<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 6>
Yeon Su-ji sighed inwardly.
“Father, seriously, do I have to resort to this?”
It was her third year at the Academy, the busiest time as the team leader, but she was summoned back to the main house. Suddenly, she was told to flirt with a man.
What is this? Does my dad have issues with his morals?
Yeon Su-ji barely avoided becoming a traitor to her principles.
Fortunately, it was more of an encouragement than a command, so she at least listened to the reason.
To sum it up, her younger sibling, Yeon Jae-hun, had caused some trouble, and it involved Park Ki-hyuk.
Park Ki-hyuk, the son of the representative of Optimum Agency and the youngest member of the Sword Master family.
…What a useless guy.
When the name Park Ki-hyuk was mentioned, Yeon Su-ji had already started disapproving of Yeon Jae-hun.
Park Ki-hyuk was the sensational rookie who had shaken up the entrance exam. It was bad enough they had a poor relationship as it was; why stir up trouble?
Yet, funnily enough, her father saw this as an opportunity.
Proving himself to be a businessman who knows no bl**d or tears indeed.
Though it started badly, they should consider it as a connection, take it seriously, and even try forming a good relationship with the top-ranked student from the entrance exam—wouldn’t that benefit her as well?
Though he beat around the bush, what it boiled down to was that he wanted Yeon Su-ji to get close to Park Ki-hyuk.
In the Chilseong Group, her father’s command was absolute, which was why Yeon Su-ji was pulling out all the stops to seduce him, even visiting shops early in the morning.
She had to start with her brother’s apology, but it seemed the atmosphere was good.
Their age groups were similar, and they shared common interests. Add to that his striking appearance (?!), and it really seemed they could develop a good relationship, just as her father suggested.
See, I’m still not dead, you know.
Indeed, Yeon Su-ji, while observing his broad back, thought, ‘This is not too bad.’
But the moment she stood in front of the treasure vault of the Chilseong family…
Or rather, the moment she was looking at the decorations adorning the front of the vault…
Park Ki-hyuk appeared genuinely happy.
This was different from the polite smile he gave during their conversation—it was genuine joy!
…What? Have I been outdone by a corpse?
It seems her father’s suggestion might need some reconsideration.
“Wow, this is impressive.”
“This was a hobby of my late grandfather. He used to display the heads of the bosses he defeated.”
“Was he some kind of superhuman?”
“Yes, he was a Hunter and quite famous back then. He was the one who established the Chilseong Group we know today.”
“Truly a remarkable man. Anyone with such a refined hobby could not possibly be anything less. Indeed, how could that be?”
“Perhaps… yes.”
“If you’re free, would you mind if I take a moment to look around?”
“…Feel free to enjoy yourself.”
“I appreciate that.”
My gaze turned toward the decorations hanging on the wall.
Compared to the polite responses I gave earlier, the way I observed them now changed entirely.
‘Really not bad, is it?’
This was the bl**d Orc Shaman, the Troll Champion. Oh, there it is, the Twin-Headed Ogre. And why is the Siren placed there…?
It seems his skills were not exaggerated. Judging from the types of creatures he had faced—they were all notoriously difficult foes to defeat.
The creature that particularly drew my attention was this one.
The goat-like head adorned with majestic horns, standing out as the only one I hadn’t personally defeated.
And those eyes filled with complete darkness…no matter how you look at it, this is clearly a demon.
“What is this one?”
“This is a demonic boss called Baphomet. It was captured during a raid on a Gate in Paris, France, through a series of difficult attempts.”
“Wow.”
“Due to the large number of casualties at the time, the Gate where this boss resided was called the ‘Cursed Red Moon.’ I believe you get the reference now—it was the Red Gate.”
Red Gate
I’ve heard of it. A sudden Gate that started spewing out monsters immediately upon its appearance. It was known as one of the worst disasters and the very reason why ‘Knights’ were created.
“I don’t know much about the details, as it was so long ago. However, it was a notorious boss mentioned even in my grandfather’s autobiography.”
“Indeed, it seems that way.”
If it can still emanate such demonic energy even now…
“I thoroughly enjoyed looking. It’s truly a magnificent ‘ornament.’ I shall take my leave now.”
“Shall we? This way.”
Yeon Su-ji boasted loudly that when she stepped inside, such trivial decorations wouldn’t even cross her mind.
But see… if that’s truly the case, then that’s fortunate.
Could it really be possible though?
I glanced briefly at Baphomet’s head and headed inside.
That night.
On his way home after receiving his reward from the Chilseong Group, Park Ki-hyuk’s lawyer, Choi Ha-neul, was heading to the Optimum headquarters.
“So, this is… our Ki-hyuk’s choice?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Kim Yeon-hee adjusted her glasses and stared intently at the pad.
The first thing visible was a subspace bag 100. In simple terms, it’s a 100-pyeong-sized subspace storage bag.
100 pyeong is absurdly large even for personal use. Consequently, it was an artifact typically deployed by large companies that deal with transporting the corpses of large monsters—so-called “Heavy Agents.”
Though expensive enough for anyone, it wasn’t necessarily a bad choice considering the money.
This is from a general standpoint, however.
After all, Kim Yeon-hee wasn’t just anyone but the owner of Optimum, one of the world’s top five agents.
“If he needs a subspace bag, he should just say so. It’s a waste to buy something so useless… Team Leader Choi, why didn’t you dissuade him?”
“I tried my best.”
“He insisted on this, then. Hmm, did he really think it was so lacking? The vault of the Chilseong Group?”
“It certainly wasn’t on par with us, but there were certainly items worth noting.”
“For instance?”
“Two examples— first, the club of the Level 7 boss ‘Kharangka’ modified into Kharangka’s Punishment, and second, one that the representative had been looking for so desperately…”
“Impossible—it’s the ‘Nucleus of Ignis’?”
“Yes, the original form of the Nucleus of Ignis was there.”
“Was it really there?!”
An extremely rare amount of Ignis Essence extracted from the high-tier Spirit Ignis.
For those who wield fire-based abilities, it acts as a natural elixir and simultaneously serves as a crucial material for forging legendary weapons, always a scarce commodity among agents.
A 100-pyeong subspace bag and the Nucleus of Ignis.
Ask anyone on the street, and the Nucleus of Ignis would undoubtedly be far more valuable.
“Ah, we should have taken that.”
Why had she sought the Nucleus of Ignis so desperately? Isn’t it all for Park Ki-hyuk?
She had done it all for herself, yet here he was, bringing back something as useless as a subspace bag!
Already, Kim Yeon-hee’s stomach was starting to churn.
“However, representative, I wonder if I should say this…”
“Go ahead.”
“Well, on my way back, I mentioned the Nucleus of Ignis. It was about refining it, and you hoped Park Ki-hyuk would forge a weapon for you.”
“Oh, that surprise gift is out of the question now. Please continue.”
“At that moment, Park Ki-hyuk made an interesting remark.”
“What did he say?”
“…He said that he could probably make it.”
“…”
“Can he produce a Spirit Stone?”
“A Spirit Stone… treated as a step above Magic Gems?”
“Did I hear that wrong? Creating Spirit Stones? Hahaha. Our boy, I never thought he’d be such an exaggerator. He definitely gets that from his father.”
“Um… is that so?”
“Yes, Leader Choi, pretend you didn’t hear it. He’s still young.”
“It’s true. That age is all about inflating one’s confidence.”
Both chuckled as they ended the conversation.
But they didn’t know then. They didn’t realize that Park Ki-hyuk would indeed create a Spirit Stone and once again shake the world, restoring Optimum’s prestige.
“Hmm, well. Anyway, whatever reward Ki-hyuk receives is what he chooses, after all. Nevertheless…”
No matter how hard she thought, it made no sense.
“Baphomet’s head? Why bring back such a grotesque thing? Do you have any idea why?”
“That…”
Choi Ha-neul scratched his head in embarrassment.
“Because he wants to ‘create a right arm’…”
“Right… arm? The ‘Right Arm’? The ‘Left Arm and Right Arm’, that right arm?”
“Yes, the right arm.”
Both were silent for a while.
As I always think, time moves swiftly.
It feels like just yesterday I took my entrance exam, yet the 5th test has already ended. The television was filled with promising prospects for days on end, and finally, the attention surrounding me started to diminish.
Fortunately, it was a relief. The journalists were far more tenacious than I anticipated.
What I ate, what exercises I did, even gossip about my old neighbors being long-time mistresses…
Is this crazy? He’s still a student! What are you trying to turn him into a criminal?
Under normal circumstances, I might have shrugged it off easily. This world is just obsessed with superhumans.
I’d have probably chuckled like a benevolent grandfather.
However, my current situation is busy. With this body, immersed deeply in creating the ‘Right Arm,’ I’m incredibly irritable. Adding meddling journalists only exacerbates my frustration.
Had the interest not faded by now, I might have snapped anytime.
Thankfully, today marks the end of this ordeal.
All preparations have been finished.
“…”
Slurping.
I dragged the goblin corpses over and threw them in.
Into the towering pile of goblin corpses.
“666.”
Finally, I’ve gathered the exact number this fellow requested.
What a fussy guy. With a shake of my hands, I sat on the pile of corpses, using it as a chair.
That’s right. This place is inside a Gate.
A Level 1 Gate called the ‘Goblin Village.’
Technically, I shouldn’t be here. Legally, I’d require a ‘License’ to enter any Gate.
If you’re wondering how I got in? Come on, amateurs. Does the world run by the rule of law alone?
For superhumans who can perceive mana, they can observe the Gates if they have a guarantor.
In other words, with a reliable guarantee, entering a Gate is possible. It’s not illegal. Maybe privileged, but not illegal.
“Other kids do this sort of thing as well, they say.”
For those with money and connections, it’s common to train inside Gates like this. As a side note, the reason my mother didn’t suggest this to me was straightforward.
She knew I would fail.
And if I did fail, she didn’t want me to feel too discouraged or burdened.
“Short on faith, short.”
In any case, thanks to my mother’s help, I have this Gate to myself today.
No matter what I do here today—whether I dance n*ked or massacre goblins—nobody will know.
Even if I summon a demon.
“Let’s have a peaceful chat then.”
A subspace opens, and something emerges.
The grotesquely tall horns and goat-like head.
The master of the red moon that once bathed Europe in terror.
A demon that caused countless casualties and even consumed dozens of S-Class Hunters and Knights.
“Baphomet, here are the offerings you requested.”
Finally, the seemingly lifeless Baphomet opens its eyes.
Its black pupils are now filled with true ‘Malice.’
And at that moment,
The world was stained black.
Humans are ignorant.
They are weak, and foolish as well.
Nevertheless, Baphomet was slain by the very humans he had always looked down upon.
No, he was ‘hunted.’
It was shameful.
It was disgraceful.
For a Great Demon to be hunted as if he were a mere insect—it was unbearable. He could not even close his eyes in peace.
Fortunately, the humans considered Baphomet just a ‘demon’ and were satisfied after a few purification ceremonies.
Foolish humans, by the name of Baphomet, I swear this.
When I open my eyes again,
I shall bring your doom.
Thus, Baphomet waited patiently. Biting his tongue, enduring the shame, he let himself be treated as a trophy, biding his time for vengeance.
And as time flowed, he entrusted his body to the ages and lived on.
An opportunity finally comes to Baphomet.
“What is this?”
He was a large, dim-witted fool.
Without fear, he lifted the head and addressed it.
Wake up!
Words carry power.
Baphomet, who slumbered on the verge of d*ath, awakened due to those words.
He had risen from d*ath, his soul more powerful than ever with the vitality of overcoming d*ath.
But he restrained himself. It was yet too soon.
Baphomet made a demand. He requested 666 offerings. Whispering craftily, he promised the fool the power he desired.
The fool obediently prepared the offerings. Humans truly are foolish.
Baphomet laughed darkly from the shadows.
Once the power was restored, and his body was retrieved, he would reveal himself to the world.
It would be the end.
Destroying and slaughtering humans indiscriminately.
The world would soon call me its ruin.
And with great joy, Baphomet entered the fool’s body.
…It was strange.
There was nothing. Absolutely nothing to be seen.
All that could be perceived was complete darkness.
He took a step forward, but it was as if he felt nothing.
Where am I? What is this darkness?
Am I heading forward? Not backward? Am I moving at all?
I must escape. I need to reach my destination… the… enemy…
What is my destination? What was I planning to do here…?
But…
“Who am I?”
The world is relative.
Stars fade before the sun, and darkness is consumed by greater darkness.
This must be the truth of the world.
Baphomet being consumed by the darkness.
Even a demon cannot endure the darkness of a Demon Lord—it was far too overwhelming.
“Creature, are you curious about your name?”
“Y-Yes.”
“Your name is Baphomet. My right arm.”
In the darkness, the Demon Lord was laughing.
