@Episode 104

– This is breaking news. The last demon hiding in the Taj Mahal has been exterminated.

Ten days since the demon hunt began.

In the end, the corpse of the last demon was reported in real time by various media, putting an end to the 15-day long war against the demons.

-After the defeat of the Demon King by the immortal hero Alek Traman, who returned from the brink of death, all demons that attacked humanity were annihilated.

-It is a victory for humanity!!

-The world has finally escaped fear and is entering a time of tranquility.

I knew that the door would open again and an even tougher enemy would appear next, but I was cheering more passionately than before, as if I wanted to enjoy victory at least for this moment.

Perhaps it was not just hunting monsters, but fighting an intelligent being for the first time.

In other words, it may be because it was a war.

“…It is a trophy from hunting the demon lord.”

Nodeul Island under the Hangang Bridge.

And, unlike the festive atmosphere that was going on around the world, a slightly subdued, somber voice was heard.

It was Alec Traman.

A considerable amount of time had passed since the battle with the Demon King, but Alec, who was wearing bandages and casts all over his body, was in poor condition.

However, not only he but also the people with him seemed not to care about his condition.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

He grimaced as if he was in severe pain every time he coughed, but perhaps because he was in front of Namgung, he didn’t say anything out of pride.

“It looks quite difficult.”

“I didn’t know you would be interested. Recovery is not easy. “It is said that even with Aira Michel’s recovery ability, it is impossible to drive out the devil’s poison.”

Alec shrugged.

“interest? Not at all. Looking at it, does it seem like he still wants to attract people’s attention? “Don’t act pitiful.”

flinch –

Alec’s eyebrows twitched at Namgoong’s cold reaction.

“The Demon King’s poison may not be known to ordinary people, but if you are a Revelator who receives the protection of the Aspect, you can heal it with an elixir. “You must have enough heads to buy it, right?”

Namgoong spoke to Alec.

“The reason you don’t do something you can live with if you set your mind to it is because you still have vanity in your head. Are you trying to play press?”

“…It’s not like that.”

Despite Namgoong’s harsh words, Alec was somehow not upset.

“I used all the heads I had to purchase potions and necessary support supplies for the recovery of London. “There is nothing left.”

“okay?”

“My pride was completely trampled upon from the moment you gave me the opportunity to kill the Demon King. “I won’t do anything more embarrassing than this.”

Alec Traman said with a pale face as he pushed two boxes towards Namgung.

“It sure seems like that. “It looks like you haven’t opened the box, right?”

“Because it’s not mine.”

Namgung chuckled at his words.

“take it. You were the one who killed the Demon King. So it’s yours. You’re the only one who can open it in the first place. The rules of the carnival also say that, so why are you so uncharacteristically stubborn?”

“Damn it…!! How on earth do you plan to make me miserable?!!”

Alec threw away the crutches he was holding and grabbed Namgung by the collar.

“Why… When you went to the place where the Demon King was in search of consciousness, your daughter was able to kill the Demon King. But why… why did you pass up the opportunity to me?”

“Because we needed a play.”

“…what?”

“You’ve been through it so far, so you know. When you kill the boss, the door closes. However, the remaining monsters that were unable to come out of the door are summoned all at once in the form of a wave.”

There was no way I didn’t know.

From goblins to lizardmen…

Because the monster wave started after hunting the boss, except for the third door, which was closed with the power of the phase due to the night of the summons.

“The number of demons who passed through the gates of hell exceeds 600,000. But that’s literally just the number of demons. “Beyond the portal, there are also monsters controlled by demons.”

Alec understood what he meant.

“Does this mean that if the boss dies… not only that demon but also the rest of the demons behind the portal will be summoned?”

“okay. And I don’t know the number. But at least there are more than the number of demons.”

Namgung said.

“It doesn’t make sense… There were over 600,000 demons. But there are more monsters remaining than that? So far, it’s only been a few thousand… tens of thousands at most. “The level of difficulty is so different.”

“Who promised that it would be the same as before?”

“….”

“You may have been absorbed in playing hero, but look at the world clearly. “Carnival has already caused over a million casualties around the world.”

At Namgung’s words, Alec just wrinkled his face and couldn’t respond.

“However, there are cases where a wave does not occur even when the door is closed. That is when the summoned monster closes the door on its own.”

“Demons close the door on their own…”

“There is no way it would be possible for low-intelligence guys like Goblin Lords and Lizardmen, but demons are intelligent beings at the same level as humans. And from now on, we have to fight against those guys. “It’s not just hunting… it’s literally war.”

Gulp –

Alec swallowed dry saliva without realizing it at his words.

“But there are also things that work because of that.”

Strategy and tactics.

Namgung planned a plan to deceive the demons.

“You are indeed a great wizard. Because even the demons did not notice the fake head of the demon king created by Den Howl. Thanks to that, they closed the door on their own.”

Namgung continued.

“That’s how we close the door and deal with the isolated demons. That was my plan and how to minimize the damage. “If you think about it, you did your job well.”

“…My role?”

“They clearly said they would establish a world union in Korea, but they acted out of petty greed. “Thanks to you, I became the target of the devil.”

Padeuk-

“Thanks to you, we were able to evacuate the people of Daejeon and prepare a battlefield for the war against the demon army.”

Namgung patted Alec on the shoulder and said, but from Alec’s perspective, it was just miserable.

widely!!

Alec shook his hand away.

“From the Red Zone to what happened in London… You denied my actions and caught monsters for show. Are you satisfied now? “Why don’t you make me a fool who can’t do anything like a scarecrow?”

Poop-!!!

It was then.

Namgung hit Alec, who was screaming, on the cheek with his fist.

“…Ouch!!”

Alec’s body shook violently. The leg that was in a cast fell backwards without being able to maintain its balance.

“Can’t you do anything? You have to say it right away. Who was it that left it alone and ran wild like a colt with no reins? “Even a fool would know that I’m not praising you right now.”

Namgung looked down at the fallen Alec and said.

There was a life in his eyes that went beyond anger.

“You killed so many London citizens. “You used those people who were desperately trying to survive, waiting for someone to come to save them, for your own fame.”

Poop-!!!

He kicked Alec hard in the stomach again.

“But you’re still alive.”

Wow-!!

Once again and again.

Namgoong kicked Alec as hard as he could.

“Then why are you so angry at me as if I were the saddest person in the world?”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Blood flowed from Alec’s mouth, whose body had not yet recovered.

“….”

Johanna and Hanson watched the scene silently. Hanson, who was in a wheelchair, was missing both arms and one leg.

Is it good to be lucky?

Contrary to the belief that all limbs would have to be amputated, he was able to retain one leg.

At any rate, I would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life.

“Maybe we should stop it.”

“What can I do to stop you?”

Johanna calmly answered Hanson’s question.

“I have to admit it now. We are not the center of the world. Even if I die and wake up, I can’t defeat Namgung. “Then you have to make a choice.”

“….”

“Follow him or become a complete enemy. Of course, if Alec chooses the latter, I’ll be out.”

“In the end, there is only one choice…”

Hanson sighed softly at her words.

“…What do you want from me?”

Alec, lying sprawled out on the floor, asked in a tearful voice.

“You should know better. “You will have to bear the burden of countless lives in London for the rest of your life.”

Namgung said, pinching his cheek with his index finger and thumb.

“Be a real hero. “Don’t wait for others to despair, but enter despair yourself first.”

He looked at Alec.

“After all, a hero can only be a hero if there are people who praise him.”

Namgoong pressed Alec’s head to the floor once again.

“Keuuuhhh…!!!”

Alec’s face was covered in mud due to the weeds wet with morning dew.

“Going into despair…? They’re already dead anyway! What more should I do for them!!”

Alec shouted.

“So, should I die too? Do you want me dead? uh? Do you think you will be satisfied if you do that?!!!”

“that’s right.”

“…what?”

Alec, who had shouted at Namgoong’s unexpected answer, looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Gulp –

The mud on his cheek flowed and entered his mouth, but he was so shocked that he didn’t even seem to notice that he had swallowed it.

“for a moment…!! Namgoong, please stop!”

Hanson shouted as he looked at the two people.

“He certainly made a big mistake, but he is by no means a villain. Please forgive him.”

“How can I not just forgive that guy? “I’m just stating the facts.”

“It’s true…”

“When the next door opens, one of the Revelators must die. You play that role. Alec Traman.”

“…!!!”

The people present were astonished at Namgung’s words.

“Now wait!! “No matter what, I can’t believe I’m going to die from Alec…!”

Hanson blocked his path.

“That’s too much! Did you keep him alive so that you could eventually use him as a victim?”

“Who is this guy who wasted time while the citizens of London were being sacrificed in order to maximize the fear of his appearance?”

“That…”

“To draw more attention, he didn’t move even though his comrade was in danger. how is it? Feel?”

Hanson had no answer to Namgung’s question.

“Once we decided on him as our leader, our future was already decided. “If that was what he meant… I would have followed it even if I had known.”

“There are still strong guys around the sloppy guy. “The most useful guy has become a half-asshole.”

Namgung passed by Hanson, who had a stern face.

“Like I said, the box is yours. “I don’t know what’s in it, but give it a try and give it a try.”

Quang-!!

Alec glared at him, hitting the floor with his fist nervously.

“I wonder if there will be anyone who will support you when the rest of the Revelators find out about this.”

Namgung spoke to him.

“Treat the time you have left before you die. “Alec.”

“Aaaahhhhh—!!!” Sёarch* The NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

From behind, I heard a strange roar from Alec that I couldn’t tell if it was crying or screaming.

* * *

“There was no need to hand over the devil’s reward to Alek Traman.”

Myung-Hoon asked Namgung in the car on the way back from Nodeul Island.

“He stood by while so many people in London died. As it is, he is a man who cannot be criticized enough.”

“you’re right. But this time, I survived thanks to the plan my brother had planned. Anyway, he’s a lucky guy…”

Ho-jun also crossed his arms as if he didn’t like Myung-hoon’s words.

“I don’t know why you’re giving Alec a chance like this.”

“You heard. When the next door opens, one of the Revelators will die. “They kept me alive to play that role.”

“Don’t lie. Are you really choosing who dies? “A man who tried to become a cannon fodder during an operation…”

“I don’t think he’ll reflect on it even if he gets some kind of reward… Will Alec Traman be able to agree with us?”

“What are you all talking about? “It was really left there to kill.”

Despite Myung-hoon and Ho-jun’s guesses, Namgung gave a clear answer.

“Brother, leave it alone. “Because people don’t know what’s going on, criminals like us only say when the time comes.”

Myung-Hoon smiled bitterly at Ho-Jun’s scolding.

“You may have thoughts, but… I’m worried that I’m leaving you with unnecessary anxiety.”

Namgung was able to fully understand their feelings.

“Honestly, I am dissatisfied. “Now the world is starting to pay attention to you, brother… Why do you keep passing the glory to others?”

“glory? That shining place is not where I belong. “This is where you should be.”

“What is that…”

“Because from now on, my hands won’t just be covered in monster blood.”

Goosebumps –

At that moment, Myung-Hoon swallowed dry saliva without realizing it.

“Pantheon.”

Namgung spoke quietly.

“It is the name of the fifth gate and the next battlefield we must prepare for.”

“What kind of monster is coming?”

“It’s just as the name says. “What comes through that door is not a monster that needs to be hunted.”

“no way…?”

“It is God.”

At his words, Myung-Hoon and Ho-Jun looked at each other with stern faces.

‘When the next door opens, the world will be completely changed once again.’

Am I nervous?

Namgung took a moment to catch his breath.

“The power of the Aspects could only be used by the eight chosen Revelators. That is why it is special, but now when the fifth door opens, Noble Phantasms containing the power of phase appear in the world.”

“Arm of God….”

“And the owner who obtains it can use the power of the phase, although not as much as the Revelator.”

There are two weapons each with the power of phase.

A total of sixteen weapons.

Those who possessed it were called followers.

“The struggle to obtain it is the pantheon.”

“Those who know the power of the clan’s contractors through proxy auctions will not want to miss the opportunity to win the pantheon. “Unlike an auction, there is no risk of death if it fails.”

Myung-Hoon nodded as if he understood.

“that’s right. Although they fall short of Revelators or Contractors, their followers can also gain the strength to survive the carnival.”

“Wow… isn’t that amazing? “You can use necromancy like your brother, or you can heal like Aira Michel, right?”

“okay.”

“Wouldn’t it be great to get just one?”

Hojun had already licked his lips and spoke to Namgung.

“I guess so. And everyone is probably thinking the same thing as you.”

“…yes?”

“Hojun. “Have you already forgotten what happened in the Red Zone?”

Myung-Hoon spoke to him.

“Fortunately, no friction occurred, but the red zone had a trap to make people compete for the safe zone.”

“okay. In the end, the weapon of status is ultimately a bait. “They are persistent in tempting humans.”

Namgung spoke in a low voice.

‘There are conditions to activate the divine weapon.’

The life of one of the Revelators.

In some ways, being able to activate sixteen weapons at the cost of one life may be a better choice for humanity.

Sacrifice of a cow for the greater good.

‘The struggle that began targeting humans’ desire to acquire weapons ultimately leads to someone’s death in the end.’

Making people kill the living under the pretext of trying to survive.

That was the true form of the pantheon.

“….”

“What are you thinking?”

“just.”

Myung-Hoon looked at Namgung’s expression.

“I wonder how long he will just wait and see.”

“…?”

“I’ll have to watch it sometime. Will he just watch his revealer die? “Pushing people around is something we can do here too.”

While everyone was aiming for the weapon containing the power of the phase, Namgung was aiming for something else.

First phase.

Observer of the sun and moon.

The status itself was Namgung’s goal.