[This little bastard is just too damn strong..]
What the hell was he doing in hell?
Wow, he just got annihilated without doing anything.
+
I’ll get straight to the point.
The demon that appeared this time, the hunt against Dantalion, was a failure. The knights who went on the hunt ultimately couldn’t capture him and let him slip away.
+
[What’s Dantalion’s ability anyway?]
Even if you attack, he defends everything and immobilizes you,
If he just wiggles his fingers, an instant kill spell comes flying at you,
He’s really doing everything by himself, damn it, lol.
+
[Well, he’s obviously a mage, right?]
[Who doesn’t know that?]
[What was with that moment when dozens were wiped out at once? The streamer I was watching died then too, geez.]
[That was magic, duh.]
[Exactly, who doesn’t know that, you idiot?]
[Wow, your responses are so sincere ^^]
+
The biggest reason for the failure was undoubtedly the strength of the demon Dantalion itself.
With his frail body, he unleashed magic without rest, leaving no chance for them to retaliate.
Due to the relentless barrage of powerful magic, both otherworlders and NPCs were wiped out.
Since he’s a mage, having numerous area-of-effect spells turned out to be a major problem.
Even if they charged in as a military unit, many would be swept away by just one of his spells.
Sending in the otherworlders first like last time only bought him time.
Well… the hunt did go relatively smoothly.
Even though his magic was powerful, after all, he was just a single individual.
If they pressed him with overwhelming numbers, he would eventually have to give in.
Moreover, there are strong humans among us. Dantalion’s frail body is vulnerable enough for them to seize the opportunity to attack.
+
[But honestly, we could have won, right?]
If those damn Lemegaton guys hadn’t shown up, we wouldn’t have had to retreat.
Cultists are such a hindrance in games.
+
[For real, lol.]
[Wow, I didn’t expect them to jump in at the end there.]
However, this time Lemegaton intervened at the climax.
Compared to when we dealt with Andromalius, the demon itself was strong and had even more followers.
They gained sufficient power to participate in such a massive battle.
Thanks to that, the hunting party had to return to their home country after suffering losses.
This time, they confirmed that the demon couldn’t be easily captured as before…
So, what is the demon doing now that he escaped, thanks to Lemegaton?
That’s…
*
Most users joining Lemegaton did so thanks to Seere.
But that wasn’t the only reason.
Many users joined for other reasons too. Out of mere curiosity about the new group. Following friends, or maybe even hoping to receive a quest themselves, and so on.
And among them were users who thought, “What if having a Lemegaton title would increase my view count?”
One of them was Yepyeop, a Lemegaton member and streamer.
And she didn’t regret that choice. Once a nobody, she was able to establish herself as a respectable mid-tier broadcaster thanks to the uniqueness of Lemegaton.
Just talking about Lemegaton in her communication streams brought in thousands of viewers. Even though they were a shady organization, they were still one of the options users could choose.
After all, they might be curious about the information.
Thanks to that, Yepyeop was still raking in views. Praising her past decision to join Lemegaton.
And that praise continued even now, with the demon Dantalion in front of her.
“Phew, thanks to that, I escaped without much trouble. By the way, who are you?”
“No need to mention it. I am Harold, the Fourth Division Leader.”
Having diligently participated in Lemegaton activities, Yepyeop had become a skilled individual capable of undertaking significant missions with the executives.
After all, she was a high-level user and an otherworlder who could resurrect.
She was well-suited for dangerous missions.
As she watched the demon in front of her, whose face changed constantly, she thought.
“This is an opportunity!”
Who would’ve thought she’d have another chance to encounter a demon, just like with Seere?
Just sharing this story in her stream would attract countless views.
Of course, the demon in front of her was very different from Seere. Unlike the handsome Seere who made her smile just by looking, the demon before her made her shudder with fear.
His body was ‘male’ but… his face was grotesque beyond belief.
His facial muscles constantly shifted, changing his face.
“Ew, that’s creepy…”
Thanks to that, all she felt was disgust.
Anyway, this game had some bizarrely gory elements. Well, it certainly looked demonic, but…
Just as she was thinking that,
“…”
Suddenly, Dantalion’s gaze turned toward her. While he still wore a polite smile, all Yepyeop could feel was fear.
She thought she’d been talking to the division leader the whole time,
But why is this guy suddenly looking at her instead of just standing in the back like a screen?
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Dantalion asked.
“Seems like you’re an otherworlder? And you stream as well?”
“Uh? Ah, yes. That’s right…”
Yepyeop was momentarily flustered, but she managed to nod.
And inwardly, she cursed.
‘What the hell…’
How did he know she was a streamer without her even saying anything?
Does he perhaps read player logs or information stored in capsules, just like Ikgagong?
A momentary confusion filled her mind. In the midst of that, Dantalion continued speaking.
“I’ll give you a piece of advice. Please be careful what you think in front of me.”
“Ah, yes… understood.”
Honestly, she didn’t fully grasp what he meant, but she nodded just to avoid attracting any more interest.
“So, what do you wish for that made you help me?”
Fortunately, Dantalion’s attention quickly shifted. Once they arrived at the Lemegaton branch, he asked the division leader.
As the question was posed, the division leader graciously bowed and spoke.
“Would I dare ask for something from you, Dantalion? Just being able to serve you is more than enough.”
“…That’s a lie. I appreciate your kindness, but please do not speak in riddles. I absolutely loathe people who are two-faced.”
Though a smile remained on his lips, it was a strangely menacing statement.
Upon hearing those words, the division leader quickly apologized.
“My apologies.”
“It’s alright. Now let me ask once more. What do you seek?”
“I wish to borrow the authority of the demon.”
The division leader continued.
“What I desire is for our Lemegaton to stand tall in this world. Even other kingdoms must bow to us. We need the demon’s immense authority.”
“Such a grand and ugly desire. But I admire your honesty.”
Dantalion smiled and spoke again.
Wriggling, his facial muscles moved, and a dark, grim male face formed.
Somehow, that face felt like the most fitting one.
“However, it appears that I cannot do it alone. I felt that while facing the humans just now. Perhaps with Paimon, it might be possible… but is there another demon besides me?”
“None at this moment. But there are ways to find one.”
The division leader, Harold, said that as he handed something to Dantalion.
It was the arm of Andromalius. He had already received permission from the assembly.
With only one use remaining, having saved it for now, it was a reward for having aided in summoning a demon.
If they could summon a demon with this, Harold’s position as the Fourth Division Leader would only strengthen.
As Dantalion looked at the arm of Andromalius, he let out a chuckle.
“Ah, this is the arm of an acquaintance.”
“Do you know him?”
“Of course. Although we aren’t in the same camp, we are still demons who have received positions from above. I can loosely guess how to use it.”
As he said that, Dantalion picked up the item.
The arm of Andromalius began to corrode rapidly in his hands. That meant he was using the item’s power.
Creak…
With the sound of the arm’s surface drying out, Dantalion’s voice rang out.
“So, you’re asking me to find an altar with this. Well, it does seem to align somewhat with your intentions. I’ll specially bring forth a powerful demon for you.”
He seemed to know not only how to use it, but even how to use it more effectively.
Perhaps being a demon gives him a better understanding.
Soon, as the arm of Andromalius decayed rapidly, it pointed in one direction as if giving its last strength.
Toward a city located at the edge of the Empire.
A city that is difficult for even humans to easily enter, situated within the ‘Forbiddden Forest.’
Dantalion, confirming the direction, smiled and said.
“It’s that way. Shall we go take a look?”
What people commonly referred to as ‘the Forbidden Forest.’
That was the direction the arm pointed toward.
