Episode 537. Lucifer of Ruin

“Indeed… tracing my magic back, you forcibly opened the path leading to the core?”

Lucifer smiled, looking at the damaged magic circle.

Liliana Calliope’s destructive magic power made even Lucifer tense up.

“Destructive magic power… But it’s still incomplete. Did you fail to properly break the seal?”

Although I could feel Calliope’s unique destructive magic power, it was weaker than the magic power I felt from her before.

It was like a child holding a dangerous weapon.

The weapon was strong, but it felt like they couldn’t control it properly.

“But, you’ve returned. Liliana Calliope.”

It’s fine even if it’s not perfect yet.

Her magic power is real.

Lucifer unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth.

The Succubus of Slaughter came directly to me.

Dangerous magic power, enough to send shivers even in this space filled with my magic.

Is that truly the magic power a succubus emits?

Thump. Thump.

“What the?”

Liliana, who entered the core, immediately spotted Lucifer.

He was bigger than when I saw him last time, but that dirty, unpleasant magic power remained the same.

And I could tell immediately the identity of the man held in his hand.

Though his face was invisible, covered in blood, I know his body inside and out, so I could recognize him just by his silhouette.

Lee Hoyeon.

Her master was captured by Lucifer.

Liliana frowned and glared at Lucifer.

“…Hey.”

“Calliope. You wouldn’t know how long I’ve waited for you. How much I’ve longed for this moment!”

“Cut the crap, let go of what you’re holding?”

“Hm? Ah, this?”

Only then did Lucifer realize the presence of Lee Hoyeon whom he was holding.

The faintly beating pulse told me that his life was still maintained.

“Humans are tougher than they look. They cling to life even in this state.”

Swish-. Swish-.

Lucifer grabbed Lee Hoyeon’s neck and shook him side to side.

His body swayed like a doll, but Lee Hoyeon showed no reaction.

“Hmm….”

Human women entered behind Liliana.

These were the women Lee Hoyeon had gathered in one place.

I recognized some of the faces.

There were even humans who had injured me.

Lucifer scanned the humans and nodded.

“Are those Lee Hoyeon’s women? Calliope. Do you like this human too? For your information, Lee Hoyeon has great affection for you.”

“…Hah.”

Lucifer’s demonic eyes glowed red.

Liliana’s angry emotions were vividly conveyed.

The seal embedded in her was reflected in the demonic eyes.

‘Indeed, that seal isn’t completely broken.’

Liliana’s seal seemed to have been damaged.

The cause is predictable.

Lucifer’s magic, imbued with authority, had spread out as he showed his true power. Having been hit directly by the magic of Lucifer, a high-ranking noble, caused a problem with Liliana’s seal.

‘In other words, it wasn’t the work of a transcendent being.’

It’s true that the seal placed on Liliana is a top-tier magic.

Restricting her memories and power is not an easy task, even for Lucifer.

But even such a seal could not evade my demonic eyes.

“Stop acting friendly and let go of that hand right now!”

I need to extract more information about Lee Hoyeon.

If I can find out the reason why Lee Hoyeon can block my demonic eyes, the possibility of resisting transcendent beings might arise.

“Why are you getting angry? Calliope. Are you perhaps truly fond of a human? Don’t you remember being a human slave in the Underworld? Humans are nothing more than insects.”

Of course, Lee Hoyeon isn’t an ordinary human, but Liliana Calliope isn’t an ordinary succubus either.

Handing over a woman acknowledged by the Demon King’s successor to a human man is a disgrace to the Underworld.

“Right. There’s no way talking will work.”

Liliana gave up on talking and immediately assumed a battle stance.

Lucifer scanned Liliana up and down.

Even looking at that lewd body, lust didn’t arise; anticipation for battle took precedence.

My warmed-up body from the battle with Lee Hoyeon was already ready.

As I’ve said many times, Liliana Calliope’s magic power was threatening, even to Lucifer.

But this fake dungeon is Lucifer’s domain.

Boom-!

The dense magic power filling the fake dungeon created a magic storm around Lucifer.

Magic seeped into Lucifer’s strong body.

The magic of the Underworld can even enhance physical strength, and Lucifer’s body became even stronger.

“Liliana Calliope! If I capture you, I have many things to ask. I will slowly dissect those memories.”

Finally, the time has come to fulfill my long-held wish.

Lucifer looked at Liliana with a confident expression.

Right now, she is incomplete.

If it were the Liliana in perfect condition during the succession competition, maybe.

I can’t possibly lose to a half-wit unable to properly control her own power.

If I capture her now, the things I can do will increase greatly.

“…This is annoying.”

Just what is she trying to act so friendly for?

Liliana raised her hand, seeing Lucifer look at her so confidently.

Lucifer was making a big mistake.

Liliana was not incomplete.

She simply found the process of drawing up her magic power annoying.

She had been using only the minimum magic power necessary to reach the core.

“Now, even this is easy, you know?”

Crack- Snap-

The space twisted, centered around Liliana.

Actually, Lucifer’s reasoning was not entirely wrong.

Liliana had regained her strength, but her memories from the Underworld were still blank.

Therefore, she had to use simple magic.

This space, filled with Lucifer’s magic, is not suitable for fighting.

So, first, I’ll blow away the magic.

Crackle-!

Lucifer opened his eyes wide.

The magic in the core swirled.

The magic he firmly believed was his own could not withstand the pressure and began to disappear.

“What… cheap tricks!”

Lucifer focused his strength into his right arm.

His bulging muscles were densely packed with magic.

To disrupt Liliana’s magic enveloping the entire core, I must interfere with the space itself.

Lucifer pounded his fist onto the floor, putting in maximum strength.

Slic-

“Kuaaaak!”

But the moment Lucifer’s fist touched the floor, a deep gash was carved into his chest.

Due to the momentary pain, his grip on Lee Hoyeon’s neck loosened, and as if by agreement, gentle magic approached and took Lee Hoyeon away.

“Good job. Daeun!”

“It’s thanks to Ms. Liliana clearing away the oppressive magic and opening the path. It’s much easier to move now.”

“I’ve secured Hoyeon too. Saintess. Please take care of Hoyeon.”

Nam Daeun and Moon Surin entrusted Lee Hoyeon to Baek Ahyoung, then stood side-by-side next to Liliana.

“Calliope…! What is the meaning of this!”

Lucifer, clutching his chest, shouted while glaring at Liliana.

The Underworld’s magic filling the dungeon had decreased by nearly half. It was an annoying loss.

“That’s what I should be saying! You mountain goat bastard! Why are you kidnapping someone else’s man and causing trouble!”

“…What did you say?”

Liliana gritted her teeth, glaring at Lucifer’s horns.

From those protruding horns to that bulky body.

His dirty magic, even his overwhelming presence. I didn’t like any of it.

“A mere mountain goat. Daring to mess with a succubus’s man?”

Have I ever been this angry in the human world?

Liliana drew up her magic power, looking at the blood-soaked Lee Hoyeon.

*

Lee Hoyeon’s pitch-black vision gradually brightened.

The pain felt throughout his body gradually subsided, and a warm light enveloped him.

“Honey, honey… wake up. sob…”

To his muffled ears, a familiar voice could be heard.

‘…Is this a dream?’

Lee Hoyeon slightly opened his eyes, feeling the bright light.

Before his eyes, Baek Ahyoung’s face appeared, tears streaming down.

There’s no way Baek Ahyoung would come this far.

But this warm light enveloping his body was definitely Baek Ahyoung’s.

‘So sleepy…’

Lee Hoyeon closed his eyes again, feeling the warmth blankly.

Even though he tried to get up, his arms and legs wouldn’t obey.

Whoosh-

“Honey, honey… open your eyes…”

While Lee Hoyeon felt puzzled, Baek Ahyoung healed him.

Baek Ahyoung’s healing, known as the Saintess’s, was like turning back time.

The dead cells in his body regenerated, and magic seeped into his damaged mana circuits.

Cracked and broken bones were set, and blood flowed through his veins.

And even the damaged nerves, unable to withstand the extreme pain, began to recover.

“Kuhup…!”

Lee Hoyeon snapped his eyes open due to the intensifying pain.

The pain he had suppressed came all at once.

“Ah, aaaak! Euuaaak…!”

“It’s okay. It’s okay. Honey, just bear with it a little longer.”

Baek Ahyoung’s healing process, while repairing Lee Hoyeon’s nerves, actually made him become more alert.

Death, which had been right before his eyes, receded.

Baek Ahyoung’s words echoing in his ears resonated.

While his whole body trembled, Lee Hoyeon realized that the current situation was not a dream.

Lee Hoyeon, having opened his eyes, asked, unable to hide his confusion.

“Ahyoung-ssi? Why are you here, Ahyoung-ssi…”

“H-Honey. Honey…! sob… You’re alive. You’re alive…”

“Uh, uh… Don’t cry. I’m alive. Ah, aaak…”

Baek Ahyoung shed tears, burying her face in Lee Hoyeon’s chest.

It hurt slightly with Baek Ahyoung clinging so tightly, but Lee Hoyeon endured the pain and looked around.

His vision hadn’t fully returned yet, so he couldn’t see far, but he vividly felt the heroines’ magic that he himself had inscribed into the magic circle.

“…Did everyone come to save me?”

“Yes.”

The heroines’ magic and Lucifer’s immense magic power.

They were confronting Lucifer instead of Lee Hoyeon.

“Me too. No, I have to fight.”

“No. If you move any more right now, your life will truly be in danger.”

“I can’t just rest while everyone else is fighting.”

“That’s not the issue. Honey. You really, truly would have died. If we had been even a minute late… you wouldn’t have opened your eyes again. sob You’re still not okay. You need to keep receiving my treatment.”

“…”

Lee Hoyeon swallowed, looking at the tearful Baek Ahyoung.

The fake dungeon has a place called the Healing Space.

It’s a space where life forms are automatically sent if it’s judged their life is in danger due to their magic running out.

Normally, no one dies inside this dungeon.

But could Lee Hoyeon survive even if he were sent to the Healing Space with his current physical condition?

Even the meticulously crafted Healing Space is clearly inferior compared to Baek Ahyoung’s healing.

Lee Hoyeon was forcing his magic to continue, using his combat sense and clear mind.

If he were sent to the Healing Space, he might really die, just as Baek Ahyoung said.

Baek Ahyoung placed her hand on Lee Hoyeon’s cheek and smiled.

“Everyone here rushed here thinking only of you. I understand your concern… but you don’t have to bear it all, Honey.”

“…Ahyoung-ssi.”

“Trust us and leave it to us. Of course, it’s a shame I can’t have you all to myself… but everyone is sincere.”

Hearing Baek Ahyoung’s words, Lee Hoyeon felt a pang in his chest.

It was me who created this dungeon itself.

“Anyway, let’s focus on recovery. We’re strong enough, there’s no way we can’t take down one demon.”

“…Yes.”

Lee Hoyeon slowly observed his internal state.

Indeed, it seemed like a serious condition.

As soon as the extreme situation ended, the overwhelming fatigue and aftereffects made him unable to even twitch a finger.

‘If I recover just a little more, I’ll be able to move.’

Thump. Thump.

I have no intention of giving up here.

My combat sense has not yet extinguished.

My body craved battle, and the battle with Lucifer must be finished by Lee Hoyeon.

I have absolutely no intention of letting others reap the seeds I planted.