The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 49: Doppelganger (11)

“How, how did you…?”

Iris took a step back reflexively as she looked at the man standing in the moonlight.

…This place may seem like an ordinary abandoned building, but a barrier disrupting tracking had been set up. Therefore, even the search teams from England couldn’t find this place.

‘He really managed to find me…’

But what is he exactly? How did he locate this place?

“I’ve never let go of prey once captured, not even once.”

A cold gaze penetrated deep into her bones.

“And this time is no different.”

Although there was no apparent sign, the voice echoed like a ghost.

That chilling strangeness quickly gripped her rapidly beating heart.

‘I need to stay focused.’

But these countless thoughts were unnecessary distractions right now.

What mattered was surviving in this place.

Sigh…

She has crossed numerous lines. Mastering the suppression of fear and maintaining composure is something I’ve already achieved.

The rapidly beating heart gradually slowed down.

“Your heartbeat has slowed.”

Then, he pierced my chest with his deep gaze.

“You don’t have the right for that.”

“…What?”

“Run.”

As if no response was needed, it was a command. With just that short sentence, the rhythm of the slowed heartbeat would surely change.

However, it happened differently…

– Thump, thump. –

My heart started beating as if responding to his command.

“Faster.”

Without a chance to resist, the heartbeat accelerated.

Is this some kind of ability? No, there’s no way such a bizarre power exists.

“Fear the fact that you can’t escape.”

This is solely derived from a person survival instinct.

The irresistible fear brought shortness of breath.

“That’s the correct attitude of prey facing an overwhelming predator.”

In truth, the body instinctively realized it. This shell could never escape from that person.

She bit her lips hard. As blood seeped out along with pain, she could momentarily escape from reality.

“Avatar Creation!!”

Simultaneously with the surging immense magic, avatars created within the abandoned building surrounded him.

Under normal circumstances, the opponent would mercilessly die from this.

But this time, there was no assurance it would happen.

“…A prey with a disgusting aura.”

The man with twisted eyebrows in disdain was significantly different from any opponent encountered before.

Therefore, there was only one way.

‘Escape in this opening…!’

While the avatars bought time, it was a fleeting moment to escape.

– Ting –

A beautiful melody, as if tearing through the air, resonated.

– Shuahh! –

A gruesome sound digging into flesh. Numerous avatars scattered like shattered mannequins in all directions.

“Ah…”

Under her foot, the head of an avatar rolled. The gaze, with an open mouth, gazing emptily into the air, seemed to foresee the future.

“It seems the final resistance has come to an end with this.”

In the disarrayed mesh, the man stood motionless. He was a spider. She was already caught in his web, and he was contemplating when to devour his prey.

Soon, the soundless spider cut through the threads and approached.

“Oh, don’t come…!”

She tried to escape from it, but her body, as if caught in sticky spider silk, wouldn’t move.

“Have you ever seen a predator who listens to the words of insects?”

“Ugh, no….”

“I’ve never seen one.”

With a cruel smile, he slowly reached out.

That was Iris Yerena’s last memory.

====

***

====

I heard reports that I captured Iris, recalling Shayen and using [Magic Path].

Having encountered Solomon’s guys for a long time, the memories were strong enough for me to move to the target.

“You’ve arrived. Your Majesty.”

“Yes.”

I casually responded and examined Iris, whose limbs were truly bound.

“A dark hobby.”

“I thought it was the most efficient way to restrain the entire body.”

There was no need to complain about such trivial matters. Initially, there was a slight aversion upon first seeing her, but thinking of her as one of the Seven Deadly Sins’ subordinates, she looked rather good.

I turned to Hyude, who came with me.

“Hyude, transfer five years’ worth of memories from the recent period. That should be sufficient for the time she acted as a hunter.”

Normally, receiving such memories could cause confusion in one’s self. “Memory transfer” is directly engraving another person’s memories into the brain.

But for someone with 6666 years of memories like me, it wouldn’t even make a dent.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll excuse myself then.”

As Hyude placed his hand on Iris’s head, vast memories stirred within my brain.

It was a shock different from before, but I quickly regained my composure.

“…Seems to have gone well.”

Fortunately, her five years’ worth of memories contained the base of the Pride sect’s hideout. I planned to eliminate them before Lucifer set foot here.

Situations like Beelzebub should be avoided.

After finishing my thoughts, I handed a monocle to Shayen.

“Your Majesty, what is this…?”

“You will use this monocle to find the doppelganger.”

Perhaps the ability of this monocle would also apply to Shayen’s ‘Clairvoyance.’ While ‘Clairvoyance’ expands the field of vision, the fact of ‘seeing’ itself remains unchanged.

“And from now on, travel with Quel. Keep using concealment during movement to avoid being noticed by others.”

Of course, even with that, time is insufficient to travel the whole world, so I will give Quel wings.

Hearing that, Quel’s pupils trembled, and Shayen smiled faintly.

“Yo.. Your Majesty…?”

“Oh, Quel, it seems I’ll be riding you from now on. Move diligently as I say.”

Quel glared with both hands tightly clenched, and Shayen smirked as if amused.

I added a remark while watching them.

“By the way, Quel commands this operation. Shayen, you will follow Quel’s orders.”

This time, Shayen’s pupils trembled, and Quel smiled faintly.

“Y-Your Majesty…?”

“Oh, Shayen, it seems that I will be guiding you from now on.”

Quel looked at Shayen with a hand near her mouth.

“Well then, why don’t you bark?”

“Uh…!”

Shayen, who was shivering, knelt on one knee from my command.

“Your Majesty! With all due respect, since my ‘Clairvoyance’ is crucial for this operation, wouldn’t it be better for me to command?”

“What if we get exposed again like this time?”

“I will do my best, Your Majesty!!”

Shayen, startled by my criticism, roared loudly.

Honestly, I don’t care much. I already knew this guy was strangely foolish.

“Fine, go on then.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

After another bow from Shayen, he stood up.

Quel, who had already put her foot by the window, spoke to Shayen.

“Shayen, let’s go.”

“…Quel, didn’t you just forget to add ‘sir’?”

“When did I? And, considering we’re both commanders, is there an obligation to use honorifics?”

“You’re 4 and I’m 2! And you’re younger than me!”

“Heh, there’s no shortage of old-fashioned people.”

“Darn it! Because it’s Your Majesty order, I’ll let it slide this time! Just this once, as an older person!”

They grumbled and went out of the window. Even if they fool around a bit, they’ll surely accomplish the mission, so I wasn’t worried.

Now, all that’s left is…

I looked at Hyude.

“Hyude, I’ll leave the portal open, so clean up here and also take care of this.”

I pointed at the unconscious Iris.

Hyude bowed.

“I will take care of it.”

“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

I returned through the portal.

====

***

====

A week passed since then.

During this time, I eradicated the arrogant sect with [Magic Path], and Shayen and Quel dealt with the doppelganger.

[In an instant, the number of doppelgangers is decreasing. Whose achievements are these?]

[When all doppelgangers are completely eliminated, will a demon lord named ‘Lucifer’ descend?]

Now, only one doppelganger remains. Indeed, as expected, they were excellently carrying out my orders.

I skimmed through the roaming comments.

[Is it Seo-jun again? Whenever something strange happens, it’s always Seo-jun.]

[Oh, what is this lack of respect towards Seo-jun? You should address him properly as the king,]

[But since the demons follow Seo-jun, shouldn’t we call him a demon lord rather than a king?]

[Seriously, the atmosphere is crazy. Haha, hilarious.]

[Hey, you! How dare you call our esteemed demon lord crazy!]

Most praised me, thinking that I had killed the doppelgangers.

It might be a biased opinion due to a sense of belonging to the same nation, but such reactions were a positive sign. It means they trust me to that extent.

[Breaking News> Attempted Assassination on the King ‘Nox 4th’ by Gemini ‘Iris Yerena’]

Although it’s been a week since the incident, it seemed to be well concealed in the UK. Well, it’s not the kind of incident that’s good to be publicized.

Still, it seems they don’t know she’s dead.

[(Informant) Anna Paisley: As predicted by Mr. Seo-jun, the 12 Zodiac have all refused verification. Cordelia Maimi didn’t even agree to meet. I will do as Mr. Seo-jun instructs in the future. Please help us.]

This was also an anticipated outcome. If there wasn’t a reputation in my goal, I would have refused to meet them as well.

But I had no intention of helping them now. They showed malice towards me from the beginning and couldn’t prove their worth to me.

I don’t extend kindness without a purpose. During the Jang Dohyun era, it was just because ‘I wanted it that way.’

[I’ll watch.]

So, I replied only that.

I went to find my sister in the castle.

“How’s her condition?”

“Oh, it seems to have eased a bit, but she hasn’t opened her eyes yet.”

Kim Eun-ha, who received my power, still hadn’t woken up. Honestly, I don’t know when she will wake up.

“Isn’t she going to die like this?”

“She’ll wake up.”

Still, she’ll wake up someday.

What flew in through the open window with black curtains was at that moment.

[Your Majesty!! I’ve just circled the entire world!!]

It was Shayen’s communication.

I headed towards their location through [Magic Path]. The place was back in the UK after circling the Earth.

I asked them, who were kneeling.

“Did you find the last one?”

“No, but we’ll turn back and search again.”

Shayen answered.

“No, take a break for now. You’ve been moving around without rest for a week.”

“It’s alright, Your Majesty. Shayen and I are still in good shape.”

“No, still take a day off.”

Even if they say it’s fine, their full strength won’t be restored. There are still five days left, so it’s better to rest for a while and prepare thoroughly.

Lucifer may have weakened with this, but it’s not advisable to be complacent. Catching the remaining one won’t prevent an invasion itself.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Demon Lord.”

They didn’t object any further.

====

***

====

I received the monocle from Shayen and came back to Korea. Quel and Shayen went to rest in their respective residences, and I went to meet Jeong Ye-rin.

She was in her workshop, making potions as usual.

Ye-rin noticed me and approached.

“Oh, Seo-jun, what brings you here?”

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

“Curious?”

That too, but I also had to apologize and realized how hasty my actions were after glimpsing her memories.

“Let’s take a short walk.”

“Um… sure.”

I walked with her.

After closing her eyes for a moment and feeling the warm sunlight, She asked.

“So, what are you curious about?”

There was something to ask, but before that, I had to confirm something for a moment. I used [Lezie’s Insight] on Jeong Ye-rin.

Name: Jeong Ye-rin

Abilities: [Emotion], [Hand of Midas], [Pandora – Locked]

Likes: [Peace], [Bed], [Coffee], [Alchemist]

Dislikes: [Contact], [Noise]

Current Thoughts: He’s quite handsome… Oops, not that! You must be busy if you came to see me. Is something important?

As expected, as in her memories, [Contact] was among her dislikes. I had forgotten about that.

…But what’s this?

[Pandora – Locked] – It allows you to mix desired materials to create a golem that you can control. The effects vary depending on the ingredients and magic power used.

Release condition: Overcoming trauma

It wasn’t there a few days ago, so when did this appear? Did it happen after witnessing her trauma?

Regardless of the reason, the possibility of ability blossoming was a good thing. Anyway, that’s not important now.

“Uh… Seo-jun, sir?”

In any case, I had to apologize, and I realized how hasty my actions were after glimpsing her memories.

“Ye-rin, do you happen to have a family tree or know who your ancestors are?”

“Oh… What should I do? I don’t know about that. In fact, I don’t even know who my parents are. Hehe…”

Ye-rin scratched the back of her head nonchalantly.

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen her going to meet her parents.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Just the fact that you apologized is enough for me.”

“And I was sorry back then too.”

“…Huh? When?”

I looked at Ye-rin with a sly smile. Even if she says I glimpsed her trauma, what’s the big deal?

“You don’t need to know. How much you’ve done for me is enough.”

While I was making excuses, she smiled.

“Why are you acting like this today, not matching at all.”

Then, she lightly hit my arm.

…At that moment, my pupils and body froze.

Standing still, I looked at her with a puzzled expression.

A delicate cheek, large pupils.

Unable to discern anything just from that, I wore the monocle using [Lezie’s Insight]

“Why?”

Tone, voice, face, thoughts, energy, and even the gaze looking at me.

There was nothing different from Ye-rin in anything.

But one thing…

“…This one got me.”

The habit was different.

“…What?”

An action she must never do.

An action that should never come out unconsciously.

“When did this start?”

In the ordinary view, she was tilting her head.

In the monocle’s view, she was flowing in a deep crimson.

I pierced her heart with my fingertips flowing with dense magi.

(To be continued in the next part)