The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 53: The Demon King of Pride (4)

During my time as the Demon King, I prepared for invasions from the other Seven Deadly Sins based on information I received from Asmodeus.

Given the difference in power between them and us, it seemed unnecessary, but back then, I always strived for perfection.

‘Variables could always exist.’

And since I couldn’t figure out what abilities they possessed, I always had to be prepared.

Being overly cautious can lead to defeat, but there’s no harm in being prepared.

‘If only I knew more details about that guard…’

What I know now is that the guard is a snake, and that snake is reluctantly following Lucifer.

‘Still, that should be enough. If worst comes to worst, I can use the last resort to get out.’

I’d rather not use that method if possible, but I couldn’t afford to waste any more time here.

As we walked towards where the guard was likely to be, Jeong Ye-rin asked.

“Do we just keep going straight like this?”

“Yes.”

While I couldn’t sense the complex paths with my intuition, I could at least perceive where energy was concentrated.

A cluster of energy 500 meters away from here.

That’s probably where the underground prison and the guard are located.

Suddenly curious, I asked Jeong Ye-rin a question.

“…Come to think of it, don’t you hate demons?”

Jeong Ye-rin lost her mentor-like teacher to a demon. In other words, there was a high chance she would hate demons, just like Kim Eun-ha or my past self.

“I suppose I do hate them?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I mean, I do hate them because a demon directly killed my teacher, but I hadn’t really thought about it much before because I didn’t think she died because of demons.”

This kid really has severe self-loathing.

“Ah! Of course, I don’t think that way now. It was definitely a demon who killed my teacher.”

Jeong Ye-rin smiled innocently and continued.

“But now, maybe thanks to Mr. Hyude, I don’t hate demons. Oh, didn’t Mr. Seo-jun say that they and Mr. Hyude are clearly different demons? Well, anyway, that’s how it is.”

“I see.”

If Hyude were here, he might have shed tears, saying his efforts weren’t in vain.

Grrrr─

At that moment, a low growl accompanied by the smell of beasts filled the air.

We had reached the underground prison.

“Don’t stray from me from here on.”

“…Okay.”

Jeong Ye-rin stuck close to me with a tense expression.

I surveyed the underground prison.

A long, straight corridor. Red torches illuminating the space. Rusty cells on both sides.

Various types of creatures were imprisoned in the cells, giving the impression of a massive American prison.

I approached one of the cells.

Grrrr─!

A brown, bipedal wolf grabbed the iron bars and bared its filthy teeth at me. Judging by its appearance, it was a species called ‘Brown Claws’ from the Adoniya demon realm.

I cleared my throat and spoke.

“Stand back. I’ll save you all.”

A strange pronunciation, not Korean. It was the language system used by the ‘Brown Claws’ species.

I had nothing to do for 6666 years, so I learned the languages of other species. As a result, while I can only speak Korean on Earth, I’ve become a polyglot in other worlds.

As proof of that.

“H-how do you know our language…?”

The Brown Claw’s eyes widened.

“W-wait, did you say you’ll save us…?”

“That’s right. In return, follow me once we get out of here.”

If that happens, they could be a useful force. I can have them join under a legion commander later.

The Brown Claw looked me up and down with arrogant eyes.

“That appearance… You’re human.”

“So what if I am?”

When I asked, the Brown Claw roughly grabbed the bars and growled.

“We are the noble Brown Claws. We don’t follow inferior creatures like you humans.”

“You’re saying some pretty interesting things.”

“I don’t know how a human like you got in here, but even if you manage to get us out, we won’t be able to escape this Hubris. You won’t even be able to defeat Lucifer; you’ll die at the hands of the guard before that.”

“You’ll regret this.”

At my casual response, the Brown Claw pressed its head against the bars as if about to jump out, its eyes bulging.

“Get lost, inferior creature…!”

I sighed at the pathetic sight.

“What a shame.”

Then, I slowly extended a hand towards it.

Whoosh!

Intense magi gathered at my fingertips. The Brown Claw noticed and retreated, but it was already too late.

“This might be a bit hot.”

Fwoosh!

Flames erupted from my palm like an explosion, rushing into the prison. The Brown Claws howled, but the inferno only grew stronger as it devoured their screams.

As the heat gradually subsided, all that remained was a prison with melted bars and nothing but ashes.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a massive form loomed over my head.

Having already noticed it, I picked up Ye-rin and stepped back.

Crash!

The attack that came straight down utterly shattered the spot where we had been standing.

– How dare you kill my prisoner on your own?

An unpleasant voice, like a snake’s whisper, echoed through the air.

I shifted my gaze towards it.

Red eyes floating at the height of an apartment building. A massive coiled body revealed in the torchlight.

A silver snake that seemed out of place in the dreary underground prison was looking down at us.

– How on earth did you get in here?

The creature merely flicked its forked tongue, but somehow I understood its words.

Asmodeus had certainly mentioned that this one possessed the ability to communicate with anyone.

I set Ye-rin down and took a few steps towards the creature.

“Are you ‘Psych’?”

– …What are you? How do you know my name? There should only be two beings in the Adoniya demon realm who know my name. No, perhaps just one now.

The silver maw’s tongue lashed out like a whip.

How did I know? I just found out using [Lezie’s Insight].

“Asmodeus told me about you.”

– …Asmodeus? That bas─

Psych’s tongue was suddenly cut off mid-sentence. The severed tongue flopped like a fish before turning to dust and disappearing.

After the tongue regenerated, Psych muttered in a low voice.

– Damn it. Still…?

Using [Lezie’s Insight], I was unusually surprised.

Name: [Psych]

Abilities:

Likes: [Chatting], [Pride]

Dislikes: [■■]

Current thoughts: Damn it, those ■■ bastards. How long are they going to keep ■■ on me?

I wasn’t surprised by the lack of abilities. ‘Unique abilities’ don’t usually show up here anyway.

What surprised me were those broken sentences. Even when I used this on Beelzebub, one of the Seven Deadly Sins, nothing like this happened.

So why is this phenomenon occurring with a being weaker than Beelzebub? What’s the difference?

…I’ll have to ask Irina about this later. Right now, I needed to focus on something else.

Psych surveyed me with its torn retinas and flicked its tongue.

– …Could you possibly be Solomon’s Demon King from Asmodeus’s apocalypse?

“That’s right.”

– Ha, I thought it might be you from the description, but to think you’re really human. Asmodeus must have been quite a formidable opponent, how did a human become so strong?

“Well, it just happened as I went along.”

– …You’re an interesting human.

Psych’s eyes curved into crescent moons. The aura it exuded seemed to be around the level of a duke.

“Psych, would you consider joining hands with me?”

– …What?

“I heard from Asmodeus that you’re following Lucifer against your will. If you help me, I’ll help you overthrow Lucifer.”

Of course, my offer to help it was a lie. I plan to kill it as soon as we get out of here.

It’s better to eliminate potential threats from the start.

– Hahaha! What on earth are you saying?

Psych’s laughter echoed loudly.

– You seem to be under some delusion because you defeated Asmodeus, but Lucifer is different from that pushover. Well, I hate to admit it, but…

Its unpleasant tone grated on my nerves, but I held back and answered once.

“Still, you should find me trustworthy. I’ve also defeated Beelzebub.”

– …What? You killed Greed too?

I guess this creature hasn’t heard the news, being locked up in here.

I took out the crown I obtained after killing Beelzebub from [Demon King’s Gluttony] and waved it.

“Yes, can you recognize this?”

– T-That…! You really did kill Beelzebub…

“Well? Are you interested in joining hands with me now?”

Psych flicked its tongue and made a hissing sound.

After pondering for a while, Psych eventually shook its head.

– No, that makes it even more impossible.

“…What do you mean?”

– I’ll admit you’re strong enough to have defeated two of the Seven Deadly Sins. But that Lucifer is on another lev─

Once again, Psych’s tongue was cut off like a lizard’s tail.

– Damn it!! That Lucifer bastard, learning such strange tricks!!

It seems to be some kind of restriction preventing the other party from blabbing information. What kind of restriction is it that even [Lezie’s Insight] can’t see its name?

– Anyway, it’s not possible! No, now that I know how strong you are, I can’t let you meet Lucifer! It seems you came to me because you couldn’t find your way, but you’ll have to wander here forever!

Psych’s demeanor changed in an instant. As it gazed at me with vacant eyes, its killing intent surged like a tidal wave.

– Forbidden Allure.

Flash──!

An eerie light burst from its eyes and swirled around the cave. The brightness was like a flash going off right in front of me, causing me to close my eyes for a moment before opening them again.

The prison scene was exactly the same as before.

In my clear vision, Psych was approaching in an S-shaped motion.

– I’d like to kill him, but he might wake up from the shock, so I’ll have to hide him in prison for life. As for the woman… it’s better to kill her.

Psych muttered to itself.

It seems to have used some kind of mental ability on me, but [Heavenly Demon] seemed to have automatically nullified it.

– That was close. To think Solomon’s Demon King would be this dangerous.

I watched the relieved Psych while tapping my toes on the ground to adjust my shoes.

“Is this your answer?”

– ……!!

Psych’s movement stopped abruptly, and its large pupils shook violently.

– H-How…! The allure should have worked perfectly…!

“Have you ever seen a human charmed by a reptile? Unfortunately, I haven’t.”

– T-This can’t be…!

“From now on, let’s change the way we talk.”

Given the situation, I had no choice but to use the ‘second-best’ method.

I lowered my stance as I faced the bewildered Psych. My thigh muscles tensed as tremendous power gathered.

Thump!

As I released the condensed power, my body shot up diagonally.

Right in front of me was the snake’s skin. I clenched my fist and looked down at the creature.

“Here’s one for starters.”

Boom!

As my fist connected, a tremendous sound erupted.

Struck by the overwhelming force, Psych flew back and crashed into the wall, sliding down like an insignificant insect.

– W-What is this…?

I faced its stunned retinas and spoke coldly.

“If you ever want to join hands, just say the word.”

(To be continued in the next episode)