Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: The Failed Creation
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Swoosh...
Having come to my senses, I first lifted my head from Lucifer's lap.
"Ugh..."
My entire body throbbed as if I'd been beaten black and blue. If this were the real me, I probably couldn't even twitch a finger with injuries this bad.
I staggered to my feet, but for some reason, Lucifer was still kneeling, looking up at me.
I wondered briefly why she wasn't standing, then tilted my head.
'No way...'
Lucifer simply blinked and stared at me.
'Is she waiting for my command?'
It wasn't an illusion.
Her starry eyes sparkled with expectation.
"Rise."
What?
I doubted whether those words had really come from my mouth. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd spoken so commandingly to a stranger.
'I don't even talk like that to my students...'
Yet my tone felt perfectly natural—stiff and cold.
'Is this because of that?'
Faust's origin... or something like that?
Faust, the protagonist and playable character of Remegaton, had a rather unique backstory.
My stricter tone than expected was probably due to that.
Anyway, that wasn't important right now.
"...Explain."
Lucifer began her explanation without a hint of defiance toward my curt demeanor.
"Faust, from where do your memories cut off? If you could tell me..."
"The guillotine platform—that's all I remember."
"Oh dear. The humans must have tried to brainwash you... I'll explain from the beginning."
Swoosh...
Lucifer took a deep breath and widened her eyes.
Her pupils, contrasting her silver hair, gleamed brightly.
'This visual actually exists? It's like high-quality CG... CG?'
That reminded me of something.
The guillotine platform.
I hadn't realized it at the time, but looking back, it felt oddly familiar—like something I'd seen before.
'Was it a cutscene?'
Cutscenes typically show inevitable events in video form, common not just in mobile games but story-driven ones too.
'That guillotine... yeah, that makes sense.'
Multiple demonkin captured on the platform.
Remegaton players definitely started with that cutscene.
But since I was restrained on the platform looking out at the crowd from below—not viewing from above—I hadn't recognized it.
'So what I went through was the tutorial cutscene?'
However, it didn't perfectly match the prologue cutscene. There was one impurity.
"Is something wrong...?"
"......"
This woman.
Lucifer wasn't supposed to appear in the tutorial.
Originally, a demonkin suicide squad raids the guillotine platform with resolve to die, allowing the captured demons to escape at the cost of their sacrifice.
That's basically Remegaton's prologue.
'Lucifer, where the hell did you come from?'
I stared at her expressionless face, but answers wouldn't come easily.
For now, grasping the situation took priority.
"Begin."
"I shall begin."
Rustle—!
A massive parchment unfurled in midair from who-knows-where.
Most demons were innate mages or masters of mana manipulation. After what I'd already been through, their antics barely fazed me.
At this point, not even grand magic in my face would change my expression.
"The vast continent of Solaria. The continent is home to humans, demons, and..."
Humans and demons.
I knew that part.
It was all common knowledge—mere backstory.
"Stop. Skip that."
"...You remember?"
"Yes. Something more important comes first."
I could mull over the game's lore later when I had time. That wasn't urgent.
Like worrying about international politics and exchange rates when your ceiling's leaking.
"What am I?"
"......"
"I'll ask again. Lucifer, what am I, and what are you?"
"You are a demon, Lord Faust."
Lucifer hesitated at my probing question.
'See that?'
I gave her one more chance.
Don't think of lying.
"That can't be all."
Lucifer answered.
"You are the failed creation of the Seven Demon Kings."
"......"
Finally, the truth.
Good. That's what I wanted to hear.
"After their defeat in the final battle against the human forces, the seven strongest surviving demons became the Demon Kings... known as the Seven Deadly Sins. To turn the tide, they conducted one experiment."
Since I'd skipped ahead earlier, the story felt choppy.
Roughly, humans and demons clashed for some reason, and the demons were nearly annihilated.
The surviving leaders schemed for the future, and the worst option among them was the experiment Faust got tangled in.
Demon King Synthesis.
Creating an experimental body to serve as the next Demon King in their stead, to oppose humanity.
'It failed.'
Lucifer elaborated.
"The experiment failed due to severe flaws in the subjects... You and all surviving experiments were discarded."
"So that's why I woke up on the guillotine?"
"Yes. The other siblings too..."
Siblings... siblings, huh.
'What a joke.'
Sharing a guillotine doesn't make us brothers—that's just wordplay.
'Anyway... abandoned ragdoll status matches both the game and here.'
Point is, neither the Demon King's army nor Solomon's forces welcome this Faust.
It fits the game's lore perfectly.
'To the Demon King's side, a discarded defective product. To humans, a demon to hunt and kill...'
Faust, you were fated to be split in two on that platform.
...So why the hell am I alive?
Where's the suicide squad supposed to rescue me?
Swoosh...
'Why did you come instead?'
I glared at Lucifer and demanded.
"Answer fully."
"......"
"Lucifer, are you a demon?"
"...Indeed I am."
"Then why help me, of all demons?"
"Because I foresaw your destiny."
"Destiny?"
"That only you, Lord Faust, can create a world that satisfies me."
...I didn't fully get the nonsense, but it didn't seem like a lie. Besides, lie or not, she saved me.
'Whether it's a glitch or she has ulterior motives, I'll uncover it later. Survival is key now.'
To survive, I need her help...
Swoosh...
I exchanged glances with Lucifer.
What would she do if I revealed my true identity?
That the one before her was Kim Seojin wearing Faust's shell.
She wore an innocent expression, but she was a demon nonetheless.
...I didn't particularly want to find out.
The demons in this game sometimes acted bizarre despite seeming normal. Getting caught up could mean losing your head.
'That aside, the situation... makes sense overall.'
The guillotine, the current setup.
Everything...
'Except me entering the game.'
Whish...
Looking around, this seemed like a dank cave.
"Pursuers?"
"We shook them. No—they can't follow. It was an ultra-long-range teleport."
"...What?"
Tap.
Lucifer touched the horn on her forehead.
'Huh? Now that you mention it, her horn...'
Lucifer's horn had been black before we arrived. Now, it was completely bleached white, like it'd been decolorized.
"I used all my power for the teleport. I apologize in advance—I likely won't be able to use any strength for quite a while."
"...A burden."
Becoming Faust had me spitting venom now.
'Words are coming out before I even think?'
Faust's speech and actions stemmed not from his nature, but instability. Right now, he—I—was the epitome of volatility.
"...Forgive me."
Rather than offense, Lucifer bowed her head in genuine shame.
It felt natural.
Because I was Faust.
"Where is this?"
I had a rough guess.
But I asked to confirm.
"The great enchanted forest of the Kalhail region."
"And the guillotine's location?"
"Hoklani Island's Victory Fortress."
"No pursuers, then."
This was deep inside the rotten roots of the great enchanted forest.
Faust's first base.
I rested my chin, thinking.
'I seem to have become Faust.'
That was my conclusion.
Reincarnation, transmigration, possession—details didn't matter.
'What about my real body?'
Dead?
If not, could I return?
'...Return?'
My blood ran cold.
Remegaton's joke about demon blood being ice-cold felt real.
'What for... would I return?'
To a life without wife or trace.
To a home empty of welcome after work.
'No, why am I even thinking...'
My head throbbed.
Swoosh—
Flinch...
As I winced and pressed my brow, I felt Lucifer tense.
'More than wanting to go back... can I even survive?'
First, recall Remegaton info I had.
Hm...
Hm...
'Not... great memories.'
Using all Remegaton knowledge, I projected outcomes.
'Can I at least reach mid-game without Faust dying?'
...Impossible.
Nothing but impossibility in my mind. Even though the game shut down early without finishing episodes.
'What happens if Faust dies here?'
In-game, he survived via defeat animation, but reality wouldn't be so convenient.
"Lucifer."
"Yes."
"Dungeon status?"
Her eyes widened at my words.
"You knew this was a dungeon?"
"Don't make me repeat. Status?"
"The dungeon is unexplored. It needs clearing soon."
"We'll need forces."
Time to propose solutions.
"Fortunately, the teleport landed near the dungeon core."
"Lead the way."
"Yes."
Step...
Step...
Walking, I continued thinking.
I'd live here from now on—could I adapt? Would I wake from this dreamlike lie even now?
If I had to spend my life here, what was I missing?
'...Missing?'
It hit me—one thing.
Thud...
I glanced sideways at the sensation; Lucifer hid behind my back. She spoke in a flustered voice.
"Monsters. Seems like stragglers from the pack."
"......?"
"Today, I can't help at all."
Yeah, figured as much.
This was a tutorial extension.
A few more steps left.
-Pkreeee...
[Rotten Root Sap Worm appears.]
[Combat proceeds automatically by default.]
[You can switch to manual control anytime.]
[Tip: Build gauge with basic attacks, then use abilities based on weapon type.]
Rotten wood sap worms.
Three massive wriggling worms.
Massive relative to normal bugs—they were the size of a well-fed rural jindo dog.
Grotesque enough, sure.
Real-world Kim Seojin would've trembled at a housefly, but Faust was different.
Facing forced combat, he was utterly calm.
'Combat... time to test it.'
Dropped in a warzone, yet no fear trembled through me.
'Then...'
Real combat experience was precious.
A risk-free practice chance.
If I had to survive here, such opportunities were rare.
Next time, bigger monsters or seasoned humans.
Wriggles...
The worms reared up.
More than emotion, I focused on how Faust's body would move.
Thoooom—!
The three sprang like springs.
Pop—!
'My body...'
Had I ever moved this nimbly? It reacted with startling agility.
I spun midair, dodging the simultaneous assault.
Sap worms were the dungeon's lowest mob.
No linked attacks or combos expected.
Whooooosh...
'Amazing...'
Craaaack—!
Faust's body—its springiness, destructive power—exceeded imagination.
Crushing a worm barehanded.
Piiiing—!
The worms spat sharp projectiles.
Mind-numbingly simple pattern.
Pop...
I casually shifted my axis to evade.
Boom—!
Kicking one worm, it burst from the impact.
Splatter...
Covered in sap again, but I—Faust—maintained composure.
'Here...'
This strong, fast body felt alien, so I had to get used to it.
It'd be mine from now on.
'Hup...!'
I stabbed my handblade into a worm's body.
Spuuuurt...
'...Weird sensation.'
The worm's innards transmitted vividly.
The disgusting warmth and texture proved this wasn't a dream.
Simultaneously, the raw realism sparked odd excitement.
"......"
Clap clap clap...
Applause.
"...Impressive, Lord Faust. Excellent."
Dry praise from Lucifer, with messages scrolling up.
[Awakened Faust's Power.]
[Faust's Strength: Calm confirmed.]
[Faust shows minimal emotional fluctuation and maintains composure in battle.]
[Faust knows no kindness.]
[Tip: Faust has undiscovered strengths and weaknesses.]
[Tip: Strengths and weaknesses unlock via main scenario progress or meeting specific conditions.]
'...Right, this was here.'
Protagonist traits revealed through story.
First: Calm.
His icy personality stemmed from this. Maybe why I accepted the situation without resistance?
'Speech is another issue... anyway.'
Strengths imply weaknesses.
'It's about time for that...'
Flinch...
"Ugh..."
"Lord Faust?"
I dropped to one knee, collapsing. My body felt like a waterlogged sponge—heavy.
'As expected... backlash.'
Strength drained rapidly.
[Faust's Weakness: Lethargy confirmed.]
[Faust has congenital physical flaws.]
[Faust's body is sturdy but fatigues easily.]
[Faust suffers an incurable disease. Must resonate with dungeon core to circulate mana and prolong life.]
[Recovery from exhaustion takes days without effort.]
...Sore.
Soon, even straightening my back was hard—body dulled.
'Tch... this is too much.'
A weakness explaining the guillotine abandonment. This mighty body fatigued from mere bugs.
'Penalty's harsher than expected...'
Forcing my creaking body, Lucifer noticed.
"Lord Faust, are you all right?"
She approached from where she'd retreated.
'You just watched from afar!'
Infuriating, but what could I do? Her condition was worse.
"I'm fine. More importantly... the dungeon core we aimed for?"
"There."
A black pillar emitting dull light, fused with a black orb.
Dungeon core.
Just tutorial part anyway—handled in seconds.
Hummmm...
[Activating dungeon core with your mana.]
[Opening Dungeon: Rotten Roots.]
[Faust's heart resonates with dungeon core.]
[Thus, as long as the dungeon lives and breathes, so shall Faust.]
Zzzzzzt...
Black waves from the pillar vibrated the entire dungeon, starting from roots touching it.
'...It begins!'
Rumble rumble rumble—!
[Dungeon: Rotten Roots is currently unexplored.]
[To fully open Dungeon: Rotten Roots, complete exploration.]
[Dungeon exploration possible via familiars.]
[Direct exploration not recommended.]
'So this is... my home now.'
Faust's calm didn't conjure even a fingernail's worth of fear for the opaque future.
Instead, another thought filled the void.
'What a hassle.'
Hassle. This body's design had me desperately annoyed.
Faust prioritized laziness over fear.
'Sur...vive.'
Struggling to survive?
Then, what first?
...A clear answer formed.
"Lucifer."
"Your command."
No, not that.
"How many left?"
"...Pardon?"
"Mana stones."
Cold calm pierced by strange excitement.
Yeah, couldn't hold back.
'Soon... time.'
Time for the first gacha pull, right?