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The threat to stay in Asmodeus’s castle forever if Heukgu and Heukrang aren’t found actually worked.

And then came the threat demanding food.

If this got out in Korea, whether they called me a thug or a demon, I definitely wouldn’t be called a hero.

“But this is the Demon Realm, right?”

Unless the expedition team snitches, there’s no way the media would find out.

And honestly… even if I lose the title of hero, it’s whatever.

Feels like being a hero brings more losses than gains in life.

Lately, reading web novels, the main characters who got gender-swapped are making bank through internet broadcasts while living the easy life…

Why am I the only one suffering?

“But internet broadcasting doesn’t seem like my thing…”

Thinking about it, there’s no job as good as being a hero…

Actually, being an academy instructor was the most comfortable…

Wait, no, being a student was the most comfortable…

While everyone went out to tour Asmodeus’s castle, I stayed alone in the room, and useless delusions kept flooding in.

Instead of wasting time, maybe I should go out and exercise or something.

But I’m just thinking about it.

My body isn’t moving.

“…Is it broken?”

No, my thoughts are sharp, but my body isn’t following.

I can move my arms and legs, roll around on the bed, but I can’t get out of it.

Is there some kind of barrier?

Just as I was about to give up and sleep forever…

-…Belphegor’s territory?

-Woah, is this serious?

-Shouldn’t we just give up and evacuate? They attacked here first…

-We managed to block them without much damage, but why Belphegor’s territory…

Suddenly, Asmodeus’s palace became chaotic.

From what I could gather, it seemed like Belphegor’s territory had fallen to Satan’s army.

“…When we were there, it seemed evenly matched, but suddenly?”

Was Belphegor’s army weaker than expected?

Or did Satan have some hidden power?

Well, if he declared he’d unify the Demon Realm, he must’ve been confident.

Satan isn’t the kind of demon to fight a losing battle.

There’s a chance Heukgu and Heukrang are on Satan’s side…

I didn’t fully believe Satan when he said he didn’t know and told us to check Asmodeus’s territory.

But since Heukgu and Heukrang were last seen in Asmodeus’s territory, we came here.

But Asmodeus claims he doesn’t know.

Meanwhile, Belphegor’s territory has fallen.

Satan is hiding something.

The situation is spiraling out of control.

It’s not going to be as easy as I thought.

“Could Satan have already recruited Mammon…?”

If Satan can take down Belphegor’s territory alone, and if he has allied with other lords…

Unifying the Demon Realm might just be a matter of time.

“No way those arrogant lords would willingly submit to Satan.”

That’s like China voluntarily becoming a vassal of the US.

It’s absolutely impossible.

For now, I’ll wait for Asmodeus to bring information.

Maybe the expedition team is gathering intel.

For now… I’ll just lie here because I don’t feel like doing anything.

Time passed, and Hayan returned to the room.

“…Gyeoul, there’s no trace of the President anywhere in this city.”

“…What?”

The expedition team, who I thought were just out having fun, had actually been searching for our Master.

I was just waiting, thinking no news is good news, I definitely didn’t forget.

Really, I swear.

“…They should’ve arrived at least a week before us.”

“That’s why the sisters told me to ask you if we could request cooperation from Asmodeus. They’re still searching the city.”

“Got it. You look sweaty, go wash up and rest. I’ll handle Asmodeus.”

“…No, I’ll go out and keep searching.”

Hayan, with a serious expression, shook her head, determined to continue the search.

“Alright, don’t overdo it. Always keep enough stamina to fight if something happens.”

“Okay, got it.”

The other sisters will manage their stamina well without me saying anything.

Unlike before, in the current Demon Realm, it’s hard to tell who’s an enemy and who’s an ally.

That snake brat who’s been acting all scared and obedient might actually be an enemy planning to betray us.

With the Demon Realm unification and plans to invade the human world, Satan, who seems like a potential enemy, might actually be on our side.

With enemies and allies unclear, and everyone hiding something, the only thing we can rely on is our own strength.

We need to conserve our stamina and magic power to be ready to fight at any moment.

That doesn’t mean we should slack off on finding our Master.

‘Let’s move.’

I thought there was a barrier because my body wouldn’t move, but when I actually needed to move, I could jump right out.

Guess mindset really matters.

I ran to Asmodeus’s office.

Given the situation, I shamelessly asked the servants where it was, not even embarrassed about being bad with directions.

*BAM*

I swung the door open and approached Asmodeus.

“What are you trying to steal now… no, what’s the matter?”

“Our Master is missing! Are you the culprit?!”

I know he’s not the culprit.

Even if our Master is S-Class, getting caught by some snake brat without a trace?

That’d be a disgrace to the title of Hwarang.

Whether it’s a story or an incident, he definitely didn’t make it to Asmodeus’s territory.

What I’m doing now is just shifting blame.

Would this snake brat even help if I asked nicely?

If he’s not thinking of skinning me alive, that’s already a win.

I still remember the cruelty of that snake brat who held the filming crew hostage.

Demons are all liars and racists who look down on humans.

Nice words lead to bad actions.

So now, it’s not a request, but a threat.

The team probably thinks I’ve been acting like a thug just because I want to, but I have my reasons.

The reason I’m so well-behaved in the human world but lose control in the Demon Realm is because of that.

…Really.

Anyway, the most suspicious reason our Master didn’t make it here is your interference.

If you’re not the culprit, then you find him. That’s the vibe I’m going for.

“…That’s a laughable statement, even for a passing Hellhound. I don’t even know who your Master is.”

“That doesn’t matter, whether you know or not, I suspect you. The important thing is you have to find him.”

Asmodeus frowned at my shameless threat.

He seemed to be considering whether to listen or not, but his deputy seemed to have other thoughts.

“Even if you’re Asmodeus’s guest, this is too rude…”

“Enough.”

“…Yes.”

Asmodeus’s deputy stood up to confront me, but Asmodeus gestured for him to sit back down.

Good timing, good instincts.

I was about to throw a punch.

Normally, I’d just talk my way through, but this is urgent.

“I’ll try to find him. It’s just a little extra effort while searching for Heukgu and Heukrang. But I have one request.”

“Demons never offer favors easily.”

“…You’re not one to talk, starting with threats.”

That’s why I can’t ask nicely.

Even if I threaten them, they set conditions. If I asked nicely, they’d probably demand I strip in front of them.

“What’s the request?”

“Escort Belarus to Mammon’s territory.”

Belarus is that kind demon we met before.

The reason we sent our Master with him.

“…Why?”

“That’s none of your concern. Will you do it or not?”

We’re heading to Mammon’s territory anyway.

Whether Belarus is with us or not doesn’t matter.

But…

The fact that this brat said that is too suspicious.

“You know where our Master is, don’t you?”

“I won’t answer anything until you agree to the request.”

I knew it.

This brat knew from the start.

This is why I become a thug.

“We’re heading to Mammon’s territory anyway, so we can take him. Just answer quickly.”

“The last intel was that they clashed with Dantalion’s army while trying to cross the border from the dark valley. No trace after that.”

“When was that?”

“Four days ago.”

Dantalion’s army was defending Dante, a border city in the desolate desert.

The complete opposite of the dark valley border.

Why would Dantalion, who was supposed to be wary of Asmodeus, suddenly appear on the opposite border?

‘…What’s going on?’

Dantalion’s army’s mysterious movements.

Satan’s army taking over Belphegor’s territory.

Heukgu and Heukrang’s disappearance.

And now our Master’s disappearance.

I might have to completely revise the plan.

This isn’t the Demon Realm I knew, ruled by strength.

These lords are all scheming and using their brains… they’ve become so human-like.

I might have to reset all the information I have and gather new intel.

For now, finding our Master is the priority.

I immediately left Asmodeus’s castle and released a powerful burst of magic into the air.

*BOOM BOOM*

Magic projectiles exploded in the air, continuously igniting.

I never explained the signal, but they’ll figure it out.

Once the expedition team gathers, we’ll head to the border where the clash with Dantalion happened.

 

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