Ch.339339. Agreement

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I arrive in the Otherworld for the second time.

Actually, my previous visit was questionable—I merely encountered one beast and fled immediately. But this time is different.

If I was as insignificant as an ant back then, now I’m officially visiting angels as an ascended demon.

Even the entrance is different from before. Just look at me now, being guided by an archangel into a properly constructed building.

“It’s… pretty, I’ll give it that.”

I gaze at the building that reminds me of a Greek pantheon.

A palace built on clouds—that’s almost poetic, but it’s beautiful enough to deserve such a description.

Though, despite its beautiful exterior, the beings inside are ugly to their core.

“I-I can’t go any further than this.”

The archangel who guided me here with staggering steps stammers these words.

The cold sweat dripping down his pale face shows he’s clearly pushing himself. He shouldn’t be here at all, but I practically forced him to come.

“If I go any further, I can’t guarantee my safety. The hierarchy among angels is absolute.”

“Yes, I understand. Thank you for your help.”

“…”

The archangel blinks blankly at my response.

“What’s wrong?”

“…I didn’t expect you to let me go so easily, to be honest.”

“…”

Perhaps it’s because of our long history of me giving him trouble. He doesn’t seem to fully trust me.

But when I genuinely wave him away, he hesitates before speaking, as if he’s developed some affection for me despite our relationship.

“…Be careful.”

“Pardon?”

“Among the Lightbearers, there are certainly moderate ones, but there are also those who look down on and despise the material world. If your attitude is poor, who knows what they might do to you.”

“Is that so?”

“…”

Seeing my nonchalant response, the archangel clutches his head as if suddenly struck by a migraine.

“…This is no joke. They’re at the pinnacle of the Otherworld. Even for a demon, it’s not something you can easily—”

“Hmm. I told you to go ahead because I expected this reaction.”

“What?”

“If you stay with me, you’ll get caught up in this.”

With those words, I approach the palace doors.

I search through my original knowledge, examining the area around the main entrance.

Exploring the Otherworld was content from Serath’s DLC, so unlike the Demonic Spire, I have decent knowledge about this region.

And what I’m looking for here is—

“Wait, don’t touch that…!”

Before the archangel can finish his panicked warning, I boldly kick the white “line” visible near the main entrance.

This must be their equivalent of a security system, designed to intercept intruders.

-!

-!!!

As it instantly turns red and holy power begins to surge in all directions, vitality fills my body.

< System Message >

[ Crisis situation detected. ]

[ Judged to be a direct threat to life. ]

[ Skill: Desperate Situation applied at EX grade. ]

That’s right.

I smile at the familiar notification and raise my foot.

A natural booster, you could say. This is what makes me feel alive.

And then.

-!!

-!!!!!

With a kick that shatters the palace doors into pieces, I let out a thunderous shout.

“COME AT ME!”

“…”

Leaving behind the archangel whose face has turned blue as if witnessing a terrible disaster, I stride inside.

It seems they were already informed of my arrival, as the large conference room-like interior is already filled with seated figures.

“…”

Looking around at them.

I do feel some pressure.

Angels with halos on their heads. Every single one of them radiates a presence that makes my nerves tingle.

Dozens of them, at least.

Though individually they might be weaker than demons, their collective power is enough to wage full-scale war against Pandemonium. That’s why they’re considered equal in the hierarchy.

‘The atmosphere…’

It’s not much different from what the archangel described.

Most look surprised, but there’s a clear division between those showing obvious “contempt” and those merely displaying “surprise.”

The former seems to be the majority. That’s probably why they decided it was fine to invade the material world.

“How utterly vulgar.”

One who seems to be the leader of the contemptuous group speaks up.

“I knew the underworld creatures were ignorant savages with no manners, but this is excessive.”

I stare blankly at the one speaking.

A young man with wings and a halo. His name is…

‘…Do I need to know?’

Let’s just call him Smartass.

After all, I’m not particularly interested in these guys.

[…Why not?]

‘Excuse me?’

[Aren’t the Lightbearers your biggest obstacle right now?]

‘Not really.’

[…]

Just because they’re equal to demons in the hierarchy doesn’t mean they’re my biggest threat.

I was more annoyed by the Demonic Spire, where I had no information and was dragged along by their schemes.

The situation now is different.

That place was full of things I didn’t know, but here, I roughly understand these guys’ information and tendencies.

That’s why I can throw out lines like:

“So what exactly can you do about it?”

“…”

“When I act like an asshole, what can you do besides running your mouth?”

“-“

Everyone’s faces twist horribly upon hearing my words.

“How incredibly inso—”

“—lent? Of course it is.”

I look around with a bored expression.

“I don’t have time to waste on people like you. Got it?”

“…”

The faces around me contort in unison.

They clearly didn’t expect to hear such words from a human who suddenly appeared from the material world.

But it’s true.

All my attention is focused on the Luminary and whatever “trap” he might have set.

Wasting energy on these extras at the entrance feels like a waste.

“I think you’re misunderstanding something.”

So I continue speaking, regardless of their reaction.

“I don’t know what you thought when I said I was coming up here. I didn’t come to chat with you. I came to deliver a message and make an agreement.”

“…Agreement?”

As Smartass snorts with laughter, I shrug and continue.

“You’re trying to clean up and reshape the material world, probably because demon activity has become unusually active and you’re acting out of anxiety. Right?”

“…”

Smartass’s expression slightly darkens at my words.

I must be hitting the nail on the head.

According to the setting, Pandemonium and the Otherworld always keep each other in check with the material world as a “buffer.”

But with demonic activity increasing around me, they’ve been provoked into taking action.

So I just need to offer a solution.

“The demons, including myself, have no intention of ‘dominating’ the material world.”

I continue calmly.

“If I prove that fact, leave the material world alone.”

“How ridiculous.”

Smartass glares at me.

“I was willing to listen to what you had to say since you came in with such audacity, but know your place. This isn’t a place where you can expect to cause trouble and walk away alive.”

“Oh, really?”

“That’s enough of your disrespect!”

“Try it, then.”

“…What?”

I cross my arms and meet each of their gazes one by one.

I’m not some refined martial artist who can emit killing intent or perform such impressive techniques, but I can certainly convey my “sincerity.”

“As you said, if you’re determined to kill me, you certainly could.”

On top of that, I add another sentence with a slightly twisted smile.

“But I’ll take as many of you with me as I can.”

“…”

“Out of the few dozen here, if I fight with everything I’ve got, I think I could take down about a quarter of you. What do you think?”

“…What nonsense—”

“Stop chattering. If you’re prepared, come at me. You know I’m capable of it, don’t you?”

Immediately, silence falls.

Yes, this is why these guys are useless.

They certainly have enough power to kill me many times over, but none of them have the “resolve” to bell the cat.

Not only do they know I’m capable of doing what I say, but they also know that if I really die here, they’ll have to wage all-out war against the demons, betting the fate of the Otherworld.

That level of bloodshed isn’t what they want either.

That’s the decisive difference.

Unlike these guys.

I, a demon.

Am prepared to bet everything and charge in to protect my women.

“Since I don’t have time, I’ll assume you understand.”

“…”

“I’ll take your silence as agreement? Even if we discuss details later. Stop interfering with the material world.”

I scan around with gleaming eyes.

“…Otherwise, I’ll really start something. Got it?”

Again, silence.

They clearly didn’t expect such an aggressive approach. I nod, satisfied.

This is enough for now. Whatever tricks they might pull later, getting involved with these guys right now would be a real headache.

With that thought, I turn to leave, when suddenly a voice calls from behind.

“Let me ask one thing.”

As I’m about to walk away, Smartass speaks up with a deeply furrowed expression.

“Earlier, you said you would prove that demons won’t reveal their ambitions.”

“Yeah.”

“How exactly do you plan to prove that?”

Oh, that?

It’s simple.

“When you’re busy having and raising kids, you don’t have time for that stuff.”

“…What?”

“I’m going to start families with all of them.”

“…”

After all, if I don’t do that, I’ll die.

Once you’re tied to one side, that future is already determined…

[…I can’t tell if you’re a real man or just insane.]

Let’s say they’re pretty similar.

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