The Demon's Grand Misunderstanding

"What the hell is going on here?"

Crunch! Crack!!

The arm that had been floating in midair began regenerating grotesquely from the severed cross-section. Ju Joyeon frowned at the unfiltered grotesque scene and pointed his finger at the right arm, deciding he couldn't just leave it alone.

Ju Joyeon, who had even destroyed a sacred relic of the Curia Order just because it annoyed him, fired several offensive spells at the regenerating arm without a second thought, simply because he didn't want to see it.

Shhhk—! Thud!

—Kuhk! You ignorant human brat. You're doing something foolish.

Yet the arms that had already finished regenerating their upper body caught Ju Joyeon's Bone Spear and Bite barehanded.

'How the hell did he grab that with his bare hands?'

—Well, you're still the human who released this body's seal, so I'll generously forgive this level of rudeness. Krihihihit!

The regeneration that started from the right arm quickly spread throughout the entire body. A body as perfect as a sculpture. Two horns on the head. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠A pair of bat-like membranous wings on the back and a smooth, arrow-shaped tail. It was clearly not human.

'Looks like something straight out of a game. Is it a demon?'

—It's a demon race! A really dangerous one! Quickly grab Artie and run!

The Ability God's voice echoed in his mind as the ring on Ju Joyeon's finger glowed faintly.

"Demon race? Not a demon? Wait, that's not the important part. Do things like that actually exist?"

—They exist, that's why I'm saying they do! Stop asking stupid questions and run already!

"Even if you tell me to run now..."

Despite the Ability God's urgent cries, Ju Joyeon didn't feel any real threat from the demon laughing like a madman. The demon, seemingly uninterested in whether Ju Joyeon was observing him or not, looked up at the ceiling and ground of the Abyss with a ferocious smile.

—Kuhuh! To think an opportunity for revenge would come in this way...! I can feel it! Right above, those damn Curia followers are there...!

The demon started moving as if to ascend to the surface immediately, but paused to glance at Ju Joyeon.

—You, inferior human. I'll give you praise. What's your name?

Thump!

Ju Joyeon felt oddly irritated by the demon's natural casual speech, as if they were the same age. Seeing Ju Joyeon's expression, the Ability God hurriedly shouted.

—Don't tell him! You'll just make things annoying later!

"What's it to you anyway, fake demon."

—Hey! Don't provoke him like that!!

Ju Joyeon responded to the demon with the same lack of manners he always showed to arrogant beings. The demon, who hadn't expected such a reply, observed Ju Joyeon with a slightly surprised expression before breaking into a hearty smile as if he understood something.

—Kuk! I don't know what 'fake demon' means, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but... you must be out of your mind. Well, an ordinary human wouldn't have thought to release my seal either. I'm in an extremely good mood right now. So I'll forgive your ignorance and arrogance and personally tell you who I am. I am Krone Liapil. In the past, I was the great demon who prayed for the destruction of this world!

—He's really not an ordinary demon! He was one of the most dangerous demons during the demon invasion of the magic world in the past!

At Krone Liapil's self-introduction and the Ability God's addition, Ju Joyeon finally realized how dangerous this being was.

"You failed to destroy it though. That's why you got sealed."

—Hey! Why are you like this~!!

Yet Ju Joyeon continued to throw 100% sarcastic remarks at Krone Liapil. Though Krone Liapil had every right to be angry, he instead burst into laughter, having already labeled Ju Joyeon as a clueless, pitiful human.

—Kahahaha! Right! You're correct. Back then, I underestimated humans and the power of the gods they believed in. But thanks to you, I've been freed after hundreds of years. This time, I won't be careless. And I'm already prepared.

Krone Liapil smirked as he looked at the undead swarming at the bottom. A small magic circle appeared in his eyes and began glowing black.

The undead that met Krone Liapil's gaze suddenly shuddered as if covered in goosebumps. His followers near Ju Joyeon also flinched momentarily.

Uwaaaaaah!!

The 100,000 undead that Lily Cubus had prepared suddenly let out pained groans and began moving in unison. Standing at the bottom of the Abyss with them, Ju Joyeon looked around with a bewildered expression at their sudden movement.

"Huh? What's this? Why are they suddenly moving?"

Clack.

'Master, be careful. That being has just issued commands to the undead here.'

"Huh? Commands to the undead? Then what about you guys?"

Clack.

'Our only master is you, Master. There are no followers who would obey that guy's orders.'

Jack and May explained Krone Liapil's ability simply while surrounding Ju Joyeon protectively. Meanwhile, the undead began climbing the walls as if possessed.

"Weren't those undead Lily Cubus's, not the demon's? Why are they betraying so quickly?"

Clack.

'She must lack the charisma that Master has.'

May's answer was meant to flatter Ju Joyeon as usual, but it was surprisingly close to the truth. Lily Cubus's [Evil Resurrection] was an ability that combined the sacred relic of the Curia Order with Krone Liapil's power. Since she had merely borrowed the ability to create undead, it was only natural that Krone Liapil, the original owner of the ability, would reclaim ownership of all the undead.

Krone Liapil showed a surprised expression upon discovering followers who didn't obey his commands.

—What? Why are there entities unaffected by Evil Order?

"You must lack charisma."

"Hmm~? They're not entities resurrected with Evil Resurrection... Don't tell me you're a necromancer?"

"I told you, you lack charisma."

—I see. So that's how it is. You released this body's seal because you're a necromancer.

Krone Liapil ignored everything Ju Joyeon said and reached his own conclusion. Watching this, Ju Joyeon felt heat rising in his head.

"What does it matter if I'm a necromancer or not! I'm saying you lack the ability!"

—Kukuk! No need to pretend. I'm the idol of all necromancers in this world.

"...Huh?"

—Undead with infinite stamina that keep attacking even when their bodies crumble! The number of enemies decreases the more you fight, while the number of undead increases by the number of enemies defeated! The pinnacle of necromancers who can even subordinate dragons, the strongest creatures, as long as there are corpses! That is me! Krone Liapil, who possesses the cognomen 'Necropolis'!

Kuhuhuh!

Krone Liapil flaunted his power by emitting black mana wildly from his entire body. Ju Joyeon could only stare at him with an incredulous expression.

—Kuhuh~! You must be speechless from shock. Right~ It must be hard to believe you've encountered a legend. But I'll understand even that. As a reward for releasing me from the seal, I won't attack you.

Krone Liapil arbitrarily interpreted Ju Joyeon until the end and began forming hand seals with both hands. Then his arms split vertically, increasing from two to four. The arms moved independently, each drawing magic circles, and the four different magic circles merged into one. The magic circle Krone Liapil created began filling the bottom of the Abyss and affecting all beings within it.

—Now, let's go! It's time for revenge against those disgusting Curia followers!!

Uwaaaaaah!!!

At Krone Liapil's powerful area buff, the undead that had been weakly climbing the walls began scaling them like they were doped. Their destination was obviously the surface. If 100,000 undead ascended to the surface at once, the great city of Neveiria above would naturally turn into a living hell in an instant.

"Hey! Stop arbitrarily interpreting things and leaving!!"

But Ju Joyeon wasn't concerned about that—he was only focused on the fact that Krone Liapil had ignored his words until the very end.

"Ugh... Master... nim..."

"Come back!! My wor... Huh? Ah, Lara. You're awake. Are you okay?"

Meanwhile, Tiasia, who had been unable to recover due to the sacred relic, finally fully recovered and approached Ju Joyeon.

"Yes... Um, I'm sorry..."

"Suddenly? What are you sorry for?"

"That... Lady Artie's arm wound..."

"Wound...? Ah."

At Tiasia's words, Ju Joyeon recalled what he had forgotten and frowned.

'I forgot because of that demon bastard.'

"I-I'm sorry! Master. You trusted me, yet I betrayed that trust again."

Tiasia thought Ju Joyeon's displeased expression was because of her, so she prostrated herself before him and begged. Seeing this, Ju Joyeon panicked and grabbed Tiasia's hand, forcibly pulling her up.

"Why are you kneeling? I'm not angry at you. You came when I called. Thanks to you, Artie and I are safe. I'm angry at that crazy woman and the narcissistic demon, not you. Get up quickly."

"But..."

Despite Ju Joyeon's words, Tiasia remained dejected with her head lowered. As he pondered how to lift her spirits, House approached him. House diligently sent Morse code from Ju Joyeon's shoulder, and after reading it, Ju Joyeon placed his hand on Tiasia's head with a doubtful expression. Then, he carefully stroked her hair.

"You worked hard. I already know you desperately protected Artie and me, so don't be so down."

"Master...! Heh, hehehe~"

Tiasia trembled slightly at Ju Joyeon's touch, her face melting with happiness, far from her usual sharp demeanor.

After checking the notification, Ju Joyeon tilted his head.

'What? When did Lara get that kind of status ailment? Can it be treated?'

Having seen the fanaticism status for the first time today, Ju Joyeon opened Tiasia's status window to check what it was.

'Huh. There's a buff too. Inheriting the trait window and Death Aura... When did that happen?'

Still unable to grasp the situation even after seeing Tiasia's status window, Ju Joyeon opened his mouth to ask her directly.

"Lara, you..."

Kwaaaang!!

A tremendous roar that couldn't be ignored echoed from above, shaking the ground. Ju Joyeon instinctively ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hugged Artie in his arms and looked upward.

"...Shit. That fraudulent bastard. He said he wouldn't attack, but he just won't stop attacking, huh?"

What Ju Joyeon saw was the remnants of the massive bedrock that had supported the ceiling of the Abyss. In other words, an unavoidable super-giant falling rock. Krone Liapil had pierced through the ceiling of the Abyss to move the undead to the surface all at once.

"Master! You must dodge! This place is dangerous!"

Clack!

'We should evacuate to the outskirts!'

Clack!

'C-Can we even escape~?!'

The followers were greatly flustered by the falling rock that seemed impossible to avoid. Ju Joyeon frowned and glared at Krone Liapil beyond the falling rock.

"...That woman who's crazy about gods, and that fake demon who's full of self-admiration despite being sealed...!"

Clatter! Clatter!

Ju Joyeon's 'heart' began beating rapidly.

—Aah~ Why do I keep getting dragged into situations like this? I just wanted to travel normally.

—Don't ask the obvious. It's because this guy has bad luck.

Black Bone, not Bite—make Spears. I'll make the Armor.

—Kikikikik!

Ju Joyeon's skeletons immediately used magic as if they knew what they had to do.

The enormous amount of Bone Spears and Bone Armor created by White Bone, Red Bone, and Black Bone above Ju Joyeon's head overlapped to form one giant thorny shield.

"Who the hell keeps interfering with me...!"

Thud thud thud!

Ju Joyeon's followers buried in the tomb rose up. The War Trolls and Saber Leos roared at the falling rock as if in Ju Joyeon's stead. The emotions contained within were irritation that things weren't going as desired. Displeasure toward the crazy woman who kept interfering and wouldn't leave them alone. And anger toward the rude bastard who treated him like a powerless baby.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

The falling rock was already right near Ju Joyeon. His followers supported the giant thorny shield.

"Lily Cubus, Krone Liapil. I'll kill both of you."

Kwaaaaaah~!!!!

A house-sized boulder fell toward the bottom of the Abyss where Ju Joyeon was.