Chapter 214

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Chapter 214: The Third Trial (2)

The first thing he encountered was a massive volcano. Bright red flames erupted like fireworks.

‘It's a bit too hot.’

Even though he was some distance from the volcano, the suffocating heat washed over him. It was an environment where even most Awakened would find it difficult to operate.

If he were a Non-Awakened, he would have been roasted instantly.

Of course, this didn't apply to Kim Minwoo. It was partly due to his high stats, but more importantly...

"Hayang."

―Coo.

[Hayang shares the ‘White Flame’ attribute!]

[Fire resistance increased by 130%!]

The White Flame attribute evolved from the Fire attribute after defeating the Spirit King.

It was thanks to this that he could wrap himself in tremendous elemental resistance.

Not only that...

To Kim Minwoo, million-won potions were like cheap coffee from a vending machine.

[Consuming Flame Resistance Potion (Highest Rank)!]

Gulp.

"Phew, I feel much better now."

Attribute sharing and potions were godsends, making him invincible. Perhaps now, with a bit of exaggeration, he could even bathe in lava.

He breathed deeply.

He looked around.

‘The sky is red. The ground is parched.’

It was truly a place befitting the Demon Realm.

The only unusual thing was the dozens of giant statues erected near the volcano.

They seemed to be at least 10 meters tall, all depicting Balrogs.

‘Now I understand why it's called Balrog's Hill.’

He approached the intricately carved Balrog statues for a closer look.

Flap!

A powerful flapping sound echoed.

From holes scattered around the volcano like ant nests, a group of Balrogs emerged. The largest one among them began to fly towards him.

―Who are you? A wanderer?

"I'm human."

―......Human? The creature that lives in the Middle World, infinitely weak, and relies on God?

"I guess that's how you see them here?"

After staring at him blankly for a moment, the leading Balrog chuckled and said,

―Long Long. That's my name. Yours?

"Kim Minwoo. Your name is quite cute."

―......Never heard that before. So, Kim Minwoo. Did you come from the Middle World?

"Something like that."

―How did you get here? Did you find a passage?

Long Long's eyes blazed.

The flames around his eyes and tail fluttered like a gentle breeze, his gaze filled with anticipation...

"What are you going to do if I did?"

―If there's a passage, we should be the first to use it. I heard humans are quite tasty...

"Ah, so you see me as food?"

―No. You're a bit different.

"How am I different?"

―Because you can withstand the heat.

Long Long looked at him with admiration.

―Even mid-rank demons aren't this relaxed on our land. But you are. We Balrogs acknowledge the strong.

"Are mid-rank demons considered strong?"

―At least they're not insignificant. Well... compared to us Balrogs, they're just lowly creatures. So, what's your answer?

"I'm not telling you."

―What?

"Do I have to answer every question you ask? No, I don't."

―Huh, hahaha!

The Balrog laughed, clutching his belly.

His laughter alone shook the surrounding 10 meters.

"And if you're going to lie, wipe your mouth first."

―Lie? What lie?

"You're drooling. Whether I answer or not, you're planning to eat me, aren't you?"

―That's right. You're smart. But there's one difference. Can you guess?

"What is it?"

―If you answer, I'll eat you nicely. If you don't, I'll rip out your guts one by one.

Hmm.

Is this the Demon Realm stance?

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It's hard to imagine humans and demons playing patty-cake.

‘This is going to be quite tiring.’

If other demons are like this, it's going to be very annoying.

"Do you know a Balrog named Vulcan?"

―How do you know his name?

"Oh, you know him?"

―You heard rumors? Well, Vulcan is quite famous...

It was fortunate that they were merely not close.

Cedric, on the other hand...

He seemed to have something in mind.

―Vulcan was arrogant. And he was very proud of his race.

"Really?"

―Yes. A chosen few. That was Vulcan's image of Balrogs. But thinking about it now, it's a bit strange.

"What is?"

―Despite cherishing his kind so much, I've never seen any other Balrogs besides Vulcan.

"Didn't you ask back then?"

―No need. There was no reason to pry into something he didn't want to talk about. But I understand one thing. The Vulcan I knew wouldn't have left the Balrogs I see now behind.

"The Lord could have taken only Vulcan."

―That's unlikely. The Lord at that time was in a position where he needed all the help he could get. Even if the Balrogs weren't exceptional, wouldn't it be normal to bring them along?

"Okay, I get it."

He understood what Cedric was trying to say.

In other words, if there were other Balrogs when the Death Lord took Vulcan, they would have most likely come along.

But they didn't.

Why?

‘Because there was no one else but him?’

What if all the Balrogs he saw here, including the elite group that carried out mercenary work, were wiped out?

Then it would make sense that Vulcan was the only one who submitted to the Lord. How could he bring others along if there were no others?

‘Did they die without even leaving a corpse?’

If there were corpses, the Death Lord could have tried to resurrect them as undead.

"So, we have to prevent the annihilation of the Balrogs."

―I'm not sure. It's just a guess.

"A guess is better than nothing. It's better than having no clue at all. Hey, Long Long!"

―You called!

Long Long came running back and prostrated himself.

"I have a question."

―Go ahead.

"About Vulcan and his elite troops. How strong are they?"

―...Pardon?

"Tell me in a way that's easy to understand. In a direct way. Ah! This would be good. If you combine them all, what rank would they be among the Demon Lords?"

―I-I don't know...

"No one's asking you to be perfectly accurate. Just give me an estimate. Even a rough one will do. How do they compare to that Paimon guy?"

―Hmm... Vulcan and his elite troops... they wouldn't be easily defeated.

"Can they even rival Paimon?"

―Probably? At least Lord Paimon wouldn't be able to easily dispose of us. Vulcan's power is truly remarkable.

Rivaling the 7th ranked Demon Lord?

‘He's quite strong.’

Well, it's true.

In the future, after this point in time...

When Merhen was turned into an undead.

The power Vulcan displayed then was terrifying.

It took a lot of effort to gouge out even one of his eyeballs.

"Oh right. Vulcan doesn't have a missing eye, does he?"

―A missing eye? Not at all.

The past is certain.

If we arrange the arrangements in chronological order...

Vulcan → Merhen → Cedric.

This would be the order.

So, gouging out his eyeball during Merhen's time wouldn't apply to Vulcan's current arrangement.

Or it could be a separate parallel world, since it was a fragment of the past.

Anyway, the conclusion.

For now, it seems like he should aim to prevent the annihilation of the Balrogs.

"I need to meet Vulcan. Do you have something like a crystal ball? A crystal ball that can summon Vulcan."

―I don't have one...

"You really don't know when he'll be back?"

―Yes... I really don't know. If I did, I would have told you right away, Kim Minwoo.

"No, what if your base gets raided while you're out and about? Isn't this your base?"

―Th-that... who would raid us... except for you, Kim Minwoo...

Ha.

He couldn't argue with that.

He licked his lips and looked at Long Long.

"Then I'll have to go meet him myself."

―How?

Long Long asked, tilting his head.

Even he, Vulcan's loyal follower, didn't know where he was.

That was natural, as he was carrying out the Demon Lord Paimon's mission.

"Even if you don't know, that Paimon guy would know, right? Since he gave the mission."

―Th-that's right.

"Then the answer is clear. We can just ask the guy who knows, right?"

―Ask Lord Paimon?

"Where does he live? Lead the way."

Long Long stared blankly at Kim Minwoo at those words.

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