Chapter 34

Episode 34

It was a suffocating abyss.

Even with my eyes open, I saw nothing but an impenetrable darkness.

My hearing was also affected. A deafening silence enveloped me, as if I had been plunged into a vacuum.

Yet, strangely, I could still breathe.

Nielsen must have opened a pocket dimension with his demonic power.

*— Inspector! Are you alright?*

Jericho’s voice echoed in my mind. It was a telepathic message, bypassing my ears.

“I’m fine. That potion seems to be working.”

*— Thank goodness! We’re in a demonic pocket dimension. Nielsen has unleashed his power.*

My suspicions were confirmed.

“So we can wreak havoc without consequences?”

*— It’s not that simple, Master. We’ll be subjected to powerful illusions. You have to resist, no matter what! Stay true to your convictions!*

His urgency suggested that this was a serious situation.

I activated ‘Automatic Combat’ as soon as I heard Nielsen’s raspy voice. The Sword of Chaos was already in my hand.

But the sword remained inert, suggesting that there was no immediate danger.

“Where’s Selendis?”

*— I sent her a telepathic message as well. I’m sure she’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you, Master.*

“You’re joking at a time like this? You’re surprisingly calm. What are you, really?”

*— We can discuss that later. Anyway…*

*Crackle!*

Static noise disrupted the telepathic connection, and Jericho’s voice cut off. Nielsen’s voice boomed, surrounding us like a Dolby Atmos system.

*『In the name of the almighty Demon Lord, I shall enlighten you… Repent, and I shall grant you the power of darkness.』*

“Demon Lord, huh? He’s gone full demon. Why don’t you show yourself? I’m not a fan of abstract concepts.”

*『Foolish mortal! Embrace the darkness…!』*

Suddenly, the darkness was pierced by a blinding light.

‘Embrace the darkness? Why are you using light?’

My eyes stung. As I adjusted to the sudden brightness, I found myself in a luxurious bedroom.

It was a peaceful afternoon scene.

A gentle breeze ruffled the translucent curtains. I followed the pleasant scent to the bed, where a woman sat reclining.

Her hair was damp, as if she had just bathed.

And I recognized her.

“Selendis?”

She was wearing only a towel, precariously held together by a loose knot. The breeze threatened to unravel it.

She was stunning. Her armor usually concealed her beauty.

“Master.”

She looked at me with longing in her eyes. It wasn’t her usual steely gaze.

“My heart raced when I first met you. I realized it wasn’t admiration it was love.”

Her tone was unfamiliar. Selendis never spoke like that.

I felt myself drawn to her, but a surge of aura snapped me out of my trance.

*Hum*

Aura crackled around my sword hand.

“Jericho warned me about this. He said I had to resist any situation that contradicted my beliefs.”

“I belong to you, Master. My body and soul are yours to take. Do as you please.”

She reached for the knot, about to remove the towel.

I thrust my sword forward.

*Thud!*

“Gah!”

The Sword of Chaos pierced her heart.

Blood splattered across the bedroom. Selendis smiled at me, blood trickling from her lips. Her image shattered like stained glass.

*Crack!*

*Shatter!*

*Clang!*

The peaceful afternoon scene vanished, along with the bedroom.

Darkness returned.

But this time, it wasn’t the suffocating abyss I had experienced before. I could see faint outlines.

“Inspector!”

Jericho’s voice called from behind me. He ran towards me, a white orb illuminating his path.

“You’re awake! You did it!”

“Where’s Selendis?”

“She hasn’t appeared yet. She must still be battling the illusion.”

“Can we help her?”

He launched the orb into the air. It exploded in a burst of white light, then vanished into the darkness.

“As you can see, this pocket dimension is completely isolated. We only met because we broke free from the illusion. We can only wait for Lady Selendis…”

Demons preyed on human weaknesses, exploiting their desires.

I recalled the illusion.

Selendis was undeniably attractive. She was skilled, beautiful, and loyal.

I hadn’t seen her as a romantic interest. But the illusion suggested that my subconscious felt differently.

I needed to be careful.

I couldn’t afford to be distracted. I was not only favored by the ultimate mastermind but also targeted by the eldest son of Kalisto.

And we were trapped in a demonic pocket dimension.

We had to escape or defeat Nielsen.

‘We can’t just wait. There must be a time limit or some kind of penalty.’

I didn’t feel any immediate effects, like fatigue or mental confusion.

But I had to do something.

Wait a minute.

Demons preyed on human weaknesses.

Wait a minute.

I had nothing to lose by trying this.

“What happens if someone can’t break free from the illusion?”

“They’ll be trapped in the illusion forever. Their body will become an empty shell. They’ll suffer eternally, unable to age or die.”

“So, they can’t even die peacefully?”

I grimaced, feigning despair.

“…Damn it!”

“Gasp!”

Jericho flinched and took a step back.

“Damn you, demon! Bring Selendis back! Take my life instead! Why are you tormenting her? Can you hear me, you coward!”

Clang!

I threw my sword to the ground and cried out in despair. I continued my desperate performance.

“What kind of mission requires the sacrifice of my beloved? All of this is caused by human greed…!”

“I… Inspector! Calm down! Listen to me! Inspector!”

“Hehehe… I see, I see. This is the true power of the Demon King that Nielsen spoke of. Human skills and techniques are nothing… just like a river flowing into the vast ocean…”

“Inspector!”

“The power of darkness! It’s so magnificent!”

As if reaching the climax of a play, I turned towards the imaginary spotlight, my face filled with ecstasy. I even spread my arms towards the darkness.

“Even the heavenly light will be swallowed by this darkness. This is the power I’ve been seeking. The true power to subjugate all humanity…”

My experience as a supporting actor in the drama club during my university days was finally paying off.

It worked immediately.

Jericho moved away from me and summoned a sphere of light.

Bzzzt!

I felt a holy power, different from mana. It was fine. I wasn’t truly corrupted.

“Snap out of it! Don’t be swayed! Demonic energy is like a swamp. Once you fall in, you can’t escape! Damn it! I told you it was dangerous! You stubborn fool!”

Stubborn… fool?

The performance wasn’t over yet, so we’ll settle this later, Mr. Clerk.

“Hehehe. Poor Jericho. I wish you could understand the greatness of this power… Hehehe, hahahahaha! Nielsen! I’ve finally realized. I accept your offer. Grant me the power of darkness as well. I’m ready to repent!”

Rumble!

Smoke billowed from the darkness.

A giant eye, glowing red, appeared in the space before me, as if a dimensional rift had opened.

『You’re a wise man indeed. Even the Demon King will pity your repentance. Come closer. You shall be reborn with the blood of a demon…』

“Oh, Demon King… I can feel it. This sweet power of darkness! I offer you my sword, my body, and my soul…”

I picked up my sword and approached the eye with an ecstatic expression. Jericho launched a sphere of light at me.

“Don’t go!”

Clang!

The sphere bounced off me harmlessly. Jericho summoned another sphere and launched it, but it didn’t even scratch me.

“What the…?”

Jericho’s expression changed subtly.

“Don’t tell me…”

The “Holy Bolt” he had just fired was holy power. It was an attack spell that could damage demons and even demonic beasts.

The fact that it had no effect meant that the target was completely free of demonic energy.

Just as the thought crossed his mind that this might all be a staged performance, something incredible happened.

Thud!

A sword infused with aura pierced the red eyeball. It wasn’t Selendis or Jericho who had landed the attack. It was me.

『…Ugh!』

“The demon realm must be short on talent. To be fooled by such a simple trick. Or perhaps you’re just a half-baked demon, Nielsen.”

*『Youuu!』*

*Boom!*

The eye exploded. The darkness receded slightly. The demonic energy weakened.

Nielsen stood where the eye had been.

His face was pale and bloodless.

“You insolent fool! You dare defy the Demon Lord? I’ll show you true power!”

*Rip!*

His clothes ripped apart. His muscles bulged, expanding rapidly.

*Whoosh!*

Black wings sprouted from his back, their span exceeding six feet. They flapped powerfully, lifting him into the air.

Jericho rushed to my side.

“You scared me! Damn it! Why didn’t you tell me about your plan?”

“Sometimes, you have to deceive your allies. It was fun. I didn’t know you thought I was stubborn.”

“Uh… Ah? Hahaha, I was just panicking…”

I raised my sword, adopting a fighting stance. Nielsen summoned a sword made of infernal flames.

“Get ready. We’re taking him down and rescuing Selendis.”

“By the way, when did you two become an item?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You said she was your loved one.”

I should have told him it was a joke, but a wave of demonic energy forced me to channel my aura instead.

*『Shield.』*

Jericho cast a protective spell, its power amplified by my aura.

*Boom!*

Something was wrong. I didn’t feel any impact.

Then, I saw her.

A familiar figure stood before us, her back to us, as the dark smoke dissipated.

“I apologize for the delay, Master.”

It was Selendis.

“Don’t apologize. You arrived just in time.”

Her sword and shield, radiating a deep blue light, looked as impenetrable as a fortress.