Ch.12Hero Hunting (2)

It was frigid. The atmosphere, like thin ice, constricted one’s breath.

In a space filled with death, rough breathing echoed. The warrior gripping the sword channeled strength into his hand. The pressure emanating from Durin was overwhelming even for the warrior known as humanity’s strongest.

“……”

The blowing wind vanished. Silence enveloped the surroundings. The sound of blood droplets falling to the floor permeated the desolate atmosphere.

“Your Majesty.”

Durin broke the silence. The great demon welcomed them from within the darkness.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

He had no interest in the humans around him. His red eyes were fixed directly on the black hood standing at the front of the warrior party. Demon Lord Lucretia. Once the emperor who ruled the demon realm, but now a demon who remained an object of love and hate. In a situation where expressing anger wouldn’t be strange, Durin remained composed.

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

Lucretia also received his greeting with dignity. She was calm, as if it were an everyday occurrence, like meeting family after a brief separation. But the invisible tension passing between them caused constant friction. To Kael, the warrior who could see the flow of the world, this conversation appeared like a volcano about to erupt.

“I didn’t expect you to chase me this far. You must have done your research well. Did Ludmila help you?”

“I won’t listen to idle talk. Your Majesty. Please stop this and return to the castle.”

“Ugh. Couldn’t you at least answer before getting to the point? It’s suffocating.”

“That’s what I want to say. Please answer quickly.”

“Hmm. Well…”

Lucretia dragged out her words.

The Demon Lord’s distinctive yellow eyes visible beneath the black hood looked indifferent. The answer was already decided. She was looking at Durin, but her demonic energy flowing around was enveloping the warrior. It seemed to be signaling how she would act if Durin showed his power.

“I don’t really want to go back. Durin.”

The Demon Lord was resolute. She had no intention of changing her mind.

“I’m going to the gate. I need to live my life my way. Not being dragged around by that so-called duty.”

“…”

“So, so you see. This is really unavoidable, isn’t it?”

“Your Majesty.”

“To send you back, I have no choice but to do this.”

The softly uttered words signaled the beginning.

KWAAAA-

Demonic energy shot up into the sky, breaking the quiet night. A thick purple energy, incomparable to before, engulfed the abandoned temple. A greedy and violent force, as if it would devour all life in the world. It was the moment when the Demon Lord’s true form, hidden under the black hood, was revealed to the world.

“I’ll warn you. This is the first and last time.”

“I cannot allow that.”

“I told you to move aside. Durin.”

KWANG!

Demonic energy shot out like an arrow and exploded beside Durin. Debris scattered around him as he stood still. Another scratch was added to his already battered, rough armor. Durin caressed the small wound.

“I’ve waited for a long time serving you. Even if you lacked qualifications, I believed you would eventually gain the authority befitting a king.”

He spoke to Lucretia, who was about to shoot another blast of demonic energy.

“Because the previous Demon Lord was certain, I did not doubt. As the guardian of the castle, I swore to fulfill my duty and watch over you until you grew.”

KANG!

This time there was a sharp sound. Demonic energy had directly hit Durin’s helmet. But this time, no wound appeared. Instead, a haze-like energy began to emanate from Durin. At the same time, his red eyes burned more intensely than ever.

“But I’m giving up. Ten years of devotion to someone like you. I think I’ve tried hard enough.”

Durin picked up his sword. The massive blade that appeared from within the black demonic energy aimed precisely at the Demon Lord.

“So don’t think you’ll leave here unscathed. Traitor Lucretia.”

At that moment, the world reversed. The space dominated by the Demon Lord’s power was pushed back. Durin’s red demonic energy began to burn everything.

Black and red.

Countless collisions erupted from the sky split in half. Two demons facing each other tensely. The first to move was the Demon Lord.

“Warrior! Prepare for battle!”

The thunderous cry awakened the party. They quickly moved into action.

With Durin at the center, Kael and the dwarf warrior took the front line, while the mage began casting a large spell. The elf archer, who had nimbly distanced herself to the back row to buy time, immediately drew her bowstring.

PING!

An arrow that signaled the start of the real battle grazed the helmet.

Durin walked forward slowly. The demonic energy surrounding him like fog continuously pushed power into him. When he was almost at the critical point, Durin put strength into his feet.

Crack-

In a split second, time seemed to slow down. His red eyes locked onto his enemies.

The Demon Lord in the sky. The warrior and dwarf at the front. The protected mage and the isolated elf. That’s the one.

BOOM!!

Durin charged forward with a massive explosion. The Demon Lord and warrior reacted to stop him, but couldn’t match his speed.

Fear overtook the elf. The archer hurriedly tried to draw a dagger, but it was too late.

“Kyaak!”

The swung sword shattered the elf’s bow as it passed. Her frail body was thrown back and rolled on the ground.

“Eliya!”

The warrior manifested his holy power. White energy enveloped the elf. Not stopping there, Kael charged forward with his sword raised.

KAGAGANG!! KANG!

Sharp metallic sounds rang out. Kael put strength into his hands. With the momentum to cut down Durin with his sword, he explosively released his holy power.

Though Durin’s demonic energy was too thick to penetrate, it bought a moment of time. The dwarf warrior who had joined in swung his axe.

“Hyaacha!”

With a spirited shout, a heavy explosive sound grazed Durin’s shoulder. As he twisted his body to avoid the attack, the warrior rushed in again. After blocking with his forearm and kicking him away, the Demon Lord, who had spotted an opening, rushed in for close combat.

BOOM!!

A fist wrapped in black demonic energy struck Durin hard. Even as he slid back raising dust, the Demon Lord didn’t miss the opportunity and immediately followed up.

A fist came in from above. When blocked, black demonic energy aimed for his stomach without pause. Durin spun his body once to deflect the Demon Lord. As their positions switched, the warrior and dwarf warrior rushed in. Their weapons drew lines aiming at Durin. But they couldn’t reach him.

Instead, they were thrown back, unable to withstand the force emitted by Durin.

“Kuk!”

“Kael, get out of there!”

As the space opened, the mage entered Durin’s sight. A massive magic circle was manifested. Countless rune characters inscribed within the large circle began to resonate with the world. At the same time, the mage shouted.

“Disappear!”

KWAAANG-!

The condensed magical power exploded. The shot magical bullet engulfed Durin. Blue light illuminated the sky, scattering with enough force to blow away everything in that spot. Dust covered the view. The remnants of the magical power settled as particles. Despite this, the mage didn’t let go of his tension.

The great demon won’t end with just this. Surely…

“Not bad.”

A hand suddenly appeared from the obscured view and grabbed the mage’s neck. Durin appeared without a single scratch. A terrible and sharp sensation ran up the mage’s neck. The mage trembled. The hidden fear began to creep up again.

“P-please spare…”

Crack!

The voice flowing from the pressed neck was cut off. With a dull sound, the mage’s body went limp. It was too empty an end for a member of the warrior party. When all the dust left by the remnants of the great magic disappeared, only Durin was standing there.

“E-Eili…”

The startled warrior stammered. The fiercely rising holy power wavered, losing its direction. Trembling eyes looked at the lifeless mage. Durin turned around and faced the warrior.

“Do you feel like fighting in earnest now?”

Thud! The corpse fell from the demon’s grasp. The limp body didn’t move. Farewell had come in an instant.

“Durin.”

The warrior called the demon’s name. There was no will in it. Only a burning heart remained.

“Durin.”

He repeated the name once more. The color of the holy power changed. The pure white energy was invaded by red battle aura.

“DURIN!”

This time it was a cry close to a scream. The warrior’s power burst forth, splitting the ground. A power no less than that of the Demon Lord and Durin who divided the demon realm revealed its fierce claws. Holy power consumed by emotion was violent like a demon because it was unrefined.

“Now it’s getting interesting.”

Durin loosened his hands and faced the enraged warrior. Three remained. Excluding the inconspicuous dwarf, the situation had actually improved in terms of fighting power. That’s why he was pleased. As the trial mentioned by the prophetic witch grew stronger, the demon’s instinct stirred.

Happiness and ecstasy felt in the face of the enormous fate that forced him to send away the king.

If he couldn’t secure the result, he intended to destroy everything except the king.

#

“What an impossible monster.”

Dwarf warrior Turan clicked his tongue. It was like watching a war waged over the world. The red warrior and the even greater demon’s confrontation. Though he prided himself as the strongest warrior of his race, he was less than a mere soldier in front of these beings fighting beyond normal standards.

It was already burdensome just to deflect the demonic energy occasionally bouncing off. Behind him was the fallen elf.

“Damn. We can’t continue like this.”

The mage Eili was dead, and the elf was seriously injured. She almost lost her life to Durin’s first attack, but the blessing of the World Tree saved her. But that was all. Anyway, the outcome of this battle depended on how the warrior fought.

Currently, they were evenly matched, so there seemed to be enough possibility. But the problem was what came next. Demon clans would gather. The power of the Demon Lord and the great demon ahead had announced their presence throughout the demon realm, so it wouldn’t be strange if armies gathered at any moment.

“At least it’s fortunate we brought the demon with us.”

If the Demon Lord was present, she would provide sufficient deterrence. If they prepared to retreat at this timing…

“What?”

The sensation he felt then was discomfort. A question arose in Turan’s mind. We were clearly traveling with the Demon Lord.

Since the Demon Lord’s power was needed to escape through the gate, we had no choice but to accept despite the unpleasantness. I thought she had earned her keep just with her performance in the recent battle.

But now?

Looking around, the Demon Lord was nowhere to be seen. She had disappeared somewhere, leaving only her distinctive black demonic energy. The battle was now solely on the warrior’s shoulders.

At that moment, he sensed something ominous. Turan turned his head to look at the altar. The temple, now completely half-destroyed by the battle’s aftermath. There was a small door somewhere on one of the remaining walls. And the Demon Lord was trying to leave through it. She was escaping while Durin was held up by the warrior.

“You, you!”

Is she trying to survive alone while the party is completely falling apart?

Turan entrusted himself to instinct. The boiling anger urged him to chase after the Demon Lord, regardless of the battle in front of him. Durin, seeing this, briefly turned his attention to the dwarf, but couldn’t maintain it as the warrior rushed in.

BOOM!!

“Your opponent is here! Durin!”

A massive storm turned the area into a wasteland. Turan jumped over the breaking ground and inserted himself into the door.

Due to rushing in hastily, he rolled on the floor several times. Only after hitting walls and stairs multiple times could the dwarf warrior land on the floor. He immediately got up.

The place he arrived at was a small underground cave. Amid the constant dust raised by the vibrations created by the warrior and Durin, the Demon Lord stood. With her hood pulled back, she was manipulating demonic energy in her hands, looking at the gate in front of her. The escape route that the party had struggled to find to leave for the human realm. Unable to contain himself any longer, Turan burst out in anger.

“Are you trying to escape alone! Demon Lord!”

He gripped his axe firmly. He didn’t care about the situation outside. Even if death awaited at the end of this already twisted affair, he wanted to vent his anger. Turan charged forward.

But the power gap was too great. The dwarf’s anger was pitifully small before her.

“What are you doing? This.”

She merely flicked her index finger. With that butterfly wing-like small movement, the dwarf fell to his knees. A force incomparably stronger than before pressed down on him. The demonic energy she had spread outside now seemed like a child’s toy in comparison. Turan could only writhe with his head pressed to the ground.

“Really. I let you travel with me, and now you’re trying to match me.”

Demon Lord Lucretia lightly flicked her hand. She had started the gate. An alien wave spread throughout the basement. Space began to distort. That appearance, like a crack, began to gather around the Demon Lord.

The end of the story approaches. Lucretia smiled.

“Me and the warrior in love? You really believed that when I said it?”

She looked down at the fallen dwarf. Eyes full of contempt looked at him as if he were a bug.

“Did you think you were something because you’re revered in the human realm? Did you think you could defeat everyone except your master angels because you hunt demons in the demon realm? That’s all an illusion. You think it’s real because we play along when we want to fight.”

Kuk kuk. Mockery leaked out. In sync with this, the gate entered its final stage. A beam of light shot up through the ceiling. A new star was created in the night sky of the chaotic demon realm. The Demon Lord looked up at the magnificent sight and laughed.

“Hahaha! Thanks to you, I can finally escape. From this cursed continent.”

That was her last word. The beam of light that brightly illuminated the demon realm disappeared, leaving a long tail. The Demon Lord went with it. All that remained was the fading black demonic energy losing its power and a few corpses.

Both the warrior and the demon had fallen.

#

“She’s gone.”

Durin was also watching that scene. The great flow of the world that the prophetic witch had spoken of. The fate arranged by God.

The Demon Lord had departed for the human realm. She had left the demon’s hands. Now everyone would feel it. The throne of the demon realm was empty. A power vacuum of a different dimension from before would render the entire demon realm powerless.

He lowered his sword. With the situation over, there was no need to fight anymore. Knowing the result, there was no anger.

Rather, he felt relieved. Because he, who always had to endure, could vent his frustrations on someone.

“……”

The broken body of the warrior attested to that. The body with one arm missing had lost its sword. The artifact that had manifested holy power was scattered on the floor as pieces of iron. Compared to Durin’s unwounded body, it was miserable.

Still, being humanity’s strongest warrior, he was still breathing. Though he looked like he might cross over to death at any moment, like his companions.

The mage was already dead, so she was an exception.

“Did you help the Demon Lord escape expecting this?”

Durin lowered himself to meet the eyes of the fallen warrior. The blood-soaked face did not answer. But his twitching eyebrows showed the slight anger that remained.

“You must feel wronged. You too had your own circumstances for doing this. You didn’t expect such a miserable end.”

“……”

“If you’re a warrior, you surely move according to God’s will. Then it means your God wanted your death. Abandoned warrior.”

Now he is no longer the chosen one. No one will see his monstrous appearance and recall the image of a holy warrior.

Durin recalled a conversation he once had with the witch. She asked like this:

-When you face that fate you cannot resist, how will you act?

His answer was simple:

-Before a power I cannot resist, there is only one thing I can do.

-You shouldn’t give in to the world so easily.

The will to struggle no matter what trial comes. Not to remain still. That’s why he could pioneer a new path.

-You said the Demon Lord is fated to return to the human realm.

-That’s right, Durin.

-Then may I ask if the warrior also shares the same fate?

-I think that’s in your hands.

The future she spoke of unfolded before his eyes. Durin held the warrior’s lifeline. He could snap his neck now and end this warrior’s attack in tragedy.

But Durin, as he had said before, did not think of ending it easily.

“Abandoned human warrior. There’s something I want to ask you.”

He said, putting his sword into the demonic energy.

“Do you want to end the story like this?”