Chapter 104: Devilish Trick

-: This post is bursting with rage…
-: First time facing him, you really do lose your damn mind
-: Phase 2 is seriously the most rage-inducing part
Even when you threaten the back alley NPCs at knifepoint asking where Gaderok ran off to, they won’t talk
-: No, listen, I beat Gaderok. They should fear me, not him
-: That bastard, back when he was still working in the biz, used to grill meat for the gang at every chance and maxed out his likeability stat
The kids can’t even think about turning on him

-[OP]: Boss, this meat smells amazing, what cut is it?
  -: Your coworker who mouthed off at me
  -: Who knew barbecue parties were so good for team bonding…

“Damn it, Gaderok! Stop it this instance! Forean! Forean!!!”

Dajon, the southern ruler, flailed helplessly as his subordinate was engulfed in black flame.

Dan’Galeon explained why he had deliberately picked out the woman named Forean from among the many people present.

—That insect named Forean! She may seem like just a bodyguard to the vermin Dajon, but I sensed the unmistakable scent of mating. They’re not just bound by contract!

—That’s why I picked that particular bug! When someone’s mating partner is attacked, no matter how composed they may be, they’re bound to falter! A beast shackled by flesh can’t overcome that weakness!

Risir felt a mild headache at the devilish choice of vocabulary, which insulted the very dignity of humankind, yet he nodded.

“Wait! Dajon, listen to me! Something’s not—”

“Shut up! Put out this damned fire first!!!”

Gaderok and Dajon had successfully taken control of the room.

With superior manpower on their side, the rest should have been smooth sailing.

In such a situation, Gaderok had no reason to betray Dajon.

And even if he did have reason, there were far better moments and methods.

Someone like Dajon wasn’t supposed to be so easily rattled.

“Goddamn it, I knew I shouldn’t have teamed up with you…”

But still, Dajon, consumed by emotion, lashed out at Gaderok unilaterally.

“Aaaaagh!!!”

The scream of the woman nearby, and the sheer presence of Gaderok, disrupted Dajon’s ability to think.

His hostility spread to his subordinates.

Dajon’s men, who had confidently surrounded the round table, began glancing warily at Gaderok’s crew.

Dan’Galeon’s scheme had worked like a charm.

This is absurd…

—Absurd!? Such high praise!!! Mastah, I, Dan’Galeon, am overwhelmed by your gracious admiration! Only I could make this happen for you!!!

High on Risir’s (unintentional) praise, Dan’Galeon laid out the next step.

—Now, publicly denounce that vermin! Expose how foolish and dangerous it is to follow him! That will sow discord among his ranks, and you might even win some of them over!

Risir was struck by a half-reverent, half-exasperated awe. How many times had this immortal demon pulled this kind of shit over the eons?

Just as he resolved to follow the devil’s plan—

“Dajon, you didn’t know, did you.”

Gaderok moved a beat faster than the demon, leading the situation.

Keeping his expression calm, he said,

“That wench, do you know what she’s done?”

“What are you talking about…”

Rather than explaining, Gaderok simply glared at Dajon.

Explaining anything now would only make things worse.

Instead of defending himself, he reached for his ear—

Touching the black pearl earring: the Eye of Black Flame, a demonic artifact.

“…!”

It was a signal.

Dajon knew exactly what happened to those who ignored that signal.

Emotion gave way to something stronger.

Terror.

“Ah… Ah…”

Dajon looked away from the nearly unconscious Forean,

Then gave a signal to his men.

Just like that, Dajon’s forces accepted Gaderok’s erratic behavior.

Gaderok of the Black Flame.

The criminals of the back-alley were never free of the terror that his name inspired.

And Gaderok knew exactly how to wield that fear.

—That vermin’s sharper than I thought!!! If I hadn’t met you first, I’d have considered making him my servant!

The devil’s praise put Risir on edge.

Even he could tell Gaderok wasn’t just dangerous.

He was a cold, calculating monster.

The tension in the room that had previously begun to splinter… now started coalescing around Gaderok again.

Even when Dajon’s woman was engulfed in flames, Gaderok’s men didn’t flinch.

They had been startled for just a moment, then immediately turned to keep Dajon’s men in check.

Absolute loyalty.

That loyalty stemmed from one thing—fear.

Can I really break people like that apart?

Risir surveyed the room.

Gaderok and Dajon had brought too many people.

Quality aside, the numbers were overwhelming, and the room was too cramped.

If a battle broke out here, it would be a bloodbath.

Even with powerful allies like the Saint and the Master, a direct confrontation would be suicide.

No, like Dan’Galeon, they needed another plan.

Something more subtle.

More precise.

Risir watched Gaderok carefully.

And Gaderok watched Risir the same way.

I don’t know how he did it… but it was him. He’s the one manipulating my black flame.

Gaderok felt an overwhelming urge to eliminate Risir, immediately.

But he couldn’t be hasty.

What is this bastard…?

Whoever—or whatever—controlled black flame…

Gaderok had to be cautious until he figured it out.

They couldn’t afford to waste manpower, not with the chaos this meeting had already stirred up.

Fortunately, they didn’t have to.

There were plenty of pawns in the room who could fight in his stead.

He signaled Dajon.

And just as Dajon clenched his jaw, ready to follow Gaderok’s lead—

“AAAAAGH!!!”

Dajon’s head snapped toward the scream.

—Let’s see how you like this, you vermin!

The devil, offended by Gaderok’s dominance, improvised.

He chose to maximize his limited power by focusing on the weakest targets among Dajon and Gaderok’s forces.

If he did that…

“Don’t come near me, fuck!!!”

“Lord Dajon! My body—”

“KYAAAAAA!!!”

“Lord Dajon! Something’s really wrong!!!”

“Lord Gaderok, why are you…!!!”

Even in his sealed and weakened state, the devil managed to turn the room into an inferno.

Some had their gloves burst into flame.

Others, their weapons. Their clothes.

Not enough to be lethal, but more than enough to sow chaos.

“Lord Dajon!!! Gaderok has to be behind this! We can’t just stand here anymore!!!”

“That lunatic! Is he trying to kill us all?!”

And then, some of Dajon’s men started shouting with glazed-over eyes.

The Master’s power of domination bolstered Risir and the devil’s plan.

“Goddammit, Gaderok! What the hell is your game?!”

Dajon couldn’t take it anymore. He snapped.

Gaderok didn’t respond.

He just glared at the Deputy Councilor in rage.

And then he pointed straight at Risir.

“Everyone, snap out of it! It’s him! He’s behind all this! Attack him, now!”

This was Gaderok’s command—

And to the criminals of the back-alley, his command carried absolute authority.

But they couldn’t bring themselves to obey.

“Don’t talk shit, Gaderok!!! This is your power!”

Someone under the Master’s influence shouted, but they all felt the same.

Gaderok had terrorized them for years with black flame.

Now he claimed someone else was wielding it?

Nobody could buy that.

—Now, Mastah! This is your moment!!!

The devil cackled as the vermin screamed.

This was it, time to drive the point home, to nail Gaderok to the wall—

—Mastahh!?

But then the devilfroze.

His master had done something completely unexpected.

“Huh!?”

“I-It’s out!?”

Everyone in the room went silent.

The black flame that had been consuming their gear… had suddenly vanished.

All eyes turned to the Deputy Councilor.

He was standing, hand extended toward the fallen Forean.

Dajon rushed to her side.

“Forean!!!”

The fire that had consumed her was gone.

“Bring her here.”

The Saint gestured.

Dajon carried Forean to him, and the Saint extended a hand.

Light radiated from his palm, wrapping gently around Forean.

Her scorched skin, dyed black by the flame, rapidly returned to normal.

—Mastah… why…?

Dan’Galeon was baffled, watching his chaos be unraveled.

Ignoring the demon, Risir spoke.

“I’m not sure what just happened, but I think that’s enough, Gaderok.”

He paused, making sure the room was watching him.

“The back-alley don’t belong to you alone.”

“…!”

The atmosphere shook.

Risir’s calm words, juxtaposed against Gaderok’s madness, rattled the hearts of everyone there.

They began to wonder:

—Should I really follow this madman?

—Or should I side with this new Deputy Councilor?

It didn’t take long to decide.

In Gadum’s absence, the monster named Gaderok had loomed large in their minds.

But now, a new power was rising to replace him.

“Lord Dajon…”

“Forean!?”

“No… it’s nothing…”

“No, don’t force yourself to speak—”

“I—I never betrayed you, Lord Dajon… you know how I feel…”

“…!”

And then, as her condition stabilized, Forean whispered, weak but clear.

Dajon glared at Gaderok with burning eyes.

He distanced himself from Gaderok and moved toward Risir.

With that, the hearts of others began to shift as well.

By the end, aside from Gaderok’s closest aides, the majority of those present had turned openly hostile toward him.

The tide had turned.

“…Hahaha!!!”

Gaderok let out a mad, deranged laugh as he looked at them.

It was, quite literally, a fucking awful situation.

But that was fine.

Gaderok of the Black Flame.

The criminals of the back-alley were never free from the fear born of his name.

And Gaderok knew exactly how to wield that fear.

Yet, they had turned their backs on him.

Why?

Because of the Deputy Councilor.

Because of his presence, they had managed to break free from the looming shadow of Gaderok’s terror.

Therefore, the method to reclaim them was simple.

Remind them of the fear they had forgotten.

Gaderok rolled up his sleeve and stroked the golden bracelet on his arm.

It was another artifact in his possession.

Once the master of the Blue Tower, Gaderok had fallen into despair after failing to break through the wall of the 7th tier.

That bracelet was the result of his desperate attempts to overcome it.

Gaderok poured power into the bracelet.

Not mana, but his very life force.

Then, red markings began to etch themselves into the gold.

Those markings quickly spread across his body.

“Aaah… aah…”

Gaderok groaned.

The price he had just paid was half of his remaining lifespan.

He had literally offered up half of his life.

But he had no regrets.

For that, he had finally shattered the wall of the 7th tier he had so longed to overcome.

Even if the power was only temporary, it was enough.

The sensation and enlightenment would remain.

And besides, without this power, he wouldn’t be able to break through the current situation.

Gaderok unleashed all of his energy, saturating it with killing intent and overflowing mana.

The oppressive presence of a mage who had stepped into the realm of the superhuman blanketed the entire hall.

“Ugh—”

“W-What is this…”

They could feel it.

The fear returning.

Gaderok reached for the black pearl earring on his right ear.

With that, he issued one final warning.

Between himself and the Deputy Councilor…

Choose.

“…”

“…”

The fear of death sharpened their minds.

Gaderok.

If they followed him, they never knew when they might die a meaningless death.

But if they opposed him right now, they might definitely die a meaningless death.

Maybe if we all rush him at once, we could manage…?

The thought crossed their minds for a moment—

…No, how the hell could I trust them?

They were criminals.

Not the kind of people you stake your life on when facing death together.

One by one, they began eyeing Gaderok cautiously again and slowly moved to surround the Deputy Councilor.

Step. Step.

In the sharp, uncomfortable silence, only those small sounds stood out.

<Khahahahaha!!!>

Just then—

A wild shriek tore through the space.

Gaderok, who had exuded complete dominance, suddenly looked startled.

The voice had come from none other than his own earring.

<Gaderok! In the name of the great devil, Dan’Galeon the Schorching Black Flame—your wish has been granted!!!>

“?”

<Rejoice! This is the power you so desperately longed for!>

“???”

<You haven’t forgotten the price, have you!? Now, with the ‘Black Flame’ I’ve granted you, burn the flesh of your enemies! Offer their souls to me!!!>

The devil’s voice was oddly theatrical and explanatory, but unfortunately, no one in the room had ever heard a devil before, so they had no frame of reference.

They took the words at face value.

A conversation between a devil and his supposed follower(?).

“You piece of shit. Gaderok, you really were a black mage!? You’re offering us to a devil!?”

Dajon shouted.

The hall erupted in commotion.

Those who had just been inching their way back under Gaderok’s shadow jumped back again in a panic.

“No…”

Gaderok, utterly thrown off, even forgot the overwhelming power that had just filled him, and felt a void.

—MASTAHHH!! Look at the insects’ faces!!! Everything is unfolding exactly as you planned!!!

Dan’Galeon returned from his “mission” and shouted in a voice full of emotion.

—Such brilliance! Such magnificence! I, Dan’Galeon, once again stand in awe of you!!! To orchestrate a scheme so wicked, so underhanded! There is no way I could’ve ever devised something this vile!!!

…Was it that bad?

Faced with the devil’s over-the-top praise, Risir was left with complicated feelings.