Chapter 153: Mammon (1)

"There's no way to survive without using Guardian. But if we use it, Greater Demons, including Mammon, will move. Paradoxically, that's the only way we'll be able to make it out alive," Kim Ki-Rok had said in the dwarven mine village before the rescue operation.

Serena found hope in his confident demeanor. Kim Ki-Rok, though a self-proclaimed Hunter, was an exceptional talent. He wasn't the strongest, but somehow, he always pulled through when it mattered most.

Kim Ki-Rok explained the operation clearly. "We'll divide the forces into two. For convenience, I'll refer to them as Squad One and Squad Two. The first will be on standby while the second escapes with the surviving dwarves. However, they won't head toward the western border city but will instead attack Hoesen, the territory closest to the mining village."

"Won't that attract the full force of the Black Kingdom?"

"Indeed, it will. The Black Kingdom will likely pursue us the moment we attack Hoesen, and we could potentially become surrounded."

Even if they managed to break through the defenses, enemy pursuit would undoubtedly intensify.

"However, the moment the rescue team, Squad Two, reveals themselves, there's a high chance the Greater Demons around the border cities will retreat. After all, the team will include seven Greater Aura Masters."

Only then did the members of the rescue team nod. Breaking through wouldn't be easy if they headed toward the western border city and engaged directly with the Greater Demons. In that scenario, it was more rational to relieve pressure on the squad by exploiting the enemy's weakness with a feigned attack.

"Unlike Lesser Demons, Greater Demons prioritize their own pleasure. Once you reveal yourselves, there's a high chance the Greater Demons will lose interest in the people right in front of them."

Upon listening to Kim Ki-Rok, Reardon, the dwarf Champion from the White Anvil tribe, offered his opinion. "That's risky."

"Yes, quite so. But if the rescue team takes the risk, we'll be able to draw the Greater Demons away from the border city's battlefront."

"So, we raid Hoesen to help our allies who will be fighting the Greater Demons."

"That's correct. Squad Two will lead the surviving dwarves in escaping. If they feel they can't hold on any longer, they'll immediately use the artifact to contact Squad One. At that point, the enemy would already be aware of the rescue team's presence because we would have invaded Hoesen. Unlike when we infiltrated the Black Kingdom, there'll be no issue using the artifact."

The group nodded in understanding.

"Then, once Squad One receives a signal from Squad Two, they will use Guardian. After Guardian is activated, the Greater Demon Mammon will arrive. If Mammon moves, the Greater Demons who swore loyalty to him will flock to his side. Now, consider this: once the five Greater Demons summoned to Middle Earth gather in one place, what will the Intermediate and Lesser Demons do?"

"They'll follow suit," Baek Min-Hyuk of the Golden Lion Guild muttered quietly.

"Exactly. They'll congregate at Squad One's location to appeal their loyalty to the Greater Demons. The same applies to those who fear the Greater Demons' power—they'll also converge on the location where all Greater Demons assemble, since other Intermediate and Lesser Demons will gather there as well."

"So Squad One is just bait?" Baek Min-Hyuk asked, looking up at Kim Ki-Rok.

After listening to his explanation, it indeed seemed that Squad One's role was to act as bait, gathering all demons in one location to aid Squad Two and the surviving dwarves.

Kim Ki-Rok nodded. "That's correct."

"It looks to me like no one would volunteer for Squad One."

"Indeed. Under current conditions, their chance of survival is zero. But there is one way for Squad One to survive, even after all the demons assemble around them."

Everyone stared at Kim Ki-Rok, their mouths tightly shut.

"Once the Hunter who contributed the most to the Gate clears it, all Hunters inside will be forcibly teleported out, and the Gate will be destroyed." Kim Ki-Rok explained in a steady voice. "The condition for clearing the Dwarven Mine Gate is rescuing the dwarves. In other words, once the surviving dwarves reach the Western Border City and enter Continental Alliance territory, the Gate will be considered cleared."

"Ah!"

Of course, all the Hunters were aware of what happened when a Gate was cleared, and exploiting it offered a real chance at survival—far better than the desperation of a blind retreat. If timed correctly, both Squad One acting as bait and the escaping Squad Two would safely evade the Black Kingdom's clutches.

"But here's the problem..."

Those who had begun thinking optimistically again turned their gaze toward Kim Ki-Rok, whose face now bore a troubled expression.

"A problem?" one of the Hunters repeated.

"Yes. There's a possibility Mammon will take interest in Guardian's power and cooperate with the Black Kingdom, attacking the Continental Alliance to find the human or object that finally piqued their interest after a long time," Kim Ki-Rok said grimly. "The moment a Greater Demon participates in the war, the conflict will escalate dramatically. In less than half a year, the Black Kingdom could dominate the entire continent."

The Continental Alliance officials were at a loss for words. Kim Ki-Rok had offered hope only to swiftly cast doubt, yet those familiar with Mammon couldn't easily dismiss his speculation. And so, another challenge emerged.

When everyone fell silent, Yoo Seh-Eun from the DG Guild raised his hand and asked, "But there is a way out of this, right?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Because, Guildmaster, you wouldn't suggest a strategy increasing the risk of war without preparing a solution."

Kim Ki-Rok smirked. "Yes, there is."

***

Mammon and the four Greater Demons fell silent. Even the Intermediate and Lesser Demons, who had arrived late, remained quiet. Their silence was understandable since they arrived after Kim Ki-Rok made his proposal and thus had no idea what was happening.

"Oh!"

Kim Ki-Rok slowly turned his head to look at the demons floating in the sky, then fixed his gaze on the two Black Wizards dressed in black robes. One was old while the other was young, each gripping a black staff.

"Hmm! Considering our new audience, should I explain once more?"

"There's no need," said Mammon, who had been quietly watching him.

Kim Ki-Rok shrugged his shoulders. "Alright, then. So, what do you think?"

"It'll be twenty-five minutes?"

"Yes. Twenty-five minutes."

"And if you're still standing, you want me to wait?"

"Exactly. I mean, come on... It's twenty-five minutes. Isn't that worth a little patience?"

The demon burst into laughter. "Fine. What are the rules?"

"We take a break every ten minutes. After ten minutes, we take a two-minute break and then resume. After another ten minutes, we'll take a three-minute break and that'll conclude our fight," Kim Ki-Rok explained.

"You clearly possess something alien that I'm unaware of. Even so, the gap in our strength is vast. Do you truly believe you'll withstand me?"

"That's right." Kim Ki-Rok's response was unwavering and confident, clearly trusting in his abilities.

Mammon nodded thoughtfully. "So, if you withstand me for twenty-five minutes, you want all the Greater Demons to wait until you summon them?"

"That's correct."

Mammon had long anticipated beings who might entertain him, though his patience had worn thin. He now simply wanted it all over quickly.

"I can't wait for long."

"Ten years," Kim Ki-Rok proposed.

"That's short."

"Yes, very short."

Though ten years might seem long to humans, for a Demon living thousands of years, it was indeed brief.

"I accept."

"Understood. Then, I'll summarize the details of the duel and my wish." Kim Ki-Rok politely bowed to express gratitude, then raised his head to address Mammon and the Black Wizards clearly. "The fight will be a twenty-five-minute duel. If I, Kim Ki-Rok, withstand the duel with you, Lord Mammon, the Greater Demons will not participate in the war for up to ten years."

The Black Wizards shuddered. Someone had been stirring up a fuss over the absurd bet, but instantly held back his mana once a Greater Demon turned his head and looked at him.

Kim Ki-Rok turned his head again, seeing Mammon smiling as if he'd found an interesting toy.

"Would it be okay if I made a call before we start?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

"I don't mind," the demon replied with courtesy.

"Thank you."

***

Not only had the Demons in the border city battlefield vanished following the Greater Demon, but even those resting in their own territories had disappeared without warning. In fact, every Demon summoned to Middle Earth had suddenly vanished into thin air. In response, the Black Wizards, including Yoost, withdrew with their close associates, scrambling to understand what had just happened.

"A twenty-five-minute confrontation against the Greater Demon Mammon..."

It was an impossible task. Mammon had defeated the continent's strongest being, the Sword God. Even with enhanced equipment and boosted physical abilities, facing Mammon directly was beyond comprehension. But what if, for some inconceivable reason, the challenger actually endured the full twenty-five minutes?

The Greater Demons would be barred from the war for ten years, giving the Continental Alliance a critical advantage. With the World Tree now revived, the scenario no longer seemed impossible. And the so-called heroes were already wreaking havoc, infiltrating deep into enemy territory. Even with the support of Intermediate and Lesser Demons, repelling a counterattack from the Alliance would be exceptionally difficult.

Yoost slowly turned his head to look at the human named Kim Ki-Rok, the one who had proposed this strange deal with Mammon. He was undoubtedly one of the "heroes," an alien from another dimension calling himself a "Hunter." Clearly, he had significantly contributed to the revival of the World Tree.

Kim Ki-Rok finished his call and put away the communication artifact. "Thank you for waiting."

Mammon nodded. "Can we start right away?"

"That's r–"

Kim Ki-Rok, who had been smiling and nodding moments before, lowered his left hand and extended his right forward. With a loud crash, Mammon instantly appeared in front of Kim Ki-Rok.

"That's absurd!" Yoost involuntarily spat out a curse.

Mammon's fist grazed past Kim Ki-Rok's side, hitting nothing but air, while Kim Ki-Rok's right hand landed squarely on Mammon's chin.

For a moment, Mammon laughed incredulously, his head thrown back in disbelief. A somewhat satisfied smile slowly crept across his face.

"Blink," Kim Ki-Rok mumbled, activating his teleportation artifact.

In an instant, he appeared where Mammon had been standing. The demon slowly turned to face him, already preparing for what came next.