The Demon King Who Draws

Chapter 24

“I tried to be strong.”

Thud…

The head of a dark elf fell in front of me.

“Dale… Ahh… Dale!”

Mawen, my nephew, lost so much since he came here.

Damn it…

Damn, damn!

…How did things get so messed up?

“Uncle… Dale…”

“…Yeah, I know.”

“What do we do now? We lost all our comrades here! I…”

“Mawen, listen to me.”

I had no choice but to calm him down.

Even if it took some time, I couldn’t lose Mawen here.

“We can’t forget why we came here.”

“I don’t know… I… why are we here…”

“Didn’t you say it yourself? To slay the wicked demons and pursue the devil to bring justice.”

“I…”

He was so weak.

Just like his father.

He always shrank back at crucial moments.

“Mawen, think of your father.”

“…”

“What would he do… what would your father do right now?”

Please, Mawen.

I need you.

“He wouldn’t… he wouldn’t stop here. For the future of the empire…”

“That’s right, you know it well.”

“I’ll… I’ll try.”

“Control your emotions. This is a battlefield. The good thing is, the devil’s scent is getting closer. Once we get out of this forest…”

Soon, I’ll meet what I’ve been looking for.

It’s not a lie, Mawen.

The demon’s scent is really getting closer.

Once we get out of this forest, right now…

Kuuuung-!

“…Uncle.”

“I see it.”

That is…

“Who is that…”

Someone was standing with a sword in reverse grip, bowing their head in the dark space.

…This smell.

“Let’s light up the surroundings.”

Huuuung…

[Marus uses the guide’s lantern.]

[It illuminates a certain range.]

“…Huh?”

As the light spread, a ray of evil light burst out from the person on the other side.

“…You fell asleep, didn’t you? You’re too late.”

“What, what are you saying! What are you?”

“Stop, Mawen.”

This guy.

“He’s a demon.”

“…What?”

“Grab your weapon. You could lose your head before you can react.”

Gulp…

“Oh, human! Do you know about the demon?”

“I know… I know very well.”

He was still bowing his head.

Squeak…

“I’ve been wandering around looking for you demons.”

“Hmm… You’re a nasty human.”

“Fon… no, Faust must be beyond this space.”

“Why are you chasing him?”

Zuck…

Mawen, I told you not to step in.

“Faust is a parasite that harms humanity! So are you, demon. I became more certain after coming here… Are you ready to face judgment?”

“…Judgment?”

Flinch…

“You?”

“Uh… with my uncle…”

Wait…

…Sulfur smell?

It’s pretty strong.

And that feather ornament on his ear…

…Is that so!

“Kuk… Khehehe…”

“…Uncle?”

“I know your name.”

“You know my name?”

“Yes, demon.”

“I know your name.”

“Phenex, the devil of resurrection.”

“Ho…”

“The pitiful being abandoned by the seven sins.”

“…”

Swoosh…

Phenex lifted her head and revealed her features.

“Huh…”

She had a surreal beauty, as if she had escaped from a dream. Mawen was young and inexperienced, he had no resistance.

“I don’t like you, you know.”

“Kukuk…”

“Uncle? Why…”

Oh, no.

I can’t stop laughing.

“What did Faust say? Did he tell you to guard this gate no matter what? Did he tell you to buy him some time to escape, even if it cost your life?”

“…Escape? He won’t run away.”

“Of course he will. The moment I stand before you. The moment the demon blocking my way is Phenex, you! Your defeat is confirmed.”

“What?”

“Did you think about the future after Faust dies? I’ll take you.”

Mawen looked at me with surprise and anger.

“What, what are you…”

Well, it doesn’t matter now.

“Take me? You’re funny! I won’t fall into the hands of a human…”

Swoosh…

He looked at the jewel I took out of my pocket with curiosity.

“This smell…”

“You know what this is, don’t you?”

“Repentance stone!”

“Yes, this will be your home for a while, since you lost your master.”

“…That’s a bit annoying.”

Repentance stone.

How long did I wander to find this? This special jewel that can trap a demon who broke free from the contract, it finally came into my hands.

“Repentance stone… Hmm… I don’t care! He won’t lose, anyway.”

“You’re optimistic. Kukuk… You’ll see. Shall we start?”

“Uncle, I’m not ready…”

“Shut up, Mawen. If you don’t focus, you’ll be cut by that demon in an instant.”

Whirrr…

[The boss battle begins.]

[Phenex, the devil of resurrection, blocks the retreat with fire.]

[Phenex’s trait 【Indomitable】is in effect.]

“Fi, fire… Uncle!”

[Phenex uses pain sharing.]

[Phenex fires a fan-shaped flame wave.]

[The flame wave deals 150% of the combat power to the enemies in the range.]

“Are you coming!”

Boom!

[Marus uses Iron Fortress.]

[It reduces the first damage received by 95% and nullifies status effects when not damaged.]

[If the first damage is an area effect, it limits the effect to yourself only.]

[It has a long cooldown.]

[You need to wear a shield to activate Iron Fortress.]

Boom!

“Was it a trick!”

“Let’s see your skills!”

Swords clash.

Kaaang!

‘Ugh… what a force!’

My arm trembles.

Boom!

I kicked Phenex’s abdomen as a counterattack, but we both were pushed back.

She was beyond skillful, and quickly regained her posture.

“Why are you like that? Let’s get closer.”

“…I guess I’ll have to postpone that opportunity.”

“Are you scared?”

“It’s a foolish thing to do, to take a detour when you’ve secured your victory.”

“Excuses… what have you been saying?”

“Phenex. You’ve shown yourself several times by the side of the seven sins. And there are not a few heroes who survived after fighting you.”

“So what?”

Squeak…

“It’s a record. Humans record everything about the demon’s. I’ve been collecting records while chasing the demon’s traces for decades. There were your records too.”

“…Don’t tell me.”

“That’s right, that’s it.”

Mawen, I can’t help it.

This is it.

Squeak!

Pwook!

“Huh…?”

Thud…

Mawen, who was hit by the dagger I shot, staggered and fell.

Zuck…

Zuck…

“Un, uncle… why…”

“Mawen, you saw the demon. …Poor guy.”

I don’t feel any emotion at the sight of my nephew spitting out blood.

Just, I wish I had eased his pain.

“Rest in peace.”

Chwak!

I cut his eyes with a knife.

He’ll know now.

Ah… he’s already dead. He’s not even twitching.

“I’m Cal Curso.”

[The information obtained by the intelligence activity was revealed to be manipulated.]

[The attacker’s information is re-examined.]

[The name of Lion Soul Marus is changed to Murderer Cal Curso.]

[Activation condition: Re-examination is satisfied.]

“Isn’t he your nephew?”

“He was, until he came to Riudira.”

“You mean he’s not now?”

“I brought them here, in case I needed a sacrifice.”

“Heh… you know a lot about the demon’s. But why do you cut their eyes?”

“There are devils who like this kind of act. I did it out of habit, wanting to meet him, but luckily I met you.”

“…Eyes? Ah! That guy! But why are you chasing the devil?”

Revenge?

No.

I knew it wasn’t that long ago.

“Awe… or maybe desire would be more appropriate.”

“Aren’t you afraid of the devil?”

“I’m scared… and terrified.”

Clank.

“I felt the same when I first held a sword. Generally, useful things come with fear. They have to be that way to be useful. The devil is the same.”

“Hahat! Ahahaha!”

“Why are you laughing? Are you trying to comfort yourself? The fact that you lost won’t change. No power…”

Tock tock…

I tapped Phenex’s temple with my finger and mocked her.

“You can’t beat knowledge.”

Whirr…

Phenex was engulfed in flames from her lower body and disappeared.

[Phenex’s trait 【Indomitable】is activated.]

[Phenex cannot achieve a complete victory in the dungeon defense mission while 【Indomitable】is applied.]

[Phenex is forced to lose because she inflicted enough damage to the party.]

[Phenex returns to the fire. She will resurrect soon.]

[The boss battle ends.]

“Ahahaha!”

She laughed and disappeared in the flames.

“It’s true, it’s true!”

“What are you babbling about?”

“Everything…”

She left a cold word and turned into flames and disappeared.

“He did what he said.”

“…What?”

Whirr…

“What are you talking about…”

Was it a device to create a gap?

Or, a bluff?

I don’t know.

I’m the winner.

“Faust… I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I’ll free you from the devil…”

I’ll take the devil.

“This is the gate.”

Koong…

Kugugugung…

As I pushed the door, light leaked from the other side of the door.

If I cross this door, he’s there.

The one who will fulfill my long desire…

[Re-examination condition is satisfied during the dungeon defense mission.]

[★★ The curse of re-examination is activated.]

[The dungeon master needs time to deal with it. The re-examined attacker is sent back to the previous gate.]

[At this time, if the gate function is not destroyed, the gate breakthrough condition must be re-satisfied.]

Lies.

Squeak…

“Kuuuk…”

Flames.

The devil, who was burning all over his body, stood proudly in his place.

Whirr…

Beautiful… the power I wanted.

But not at this moment…

“See you again?”

“Ha… let me ask you one thing.”

“Yeah, ask.”

“Where did it start? Liudira? No… what did Faust say to you?”

“The first time we met, he told me to count the heads.”

“…What?”

If…
“If two come, it’s his victory.”

“Kuk… Khehehe…”

Don’t admit it… don’t admit it.

…You can’t pass without sacrifice?

“If you cross the gate, I’ll make sure to kill your master painfully.”

Clank…

“I want…”

Whirr!

“Joke too.”

[The boss battle begins.]

[Phenex, the devil of resurrection, blocks the retreat with fire.]

[Phenex’s trait 【Indomitable】is in effect.]