Demon Realm Shrine (3)
His limp body shook violently.
The worst ride that churned his insides made him feel like he was going to vomit, but Miyamoto Ken squeezed his eyes shut and forced it down.
He couldn’t imagine what his rough superior would do if he actually threw up here.
“Huff, hoo… hoo.”
“Are you okay, bro? Can you still hold on?”
“Kah-hah! Just let me know if you can’t stand it! I’ll make it easy for you to throw up!”
As he forced his ragged breath back into control, a hearty voice spoke to him.
The three-headed beast, which was initially the size of a large dog, was now entirely stretched out, large enough for Davidson to ride on his back. However, Ken didn’t even have the luxury to comment on his opponent’s sudden growth.
‘…How do you even make it easy to throw up?’
As his mind and body swirled chaotically, only pointless thoughts kept surfacing like that.
Of course, he couldn’t ask for clarification, scared of the answer he might get.
‘…Ugh, I think I might die. Damn, what a sudden ordeal…’
The muttered words contained complicated emotions he wasn’t even aware of.
But honestly, how could it be any other way?
How shocking was the truth he encountered here?
From the moment he decided to infiltrate this place to help Hela, he was already well-prepared, but who would have guessed he would have to face not only the secrets of Duke of Dragon but also the secrets of his own birth?
To find out that he wasn’t truly “Miyamoto Ken” but just a replication derived from his unique skill!
And on top of that, he learned that this body was also that of someone else! It would have been strange not to be shocked.
‘…Well, at this point, it doesn’t really change anything since I’ve become a demon. I gave up on going back to Earth a long time ago.’
Still, since he had become a demon with a mindset different from humans, the confusion didn’t last long.
For now, he was busy trying to focus his mind enough to not get swallowed by the curse.
Shrumble— KABOOM!
So it was only natural that he would take longer to notice.
He was fighting against the curse, which had appeared from somewhere he didn’t even know.
“…What’s that?”
At first, he thought he had seen it wrong.
And rightly so… The appearance and abilities were far too outlandish for this world!
“What the bloody hell?”
His shock about the truth of his birth seemed to be overshadowed.
But soon, he realized that it wasn’t an illusion.
Upon closer examination, it was just a vague resemblance to what he knew, and it was entirely different in design.
It even had its arm exposed!
‘Is it magical equipment? But it’s on a different level. Plus, this feeling… Is it Dragon Speech? It feels different from what the Duke of Dragon use. Must be another dragon’s work.’
Although he was startled by the familiar appearance thrown at him, thinking it over, it wasn’t that strange that it looked similar.
There must be other Earthlings who had crossed over to this Auterica— Ken wasn’t the only one.
It was quite possible that someone had transmitted information about Earth’s hero stories to this place, resulting in the creation of magical equipment based on that.
‘That aside… It’s clear that a dragon from this world made it. I heard equipment made on Earth wouldn’t be usable in practical situations due to material issues.’
As he blankly gazed at the scene, Ken couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Propelled by boosters that ejected from all over, it soared beyond the speed of sound, and the beams that erupted from its left hand resembled destructive rays used by high-level wizards.
That was most definitely a real combat suit.
One that would allow you to face peak-level opponents with ease simply by wearing it.
‘…but using that level of gear against that monster is unrealistic.’
While being carried by Davidson, Ken shook his head as he watched the spectacle.
What followed was exactly what he had expected.
The hero, who seemed to be holding his ground, allowed one attack and then began to stagger, immediately fleeing at full speed.
‘Did he survive that? The pilot seems pretty impressive. Who the hell is he?’
Being closely tied to the curse, he could feel it.
That black fog was a disaster that even arch-demons of Duke level couldn’t handle recklessly.
He didn’t know how this mysterious being came this far pretending to be a hero, but they were not an opponent one could face with just that level of ability.
‘Hmm, I guess it’s about time for me to hit my limit as well…’
But then, something bizarre happened.
“Huh?”
Surprised, Ken unconsciously uttered a sound.
At the same time, the hero who had suddenly stopped turned back and faced the curse that was chasing after him.
Clang— clank—
A faint sound of chains rang in Ken’s ears.
No, it wasn’t a sound heard through his ears.
It echoed… from his head… from his chest… from his soul.
“What is happening…?”
He could only respond with genuine surprise.
He instinctively knew.
Moments ago, something had ensnared his heart— his soul.
There was no need to mention who had caused it.
“How… is this possible?”
His chest heaved.
For no reason at all, a sense of respect and reverence surged within him, as if he were meeting Hela.
It was impossible, unacceptable.
And the black smoke facing the hero felt the same way.
[————!]
Silent roars echoed all around.
But within those sounds was an emotion different from earlier.
Panic, disbelief, denial…
However, the hero didn’t leave his opponent alone.
Slowly, he extended his bare arm, uncovered by metal armor, to aim at the writhing curse, struggling against the unknown restraint.
Right then…
A massive black flame resembling an Eastern dragon erupted from his arm, screaming toward the black smoke.
ROOOAR—!
An overwhelming and magnificent sight unfolded, distinct from anything prior.
But Ken, closely tied to the curse, couldn’t merely admire it.
He felt it.
The horrid power that made up that black smoke was rapidly being drawn into the black dragon rushing toward it.
It was as if a gigantic dinosaur was dragging a puppy on a leash to be caged in a doghouse, an almost unfathomable scene to witness.
“Could it be, that black dragon really has that kind of power…?”
The demon Ken, possessing the memories of a Japanese, murmured softly.
He then looked at the hero’s arm, enveloped in black energy, with a begrudging expression.
That arm was absorbing energy, stacked along with the Eastern dragon connected to it.
Watching it brought unwanted, painful memories from his adolescence bubbling up from deep within him.
‘…No, that’s not my past. It has nothing to do with me.’
He firmly denied any connection to the main body, firmly closing his eyes.
Despite the puffed-up black dragon fiercely sucking in the curse, he had enough room to think thanks to this distraction. What was really important now wasn’t that.
“The black dragon, huh…”
He thought he had completely forgotten the embarrassing memories.
But as a genuine demon reborn, he felt differently.
“I should recreate it once more… No, no, wait!”
An unknown force residing in one arm— a capability perfectly suited to a demon’s taste— was absurdly demon-friendly!
He instinctively opened his mouth, but quickly swallowed his words, suppressing the demon’s instincts that provoked him with a low groan.
“Hmm? You like that kind of thing too, bro?”
“Oh, is that so? Great taste you have! Kah-hah!”
“There’s no need to be embarrassed! I understand it all!”
Davidson, who had been stationed after the situation changed, burst into a refreshing laughter.
He looked quite pleased, almost as if he were proud of it.
[————!]
They gazed blankly at the grand corridor of the massive shrine.
The spot where the black smoke had just completely vanished moments ago.
*
Hesperon clicked his tongue as he quietly stared at his right arm.
‘It seems completely digesting it is impossible.’
The arm that the black dragon had wrapped around had turned entirely black to the degree that you couldn’t see the patterns anymore.
That was a side effect from withdrawing excessive power beyond its level.
Movements of a blurred dragon’s form busily scurried in the shadows, demonstrating its instability without needing any close examination.
Thanks to “Chain of Pact,” he had forcefully retreated, but the creature didn’t completely surrender and was just waiting for an opportunity to revolt.
“Well, I suppose that’s a price I have to pay.”
In truth, it was only natural that he couldn’t handle this.
Since most of his combat strength relied on his Titan Suit and the “Right Arm of Desire,” his raw skills hadn’t even reached the peak stage.
‘Thinking about it, this is the norm…’
Excluding the constraints of the Demon and Celestial realms, the number of transcendents was so few they could be counted on one hand, and peak beings could represent a country.
Considering it, Hesperon’s current growth rate was steep enough to be unbelievable to others.
He had grown quickly due to fortuitous encounters and had always played in the big leagues; it was only natural that he wasn’t satisfied.
“…Well, when did I ever grow normally?”
A dry smile escaped him.
Since he acquired the Fragment of the Undead King and rapidly grew stronger, his growth direction was already set.
Embracing all the benefits of “Avatar” and other skills while ignoring risks to forcibly shove in fortuitous encounters.
Such rapid growth could obviously come with side effects, but he couldn’t have cared less.
Just like now.
《The entity has fulfilled conditions and gained enlightenment. You acquire special skills “Shadow Requiem” and “Shadow Liberation.”》
《The erosion of the cursed shadow begins. If the erosion reaches a certain point, the control of the contract will be reversed.》
《Current physical erosion rate: 7% / mental erosion rate: 0%》
As he rubbed his stiffened right hand, Hesperon chuckled.
‘It seems I can’t just suppress this like before.’
There was no doubt, he had grown stronger than before, as that curse— “Shadow”— held the kind of lethal power that could lead even transcendents to death.
Just liberating it alone could probably turn the surrounding area into a cursed land.
“Hmm, this won’t do.”
But there was no way to manage it more delicately.
Mental erosion was no problem thanks to “Mind Hub” and “Soul Firewall,” but physical erosion was more troublesome.
Noticing the black stains slowly appearing on the sealing band wrapped around his arm, he knitted his brows.
It seemed fine for now, but if he left it as is, it would lead to a big problem someday.
‘I need to make a proper sealing artifact as soon as possible. I must exhaust all resources I have.’
He had sufficient personnel, so it wouldn’t be a problem.
He had the Undead King, the Saint, high elves, the Demon King, dragons, and master craftsmen like dwarfs at his disposal.
‘Hmm, I should mix Hoo’s “Celestial Flow Technique” for the sealing inscription as well. The Shadow should have no resistance to the techniques from the Ganghwan Realm, so this should be fairly helpful.’
The necessary materials could be supplied through Hubert and Karma’s shops, and if needed, he could also request assistance from Princess Riley and Saint Liesta.
Aside from that, he also had access to byproducts from the World Tree and treasures from the “Golden Vault,” essentially leaving him with no limitations at all.
“Well, I’ve gathered everything I need.”
Hesperon briefly shifted his gaze.
To one side of the massive shrine as if it had been built by giants, some distance away from where he stood.
There stood the three-headed beast Davidson and the demon Ken quietly watching him.
‘Since they’ve given me the help I need—’
Guess it’s time to go.
A sly grin crept across his lips beneath his helmet.
He had no intention of joining here to do anything.
He was merely an uninvited guest who rushed over just to check the curse.
‘From here on, they can handle things on their own. I need to hurry back and create my seal.’
Thus, this mysterious hero, who sought only what he needed, disappeared without a sound, just as quietly as he had arrived.
*
“…What the hell was that?”
Ken muttered in disbelief.
He had checked several times, just in case, but it was certain.
That being had simply vanished just like that!
“No, can one honestly just leave like that? Is he really a secret hero or something?”
Frustrated, he patted his chest and ruffled his hair.
At the very least, he thought they would introduce themselves, but he never expected it would end like that.
So many questions remained, from who he was, how he entered the shrine, what his purpose was, who made that suit, what the chains that bound his soul were, what became of the demon king’s curse that had engulfed him!
‘More importantly, how did he get out of here? You can’t easily escape from this shrine!’
No spatial movement waves were detected.
It was as if he had completely and utterly vanished from this place.
The only explanation that came to mind was one.
‘Unique Skill… He truly was an Awakened One, wasn’t he? I suspected it when I saw that suit and the Eastern dragon.’
The dragon of Auterica was a typical Western dragon.
It was obvious that to Ken, a Japanese with his memories, the black dragon wielded by that hero looked alien.
‘…I’m jealous. To have the ability to seal such a dreadful curse and a connection to a dragon that would make such a suit for him. He must be living lavishly back on Earth.’
While he was in this pitiful state.
Now that the mind-altering curse had gone away, Ken could objectively reflect on his situation while sporting a wry smile.
“Ah! Speaking of which, what about those Earthlings?”
As thoughts turned to those who had been sacrificed there, Ken shouted.
His original self was among them!
He’d been way too frantic since that black mist appeared and had completely forgotten about it.
“You just realized this? Let’s go! ”
“Before that monster gets close, I think we can make it out alright…”
“Since they were sacrificed, there should be some sort of safety net.”
Ken and Davidson hurried back to the place they originally headed to.
And what he encountered there was…
“…”
“…”
A man standing there, wide-eyed as if he had come to his senses.
The real Miyamoto Ken.
