Dragon Lord's death, her interest in demons had skyrocketed. Especially the three Demon Kings, the prime suspects.
"Really?"
The idea that those Demon Kings held clues to the event sparked more than curiosity—it felt like a mission.
"Did Gyu-seong oppa really say that?"
"He didn't ally with demons, but he stuck around them long enough to learn plenty."
"Could the Lord's death be related?"
"If you're interested, come along. I was about to ask anyway."
"Come along?"
Hailz's eyes widened in disbelief.
And sure enough.
"We're going to the Demon Realm."
"...!"
Jin-un, Unhyang, and Cheongryang, who'd overheard, looked stunned.
The Demon Realm?
Cheongryang stammered.
"W-why there?"
"I said it already. To find clues about the event that'll someday begin. It's Gyu-seong's dying words too."
"T-true, but... isn't it too dangerous?"
The Demon Realm was demon territory. If humans claimed half the Tower, demons ruled the other half.
She couldn't grasp how Soo-hyuk talked about it like a trip to the neighborhood.
"Safer than tackling the Guardian, probably."
Jin-un frowned, sharing the sentiment.
He especially had reason to worry.
"Forgot how close you came to dying before?"
It was how Soo-hyuk and Jin-un had first met.
"I remember."
"You went to the Demon Realm then too. Nearly died."
The others gasped at Jin-un's words.
Even Hailz hadn't known. Her eyes went wide.
"You've been to the Demon Realm?"
"Once. About half a year."
Half a year? Another shock. Far longer than expected.
Going to the Demon Realm and returning alive? It was like entering a mountain crawling with tigers and surviving.
"That was when demons kept pouring over. Fighting here caused too many casualties, so we went. To warn them."
"Didn't catch a Demon King, though."
"Grabbed a few legion commanders. Clashed with one Demon King because of it. Got injured, fled while being chased, and met Uncle."
Thinking back, it was harrowing.
If not for Jin-un then? Kim Il-su's wish might've come true much sooner.
"Still going?"
Meaning it could be just as risky.
But it wasn't a snap decision ignoring that.
"Yes. We are."
"Guess home's off the table."
Jin-un seemed to have already decided.
Unexpected.
Soo-hyuk figured Jin-un would be the toughest to convince.
"You sure, Uncle?"
"If I was gonna get dragged into this, I wouldn't have joined up. And if you go without me and something happens, think I'd feel great?"
Jin-un was already thinking far ahead.
If they all died without him, the regret would be irreversible.
From his response, Soo-hyuk could tell Jin-un truly cared about the guild.
"I'll go too."
Next was Hailz.
As expected.
"I need to find who killed the Lord. Alone, no chance... but together, we might manage."
Going to the Demon Realm had crossed her mind a few times.
When she saw the Dragon Lord's body, she'd even impulsively considered it.
But reason won out, as a mage should.
Alone, she'd just vent on low-level demons and fail at revenge.
"Help me. Avenge the Lord."
"Sure."
No hesitation in Soo-hyuk's reply.
"Of course. It's guild business."
Hailz beamed.
No words more reassuring. From Soo-hyuk, it felt like revenge was already done.
Si-woo, Ye-ryeong, and Hyo-min chimed in after Soo-hyuk.
"Kill the Three Demon Kings one by one—bound to catch the culprit."
"Just kill 'em all and see?"
"Obviously. To them, we're the demons, right?"
Last was Unhyang.
"Me, me! I'll go too!"
Anywhere Soo-hyuk went, she'd follow.
The real surprise came next.
"Mind if I tag along?"
The voice from above drew all eyes upward.
Someone descended the second-floor stairs. The Heavenly Demon, wrapped head to toe in bandages.
Unhyang paled. Jin-un's face hardened too.
Cheongryang, who'd boasted not to be scared, nearly foamed at the mouth. No matter the change, the name "Heavenly Demon" carried primal terror.
Ignoring the group's panic, the Heavenly Demon approached Soo-hyuk.
"No good?"
"Not my call alone. But unexpected. Figured you were the lone wolf type."
Ye-ryeong burst out laughing at Soo-hyuk's joke. Unhyang stifled a giggle desperately.
Soo-hyuk scanned the group one by one.
"Any objections?"
He waved as if to say raise hands if so.
No one did.
Separate from discomfort, his joining was a plus. For the perilous Demon Realm, he was essential firepower.
No objections came for a while.
Amid the unexpected, Soo-hyuk chuckled and muttered:
"...Next stream's gonna be huge."