The Primordial Elders' Verdict
Whoosh—!
Red flames swirled around Fierce Flame. The fierce yet not scorching crimson energy soon coalesced into a staff.
A staff embedded with a brilliant red jade stone.
Thud.
Fierce Flame gripped the staff with glee. Flames erupted over her entire body, swiftly forming a robe.
"It feels incredibly stronger, but no particular memories or anything..."
It was right then, as Fierce Flame scratched her cheek under the gazes of her master and the apostles.
"...!"
A memory seeped into her mind like it was etched there forever.
A crimson sky, an endlessly burning land beneath it.
There she was—Fierce Flame herself.
Standing atop the ruins of a building, she haughtily lifted her chin, looking down on a man with disdain.
"Mortals cannot defy the flow with your puny power. You are mere pieces on a game board."
The man's body was engulfed in flames. Writhing in agony from the intense scorching, he still forced his mouth open.
"What’s so impossible? What’s so set in stone? You constellations...!"
A chilling glare turned toward Fierce Flame. But she merely looked at him like an insect.
Vicious flames engulfed the man once more.
The name of the man writhing in torment was Joo Kanghyeok.
"Humanity holds no such value. This world is but one of countless dimensions, and you are merely a part of it."
'W-what is this? This memory.'
Blue Dragon had called it an illusion, but to Fierce Flame, it felt like a genuine memory.
A sensation of recalling something long forgotten over eons.
'But nothing like this ever happened.'
The sight of herself looking at her master like a bug was shocking. And she was the one attacking him with fire, no less.
"Snap out of it, Fierce Flame."
"Ughhh."
When she came to, Gabriel was shaking her vigorously. It wasn't some deep memory she could get lost in anyway.
"Anyway, to cut to the chase, I saw it too."
Fierce Flame explained the memory she'd witnessed to the apostles and her master, adding her own thoughts.
"Honestly, there's a lot I don't get... but all the apostles saw similar memories. It might be something that actually happened."
"So Fierce Flame believes it's a memory, not a hallucination."
Blue Dragon crossed his arms, looking intrigued.
"But it's a memory that couldn't have happened. This is the first time we've met the master."
"If it's an illusion... it could be a warning about the future. But if it's a memory... things get even more complicated."
Fierce Flame gave her answer, half-doubting herself.
"Like there was another world we don't know about. Nah, that doesn't make sense."
Fierce Flame gave a wry smile even as she said it.
"Right, regression doesn't exist in this world."
Blue Dragon nodded.
"Under the constellations' oath, there's only one world. That's how it was decided."
Gabriel explained to Joo Kanghyeok as if instructing him. He nodded silently as he listened.
"Hmm, no clue at all."
Not a past memory,
nor a future prophecy.
Why did it only appear when she got her dedicated weapon?
"For now, we just lack clues..."
It was just as Blue Dragon was wrapping up.
"...Master. The sword is glowing."
"Huh?"
Joo Kanghyeok looked down at his sheath, where light was leaking from Mumyeong Sword. He slowly drew the blade.
Crackle, fizz—.
Noise distorted the surrounding space. Along with it, a system message appeared.
You have met a special condition.
The karma engraved on Mumyeong Sword begins to stir.
Mumyeong Sword began to vibrate intensely. Soon, another message popped up.
The conditions for First Release are as follows.
Demon Elder Slain - 0 / 1
"This is..."
This wasn't a function listed in the original system messages. No idea what it meant right now.
Simply put, it seemed like a new feature was added. But something felt different this time. The apostles' memories too.
"So what's a Demon Elder?"
The death of the Apocalypse Knight "Conquest".
The disappearance of Ganon, the overall commander of this world.
The news spread quickly.
A storm swept through Ma-in society.
Many races harbored resentment toward dimensional domination. But their opinions were thoroughly ignored.
Because they lacked power.
However, the emergence of the human known as Mumyeong was an exception. Leading with overwhelming power, he was turning the demon world's plans to ash.
A grand demon temple, adorned magnificently.
Boasting billions of years of demon world history, massive statues lined the walls.
Inside, a Ma-in with pure white whiskers strode forward.
"Heh, calling an elders' meeting over a single human."
"Ganon vanished too."
"Poor fool. Escaping an agent's pursuit isn't easy. No place for him in the demon world anyway."
"Don't you think the situation's getting interesting?"
Standing beside the elder was a young female Ma-in. She spoke casually to him.
The elder didn't scold her.
"A brief diversion in our boredom, perhaps."
He merely chuckled with a smile.
Only the 13 elders and the pinnacle of the demon world could enter deep into the Ma-in temple.
These so-called elders were all beings known as primordial demons.
Living gods who had existed since the demon world's formation.
Their appearances were mere ornaments. Just one means of self-expression.
Looking back, the other 11 elders were approaching the council chamber.
Not one missing.
They too must have been intrigued by the news.
The elders took their seats one by one. Beneath the high ceiling, violet light blazed dazzlingly.
One elder spoke up.
"I assume you all know why we're gathered. You've heard the plans for dominating this world have gone seriously awry."
A Ma-in in a black tuxedo snapped his fingers.
"Mumyeong. The irregular we've always been wary of has appeared."
When dominating dimensions, Ma-in didn't use overly oppressive methods. Oppression inevitably bred rebellion and birthed racial heroes.
That was the nature of the System.
Constellations went wild for heroes, and heroes gained immense power and grew.
The elders knew but had to let it be. Their intervention would summon agents.
Agents held absolute authority.
A world rule even the elders couldn't defy.
Thus, the demon world had always ruled moderately.
Factions like moderates and radicals emerged among top Ma-in, but to the elders, it was trivial squabbling.
As long as agents and the System's restrictions existed, the demon world had to tread carefully.
One elder cautiously spoke.
"Why not give up and leave it be at this point? Now that even an Apocalypse Knight has fallen..."
"Scared of one human and abandon this world? When did you turn such a coward?"
"Not wrong though. Reminds me of the Night of Humiliation."
Night of Humiliation.
A hero from a race they oppressed invaded the demon world, leaving deep scars on all demons.
That hero becoming the ruler of the Order Realm was a top secret known only to the elders.
The elders' voices rose. They exchanged opinions vigorously.
When was the last time such heated debate occurred?
The whiskered elder smiled in satisfaction.
"Opinions are divided. I see no issue."
"We can't repeat the same mistake."
"Then... let's vote."
The pinnacle of the demon world was currently absent.
Leave Mumyeong be?
Eliminate Mumyeong?
It depended on the elders present.
The elders raised their hands variously.
Of the 13 elders, 7 favored action, 6 opposed.
The result was clear.
"Now, time to appoint the one responsible..."
The whiskered elder Grimor stood.
"I'll take full command of the operation to dominate this world. If we win, hand over control to me."
No opposition.
Everyone knew.
If any demon could survive an agent, it was Grimor.
A week passed.
The massive black egg still hung in the sky.
Yet Korea went on unchanged. Cars passed through the city, pedestrians strolled the streets—no major differences.
Overseas, some dissatisfied with Mumyeong's solo act held protests... but.
It'd fizzle out once the battlefield ended anyway.
"Master, the hunting ground's booming again today. At this rate, we could build a new building."
Lucifer came out to the terrace beaming, tray of iced Americanos in hand.
The terrace had a pool and sunbeds for lounging. The sky was red, but mood mattered.
'Who knows when I can rest if not now...'
Max level 225 achieved long ago.
Scoured everywhere for gear, but hard to top what he had. Current setup was top-tier.
Training daily with apostles, but unsure if effective.
'There's that quest to take out a Ma-in elder...'
Basically demanding a raid on the demon world—unreasonable.
So he was resting.
Downed the cool coffee from Lucifer. Bitter taste filled his mouth.
'Not bad.'
The seven star-equivalents reached level 200-ish. He hit 225.
Treasures from the knight realm selling steadily—wealth piling up nicely.
'...Just retire and it's perfect.'
But System trial still Phase 1. Apostles' reactions suggested phases would continue.
"What's the System's goal anyway?"
Seemed dead set on seeing humanity perish. Lucifer averted his gaze.
"W-well, yeah? This info lock is annoying."
"Not some grand reason."
Blue Dragon, reading beside him, set his book down.
"Might even disappoint you once you know."
"Is that so."
Not important anyway.
Real issue was elsewhere.
"...We can end this, right?"
"..."
This time, neither Blue Dragon nor Lucifer answered.
Even Lucifer never promised to save the world. Just that Joo Kanghyeok would survive its end.
Mood soured.
"C-carpe diem! Living in the moment ain't bad...!"
Fierce Flame, floating on a tube in the pool, shouted hastily. She'd been listening.
"S-SSS-rank summon! Gacha luck. Congratulate me."
Gabriel beside him tried changing the subject too—pitiful. A white lie would've sufficed. Too honest.
No, really impossible?
"This world might not survive. But..."
"A world ruled by Master could."
Blue Dragon and Lucifer said gravely.
"Nah, not into that future..."
That was when.
Something appeared midair, charging the building.
Boom—! Bwoom!
Smoke billowed.
But the building didn't budge. A barrier-like shield perfectly blocked the incoming mana shell.
Sa Choiheon's claim of fortifying it was real.
"W-what the hell."
He donned robe and mask, heading to the railing. Apostles rose and moved.
Far off, a massive winged demon hovered.
Behind the demon, dark crimson mana gathered again. Clearly aiming to smash the building.
"Why's a demon here...?"
They were supposed to be sealed worldwide. Like Belial before.
"Lucifer, right now—"
As he was about to order the apostles to attack.
"Crazy monster trying to wreck our house!"
"What's that?! A demon?"
"Attack now! Defend our home at all costs!"
Hunters poured out from below. Some leaped from windows.
"Hunter Yoo Jihun, space warp please!"
"Wait, Cheon Iryeong! Coming now!"
Building hit, hunters swarmed the airborne Astaroth.
Looking closely, familiar faces.
Bulmyeol, Cheongmyeong, Paegong...
Top Korean guild members rushing to protect their home.
Rumble—. Boom!
Astaroth, under concentrated fire, plummeted from the sky in seconds.
"Looks like we don't need to step in."
Blue Dragon smiled wryly at the sight.
"When'd they all move in."
"Word spread. Mumyeong's building. Quiet contracts piled up."
The building was armed with hunters.
Then.
Thud.
Sa Choiheon landed on the terrace. Same sharp look, but voice urgent.
"Hey, you psycho... shoes off?"
"Mumyeong."
Lucifer lunged at Sa Choiheon, ignored as he approached Joo Kanghyeok.
"Sealed demons worldwide are being released all at once. Only one way that's possible."
Thought it'd be peaceful awhile—trouble hit fast.
"Invasion of this world by Ma-in Elder Grimor."
Sa Choiheon gritted his teeth.
Sign of dire straits.
Wait, Ma-in elder?
"...Just the guy I needed to grab."
"What? The elder?"
He stood.
A week's rest was plenty.
Apostles gathered around.
All wielding dedicated weapons. Auras leagues beyond before.
"Was curious anyway. Let's see why they're so desperate for this world."
Always reactive till now...
This time would be different.