#104 Was It You?
Seol-a was seeing a campfire for the first time. The flames flickered slowly, illuminating the darkness with a mesmerizing shimmer.
She waddled back and forth in front of it before scampering over to Furball.
Krreung-
Furball stood still, gazing at Kang-ho.
'That's right.'
Furball had watched Kang-ho up close for a long time now. The aura emanating from him wasn't ordinary. It was the presence of someone resolved for a decisive battle.
Someone like Furball could sense it clearly. Kang-ho had shown this demeanor before—not often, but exactly once. Back when he went to fight that human, Kang Tae-yong.
"......"
Kang-ho stared blankly at the blazing campfire, snapping twigs and tossing them in.
'Kang Jun-seok.'
-You'd be good at swordsmanship.
Past Kang-ho's voice replied to that.
-Teach me, then.
Crackle- Crackle-
The flames grew a little brighter. Amid countless battlefields flashing by, atop a ruined building's roof, a guy chugging harsh vodka had once asked.
-Kang-ho, what's your dream?
-No way I have something like that.
-I do. Kang-ho thought he was a weird guy.
The world's civilizations were crumbling. From this building, no trace of humanity remained anywhere in sight. And right in the heart of that battlefield, talking about something as frivolous as dreams.
-What's yours?
-Later... Once this damn war ends, and a safe world without any demons arrives. That's when I'll talk about dreams.
-Build a big house and live together with everyone.
That was the first time Kang-ho saw him smile.
-Sounds fun, right?
Crackle- Crackle-
The campfire no longer grew. Kang-ho tilted his head slightly, continuing to stare into the flames.
"......Maybe."
He pulled a metal pocket flask from his coat.
-Here, for you.
He brought it to his lips. The harsh whiskey burned down his throat, glug glug glug.
People sometimes store memories through scents and tastes. The whiskey's thick aroma dredged up countless recollections.
But Kang-ho had never drunk from this flask with joy—not once.
Theo walked up and plopped down beside him. Kang-ho handed over the pocket flask.
[......]
"Drink."
Theo took it without a word and drank.
Hummm-
Over there. From behind his back rose a bizarre aura.
The unmistakable energy of the Demon Realm wafted from that spot. For some reason, Kang-ho didn't want to turn around.
But whenever that thought arose, it always came with its companion.
'I have to do it.'
Maybe that was his fate.
Kang-ho slowly rose to his feet.
Over there, Bassago—utterly exhausted—collapsed with heavy pants. Before him lay a completed magic circle.
At its center, Toon World's Eternal Crystal shone brilliantly, opening a gate to another world.
Krrreung-
Furball had quietly moved to Kang-ho's side.
"Daddy!"
Seol-a came running up and stood in front of Kang-ho, pointing over there. Her tail stood straight up in fierce alert.
[Damn, we're really seeing this again.]
Theo swallowed hard.
Hummmm-
A rift tore open in the air.
Krrrack!
Before long, the sky ripped apart, forming a massive circle. It expanded, revealing another world beyond.
Kwaaaaaaaa!
Thick demonic energy poured out. Kang-ho fixed his gaze on the alien realm beyond.
[Hah, hah, haaah...... Haaah......]
Bassago pointed there, gasping raggedly.
Gulp!
Theo stared at Kang-ho.
[You going?]
Kang-ho looked up at the sky for a moment. A cloudless, crystal-clear night sky stretched out, stars twinkling, half-moon hanging. The wind was still, not even crickets chirping—a profoundly quiet world.
Soon, he nodded.
"Of course."
And he began walking slowly.
Ziiing-
A strange sensation washed over him as he passed through the gate, the air shifting all around. Gone was the fresh air; now it reeked of acrid smoke.
The sky roiled black, the wind humid and unpleasant.
Ku-guuung- Ku-gung!
Dry thunderclouds flashed ominously, illuminating the cracked earth with jagged bolts.
Theo followed, looking around.
[Damn, missing home must be bullshit.]
On the Demon Realm side of the gate lay a single sword. Kang-ho picked it up.
The blade was about 70 centimeters long. The hilt was antique leather, the whole thing shimmering with a blue hue.
Kang-ho knew it well.
'Murcielago.'
Artifact, Murcielago. An artifact from the Mu continent, considered one of the world's rarest treasures. The one who wielded ten such pieces was a Weapon Master.
Bassago hesitated as he entered. Kang-ho approached him slowly.
"Good work."
Ziiiiing!
[Graaaaaah!]
Bassago's mana core fell back under Kang-ho's control. He ground his teeth.
[You son of a bitch!]
Kang-ho ignored him and asked Theo.
"Where's this?"
Theo looked around slowly before nodding.
[Southern Demon Realm, the Barren Plains.]
It was just a desolate plain, nothing else. On the blood-red ground crawled nameless grotesque bugs, distant bald mountains the only features.
"How far to your territory?"
[Not too far.]
Theo pulled Father from his coat.
Pooof!
Father grew massive and planted itself on the ground.
[There used to be Bashin's Zenrak tribe around here, but no demonic energy at all.]
Bassago grumbled as he stood.
[Rank 18 Bashin? That guy's already dead. Not many lords left in the Demon Realm now.]
[Why?]
[Why? They all banded together against Baal.]
[......]
Theo let out a long sigh.
[Wiped out, then.]
Baal's power was no joke. Banding against him? Demons were demons—born to fight, glory in dying in battle, lives secondary.
[Anyway, this world's full of lunatics. Let's go.]
* * *
[......]
Theo gazed at his ruined castle. Traces of that day's battle lingered everywhere. Piles of shattered bones everywhere—his precious summoned beasts, gathered one by one.
Theo slowly raised them, one after another.
Clatter clack- Clack- Clack-
The bone piles reformed into their living shapes, rising.
Theo watched them quietly, then walked toward the crumbled castle.
Once a grand palace. Devoid of life, vast and lonely. Only the sound of rattling bones.
Thinking back, Theo had been the sole living being there.
He reached out over it.
Ziiing-
Theo's mana surged out. It seeped into the rubble, fiercely searching.
Soon.
Gu-gu-gung- Gu-gung-
From the debris, massive bone fragments emerged one by one.
They gleamed like pure platinum, glossy as porcelain.
Thud- Thud- Thud-
Theo's heart pounded.
Clack clack!
The bones assembled into forms, ultimately forming a headless colossal skeleton giant.
Father's bones had finally reunited.
[Father. You've got your body back at last.]
As Theo gestured, the moving Father lost its glow and reverted to skeleton. The skull met the body.
Kwaaaaaaaa!
Immense mana surged, and the completed Father revealed itself.
'Impressive.'
Kang-ho couldn't help but be surprised. Father's renewal had made it strong, but now fully restored, it seemed at least two or three times more powerful.
From the completed Father's eye sockets gleamed eerie blue light.
For a moment.
Something translucent overlaid it.
Guuung!
It was the form of a stern, muscular man. Fierce eyes and brawny frame briefly appeared, gazing at Theo.
Theo looked slowly, then extended his hand.
Father raised its hand too, meeting Theo's.
Psssh-!
The apparition vanished, leaving only the perfected Father.
Suddenly.
"......!"
Kang-ho startled and turned despite himself.
Over there. From the northern edge, massive dark clouds gathered.
Ku-gu-gu-gung!
And descending were concentrations of purest demonic energy. All the demonic qi blanketing the Demon Realm seemed sucked toward it.
[Ooo......!]
Bassago shuddered at the sight, then said to Kang-ho.
[Lord Baal... Lord Baal has overcome the Demonic Sea and returned...!]
The world darkened instantly. As if no light had ever existed, utter blackness descended on the northern land.
Kang-ho didn't hesitate and kicked off the ground.
Bang!
His form shot forward like an arrow.
Bang! Bang!
Each step hardened his expression coldly. Midway through slicing across the Demon Realm like wind.
Kang-ho came face-to-face with a man standing there.
His entire body seethed with terrifying demonic energy.
Kang-ho's eyes pierced its essence.
Kikikikikiki!
Ghostly monster shapes clung to the man's body like barnacles.
Kang-ho easily recognized them as spirits of the Demonic Sea.
Over there. The northern edge revealed a pitch-black abyss of a world.
And the man who had conquered it.
"......"
Was someone very familiar to Kang-ho.
The man looked at Kang-ho and slowly spoke.
[Was it you.]
Kang-ho stared at him.
The black long-haired man had deathly pale skin. Waist-length black hair, clad in a long leather coat. Eyes sunk cold, face like he'd never smiled in his life.
But Kang-ho knew well.
This guy once spoke simple dreams and smiled wide.
Wanted peace more desperately than anyone, sacrificed himself for it.
His respected master and friend.
Family he should have slain with his own hands long ago.
Across that vast time, reunited—he had become the absolute lord of the Demon Realm.
The Demon Realm's absolute, Baal.
"Damn."
Kang-ho muttered low, caressing the rings on his left hand.
Kwaaaaaaaa!
Blue and white light descended over Kang-ho's body.
-Kang-ho, what's your dream?
That voice seemed to flicker in his mind.