Going to Meet Amon of the 72 Demons
"Then how about we go find Amon right away?"
"Right now?"
"Time is of the essence," Lucas said, scarfing down his food. He swallowed the meat after only a few half-hearted chews. He looked utterly desperate.
"Serina, what do you think?"
"It's a hassle."
"You're the one who suggested it."
"I don't want to anymore. It's become a hassle."
We stared at her with bewildered expressions.
"Lady Serina… please come with us, if only for this poor soul's sake."
"Why should I?"
"If you just help me get together with Sylvia, I'll do anything you want, Serina."
"Will you buy me a dress?"
"Of course!"
"Perfect. Let's go right now!"
The delighted Serina stood up, still clutching the pork bone. She really was a materialist through and through.
Suddenly I found myself curious about the book on witches Lucas had mentioned. Watching how capricious this witch could be, I wanted to understand what kind of beings witches truly were.
"Can we reach Mount Hayara in half a day?"
"That's about right. But wouldn't tomorrow morning be soon enough?"
I didn't see any reason to set out at dusk.
"No."
"Why not?"
"I was told Amon can only be summoned after darkness falls."
"Is that because he's a demon?"
Serina gave no reply.
Unable to withstand Lucas's desperate begging, we hurriedly prepared to leave for Mount Hayara. There wasn't much to prepare—just a few simple snacks.
"We should be careful," Serina said with a heavy expression.
"Huh? Why?"
"Because it's a place swarming with monsters."
"Lucas… maybe we should just forget about this?"
"What are you talking about? With Lady Serina here, what's there to worry about?"
Lucas spoke as if it were no big deal. Yeah, he was right. With a Witch present, monsters were nothing to fear.
"You're telling me to protect you two?"
"Obviously."
"It's a hassle."
"Lady Serina, if there's anything you desire…"
"Shoes."
"Shoes? Of course. As many as you like."
"Hmm… then let's go."
Even a witch had her price. Money really could solve anything.
We set off on foot toward Mount Hayara. Located to the west, it was a mountain people rarely traversed. Known as Monster Mountain, travelers avoided it unless they had a specific purpose.
Ancient myths claimed humans were noble beings created by the gods, which was why monsters could not treat them recklessly.
Monsters included zombies, Dracula, vampires, gumiho, goblins, and many other kinds. They did not invade human lands, and humans did not encroach upon the monsters' territories. That was how the two had coexisted until now.
But dragons, witches, and demons were beings on an entirely different level. Dragons sometimes invaded humans, ruled them, or granted them power. Demons, unlike dragons, did not invade. They were known instead as creatures that symbiotically coexisted with humans.
Only witches were despised by humans. Despite their stunning beauty and overwhelming power, no kingdom welcomed them.
The entrance to Mount Hayara. We had reached it before we knew it.
"It's closer than I expected."
"But how will you know where Amon is?"
"By feeling. We're the same kind of being."
She said something I couldn't understand. We followed after Serina as she pressed deeper into the mountains.
A deep mountain valley. It was so dark we could see nothing around us. We walked glued to Serina's back. The darkness felt like it might swallow us alive. Fear crept over me.
"Stay a little farther back."
"Ah… I'm just a bit scared, that's all."
"Even though you're a man."
"Men can be scared of monsters too."
"You're not brave, you're a coward, and you're not fierce at all."
Was that an insult or a compliment? Pick one.
"Huh…? Humans aren't fierce by nature."
"No. Humans are vicious. More evil than dragons. Except for my dad."
After walking for so long my legs ached. Both Lucas and I were exhausted from trudging up the steep mountain paths.
"Lady Serina, could we rest for a moment? I can't see a thing and I just bumped into a rock."
"Yeah, Serina. My feet hurt so much…"
"You weaklings."
Serina looked at us with displeasure, but she still turned back and plopped down on the grass.
"Is Amon an evil demon?" I asked.
No one answered.
"Uh… that wasn't in the book, so I wouldn't know."
"Don't you know, Serina?"
"Amon is kind. Demons aren't bad."
"Well… a demon who gives dating advice would be kind, I suppose."
"Exactly. What kind of demon in this world teaches you how to date well?"
Lucas nodded in agreement with me.
While we were chatting, a low rumbling echoed from somewhere. An eerie growl. It had to be monsters.
"What was that sound…?"
"Ghouls."
"Ugh… do we need to prepare for battle?"
"No. Just wait."
A human and a witch? What kind of combination is that? What business do you have here?
Lord Amon?
Witch. There's a familiar scent. It smells like that human male.
It's familiar. That human's scent. How I miss it. Are you perhaps that human's daughter?
The eyes are similar too. Isn't this the one who kept coming around saying he wanted to seduce a witch?
Yeah. At first I thought he was crazy. The last time he came, I think he said he'd even had a child.
The ghouls whispered among themselves as they stared at the witch.
"That's right. I came because I remembered something my father once said."
Hmph. You never visited us before. I guess your father doesn't miss us?
He must miss you. From heaven.
Hehe… You should have said so sooner… We miss him too.
Yeah. We were just about to say we miss him.
Anyway… Witch. Who did you come to get relationship advice for? The guy next to you?
The ghouls scratched at their nonexistent hair, looking awkward.
"Shut your mouths. I came for the other guy's relationship advice."
Wow, what a temper. I only asked because you're not in Complete Form yet.
There isn't much time left to reach Complete Form.
In your incomplete state you'll be in danger before long.
"I'll handle it. Where is Amon?"
The witch exchanged incomprehensible words with the ghouls. Complete Form this, Complete Form that. She was already practically in Complete Form. She was strong enough to wipe out nearly a hundred elite guards…
Follow us. Lord Amon is currently sleeping.
"It's the middle of the night and he's still asleep? What a lazy bastard."
Hmm… he's been fighting countless battles lately… though yes, he is inherently lazy.
"He's like a pig."
Hey! Calling Lord Amon a pig? As expected, witches really are arrogant. That saying fits perfectly.
"Arrogant?"
Ahem… that slipped out. Please pretend you didn't hear it.
When the witch glared at them, the ghouls quickly looked away. Whether in the monster world or the human world, witches were the biggest thugs everywhere.
As we followed the ghoul, I noticed the surrounding forest was devastated. It looked as if a massive battle had taken place.
"Did something happen here?" I asked the ghoul.
We're at war with the vampires. It's still chaotic.
Vampires?
Yeah. Our ghouls and vampires have never gotten along.
Are zombies and ghouls different beings?
Zombies? So that's what humans call us. Call us whatever you like. Anyway, things are chaotic because Lilith has revived. I don't know if it's true, but just in case, be careful. Male humans might have their vitality drained.
Who is Lilith?
Hmm… the one called the primordial woman. An ancient demon known for living off men's lust. I doubt Lilith has truly revived.
What happens if Lilith revives?
Hmm… it would be troublesome. This is Lord Amon's domain so he will protect it, but even for him it won't be easy…
The creatures called ghouls spoke with clear worry in their voices. As a human, these were stories I found difficult to understand. Lilith this, Lilith that. Their relationships seemed incredibly complicated.
Anyway, I needed to be careful.
The place they led us to was a vast plain atop a hill. Countless ghoul and vampire corpses littered the field. The vampires had two prominent fangs bared. At a glance, the difference in appearance was obvious. Ghouls looked like grotesque creatures, while vampires resembled humans.
As we walked the stench made it hard to keep going. The bloody reek rising from the dead ghouls and vampires stung my nose. It was almost impossible to breathe.
"H-hard to… talk… ugh…" Every word brought the stench flooding into my nose and mouth. It was revolting. The pork I'd eaten earlier threatened to come back up.
In contrast, Lucas and the witch seemed completely unaffected.
"Lucas…! You really don't smell anything?"
"Nope. I have rhinitis."
I asked while pinching my nose shut. The witch, as usual, said nothing.
"Amon. Reveal yourself."
The witch stopped and shouted across the plain.
Lord Amon! The witch has come!
Lord Amonnn! I said the witch is here! It looks like that human's child!
There was no response.
Is he sleeping…?
"Hey. You pig bastard. Wake up."
Unable to watch any longer, Serina spoke in an irritated voice.
Then a massive vibration shook everything—whether it was the earth or the sky, I couldn't tell.
Kugugung—
On the empty ground, a huge grotesque creature appeared.
"Puuu… Kuuu… Puuu… Kuuu… Who the hell are you…"
A voice thick with sleep. It rose while exhaling heavy breaths through its nose. Just as Lucas had described, it had the head of an owl, the body of a wolf, and the tail of a snake.
"I-it really is Amon."
Lucas screamed and frantically hid behind the witch. I'd never seen a monster this enormous. The terror made me feel like my whole body might shatter. I thought I might wet myself.
Amon, now fully risen, looked at the witch and spoke.
"Oh… it's you?"