Episode 509. Lucifer (6)

Near the black pillars scattered across the world, thick magic power from the Underworld flows out.

The Underworld’s magic power is highly toxic to humans, but to Lucifer, who hails from the Underworld, it’s practically home.

It was only natural that Lucifer chose this place as his hideout.

Sseuk. Seureureuk.

“I will be away for a moment.”

Inside the quiet room, Lucifer, dressed in a black tuxedo, quietly gave an order to Pandemic’s minion.

“Lucifer-nim. Are you thinking of leaving now?”

“I’m going to Victoria Academy. I’ll be back soon.”

Lucifer’s objective was Lee Hoyeon’s hidden magic circle, which he had seen in Victoria Park.

He intended to confirm it once again.

‘If I can just seize it, it’ll be easier to capture Lee Hoyeon.’

He had to capture Lee Hoyeon alive and find out the secret to blocking the demonic eye.

Unfortunately, when he first saw it, the magic circle was still incomplete, but time had passed and his body’s recovery was finished, so it was time to check.

“I’m sorry. It’s a bit… noisy outside.”

“What do you mean?”

“It seems we’ve been tracked by the Association. Humans have come.”

“Hmm…”

Lucifer frowned as he fastened his tuxedo buttons.

In the Underworld, no one had dared challenge him for some time now, but in the human world, he experienced many strange things.

“I’ll handle it as I leave, so don’t worry about it.”

“Ah… Understood.”

They had been organizing minions to deal with the investigation team, but if Lucifer had decided, they had to follow his lead.

The previous minions who had talked back to him and died flashed through his mind.

The responsible minion kept his head bowed low and stayed put until Lucifer left.

“Once this job is over, I’ll treat you all to a big one.”

“What are you talking about, Hyung-nim? I should be the one to treat.”

The Hunter Association’s Monster Investigation Team was approaching Lucifer’s hideout.

Since there weren’t many countries with public safety as good as Korea’s, this was usually an investigation team that handled light tasks, but today the difficulty was quite high.

“Did you see that? They say the monster we’re investigating this time is considered the best among S-class.”

“Hey. It was like that last time, and the time before that too. How many times have the higher-ups overreacted?”

“It’s probably like that then…? I feel kind of uneasy.”

“Yeah, kid. Don’t be nervous and just follow me closely.”

The man glared uneasily at the map showing the hideout, but inwardly, he thought it would probably be similar to usual.

What was important now wasn’t the hideout before him, but the meal he’d eat after the job was finished.

“Be careful. Magic doesn’t work well starting from this area.”

“…Understood.”

“And make sure you don’t drop the video transmission device.”

“I’m wearing it around my neck.”

Since the investigation team was gathered from various organizations besides the Association, they operated in their own ways.

After surveying the surroundings for a few hours, the representatives from the organizations put their heads together and shared their investigation results.

“It’s definitely around here… but we can’t detect any magic reactions because of the black pillars.”

“Do we need more manpower?”

“No, rather than that, it would be better to replace them with high-level personnel even now… Wait a moment.”

The white-haired man, who looked like the most senior member, quickly turned his head.

On the surface, nothing had changed.

A cool breeze and the same ground as always.

But he could feel it.

The trees were rustling, and the air seemed to be struggling, trying to leave this place.

The moment he realized that strangeness, Lucifer was standing in front of the humans.

“A, A monster! Everyone, prepare for battle!”

Tadadak.

But the hunters of the investigation team were veterans among veterans.

As soon as the monster appeared, they instantly formed a battle formation, glaring at Lucifer as they raised their magic power.

“The suspected one?”

“The red glowing demonic eye, the black tuxedo, and even the ominous magic power… it seems certain it’s Lucifer.”

“Lucifer…!”

The most senior man bit his lip.

He had thought it was an easy mission like always, but it was a huge miscalculation.

The aura felt before his eyes was the strongest he had ever encountered.

‘…Will I be able to survive today?’

They had agreed to get a meal, but he wasn’t sure if it was really possible.

Lucifer scanned the humans as if evaluating them, then slowly began to approach.

“H-he’s coming!”

“The opponent’s specialty is the demonic eye! Don’t stare into his eyes!”

Lucifer’s demonic eye was a power that pierced everything.

It had nothing to do with looking into his eyes.

“Keuhuk…!”

“These maggots daring to block my path… what an interesting world.”

A life completely different from the Underworld was interesting in its own way.

According to his demonic eye’s assessment, the strength of those humans couldn’t even compare to Lucifer’s toenails.

Their act of charging forward without knowing their own level was like moths flying into a flame.

Chwaryeuk. Kwaak!

“Uwaaaahk!”

“D-don’t run! Fight back!”

Lucifer began to hunt the investigation team members one by one, using his physical abilities.

It wasn’t a battle, but a massacre.

He wanted to refrain from such undignified acts, but this way was more efficient right now.

Besides, using magic power on these maggots would lower Lucifer’s dignity.

“Fuck…”

Not much time had passed since Lucifer appeared.

“The level is completely different…”

Jeobeok. Jeobeok.

The investigation team member, wearing the transmission device around his neck, began to tremble uncontrollably as he saw the horrific sight unfolding before his eyes.

The investigation team’s most senior hunter, split in two, and the Hunter Association’s A-class hunter, who had disappeared without a trace.

Lucifer threw away the human he had been holding, flicked the blood off his hand, and looked down at the floor as if bored.

“It’s a sensation I haven’t felt in a while. It was enough for a brief amusement.”

“God… Please, please. Save me. Just once… allow me to repay a lifetime’s worth of favor now…”

“If there is a God in this world, will it save you? It would be an interesting experiment.”

“Please… Father in heaven…”

Kkwadeuk.

Lucifer stomped on the head of the man continuing his prayer.

As expected, God did not respond.

“Was it an obvious result?”

After destroying even the necklace that emitted unpleasant magic power, Lucifer walked back on his path.

His goal was Victoria Academy.

• Pajjijik-

The camera signal cut off, transmitting a black screen.

“””…”””

“…”

The investigation team, summoned from various organizations in Korea.

Lee Hoyeon and the women, who had been watching the investigation process of that team in real-time, fell silent.

“He was strong last time too, but was Lucifer really that strong?”

“Yes. He seems to have become even stronger.”

Liliana watched the screen with her eyes wide open, and Nam Daeun was in a similar state.

“Do you think attacking like last time would work?”

“…I would try, but I’m not confident.”

Realizing Lucifer’s power, Nam Daeun tightly gripped her sword.

Meanwhile, Alice, seeing Lucifer for the first time, was equally surprised.

“Unnie. Is that even possible?”

“Don’t worry, Alice. I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

“You need to protect Lee Hoyeon more than me.”

“…Thanks, Alice.”

Lee Hoyeon had more to think about as he looked at the cut-off video.

‘What should I do about that?’

How could such a monster exist in the world?

The already quiet atmosphere had now become almost gloomy.

‘…This atmosphere is bad.’

Fortunately, Lee Hoyeon quickly regained his composure.

Staying in a gloomy state at Alice’s house wouldn’t help resolve the situation at all.

“Irene-ssi. Shall we go back for now?”

“Yeah. It seems we’ll have to form a new investigation team. Or maybe we’ll form a subjugation team. Although it’s an overwhelmingly powerful enemy, that’s better than an enemy that’s ambiguously strong. The higher-ups will quickly come to their senses too.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Hoo.

Letting out a sigh, Lee Hoyeon turned his head and looked at Scarlet and Rebecca.

“Let’s go home. Actually, it’s a bit disappointing since there’s no huge news… but the information that he’s started moving is important, and now that the guy has started moving, it seems information will come out soon.”

Lee Hoyeon had actually prepared for battle, but seeing Lucifer’s combat power, it seemed more preparation was needed.

It would be best if he had as much time as possible, but that depended on luck.

“It’s okay. We had huge news.”

“What? Rebecca-ssi. What do you mean by that?”

“It’s nothing. Hoyeon-nim, you look tired, so you should rest first today.”

“I am tired, but what about you all?”

“We will stay behind and have a conversation with the homeowners before leaving.”

Scarlet looked at Alice and Irene with a faint smile.

Alice, not to be outdone, nodded confidently, but that look somehow made Lee Hoyeon uneasy.

“Um, you’re not going to fight or anything, right? If you need to vent your emotions, take it out on me.”

“It’s not like that, so don’t worry.”

“Right. We’ll just talk.”

Scarlet and Alice nodded, looking at each other.

Their expressions looked benign, so it seemed he didn’t have to worry about them fighting, but still, it was his responsibility, so shouldn’t he stay nearby?

“Um… Scarlet-ssi. Am I included too?”

“Of course. Nam Daeun-yang, you’re part of Hoyeon-nim’s harem too.”

“H-harem…? I just need to be next to Hoyeon…”

“Nam Daeun. If you intend to have Lee Hoyeon with that kind of mindset, give up already.”

“…!”

Nam Daeun’s eyes sparkled, as if she finally snapped out of it.

This place was a battlefield.

One had to seize their own rights directly.

“These women are incredibly serious.”

Liliana nodded, watching the women’s conversation, and Irene approached Lee Hoyeon.

“You worked hard today. Next time, I hope you call me for personal matters. It would be even better if it was a meeting with Alice.”

“Still, wouldn’t it be better if I was there too?”

“Tsk. Alice told you to leave, so what are you talking about? I’ll escort you.”

“No, it’s just the house next door, why escort me?”

“Then go alone.”

“…”

Kwang.

As soon as Lee Hoyeon was pushed out of the living room by Irene, the door closed.

Lee Hoyeon stared blankly at the closed door, then let out a hollow laugh as he came out of the house.

“…What is this?”

Isn’t how he’s treated lately just too bad?

But when he thought it was all because of him, he couldn’t get angry.

Actually, Alice, Irene, Scarlet, or Rebecca.

They were all intelligent people, so there wouldn’t be trouble, and he could rest assured.

“I don’t want to go home… I feel kind of restless.”

The video of Lucifer he just saw wouldn’t leave his memory.

Besides, they were probably having serious conversations, and it felt wrong to just be lying at home alone.

“Maybe I’ll go to Victoria Park.”

The fake dungeon magic circle.

He didn’t know if he’d use it, but he needed to check it.

Even if he discarded it, preparation would be needed, so maybe he should just take care of it while he had nothing else to do.

Lee Hoyeon turned his steps that were heading home and headed towards Victoria Academy.

Victoria Park was a place managed by the Iris Guild.

There should be guards even at this time of day.

“Huh?”

Arriving at Victoria Park, Lee Hoyeon felt something was strange.

There were no guards, unlike usual.

He had exchanged greetings with them several times, knowing their faces, so he couldn’t possibly forget them.

‘Are they not guarding the park today?’

But the black pillars were still standing tall, and there was no reason for the Iris Guild to stop investigating.

“…”

Lee Hoyeon felt a sense of tension.

It wasn’t just the guards at the entrance that was the problem.

There were no signs of people even inside.

Not hearing any sound in a park where there should be at least dozens of people was extremely strange.

‘Contact Irene-ssi… No, maybe I’ll just check the entrance area.’

His combat senses weren’t reacting at all yet.

In case an emergency requiring immediate response might have occurred, Lee Hoyeon cautiously began to climb the park stairs.