Chapter 580: Demon Contractor (4)

“Cough.”

“Chairman.”

“Vice Guild Master, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m… I’m fine.”

When I looked around, I could see them looking at me with dumbfounded expressions.

The crowd below was confused about what the hell was going on.

They seemed to be looking for an answer as to why there was a sudden explosion in the government building, what the hell the suicide squad was doing, wearing large cloaks, and why Chairman Lee Kiyoung had changed in such a way. And soon, they would find the answer.

The workers that participated in the protests outside the half-collapsed government building cheered for me until that moment.

In fact, the situation could be solved if I went out of the Doom state right at that moment, but there was no need to rush the work. It wouldn’t be bad to choose a slightly different route as gossips could come out later in any direction.

It was something completely different, but I was curious about how the continent’s current people would accept my present state…

To be honest, I also wanted to test to what extent Lee Kiyoung was embedded in continental people’s hearts.

‘Did they really not know there was a battle going on inside?’

It meant that the noise and magic power generated in the government building was completely blocked, indicating that Mikhail took care of that task properly.

Even though a problem in their plans occurred, half of that building remained in its original form.

It was a huge explosion created by the suicide command of thirteen people, estimated to be at least Legendary-grade or higher.

If it had been a building made of common materials, the site itself would’ve been blown to bits.

‘I don’t know if I should be happy about it or annoyed.’

When I quickly turned my gaze, I noticed the three revolutionary brothers and sisters with their faces paling out. Considering that they were in a hurry to fall back, I wondered if they would join after revealing their identity.

‘This is all over.’

The situation was already cleared up when I recalled that we were somehow able to tie with them even with our current power. It was obvious as to how the battle would proceed after the First Army of Blue joins us. No, before that, those guys…

‘They’re completely ruined.’

I wanted to do it as quietly as possible, but everyone on the continent was already watching the current situation.

They didn’t assume that it was going to fail in the first place.

That could be easily deduced just by seeing their willingness to fight until they died or exterminated the light of the continent. In a fight that no one had paid attention to, a fight that would never be revealed, a fight where they had to sink, taking everything with them just like the main character of some old movie… In the end, it became a comedy that everyone was watching.

Some time had passed since some people put on a sour expression as if they felt that things weren’t looking good.

They said that Jin Qing would understand it, but there’s no way they wouldn’t mind him.

I thought that shout was just a desperate act.

‘It’s a desperate act indeed.’

The ones standing at the edge of the cliff screamed to recognize them, to plead to know that their cause was legitimate. It was a cry to see that the cause lied with them, that they were fighting for the people.

Seeing that the veins on their neck stuck out, it seemed that they didn’t sell their emotions to the demon.

They might have pledged that they were ready to throw everything away, but on the other hand, it seemed that they wanted them to be on their side.

‘Why do you want to have everything like that? If you choose one, you have to give up the other, right?’

Why didn’t they know that there were only a few chosen people who could have both?

“Look at the dictator, Lee Kiyoung, being used by the demon. You are being deceived. What we know about him… is nothing more or less than a role he created. His real purpose is to put the continent in his own hands… he has spilled a lot of unknown and invisible blood… for that.”

‘Okay, talk as much as you want.’

“The person involved in the magic and demon summons, called the Nightmare of Laios, is also Chairman Lee Kiyoung, not someone from the Republic. It was Lee Kiyoung who concealed all the scenes that existed at the time, and it was also him who threw the sin to Jin Qing of the Republic. In the war with the Republic, the demon who didn’t attack allied enemies using the undead is also his! He is the one who wants to control the entire continent like an object on the palm of his hand!”

‘Keep talking.’

“Open your eyes. I won’t tell you to raise your sword together with us. But… But! At least, I hope that many of you will be aware that he is a dirty trickster made of lies and fabrication. The author is a demon. The real enemy is Lee Kiyoung. He is the enemy and the real threat on the continent! We have justice… and we are fighting for it!”

‘Say that as much as you want. And see if that works.’

Didn’t they choose the wrong route in the first place? I didn’t know the meaning behind screaming those words a thousand times.

Even if they explained it like that, there must be tons of people who didn’t understand it…

There was a lot to say, but they decided not to say anything else because the balance seemed to collapse already.

Instead, I pushed through one line.

“Run… Cough… Run away! Everyone in this place… You must leave!”

“Huh?”

“It’s… It’s dangerous. Cough… It’s… dangerous.”

“What… the hell are you doing?”

“They signed a contract with the demon… they’re a group that has already given up on being human. Run. Hurry and leave this place… and go as far away as you can… All personnel currently in District 5… get everyone out right now!”

“You… you!”

“Cough! Cough!”

“Vice Guild… Vice Guild Master! Are you okay?!”

“Chairman! Chairman!”

“Change yourself right now. Vice Guild Master. It will be dangerous any more than that. No matter how I look… you don’t look normal…”

“It’s okay now, Chairman… we’re fine, so please rip away that cursed power.”

“Vice Guild Master… we’re okay now. So…”

“No. At least until they get out of here… there is still a little more time left.”

My acting made even Cho Hyejin look anxious.

The adage that said, ‘if you want to deceive the enemy, you have to deceive allies first,’ never betrayed my expectations. Didn’t moments in which emotions came alive felt more like a famous scene?

“Protect the Chairman right now! I said now!”

I could even hear Lee Jihye’s voice. The security, who didn’t know about the situation, also began to approach with their spears.

“Chairman! Chairman!”

“Sh*t… Damn demons… Please wait, Chairman. I will be with you soon.”

“Don’t come up! Do not climb up and turn your back and leave this place. It’s dangerous. They… cough… Through the contract with the demon, the power that ordinary people cannot reach…”

“Lee Kiyoung, you dirty scammer! Do you think you deserve to look like that and say something like that!”

‘I have qualifications, so why wouldn’t I?’

“To Goddess Benignore… You already know that we must ask for forgiveness. But… I’m… Each and every person living here is more precious. You won’t understand. Someone like you… that sold their souls will never understand this feeling… You will never understand…”

“You are being deceived. The real continental demon is Lee Kiyoung, not us! Lee Kiyoung is… the real threat!”

I was shouting so hard that my throat was bursting, but how could I change the trend that was considered mainstream?

While enduring the power of the cursed demon with everything they’ve got, the light that tried to separate us from the civic groups was shining brighter than any other color.

The way I continued to breathe rapidly and reached out regularly was so sublime that even the Nobel Peace Prize winners hit their foreheads. Tears kept popping out of my eyes, perhaps because of my superb acting.

‘Protect him.’

We must protect him.

‘We have to protect the continent from the hands of those demonic contractors.’

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

It had been a long time since I made something up, but I finally could do it once again.

“Sigh, sigh. Even if I die here today… I won’t let them touch you with even a single finger.”

I thought that I went too far with that line. However, my sincere voice and eyes were different.

Wasn’t it more impactful to show in action sometimes than when simply talking with words?

I had no wounds, but my appearance made me look wounded. Above all else, I showed an expression that told people I had reached my limit in terms of mental and physical strength. I also showcased body movement that depicted I was about to collapse at any moment.

Would that kind of voice come out from the enemy?

“There is no need to explain anymore, Gavenne. Whether the crowd believes it or not, we only have to do what we need to do. This is something I didn’t even want from the beginning. I understand what you’re feeling well enough, but we have to get the job done today. That’s what you and your comrades sacrificed for us want.”

“But… But… leader!”

“In this place, we are the wicked ones. I didn’t even expect anyone to understand. Everyone is ready for battle again, and Lee Kiyoung is exhausted. He seems to be having difficulties standing right now…”

‘No, not really.’

“Listen carefully, my brothers, sisters, and comrades. Do not be shaken by the enemy’s words! Don’t be shaken by the crowd’s reaction! Didn’t you expect that we would be remembered as wicked people? It is only natural for us to go down in history as black-hearted. Our will is not weak enough to collapse just because we are not welcomed with open arms. Am I wrong?!”

“Leader…”

“It doesn’t matter if they say that this is personal vengeance. But everyone knows that the demon in that mask is the one that needs to perish. One person… If even one person remembers our sacrifices and associations, that alone is enough reason for us to raise our sword. Let’s fight for the continent. Comrades of the Order! Let’s pour out our long-hidden wishes, our anger, and the justice we believe in without regret!”

“Yes, leader.”

“Yes… leader!”

“There will be someone who will recognize us, leader.”

“When you first proposed, I thought you were crazy, but honestly, I think I’m glad I’m here with you right now. Thank you, leader.”

“I was a criminal who had nowhere to go anyway. I was fooled into the Order to fight for justice once, but… In the end, it seems that I will be remembered as a wicked person. But I don’t resent it. It was a short time, but the comrades of the Order together here… Never… even in death, I will never forget anyone.”

“Then let’s be the wicked one, leader. Isn’t that just right for us?”

“After all, this is my grave. Look at me now just because I met the wrong man.”

“Leader… we will always trust and follow you. I will never regret today’s choice. We will surely be remembered!. Definitely…”

“How are you guys going to heaven, you demon contractor bastards?”

“Everyone… Everyone… Thank you.”

‘Ah… They’re too emotional…’

Wasn’t even I almost deceived momentarily? It felt uncomfortable to see them gathering energy like the warriors of justice preparing for the final battle.

I also hated watching them believe that justice really was with them.

However, when I saw the demon contractors’ group gradually revealing their true colors, I internally applauded.

Amazed screams began to be heard from all over, and the crowd was cheering.

“Protect the Chairman! You can’t let go of the continent’s hope!”

“Protect the light of the continent!”

“Chairman! I believe you will overcome this!”

If I had been able to use Genki Dama [Spirit Bomb], everyone’s powers would’ve come together as one.

My body staggered as if it had already reached its limit. However, the cheering of the crowd made me stand up.

After all, the continent’s light would never go out under any circumstances.