Chapter 49

◈ Chapter 49. However, Hiding is Useless (3)

Snap─

It was only natural that the pride of Baek Yiseul, or rather the succubus, would crack.

The unexpected response made her self-esteem plummet.

Moreover, the chatter around her.

Even the insignificant humans who were paying attention.

"Wow, Baek Yiseul must be really embarrassed, right?"

"Can you try to compose your expression? I'll give you a close-up when you turn around."

"By the way, that knight is quite handsome. Should we ask for his name, guys?"

The succubus gritted her teeth.

'...You dare?'

Just a human, and you dare to treat me like this?

Whether it's Lee Ho-yeol or anyone else.

The urge to tear them to shreds was overwhelming.

But the succubus was cunning.

She had managed to keep her demonic nature hidden all this time.

Could she not hide a mere expression?

"Nothing can be done. I'll come back again soon."

The succubus smiled at Jessica and turned away.

'Your arrogance will only last today.'

Yes, the more dramatic the reversal, the greater it becomes.

Even if today's timing didn't work out.

Once I face him, it's only a matter of time before Lee Ho-yeol falls under my charm.

'Enjoy everything while you can.'

Whether it's Lee Ho-yeol, the Kingdom of Yusra, or that arrogant knight.

In the end, they will all kneel before my schemes.

But that was just the succubus's delusion.

A mere rejection at the door.

The revenge had only just begun.

.

.

.

Politics, society, sports, entertainment...

Each section of the newspaper covers different topics.

Naturally, the stories they cover would also differ.

But there was one person who graced the front page of every section.

It was none other than Baek Yiseul, the master of the Myth Guild.

Even if we concede a hundred times, it was understandable for the politics and society sections.

──

Congressman Park Sam-bong, "Regretful that negotiations were not smooth... The growth of Myth is also the growth of South Korea."

[Exclusive] Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, "The trickle-down effect is a proven theory... The economy of South Korea will thrive if the Myth Guild thrives."

──

From the time when the guild was a conglomerate to the present day.

Myth had been a regular in the politics and society sections.

But to grace the front page of the entertainment section as well.

──

[Exclusive] Baek Yiseul, Defeated in Flirtation? Femme Fatale Crumbling?

──

And with a humiliating title and photo!

In the photo, there was no trace of the confident Baek Yiseul.

The back view of Baek Yiseul being turned away at the golden palace.

And the short, biting commentary below.

──

▲The moment of the seventh rejection.

A stark contrast to her appearance on the red carpet.

──

Easily surpassing the three invitations.

She was now heading towards the tenth.

The back view that should have evoked sympathy...

Unfortunately, there was no sign of sympathy for Baek Yiseul.

──

- Haha, I knew it would come to this.

- Is Lee Ho-yeol that easy to handle? Haha.

- She's getting her karma.

- Justice is served.

──

Yes, everything was karma.

Baek Yiseul's pupils turned pitch black.

"And what you are building is also karma, isn't it?"

...Lee Ho-yeol!

The humiliation of a demon being repeatedly disgraced by a human.

The same for the succubus's damaged pride.

The man who had shattered her pride.

The shame that came to mind made the demon's appearance, which she had barely hidden, try to emerge. But she couldn't keep it hidden forever.

"Today, I will make you pay for that karma."

Now that she was strong enough to challenge a higher demon.

The demonic nature that had been boiling within her had grown even stronger.

The succubus barely managed to suppress the evil that was seeping out.

And she headed towards the golden palace.

Would she be rejected again today?

It didn't matter.

She was determined to wait until Lee Ho-yeol appeared today.

There would be no shortage of things to do while waiting.

She could have a staring contest with the arrogant knight.

...That was her resolve.

"Please come in."

Despite not expecting it at all.

She had entered the golden palace.

The corners of the succubus's mouth curled up.

'Even if I don't know the reason, it seems they are hurrying me along.'

Indeed.

Lee Ho-yeol was just a foolish human.

The thought of taking his essence made the barely suppressed evil start to seep out.

But there was no need to suppress it any longer. After all, she was already here.

"Please come in."

Bow─

Jessica bowed and stepped back.

The succubus immediately knocked on the door.

'...I can't hold it in!'

Suddenly, a surge of thirst.

She opened the door before Lee Ho-yeol could respond.

And faced Lee Ho-yeol.

Perfect posture, not a hair out of place.

Lee Ho-yeol sat at his desk.

Without even looking at her, he said,

"To open the door before I respond."

His cold voice continued.

"There is no formality to be found."

...Wait, something is wrong.

The succubus finally sensed something amiss.

But her eyes met Lee Ho-yeol's.

Shiver─

From head to toe.

A feeling of stiffness.

It was a 'fear' she had never felt before.

"..."

A look so arrogant that it was humiliating.

Lee Ho-yeol was looking down on her.

Clearly.

Suddenly, her mind went blank.

Could he have noticed that I'm a demon and brought me here...?

...No, that's impossible!

I need to run before he notices.

Buy time with my charm.

...Wait! Why isn't he falling for my charm?

The succubus froze on the spot.

A voice, the voice of her nemesis, echoed in her ear.

"Indeed, a pitiful demon."

.

.

.

It was a strange thought.

Nam Tae-min felt the same way.

"To be honest, we've also found it excessive recently. No matter how much lobbying they did, they're not the kind to push so hard that they get criticized. Those slippery fellows?"

Politics is a place like that.

Depending on interests, school ties, hometown ties, and family ties.

It's a world where connections are severed and broken.

"Of course, I do suspect something is going on... But we can't figure it out. I feel bad for troubling you, Ho-yeol. Really."

Nam Tae-min had apologized sincerely.

But now, it made sense why they couldn't figure it out.

That Baek Yiseul was possessed by a demon.

Who would have imagined such a thing?

'Even I didn't know.'

If I had known...

I wouldn't have sent her away so many times.

A demon walking around and breathing normally?

Beyond the childish revenge, given the existence of Grandville's setting.

I couldn't have just stood by and watched.

[Skill, 'Nemesis Relationship' activated.]

Yes, if it weren't for that message.

I wouldn't have known in my wildest dreams.

The 'Nemesis Relationship' activated and then deactivated.

It was just a moment.

'Probably because I couldn't completely hide my presence.'

So it started to make sense.

The relationship between the Myth Guild and the politicians.

'If it's a status effect from demons?'

Dealing with civilians who aren't players.

It would be easier than eating cold porridge.

That was why I brought in Baek Yiseul.

Clack clack─

The sound of heels growing louder.

At the same time, the message reappeared.

[Skill, 'Nemesis Relationship' activated.]

Baek Yiseul is a demon.

The moment the suspicion turned to certainty.

Knock knock─

The door opened with a knock.

"To open the door before I respond. There is no formality to be found."

I opened my mouth while holding a quill pen.

I was writing the basics of black magic.

After putting a period at the end of a sentence, I finally looked up.

Indeed, Baek Yiseul's pupils were pitch black.

"Indeed, a pitiful demon."

Sitting straight at the desk.

Still holding the quill pen, I said.

Truly, there was no more pretentious attitude...

At least, not anymore.

The moment our eyes met.

It was Baek Yiseul who was trembling.

Nemesis Relationship.

──

Nemesis Relationship: Combat power increases dramatically when fighting demons.

──

I could feel the effect of the skill I had forgotten about for a while.

Especially since I was in a very different state before and after dealing with the great evil.

Just in terms of level alone.

I had instantly gained 50 levels by defeating the great evil, Greed.

Not to mention the growth that couldn't be explained by levels, skills, or stats.

The development of my magic manifestation through self-study of magic books in the magic tower.

Black magic, at the beginner level.

And sword training.

'In the end, I brought everything, useful or not.'

No matter how trivial.

All that growth became my combat power...

I could feel my enhanced combat power boosted by the [Nemesis Relationship] effect. The demon possessing Baek Yiseul's body must be feeling the same.

"Wh-What are you talking about?"

Trying to deny it now.

To the point where she couldn't even think clearly.

'There was a reason for everything.'

I understood why she kept trying to meet me despite the humiliation.

I could guess her purpose.

To put me under a status effect and take over the Kingdom of Yusra.

But unfortunately for her.

I don't mix unnecessary talk with my prey.

Swish─

Magic manifested immediately.

There was no need for a complex interference process.

There was an insurmountable difference in class between us.

A difference so great that I didn't even need to use the demon's item in the [Exorcism] skill.

[Skill, 'Exorcism' activated.]

What was needed.

Only the basic effect that only harms demons.

No need to invite the demon into my consciousness.

No need for a mental battle.

"This, this is impossible!!"

The demon was already terrified.

"I am no longer a mid-level demon! I am a high-level demon, perhaps even stronger. How! How can a mere human resist my charm!"

He couldn't believe it.

A high-level demon?

The pride that didn't waver even in front of the great evil.

Even if a 'Demon King' were brought in.

This dignified attitude would not change.

But I didn't answer.

Not to a pitiful demon.

Grandville wasn't that kind.

Thousands, no, tens of thousands...

No, an uncountable number of silver needles floated in the air.

[Pure Silver Fur]

[Grade: Magic]

[Limit: None]

[Effect: None]

[Description: It looks like fur, but its essence is pure silver. While the absolute value of silver is not high, it may be recognized as valuable depending on its use.]

This was also a result of my struggle to use everything to its fullest.

A material item obtained from a silver-maned leopard during sword training.

I had discovered the possibility of using it as a weapon.

Realizing that possibility.

A creative manifestation of magic, something a [Skill] could never match.

Swoosh─

Each strand became my weapon.

There was no reason to regret using the material item.

Just like a silver dagger.

With [Reversal Magic], it could be restored to its original state.

There was no hesitation.

Swoosh─!

Tens of thousands of silver needles rushed towards Baek Yiseul.

Since the material item had no attack power.

Its destructive power depended solely on my magic power.

So I didn't expect it to end in one strike.

I really didn't.

"Ugh, aaaaah!!"

Thud─

Even when Baek Yiseul collapsed to the floor.

At first, I thought it was an act.

...Even if you're a high-level demon?

Even if I had grown rapidly.

The magic I just used wasn't a proper attack spell.

It was merely a simple restraint based on alchemy.

So I had my doubts.

Indeed, the despicable demon was pretending to be dead, I thought.

But I was wrong.

[Level up.]

[Level up.]

[Level up.]...

The messages appearing told me.

That the entity possessing Baek Yiseul's body was truly a high-level demon.

And that I had grown enough to crush such a high-level demon.

I was taken aback.

...Wait. How many levels is this?