Chapter 420
Chapter 420
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 420
Chapter Title: No Need for Words
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KRUMBLE—!
The lightning bolt struck down in Soo-hyuk's stead, embodying his rage. It was a situation that could make one's eyes roll back in fury, but Soo-hyuk remained composed.
However, one thing had become crystal clear in this moment.
"I was thinking of chatting a bit first and sparing you if it seemed like we could talk it out."
He hadn't gone into this thinking every demon king had to die without question.
Depending on how they responded, there might be a better path forward. After all, demon kings were beings with the power to control the demon race.
But.
"...No need for that now."
Facing them again like this made it even clearer.
"I thought you smart ones would be reasonable. Turns out you're just insane."
High intelligence didn't mean mutual understanding.
It just meant their minds had developed further toward greater evil. Their fundamental nature belonged to malice, and that hadn't changed.
Moreover, demon kings stood at the pinnacle of that malevolence.
There was no need to engage in talk just because words might get through.
"You summoned three of those lunatics."
As he descended from the throne, Rasilius stiffly raised his head.
"Think you can handle them?"
"You stole my line."
Tzzzzzzt—.
Wrapping lightning around his body, Soo-hyuk strode toward Rasilius.
"From now on, you'll be the ones who have to deal with us. If you can."
Unhyang, Hyo-min, Jin-un, and Woo Seo-hyun stepped outside.
The village had fallen silent. In the wake of the Sloth Demon King's passing, not a single demon remained awake.
"This is just from him passing through, right?"
Unhyang checked the pulses of the demons collapsed on the ground.
They weren't dead. Their pulses still beat. They had merely fallen asleep.
But putting so many demons to sleep so easily? Especially with no signs of battle—it really seemed like he'd just strolled by.
"Scary. Being a demon king."
"In a place where power is everything, becoming a demon king means you're the strongest among demons."
Recalling her past visit to the demon world, Hyo-min spoke worriedly.
"Brace yourselves. Like preparing to fight the Heavenly Demon."
The position of demon world king wasn't handed out lightly. For them, strength determined everything about status.
All four had received Soo-hyuk's message.
The demon kings had all arrived, and judgment was now in their hands.
In other words, a fight could break out at any moment.
That was when it happened.
Crunch, crunch—.
The group's gazes snapped sideways at the eerie sound.
Something was devouring the bodies of the demons collapsed in the village.
It was a pitch-black, big-mouthed, elongated creature. It resembled a snake, but with sharp teeth and no eyes.
And there wasn't just one munching on the demons strewn across the streets.
Crunch, crunch, cruuunch—.
The same sound echoed from all directions.
The village was overrun by the black creatures. Hyo-min stomped on a black snake slithering toward her feet.
CRACK—.
Kieeeek—!
It let out a bizarre shriek. Watching the creature turn to black smoke with a fizzle, Hyo-min's eyes gleamed.
"It's Greed."
"Greed?"
"The Greed Demon King's minions. Bug-like things that devour anything alive."
KIIIIEEEE—!
The Greeds overwhelming the village screeched. Their cries reverberated, shaking eardrums.
Amid the deafening wails, a group of demons entered the village.
Hundreds clad in black robes.
Among them was Gasgar, who had fled like a dog from Soo-hyuk.
No, that wasn't all.
There was one demon of higher rank, and another at legion commander level.
But the presence overwhelming them all was something else.
"He's here."
Gazing at the figure looming with massive Greed behind him, Hyo-min summoned her divine beasts.
"Bartrolion."
The advancing crimson army halted before the temple.
Because of one person blocking their path.
"Halt."
The demon leading the army back was once again Etasian.
At her gesture, the advancing demons stopped.
Etasian addressed the blue-haired man barring their way.
"Hey, handsome. Can't you see us?"
Si-woo, blocking Etasian and the Lust army, gave no reply.
Spear planted beside him, his blue eyes sparkled. His battle stance was already at full readiness.
Seeing Si-woo's silence, Etasian smacked her lips in disappointment.
"You're my type too, but..."
She glanced back briefly, then her eyes flashed again.
"We're kinda busy right now. Mind stepping aside...?"
CRRRACKLE—!
A wall of pristine white ice erupted around the crimson legion.
The ice enclosed a vast area. With it, Si-woo yanked his spear from the ground.
A declaration that he wouldn't let them pass.
Continuing to talk to such foes was pointless.
Etasian commanded.
"—Kill him."
WHOOOOSH—.
The crimson legion surged toward Si-woo.
Demons swarmed like ants. Si-woo plunged into them spear-first.
CRRRACKLE—.
The crimson wave froze white. Shattering the ice, Si-woo thrust his spear.
Frozen demons shattered into pieces, scattering across the ground. Carving through them, Si-woo weaved among the demons.
He glided over the iced-over demons. His movements on the frozen surface were fluid and swift.
CRRRACKLE—.
Ice petals bloomed around him.
Demons charging from all sides froze solid, and Si-woo's spear swept over them.
BOOOOM—!
His spear whipped up a storm. An icy blizzard raged, blooming more flowers around.
Within the pristine chill.
Si-woo's blue eyes blazed as he sought his next target.
In Si-woo's battle, the screams expected in war were absent. They froze before they could scream, and the silent slaughter instilled greater terror.
Watching the fight, Etasian frowned.
"...A human."
She had wondered what fool demon dared block a demon king's path.
Learning it was human only heightened her wariness.
They knew well how immense human potential could be. Just recently, demon legion commanders who invaded the human world had ended up as cold corpses.
In the end, Etasian had no choice but to step in herself.
She bowed to the woman a head taller than her.
"I'll handle it."
The woman, around two meters tall, nodded. She was Lilianne, the Lust Demon King whom Etasian served.
She rarely spoke. Even now, she merely rode her panther regally, not joining the fray.
Yet.
"Be careful."
Perched on the panther, Lilianne spoke softly.
It was a mesmerizing voice, unheard in ages. It felt like one's ears might melt upon hearing it.
Etasian's face flushed.
She longed to hear more of Lilianne's voice.
All demons here were enthralled by Lilianne's allure. That was why the Lust army boasted the largest numbers.
Was that why?
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
She took the caution as encouragement, not warning.
Whirling around, Etasian drew her whip with a resolute expression.
Her form vanished from the spot. She charged at blinding speed into the battlefield Si-woo dominated.
WHOOOOSH—.
A blizzard raged there.
Frozen demons whizzed past Etasian like frostbitten statues.
And finally, the moment she pierced the blizzard to reach Si-woo.
CRRRACKLE—.
Etasian's whip tore into the earth.
CLAAANG—!
A metallic clash rang out as the whip rebounded.
Shhhrip—.
The rebounding whip looped back. It pulverized and cleaved rocks without resistance.
Her whip discriminated not between friend or foe.
There were plenty of demons loyal to Lilianne. It shredded allied flesh to threaten Si-woo.
The whip coiled around Si-woo's spear. He grabbed it, channeling mana.
Szzzzz—.
The whip began to freeze. The chill spread straight to Etasian's hand gripping it.
But.
Shhhwick—.
SMACK—!
The freezing whip twisted like a serpent, striking Si-woo's back from an unnatural angle.
His body lurched violently. The whip that sundered stone was a miracle for not tearing him apart.
A sneer curled Etasian's lips.
"What, that's it...?"
In that instant, she caught Si-woo's eyes.
They didn't look like those of someone who'd taken a fatal blow.
They looked like.
He'd been waiting for this.
Pffft—.
Then, a burning sensation pierced Etasian's chest.
A dagger from the shadows had sliced her chest. Almost simultaneously, one plunged into her throat.
Her eyes bulged. Etasian hastily tried to retrieve her whip.
No.
She tried to.
CRRRACKLE—.
The whip froze again.
Si-woo gripped it tight, refusing to let go. Etasian abandoned her weapon and leaped back.
Then, a voice from behind.
"Luring you here?"
Etasian reflexively yanked the dagger from her throat and swung sideways—away from the voice's direction.
CLANG! Metal clashed, and Ye-ryeong reacted with surprise.
"Sharp instincts."
"You coward..."
"Coward?"
Shhhwick—.
"That's high praise from me."
Si-woo skated across the ground toward her. Ice spears flew from all sides, his real spear hidden among them.
Each grazing ice spear froze her limbs. As the situation worsened, Etasian shrieked desperately.
"What are you doing? Stop them!"
"No use."
Pffft—.
Si-woo exhaled chilling frost from his entire body. Everywhere his feet touched froze, white vapor billowing.
"They're all frozen solid. Can't help."
Indeed, no demons came to her aid.
Meaning every demon nearby had been neutralized.
'In that short time?'
Pffft—.
A dagger pierced her back, protruding from her chest. Ye-ryeong hadn't missed that split-second lapse.
CRRRACKLE—.
Etasian's pierced heart triggered rapid freezing.
She no longer had strength to withstand Si-woo's pervasive chill.
Looking down at her freezing body from the feet up, Etasian turned her head.
Her gaze fixed on Lilianne in the distance, watching impassively.
"You... Majesty..."
Even as she died, Lilianne showed no worry or regret.
Yet Etasian reached out.
Hoping, in her final moment, for even a shred of pity from her.
"Please... be care—"
"Bullshit."
BOOM—!
Si-woo smashed his spear shaft into the frozen Etasian.
Her shattered fragments rolled across the ground. As their fight ended, the area had become a vast white snowfield.
Breathing white mist from his mouth, Si-woo looked up.
Gazing at the reddened sky, he murmured.
"Now, time to heat things up again."