Chapter 413
Chapter 413
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 413
Chapter Title: Blue Eyes Challenges Guardian
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A month had nearly passed since the end of the inter-guild war.
Blue Eyes' world-shaking momentum had come to a temporary halt.
Their first act had been revenge against Blue Zone. It started off boldly enough, but unfortunately, that was the end of it.
And around that time, a breaking article hit the feeds.
It was an exclusive article posted under Big Mouth's name.
Blue Eyes. And Guardian.
It was a headline impossible to ignore.
On top of that, since it was Big Mouth—the outlet that had exclusively covered Lee Soo-hyuk's recent interview—the attention and trust it garnered were sky-high.
A declaration to conquer Guardian before the next inter-guild war.
Naturally, people began voicing their renewed expectations for the Victory Tower, which had stalled out.
If it's Lee Soo-hyuk, if it's Blue Eyes, it's different.
As the hype was dying down, Big Mouth's article threw fresh fuel on the fire. They were unpacking the interview with Soo-hyuk step by step.
Of course.
Among them were some pure viewers eagerly awaiting Soo-hyuk's stream.
Whether as the legendary player or as a streamer, people had one burning question.
What was Lee Soo-hyuk doing right now?
"...The demon realm?"
The first to hear about it was Magnus, the lord of the Red Tower.
Kindre, sitting before him, nodded and continued.
"Yes. That's what they told me to pass on."
"Did they really head to the demon realm?"
"If that's what they said, then yeah."
She said it so casually it almost seemed believable. But snapping out of it, he realized it wasn't.
This wasn't some trip to the neighborhood. The demon realm?
Magnus's expression grew grave. He was one of the few who knew about the Dragon Lord's death.
"The timing isn't good right now."
"That's exactly why they went."
"...Fair point."
It was Lee Soo-hyuk, after all. And Hiels was with him.
They wouldn't make a basic judgment call like that. As Kindre said, they moved precisely because of the timing.
"Thanks for coming all this way to deliver the message. But what am I supposed to do now?"
"Lord Hiels said just to pass it on. Then you'd handle the rest."
"...Tower lord now, huh."
Magnus smiled awkwardly.
Becoming tower lord meant more responsibilities. And he was still awkward with them.
Suddenly, it struck him how surreal it was that Kindre was here before him.
Blue Eyes' blacksmith.
In a way, she was key to boosting the guild's overall strength. Even their blacksmith was top-tier.
"You're... about to make history again, aren't you."
Kindre pouted at Magnus's words.
"Not me."
"Why not?"
"Because I can't fight alongside them. I'm here with you instead."
She seemed inwardly bummed about not joining the demon realm trip.
Magnus understood her feelings.
But there was a clear difference between them.
"Unlike me lounging here carefree, the weapons and armor you forged through sleepless nights are heading there with them now."
That was enough for a blacksmith. As long as her creations were there, it was as good as her being there.
Kindre nodded, grasping his point.
"Thanks."
"No need. We're the grateful ones for the heads-up. And..."
Magnus sipped his tea with a faint smile and extended genuine kindness.
"While you're here, feel free to check out any items you like. The Red Tower has plenty of fine magic tools."
"Really? I can?"
Kindre's eyes sparkled.
Magnus chuckled warmly at her more excited than ever.
"Of course."
"Thank you, Elder!"
Kindre shot up and dashed out. She'd clearly been waiting for those words.
Magnus gazed at the open door, chuckling wryly.
"Tower lord, not elder."
The grandfatherly warmth faded quickly.
His expression turned serious.
'The demon realm...'
A place he'd never been, but terrifying like hell itself.
No matter how capable Lee Soo-hyuk was, safety wasn't guaranteed.
Yet here he was, risking it all again.
Feeling a twinge of shame at that, Magnus quietly prayed for their journey.
"Return safely."
Soo-hyuk and Cheonma stood in the center of the temple overlooking Belzerion.
New guests had arrived. Unlike Soo-hyuk and Cheonma, these were genuine demons sent by a true demon king.
Belzerion pressed his temples, struggling to process the situation.
Soo-hyuk's beaming smile and Cheonma's blank expression.
He couldn't read their intentions, but one thing was clear: the demon kings had set their sights on the temple.
And at that moment, Soo-hyuk was thinking the same.
'Greed's targeting this place, huh?'
The King of Greed, Bartrolion.
He was a demon who coveted anything of value.
Land. Food. Wealth. Elixirs.
He wouldn't rest until he claimed it all—greed incarnate.
For him to eye the godstones from this temple meant they held immense value.
If so, that added another task to the list.
'Gotta smash them all.'
Fortunately, Soo-hyuk's thoughts didn't show on his face.
Even if they did, Belzerion wouldn't have noticed.
His mind was too cluttered.
He even asked this:
"Did you make some deal or something?"
He seemed suspicious that Soo-hyuk and Cheonma were in cahoots with the new arrivals.
But Soo-hyuk's response was unwavering.
"What are you talking about...? We're just innocent demons passing through."
Belzerion's face crumpled at the shameless lie.
If they'd just state their purpose properly, fine—but pretending it was coincidence forever?
Belzerion's suspicions didn't last long.
Soon, more guests arrived at the temple.
Thud.
They strode in boldly, exuding demonic energy like it was their home.
Unlike the raggedly dressed Soo-hyuk and Cheonma, these demons were adorned in gold and jewels.
Especially the one leading them—his presence was overwhelming.
He grinned greedily at Belzerion.
"Good to see you, Belzerion. It's been a while."
"Indeed, Gasgar."
The demon from the King of Greed was Gasgar, commander of Greed's legions.
A legion commander moving personally meant at least one full legion might be mobilized.
"Chased out after losing to the King of Sloth, and now you strike gold in your old age. Who knew godstones were buried in this backwater temple? Quite the surprise."
"Mind your manners. I'm the master here."
"Master? I thought this was abandoned land with no owner."
Belzerion's brow furrowed instantly at Gasgar's words.
Those words alone revealed what the King of Greed wanted. Not a deal—plunder.
"I claimed this temple and unearthed the godstones."
"Well done. We'll acknowledge that merit."
"Gasgar!"
Rumble—.
The temple shook. As heavy demonic energy pressed down, Gasgar's eyebrow twitched.
He was a legion commander, but his opponent was a former superior—a commander who'd once vied for a demon king's throne, foolish as he was.
"Don't get cocky. Unless you want to be crushed."
"...Should I take this as a challenge to the King of Greed?"
"Think a threat like that scares me?"
Belzerion scoffed. Knowing it wasn't bravado, Gasgar backed off a step.
Belzerion was the mad demon who'd dared challenge the King of Sloth without fear.
"Besides, the demon king's guests aren't just you."
Gasgar's gaze shifted to Soo-hyuk and Cheonma at Belzerion's words.
Soo-hyuk waved cheerfully upon eye contact. Gasgar tilted his head at the out-of-place brightness.
"Where are you two from? Sloth? Lust? They move fast when they want to."
"We're just passing demons."
"...You expect me to buy that?"
The two didn't flinch under Belzerion's demonic pressure. They weren't ordinary demons—that much was obvious.
"Not gonna tell us?"
His gaze naturally shifted.
Gasgar focused more on Cheonma than Soo-hyuk. The silent one's presence loomed larger.
Soo-hyuk let the misunderstanding slide. It worked in their favor.
"Whoever you are, no manners. Not even stating your affiliation or identity."
"Who's lacking manners here?"
"What?"
"Hiding your identity is smarter. At least we don't go scavenging like bloated pigs. We respect the homeowner, at least."
Belzerion's expression brightened slightly at Soo-hyuk's words.
He'd feared the demon kings bulldozing in, but unlike Gasgar, Soo-hyuk seemed open to negotiation.
If he had to ally with one side, Soo-hyuk and Cheonma were the better bet.
Of course, Gasgar reacted sharply.
"You wanna fight us?"
"Isn't that your style?"
It was the reaction Soo-hyuk had been waiting for.
"The strong take all."
"...Settle it with strength?"
"That's our nature."
"Hilarious. Never heard of you nobodies."
Despite the harsh words, Gasgar seemed pleased.
Unknown demons meant low-rank ones. High-rankers like legion commanders were well-known.
Naturally, Gasgar accepted.
"Fine. Loser backs off."
Soo-hyuk grinned as the big fish bit.
"Smart choice. You can talk sense."
Tap.
He patted Cheonma's shoulder.
"What?"
"Put in some effort."
"...Why me again?"
"I did all the talking. If I do it, it'll draw too much attention. Oh, and don't kill them. Go easy."
The last request irked him, but it was better than other asks.
A simple fight with the sword.
Cheonma nodded at the request for what he did best.
"Got it."