C763
The Kinzelo headquarters quickly entered emergency mode. Even though they didn’t intend to, if this was an unexpected attack from Jin and his forces, it was natural that the headquarters would be completely destroyed in an instant.
The sound of trumpets signaled the sudden invasion, as beast-men and demons emerged in the blink of an eye. They even drew their weapons, but like most of the members of the Red Tiger Tribe who preceded them, they didn’t dare wield them.
Jin didn’t miss the fact that among them were unfamiliar demons, unlike those he had seen in previous battles.
“Have they already replenished their demonic forces since the Evil God war? Or are these the troops they held back and hid?”
Some of the demons emitted a formidable presence. In the past, Jin wouldn’t have stood a chance against them; he would have faced a formidable opponent he couldn’t defeat.
Of course, now, for Jin, they were nothing more than a joke, though they could still pose a significant threat to his comrades.
Additionally, demons could possess special abilities like rapid regeneration or dark magic.
Naturally, the stares I get from those who suddenly see me are far from friendly. If the opportunity arises, it wouldn’t hurt to assess the level of a few of them for the sake of my comrades. It’d be nice if a few stepped forward and fought me.
Just as he was thinking this, a demon with flaming eyes stood in his way, blocking Jin and his group.His physique and the impressive giant axe he wielded were reminiscent of the White Wolf Tribe.
Jin almost thanked him for his gallantry.
“Jin Runcandel, what is this nonsense?”
The demon shouted, with the fierce determination to charge at any moment.
“What nonsense have I done?”
“I’ve heard that the temporary alliance between the leader and you has ended. But without permission, you come directly to the headquarters and dare to seek the leader? Do you think this is sensible behavior?”
It was an argument that left little room for reply, but Jin shrugged.
“Your leader and I can have a drink together whenever.”
“A joke...!”
“Enough.”
Another demon stepped forward, this one exuding a much more dangerous aura than the giant demon. With a dignified appearance and a calm expression, he created a far more menacing atmosphere than the giant demon.
“You are not someone worthy of your status. Step aside.”
“Understood.”
When the giant moved away, the demon locked eyes with Jin.
“I am Shagal, from the Bachma Family.”
Among the four Great Dukes of the Demon World—Rontelgius, Kaligo, Halovice, and Bachma—Shagal was the first prince of Bachma.
“Oh, Prince Shagal! Kill him quickly!”
“Yes, Brother Shagal! Show him no mercy!”
Shouted Bouvard and Ainas, who had discreetly followed Jin’s group. Ignoring them, Shagal Bachma continued the conversation.
“I’ve been curious about you. It seems this is the first time we’ve met like this. If you don’t mind, would you like to exchange blows? They say that, in the absence of the patriarch of the Runcandel Family, you’re practically the First Sword of the human world. They even say that if you borrow the power of the Tribe of Legends, you could become the true First Sword.”
Without waiting for Jin’s response, Shagal drew his sword from his waist.
“Who said that?”
“Everyone.”
“I see. Then, your position in the Demon World is quite high?”
“The First Sword of the Demon World.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“…Let’s say I’m a swordsman aspiring to be among the top ten. In any case, the leader is currently in a meeting. I hope you can wait with me until then.”
It seemed there were many arrogant individuals in the Demon World. Jin understood this and nodded. Shagal smiled as if inviting Jin to draw his sword.
“Sir, I’m ready.”
“Then let’s begin. I hope you won’t need instructions.”
Shagal’s pupils dilated. Jin’s two swords remained at his waist. The beast-men and demons gathered nearby tensed up, awaiting Shagal’s response.
“This is even more exciting.”
Whoosh!
Shagal suddenly disappeared from Jin’s sight. It wasn’t just his speed that made Jin lose sight of him; his body had instantly dissipated into gray smoke.
Dark magic? Or maybe a kind of ability?
The smoky Shagal reappeared behind Jin in an instant, extending his sword.
Shiing!
Jin turned around, deflecting the sword with his fist, and Shagal’s stance broke, leaving an opening.
Jin’s fist, after evading the sword, changed direction and struck Shagal’s face.
There should have been a resonant impact as if hitting metal, but Jin’s fist struck nothing but air.
Some sort of ability.
‘It reminds me of Ozdock. Although physical attacks don’t work, he couldn’t avoid being vulnerable when attacking.’
But Jin didn’t waste the moment Shagal reformed on his left. He struck him deeply in the flank with a low kick.
“Ugh!”
Continuing from there, Jin grabbed Shagal from behind and slammed him into the ground.
Shagal immediately turned into smoke and distanced himself.
He now had a dented cheekbone and his face was covered in dirt.
“Don’t rely too much on your tricks.”
Jin adjusted his clothes as if he had no intention of continuing the fight.
The fight ended before three seconds had passed.
“And when facing stronger opponents, always give your best. Have you learned your lesson?”
Shagal blinked.
Of course, Shagal hadn’t thought he could defeat Jin.
According to what he had heard from Orgal’s and Kinzelo’s executives, it would take the direct involvement of the dukes, including his own father, to defeat Jin.
But he didn’t expect to be subdued so quickly.
At the very least, he expected to engage in a proper battle.
His fatal mistake was becoming complacent under the influence of transcendent power, just as Jin had mentioned.
“Brother Shagal! You won’t admit defeat so easily, will you?”
“Prince Shagal! No, does this mean Prince Shagal was no match for him, just like Lord Ranke?”
Shagal glared at the two with contempt and nodded at Jin.
“…That’s right.”
Since the sparring ended too quickly, Jin had to wait for Orgal’s meeting to conclude.
Shagal personally escorted Jin’s group to the guest room.
Despite losing face, he showed no sign of emotion or resentment.
“But Shagal.”
“Yes?”
“If you give something, you must also receive something in return. I’ve given you a lesson, so I want to ask you something out of curiosity.”
“Isn’t it enough that I’ve already forgotten the rudeness you committed by coming here unannounced?”
“That’s not it. Based on what you’ve said, you learned the sword from someone close to being the First Sword…”
Shagal pondered for a moment and concluded that Jin’s words made sense, nodding his head.
“I see. It makes sense. What do you want to know?”
“After the Holy Kingdom Protection War, I heard that the Demon World suffered great damage and was on the brink of destruction. But there are still powerful individuals like you, Bianca, and Ranke.”
“The Demon World isn’t a single entity.”
It was the first time Jin had heard such a story.
“What do you mean?”
“This is where the answer ends.”
“If I teach you more about the sword, could you tell me more?”
“I’ll pass, Sir Jin. Have some tea. It’s a precious tea.”
Jin asked no further due to Shagal’s firm attitude.
The Demon World isn’t a single entity…
It could be interpreted in many ways. It could mean the Demon World wasn’t unified or that it was divided into multiple dimensions.
After the Holy Kingdom Protection War, not much was known about the Demon World in the human world, after all.
-Yes, the relic of the demons our kingdom is guarding. The Eye of Zito has been showing ominous signs recently.
-The Eye of Zito?
-The name Zito may sound unfamiliar. He’s never been active in the human world, and in the Demon World, few are familiar with that name. Even I, as the current Holy King, couldn’t find any records about the Eye of Zito.
-[If I were to answer your question, cough. Zito is an intrinsic figure to us demons. But to me, he’s no different from a master.]
Jin recalled the conversation he had with Lani and Orgal before the war.
“Does that mean the Demon World ruled by your leader Orgal and the domain where Demon King Zito reigned are separate? Is it just a territorial separation, or are they in different dimensions?”
Well, it’s worth a shot anyway.
Shagal gasped in surprise, spitting out his tea.
“Cough, cough.”
“Is it that surprising?”
Orgal hadn’t informed the other demons that Jin knew about Demon King Zito.
“Hmm, you have an extraordinary talent for surprising people… Seeing the librarians leaving, it seems the meeting has ended. Go see our leader. I hope we can have a better fight next time.”
As Shagal left as if escaping, the group headed toward Orgal.
[You’ve arrived, Jin Runcandel, Bale, and you too, Magician of Histor, I’m glad to see you.]
“Don’t act like we’re close. I don’t like you.”
[Today, I’m not in the best mood, Jin Runcandel. So there must be a valid reason for you to come to our headquarters unannounced.]
The response came from Bale, but Orgal revealed his displeasure to Jin.
“What if there’s no valid reason?”
[I’ll draw my sword, and you’ll do the same.]
“What you’re saying is frightening. Last time I came to propose different terms for the failed steel transaction.”
[If that’s all, then today, one of us won’t sleep soundly in their right mind. So, let’s hear the terms for the steel transaction after the rest of the story ends.]
Orgal was genuinely ready to draw his sword. His hand was already on the hilt.
Even the space, which had previously been just a meeting room, had now transformed into a golden battlefield. Orgal had invoked his power and prepared the battleground.
Although there was a momentary sense of confusion due to the unexpected turn of events, Jin calmly stared at Orgal.
It’s not just a mild bad mood; it seems like he’s truly enraged.
What could have made the usually cautious Orgal so angry?
‘It can’t be just because of my statement.’
Jin wasn’t afraid, but now wasn’t the right time to fight Orgal.
However, depending on how much value Orgal placed on the bait Jin had prepared before his arrival, there was a possibility that a real battle could break out.
“Lokia Ganesto.”
[…What?]
“Why does that thousand-year-old traitor desire the resurrection of the Sun God just like you? I came here because I was curious.”
Slowly, Orgal’s hand, which had been gripping the hilt of his sword, began to lower.
-