---

As soon as I entered the conference room, I started looking around everywhere.

The servants were giving me puzzled looks, but I didn’t care about their stares.

Right now, my goal wasn’t to sightsee, but to scout.

In the worst-case scenario, how and where should I move to get myself out?

If a fight breaks out, how should I use the surrounding environment to fight?

I was slowly scanning every corner.

“But… why does it feel so suffocating?”

Even after circling the entire conference room, there was no exit to speak of.

In fact, the only entrance was the one I came through.

Breaking a window and jumping out seemed like the most reliable and quickest way.

Just in case, I kept looking around.

Then, a demon approached me.

“You’re Satan’s bodyguard, right? I don’t know how much you’re getting paid, but I’ll double it if you come work for me.”

“…? And who are you?”

“Huh? Is there anyone in the Demon Realm who doesn’t know me?”

Indeed, his appearance was impossible to miss.

A crow with two heads, spreading wings so beautiful they could be mistaken for an angel’s.

‘But does that mean everyone should know you?’

He must be suffering from main character syndrome, thinking the world revolves around him.

Still, with that look, he could probably play the villain in a dark fairy tale.

“Wow, I must be amazing if I don’t know you, Mr. Crow.”

“…I am Mammon, the Demon Lord who built the greatest architectural structure in the Demon Realm, the Ten Thousand Demon Palace. The one who covets everything in the world, the fallen angel Mammon.”

“Ah, so you’re an architect. I’ll contact you if I need any work done later.”

“…”

Even though I said that, I already knew this crow was a Demon Lord.

From the moment I entered the conference room, his energy was so overwhelming that it was impossible not to notice.

This place had gone through more than four security checks just to enter, so aside from the attendees and servants, no one else could come and go.

No way he’s just an architect.

He might seem weaker than Satan, but this crow was no ordinary being.

He could probably take down an S-Class Hero without breaking a sweat.

He must have transcended, given that he’s a Demon Lord.

But…

“Pathetic human!”

“Slave scum!”

“Human trash!”

Ever since I arrived in the Demon Realm, I’ve been hearing these kinds of discriminatory remarks.

Maybe that’s why I kept giving snarky replies.

Even though I knew better, I had no intention of softening my tone.

Who do these lowly demons think they are, daring to talk back to a great human like me?

Anyway, I casually ignored the crow’s recruitment offer.

The crow, looking utterly baffled, went back to his seat.

He kept glaring at me after that, but…

Even if he opened his eyes weirdly, to me, he was just a baby bird.

‘Good thing I don’t have ornithophobia, or I might’ve been scared.’

I also headed to the spot marked with Satan’s name.

Since I’m a bodyguard, I figured I should stand behind him rather than sit.

As soon as I took my place behind Satan’s chair, another Demon Lord appeared.

A ridiculously handsome Demon Lord with six black wings and six white wings.

“Hello.”

His divine appearance made me instinctively greet him.

“I have no name to share with a mere human.”

…What a hilariously crazy guy.

Despite looking exactly like a human, except for the wings, he’s dissing humans.

After spitting out that one line, he headed straight to his seat.

Even if he didn’t tell me his name, I could tell who he was just by looking at him.

The fallen angel who rebelled and fell to Hell, Lucifer, no doubt.

I’m not sure if the Demon Realm and Hell are the same place, but since Lucifer is here, I guess they’re the same.

It’s not like I guessed his name from the name tags on the seats.

…Really.

Anyway, Lucifer kept sending waves of energy my way.

Is he trying to pick a fight?

He feels even stronger than Satan.

I don’t think I can win, but I don’t think I can lose either.

I just ignored him, staring straight ahead.

Mammon looked even more baffled than before.

Lucifer seemed to have lost interest in me and stopped sending energy.

Just facing these two already made me tired.

Following the two exhausting ones, Satan finally entered.

…Took him long enough.

A Demon Lord with no sense of time, being late and just laughing it off—it felt like he’d be obsolete in the Demon Realm soon.

From what I’ve seen over the past few days, the Demon Realm strongly follows the law of the jungle.

Not that Earth is any different, but it’s a bit more extreme here.

Weak demons can’t even complain when stronger demons beat them up.

Suddenly, I remembered the students at the academy who used to pick fights with me, but I shook off the thought.

I’m a peaceful, kind, and beautiful 14-year-old middle school girl from Earth, so I shouldn’t have such memories.

“Any issues?”

I wanted to scold him for being late, but… with so many eyes watching, I didn’t want to embarrass the only person who might be on my side.

Still, I had to say something.

“…Everything’s fine, but I’m hungry.”

“Oh dear, I should have them bring out the food quickly.”

Satan, the future greatest Demon Lord, ordered food for me.

It was such a touching moment that I almost considered starting a new Satan Church when I got back to Earth.

I think I understand how fanaticism starts.

Like I said before, it’s not favoritism just because he’s feeding me.

…Really.

“Thank you, but… is that a pet insect next to you?”

“What? Pfft, hahaha!”

That… doesn’t seem like something you’d keep as a pet.

A giant walking fly—even I, running on empty, would lose my appetite looking at that.

“…Insolent human.”

“Heh, this guy’s a Demon Lord too.”

Satan couldn’t stop laughing, barely managing to speak.

…I really didn’t know this time.

Satan’s energy was overwhelmingly strong, and…

This fly is really good at hiding its energy.

“Ah, so you’re a Demon Lord… I’m sorry.”

The fly didn’t even acknowledge my apology and just went to its seat.

“I thought it’d be a good connection to introduce you, but… it didn’t go well. I’ll arrange a meal together some other time.”

“…That’s fine.”

It’s not a lie, I really mean it.

I’m grateful for the offer to share a meal, but…

I’m not exactly thrilled about dining with that kind of visual.

After Satan and Baal Zebul entered, no one else came in.

These rude demons seem to have no concept of time.

But for me, it was a blessing.

As soon as Satan ordered the food, a full buffet was set up in an instant.

Or should I say, a Demon Realm-style finger food catering service?

Exaggerating a bit, the endless plates were tempting me.

“Enjoy your time.”

As soon as the setup was done, I charged at the plates.

The other Demon Lords didn’t budge from their seats, so I thought the food was all mine… but!

Before I knew it, the fly was right next to me.

No way I’m losing.

I thought about showing some manners since it felt like a formal meeting, but seeing the fly made me give up.

I used telekinesis to float the plates and quickly piled on the food.

Wherever I went, the plates were emptied in an instant.

“Telekinesis, huh? That’s a useful ability!”

The fly complimented my telekinesis, but I couldn’t tell if it was sarcastic or genuine.

“…If you’re jealous, why don’t you use telekinesis too?”

“Sadly, telekinesis isn’t an ability granted to me.”

Seems like he genuinely envied my telekinesis.

I could feel his sincerity for the food.

My impression of the fly improved just a tiny bit.

“Nom nom nom…”

“Ugh, such uncultured beings.”

Satan was either holding back laughter or tears, I couldn’t tell.

Mammon, known for his greed, seemed to have no appetite, clicking his tongue at us.

Lucifer… I have no idea what he’s doing with his eyes closed.

I floated dozens of plates back to my spot.

Eating while standing was something I experienced at Lee Ha-yoon’s birthday party too.

Seems like the upper class eats like this these days, so I’ll have to adapt.

But eating with my hands would be too obvious, so I used telekinesis to bring the food to my mouth.

Baal Zebul was looking at me with envious eyes.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit smug under that gaze.

Soon, all the food I brought was gone.

Maybe because it was more like snacks? I didn’t feel full.

The servants suddenly became busy.

Seems like they didn’t prepare more food.

‘I’ll eat more after the meeting.’

While I was debating whether to go for seconds or just endure, the remaining Demon Lords entered.

“Entering at the same time as a lustful demon, what a disgrace.”

“You disgrace yourself every year, so you must be used to it.”

So that’s Asmodeus.

As expected of a demon, another disgusting multi-headed creature appeared.

Each head was a human, a sheep, and a cow, with webbed feet and a snake-like tail.

Satan stood up as if he’d been waiting.

“Asmodeus, do you still have the Dimensional Stone you took?”

“Dimensional Stone?”

“Playing dumb? The one you stole during the 32nd Barren Desert Battle.”

“Ah, that. One of my partners was interested, so I gave it to them as a gift.”

Satan’s expression twisted in a rare show of frustration.

“You gave the Dimensional Stone to a night slave?”

“Night slave? Each one is a precious partner.”

“Anyway, I’d like it back.”

“Why?”

Surprisingly, he seemed reasonable.

If this keeps up, I might be able to get it back smoothly.

“Do you see the human behind me? He came from Earth, and he needs it to go back.”

“…Why am I only seeing this beautiful human now?”

“…Sigh.”

As soon as I made eye contact with Asmodeus, I felt a chill.

“If you agree to serve me at night, I’ll give it to you as a reward.”

Of course, he started spouting nonsense.

“Wanna die?”

“Feisty, huh? I like that.”

“You won’t feel pain when you get hit?”

“SM? Now that’s my kind of thing.”

As the tension rose, another Demon Lord entered the conference room.

“…Sigh, more nonsense? Just sit down.”

“If Belphegor says so, I guess I have to.”

…?

Asmodeus suddenly withdrew his energy and quietly returned to his seat.

They say the last one to appear is the main character.

Is that little old man the strongest one?

“What’s with that human? I have a bad feeling something annoying is going to happen.”

“…If Asmodeus just returns the Dimensional Stone, nothing will happen, Belphegor.”

“Satan, you brought him? Do whatever you want, but leave me out of it. It’s annoying.”

“Belphegor! You should side with me!”

“Just duel or something, why drag me into it?”

With Belphegor’s appearance, the situation took a weird turn.

Thinking about it, it was unavoidable.

Asmodeus saying he’d give me the Dimensional Stone if I served him at night was basically asking for a soul duel.

“Can I kill him?”

“If you can?”

Great, I even got a murder permit from Satan.

There’s no Lee Ha-yoon to stop me now.

It’s time to unleash the Black Flame Dragon.

 

---