Silence fell. Though there were dozens of people in one space, no one spoke. No, more accurately, they couldn’t speak.

What had happened? The men couldn’t comprehend. Something resembling a slime had entered a colleague’s nose, and suddenly, the colleague had died. Soon after, the slime-like creature came out of the nose, now coated in white substances. They had a guess as to what it was, but they desperately denied that reality.

“Tch. Wasn’t supposed to kill him, but ended up doing so.”

Breaking the silence, Karos muttered. He seemed annoyed as he flicked away the clinging slime.

“Don’t stick. I’ll allow it after you wash.”

“We’re not supposed to kill? Why?”

“That would be bothersome. If dozens die, the lord of this land will eventually intervene. Then, we might get caught.”

“Can’t I just cover it up with my power?”

“Too bothersome, right?”

Indeed. Bathesia nodded as if she understood. A scrawny man backed away, trembling.

“You…”

“Ah, you’ve seen it already. Hmm, what to do.”

To kill or not to kill. Karos murmured, stroking his chin. Fear started to spread across the man’s face.

Something was off. Though they too had killed people and covered it up, they were never this indifferent.

But the red-haired girl and the black-haired man before them were different. It was as if they were squashing ants, only annoyed by the aftermath. The act of killing itself brought no emotion to them.

This is strange. This is wrong. Instinct screamed an alarm, but their feet wouldn’t move. Suddenly, Karos clapped his hands.

“Ah. I just thought of something. You guys, you’re from the underworld, right?”

“…”

“Well. Living dumped in a place like this, and that kid doesn’t look too well either.”

No answer came, but Karos murmured to himself, edging closer to the truth. The men’s hearts raced as Karos smiled, as if looking at mice caught in a trap.

“Alright. Then, if I kill you, no one will come looking. Bathesia, do it.”

“…Bullshit!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a fierce-looking man charged at them. Though it wasn’t clear what was happening, the black-haired man seemed powerless. Just capture this one and use him as a hostage. Having come to a conclusion, he moved, but couldn’t even take three steps.

“Huh?”

Why is my vision spinning? Why do I feel weightless? And then it was over. The body, now without its owner, collapsed to the ground. The head rolled away to a corner.

“Wow. Blood spurting out like a fountain.”

“Now that I think about it, Karos, wasn’t this your first time killing?”

“What’s the point of bringing that up now?”

Karos chuckled. He was a demon who killed humans, a Demon King invading the surface world. Killing humans was as natural as breathing to him. He didn’t feel shock or anything from it being his “first time.”

“Besides, it wasn’t my first.”

“It was, right? You’ve been in the demon world all this time, so this should be your first sortie.”

“Anyway, it wasn’t. Don’t want to explain. Just clean up. Don’t take off the necklace.”

“You’re making me curious.”

Bathesia grumbled as she stepped forward. The men remained frozen, unable to move. Bathesia smiled sadistically, pulling at her skirt and bowing slightly.

“I haven’t properly introduced myself. Such a breach of manners. Nice to meet you, humans.”

This was her ritual. Her way of greeting humans she met for the first time. She bowed politely and unleashed her magic power. The immense magic made the building creak.

“I am the Demon King, Bathesia Concretia.”

The men’s faces turned pale. Even in this remote area, they knew the names of the four Sovereign. Bathesia’s name was especially well-known. There might be Demon Kings with larger territories, but Bathesia was special.

The most passionately advancing Demon King. The places she conquered were left with nothing but ruins and corpses.

She didn’t use strategies, tricks, legal maneuvers, or tactics, but simply overpowered one-tenth of the world with pure power.

A man screamed.

“Ah, aaaaaah!”

“I would say ‘You should die with honor,’ but you’re not worth it. Farewell then.”

As she finished speaking, a whirlwind tore through. It broke down the door and stormed into the cramped interior. The first man blocking the door was swallowed up. Not even a drop of blood was left, completely trampled.

Crunch.

It continued to sweep through the interior. Those trying to flee, fight back, or even utter a word were all meaningless. They were simply crushed by the force, disappearing without a trace in a breath’s time. Dozens of men vanished.

“Done. Ah, refreshing.”

Bathesia clapped her hands together with a full smile. It had been a long time since she had released her magical power so refreshingly.

“At least you didn’t blow it up loudly.”

“What do you think of me? I do have that much common sense.”

“Common sense…”

Karos laughed in resignation as he wiped off the slime. He no longer intended to demand common sense from his servant.

“We’ve taken care of these guys for now. I feel the energy of a few people still alive inside. Oh, you.”

At the end of the living room, a boy was drooling with his pupils dilated. As Bathesia slowly approached, he immediately regained his senses and screamed.

“Aaaaah!”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

He tried to crawl away, but Bathesia grabbed him by the nape of his neck. He looked pitiful as he choked without being able to even cry out, but Bathesia’s face was unimpressed.

She was a Demon King. She had seen enough humans begging for their lives, and her heart never wavered.

She shook the boy.

“What should we do with this.”

“We found the money first. It’s hard even to buy an apple. And there’s something interesting inside. Take a look.”

“Something interesting?”

Bathesia looked interested as she put down the boy and went inside. Then, her face soured.

“What is this?”

Inside, a girl lay sprawled out like a corpse. Her chest was barely moving, and she seemed like she could die at any moment.

“Humans.”

Bathesia clicked her tongue. She was a Demon King, but she revered honor and loved duels. She had never made a mess like this when killing.

“Hmm.”

Karos stroked his chin. What to do. The boy’s body was shaking like a leaf.

“I have a question for you. Do you know anyone here?”

“A, a, a, no.”

“An orphan, then.”

Good. Karos gestured to Bathesia.

“Heal the kid.”

“Eh, why? You’re not showing sympathy, are you?”

“Hardly. Just do it quickly.”

“Tsck.”

Magic enveloped the girl. Her swollen body returned to normal, and vitality returned to her. Karos turned around with a smile.

“Do you want to die? Or do you want to live?”

“…”

Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes. He wanted to live. Even if it meant being covered in filth and unfairly beaten, he wanted to live. Karos smiled. He didn’t need to hear the answer.

“Then, let’s make a contract.”

“A contract?”

Like the demons of old who seduced humans into corruption, Karos whispered.

“Yes, a contract.”

“A contract, then.”

“I’ll save you. Not only that, but I’ll provide you with plentiful food and a warm place to sleep. No one will harm you, and under my protection, you will enjoy a small peace.”

The boy’s eyes glazed over with a dream-like tale. Light had entered his miserable life. Although it was a light painted black and unseen, he didn’t want to lose it.

The boy, enchanted by the Demon King, asked.

“What should I offer in return?”

The Demon King, who seduced humans, smiled.

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!