Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 089
Chapter Title: The Pact
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Miki realized too late and hurriedly deleted the live video, but in the deep web where copyright enforcement was nonexistent, it was a futile effort.
Screenshots and clips had already spread far and wide, exploding into an instant sensation among the deep web's regulars.
Of course, part of the hype came from the romantic allure of two men clashing in a deadly sword duel amid a thicket of swaying reeds.
The swordsman's strikes came so fast they were invisible to the naked eye, only for the black-haired man to parry them with bizarre greatsword techniques, fists, and ice magic.
As viewers marveled at this otherworldly clash—one you wouldn't see just anywhere—reactions started pouring in.
Naturally, the man dominating the swordsman stole the spotlight.
Amid the buzz, someone dropped a bombshell comment.
Most deep web users never ventured near the lower layers, but that didn't mean they were ignorant of the rumors.
With sayings like "See the true hellscape of the 8th Special District? Head to the lower layers," all sorts of monstrous tales flooded the deep web.
The scary part? A good chunk of those horror stories were true.
Demonkin tales were one such example.
Even among demonkin, someone that strong would be at least knight-class.
The demon knights they knew were bound to the Demon King—undying as long as that link held. Rumors even said each was specialized in slaughtering humans.
The final scene was obscured by some barrier, leaving what happened unclear. Debates raged between believers and skeptics.
Then someone posted a detailed analysis.
It was side-by-side comparison shots: low-res footage of the Mafia Butcher facing a lich versus this man battling the demon knight.
Those who'd suspected from the hair color piled on.
The rumor that the man in the video was the Mafia Butcher spread like wildfire. Even lurkers dug up the clip, reigniting the deep web forums.
Reactions ranged from shock at the new magic...
...to fascination with his unique swordplay.
Even speculation about his origins cropped up.
"......"
"......"
George Brockett scanned the heated deep web reactions and let out a quiet sigh.
Miki flinched involuntarily.
The dejected girl quickly bowed her head to Kyle.
"S-Sorry..."
Her gaze flicked to the corner of her vision, filled with messages and missed calls from George while she'd been out cold.
George bowed politely as well.
"My apologies, Miss Clark. I should have come to greet you personally. This is entirely my fault."
Kyle, who hadn't thought much of it, waved it off.
"No, I'm fine. Really."
His exploits had long been splashed across deep web gossip rags and magazines anyway.
'One more video won't change much now.'
Not that it thrilled him.
But as long as it didn't show him resurrecting from decapitation or having his soul yanked out, it wasn't a huge issue.
"Just... be more careful going forward."
"Yes, I promise."
George ran a hand over his face.
"Truth is, the slum footage last time? This one uploaded it without permission."
"Ah, figures?"
"Ugh..."
Miki's shoulders slumped further under the piercing stares.
"I warned her sternly back then, but she couldn't hold back and caused another mess..."
"O-Okay, my bad! And this time it was a genuine accident. For real."
"...Whatever. Go fetch a wet towel. So Miss Clark can wipe off the dust."
"Got it..."
As Miki slid off her chair, she winced.
"Ow."
"...You hurt?"
"Uh, y-yeah."
She scratched her head sheepishly. The ancient wind had scraped her legs and ankles pretty bad when it hurled her into the brush.
Kyle reached out.
"Mind if I?"
"Y-Yes?"
She blushed furiously as he gently removed her sandals and cradled her slender ankle.
"W-Wait a sec..."
"...!!"
"Ooh..."
A faint glow accompanied the healing mana seeping in. Miki and George gawked, dumbfounded, as the wounds closed rapidly.
"...Should be good now."
The pain vanished completely. Miki twisted her pale ankle every which way in awe.
"I-It really doesn't hurt at all..."
"You know light magic too?"
Kyle gave an awkward smile.
"Yeah, a bit."
'What is this guy...'
George stared in genuine astonishment.
The video showed ice magic proficiency.
'Even light affinity...'
A demon knight had surfaced from the rarely visited lower layers to kill him—and he'd taken it down.
'Just who the hell is he?'
Whatever his deal, one thing was clear: cozy up to the Mafia Butcher.
'This level of skill.'
George swallowed hard.
'I'd love to make him a regular at our place...'
Not that his personal fanboyism played no part.
Meanwhile, Miki, cheeks still flushed, murmured thanks.
"Th-Thanks..."
"No big deal."
Kyle waved it off. He'd only healed her since he was the reason she'd gotten hurt.
"Oh, right! W-Wet towel. Hang on, I'll grab one quick."
He turned from her sudden dash and asked George.
"So, ready to get down to business?"
"Ah, yes."
George set a warm coffee cup before him.
"You wanted lower layer info, right?"
"Yes."
"What kind specifically? With our screw-up today—and as your fan—I'll throw in some service."
He grinned.
'Oh.'
Kyle knew lower layer intel, especially, fetched premium prices.
Service? Nice.
'Fan status has perks.'
Fame wasn't all hassle.
Kyle's expression turned serious.
"Ever hear of 'Iris'?"
"Iris?"
George nodded knowingly.
"Of course. The anti-Luther ideologues based in the lower layers, right?"
"Based in the lower layers?"
"Yep."
Kyle blinked.
'Not moved there—they originated there?'
"So... it was founded in the lower layers?"
"Yes. Didn't know?"
"The name Iris hasn't been around long..."
George chuckled understandingly.
"Fair. It's been dormant for ages."
He stroked his chin, recalling.
"Formed down there. They only surfaced and got active after the 'Pact'."
"The Pact?"
Just then, the Demon King's words from the illusion flashed in Kyle's mind.
- Please... from this 'Pact'. From this darkness.
- Free the lower layers. Free us.
"Yeah. The lower layers are way vaster and deeper than people think."
Not just an underground city—the abnormally expansive land beneath the 8th Special District predated Dun City. Discovered by accident during early groundwork.
"Steady intel says it's ridiculously huge. Still uncharted zones popping up. Rich resources, self-sustaining ecosystem... basically a whole other world."
George sipped his coffee opposite Kyle.
"Why it exists? Tons of theories."
He continued.
"Top one: ancient humans built it as a massive bunker."
Ancient humans: the advanced civilization that flourished before the Age of Chaos, once uniting the continent—now long extinct, leaving scattered relics.
George pointed upward.
"Like the 'Ark' they left in the sky."
"Heard that one. Built a city in the heavens to escape."
Kyle had never seen any flying city from the 8th Special District.
"Exactly. Insane optical camouflage—aka invisible city. Can't spot it from ground level."
That Ark blocked missiles and satellites alike; current GPS piggybacked ancient orbital sats, thankfully still humming.
"Imagine: they built an unreal sky refuge."
George pointed down.
"Think they skipped relocating a whole city underground?"
With ancient tech? Plausible.
"Anyway, prime real estate aside from being underground. Early days were bloody turf wars."
George sipped again.
"The Sacred 'Pact' settled it."
Details classified, but likely a non-aggression treaty among lower layer powerhouses. Some eyed it as a mutual defense pact against outsiders—speculation.
"One sure thing:"
George held up a finger.
"No major power has crossed 'lines' since the Pact."
That fragile order kept the 8th Special District—and its horrors—in check.
Kyle grimaced inwardly.
'...Non-aggression treaty.'
But if so, something didn't add up.
'Why beg freedom from the Pact, then?'
A simple truce needed no liberation.
He recalled her, bound in darkness.
'And...'
His brow furrowed.
'Is the Demon King really a king?'
"Any more on Iris? Like their lower layer base..."
"Afraid not. They ran cell-style ops surface-side, stayed low-key down there."
Per George's network, anyway.
"If finding Iris is your goal, I can start local scouting tomorrow. Want me to?"
"Sounds good, but first..."
Kyle asked.
"Any intel on the Demon King?"
"The Demon King..."
Recalling the recent demon knight ambush, George replied gravely.
"Ruler of Sector 23 lower layers, leading the demonkin?"
Right on cue, a familiar message popped before Kyle's eyes.
+ All Stats +Additional Boost (High Rank Bonus)
+ Enhancement Skill Points Awarded
Kyle startled.
'Traitorous Demon King?'
The off-putting phrasing narrowed his eyes—
Five Flashes Illusion and reality are a blade's edge apart. Imbue the blade's phantoms with temporary physical force to slash five times near-simultaneously: one real, four illusions.
⟨ Equipment Skill ⟩
"...!"
Kyle blinked.
Equipment skill?
'No way—that demonkin's weird swordplay...'
'All from gear?'