Side Story Chapter 131 - Thousand-Year War (4)

Oh Kang-Woo had yet to become one of the strong in the Ninth Hell. He was stronger than the average demon but in the Ninth Hell, there existed demons that far surpassed what the demons of other floors could ever imagine. The seven princes of Hell were one thing but the archdemons who were granted powers from the princes were also unimaginably powerful.

‘I need time.’

Kang-Woo needed time to devour demons using the Authority of Predation and safely grow stronger. In that sense, the Halves’ village was the perfect place to do so.

‘Since there’s no way the princes of Hell or the archdemons would go out of their way to come here.’

Apex predators like lions and tigers wouldn’t waste time hunting for grasshoppers or ants. The ones who usually preyed on the weak were not those all-powerful, but those just a little stronger than the weak— just like the gray-skinned demon Kang-Woo had just faced.

“How often do other demons attack the village?”

“It depends... They usually attack about two to three times a week, but the frequency of their attacks has been increasing. The other mature demons and I have been working together to fend them off somehow, but... we are reaching our limit.”

Two to three times a week; it was not enough time to gather people for an attack but if the number of attacks had been increasing, it meant that information about the Halves’ location had spread to other demons.

‘There will be more demons coming to attack.’

Zepar was planning on moving their village elsewhere but Kang-Woo wouldn’t have that.

‘This is a chance.’

It was a chance to grow stronger safely, away from powerful demons; a free luxurious endless buffet just for him.

“Instead of moving your village, why don’t I protect this village?” Kang-Woo suggested.

“Pardon?” Zepar was left wide-eyed by the unexpected suggestion. “You will protect this village...?”

The mood turned heavy as Zepar’s eyes filled with caution. It was only natural; whether it be Earth or Hell, there existed no such thing as goodwill with no reason for it.

“Why would you go out of your way to do such a thing?” Zepar asked.

“Because it would help me.”

Kang-Woo knew Zepar wouldn’t believe bullshit like being unable to endure the demons’ unfair slaughter of the Halves.

“It would help you...?”

“You said you have heard rumors about me, right?”

“Ah, yes, I have.”

“I can acquire demonic energy by eating demons.”

“...!”

Kang-Woo had no reason to hide the Authority of Predation’s power. Not only had he used it far too much to hide it but there was no reason to in the first place.

“In that case...”

“Yes, my objective is to grow stronger by eating the demons who attack this village.”

“So you are planning to use us as bait?”

“Exactly. However, it’s not like you’re getting the short end of the stick, right? Just from how the huts in the cave look, it doesn’t seem like you’ve been here for long. Aren’t you tired of the life of fleeing despite managing to find a decent place to call home?”

“That’s...”

“I have the power to protect this village from other demons.”

“...”

Zepar turned to look at Firean.

“He’s right! Sir Kang-Woo defeated the demon who attacked us with just two blows!”

Even considering that demons who usually attacked the village were only at Intermediate to Lower Intermediate level, it was not easy to defeat them with just two blows.

‘He is at least Upper Intermediate level... perhaps even higher.’

The gears in Zepar’s head turned rapidly, balancing a scale between abandoning the village they had just built or letting Kang-Woo protect their home.

‘Abandoning... yet another place...’

It was no simple feat to abandon a hideout they had barely managed to find. No, they could deal with it if it was only difficult but three hundred Halves moving as a group was bound to draw attention. Even moving to this cave had cost the lives of forty Halves. Kang-Woo’s offer was almost irresistible.

“Even so, I cannot let you use the residents of this village as bait,” Zepar said firmly.

Encouraging demons to attack by using the Halves as bait was far too risky. In the worst-case scenario, the entire village could be wiped out.

“I see.” Kang-Woo stared at Zepar, who was more steadfast than he had expected, and pulled out his trump card. “Right. Come to think of it, I forgot to tell you something.”

“Pardon? What is it?”

“He is not here right now, but I have Balrog as my bodyguard.”

“Wh-What?!”

Zepar sprang up from his seat with his eyes widened. Likely everyone in the Ninth Hell knew the name Balrog, the demon powerful enough to stand against the princes of Hell. Zepar couldn’t understand why an archdemon like Balrog, the red monster a cut above the other archdemons who had been granted powers from the princes of Hell, would be protecting a human.

Firean raised his hand and shouted, “H-He’s telling the truth! Sir Kang-Woo was traveling with Balrog!”

Even without Firean to corroborate, several Halves had seen Kang-Woo

command

Balrog to stand by outside the cave.

“B-Balrog?!” Zepar walked to the entrance of the cave in disbelief. “

G-Gasp!

”

A five-meter giant covered in red muscles was silently sitting outside the cave with his eyes closed.

“What do you think?” asked Kang-Woo, who followed Zepar out of the cave, and smiled. “Is that enough to change your mind?”

“...” Zepar’s lips quivered in silence.

“Right, then~ Why don’t you show us to our quarters?”

Kang-Woo turned around to go back into the cave with a smile. After all, Zepar’s answer was already decided.

***

After that, Kang-Woo spent his days in the Halves’ village and hunted demons that invaded the territory. As expected, the hunting went smoothly. He sent the Halves to scout the area and if they found a demon who trespassed the territory, Kang-Woo stepped up personally to hunt them. The demons who invaded the Halves’ territory were at Intermediate to Lower Intermediate level and their numbers were also perfect.

“

Burp—

”

Kang-Woo pounded on his stomach after devouring two trespassing demons with the Authority of Predation. He was brimming with demonic energy as if he had a nice hot meal.

“But these guys sure don’t get tired of this shit.”

Kang-Woo clicked his tongue as he picked up the two demons’ weapons. The demons’ contempt for the Halves was beyond severe.

‘They don’t just find them unpleasant.’

To make a comparison, it was like finding a cockroach in one’s bedroom. Forget displeasure or discomfort— one would be so resentfully vehement about killing the cockroach that they would even burn down the house if needed. Demons likely saw Halves as cockroaches.

‘No, worse than that.’

People usually avoided cockroaches but demons were searching every nook and cranny to kill them as if they were part of Cesco[1].

“There’s a rumor among demons that a disease will spread throughout Hell if the Halves aren’t hunted down,” said Firean, who volunteered to act as bait, with a bitter smile.

“Disease? What disease?”

“One that eliminates desire. Although of course, no such disease has ever been recorded.”

Desire was crucial for demons to endure immortality; hence, the elimination of desire was no different than a death sentence. If their desires vanished, every demon would go insane from lethargy within a century.

“They sure care about their well-being despite looking fucking disgusting.”

Kang-Woo clicked his tongue and shook his head. Whatever the case, it didn’t matter to him since he could hunt safely thanks to it.

‘This must be how ancient people felt when they figured out agriculture.’

He was brimming with freedom now that he was staying in one place with a stable food supply instead of roaming all over the place.

“Right, let’s go back.”

“Yes, sir!”

Firean followed behind Kang-Woo with a smile. Kang-Woo found Firean following him like a puppy rather cute since he had rarely seen a demon smaller than him in Hell. He smiled gently as he extended his arm to place his hand on Firean’s head but flinched as his expression froze.

“...”

“Sir Kang-Woo?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

Kang-Woo awkwardly put down his hand he raised and walked in silence.

***

“Yaaaaaay!!”

“It’s Sir Kang-Woo!!”

“Did you beat tons of baddies again today?!”

The little demons surrounded Kang-Woo as soon as he came back. Kang-Woo’s popularity in the village was skyrocketing as of late. It was only natural since he was defeating all the demons who had forced the residents to always be on the run, fearing for their lives.

“Firean! How was Sir Kang-Woo today?” the little demons asked Firean with sparkling eyes.

Firean raised his head high despite not being the one to defeat the demons and shouted, “Haha! He was amazing today as always! Two demons invaded our territory but he suddenly appeared from their shadows and just ripped one of them in half!”

“Wow—!!”

“What then? What happened next?”

It was weird seeing children admiring brutal murder but they were demons, not humans. They would naturally be fascinated by extreme violence.

‘I mean, I was kind of like them when I was a kid.’

But of course, it was violence in games or anime. Just as Kang-Woo chuckled and was about to go back to the hut Zepar had prepared for him, a little demon with four horns and memorable purple skin grabbed his clothes.

“Umm... S-Sir Kang-Woo!”

“Huh?”

The child twisted as if he needed to pee and said cautiously, “Umm... W-We’re going to play hide and seek, and I was wondering if you wanted to j-join us?”

“...”

Playing hide and seek in Hell was so unimaginable that Kang-Woo couldn’t even laugh.

“Kid.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Do you seriously think I’m here to play hide and seek with damn brats like you?”

Kang-Woo fiercely glared at the purple-skinned child. The little demon was brought to tears by Kang-Woo’s harsh words.

“I-I’m sorry!!!”

“If you are, then fuck off.”

Kang-Woo violently pushed away the child.

“

Sniff...

I-I’m sorry.”

The purple-skinned little demon who fell to the ground bowed repeatedly in tears.

“...” An off emotion he had never felt since entering Hell spread throughout Kang-Woo. He shook his head and mumbled, “Fuck...”

Creak.

He opened the door to his hut and entered. Inside was a poorly made small bed, a chair, and a table.

“Huuu,” Kang-Woo sighed as he sat down on the chair.

He couldn’t erase the sight of the crying little demon from his mind.

“Did something happen?”

“GYEEEEEEEEEEHHH!!!”

Kang-Woo abruptly turned toward the source of the sudden voice. He saw Balrog’s hideous face filling the hut’s window.

“Y-You fucking scared me!!!”

‘Why the fuck is he there?’

“Tsk, tsk. A warrior must always be aware of his surr—”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’m gonna take a nap, so can you please fuck off?” Kang-Woo said as he glared at Balrog.

Balrog paid Kang-Woo no mind and asked in a low tone, “How long are you planning on staying here?”

“Once I’m satisfied with the farming results.”

“Farming?”

“Demon hunting.”

“Hmm. Wise choice. Your current self needs to grow stronger.”

“Shit, man. You’re backseating me now?” Kang-Woo chuckled as he leaned on his chair.

“I want to ask you something.”

“Ask away and fuck off.”

“How can you... be

weak

?”

“What the fuck?”

“No, I am not trying to pick a fight with you,” Balrog clarified as he stared at Kang-Woo— to be more exact, his chest— with deeply sunken eyes. “Despite possessing boundless demonic energy... How can you still be that weak?”

“...”

Kang-Woo remained silent. Balrog was right; he was abnormally weak compared to the amount of demonic energy he possessed. However, he couldn’t help it.

‘The Ten Thousand Demon Core...’

He created three Doors so that he wouldn’t be corrupted by the sea of demonic energy. They were necessary seals that he had never opened— no, should never be opened. The three Doors acted to contain the demonic energy he had accumulated so that it couldn’t run rampant but they also drastically reduced the amount of demonic energy Kang-Woo could freely use.

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

‘So...’

Kang-Woo needed to continue devouring more and more powerful demons to increase the amount of demonic energy he could use even under the Ten Thousand Demon Core’s restriction.

“That’s none of your business,” said Kang-Woo in irritation.

Balrog stared intently at Kang-Woo for a few moments and then turned around to disappear.

“Haaa,” Kang-Woo sighed and closed his eyes.

Just then, someone knocked on his door.

“Who’s there?”

“Umm... M-May I come in?” someone stuttered from across the door; it was Fel.

“What is it?”

Fel carefully opened the door and entered the hut. She was smaller than Firean, had six eyes, and squirming light green tentacles for hair.

‘That’s... a Succubus?’

Kang-Woo couldn’t help but sigh again.

“Umm... I-I’ve brought you some tea,” Fel remarked.

“Tea?”

‘There’s tea in Hell?’

“Yes, made by boiling dried bloodlight plants.”

There was a red liquid in a bumpy cup.

“I’ve never heard of something like this being in Hell...”

The concept of food and drinks did not exist for most demons since they did not require sustenance, resulting in the atrophy of their taste buds.

“Hehe. My mother used to love this.”

“...”

Fel was saying it with a smile but she was likely abandoned by her demon mother. Kang-Woo felt an inexplicable sense of displeasure.

“I don’t want it,” he replied coldly.

“Oh... I-I’m sorry!” Fel bowed repeatedly like the purple-skinned little demon earlier. “I-I’ll take it back.”

She turned around to leave the hut.

“Wait,” Kang-Woo said on impulse. “Give it here.”

“Pardon?”

“I said, give it here.”

“Oh, y-yes, sir!!”

Kang-Woo took the cup Fel handed him. He took a sip of the tea and was attacked by an inexplicably dirty flavor; it was sour, bitter, and sticky.

“Wh-What do you think...?” Fel asked anxiously with her fists clenched.

“It’s tra...” Kang-Woo was about to call it trash with a frown but stopped himself.

The inexplicable emotion he had felt before was slowly crawling back up from inside him again.

“It’s... not bad.”

“W-Wow!! R-Really?” Fel smiled as brightly as a flower but to Kang-Woo with human beauty standards, her smile couldn’t look any more hideous.

“Hehe!! I’ll make you some again next time!” she shouted as she ran out of the hut.

“...”

Silence fell as Kang-Woo was left alone in the hut. There was over half of the tea that Fel made remaining in the cup.

“For fuck’s sake... it tastes like trash.”

Kang-Woo gulped down the whole thing for some reason despite saying that.

1. Cesco is a Korean pest control service. ☜