#2 I’ll Do Whatever I Want, So What?

Demon extermination.

Exterminating demons is an exorcist’s job. It’s not strange to commission Wol-ryeong, an exorcist, for that.

But the fact that this man is the client is strange. More than that, the ones making the request should be the very enemies Wol-ryeong needs to exterminate.

“I told you it was a win-win, didn’t I? Exorcist-nim, you came here to somehow deal with this fog that’s making people outside disappear, didn’t you? You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“Of course I haven’t forgotten.”

I remember all the reasons and purposes for coming to this foggy city. …It might be a memory manipulated by hypnosis, but at least for now, I feel no discomfort with it.

‘Manager Lee Ji-hye’s request. The reward is an artifact to break the succubus’s curse. The goal is to search for and rescue the missing members of the Exorcist Association and ordinary citizens, and to eliminate the fog anomaly that has occurred. And to become the Chairman’s personal Dick House and provide sexual services. Additionally, practical training as a public Flesh Urinal on the streets… Hmm, for now, none of it seems out of place.’

As I organized my thoughts and looked at the Chairman again, he smiled contentedly, as if he could continue the conversation.

“You’ve been continuously investigating whenever you had a chance over the past month, haven’t you? And you must have found out that I have nothing to do with the fog surrounding this city. All the causes, the culprits, and the core are separate. I’m just piggybacking on it and using it a little.”

“You’re trying to eat rice cooked by others for free, you cheap bastard.”

“Call me wise. Well, this is a matter of survival for me too. Even if it’s a bit cheap, that’s the wisdom of life and a way of survival.”

“Enough of that,” he said, continuing his words.

“I’m not the only one of my kind, you know? There are many dominant demons inside this foggy city. I want to ask Exorcist-nim to deal with them. ─I guarantee it, you will surely achieve your desired goal in that process, Exorcist-nim.”

* * *

This foggy city is divided into seven districts, and each district has dominant demons.

They attract people from outside the fog in their own ways, and live under the control of the regional dominators. By living, they are exploited of something by the demons who rule them.

There are demons who operate alone in their territories, and demons who team up with lower-ranking demons, and sometimes they even intentionally cultivate minor demons to exploit residents from them in the form of contracts.

The methods of domination vary greatly from territory to territory, but you can’t know their actual form without seeing them directly.

Also, while there are completely open territories, there are also territories that are completely closed off and isolated from the outside. Thanks to this, the information that can be obtained also varies greatly.

In addition, the area around this mansion, built on the ridge, is also one of the seven divided districts.

However, this place was originally the territory of an Imugi, and the Imugi, whose sole purpose was to accumulate power for shedding its skin, did not actively try to attract people.

Thanks to that, this place is an empty space with nothing and no one.

In such an empty place, a place where only demons could sense the terrifying presence of a powerful being, the Chairman boldly snuck in and has been acting as the master.

“First, I’d like you to exterminate the demon in the adjacent district. It’s a demon that gathers people in the form of a religion, leads them, mass-produces people’s lustful energy, and is rapidly growing. If we leave it as is, it’s sure to become troublesome.”

A blurry holographic map floated in the air.

On the image created by the demon’s magic, the Chairman moved his hand and pointed to one district.

That must be the destination. Indeed, it’s not far from the ridge where this mansion is located.

‘Seven….’

Each area was marked with colors on the map.

A city space close to a circle. Divided into seven sections. Among them, what stood out was the central space, the only one occupying the middle among the seven. It was noticeably wider than other areas.

After all, wouldn’t that be the most likely place? To find a way to solve this fog anomaly.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, which was thinking that, the Chairman interjected.

“You’re really simple. I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

“…What?”

“This central district here is just overtly dangerous. If you just barge in without any preparation or investigation, you’ll suffer terribly.”

Who do you take me for, an idiot? Still, I’ll prepare thoroughly.

More than that, I don’t deny the assumption that this is the core and the culprit. He might have tried to induce a misunderstanding, but there’s a possibility.

“Regarding the territorial dominators, I’ve only grasped two of the remaining six districts and secured means to enter them. One of those districts has circumstances that prevent me from sending you in right now. Inevitably, only this one place I just mentioned remains as a destination. Do you understand?”

“Circumstances, what kind of circumstances?”

“There’s no need to tell you specifically. Well, if I had to say, I received a request.”

Even with that explanation, I couldn’t understand or accept it.

But it seemed he had no intention of convincing me in the first place, so he didn’t add any further explanation.

Da-om, sitting next to me, continued to fondle and caress my body with sticky hands.

Barely enduring the feeling that a switch might flip and my thoughts would dull, I glared at the Chairman.

“…So you’re commissioning me to exterminate the dominant demon in this next district, is that right?”

“That’s right. You summarized it well. That’s exactly what I mean. I’ll send all the people from the areas liberated from the demons outside the fog. I promise you on my name.”

“What about the reward?”

“How straightforward. I really like that professional attitude. Prioritizing the reward above all else shows wisdom. As for the reward, I’ll prepare one more of what you received during the Imugi incident. I’ll prepare one for each dominant demon you deal with, and if you complete all my requests, I’ll add five more on top of that.”

The reward received during the Imugi subjugation. The gold bars and jewels were worth enough to make one’s eyes pop out.

Still, thinking it might be fake since a demon gave it, I checked it first, but at least according to my verification, it was clearly real.

Just in case, I cut off a part of a gold bar, and even used a spell that required gold as a medium.

Seeing that the spell was definitely executed, it was clear that it wasn’t a fake created by illusion or trickery.

I need money due to circumstances. A lot, a lot.

I had been uncertain when I would be able to gather that much money, but if I receive all the rewards he offered, I can reach my target amount in one go. In fact, it would be more than enough.

“Besides that, there’s enticing information. I intend to provide it if you accept the request. Furthermore, I won’t spare any expense or assistance needed to complete the request.”

He slightly raised his chin, as if to say, “How about this much?”

Undoubtedly exceptional. Conversely, it’s hard to find a reason to refuse his offer.

From what I hear, it’s about exterminating demons that harm people, and there’s a high possibility of gaining new information about this foggy city during the extermination process.

Even to search for my comrades, I’d have to go to places where people gather and conduct investigations, and if I can get help with such searches, I’d want it.

Moreover, the biggest thing is the enormous reward. That cannot be ignored. Even if it means licking a demon’s foot, I want to receive it.

“Have you made up your mind, Exorcist-nim? I know it’s hard to accept emotionally. But we are civilized people, aren’t we? Let’s choose a more rational, a wiser option.”

However, even so.

“…Your purpose.”

“Hmm?”

“What is your purpose? Why are you trying to deal with the demons in other districts?”

The Chairman was silent for a moment.

But as if he had expected such a question, he soon grinned and answered.

“To restore this place to its original form──『Paradise』.”

With his answer, and seeing his face, I finally came to a conclusion.

* * *

“I refuse.”

That was Wol-ryeong’s answer.

Even after hearing the refusal, the Chairman had a beaming smile.

“Why? You can solve the problem of this foggy city, save people, and receive a reward, can’t you?”

“Are you asking just to talk? Why would I trust and accept the words of a demon, and a guy who’s in league with demons? I’d rather die than do it!”

Wol-ryeong said that and showed her middle finger. As if to say, “Eat this.”

“I’ll handle the investigation and resolution myself. I’ll save the people myself. As for the reward, there’s no problem at all. Because I can just beat you guys up directly and take it.”

Human laws don’t apply to demons.

In other words, torturing them as much as I want is no problem. Beating up and interrogating demons, is nothing for Wol-ryeong, a veteran, an expert, and a genius.

At Wol-ryeong’s confident declaration, “Everything you have is mine too,” even the Chairman seemed dumbfounded. His perpetually relaxed expression faltered slightly.

On the contrary, Da-om, as if she had fallen for Wol-ryeong again at that sight, clapped her hands and giggled, saying, “Kyaa~☆ So cool~☆ So cute☆”.

The Chairman crossed his arms and looked at the ceiling, then looked at the floor again, let out a small sigh, and then smiled again, looking at Wol-ryeong.

However, the atmosphere, or rather, the emotions he was showing, felt different from a moment ago.

“Well… honestly, I didn’t think it would work with just conversation.”

He said that, then picked up the bell that was on the desk.

Wol-ryeong didn’t know what that meant. But a vague sense of unease settled in.

Wol-ryeong tried to spring up as if to stop the Chairman, but it was already too late.

The sound of a bell, ‘ttallang-ttallang-‘, rang out.

Wol-ryeong, who had been pushing Da-om away and trying to stand up, froze in her awkward standing posture.

The light in her eyes vanished, and her consciousness fell into darkness.