However, Hiding is Useless (3)
Crunch—
It was only natural that Baek Isul—no, the succubus's—pride had cracked. The unexpected response made her self-esteem plummet.
And to top it off, the insignificant humans chattering around her, grating on her nerves.
"Whoa, Baek Isul must be so embarrassed right now."
"Can you at least control your expression? I'll zoom in when you turn around."
"By the way, that knight lady is gorgeous. Should we ask for her name later, bros?"
The succubus ground her teeth.
...How dare you?
A mere human, looking down on me?
Lee Hoyeol or whatever. She wanted nothing more than to tear him apart.
But the succubus was cunning. She'd hidden her demonic nature all this time without a slip-up. Surely she could hide a mere expression.
"No choice then. I'll come back soon."
The succubus smiled at Jessica and turned away.
Enjoy your smugness while it lasts—today only.
Yes, the more dramatic the reversal, the greater it would be. Even if today their schedules didn't align, once they met face-to-face...
Lee Hoyeol falling to her charm was only a matter of time.
Enjoy it while you can.
Lee Hoyeol, Yusra Kingdom, that insolent female knight—
They would all kneel before her erotic dreams in the end.
But that was merely the succubus's delusion.
A single rejection at the door.
Her revenge had only just begun.
...
Politics, society, sports, entertainment... Newspapers cover different topics in each section.
Naturally, their gossip does too.
But one figure graced the front page of them all:
Myth Guild Master Baek Isul.
Politics and society? Fine, that made sense.
From their chaebol days to now reaching into guilds, Myth was a regular in politics and society.
But entertainment front page too?
With a humiliating title and photo!
No proud Baek Isul in that article photo.
Just her back, rejected at the Golden Palace.
And a curt caption below.
She'd breezed past three visits, now barreling toward ten.
A pitiable sight, one might think...
But no sympathy stirred for Baek Isul.
Yes, it was all karma.
Baek Isul's pupils turned pitch black.
"And what you're building is karma too."
...Lee Hoyeol!
The humiliation of a demon shamed repeatedly by a human.
The succubus's crumpled dignity as well.
That man who shattered her pride twofold.
Recalling this shame made her concealed demonic form threaten to emerge.
But she couldn't just endure forever.
"Today, I'll make you pay that karma."
As strong as an upper demon now.
Her demonic instincts boiled thicker too.
The succubus barely reined in her seeping malice.
And headed to the Golden Palace.
Rejected again today? No matter.
Today, she'd wait until Lee Hoyeol appeared.
She wouldn't be bored waiting.
She could glare at that insolent knight.
...
So she'd resolved.
"I'll guide you."
Not even expecting it, yet she entered the Golden Palace.
The succubus's lips curled up.
Reason unknown, but you're courting death.
Indeed. Lee Hoyeol was just a foolish human after all.
Imagining taking his essence, her malice leaked again.
But no need to suppress it now.
She was already this close.
"You may enter."
Bow— Jessica bowed and withdrew.
The succubus knocked immediately.
...I can't hold back!
Suddenly, surging thirst.
Before Lee Hoyeol's reply, she flung the door open.
And faced him.
Not a hint of disarray, posture ramrod straight.
Hoyeol, seated at his desk, didn't even glance up.
"Opening the door before my reply."
Cold voice continued.
"No sense of decorum whatsoever."
...Wait, something's wrong.
The succubus finally sensed the ominous air.
But her eyes met his.
Chill— From head to toe.
A stiffening sensation.
It was fear she'd never felt before.
"...!"
Arrogant gaze that humiliated her.
Lee Hoyeol looked down on her.
Undeniably.
Her mind went blank.
Did he notice I'm a demon and lure me here...?
...No, impossible!
Flee before he realizes.
Buy time with charm.
...W-Wait! Why isn't the charm working?
The succubus froze in place.
Then, the predator's voice whispered in the demon's ear.
"Indeed, befitting a pathetic demon."
...
I had my suspicions.
Nam Taemin felt the same.
"Lately, even we've been baffled by how blatant it's gotten. No matter the lobbying, these folks wouldn't push her that hard publicly. Those snake-like bastards?"
Politics is like that.
Connections—school ties, regional, blood—severed by interests.
"Something's definitely up, but we couldn't dig it out. Sorry for bothering you, Hoyeol. Truly."
Nam Taemin had apologized politely.
But now it made sense why they couldn't uncover it.
Baek Isul possessed by a demon.
Who could've imagined?
Even I didn't know.
If I had, I wouldn't have sent her packing repeatedly.
A demon breathing freely among humans?
Beyond petty revenge, with Grandfell's lore, I couldn't just watch.
Predator-Prey Relationship
Yes, without that message, I'd never have dreamed.
It activated and vanished in a flash.
She didn't fully conceal her presence.
Suddenly, it clicked.
Myth Guild and politicians—unexplainable ties.
If it's demons' status effects?
Mind-controlling civilians, not even players? Easier than cold porridge.
That was why I let Baek Isul in.
Clack-clack— Approaching heels grew louder.
And the message rose again.
Predator-Prey Relationship
Baek Isul is a demon.
Speculation turned certainty.
Knock— Door opened with the sound.
"Opening the door before my reply. No sense of decorum whatsoever."
Quill in hand, I spoke.
Finishing the black magic basics theory sentence, I looked up.
Indeed, her pitch-black pupils.
"Indeed, befitting a pathetic demon."
Straight-backed at the desk, quill still in grip, I declared.
Utterly pretentious, no doubt...
If it were just days ago.
But not anymore.
The moment our eyes met, she trembled.
Predator-Prey Relationship.
I felt the skill's long-forgotten effect anew.
Especially since I'd changed vastly before and after slaying the giant evil.
Even levels alone.
Slaying giant evil—Gluttony sin—jumped me 50 levels instantly.
Unsatisfied, growth beyond levels, skills, stats.
Mage Tower self-study boosted magic manifestation, of course.
Beginner black magic too.
And sword training.
In the end, I dragged everything I had.
Pathetic or not, all that growth fueled my combat power...!
I felt it surge exponentially via Predator-Prey Relationship.
The demon possessing Baek Isul felt it too.
"...W-What are you talking about?"
Denying now? Beyond judgment.
Everything had a reason.
Why she kept coming despite humiliation.
Her goal? Obvious.
Afflict me with status to seize Yusra.
But pity, that effort.
I don't mix with prey unnecessarily.
Whoosh— Magic manifested instantly.
No complex interference needed.
Insurmountable class gap between us.
Gap so vast, no demon item needed for Exorcism Ritual.
Exorcism Ritual
Only needed its base: damage solely to demons.
No inviting to consciousness.
No mental clash.
"Th-This can't be!!"
She was already terrified.
"I'm no mid-tier demon anymore! Upper demon—no, maybe beyond! How can a mere human resist my seduction...!"
Utterly incredulous.
Upper demon? Pride unshaken even before giant evil.
Even a Demon King wouldn't faze this attitude.
But I didn't answer.
Grandfell wasn't kind enough to explain to a pathetic demon.
Floating in air: thousands. No, tens of thousands... No, countless silver needles.
◈ No restrictions
◈ No effects
◈ Looks like fur, but essence is pure silver. Not inherently valuable, but creative use may yield high worth.
Not a single one wasted in my struggles.
Monster felled during sword aura training: silver-maned leopard material.
I'd eyed its weapon potential.
Realizing it? Magic's creative manifestation, beyond skills.
Swish— Each hair a weapon.
No regret launching material items.
Like silver daggers, Reversal Magic restores originals.
No hesitation.
Swish—!
Tens of thousands of silver needles surged at Baek Isul.
Material with no attack power.
Its might solely from my magic power.
Didn't expect one-shot.
Truly thought so.
"A-Arghhh!!"
Thud— Until Baek Isul crumpled.
At first, suspected acting.
...Upper demon, really?
Even with my growth, that spell wasn't true attack magic.
Just alchemy-based check.
So I suspected: typical vile demon faking death.
But no.
The rising messages confirmed.
That possessing her was truly an upper demon.
That I'd grown enough to crush an upper demon.
I flinched.
...Wait.
How many levels is this?