You've Broken a Taboo

History books? Bullshit history books. Romance? Bullshit romance. This is straight-up fiction, isn't it?

Yusra Kingdom. A reverent voice echoed in the office.

High El continued.

"……When the darkness heralds the end, the Demon Realm shall react. Death itself. Even the liches of the Demon Realm shall rise from their graves in fear of the darkness. Yet it shall be in vain."

Darkness. An endlessly profound darkness.

So I never heralded any damn end.

Wasn't that just the aftermath of blackening, something Grandfell did? Yeah, he said something similar. But the nuance is way off.

'They went way too far with the gilding.'

At this point, it's closer to scripture than history. You know, the kind where every verse ends with "amen" and no one bats an eye.

Hearing that horrific content from High El's mouth made my fingers curl and my stomach twist.

'Damn it.'

The legendary explorer who popped out of Omen's belly. The romantic Lorentsk.

I definitely saw that message on the Arcana Continent.

From now on, Lorentsk would wander the continent, sharing his knowledge.

Thanks to Nam Taemin and Hisagi, I got to meet him.

'……In that sense, maybe it's a blessing?'

Better to get slapped early than late.

If we hadn't found Lorentsk, that absurd history book—no, black history book—would have been proudly circulated across the continent.

My already inflated ego would have ballooned even more, like foam whipped in a mixer.

'Seriously grateful, both of you.'

I tensed up.

Time to head straight to the Arcana Continent.

Arcana time flows four times faster than reality, after all.

Who knows what Lorentsk might do in the meantime.

Only after High El finished reciting did I respond.

"These are good tidings indeed, High El."

"It is an honor to bring joy to my lord."

I brazenly replied, sending what was essentially a reply-not-reply to High El.

I'd heard the news about Lorentsk loud and clear, so I asked him to keep Lorentsk pinned down until I returned to the continent.

'Can't let him slip away for all sorts of reasons.'

Not just fear of him spreading the black history book.

To change the battlefield of the Demon King Struggle.

To keep my word.

I was on the verge of entering the Demon Realm.

Lorentsk's experience exploring it was crucial.

High El bowed deeply.

"I shall prepare for my lord's grand return."

……Grand return?

Even by Arcana time, it'd only been a few days.

Of course, High El had his reasons for phrasing it that way.

"It seems preparations are nearing completion."

Full readiness. Meaning the equipment I'd entrusted was almost done.

For the incorruptibly pure Grandfell, items were optional luxuries.

'But not for me, Lee Hoyeol.'

The brooch locations I'd pinpointed with Six-Pointed Brooch 2/6 and Map That ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Communes with All Things.

I'd passed the remaining pieces' positions to Diend.

Diend could fetch the brooch without issue.

'Set item complete.'

And that's not all.

Yunak Seus's relic, dragon skin.

I'd tasked Walls Whale with refining it.

If that was wrapping up too, I'd get to check new item effects upon reunion.

'Mana growth plus external growth.'

Still, meaningful progress in just a few days, right?

Speaking of mana...

The misunderstanding-not-misunderstanding with Mary was cleared up nicely.

-"To purify even the authority of a Ten Thrones demon king……."

Purification. Grand term, but fitting enough.

I'd precisely excised the evil from the Ten Thrones' power and sucked it up like a straw.

But even knowing the truth, Mary's expression didn't soften.

-"You inspire even greater awe in me."

Hearing her sentiments, she seemed truly resolved.

Even if I'd fallen as a Ten Thrones demon king.

She'd sworn to follow me regardless.

'What the hell is with that damn pride.'

Anyway, glad we cleared it up.

Got to learn the effect of the new stat Charisma too.

I'll make sure no more mishaps like this happen.

'A demon hunter becoming a demon king? In this world?'

Our predecessors had fully dropped their suspicions, but I couldn't face myself.

More precisely, my loose lips weren't thrilled.

"A mere throne."

Indeed. To the heaven-and-earth-sole-respected Grandfell, thrones big or small ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠were trivial vessels.

Of course.

Clink.

Tilting my green tea, I performed the unavoidable real-world procedures.

Class quests naturally included.

Couldn't skip physical training either.

'When did the targets multiply like this…….'

One, two……. A brief sigh.

As I pumped my arms, I pondered.

Demon king, no matter how I think about it.

Even if it stemmed from the atmosphere, it felt unjust.

Where in the world is a demon king this diligent and hardworking!

Mage Tower.

Tower Master's office.

Marcelo processed the piled-up paperwork.

He felt it anew.

The weight of the Mage Tower that Senior—Hoyeol—had shouldered.

Marcelo muttered.

"How did you endure it, sir?"

Scribble.

He signed "Denied" on Senior Bensy William's tower exit request and finished.

Finally, the duties Hoyeol handled were done.

"Will you even get proper sleep like this?"

Clink.

Marcelo set down his teacup, recalling the effects of teabag green tea.

The caffeine component provided awakening effects, they said.

Marcelo nodded slowly.

"So that's why you enjoyed green tea."

Not just taste......

Marcelo, drawing his own conclusions, rose.

His body ached from sitting too long.

"From portals to the next regular conference."

The Tower Master was one with the Mage Tower.

Meaning countless things needed attention.

Marcelo murmured softly.

"But I am not you, sir."

He needed a breather.

Yet Marcelo didn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠forget Hoyeol's teachings.

Explore anomalies during breaks.

Marcelo pulled out his smartphone and operated it deftly.

"Dawn delivery guaranteed. Will such a day ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠come to the continent too?"

Teabag green tea rocket delivery ordered.

"Reversal magic never gets old."

NetTube video appreciation.

And finally, internet access.

The moment Marcelo checked new news.

"……?"

His eyebrow twitched.

Unexpected text appeared.

An article about Hoyeol.

Marcelo's gaze darkened heavily.

To head toward anomalies.

Mage Tower and AAU.

The Crystal Hall where the two forces gathered.

"To repay goodwill like this."

The conference in Crystal Hall.

Its contents had leaked outside.

Deception and challenge against the Mage Tower.

"I express profound regret in advance."

AAU Korea Branch.

Seong Hyunjun asked with a worried face.

"It's just tacked on, right?"

Most reacted that it was inevitable.

The general assembly had all AAU members from each branch attend.

Considering leaks were common in AAU...

Hoyeol's bombshell declaration could surface anytime.

The issue was the article's addendum.

"High-ranking official? This bullshit makes it sound plausible! And the intent is clear! Chief Lee Hoyeol explained every reason why he had to do it……!"

I am a Ten Thrones demon king.

Hoyeol answered all doubts about the declaration.

From how he slew a Ten Thrones demon king and claimed its throne.

To how he'd use it in the Demon King Struggle.

Yoon Sugyeom clicked his tongue at the sleaziness.

"Not even tabloid press—it's from a renowned post. Means they have a solid source. They know conference minutes can't be public, so they're twisting it maliciously. Definitely an insider."

The article's summary was simple.

"Lee Hoyeol's actions might have caused the Demon King Struggle. Even he can't guarantee immunity to demon king authority……. This crazy bastard. Why not blame rifts on the chief too?"

Branch Chief Park Minjae said coldly.

With humanity's crisis at its peak.

To hurl such slander over mere interests.

He'd sensed it before, but they were bold.

"Yeah, in the old days, I'd have exploded."

But Park Minjae had resolved.

Hoyeol was busy forging ahead now.

As a non-player, he couldn't handle every force dragging Hoyeol back.

But he'd clean up AAU internals thoroughly.

Once called Cosmo's mad dog.

Mud fights were familiar to him.

Park Minjae called immediately.

Asked the moment they picked up. No trace of a smile.

"Was it you?"

US West Branch Chief, Jim Joshua.

"No. You too, Mr. Park?"

Joshua was already hounded by calls.

California, Nevada, Oregon......

Western governors hounded him.

"Governors too—I don't know how they see me. Mr. Park, I repented before the Bible. You know what mentioning the Bible means in a Christian nation?"

Park Minjae's scoff came through.

-"I don't believe in God. My favorite line."

"……Who said that?"

-"Chief Lee Hoyeol left it."

"Ah, no! Not me?!"

He hadn't known before, but this time it really wasn't.

After all, they'd met face-to-face.

Yusra Chief, Hoyeol.

"From our first meeting, I sensed it. My debauched life was over. Who could harbor vain thoughts facing Yusra Chief, Mr. Park?"

The position demanded it.

Joshua had faced countless ranker players.

But Hoyeol was another level.

Unwittingly revering him...

"Above all, I was moved by the chief's resolve. Becoming a demon king to hunt demon kings. Perfectly matches Nietzsche's quote, right? When you gaze into the abyss……."

A sharp voice cut in.

-"Then why the Washington Post article, Branch Chief Joshua? If not you, only one option left."

Damn Mr. Park. Zero literary sense.

Not even letting Nietzsche finish.

Joshua swallowed a sigh and spoke.

"I know what you're implying. The East, right? But no. I'll dig into it myself. Probably the Post inflating it. I told you—how could anyone face Yusra Chief and backstab……."

Suddenly, Joshua trailed off.

-"……Branch Chief Joshua?"

Even as Park Minjae called, no reply.

Memories flashed like a montage.

Joshua spoke.

"……I never faced him."

First meeting with Hoyeol.

Then, the US East Branch Chief hadn't entered the conference room where Hoyeol was.

Detoured to the bathroom, missed the time, couldn't enter.

Same at the recent Mage Tower-AAU assembly.

-"Really? Family matters happen."

"……Mr. Park."

Joshua's expression changed sharply.

"Seems the enemy was closer than thought."

.

.

.

Wiggle wiggle.

Tiny fingers fidgeted.

She scanned the TV text repeatedly.

Now a proper kindergartener.

Reading aloud was easy.

"Hmmmmm."

But its meaning? Total mystery.

"Mommyyy."

"Arang, what's up?"

"Here. What do the letters after Uncle's name mean?"

"What? Mommy's doing dishes—can Arang read it?"

Tap tap.

Seo Arang read aloud like an announcement, loud and clear.