Chapter 130
By the time I returned, the sun was already setting, and I could see the Heavenly Demon’s residence in the distance.
Beyond the ridge, the sky dyed red by the setting sun looked remarkably beautiful.
I glanced down at the bundle of items in my hands with satisfaction.
Since I had gone out, I stocked up on things to use at the Heavenly Demon’s residence—where modern conveniences were nonexistent.
And I also bought some snacks to win over Wol-ah.
Even though it had been over a month since we got to know each other, the little girl was still awkward around me.
Arriving at the residence, I opened the front gate.
“Hmm…?”
As I stepped inside the hanok, something felt off.
It was strangely quiet.
No—beyond quiet, it was silent.
Normally, around this time, Wol-ah would be preparing dinner, and a pleasant smell would fill the air.
The place had never been particularly noisy, but this…
And there was a dense trace of demonic energy lingering in the courtyard.
Among those living here, I was the only one who used Demonic Authority.
What the hell happened here?
I felt a bit confused.
With the Heavenly Demon here, there was no way a battle had broken out…
Did someone from Pandemonium come and go?
I headed toward the Heavenly Demon’s room.
I knocked just in case she was inside, but there was no response.
Opening the door and stepping inside, I spotted a letter placed on the low desk.
The contents weren’t anything special.
She said she would be away for a few weeks and told me to take good care of Wol-ah.
It wasn’t unusual for the Heavenly Demon to leave.
But the problem was—
According to this letter, Wol-ah should still be here.
I immediately released my mana and expanded my senses.
Soon, I felt Wol-ah’s presence.
And strangely enough—it was coming from my room.
Why is she in my room?
I hurried over.
I flung the door open, but Wol-ah wasn’t visible.
I turned my gaze toward the wardrobe in the corner.
Her presence was coming from there.
Inside, she was trembling.
As if consumed by fear.
I approached the wardrobe carefully.
I tried to open it—but it wouldn’t budge.
Wol-ah was holding it shut from inside.
I could force it open easily.
But I shouldn’t.
To a child consumed by fear, the wardrobe was like a shelter.
If I forced it open, it would leave trauma.
Judging by the traces left in the courtyard, a high-ranking Demon had come.
It seemed her mind had been overwhelmed by the Pressure it emitted.
I knocked gently on the wardrobe.
“Wol-ah, it’s Seongwoo. Can you open the door?”
“…….”
“I even brought something delicious.”
No response.
But I could feel her trembling weakening through my senses.
To awaken a mind suppressed by demonic energy…
I operated the Asura Divine Art and infused heat into my hand.
Then I placed my hand on the wardrobe.
A faint warmth seeped inside.
“Come out when you feel better.”
I had infused the energy of Infernal Flame, which carried purifying power.
She would recover soon.
I stood up and left the room.
From the looks of it, she had hidden in the wardrobe after encountering the Demon.
Now that the sun had set, she must be hungry.
I decided to make some porridge to help calm her body and mind.
Cooking porridge wasn’t difficult.
The rice was already soaked, so all I had to do was light the stove and boil it with vegetables.
When I returned with the tray, Wol-ah had opened the wardrobe and was waiting for me.
“You’re out.”
“I-I’m sorry……”
She looked like a drenched puppy.
Tears pooled in her eyes.
“I was so scared……”
“It’s okay. That’s normal. Can you tell me what happened?”
“Well…”
Wol-ah began recounting what she had seen.
“So… your master suddenly said she was leaving for a few weeks, and then a crow turned into a person and took her away?”
“Yes… it was so scary. When I looked into its eyes, they were so red and deep……”
Her body trembled slightly as she recalled it.
I roughly understood the situation.
Something far bigger than expected had come and gone.
The Demon she saw was likely Malphas.
A loyal subordinate of the Leader of Pandemonium, capable of freely manipulating space.
He wasn’t strong in direct combat, but his spatial abilities made him extremely troublesome.
Even barriers that blocked Gate Stones didn’t work against him.
Because Gate Stones themselves were derived from his power.
The Leader of Pandemonium, huh…
I didn’t expect to learn of his movements like this.
Even in “Become a Hero,” he was one of the most mysterious beings.
There were countless hints and mentions, and he briefly appeared before players—but never once showed up as a final boss.
Because of that, rumors spread that he was a hidden boss requiring special conditions to encounter.
I had chased those rumors myself once.
Of course, I failed.
Eventually, players assumed it was just bait for a DLC.
Not that I ever got to see that DLC.
And now that guy summoned the Heavenly Demon.
What is he planning?
In the game, he wasn’t someone you needed to worry about.
But this wasn’t a game anymore.
Considering his behavior, he wouldn’t move without reason—but there was no denying he was a massive variable.
Still, just knowing of his existence was a huge advantage.
It was far better than being caught in a disaster unknowingly.
And there was no need to be overly afraid.
He hadn’t moved even when the High-ranking Executives of Pandemonium were falling one by one.
In that sense, he was similar to the Heavenly Demon.
An immovable mountain with overwhelming power.
Though he did issue commands, that was within my expectations.
In other words—
I just needed to keep doing what I had to do.
At some point, Wol-ah had finished her meal and was looking at me.
Her expression had softened.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. Just doing what I should.”
“I’ll clean up, so please rest.”
I stopped her from getting up.
“Stay still. I’m not heartless enough to make a sick child work.”
“I’m not sick though?”
“Emotional wounds count too. You saw a Demon. It’s better to rest.”
I began clearing the dishes.
Wol-ah watched me nervously.
Then I remembered—
I had bought something for her.
I rummaged through the paper bag I had tossed in the corner.
Hopefully, it wasn’t broken.
Soon, I found it and showed it to her.
Her eyes widened.
“W-Wow… the fruit is sparkling.”
“Right?”
It was tanghulu.
When you’re stressed, nothing beats something sweet.
“Eat that while I clean up.”
“Yes!”
I stepped out with the tray.
Then a thought crossed my mind.
Normally, people who encountered Demons had their minds shattered.
Even I had felt overwhelming terror when facing a resurrected Demon like Berid.
It was like being swallowed by an endless abyss.
That was what Pressure felt like.
But Wol-ah was… fine.
Even though the Demon she saw was high-ranking.
Unless the Heavenly Demon did something…
If not, then Wol-ah wasn’t an ordinary child either.
She hadn’t appeared in “Become a Hero,” so I didn’t know.
When I returned, Wol-ah had already eaten all the tanghulu and was about to eat the last one.
Our eyes met.
“I bought nine on purpose…”
I had planned to share—with the Heavenly Demon, and maybe eat some myself.
But she had devoured them all.
Wol-ah looked at me nervously.
“I’m sorry… it was so good……”
She offered me the last one, though her eyes were still glued to it.
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything harsh.
Come to think of it, she had devoured the porridge just as quickly.
Just like a kid her age.
“Good. It’s nice to see you eat well. I bought it for you anyway.”
“Really?”
Her face lit up instantly.
If she was happy, what was the problem?
After feeding her properly, I sent her back to her room.
Now it was my turn to rest.
After calming her down and feeding her, night had already fallen.
Lying on the bed, I sank into thought.
I had obtained Solis—the key to sealing Lord Biden’s Undead.
The most important task was done.
There were still preparations needed, but those weren’t possible right now.
With time to spare—and the Heavenly Demon gone—
Should I search Mount Baekdu?
It had been delayed because of Lord Biden.
Pandemonium had hidden something there.
I didn’t know if it was treasure or information—but the source was reliable.
The target Pandemonium had ordered to be assassinated was deeply connected to them.
Maybe the Heavenly Demon stayed there to guard it.
If so, now that she was gone—
This was the perfect chance.
Knock knock—
A knock broke my thoughts.
The only one who would knock at this hour was…
“Seongwoo… it’s me, Wol-ah. Can I come in?”
She stood there, clutching a blanket, looking pitiful.
Seems she couldn’t sleep.
I opened the door.
“Sorry… but I keep seeing that monster’s face… Can I sleep here just for tonight…?”
Well, of course.
She had faced a Demon head-on.
I let her in.
“I’ll sleep on the floor. You take the bed.”
“N-No, it’s okay!”
She carried her blanket and stood in front of the wardrobe.
“I’ll sleep here!”
“In the wardrobe?”
“Yes!”
“It’s cramped.”
“It feels safe!”
No matter how much I tried to persuade her, she wouldn’t budge.
Probably because of the Infernal Flame energy I infused earlier.
What is she, Doraemon?