Back to the Demon Realm
Ever since I took out Chairman Kal, the quest details and rewards suddenly changed.
The content shifting was one thing, but the reward changing was a first, which surprised me. And that reward? Nothing less than the removal of my Eternally Cursed Body trait!
Wait... it could actually be removed?
A dazzling fireworks display was exploding right in front of my eyes.
Bang! Bang! Boom boom bang!
Woooaaah—
The cheers of the crowd, joyful shouts, and triumphant cheers echoed happily from afar.
Can I finally stay here with them, just like everyone else?
A whirlwind of emotions churned inside me.
In this moment of universal joy, a tiny sprout of hope was growing in my heart too, just like theirs.
After 999 regressions and 998 cycles of all the sins and punishments I'd committed...
The root of all my pain and regret was finally gone, letting me dream of a future for the first time.
Sure, I'd already decided not to regress next time, but that didn't mean the trait would just vanish because I willed it.
I'd simply planned to live this cycle—more precious and new than any before—as fully as possible, without dwelling on what came next.
But now, there might truly be no next time.
Of course, for that to happen, first things first.
I've got to complete this quest.
I deployed a barrier of holy power in my custom, kinda ridiculous hero-edition room.
Just in case opening the gate to the demon realm let any dark energy leak out.
Holy Control (Active)
⪡ Hero Kwon Mu-hyuk can control his own and others' holy power. Holy power can be increased/decreased, converted, and tracked. ⪢
The more I used it, the more I was drawn to this unfamiliar force called holy power.
Inside the holy power orb—big enough for a person—I opened the gate to the demon realm.
Grooooar.
Ten thousand teeth bared wide in welcome.
This would be the last time stepping into that filthy maw.
Once this quest was done, I'd yank out every single one of those teeth and seal the gate between the demon realm and the human world.
As I glared at the gate with those thoughts, the ten thousand teeth twitched and shrank back.
"Hey! Open wide, quick. Before I rip 'em all out right now."
The gate flinched and bared its teeth again.
I strode right through.
Is he not coming today either?
Baldr, the Second Legion Commander of the demon realm, let out a small sigh as he sprinkled blood on the vampire roses in the garden.
When the Demon King had crossed into the human world, he'd ordered Baldr to hand the throne to Balpador. Baldr had done so—barely, with a formal missive—but he was determined to protect the Demon King Castle for the one who'd promised to return.
Unlike the eras when the Demon King's corpse had been here, even if just in name, now that the true Demon King had left entirely for the human world, the demon realm's magic power was plummeting rapidly.
The demon realm's magic was sustained by the Demon King's power.
A colossal force capable of upholding an entire world.
That was the Demon King's true might.
The demon realm existed because of the Demon King, and so did all its denizens.
The Demon King was the root, the World Tree, the progenitor of the demon realm.
Thus, every being in the demon realm yearned only for the Demon King, compelled to be his loyal servant.
The very notion of rebellion was originally inconceivable.
Yet the First Legion Commander Balpador and the gatekeeper demon Barbatoss—who'd disguised himself as an aghulma—had harbored treasonous thoughts because the Demon King had fallen into a long slumber, his power waning.
A thief sneaking over the fence while the master sleeps can't become the master.
If a false pretender claimed the throne, they couldn't sustain that immense power—the pretender and the realm itself would crumble.
That's why those fools strut around claiming the throne, too ignorant to know better.
Baldr swung the blood sprinkler harder, irritation building with every thought.
Splat splat. Blood rained down on the vampire roses.
Even hearing that Balpador had planted the Demon King's seed in the human world, Baldr had struggled to believe it could sprout into the true reincarnation.
But as the saying goes, even a cow backing up can catch a mouse.
The seed Balpador had sown in treason had borne fruit!
Only one who could wield power enough to lead the demon realm could inherit the Demon King's magic from his corpse.
Balpador could desecrate the corpse all he wanted, but it wouldn't budge.
Yet the new Demon King sprouted in the human world had truly inherited that power!
In all the universe and worlds, only one could ascend to the Demon King's seat.
Inheriting the Demon King's magic was ironclad proof he was the reincarnation.
To Baldr, the current Demon King was one and the same as the previous.
However.
That Demon King was now in the human world.
The current Demon King, alive and inheriting the power, kept the realm from immediate collapse. But after eons sustained by a dead king's body, cracks were everywhere.
And with him gone to the human world, the magic drain accelerated the decay.
Only the Demon King could repair the crumbling realm or reactivate it.
So after 500 years, Baldr couldn't help sighing over the Demon King being away just a few days.
"You must return soon... Once you're back, all these troubles, those issues..."
Muttering to himself, Baldr suddenly froze.
A massive surge of magic rippled from the underground corridor beneath the castle, where the demon realm gate lay.
"Fi, finally...!"
Tears welling, Baldr bolted underground like the wind.
"You've returned, my Demon Kiiiing!!"
Kabooom!
Hellish dust billowed in Baldr's wake.
Stepping back into the demon realm, a sweltering, sticky heat slapped my face.
It's fine, it's fine... Once I wrap this up, no need to come back here. Just endure.
I swallowed my rising irritation and took a steadying breath.
"Hoo..."
Suddenly, something barreled down from above the castle with a thunderous roar.
"Have you been well, Baldr...?"
"Waaah! My Demon Kiiing!"
Thud!
Crack.
Baldr slammed into me full-body, hugging tight—cracking a few of my bones before they knit back.
The magic healed fast, but the pain was real, doubling my annoyance.
"Get off!"
Wham!
I kicked him off; he crashed into the wall, wobbling.
"Ahh, my Demon Kiiing~!"
"No creepy moans. Report everything that's happened, now."
"Y-yes, sire!"
Up in a flash, Baldr stood by my side, following.
"As commanded, I sent a missive handing the throne to Balpador. But the traitor isn't satisfied—he attacks the Demon King Castle daily."
"What? So Balpador hasn't taken the throne yet?!"
My face twisted in a scowl.
Anger surged; I swear my demon king horns were itching to sprout.
Being in the demon realm amplified my demon king identity, it seemed.
But what was this?
Balpador hadn't become the fake Demon King yet?
He had to claim the throne for me to take him down and complete the quest.
Real or fake, Balpador needed to be Demon King for the quest.
Baldr, walking beside me, stopped and glared with resentful eyes.
"How can you say that, sire? The throne isn't handed over just because you wish it. That wretch isn't worthy!"
"I'm not saying give it for real. Just let him declare himself king temporarily."
"But to do that, we'd have to yield this castle."
"Exactly. Yield the castle."
Baldr jumped in protest.
"Absolutely not! Even temporarily, the moment he claims lordship here, the demon realm will crumble faster!"
"Don't worry. I've prepared a countermeasure."
"You...? A countermeasure...?"
To Baldr's puzzled gaze, I showed the Demon Realm World Tree seed from the 'Friendship Tree' quest.
"Ooh! An uncorrupted Demon Realm World Tree seed! The one you've sought so desperately for a millennium... You've found it at last! Congratulations, sire!"
Baldr beamed, bowing deeply.
"Indeed, Baldr. You recognize its worth. Plant it beneath the castle, nurture it well, and even if I leave the demon realm, it won't collapse."
"Whaaat?! Leave the demon realm?! Why would you...!"
His lips quivered, tears welling at my words.
"N-no, I mean temporarily! Like a short trip or something!"
"Ah, of course! Yes, that makes sense. Even a Demon King might need to step out to other dimensions briefly."
"Thanks for understanding. Anyway, this World Tree needs lots of nutrients to take root and grow. You get what I mean, right?"
"Oho!"
Baldr's eyes lit up.
He alternated glances between me and the seed, clapping in awe.
"Two birds with one stone! This foolish servant dared doubt Your Majesty's wisdom—unforgivable disloyalty. Truly the eternal great Demon King of the demon realm! A sage king's stratagem!"
"Still a master of cringey flattery. That's you, Baldr—I like it."
I patted his lava arm and hurried toward the castle interior.
"So, summon Balpador here at once and seat him on the throne. We need his magic power now."
"Yes, sire! As you command!"
Baldr bowed and rushed off to his task. I headed to the Demon King's bedroom at the castle's heart for mine.
To keep others from knowing I was back—Baldr excepted—I cloaked myself in invisibility while moving above ground.
Lizardmen soldiers under Baldr paused, confused by the unseen magic ripple.
Screee.
"Hm? Why'd the Demon King's bedroom door open on its own? Gorgor."
"Wind, maybe? Geruk."
"Hey! Don't talk nonsense. How's this heavy iron door opening to a breeze? Gorgor!"
"True, it'd only open if someone intruded... Geruk."
"?!"
"!!"
Sensing something, the soldiers alertly flung the door wide.
"Who's there! Goruk!"
But the bedroom remained empty.
"Hmph, must be a ghost's jest. Goruk."
"Yeah. Geruk."
They scratched their heads, shut the door, and resumed guard.
Tch, no wonder the demon realm's a mess with dullards like them.
Tsking inwardly, I opened the secret door linked to the bedroom.
Rumble rumble.