Chapter 394: Chapter 394

The assault on Abnormal was swift and decisive.

It had been worth summoning Harley, Auterica’s most expensive mercenary. The entire operation, from the initial strike on their headquarters to the Strange Duke’s death, had taken less than a few hours.

‘Thanks to the time acceleration function in “Heavenly Demon’s World”.’

Even so, it was an impressive feat.

And because it had all happened so quickly, many within Abnormal, a large and influential faction, hadn’t even realized what was happening.

Those who had only heard about the attack on their headquarters, but hadn’t received any updates.

The reinforcements who had rushed to their aid, unaware that it was already over.

Absorbing them was child’s play.

“What was your name again?”

“Right, Tabur. Do you understand the situation now? Or do you need a more… detailed explanation? Or perhaps… you still want revenge?”

The tiger-like demon, his massive body trembling, struggled against the captivating voice, its melodious tone echoing in his mind.

He had tried to resist…

…but he now understood.

That defying the absolute being before him was futile, a sacrilegious act.

He calmly assessed the situation.

The Demon World was a world where strength reigned supreme!

And the one standing before him, the one who had slain the treacherous Strange Duke…

…was the true king, not the Dark Duke or the Dragon Marquis.

He knelt, unable to resist the urge, his head bowed in reverence.

“Forgive my insolence! I, Tabur Pokan of the Taino Tribe, pledge my loyalty to Hella-nim! I shall be your vanguard, your spearhead, your shield!”

He declared his loyalty in a booming voice, his demeanor fierce and determined.

Hella smiled faintly and nodded.

Another Earl-level demon, a high-ranking warrior, had joined her ranks.

Just a while ago, it had taken considerable time and effort to ‘persuade’ even a single one…

‘It must be related to the message I received after defeating the Strange Duke.’

Even in the human world, self-proclaimed kings needed international recognition… and a Demon King, the ruler of an entire dimension, needed even more.

In that sense, the ‘expansion of her influence as a Demon King’ was essentially a level-up event, enhancing all her abilities.

Not just her combat prowess, but also her charm, charisma, and other leadership qualities.

‘A good start. Let’s keep this momentum going.’

The absorption of Abnormal proceeded smoothly, thanks to the cooperation of its key figures.

Her enhanced influence allowed her to control any potential variables, and the reinforcements she had brought with her quickly restored order, managing the disrupted transportation network.

And as the situation stabilized, more and more demons, sensing her potential, began to join her cause.

“She’s already at this level? Such organizational skills… She’s impressive.”

“I was waiting for an opportunity to leave that crumbling castle… This might be…”

It wasn’t a bad deal for the members of Abnormal, whose loyalty to the Strange Duke hadn’t been particularly strong.

Their faction had grown larger, with the addition of the Dream Walkers and other external forces, and their new leader had proven her worth by slaying a Duke-level demon.

‘It’s too late to join the Dark Nest now. They won’t treat us well.’

‘If I can earn her favor and become one of her close associates…’

‘I never liked the Dragon Marquis anyway.’

And so, ‘Helheim’, a new faction formed from the remnants of Abnormal and its absorbed territories, emerged,

…instantly becoming the second largest faction in the Demon World, surpassing even the Dark Duke’s Demoniac, which had been allied with Abnormal.

A sudden shift in the balance of power, as the Demon World’s long war neared its end.

Naturally, the other factions reacted strongly to this unexpected development.

The Dark Duke’s Demoniac, caught off guard by the sudden change in leadership, and…

…the Dark Nest, confident in their impending victory, their momentum disrupted.

Deep beneath the Dark Nest’s headquarters,

Miyamoto Ken, his face tense, walked through the darkness.

Having presented the Marquis-level demon’s essence, he had successfully gained access to the Dark Nest’s inner sanctum.

After all, there were only four Marquis-level demons in their faction, the largest in the Demon World.

And the historical significance of the artifact, a relic from the last invasion of Auterica, had further enhanced its value, earning him the Dragon Marquis’s favor.

‘…Well, it wouldn’t have been possible if I wasn’t an Earl-level demon. I might seem… aloof and uninterested in organizational matters, but I’m still a high-ranking demon.’

And in the process, he had also learned the reason for his mission, the purpose of retrieving ‘artifacts from the Demon World scattered across Auterica’.

The driving force behind the Dark Nest’s recent victories in the centuries-long war—.

‘…To think they were using them to summon those… monsters.’

Artifacts from the Demon World, imbued with the karma they had accumulated in Auterica.

They were catalysts, used to summon unknown and powerful beings from another dimension.

The Marquis-level demon’s essence he had brought was also a catalyst.

It would probably be used to summon even more powerful and numerous monsters,

…further strengthening the Dragon Marquis’s position in the Demon King race.

‘…I can’t let that happen.’

Ken’s expression hardened, his eyes gleaming with a cold, determined light.

He was currently a member of the Dark Nest, but his true allegiance lay elsewhere.

A newly formed faction that had recently become a hot topic of discussion.

Hella, a high-ranking demon who had suddenly appeared, had slain Sipar, the Strange Duke, and taken everything he had, creating a new power base.

It was a major concern for the Dark Nest.

‘I’d like to join them, but…’

He was on a more important mission, something only he could do.

‘The Dragon Marquis is Hella-nim’s greatest obstacle. And I haven’t uncovered all his secrets yet.’

He was Hella’s spy, a hidden blade, her most trusted agent.

He was certain that he was the only one who truly understood her intentions, the only one she could rely on.

Lost in thought, he continued walking through the dark corridor.

And finally, he reached his destination.

He took a deep breath and opened the metal door, stepping inside.

A room filled with bones, skulls, ritual tools, miscellaneous items, and magic circles drawn in blood.

He muttered softly, a chill running down his spine as he felt the ominous aura of the place, as if a demon was about to be summoned.

And then he remembered that he was a demon and smacked his lips slightly.

‘I’m supposed to deliver this to the person in charge… Where is he?’

This was one of the ritual chambers, used for opening the ‘gate’.

Arguably the most important location in the Dark Nest’s headquarters.

He was secretly pleased that the person in charge wasn’t here. It was a chance to look around and gather information.

‘I was able to enter because of this errand… but I don’t know when I’ll get another chance.’

Even an Earl-level demon like him was just an errand boy here… It showed how strictly this place was controlled.

He had only been granted access because of the valuable item he had brought, which had increased his security clearance.

He casually scanned the room, trying to maintain a calm facade…

…and then he froze, his eyes widening in shock, as he turned and saw something behind a large pillar.

A massive figure, its body mangled and broken, barely clinging to life, bound and restrained.

Bandages and chains, covered in strange symbols, restricted its movements, and spikes, thorns, tubes, and wires, embedded in its flesh, connected it to various devices.

It was a gruesome sight, but that wasn't the main problem.

“A massive Balrog, twice the normal size. And four pairs of horns… Could it be…?”

Karakul, the Fighting Demon Duke.

One of the four rulers of the Demon World, a powerful and influential figure…

…was imprisoned here, in this underground chamber, reduced to a… sacrificial offering for some unknown ritual.

‘…I thought he was dead. He’s still alive?’

Ken stared at the figure, his mind reeling.

He hadn’t expected to find him here, in this state.

‘…Well, a Duke-level demon would be a high-value sacrifice, regardless of the circumstances.’

It was clear that the Dragon Marquis was planning something.

Ken nodded slowly, his gaze shifting.

There was something else that had caught his attention.

A door, behind the pillar where the Fighting Demon Duke was imprisoned.

There were no other separate rooms in this chamber, so it was… unusual.

‘…Why is there a door there? What’s inside?’

He gulped nervously and cautiously approached the door, his heart pounding.

It wasn't just curiosity.

He felt… drawn to it, as if something was calling him.

He reached for the doorknob, and then—.

“Warning. You are not authorized to enter.”

A cold, emotionless voice echoed in his ears.

It had bypassed his senses, his enhanced perception.

He flinched and turned around.

A woman, dressed in a worn-out robe, her eyes dull and lifeless, her face pale and haggard, was standing there, staring at him.

“Apologies. If I startled you. Introductions. We haven’t met. I am Sodian. I’ve heard about you.”

She spoke in a strange, stilted manner, her tone polite but her expression… unchanging, like a mask.

‘…She’s like a robot.’

But he couldn’t underestimate her.

She was the one in charge of this place, the sole researcher, a Marquis-level demon.

And this was her territory, a place where magic reigned supreme.

“Guidance. Please follow me.”

Ken released the doorknob and followed her.

He couldn't win against her, not in this situation.

He glanced back at the imprisoned Balrog and the door behind it, then turned and followed Sodian.

There was no need to rush.

And opportunity would eventually present itself.

A crimson flame erupted.

It was the same fire he had seen recently…

…but its user was different.

“Oh! That’s impressive, Davidson.”

Hella, impressed, nodded and patted the beast’s back.

And then, another stream of crimson flames erupted from its maw.

「Hellfire」, acquired after devouring the Strange Duke’s massive body.

‘…This is an unexpected bonus. I didn’t expect to acquire this.’

She felt a surge of… gratitude towards the deceased Sipar.

He had given her so much.

He was practically a… walking treasure trove.

A cough, a subtle expression of discomfort, from the demon escorting her.

He seemed to be… intimidated by the flames erupting from Davidson’s mouth.

‘Well, it’s not exactly… unintentional. It’s also a… demonstration of power.’

She wasn’t in Helheim’s territory.

“Your Grace, I’ve brought the guest.”

…the territory controlled by the Dark Duke’s Demoniac,

…and she was here to meet its leader.

The door slowly opened,

…revealing a figure sitting quietly in the shadows.

A figure cloaked in black, its head covered by a goat skull, its appearance… suspicious.

Two blue flames, like ghostly will-o'-the-wisps, flickered in its eye sockets.

“Hehehe, this is interesting.”

Hella, who had been lounging on Davidson’s back, jumped down,

…a bright smile appearing on her face.