Promotion
Kuooooh!
As the golden wings unfurled majestically, the mindless black demon—Barbatoss—shuddered in response.
It seemed to instinctively know that the divine power, the source of the heavenly realm's dominion over the demon world for eons, could kill a demon like him.
This was a different matter from raw combat strength.
To him, I was simply a bad matchup.
And yet, with no sense of self-preservation driving it, the gate's puppet charged anyway.
Barbatoss trembled for a moment before rising fiercely once more, spreading his tattered wings.
"Kukakakakaka!"
He swung his massive hammer with ferocious speed—nothing to joke about.
Flash!
The motion was so swift and powerful it was like wielding a wooden practice sword at blinding speed as he rushed in.
Ku-kwang!
The destructive force could have split Aghulma's belly open, blasting chunks of darkness free like shrapnel.
Kwa-kwang! Ku-kwa-kwa-kwang!
I channeled my divine power to its maximum and struck back.
Kwang! Ku-kang! Ku-ka-ka-ang!
The demon world's colossal hammer clashed against the holy sword bestowed by the gods, thunderous roars echoing like lightning.
Thankfully, my attacks were landing—Barbatoss's hammer was visibly crumbling bit by bit.
But the enemy had no intention of retreating. He pressed on relentlessly, his body shattering in the process, unleashing a suffocating barrage through the air.
Time seemed frozen in that trance-like state as the demon's hammer whipped toward me.
Thanks to that, I could fight like a true hero, mobilizing every ability and sense at my disposal.
"Wrath of the Demon Slayer."
Wrath of the Demon Slayer (Active)
Hero Kwon Mu-hyuk inflicts 2000% divine damage on a designated enemy using divine power, gaining a 700% critical bonus. Divine damage from allied forces on the expedition is also fixed to attack the enemy designated by Kwon Mu-hyuk. — Costs 15,000 Divine Power
As if an enraged angel had descended into the heart of darkness, dozens of sword auras shredded Barbatoss's entire body, scorching him.
Ku-gwang! Kwa-gwang!
"Keurghhh!"
Under that overwhelming destructive power, Barbatoss's horns finally snapped off, and his limbs exploded.
The Hero's skill Wrath of the Demon Slayer has reached a specific proficiency level!
The Hero's skill Wrath of the Demon Slayer has been promoted to Wrath of the Demon Annihilator!
Huh? So this is what promotion means?!
My eyes widened at the unexpected message.
The Demon King has been resurrected!
And he was devoured by Aghulma, whose true identity was revealed!
News like that spread rapidly across the entire demon world.
The demon world's land had already crumbled, leaving only fragments, which made the rumor spread even faster.
It naturally reached Balpador, the 1st Legion Commander and Grand Duke of the demon world, even quicker.
"As expected. He was alive. That's how he endured my attacks."
Upon the report from the spy he'd planted under Baldr, Balpador's first reaction was a satisfied nod.
It made perfect sense, really.
But one lingering question remained.
Existence Oath.
The oath the Demon King had forced upon Balpador to submit couldn't be broken unless the oath's originator died.
Yet he'd attacked the Demon King's body, and the oath hadn't shattered?
If so, Balpador himself should have been consumed by hellfire long ago.
The fact that Balpador was still alive despite daring to strike the oath's master—that was proof the Demon King was dead.
And yet, everyone claimed to have seen the Demon King. If he hadn't died but allowed the attack anyway, there were two possibilities.
Either the oath was nullified, or the one who appeared was a fake.
To uncover the precise truth, Balpador boldly led his legion toward Baldr's territory.
He was willing to wage full-scale war against Baldr for the answer alone.
Thud! Thud! Kuwaaaah…
Millions of troops blanketed the demon world's wasteland.
"Hoo, hoo…"
A slight fatigue washed over me after the decisive battle, leaving my breaths ragged.
Barbatoss truly wasn't an easy opponent.
If I hadn't awakened as a hero and remained just a holy knight, that first clash would have ended everything.
Still, fighting with every hero ability and sense unlocked had yielded a skill promotion as reward.
Not a bad payoff at all.
Wrath of the Demon Annihilator (Active)
Hero Kwon Mu-hyuk inflicts 3000% divine damage on a designated enemy using divine power, gaining a 900% critical bonus. Divine damage from allied forces on the expedition is also fixed to attack the enemy designated by Kwon Mu-hyuk. — Costs 15,000 Divine Power
Who knew a hero's skills could even be promoted?
It wasn't a massive upgrade, but getting stronger was undeniable—and it opened new growth potential, so I had reason to be pleased.
There were plenty of powerhouses in the demon world; I could hone my hero skills by challenging them one by one, like breaking dojos.
But as in past regressions—and this one too—I'd ended up on the Demon King's throne.
Executing subordinates loyal to me as demons felt wrong after all those long years together.
For me to execute them without hesitation, they'd need to rebel first…
But who would dare challenge the Demon King's authority?
"……."
Ah, Balpador. That guy's probably marching in right now.
Anyway, it looked like I'd have a solid chance to level up my hero skills. A smile crept onto my face.
"Grrooo… Grrrk."
Barbatoss writhed at my feet, barely alive with his two horns and wings shattered pathetically.
Thinking back, the real Barbatoss before being devoured by Aghulma had been quite the loyal subordinate.
His inherent high loyalty made it hard to spot Aghulma's impersonation and cunning right away.
"Hmm… What to do with you."
I gazed down at Barbatoss, pondering, then drew on dark energy to extract his dark essence—the demon equivalent of a soul.
His body crumbled into red dust and reformed into a small black egg.
Gatekeeper Barbatoss has been defeated.
Normally, I'd toss something like this anywhere on demon world soil, but this was inside Aghulma's gut.
Leaving it here would probably cause it—and me—to explode alongside Aghulma when I pulled the key from his heart.
I shoved Barbatoss's black egg into the inventory alongside my holy sword.
I wasn't sure if it was okay to store a demon egg with a holy sword, but without a separate pouch, it was the best I could do.
In a world where the Demon King was also a hero, who cared about details like that?
"Now, time to call the piggy."
With the demon soldiers and gatekeeper dead, I needed a guide to lead me to Aghulma's heart.
◈ Luck +50
◈ Summon a Truffle Hog once per day for truffle hunting. (Cooldown: 24 hours)
◈ Temporary Luck increase based on the truffle's luck value upon successful hunt
I infused a bit of mana into the watch on my wrist. Pong! A pinkish pig popped out.
This is Galetdelua's Truffle Hog.
Name it appropriately and hunt for luck!
"What kind of name…."
"Oink!"
A Demon King like me naming a pig? Absurd.
The pig seemed offended by my expression, hopping mad and snorting.
"Fine. Your name's Samgyeopsal. Happy?"
"Oink!"
The truffle hog seemed thrilled, even with that name.
"Alright, Samgyeopsal! Find the key to the human world."
"Oiiiink!"
The little pig with a mushroom sprouting from its forehead wiggled its butt and took the lead, sniffing intently.
True to its name, a strong truffle scent wafted from it.
For some reason… it really makes me crave pork belly.
I swallowed hard at the thought triggered by the aroma, but the pig whipped around with a scowl.
Samgyeopsal's luck slightly decreases due to stress from sensing mortal danger.
Eek, no! My luck!
Panicking, I plastered on a big smile to soothe the pig.
"It's just 'cause I'm thirsty, yeah? Not because of you. Relax, ha ha."
"Oink…."
It snorted as if warning me never to think that again, then resumed sniffing for the path.
The pig was cheeky, but its luck boost was invaluable, so I swallowed my saliva repeatedly and followed.
Samgyeopsal has found Echo of Allure (A-grade) in Aghulma's hidden treasure vault!
"Hm? Picked up an item?"
Checking the sudden alert, a fruit common in the demon world had appeared in my hand.
◈ Attack Power -300
◈ Defense -200
◈ Attack Speed -5%
◈ Consuming reveals the target's hidden inner self as an echo externally.
An A-grade item loaded with useless debuffs. Ridiculous.
I nodded vaguely at the smugly grunting pig and hurried on.
Finding something hidden in this pitch-black void was achievement enough, but I didn't need items right now.
Samgyeopsal has found Soul Prison (B-grade) in Aghulma's hidden treasure vault!
"Hm? Found another one?"
◈ Dark Resistance -500
◈ Defense -70
◈ Movement Speed -99%
◈ Inflicts temporary movement speed reduction on target (Duration: 5 minutes)
Another junk item. The pig looked at me proudly, but its ears drooped when I stared blankly.
"……."
"Oink…."
Samgyeopsal's luck slightly decreases due to stress from unappreciated loyalty.
"Ah! Why…!"
"Oink…."
Irritation flared; I rubbed my forehead with a scowl. Samgyeopsal flinched and backed away.
Samgyeopsal's luck sharply decreases due to stress from unappreciated loyalty.
A sharp drop? Any more luck loss was straight-up terrifying.
"N-no, it's not you I'm mad at, Samgyeopsal. Come here, come on~."
Gently coaxing with a smile, it inched closer.
I patted its mushroom lightly, then pointed ahead and explained kindly.
"Not items—we need Aghulma's heart. Got it? I believe in you!"
"Oink!"
Pink hearts burst from its mushroom.
Hug! Pop! Pop!
Samgyeopsal's luck sharply increases from emotion at the affectionate touch!
One pat and its energy skyrocketed; it bolted off like a bullet.
So fast I nearly lost it in a blink.
Samgyeopsal has found the Key of Dimensions (SS-grade) in Aghulma's charred heart!
"Ooh! Good job, Samgyeopsal!"
"Oink! Oink!"
If I'd known it was this competent, I'd have petted it sooner.
I unsummoned Samgyeopsal and plunged my hand into Aghulma's heart.
Squelch! Squish squish!
The nose-stinging stench dizzied me, but it was a familiar smell.
The demon world reeked everywhere.
Pulling the key from the heart cracked the seemingly endless abyss.
Kuoooo! Ku-goong!
The heavens and earth split with a deafening roar shaking all directions.
"You bastard!"