Ch.195195. Demon’s Tale

Wish.

In other words, you could also call it desire.

As I listened to Learic’s words, I too became curious.

I’ve lived my entire life in tension.

Just having the spiritual sight to see ghosts meant I couldn’t live the same life as others.

My abnormal existence melted into their ordinary daily lives.

Ghosts were visible everywhere, and the moment they realized I could see them, they would follow me around until I was sick of it.

Because of that, it was important to maintain an expressionless face everywhere, and I couldn’t be startled or afraid of their grotesque appearances.

My emotions gradually dulled due to this abnormal way of life.

Since wanting something often led to getting hurt and disappointed, I merely existed.

Yes, just flowing along with life.

‘And then I came to this place.’

It might sound a bit ridiculous, but life on this continent was much more comfortable than living in my previous world.

First of all, I gained the power to drive away evil spirits.

That alone could be considered enough to fulfill my life, but.

“Now, what is your wish?”

I suddenly became curious.

The conviction in dealing with the dead, the pride in saving the continent.

When all of that was cast aside, what did I truly desire?

So I focused in silence on the white light Learic held out, and there.

A blue prairie stretched out.

A cool breeze blew, making the lush vegetation sway gently with the wind.

On this picturesque landscape that seemed to extend endlessly, a man was walking steadily forward.

“Hmm?”

Learic was startled and confused when this unfamiliar man appeared.

But my eyes were fixed solely on him.

As if mesmerized, staring intently.

The scenery changed.

Heavy rain poured down, and the once blue sky darkened with storm clouds. Along with lightning striking the earth.

The man was still walking.

It continued afterward.

Coastlines, snowy fields, deserts, rocky mountains.

The man walked through numerous terrains solely on his own feet.

Did he have a destination?

Probably not.

That’s why he could walk so aimlessly.

“It’s a path of asceticism.”

This time Learic muttered while watching the man walking through a dense jungle.

But his impression was the opposite of mine.

This is.

“A journey.”

The walking man.

Shinwoo Kim was in the middle of a journey.

He feels everything through his skin.

Not heading toward somewhere specific, but enjoying every path he walks.

A numbing emotion arose in me, and I realized that I truly and intensely desired that.

Though it might look like a simple journey, the great demon before me would never understand the meaning implied in that scenery.

Learic closed his hand.

With that, the scenery disappeared, and pitch-black darkness settled once again.

“I’m a bit perplexed.”

Scratching his chin, Learic showed an awkward smile.

“Usually when showing one’s true desire, the person themselves appears, but in your case, it was a completely different person.”

It seems he’s puzzled that Shinwoo Kim appeared instead of Deus Verdi.

“That’s me.”

“…Pardon?”

“The Shinwoo Kim you mentioned. That’s the name of the human who just appeared, and who I originally was.”

Learic pressed his lips tightly shut for a moment. If he hadn’t, he would have involuntarily let out a gasp, judging by his expression.

During the brief silence, his mind worked quickly and came up with an answer.

“I see. So that’s what the name Shinwoo Kim meant. You’ve usurped Deus Verdi’s body!”

Strictly speaking, I received it, but there was no need to correct him.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

A dull applause sound erupted due to his white gloves.

Learic, who had shown interest until just now, was now looking at me with excitement.

“Deception! Your very existence is deception toward others! No, how can such a human exist! How can there be such a lovable man!”

Vellica, the great demon of deformity.

Learic, the great demon of deception.

And even Magan, who was the great demon of gluttony.

Seeing how they all showed their own form of affection toward me, I thought what a strange life I led.

“I want you, I invite you to my mansion.”

“You seem to be misunderstanding something.”

Whoosh.

Blue flames rose from my left hand.

Black chains hidden in the darkness flew toward his neck with a passionate sound.

Clank!

With the chains wrapped around his neck, I thrust my left hand forward and struck his chest.

Blue flames spread throughout his body and began to burn with the sound of crackling wood.

“I came only to free the souls you’ve taken.”

To bring peace to Ophelia’s daughter and the victims who were sacrificed to her.

I had no other desires from the great demon.

But even as he burned, Learic nodded and shouted.

“Ahaha! That’s great! Very great!”

What was so great about it?

But I didn’t listen any further and reduced him to ashes.

Whoosh!

Anyway, as Vellica said.

It was obvious that no matter how many times I killed him, he would reappear mockingly.

As if responding to my expectation, Learic’s voice came from somewhere.

“I can’t sell what you desire. Because it’s already been put up as a prize.”

‘Prize?’

Not understanding what he meant, I walked steadily toward the depths of the general store where the voice came from.

He was already gone.

Only mana that felt out of place rippled on the wall of the empty general store.

‘Has he already fled?’

No, could it be considered fleeing?

In the end, it seemed there was nothing more to gain here.

Not only were there no items, but in the pitch-black darkness, I could only see the entrance that was somehow closed.

‘Closed?’

With a sudden chilling sensation, I hurriedly ran to the entrance and flung the door open.

It wasn’t my research room.

A heavy wind like a dark aura immediately greeted me. The fierce wind struck my entire body, making it difficult to open my eyes properly.

But I could clearly see where I was standing.

The entrance to a mansion with an overall subtle purple hue.

A size incomparable to the Verdi mansion in Norsweden.

The main gate was wide open as if welcoming me, and likewise, all the windows of the mansion were brightly lit.

“Huh.”

So this is what he meant by inviting me to his mansion. My temple throbbed at this absurd invitation method, but I first checked my body, not knowing what might happen next.

After rotating my right shoulder widely to check if my prosthetic arm was working properly, I immediately headed forward.

There was no point in staying still here anyway.

Also, I needed to take shelter from the hundreds of hungry gazes I felt around me.

I passed through the main gate, opened the mansion door, and entered.

Warm and cozy air enveloped my entire body. The interior of the mansion was luxuriously decorated, rivaling the Griffin royal palace.

And in front of it.

A woman sitting at the entrance, sewing something.

Despite her wretched appearance and emaciated state, she seemed to be moving her needle joyfully.

“……”

But she wasn’t mending a fallen button or repairing a torn part of clothing.

With thread in her mouth, she was diligently suturing her left wrist with her right hand, and she raised her left hand with a bright smile.

“Done!”

Her left hand wriggled grotesquely and repulsively like a crawling insect.

The woman, who had raised her head, naturally caught sight of me.

After shrinking in surprise, she quickly greeted me with a bright smile.

“Ah, a newcomer?”

“……”

Though I cautiously regarded her without saying anything, she nodded in understanding and pointed to one side of the wall with her newly attached left hand.

“The mansion rules are written over there, so read and familiarize yourself with them.”

Her tone suggested something was off. I passed by her and headed to where her left hand was pointing.

There, the mansion rules were written in large letters.

– Mongma Palace Rules –

1. A private room will be provided. Your room is 110.

‘110?’

Judging by how the number part was rippling, it seemed a spell was cast to make the number appear differently to each person.

2. Refrain from going out at night. If you do go out, you are responsible for the consequences.

The second rule seemed related to the hungry gazes I felt outside earlier.

3. The owner of this mansion is Great Demon Learic. Always remember that.

4. Guests are allowed up to the third floor.

5. The total duration of stay at Mongma Palace is five days, after which forced eviction will occur.

6. Combat activities within Mongma Palace are not recommended.

7. The clock is located in the center of the first floor. Don’t waste others’ time by asking them for the time.

8. If you are expelled from Mongma Palace after five days, you will lose all memories of what happened here.

9. Rules about Mongma Palace are written throughout the mansion. Find them for prizes.

10. Among the guests-

The 10th rule was cut off in the middle. Wondering what on earth was going on, I slowly turned around to find the woman who had been sitting on the floor staring at me with wide eyes.

Her dreamy eyes were so eerie they gave me a chill.

“Your body looks so easy to handle. Being thin, your bones seem easy to break. And your skin is thin, making it good for a summer cloak.”

The woman licked her lips as she looked at me covetously. Though she was drooling, it was more like she wanted me as research material rather than prey.

I was about to express my disgust when.

Click, clack.

The sound of footsteps coming down the stairs to the first floor.

Hearing those footsteps, the woman who had been suturing her hand hurriedly gathered her thread and needle and began to flee down the left corridor.

As if afraid of the being coming down now. Without looking back.

“Learic brought someone else again.”

The one who came down the stairs was a woman.

But this time, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

I was wondering what on earth was going on, but now I understood why rule number 7 existed.

Don’t waste time by asking other guests for the time.

It meant asking itself was meaningless.

Because everyone lived in different times.

“Another necromancer?”

Recognizing me as a necromancer, she raised her eyebrows with interest.

Voluptuous figure.

A black robe covering her entire body.

A semi-transparent black cloth draped below her eyes.

Purple eyes, cold and different from what I knew.

I unconsciously uttered the name of this woman brimming with vitality.

“Dark Spiritmaster…”

When she was still alive.

She stood before me, not as a soul.