Chapter 390: The Demon Realm (1)

Krrzzzzt...! Krzzzt!!

As Karyl forced Redshell into the Soul Spring, the well began to glow. Ghostly apparitions erupted from it, a shroud of tortured souls that wrapped around Redshell.

“Aaaaarghhh...!!”

Redshell’s screams were smothered by the swirling spirits as they enveloped him entirely, covering even his face.

Watching the demon sink, Karyl muttered, “Bring out your weapons.”

At that moment, a long, dark silhouette shot out from the well, swinging down at Karyl’s neck like a massive scythe.

Shing!

With a sharp sound, something fell to the ground—Redshell lay before Karyl in a puddle of blood, split in half.

“What the...?!”

Serica reacted first, screaming in shock as a swarm of insects poured in from the well, surging toward them. Mikhail promptly cast a spell to shield her.

Slash! Splurt! Crack!

As his Wind Blades cut through the swarm, sticky fluids splattered everywhere.

“You idiot! Watch what you’re doing!” Serica wiped the slime from her face before giving Mikhail a whack on the back of his head.

Miliana and Hwarin shook their heads, trying to hide their amusement.

The swarm of insects posed no real threat. However, a massive leg suddenly emerged from the well, followed by another one, and then another one.

Eight thick, spindly legs had come into view. A pair of jet-black eyes peered out from the well.

“Hah!”

Gordon Fabian hurriedly swung his hammer, striking the head of the colossal insect that had crawled halfway out of the well.

Thud—

The hammer lodged itself deep in the creature’s head. An agonized screech followed. Black ichor oozed from the cracked shell, accompanied by a wet gurgling sound.

“Heh, small fry,” Gordon sneered, watching the creature writhe. Ever since Karyl had stolen the spotlight against Prokel and Redshell, he had been itching for a challenge—and this was the perfect opportunity.

Splat...!

With a wet, ripping sound, the giant insect opened its mandibles and spat a viscous liquid at him. Gordon barely managed to yank out his hammer and dodge. The sticky spurt struck the stone wall, cutting into it like a razor-sharp blade.

“Kreeeeee...!!”

The creature continued to spit more of the viscous liquid as it widened the gap between itself and Gordon. At the same time, the smaller insects swarmed up Gordon’s legs, moving in a coordinated attack.

“Interesting. The way these insects are coordinating... It almost seems like they’re trained,” Nain Darhon remarked, watching with intrigue.

“Are you not going to help?!”

Buzzzzz...!!

Gordon swung his hammer fiercely, the ensuing gust blasting the bugs away. He frowned as he looked at his skin, now marked with deep cuts.

The insects had managed to bite through his protective magic.

“Damn these pests...”

As a master of defense, this was a blow to his pride. Grinding his teeth, Gordon charged forward, stomping on the bugs underfoot as he swung his hammer at the belly of the massive creature.

Bang!

The hammer struck hard, and for a moment Gordon thought he might break through the insect’s shell—but it held firm, barely dented by the blow. Undeterred, the creature steadied itself and lunged at him.

Taken aback for a moment, Gordon quickly gathered his strength and channeled mana into his hammer for a follow-up strike.

Bam!

This time, he struck the creature in the head, denting the outer shell—but just like before, it didn’t shatter.

“Besides coordinating to swarm the enemy, they also adapt?” Nain Darhon observed with interest. “It seems that thing’s shell has grown harder. If they change based on their opponent, that would mean they could also undergo elemental transformation.”

His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he studied the creatures. Given his research into Tarak, the peculiar traits of these demonic beings fascinated him.

Then, a new sound echoed from the Soul Spring.

Screech... Crackle...!

Gordon groaned, instinctively realizing what was coming next.

“Just how many of these things are there?” asked Serica Lauren, her countenance pale as she eyed the torrent of giant insects now pouring from the well.

“Well, looks like we’re in for a real workout.”

Gordon’s bravado belied his unease. Watching the giant creatures close in around him was rather daunting.

“Ahem... Aren’t you guys getting bored over there?” Gordon asked the others, trying to feign composure.

“Oh? What’s this? Don’t tell me the great Gordon Fabian is actually asking for help. I thought you said you could handle everything on your own,” Miliana teased as she drew her sword, already prepared to join the fray.

“Enough, Miliana,” Karyl intervened.

“Huh?”

“You don’t need to worry, Gordon.”

“Oh? So you’re stepping in? That’s a relief.” Gordon gave a slight smile, though still on guard.

Karyl merely picked up one of the small bugs from the ground, holding it between his fingers as its eight legs flailed. Then, with a light squeeze, he crushed the insect.

“No. I mean, there’s no need to fight anymore.”

“What...?”

It was then that Gordon noticed something—their surroundings had suddenly shifted.

Rumble... Rumble...!

The cavernous tomb had faded away. Now, they found themselves standing in an open plain under a blood-red sky filled with dark, ominous clouds.

“Is this the Demon Realm...?!”

“When did we...?”

The group looked around, astonished by the sudden change in scenery.

“The bugs from the well... a mere courtesy from the Demon King, it seems,” Karyl observed with mild irritation. “Could’ve wiped them out, but that seems unnecessary now.”

He glanced dismissively at the large creatures surrounding him. In a flash, he flicked his Freezing Talon, striking one squarely in the head and freezing it solid. He then punched the frozen insect, shattering it to pieces.

Gordon, who had struggled just to bend their shells, looked on in astonishment.

“Not exactly the reunion I’d hoped for.”

Karyl stomped on ice shards as he looked ahead. There, standing before them, were four demons, two of whom were familiar faces.

“It’s... them...”

Miliana narrowed her eyes, recognizing two of the figures.

“I’ll admit, your greeting was well received. You did a fine job blowing off my head,” sneered Prokel, cracking his neck as he glared at Karyl, his rage barely restrained. Next to him stood Redshell, whose limbs had somehow grown back.

“Looks like the Four Demon Knights weren’t at full strength in the human realm,” Karyl remarked indifferently, nodding in understanding. “Not that it matters. You’re still way out of your league.”

With that, he casually strolled past them, his gaze fixed on the figure standing at the far end of the group.

“What...?!”

Slash—Thud!

Redshell, stung by Karyl’s insult, spun around, intending to strike him from behind. But just as he threw a punch at the back of Karyl’s head, he suddenly collapsed to the ground, his body limp.

“...Huh?”

He struggled to get up, seemingly unaware of what had happened to him. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t raise his gaze. Somehow, he had been completely incapacitated. Glancing down, he realized that his legs were gone, cleanly severed. Strangely, there was no blood.

The other Demon Knights merely watched in silence.

“Move out of the way.”

Karyl placed his hands on the shoulders of the two other demons—the ones he hadn’t seen in the Dragon Bone Tomb—and pushed them aside. Though they glared at him with hardened expressions, they made no move to stop him.

“Impressive. It’s not every day a human ventures into the Demon Realm and keeps his resolve. Then again, you’re wearing artifacts of my creation, so I suppose it’s only natural.”

The pale man looked at Karyl with an expression of utmost composure—a stark contrast to the Demon Knights. He lightly waved his hand toward Karyl.

“I am Hagane.”

With his introduction, the eyes of the Demon Knights widened in shock.

“The Demon King... has actually revealed his name,” Prokel muttered, biting his lip.

“Even a Sword Master, supposedly the pinnacle of human combatants, should struggle to breathe under the oppressive mana of the Demon Realm. And yet you managed to cut down Redshell here, in my domain.”

The Demon King lay reclined in his throne, resting his chin on his hand as he spoke.

“It seems that even if all of you attacked him at once, it would be futile.”

“...My Demon King!”

“No objections permitted. As the human has said, you’re out of your league here,” Hagane said firmly.

Karyl shrugged as he looked at the Demon King. “At least I can have a conversation with you, Demon King.”

This was the first time he laid eyes on Hagane—his aura was distinct, something beyond what he had felt from the dragons.

“I have questions for you, Hagane.”

“And why should I provide you with answers?”

“Indeed, you have no reason to answer.” Karyl’s tone was calm, brimming with confidence. “But I’ll force you to.”

Whoosh—!

Karyl yanked his Freezing Talon from the ground and hurled it with all his might. The sword spun like a boomerang, embedding itself into the throne, just grazing Hagane’s pale cheek. Blood trickled down from the thin crimson line.

“Next time, it’ll be your neck,” Karyl warned.

But Hagane merely smirked.

“How far does your interference in the human world reach? Do you know of an organization called the Wooden Cloud? And what’s the nature of your dealings with the empire?”

Karyl’s questions cut sharply.

“And also, have you sided with the gods?”

“Slow down, will you?” Hagane urged, his composure unshaken by Karyl’s venomous glare. The Demon King wiped the blood off his cheek, and in that instant, the cut had healed entirely.

“Siding with the gods... Nephilim serve gods with blind loyalty, and demons are their natural enemies. Humans, elves, and dwarves tend to look to gods with reverence, but demons? We’re different. We’re more... neutral, if anything. We prioritize ourselves above all else.”

Hagane paused briefly, and with the same composure, he went on, “In other words... if necessary, we could stand with humans, rather than gods.”

“Spineless creatures,” Karyl scoffed.

“Yet it plays in your favor. We didn’t make a deal with the emperor. And the Wooden Cloud? I think I know who you mean, but it’s not them either. For centuries, our pact has been with humanity.”

With that, Hagane flashed Karyl a rather unsettling smile.

“I’ve been waiting for someone like you. A human bold enough to venture back into the Demon Realm.”

“...What?”

“My dealings began 250 years ago. You asked whom I made a contract with, didn’t you? His name is Kaye Aesir.”

“...!!”

Karyl’s unflappable demeanor cracked. He stared at the Demon King in disbelief.

“You’re curious, aren’t you? That’s how names work—learning one only opens more questions. He told me as much himself.”

The Demon King slowly rose from his throne.

“We’re a race that reveres strength. We follow those who are powerful, whether gods or humans. If you wish to learn more... prove yourself.”

The giant insects gathered around Hagane, producing a faint rustling sound as they formed a defensive line.

“Good idea. That’s precisely what I intended,” Karyl murmured, his voice devoid of emotion.

He gestured at the fallen Redshell with his sword before looking directly at the Demon King.

“For you, I’ll make an exception. I’ll cut you off just below the calves so you can kneel before me.”