Episode 524. Spilt Milk (2)

Boredom.

Getting used to that feeling isn’t a good thing.

No matter what you do, passion disappears, and physical/mental fatigue intensifies.

There are many ways to escape boredom.

If it’s your job, you need to find new methods to overcome burnout, and if it’s academics, you need the will to strive for the future.

But what if it’s boredom felt towards this entire world?

The common folk (凡人) can never understand the boredom felt from having no one to compare oneself to.

Every living creature has something they want to achieve.

Lucifer was quite different from birth.

He couldn’t find enjoyment in the pastimes others cherished.

He didn’t want a happy family or a loving partner.

What piqued his interest were the strong, those stronger than himself.

And new things he didn’t know.

Lucifer felt bored every single day after realizing his own power.

His demonic eyes that pierced through everything and his naturally robust body.

Despite being a physical fighter, his mana adaptation was overwhelming.

It was only natural that Lucifer, a being born for battle, became the strongest in the Underworld.

There was no one stronger than him in the Underworld.

The position of the Demon King, his own blood relative, was practically his already, and if he obtained the Demon King’s mana, Lucifer would reign over all beings in the Underworld.

Therefore, it took Lucifer a long time to escape his boredom.

No, to be precise, he hadn’t escaped it until recently.

Things that his supposedly perfect demonic eyes couldn’t penetrate.

Those became Lucifer’s new source of interest.

The unknown mana that appeared in the Demon King’s Castle.

It was the first ‘something’ in his life that his demonic eyes couldn’t see.

However, he couldn’t delve deeper into it, because the seal using the Demon King’s Castle’s mana was something even Lucifer couldn’t break.

“Interesting. It’s novel and intriguing.”

Lucifer’s demonic eyes pierce through everything.

To think the first being to shatter that premise would be in the human world, not even the Underworld.

Srrrk-. Srrrk-.

Lucifer smiled as he reviewed the personal information on Lee Hoyeon, brought by the imps.

An orphan with no family ties, possessing abilities among the very top of humans.

His mana, in particular, was enough to impress even Lucifer.

“There’s nothing unusual about his background. So he’s a pure human… Perhaps a rare mutation?”

Know the enemy and know yourself, and you will win a hundred battles (知彼知己 百戰不殆).

Understanding the enemy is the easiest path to victory.

He didn’t need to bother with such tedious things in the Underworld, but it’s only natural to prepare for an unknown opponent.

He felt neither shame nor wounded pride.

Rather, he found the entire investigation process intriguing.

“Maestro. That guy was definitely a strange human. But Lee Hoyeon has nothing particularly outstanding.”

Maestro.

The human who summoned him to the human world.

If I had to describe him in one word, he’s like an empty shell whose actions don’t match his inner thoughts.

A human who devoted everything to summon the Demon King.

He only realized this after grasping the human world to some extent.

Maestro’s actions, every single one, were peculiar.

From his way of speaking to his actions and mindset.

Lucifer didn’t intend to understand him either.

But he didn’t dismiss him like other humans.

Because he too was an anomaly capable of partially blocking his demonic eyes.

‘I must also uncover the truth behind this world’s black pillars and the dungeon rampage phenomenon.’

When Lucifer was in the Underworld.

His plan was to push for the invasion of the human world first upon becoming the Demon King.

Since there was nothing left to gain in the Underworld, he wanted to conquer other dimensions.

Naturally, his research on connecting dimensions never stopped, and since Lucifer also had a talent for mana, the research proceeded smoothly.

However, the black pillars and dungeon rampages he saw in the human world showed overwhelming performance, as if mocking Lucifer’s own research.

The rampaging dungeons are increasingly merging with the Underworld.

Some dungeons are now practically the Underworld.

It wouldn’t be strange if demonic beasts popped out at any moment.

The black pillars scattered everywhere spread the Underworld’s mana throughout the human world, creating an environment similar to the Underworld.

Humans, initially wary, gradually lowered their guard after realizing these phenomena posed no immediate threat to them.

Or perhaps, that too might be the intention of whoever created this phenomenon.

“If the being capable of such feats isn’t a god, then what is it?”

The Underworld’s mana emanating from the black pillars.

And dungeons directly connecting the Underworld and the human world.

Thanks to these two phenomena, the assimilation of the Underworld is accelerating.

‘Is the Demon King Maestro spoke of being summoned soon?’

He recalled Maestro’s eyes, which always looked at him whenever the topic of the Demon King’s descent arose.

Those eyes, as if coveting him… He didn’t like them.

‘If the Demon King is summoned… I might see a familiar face after a long time.’

His father, who suddenly went into seclusion in the Demon King’s Castle.

Thinking of seeing the Demon King… even the cold-blooded Lucifer didn’t feel anticipation.

‘I don’t particularly want to summon the Demon King.’

The reason Lucifer wanted to become the Demon King was simply because the boring Underworld lacked excitement.

The only thing he hadn’t obtained in the Underworld was the Demon King’s position.

That’s why he coveted the Demon King’s title.

His interest in the human world was sparked by the search for something interesting.

Now, he was in the human world, and didn’t have to return to the boring Underworld.

There were still many interesting things here that he didn’t know.

Human growth was astonishing; strong humans might emerge and threaten him.

Lucifer looked forward to that immensely.

Maestro had said that the human race must be eradicated from the world.

If the human world were destroyed and became a colony of the Underworld, Lucifer would have to return to the boring Underworld.

“If I have to spend time with the Underworld’s demonic beasts again, I’d rather die here.”

He had no interest in the unexciting demonic beasts of the Underworld.

Lucifer nodded as he looked at Lee Hoyeon’s information in his hand.

‘The task is to capture Lee Hoyeon.’

Lucifer wasn’t one to show mercy to enemies, but this one was the most interesting being in the human world.

Moreover, there was much to investigate about someone who so effectively blocked his demonic eyes.

‘Next is Maestro.’

He was clearly hiding many things from Lucifer.

Although he doubted he’d lose even if betrayed, he didn’t want the unpleasant experience of being deceived by a human.

“Maestro still has many uses… So, Lee Hoyeon first.”

Srrrk-

Lucifer conjured Underworld mana above his hand and drew a magic circle.

It was a simplified version of the magic circle Lee Hoyeon had confirmed in Victoria Park.

“It’s truly a blessing that a human can draw such a magic circle.”

Ever since first confirming the magic circle, Lucifer visited the park daily to check on it.

For the first two days, he simply observed the magic circle.

Lucifer’s demonic eyes merely observe, they don’t interfere with the target.

Therefore, they leave no trace.

The level of the magic circle was beyond imagination, so it took longer than expected.

And today.

The analysis of Lee Hoyeon’s magic circle was complete, and he succeeded in taking control of it.

Lucifer’s usual personality would have led him to kill all the bothersome humans occupying the park, but today he had to be cautious.

He hadn’t left any trace so far, and he didn’t want to ruin everything at the very last moment.

That’s how fixated Lucifer was on Lee Hoyeon.

“I just need to wait for the moment the magic circle activates.”

His wish was close to fruition.

Lucifer brushed the dust off his tuxedo, a smirk creeping onto his lips.

*

Kang Hyo-rin, who was guarding Victoria Park, tilted her head.

“While she’d be grateful for the help, she thought it was a waste of manpower right now. Does student Hoyeon really need to help? There are already plenty of people, so it should be fine.”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

Lee Hoyeon looked at Dr. Kang Hyo-rin, licking his lips.

Actually, he didn’t really need to get permission.

He was confident he wouldn’t get caught sneaking into Victoria Park, most of the time.

‘But there’s still a chance I could get caught.’

If this world flowed according to his will, he wouldn’t have to deal with such headaches.

Cleaning up the fake dungeon magic circle takes quite a bit of time.

If he were discovered during that time, things would get incredibly troublesome.

‘If I had gotten permission, at least I’d have an excuse.’

Besides, once I have permission, I can work without worry.

All the Iris Guild members know Lee Hoyeon frequently enters Victoria Park, so they won’t care what he does in a corner.

He had the unbeatable excuse of ‘a genius mage conducting magical research.’

‘Of course, I still feel a bit uneasy.’

What bothers me slightly is that Irene has the Iris Guild’s contact network.

Other women might keep tabs on my movements.

‘… It should be fine, right?’

Lee Hoyeon quickly sorted out his thoughts.

He pondered for a moment, but he didn’t think he’d be suspected just for entering Victoria Park.

Besides, he was bound to be suspected wherever he went right now anyway.

Instead of wasting time on pointless thoughts, he needed to move quickly and retrieve the magic circle.

“Student Hoyeon?”

Lee Hoyeon smiled as he looked at Dr. Kang Hyo-rin, who blinked.

In truth, the moment he greeted Dr. Kang Hyo-rin, it was already too late.

Lee Hoyeon was left with only the option of seeking permission.

“I want to help, even if it’s not much. I’d also like to review the battle from that day. Are any of the guild members we saved then inside?”

“Ah… Hearing you say that, I can’t refuse. Student Hoyeon saved so many guild members. Most are still hospitalized, but a few who have recovered are inside the park, so you can go say hello. They’ll all be grateful.”

“Thank you, Dr. Kang Hyo-rin-nim.”

Kang Hyo-rin rummaged through her pocket and handed him an ID badge.

Lee Hoyeon bowed his head deeply, put the access pass Dr. Kang Hyo-rin gave him around his neck, and entered Victoria Park.

‘Greetings… later.’

He needed the gratitude for an alibi, but the first thing to do was retrieve the fake dungeon magic circle.

Lee Hoyeon hurried towards a corner of the park.

*

After Lee Hoyeon entered the park.

Kang Hyo-rin at the entrance subtly turned her head.

“…He actually came? How strange.”

Kang Hyo-rin watched his retreating figure as he entered the park.

She had urged him for days, she never thought he’d actually come.

“It’s probably just magic research, but Team Leader 1 is really something else.”

Ttik. Ttidididik. Ttik.

As soon as Lee Hoyeon disappeared from view, Kang Hyo-rin operated her smartwatch.

This was because Team Leader 1 had ordered her to report immediately upon his entry.

“Is this the power of love? Wanting to know everywhere their lover goes. Team Leader 1 really has a girlish side.”

Kang Hyo-rin sent a secret signal to Irene, smiled, then leaned back against the wall, facing forward again.

Now, the boring times begin again.

‘I wish someone would come keep me company. Ah, I wonder if Scarlet would get mad if I teased her about this later….’

Oblivious to what she had just done.

Kang Hyo-rin stared blankly at the blue sky.