Chapter 95

◈ Chapter 95. The Misconception Ends Here

'No matter how great you are, in the end, you're just a human.'

The demon of the true name, Akampatam, swallowed his smile.

He knew very well how remarkable Karimzeba was.

The Fire Dragon, they called him.

Even if we set aside his fame in the Arcana Continent for a moment.

The mana surging from his body was truly formidable.

'I might end up burning to death if I speak rashly.'

However, this was not the Arcana Continent.

A completely different world from the Arcana Continent.

Since he knew more about this world than Karimzeba did.

"You're right. I was hasty."

At least, he could avoid bowing his head.

"Yes, I was a bit too harsh. We need to help each other."

Of course, there was no need to engage in a power struggle with such a monster.

Akampatam accepted the apology generously.

Then, he sat down on the sofa.

'Let's do some calculations first.'

Hoo─

He lit a cigarette and started to think.

The heir of a wealthy family.

Despite his ordinary human body, stripped of his status.

His mind, however, was sharp enough to weigh the pros and cons.

Why, as you can see now.

He prioritizes his own pleasure over others' lives, doesn't he?

'In a way, he might be even more ruthless than I am.'

That's what his mind was telling him.

'This is not a proposal that appeals to me at all.'

A higher demon?

Even if the resurrection were successful.

There would be no benefit to him.

On the contrary, it would only bring losses.

'All the evil energy would be directed towards the great demon lord.'

I'm content with my current life, as insignificant as it is.

Chirp─!

In short, it's a situation where I'm stepping in dog shit and can't move.

He couldn't help but apply more force to extinguish the cigarette.

"I need news from the Magic Tower. It's not difficult, you know. This world is quite convenient. You don't even need magic; just a few taps on your fingers, and you can get the information you want."

Swish─

He took out his smartphone.

Karimzeba's pupils trembled slightly.

What a bumpkin.

Akampatam chuckled and put on a show.

"However, as you well know, the Magic Tower is a very conservative group. Even the circulating information is nothing but speculation. All of it is inaccurate hearsay. Ah, do you know what 'hearsay' means?"

His demeanor changed immediately at the joke.

Thud, thud, thud─

The furniture around them began to vibrate from the surging mana.

'Does this old man lack self-awareness?'

He didn't realize the mana he was emitting.

If I mishandle this, I might end up dead.

Akampatam hurried to continue.

"But who am I? I have my ways, that's what I'm saying."

"Methods. Can you tell me about them?"

"Of course. Now that we're in the same boat."

Then, he slid─

and handed over his contact information.

"I don't know how a mere demon like us might appear to you. But we all have our minds. We wear human disguises and operate in various parts of this world."

He knew.

When Karimzeba nodded, he continued.

"Of course, the number? It's more than you, Karimzeba, think. And their abilities? While they might not be much in the Arcana Continent, they are quite useful in this world."

"Get to the point."

"The point is simple. The Magic Tower isn't just populated by those from the Arcana Continent, is it?"

Karimzeba immediately understood.

"…You're talking about the adventurer, Lee Ho-yeol."

"Correct! We demons have one who has made contact with this Lee Ho-yeol."

"…!"

There's a demon who has made contact with Lee Ho-yeol…?

Karimzeba knew well the unique power of demons.

Even if Lee Ho-yeol was a top student recognized by Marcello.

The power of a demon could cloud his judgment, regardless of his abilities.

'Just like the other elders and Banggureet.'

It could cloud his judgment.

'I can definitely obtain accurate information about the Magic Tower.'

Moreover, if I use Lee Ho-yeol?

Could I achieve even more?

Akampatam smiled and continued.

"From your expression, I can tell you have an idea. But it's not easy, even from the perspective of the Arcana Continent. And from the perspective of this world. Lee Ho-yeol is not an ordinary person."

Rumble─

The connections of a wealthy family.

The scroll, which had been scrolling endlessly, finally stopped.

"But there is one who managed to do it."

"A possibility, you say."

"Of course, for the sake of the great demon lord, I will naturally cooperate."

Akampatam deliberately twisted his words.

No matter how much he thought about it.

It still didn't appeal to him at all.

'Damn, I can't back out either.'

Of course, it's not something he could refuse.

'Why would I become ashes?'

In short, if I don't want to die, I have no choice.

Moreover, being a demon.

He knew how other demons would react.

'I might not even get a response.'

Especially if I mention that it's related to the demon lord's resurrection.

They might block me instead of cooperating.

However.

His calculating mind had come up with a plan.

'…In the end, I need a sacrifice, don't I?'

Demon worshippers.

I don't know their exact plans.

But to resurrect a demon lord, especially a higher demon lord, a large number of sacrifices are needed.

Akampatam's mind turned viciously.

If I can intercept those sacrifices…

'I can gain power on par with a higher demon lord…!'

'I can use this as a pretext to draw him in.'

Not to resurrect the demon lord.

But to intercept the sacrifices needed for the resurrection.

If I say that, I can also obtain information about Lee Ho-yeol.

'Of course, I'll have to stab him in the back, but…'

It's easier than pulling out now and surviving.

It's a matter of life and death.

The calculations were done.

"But, I also have a condition."

Now, he just needed to cleverly present the bill.

"As someone who's in the same boat, I think it's necessary for you to tell me exactly what your plan is."

He didn't need to gauge the mood.

The surging mana already conveyed the discomfort.

But Akampatam didn't back down.

"I just don't want to fail. For our great Karimzeba, a single failure might not be a problem. But for a weak demon like me, the situation is different."

Karimzeba, who had been silent, nodded.

"Very well."

Of course, Akampatam wasn't satisfied with that.

Even if he knew the plan.

Preparation was still needed to intercept it.

"Also, while I'm carrying out the plan, I would appreciate it if you could remain quiet."

"…?"

"I know it's presumptuous, but isn't Karimzeba's mana quite noticeable right now? Let us, the experts in stealth, handle the plan."

The reason he could say this was simple.

Karimzeba still didn't understand how this society worked.

'Right now, he's just a frog that has just left the well, not a Fire Dragon.'

Swish─

Sure enough, Karimzeba stood up.

Then, he spoke softly.

"I'll wait for news about Lee Ho-yeol."

In other words, he accepted the proposal.

Akampatam's black pupils sparkled as he replied.

"Of course. I'll bring you good news."

Teleport.

Karimzeba disappeared from the hotel room.

Akampatam didn't hesitate.

He smiled viciously.

"The fool has been hooked."

He immediately sent a message.

Since he had caught a big fish.

He needed to reel it in quickly.

*

Myth Group.

Myth Guild.

The guild master, Baek Yisul, listened to the briefing.

"The domestic brand preference of Myth Guild has increased by 4.8 percentage points compared to last month. For the first time since the guild's establishment, it has recorded a two-month consecutive increase…"

Once lost, trust is hard to regain.

This was true for the Myth Guild, which had become unpopular due to its actions.

However, as the graph showed, the image of the Myth Guild was rebounding.

"The reason for this is the changed attitude of the new owner…"

It was all thanks to the Kingdom of Yusra.

Yes, thanks to Ho-yeol.

Looking at the data on the screen, she felt a renewed sense of appreciation.

'At first, it was really…'

It felt like eating bitter medicine.

The conditions Ho-yeol had presented were truly.

For the Myth Guild, it was like being told to dig for dirt to make a living.

Of course, she owed Ho-yeol a great debt.

Baek Yisul boldly signed the contract.

And this was the result.

"The bold investment by Myth Guild and the Myth Group has, in turn, resonated with the public."

The impact of Ho-yeol was greater than she had expected.

When deciding to invest, she hadn't even hoped for such results.

The Myth Guild was regaining trust that couldn't be bought with money, bribes, or connections.

After all the briefings, Baek Yisul spoke.

"Now, we won't hear people say, 'Where's Myth?'"

"Hehe, that's right."

"Honestly, we still have a lot to improve, but I'll work harder."

The playful banter.

The small laughs.

The relaxed atmosphere in the meeting room.

It clearly showed the changed image of the Myth Guild.

Click─

Baek Yisul returned to her office.

The newspaper on her desk.

On the front page, as expected, was Ho-yeol's face.

- The appearance of the World Tree… How much does Lee Ho-yeol know?

- AAU side, "We are also perplexed. We want to talk to Lee Ho-yeol…"

- Gaon, Inazuma, Berserker… Is a coalition of the strongest guilds forming?

Her hand naturally reached for the newspaper.

"Hmm."

Baek Yisul stared at the newspaper.

No, at Ho-yeol's article photo.

With a more serious expression than during the meeting.

"How did you manage to avoid any humiliating photos?"

The auto-complete search term when you type 'Baek Yisul' on a search engine.

[Baek Yisul humiliation]

"Perfect."

The image of her being turned away was forever floating on the internet.

Of course, there was a more shameful black history.

Rumors of affairs in the entertainment and political circles.

Going further, being called a femme fatale, and so on.

Even the outfits that were shocking to look at now, even through the gaps of her hands.

"…Of course, I should be grateful for life just thinking about it."

Yes, even if the humiliating photos were preserved.

To Baek Yisul, Ho-yeol was no less than a benefactor.

If it weren't for Ho-yeol, she would still be in that state!

"Just thinking about it is terrifying, really."

Shiver.

Baek Yisul rubbed her goosebumps.

Then, she looked at Ho-yeol's photo again.

"…"

The silver hair.

The dignified gaze.

The usual expressionless face.

Was it because his expression was always the same?

There was no flaw from any angle.

But Baek Yisul knew.

"Still, photos can't capture the real thing."

The neat blouse and skirt.

The serious expression while looking at the newspaper.

Anyone would see Baek Yisul as a CEO who understands the times.

"Photos can't capture that dignity and formality."

It's not just empty praise.

She was also a believer in the Ho-yeol religion.

Who could guess?

Baek Yisul just looked like she was handling important business.

If you have a good sense, no one would interrupt her.

Buzz─

But, unfortunately.

Baek Yisul's smartphone vibrated.

It was a message.

When she checked the sender, she was startled.

"Jang Hyundo…?"

Jang Hyundo, the heir of the Jangsun Group.

A figure in the business world like herself.

It was natural to know his name.

"I wonder…"

But they weren't close enough to exchange private messages.

That was simple.

A blurry period.

A time when she was possessed by a succubus.

'Already, my head is pounding.'

She had suffered quite a bit dealing with the aftermath.

The succubus's influence and the memory loss.

While their memories were erased, the victims had evidence.

Her contact information and the messages they exchanged remained.

"Already, I'm dreading what he might say…"

I saw you in my dream.

It seems we have a connection.

Did we have a special relationship?

Why did it have to be a succubus when I was possessed?

Baek Yisul sighed and checked the message.

Immediately, her face hardened.

-Succubus. I have a proposal that might interest you. It's related to the demon lord.

"…Succubus?"

Jang Hyundo was calling her a succubus.

The meaning was simple.

Jang Hyundo was not a victim of the succubus.

Jang Hyundo was a demon or a former demon possessor.

Moreover, it was related to the demon lord…?

Baek Yisul calmed her racing heart.

"Demon, demon lord. I don't know what you're talking about, but…"

One thing was certain.

Jang Hyundo had some kind of plan.

A plan related to the demon lord,

A plan so significant that it required the involvement of another demon.

But Jang Hyundo, the demon, lacked one thing.

Perception.

Baek Yisul didn't hesitate.

No, it was as if she had been waiting for this.

She immediately called Ho-yeol…

"…Ah."

But first, she left a message.

Yes, no matter how urgent it was.

She had to maintain etiquette.

*

Jang Hyundo, the heir of the Jangsun Group.

And the demon lord.

Just those two words were enough to confirm.

'I found it.'

The demon worshippers, and the demons.

You've been thinking, haven't you?

To borrow the power of the wealthy.

At least, you understand how Korea works.

But no matter how quickly you adapt to this world,

'Can you know it better than I, who was born here?'

Maybe in the Arcana Continent.

But in reality, I have my own experience.

"I'll open a portal to the coordinates immediately."

Marcello said solemnly.

I understand his feelings, but it's not necessary.

The reason the demon possessed Jang Hyundo was simple.

'They trust it.'

No need to go far.

Baek Yisul, and Maeda, the Japanese politician.

The demon that possessed the politician was