“Whoever comes, cut off their head and offer it.”
The Demon King recalled his father’s words.
The one who approached him was a man with black hair.
Inwardly, he had hoped for a magical girl identical to himself, but alas, this person arrived instead.
Just as he was about to rise from his seat with a furrowed brow—
“Stay still.”
Tentacles instantly grabbed his body.
It was truly a fleeting moment.
A resolute determination could be felt in the stern expression of the man.
The Demon King gritted his teeth.
Glaring at the man with fierce eyes.
“How amusing. Do you really think you can oppose me alone?”
His pride was wounded.
That attitude which dared to suggest that he could handle the Demon King alone was truly—
Arrogant.
“Can you defeat me with just this level of strength?”
Squeak!
After tearing apart the tentacles, he glared again.
He was irritated by the other’s unperturbed face.
Whether he understood this feeling or not, the man brought up an unexpected question.
“Do we really have to fight?”
“Why are you asking that now? Are you scared all of a sudden?”
“…It hurts my heart. It hurts.”
Heartache?
What possible reason could there be?
“I don’t understand. We haven’t even known each other long; at most, we’ve only seen each other for a few months.”
“…”
“Besides, is your heart truly… Is that memory even real?”
At these words, the man frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Could those times actually have been real? Did you never suspect that I secretly infiltrated the spa under orders from my father?”
“…”
“On that day, I clearly remember…but I’m unsure. Well, at this point, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Though not entirely convincing, the argument wasn’t important.
What mattered was the fact that the man was clearly disturbed.
“…That bastard, what did he do to you kids?”
Although this anger was directed not at her but at her creator.
“There’s no choice.”
“What are you muttering about? Don’t feel like fighting?”
“No. I’m pondering how to discipline a naughty kid who won’t listen.”
With a suddenly lighter tone, the Demon King responded.
“Hilarious.”
BOOM!
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
“…Hmm.”
“Let’s finish this properly. In the end, isn’t this what you want?”
Jangling keys entered the Demon King’s pocket.
“If that’s what you want—”
PEROOM!!
“Try to take it by force!”
The air exploded with a loud sound as Kraken struck down with tentacles after dodging a swift attack.
Just when he retreated out of range of the tentacles with smooth footwork, a hidden tentacle shot out from the shadows and caught him from behind.
Ultimately, his body was once again bound by the tentacles, but—
“Weak!”
By merely releasing magic power, the tentacles burst easily.
‘Output is on my side.’
While engaging in a tricky battle using various methods and multiple tentacles, Kraken showed a weakness in direct combat.
Since his raw power wasn’t strong enough, he adopted this strategy.
“This is interesting. Can you keep this up indefinitely?”
“…”
“I can go all day if necessary.”
Similar in power to Iris, yet the rapid attacks tore through the tentacles effortlessly.
Thinking he had the upper hand, the Demon King realized the duel was dragging on.
No, he even felt like the tide was turning against him.
At that thought—
“Hold him!”
“Another tentacle from the shadows… Hmm, fine. This level of binding, I can break free without trouble—”
“Magic release, explosion!”
With a “Poom!” explosion, the tentacles wrapping around his body detonated.
The sensation of searing heat across his body momentarily made him dizzy, but the Demon King gritted his teeth.
“…Tch, was something like this possible?”
“Well, I studied a bit on how to survive against magical girls.”
Though reluctant to admit it, the Demon King acknowledged the opponent’s skillful timing and movements.
To use a metaphor, it was like being in a quiz show where correct answers were miraculously blocked.
‘S-Rank Villain, right?’
The title given exclusively to the worst, most fearsome villains. To the Demon King, the name ‘S-Rank’ seemed insufficient for him.
If the Association ever created a higher rank, this Kraken would undoubtedly be the cause.
“…You’re putting up a good fight!”
Due to his nature.
Because of the fate into which he was born, the Demon King opened his eyes to enjoying battles against formidable opponents.
“Come on! Let’s go harder!”
The Demon King’s eyes sparkled with excitement, burning like molten furnaces.
Kraken easily sensed the rapidly increasing magic power and realized she was about to lose control.
“…Tch, I wished we could avoid mutual destruction.”
While clicking his tongue, he moved his tentacles.
He never thought he could win. His specialty was defense, not offense.
Psychological warfare against a madman? What kind of psychological warfare was that supposed to be?
‘There are two options left.’
Either drag it into a protracted battle despite the uncertainty.
Or opt for the higher probability option, even if it requires some sacrifice.
“…There’s no other way.”
Having concluded his inner deliberation, Kraken clenched his fist tightly.
“Kkomkmu! Combine the tentacles!”
“Yes!”
“Before I lose all sanity, let’s settle this while I still have some reason left!”
Massive tentacles merged into a colossal mass, resembling a single black pillar.
“Aaaaaah!!!”
“Strike down!”
The moment the Demon King took a step forward, Kraken already brought down the massive tentacle. The Demon King, glowing with fervor, charged like a wild beast.
As the girl screamed and rushed toward him, Kraken simply did what he needed to do.
“…Please.”
“Yes, for a short while!”
The girl charged.
“…Molt, shadow transfer.”
The girl was right in front.
“Magic release.”
“Explosion!”
The girl’s punch pierced through “Kraken’s body.” A strike that created a hole through his abdomen and out his back.
Victory! That’s what the Demon King thought, until he noticed something odd.
It lacked the satisfying sensation of tearing through flesh. Not only that, not a single drop of blood emerged.
Is something like this possible?
As he looked with a puzzled expression, the man laughed—a woman’s laugh.
“Unfortunately, this is just the shell.”
“Wha—”
“And this is mine.”
“…!”
“Here comes the sting.”
A small octopus hid inside the shell.
It was exactly as he said.
Poom!
Poom!
Perbang Poom!!
Chaos erupted with a chain of explosions. The massive tentacle split into smaller pieces, each causing its own explosion.
“Ugh…!!”
Had they known he could pull this trick, the outcome might have been different. After all, the Demon King’s berserker ability could easily break through such things.
However, ignorance was no excuse, especially against a cunning Kraken.
Wounds began to appear on the Demon King’s small frame.
Even small explosions, when continuous, eventually inflicted significant damage.
When the explosions ceased, the Demon King rolled on the ground.
“Not…not yet!”
This sight startled Kkomkmu.
“Too stubborn…! Just lie down! You’re hurt!”
“Ah!!! Not yet… If I lose here… Father will abandon me!”
“…So come back to us then!!”
Once again, the man’s voice echoed.
The Demon King looked around.
No one.
The man was nowhere to be found.
There was no need to search. Destroy everything around here, and he’ll either emerge or die.
Wobbling upright, the Demon King prepared a spell—a massive one, capable of reducing this area to rubble.
While chanting the incantation, the Demon King glanced at Kkomkmu.
That’s the target.
Kill that thing, and Kraken will disappear. Whether to protect it or transform again, contact will surely follow.
“Come out! Or I’ll kill that kid!”
“Come out?”
“Yes! Come out!”
“…Then as you wish.”
This was the Demon King’s second mistake.
Perhaps she didn’t know his intentions.
“Uh?”
Startled by something grabbing her from behind, the Demon King gasped.
And thud.
The spell disappeared, and a man sitting atop her came into view.
How did he get here?
“Sa…Shin Hyun!”
“Finally got you.”
Without transforming!
In this state, any attack wouldn’t work, no, it would even endanger his life!
This was the Demon King’s second oversight.
Initially…
“Alright, take your medicine.”
There was no intention to knock her out or render her unconscious. All he needed was a tiny opening.
Pop!
With a cheerful sound, the flask opened.
“Alright, just a moment!”
“It doesn’t have to go in your mouth! It works through your nose too! It’ll be uncomfortable…!”
While saying this, Shin Hyun poured the potion.
As the potion dripped onto her face, the Demon King writhed in discomfort.
The potion forcibly entered her mouth and nose.
“…Success!”
“…You, you damn fool!”
But unfortunately, this plan also had a blind spot. Something he’d anticipated but remained a significant threat.
“Eeek…!”
“…!”
Namely, he had no means of defense.
Normally, with Kraken, he’d secured some level of protection, but now he was completely exposed.
“Die!”
In her final desperate attempt, the Demon King aimed a punch at his vulnerable abdomen—
+++++
“…!”
“Noah? What’s wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
What was that? A strange feeling just now…
“Umm…”
…Was it an illusion?
