Chapter 64

 

What are the odds?

 

I do not know.

 

No, to be honest, I don’t think it’s that high.

 

However, the reason why Seo Woojin stayed behind alone was simple.

 

“Because there is a little more chance that way.”

 

It was true that the team members, including Ludian, were strong.

 

But fighting alongside them wasn’t as powerful as using the hidden power alone.

 

That’s because Seo Woojin had a lot of power that he didn’t reveal.

 

Kwa-gwak! Kwa-gwa-gwak!

 

The momentum of Rosie Ruby as she rushed forward and pounded the ground was ominous.

 

In addition to the ferocious demonic energy, a murderous feeling that felt like cutting flesh pressed down on his body.

 

Seo Woojin swung his sword through the air as if to shake it off.

 

“Come on, you bastard.”

 

The ‘Hell’ was activated.

 

* * *

 

“Let go of me! You damn bastard!”

 

Ludian frowned at Seong Yura’s struggle.

 

‘It doesn’t seem to be chasing us anymore…’

 

The demonic energy that Rosy Ruby was emitting gradually faded and was barely perceptible now.

 

At this point, it seemed safe enough to be relieved.

 

‘Then there’s no need to hold on any longer.’

 

It was already uncomfortable, and his irritation grew when she acted like this.

Ludian dropped Seong Yura as if throwing her.

 

“I will never forget this. I will make you pay the price…”

 

Seong Yura threatened through clenched teeth, but Ludian paid no attention.

 

Now was not the time to listen to her childish nonsense.

 

“I think it’s safe enough for now.”

 

As the desperate situation ended, Ludian’s tone returned to its former politeness.

 

“What the hell is this guy?”

 

The last terrifying spell and the scream were enough to scare Lee Ji-ah.

 

Others felt the same.

 

“I didn’t know such a monster existed.”

 

“Her name is Rosie Ruby.”

 

“Rosie Ruby?”

 

When Kang Byeong-gyu tilted his head, Ludian continued his explanation.

 

“She is a descendant of the seventh demon king, Kademain, who was banished from Helldane.”

 

Everyone was surprised to hear that she was a member of the Demon King family.

 

They had heard about it before.

 

The Demon King’s subordinates were beings of incomparable strength compared to ordinary monsters and demons.

 

Most of them had met their end at the side of the Demon King, but a few still clung to life.

 

Even after hundreds or even thousands of years had passed.

 

“Why are they here in the first place?”

 

It was a question that could only be asked naturally.

 

Why were the Demon King’s subordinates here?

 

However, Ludian couldn’t answer it.

 

“Originally, Rosy Ruby should be at the center of Helldain….”

 

It was a fact he had discovered through numerous subjugations.

 

Without exception, Rosy Ruby was observed at the center of the Demonic Realm.

 

It was not a being that would appear in a place like a ruin on the outskirts of the country.

 

“Do we have any way to deal with this thing?”

 

Yu Hong-seol asked this time.

 

However, there seemed to be no expectation on her face when she asked the question.

 

If there had been a way, there would have been no reason to flee in the first place.

 

And her expectation was correct.

 

“We can’t do it alone. It would take at least five knights of my caliber to stand a chance.”

 

Unless the Empire’s strongest stepped forward.

 

No matter how strong the heroes were, even if Seo Woojin helped…

 

“…Where is he?”

 

Ludian, who was continuing his thoughts, suddenly asked.

 

“What?”

 

The Heroes who didn’t understand the question asked back.

 

“Mr. Seo Woojin.”

 

Everyone turned around.

 

“Gone?”

 

Seo Woojin, who should have been in the back, was nowhere to be seen.

 

“No way!”

 

Ludian’s expression changed.

 

He realized why Seo Woojin wasn’t there.

 

“Oh no, damn it!”

 

It was only then that others noticed his reaction.

 

The fact that Seo Woojin stayed behind and fought Rosie Ruby.

 

* * *

 

A blue glimmer appeared in the empty air.

 

The magical power emanating from it was so great that Irene couldn’t fathom it.

 

“He’s coming.”

 

With the words of a knight, a foot emerged from the shimmer.

 

And in an instant, a leg, an arm, a torso, and finally a head appeared.

 

A well-dressed, handsome young man with neatly combed black hair and an immaculate white uniform.

 

On his chest was a simple yet elegant gold insignia.

 

“Mage!”

 

Irene was taken aback.

 

A mage is a high-ranking magician, the second of the four ranks: sorcerer, magician, mage, and archmage.

 

For an ordinary person, it was an existence that could only be seen once in a lifetime, if at all.

 

There was only one such person in Sion.

 

The golden badge on his chest proved that he held the position of a mage.

 

“Is this the place?”

 

The mage asked, frowning at the unpleasant air of the demonic realm.

 

“My name is Rioc, leader of the Yuren Knights.”

 

The search leader stepped forward and bowed politely.

 

Unless they were nobles, knights and mages did not share ranks.

 

But if you were sitting on top of the mage, it was enough to receive Rioc’s respect.

 

“Nice to meet you.”

The mage nodded slightly in greeting.

 

But he did not give his name.

 

Arrogant.

 

Irene and the other knights could guess his personality from the mage’s attitude.

 

Although he pretended to be polite on the outside, it was clear that he did not regard Riock with much importance.

 

‘Magician…’

 

Irene didn’t like him.

 

No, she didn’t like mages in general.

 

But she couldn’t express that feeling right now.

 

After all, the mage in front of them had come to help them.

 

‘If I want to find Woojin, I need the magician’s help.’

 

They had to interpret the box with the Demon King’s seal and locate the missing people.

 

“I heard that you discovered the traces of Kademain. I’m here to help.”

 

“Here it is.”

 

Riock, not in a good mood either, handed over the box with a stiff expression.

 

The magician took the box and examined it from the outside.

 

“Hmm.”

 

For about five minutes.

 

“It’s definitely the seal of Kademain.”

 

Although they had expected it, the knights’ expressions became serious when they heard the magician’s confirmation.

 

“So, what now?”

 

“Where was this box buried?”

 

“Right here.”

 

Rioc raised his hand and pointed to a spot not more than ten meters away from where they were standing.

 

“We need to investigate further, but it seems that the Demon King’s power resides there.”

 

Irene swallowed hard at the mage’s words.

 

The Demon King’s power was in the realm of the incomprehensible.

 

Even though he had been defeated and his power had diminished over time, his intensity remained unparalleled.

 

A power that twisted concepts and destroyed common sense.

 

It was undoubtedly too much for the inexperienced heroes to stop.

 

“I guess I’ll have to brace myself.”

 

The mage shed his initial arrogance, revealing the true expression of a Seeker.

 

He was obviously filled with deep curiosity about the box in front of him and the power of the Demon King.

 

If things continued like this, he would probably focus more on solving his own curiosity than finding the whereabouts of the heroes.

 

The mage with the title of Seeker of Truth was originally such a being.

 

“Do you have any idea how long the interpretation will take?”

 

Irene asked, taking a step forward at that moment.

 

All eyes, including those of the mage and all the knights, were focused on her.

 

It wasn’t the place for someone of only intermediate rank to step forward.

 

Irene was well aware of that fact.

 

But at this moment, the safety of Seo Woojin was more important than such considerations.

 

Although Rioc disapproved of her sudden action, he didn’t explicitly object.

 

After all, he also had a mission to find Baek Siwoo.

 

“What is your name?”

 

“I am Irene, Knight of Sion.”

 

The mage scoffed at the mention of Sion, deeming it unworthy.

 

“This is an important matter for us.”

 

But Irene did not retreat.

 

“I am curious as well.”

 

This time Rioc stepped forward to support Irene.

 

The mage’s brow furrowed as he watched them.

 

He didn’t seem to like the knights’ attitude.

 

But he didn’t complain.

 

“It shouldn’t take more than an hour. After that, we should be able to trace the Heroes’ footsteps.”

 

One hour.

 

Whether it was long or short, Irene prayed for a quick end to the magician’s interpretation and stepped back.

 

Now it was time to wait.

 

* * *

 

“Ugh, damn it!  You son of a bitch.”

 

Seo Woojin spat out curses as if he was vomiting blood.

 

“What kind of monster is this…”

 

When he first activated ‘Hell’, he had some confidence. Even if he couldn’t win, he believed that he could at least make things difficult.

 

However, that confidence was mercilessly shattered shortly after.

 

Rogi Ruby ruthlessly destroyed the Black Jellyfish.

 

Despite their overwhelming numbers, the 16 legs easily thwarted ‘Hell’.

 

Thanks to this, Seo Woojin used all the skills he had hidden in panic.

 

Muspelheim, which destroyed a lump of flesh in a single blow.

 

Sword of Uranus, which summons a large sword and devastates the entire area.

 

Stigma, which burns the body of a designated foe.

 

And even Twilight.

 

He poured out all the skills he could use within the limits of his magic.

 

Yet, it didn’t suffer a single injury.

 

No, it did.

 

But it bubbled up and healed within seconds.

 

It seemed to have an incredibly fast healing ability that surpassed even the trolls.

 

“It wasn’t confidence, it was arrogance.”

 

Seo Woojin took a deep breath and let out a bitter laugh.

 

Still, he thought that if he used his hidden power, he could be a match for her to some extent…

 

But Rosie Ruby was a monster that exceeded Seo Woojin’s expectations.

 

“What on earth are you?”

 

It wasn’t a monster.

 

It didn’t seem to be a demonic being like Burtal either.

 

‘It can’t be a member of the demon king’s family, right?’

 

Even in the northern regions, there were Demon King family members.

 

Kratos was one of them.

 

According to Irene, they hadn’t even bothered to subjugate his territory in the Massive Guardian.

 

If Rosie Ruby was a family member of a Demon King like Kratos, it would be difficult to leave this place unharmed today.

 

“Hoo-“

 

Seo Woojin took a deep breath.

 

It is true that she is strong.

 

To the point where he couldn’t figure out how to deal with it.

 

But that didn’t mean he could just stand still and accept death.

 

“Let’s finish this, you bastard.”

 

Seo Woojin sharpened his black sword.

 

His hand trembled finely because even the slight magical power was exhausted.

 

Keggggegegek-!

 

Did Rosie Ruby understand Seo Woojin’s words?

 

Rosie Ruby began to charge towards Seo Woojin, howling as if mocking him.