Midnight Demon Execution
“......Are you in your right mind?”
Sa Choiheon’s brow furrowed as he heard Lucifer’s proposal.
Summon a demon and then take it down.
It was a recklessly insane idea.
A demon’s power surpassed even a world boss.
One misstep, and South Korea would turn into a flaming hellscape.
“If we can pull it off, it’s a massive jackpot, right? What, don’t think you can handle it?”
Lucifer taunted Sa Choiheon.
Immense experience points and rewards unavailable at this stage.
A huge payoff.
If they could actually kill it.
The Demon Slayer title would make future demon hunts far easier—a key card with endless benefits.
But could they really win?
“......”
For a brief moment, Sa Choiheon hesitated. Lucifer zeroed in on that crack relentlessly.
“Human, you wouldn’t get it, but I’m an apostle. Not some puny human...... well, except for Master. Anyway, I’m on a whole different level from the likes of you.”
Lucifer floated into the air without wings. He gazed down at Sa Choiheon like he was beneath him, then extended a hand toward the storm of demonic energy.
BOOM—!
A beam of demonic magic shot from Lucifer’s grasp, slamming into the storm of demonic energy.
In an instant, the storm cleared cleanly.
“W-What the......?!”
Han Jongyun’s face, mid-demon possession, froze stiff. But he was beneath Lucifer’s notice now.
“And someone like me is offering to team up with you.”
Lucifer drove the point home to Sa Choiheon.
RUMBLE—!
The vanished storm of demonic energy surged back, whipping up fierce winds inside the ruins.
“Ha. Even so......”
Sa Choiheon clutched his head with one hand.
He wanted to dismiss it as nonsense, but he knew full well an apostle’s strength.
As a regressor.
......The future I knew has changed.
In the future Sa Choiheon remembered, no apostles appeared at this point. Mumyeong’s emergence was an obvious anomaly too.
This could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
An apostle personally extending a hand—an ideal timing to slay a demon.
Sa Choiheon’s gear, skills, and growth were top-tier even across his countless regressions.
With an apostle’s help......
They might actually take down the demon.
If we keep going like this......
Sa Choiheon’s eyes began to waver subtly.
Can I stop humanity’s extinction this way?
He’d seized every opportunity with max efficiency, stacking gear, skills, and future groundwork.
But could he surpass the final moment ahead?
......No guarantee.
Not enough.
To save humanity from extinction, he needed far more power.
Overwhelming strength that made his current self look like nothing.
If I can get stronger, I must.
Only he, the regressor, could change the future.
That was Sa Choiheon’s fate.
“I’ll do it.”
The words finally escaped Sa Choiheon’s lips.
“Huh? What was that? Didn’t catch it.”
“......”
Lucifer teased him.
Sa Choiheon didn’t repeat himself. He simply raised his sword in silence, steeling his mind and waiting for the demon’s descent.
“So, that’s a yes?”
With Sa Choiheon’s consent secured, Lucifer flashed a confident grin.
“Master, Sa Choiheon agrees.”
The mad scheme to summon a demon on Earth.
No way Joo Kanghyeok would approve in his right mind.
But Lucifer aimed to convince him.
And Joo Kanghyeok’s sole condition?
- Only if Sa Choiheon hunter approves.
Rank 1 Sa Choiheon’s approval.
And now, that condition was perfectly met.
“It’s about to begin.”
The demon’s descent was completing.
RUMBLE—!
Sinister demonic energy gathered like mist. From the swirling black fog, a gray-skinned demon extended a hand.
GROOOAR—!
Demon Belial planted itself on the ground and rose. Its massive body, filling half the ruin’s center, exuded overwhelming pressure.
The seal on Solomon's 72 Demons, ‘Belial’, has been released.
The world's first demon descent occurs.
Horns sprouting across its body and muscles forming its frame, Belial embodied the essence of a demon.
Constellation ‘Master of the Black Star’ freaks out at the demon's appearance.
Constellation ‘White Dawn’ watches leisurely.
Every movement from Belial shook the entire ruin. At the same time, foul demonic energy rapidly filled the center.
“Kuhahaha! You two must be out of your minds— you’re all gonna die!”
Han Jongyun, the one who broke the seal, burst into mad laughter.
In that chaotic scene.
“Don’t get in my way, no matter what.”
“Hey, human. That’s my line.”
Blue sword energy gathered over Sa Choiheon’s blade, black demonic power over Lucifer’s hands.
Both entered full combat stance. An unprecedented intense aura poured from them.
No room left to back down.
And far from the uninhabited island with the ruins, in a tiny Seoul studio apartment.
“They’ll win, right......?”
Joo Kanghyeok watched the scene with bated breath.
* * *
Watching Rank 1 duke it out with a demon from my room......
Things had somehow ended up this way.
Was this too big a stunt?
Still, it seemed feasible.
Sa Choiheon approved. It’s not a hopeless fight.
Not stopping the summoning, but letting it happen for the rewards.
Precautions were thorough—confirmed in their recent chat.
- If this human Sa Choiheon and I team up, we can handle one demon.
- One question.
- Ask anything.
- Is a demon a living being?
If they failed to kill it.
He planned to use his unique skill, Instant Death.
But Instant Death only worked on ‘living beings.’
Was a demon a living being?
That was key.
Even if Sa Choiheon and Lucifer failed, he needed that final safeguard.
Lucifer’s answer?
- Undoubtedly a living being. Demons descending to Earth all gain life.
A clear living being with heart and flesh.
Then I’m safe.
No worry about the demon rampaging across South Korea or the Awakened Alliance conquering the world.
He could handle it himself.
◈ Resets the cooldown of a unique skill once.
He held the ticket, ready.
To reset the cooldown and trigger Instant Death if needed.
Anything in Lucifer’s view was fair game.
Best case: Save the reset and let them kill it.
That’s why he watched without acting rashly. But no time to relax.
If Lucifer fell and view-sharing cut, disaster.
Nothing he could do then.
Can’t let my guard down either.
Focus for the perfect Instant Death timing.
BOOM—! BOOM—!
The scene looked good.
Lucifer’s dual magic beams pierced Belial’s massive body.
SLASH SLASH!
Sa Choiheon dashed in at invisible speed, his sword strikes carving countless gashes in space.
Innumerable wounds marked Belial as it staggered back. Seemed on the defensive.
But when Belial, crouched, slammed the ground.
WHOOSH—!
Intense demonic energy flooded vision. A massive explosion hurled Lucifer and Sa Choiheon into the walls.
Mad laughter echoed from behind Belial.
“Hahaha! You really thought you could beat a demon?”
Awakened Alliance leader Han Jongyun.
At his command, Belial shattered the ground and advanced.
Sa Choiheon broke free from the wall, charging at Belial high-speed.
CRASH—!
Belial’s fist met Sa Choiheon’s sword. Massive mana collision erupted.
BOOM!
CRACK! CRACKLE!
Huge fissures spiderwebbed across the ruin’s central walls and ceiling. The structure groaned, on the verge of collapse.
Belial had the edge now.
“Tch.”
Sa Choiheon’s arms trembled blocking the fist.
“That’s Rank 1 power? Belial hasn’t even used half its true strength!”
Emboldened, Han Jongyun shouted.
“Sa Choiheon, join the Awakened Alliance now. I’ll make you number two. Rule the new world with me.”
“......”
Sa Choiheon didn’t respond. He gripped his sword against Belial with terrifying focus.
FLASH!
Light flared.
Blue lines etched across Belial’s body.
At my level, no better way to describe it. Hard to even grasp what happened.
SPLURT—!
Belial’s arms flew off. Red blood gushed wildly from the stumps.
“What?!”
As Han Jongyun gaped at the unexpected power.
A black beam shot toward him.
BOOM—!
Lucifer’s magic beam hit. Black smoke billowed, but Han Jongyun was unscathed.
“Kuh, with the demon’s blessing, I won’t die.”
“No good unless we kill Belial.”
Lucifer clicked his tongue and turned. Han Jongyun couldn’t interfere much while controlling Belial anyway.
BOOM—! BOOM!
Lucifer soared, unleashing nonstop magic beams at Belial. Sa Choiheon pressed the assault.
Armless Belial couldn’t resist much.
Battle seemed smoothly in their favor.
■■□■!
Suddenly, Belial roared.
The surrounding space slowed entirely.
“Tch, annoying trick......”
Lucifer gritted his teeth.
In the slow-motion space, only Belial charged at abnormal speed.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Its severed arms regenerated. Demonic energy-wrapped fists pummeled Sa Choiheon.
BOOM—!
Sa Choiheon slammed deep into the ruin wall, slowly vomiting blood. Lucifer wasn’t spared.
Belial leaped, smashing both hands down on Lucifer.
“Grah!”
CRASH—!
Debris erupted as Lucifer collided. Belial mounted and rained fists.
THWACK! THWACK!
Absolute peril, plain to see.
Constellation ‘Master of the Black Star’ squeezes its eyes shut.
Constellation ‘White Dawn’ furrows its brow.
......Now.
As he moved to tear the reset ticket.
【Master! Not yet, not yet!】
Lucifer’s urgent voice echoed—telepathy stabbing straight into his brain.
What?
BOOM—!
Lucifer blasted a magic beam, repelling Belial. He rose slowly.
“We can still do this.”
Lucifer wiped blood from his mouth.
【Just a bit more, please wait a little longer.】
Han Jongyun mocked the cornered duo.
“That all you got? The bread-bag guy’s impressive, but not demon-beating level.”
Han Jongyun gestured lightly forward.
WHOOSH—.
Dozens of mana orbs floated around Belial.
“Rank 1 Sa Choiheon’s death is just the opening shot. Famous hunters not in the Alliance will drop one by one.”
His fingers conducted like an orchestra.
“South Korea first, then Japan, China...... The Awakened Alliance will conquer the world step by step.”
At his signal, Belial’s mana orbs fired like cannonballs.
That was the cue.
Sa Choiheon and Lucifer exchanged glances. Intense auras erupted from them.
“Apostle, now!”
“Don’t order me around!”
RUMBLE—!
Overwhelming presence warping space itself.
Their flames ignored Belial’s spatial constraints.
BOOM!
Sa Choiheon vanished. Lucifer followed.
Dodging countless orbs, they charged.
Too fast for me to track.
Lucifer’s view shook wildly.
Endless booms, flashing vision.
Nothing discernible.
S-rank battle beyond superhuman.
RUMBLE—!
Transcending my perception entirely.
View spun like a shaken camera.
“Graaah!”
Blood-choked scream amid it.
“Don’t screw with me! A demon, a demon can’t lose?!”
Han Jongyun’s enraged voice.
“Belial, Belial! You stupid bastard! Graaaah!”
Something collapsing miserably.
When view stabilized: Han Jongyun down, Belial impaled on Sa Choiheon’s sword in the wall.
They won......?
Sa Choiheon’s sword had grown huge—one of his abilities, probably.
“Hoo......”
Despite victory, Sa Choiheon’s face was grim. He wiped sweat and blood, speaking.
“Not over yet. Stay sharp, apostle.”
“I know demons better than you by miles, human.”
Lucifer took deep breaths, looking up.
Phase two?
Classic game gimmick.
Boss revives after HP drain for round two.
Not done.
RUMBLE RUMBLE......
Island-shaking vibrations. The greatsword in Belial’s heart popped out.
Moment the demon broke human bonds, revealing true form.
Demonic energy flowed, repairing and strengthening its flesh.
Pressure incomparable to before.
Thick black mist blanketed the ground.
■□□■□!
Non-human utterance.
Blood trickled from Sa Choiheon’s ears. But he showed no sign.
“From here, it’s a mental battle.”
Sa Choiheon rallied his energy again.
Lucifer took to the air.
What followed: Frenzied combat.
Endless fight to kill.
Battle dragged over an hour.
Sa Choiheon kept slicing Belial; it kept regenerating.
Lucifer shot down every mana orb, clearing paths for Sa Choiheon, blocking surprises.
True cooperation, not solo show.
Surprising.
Problem is......
Crunch.
I tore into chicken leg.
Hunger won’t end.
Two chickens and jumbo pork feet ordered. Sipped cola to avoid choking, refueling hard.
Seems lazy while they bleed, but no.
Lucifer’s my summoned apostle.
His mana source is me.
More he uses, hungrier I get.
No refill from me, his mana empties.
Best I can do now.
“Apostle. Answer.”
In the drawn-out fight, Sa Choiheon spoke first. Voice thick with fatigue.
“Tch, why the fuss? We’re desperate here too.”
“If you’re holding back, unleash it all now. End’s near.”
Lucifer replied, sounding drained.
“......Can’t. If I go all-out here, it harms Master.”
“Then Master of the Apostle! If you hear, respond! Order the apostle to full power. Last chance!”
BOOM—!
Sa Choiheon, flung back by Belial’s punch, yelled. His desperate plea reached me.
I was tense too.
......Time to use it.
No saving the reset now.
【No, not yet. A bit longer.】
“What? We need to end it fast......!”
【Just a little more, please wait.】
Lucifer’s desperate plea.
But end of the line.
I stated firmly.
“No, end it if you can.”
My command worked.
CRASH BOOM!
Magic beams fired relentlessly from Lucifer’s hands.
“That’s it, apostle.”
CRASH BOOM—!
Sa Choiheon unleashed his ace, Space Sword, in barrage.
Ruined floor erupted, thick dust like smoke screen. Space rippled chaotically.
“Huff, huff......”
“Hoo......”
True final blow.
Swish.
Dust slowly cleared. No defeat message for Belial yet.
Tense moment.
“Human. What time is it?”
Lucifer asked Sa Choiheon. He panted, checking his watch.
“Does that matter now?”
Still, he answered.
“Just hit 12.”
“I see.”
Swish.
Dust fully cleared.
Solomon’s 72 Demons, Belial, revealed.
Regrettably......
Belial stood strong.
■□□■□!
Roaring unscathed after all that—terror incarnate.
“Tch......”
Sa Choiheon’s face twisted. Despair colored his expression.
Thud.
Lucifer landed. No strength to float. But his face was relieved, more than ever.
“What, human? Why the defeated look?”
Lucifer grinned teasingly at Sa Choiheon.
To me, he said.
【Master. Now.】
Now. Why now?
Why wait till beaten bloody?
No way.
Finally understood Lucifer’s intent.
Daily EXP cap.
I’d maxed today’s experience gain.
Max 10 levels per day.
No more after, no matter the EXP.
Reset at midnight.
Lucifer, you mad bastard.
RIP—!
I tore the ticket without hesitation.
But well played.
Unique Skill Reset Ticket used.
Target: Demon Belial in Lucifer’s view.
Nothing left to think.
“Die.”
I triggered Instant Death on Belial.
The brutal fight that shredded Sa Choiheon and Lucifer.
Ended absurdly anticlimactically.
SPLATTER—!
One of Solomon’s 72 Demons, Belial.
Exploded on the spot.
“What......?”
Sa Choiheon’s short gasp coincided with.
Notifications flooding my view.