328. Abduction (2)
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“…Is it okay to be in a place like this?”
Even in a situation where my mind wasn’t functioning well due to the abrupt circumstances, that question slipped out involuntarily.
If he was the enforcer, the leader of the devil-worshipping group known to all the heads of each country, from the emperor to the chief of the tribal alliance, the entire world would be on edge if his whereabouts were known.
“What’s the matter? Are you worried about me?”
…”
And, naturally, as soon as he heard that question, along with an incredulous sigh, came the response.
Although our relationship had become somewhat delicate recently, anyway, this guy and I were fundamentally enemies.
But to suddenly utter such words from my mouth would indeed elicit a bewildered reaction.
“Well, I’m happy to hear that.”
…”
However, right after that response, I felt a gentle touch caressing my cheek.
Affection, fondness, and, to some extent, even possessiveness.
“Do you have the luxury to do such things to an enemy? What if I retaliate?”
“Oh, come on. Your abilities only activate when you have a grudge against someone, don’t they?”
…”
“I only express liking for you at the moment. Isn’t that just an ordinary person’s level of affection?”
A sigh escaped involuntarily at the meticulous knowledge he displayed about my abilities.
It wouldn’t be that strange if you thought about what this guy’s true identity might be.
“But, by the way, where are we?”
When the leader stepped back, Am Si-Ya looked around with eyes that hinted at the application of her powers, and asked a question.
The place where the demons had just been engaged in a fierce battle was in the center of the city.
“Um… It’s a bit far from where it originally was.”
With these words, the leader glanced around, pursed his lips.
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“If I were to describe it as the headquarters of devil worship, would that make it easier to understand?”
…
From my perspective, it was a sigh-full response.
Although I sensed that this guy had made some kind of trick and moved a “very far distance,” the very idea of kidnapping someone and bringing them to a place like this was laughable.
“…Is this the place?”
But, it was more than that.
The state of the surroundings was a bit strange.
The devil worshippers were the largest organized crime group spread throughout the continent, as in the original game.
However, this place now looked almost like a dilapidated building about to collapse. It should have been a place where all kinds of major villains gathered.
…
No, instead.
The nature of someone coming here and “reducing it to ruins” from the inside out was very strong.
For example, there was a rotting skeleton sitting on the luxurious desk right in front of me, suggesting it had been abandoned for quite some time.
And, the answers to those questions came back in a simple form.
“Well, we either chased them all away or killed them.”
…
“In the first place, these guys are there to ensure that no matter what happens, they don’t die. Since you’ve had such a difficult life, you should continue to grow, right?”
…
“But at some point, instead of being threatened by the demons, you began to control them. So we eliminated all of them. They no longer had any significance.”
…
“I’m not really interested in devil worship. On the contrary, my original job was to kill those things.”
With a nonchalant tone, the leader replied in such a way, then smirked and kicked the skeleton sitting on the nearby chair, knocking it over.
The head of the skeleton rolled across the floor.
“This is the ‘original’ leader that I dealt with. I killed him as soon as he ‘ascended.'”
…
Nonchalantly uttering such words, the guy forcefully tossed the skeleton and took a seat in its place.
“Look, come to think of it, I should probably greet you properly.”
With those words, the guy began to rummage through the desk drawer.
He pulled out an old candle and matches in succession, then casually lit them with a swift motion.
In the dimly lit room, a flickering flame emerged.
And there.
Long, orange hair. A lively face that smiled like a trademark.
Revealed on the small lamp, the appearance of the leader without a mask.
Remarkably similar to Elijah.
Perhaps, if Elijah matured for about ten years, he would become exactly like this.
“Nice to meet you. The ‘returning’ hero.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“Well, say something, anything.”
“No, honestly, I had some idea already.”
I had a decent sense from the reaction when I accepted the Seal of Tacheon and chose the path to become a ‘demon.’
Since the existence of Lord Jaesang proved the possibility of humans coming from a future where I suffered, I fully understood.
“The Holy Sword itself is an item that can match the power of demons. Sacrificing it could allow one to make a choice to travel back in time somehow.”
I don’t know the exact details. Powers that transcend timelines are the realm of the gray demons.
But the item called the ‘Holy Sword’ is on par with the stature of demons. There must have been a way to squeeze out its utility.
With a sigh, I continue speaking.
“Perhaps in the ‘world bound to you,’ there was a determination to sacrifice it and come back.”
As Lord Jaesang mentioned, there might be beings willing to sacrifice their most significant value to meet me again.
And, if my thoughts are correct.
The existence of other demons might not deviate significantly from such choices.
“In the ‘original’ world you came from, how far did things go?”
“Three daughters. Three sons. Quite a fruitful outcome, isn’t it?”
“…”
He really had a lot of children.
“Well, in the end, they all died though.”
“…”
“I killed them all. Back then, you were quite adept at controlling the demons, just like you are now.”
In an instant, my ears prick up at the sound of his voice, and for a moment, I am at a loss for words as I gaze at him.
“You know. You know, don’t you? You’re feeling quite relieved right now, aren’t you?”
“…”
“If you’ve come this far, I don’t think you’ll encounter anything that will cause you great harm from the demons. It’s alright to just continue like this.”
“…”
“There is one thing. It’s not something you’re unaware of, right?”
One thing. It still remains.
“The Void Zone.”
Elijah, the returned prophet, says this with a contorted smile.
“The true form of the demons that slumber below. When they combine with the fragments, the ‘real demons’ will descend. Do you know what kind of spectacle that would create?”
“…”
“Even if you fail to control them just a little bit. Everything will be destroyed. The entire material world will be overturned.”
“…”
“It’s not a matter of control. The power is too immense, and the world itself cannot withstand it. The ‘future world’ that I existed in also disappeared that way.”
I have witnessed it with my own eyes before. The ability to manipulate reality even without a physical form, a power close to that of a god.
If such a thing can be done without a ‘physical form’, I cannot even imagine what the complete form, combining the fragments and the physical body, can achieve.
“There is someone in this world right now who wants to use that power to fulfill their ambitions. You know the sinister person in the prosperous kingdom, right?”
“I just need to stop him.”
“Putting aside whether it will be easy to obstruct them or not. As long as such a thing exists, it’s likely that someone else will come forward in the future to exploit it, don’t you think?”
“What are you trying to say?”
Taking a sigh, he responds to my question.
“To kill them all. The demons.”
“Yes.”
The answer comes back without hesitation.
“I will eradicate every single one of them, their very existence. Whether they are demons or the vessels that contain them.”
“…Okay.
This is the reason why this guy and I can only be ‘enemies.’
“…I can’t just let it go like that.”
“Yes. Well, I expected you to say that.”
The one who heard my answer stretched and replied.
“Because you’re someone who thinks that the people around you are more important than your own safety. You’ll never agree.”
“…It would be good if you could give up knowing that.”
“It’s absolutely not possible.”
He replied with a wry smile.
“-I did something to deserve it.”
“…”
As for that, I have nothing to say.
This guy probably came after witnessing his own children being killed by the power of demons in the future.
The emotions he felt at that time, well…
Whatever I say, it won’t act as a substitute.
“But, until we seriously form a bond with each other, there’s still some time left anyway. In order to achieve my goal, I have to cooperate with that bastard Huang right away, and until the preparations are complete, there’s time left.”
“…What?”
“I want to have some fun in the remaining time.”
“…Fun?”
“Anyway, we’re planning to form a bond soon, right?”
The one who said that laughed lightly.
“So, how about exploring each other a bit before that?”
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“So.”
Eleanor spoke in a cold voice.
It was a ruthless look as if it wouldn’t be strange to cut off the head of the human in front of her right away.
“Let me tell you why I won’t cut your throat right now.”
“…Well, hey. I get the sentiment.”
Toker, or more precisely, the man named Sun Hwa-ryun, smiled as he spoke.
In the sudden absence of Dowd, it would be natural for a person who has clashed with this side before to appear unexpectedly.
Fortunately, as Seonhwa-ryun, she had a very clear excuse that the people here wouldn’t immediately turn into a mob with pitchforks.
“I’m here as a messenger. Not to fight.”
“A messenger?”
“Since you already know why you’re fighting and clashing with a certain man, our leader thought it might be good to give it a proper purpose. That’s all.”
“What does that even mean-“
“I’ll tell you the location of Dowd Campbell. Prepare yourselves well until tomorrow. It won’t be easy to break through.”
…”
With such words flowing out, the expressions of those present hardened.
Of course, the following sentences had content that would elicit a much stronger reaction than that.
“If you don’t come quickly, he said he’ll eat it himself.”
“Eat it?”
“Well, not literally. Perhaps in the sense of lying in bed. Isn’t that the meaning?”
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“Huh?”
The eyes of those present flashed.
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