The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 16: Twilight (2)

Near Dongdaemun District.

“I’ll get off here and run!”

Kim Eun-ha stepped out onto the congested road while she was in the car. She originally had plans to discuss monthly loot trade matters with the Moonlight Guild. However, she was now heading to the scene upon hearing the sudden news of an S-Class Gate’s collapse. Thankfully, she always carried her sword, so she could jump right into action.

‘A disaster even greater than that day five years ago is about to unfold.’

Five years ago, an S-Class Gate was created in Korea. Despite collective efforts from all guilds, mages, and the association, the damage was severe. Numerous A-Class Hunters were lost, and even one S-Class Hunter perished. That S-Class Hunter was Hwang Ki-bum, known as ‘Twilight’, now a figure of history. When he died, the ‘Twilight Guild’ naturally disbanded.

But the damage this time will be far worse. This wasn’t just a ‘Gate creation’, but a ‘Gate collapse.’ Not just hunters, but countless civilians would certainly die.

‘I have to hold out until other S-Class Hunters arrive.’

So, Kim Eun-ha ran. She didn’t know the exact location, but looking at the sky, she could identify where the disaster was originating. The sky, which should have been dusky since it was before evening, was darkened by ash-colored smoke.

Finally, Kim Eun-ha arrived at the scene.

“Ah…”

A despairing breath escaped her lips, and her feet were glued to the ground.

“Aaaahhh!”

“Help us!”

Buildings were collapsing and burning everywhere, flames shooting up to the reddish sky, and suffocating smoke blanketed the area. Citizens were running away from the fires, screaming in sharp agony.

Despite her long history in the Hunter business and witnessing numerous horrific scenes, she had no idea what to prioritize. The disaster was that massive.

“Are you okay!”

For now, she assisted nearby civilians while surveying the area. No monsters were in sight. The only thing visible was fire, burning from all directions.

“Team Leader Kim Eun-ha.”

Suddenly, a burly man landed next to Kim Eun-ha. It was Jo Geun-woo from Moonlight Guild.

“Let’s get away from here.”

After evacuating the civilians, Kim Eun-ha asked,

“Have the monsters been identified?”

“We checked with a magic detector, but it appears to be just one creature.”

“… What? You mean all the magical power equivalent to an S-Class Gate comes from a single monster?”

“Seems like it.”

Kim Eun-ha was stunned. Gates are graded based on the total magical energy detected E-Class starting at 300, A-Class at 30,000, and S-Class at 100,000 and so on. This figure was the sum of the magical power of all the monsters inside the Gate. But Jo Geun-woo’s statement meant that all this power came from just ‘one creature’.

“I told the team members to rescue civilians since they would only be in the way.”

“… So that means we have to deal with this monster ourselves.”

“Yes. We need to hold out until other S-Class Hunters arrive. Fortunately, the Twilight Lord is also on his way.”

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a massive flame surged, interrupting Jo Geun-woo mid-sentence. They both leapt to the sides, and the fire in between them exploded, breaking the wall.

Landing, Jo Geun-woo muttered,

“Shit… I thought I was going to die just now…”

Kim Eun-ha, without saying a word, drew her sword with her sweaty palms.

They both looked in the same direction.

A monster about 2 meters tall emerged through the flames on the ground. It had a human-shaped, reddish upper body and two legs resembling those of a buffalo, crowned by elegantly soaring horns.

“A demon-type, huh?”

Demon-types were generally far stronger and fearless compared to other monsters. The only method of combating them was brute force.

“@@@@@@”

The demon muttered something unintelligible.

As their eyes met its fierce white gaze, a very different kind of fear settled in. Though the area was engulfed in heat from the fires, it felt as if they were standing in a blizzard.

“… Can we even win against this thing, even if S-Class Hunters come?”

“Activate!”

At Kim Eun-ha’s shout, the demon stretched out both arms. A heat bursting from his fingertips.

Whooosh!

Flames that seemed to hold lava engulfed Jo Geun-woo.

“Jo Geun-woo!”

Kim Eun-ha, who was at a slight distance, was shocked.

Slowly the flames subsided, revealing a silhouette.

“That was a close call…”

Jo Geun-woo’s body was coated in silver.

His ability, [Steel], covered his body in highly durable metal, barely blocking the previous attack.

His slightly melted arm was proof of the demon’s power.

Suppressing his pain, Jo Geun-woo glanced at Kim Eun-ha.

“Team Leader Kim Eun-ha, I will block that guy’s attacks twice more. You handle the rest. I can’t take any more than that.”

“…Understood.”

Kim Eun-ha gripped her sword, swallowing her tension.

Once again, light burst from the front.

The demon fired its overwhelming firepower.

“Now!”

Jo Geun-woo dashed forward, crossing his arms to counter the flames.

Kaboom!

His steel-covered body collided with the intense flames.

The fire spread outwards from Jo Geun-woo, and the backlash pushed his feet back.

In that gap, Kim Eun-ha caught her breath and activated [Acceleration].

Blue magic rippled through her body, a refreshing breeze flowing through her veins.

Thump!

The moment the flames subsided, she kicked off the ground and rushed towards the demon.

In an instant, she reached the demon’s side.

At that moment, the demon’s eyes and arms were facing forward.

“Got you!”

She internally rejoiced.

Still focused, she swung her sword at the demon’s neck.

If it were a basic A-rank boss, this strike would have ended it.

However, this demon was an overwhelming S-rank boss.

Swoosh!

Before her sword even touched, the demon’s head twisted to meet Kim Eun-ha’s gaze.

A grin split half his face, revealing razor-sharp teeth.

One of the demon’s arms had already moved behind its back, targeting her exposed abdomen.

There was no armor, no protective gear, just bare skin.

Wham!

The demon’s fist was faster than her sharp sword.

“Arghh!”

Kim Eun-ha spat blood and flew through the air, stopping only after hitting the debris of a collapsed building.

She spat out another clot of blood from the bone-crushing pain.

‘…I can’t move…’

Her arms trembled and wouldn’t lift; her legs felt like they were stuck in quicksand.

In just one blow, she was incapacitated.

‘This is an S-rank boss…’

Truly, an insurmountable gap, an unbreakable S-rank wall.

She had knocked once, but only despair returned.

The demon, having no mercy for the humans who disturbed him, released another burst of flames toward Kim Eun-ha.

Aware of the situation, Jo Geun-woo quickly stepped in front to block the flames.

“Ugh…!”

True to being called an S-rank in defense, Jo Geun-woo had already blocked those flames twice.

However, even he…

On the demon’s third gesture, his legs could no longer hold, and he flew through the air.

Crash!!

Losing his support, Jo Geun-woo flew back and collapsed next to Kim Eun-ha.

Their battle was over.

No, it wasn’t even a battle.

It was merely a massacre.

That demon was a predator, and they were merely prey.

“Damn… I knew this would happen…”

“Uh…”

As if sentencing them to death, the demon raised both arms.

As always, a dim crimson light filled their vision.

Whoooosh!

Their end was to be burned at the stake.

Just as they were about to silently accept their death,

Thump.

Someone landed in front of them.

Even obscured by the undulating black cloak and pouring red light, the dark silhouette was clear.

The man raised one hand high towards the incoming flames.

“Fire Arrow.”

Whoooosh—!

Black energy gathered at the man’s fingertips, taking the form of a ferocious fire arrow.

Soon after, the jet-black arrow surged forward.

Ka-boom—!!

A loud noise erupted as red and black flames clashed.

The black arrow quickly turned into flames upon contact with the demon’s fire, spreading in all directions, completely blocking the demon’s heat.

Like a black hole, it absorbed all the surrounding light and continued to approach the demon.

Screeeeech—!

The demon’s scream echoed through the burned scenery.

The demon that had overwhelmed them was now moaning at the ‘Fire Arrow’, a basic spell launched by the man.

Between those hot cries, a chill air surged in.

“Don’t worry anymore, everyone.”

Amidst the heat of disaster,

A new sky spoke.

“I am here.”

***

I looked at the demon engulfed in black flames.

‘At this level, he’s probably around the level of a count.’

Having already encountered Adoniya’s counts, I could gauge its strength.

The demon who had barely extinguished the flames glared at me.

“@@@@@@@™”

A disgusting voice, as if bugs were crawling in my ears.

It was the demonic language, but something was different.

‘He lost his mind.’

It seemed like a berserk demon.

The reason for this was unclear, but it seemed like a rankless demon had received power and landed here.

“Your Majesty.”

Hyude landed next to me.

His breath was somewhat rough. Of course, running 10km wouldn’t tire him out. He just strained to keep up with my speed.

Hyude looked at the demon in front of him.

“So, it’s that one.”

“Yes. Take care of him for a bit, I have something to do.”

I had something I needed to do before dealing with this guy. It looked like my plans would have to be pushed up.

Thud Thud Thud

I briefly lifted my head at the harsh sound of propellers.

It looked like a news helicopter, and they were filming us.

‘This is a good opportunity to make my power known.’

My reputation would skyrocket after this, becoming not just an S-class guild but also raising Hyude’s faith in me.

I turned my gaze away and approached Kim Eun-ha, whose eyes were half-closed.

“Seo-jun, sir…”

“Stay still.”

I took out an elite potion using [Demon King’s Gluttony] and poured it into her mouth. I had prepared a few just in case.

I also fed one to Jo Geun-woo, who was next to her. Of course, I planned to collect the reward later.

“You don’t have to pay me back. Consider it prepaid.”

I approached Kim Eun-ha once again and smiled faintly.

…?”

She blinked her half-opened eyes in confusion.

My gaze landed on Kim Eun-ha’s red lips.

A thin layer of fresh blood smeared on her white lips.

It was as if a peony had bloomed on a snowfield, softly enticing me. As if entranced, I took one petal.

Then, I tasted the tempting peony with my tongue.

“Uh, what?!”

At that strange action, Kim Eun-ha’s consciousness fully returned.

(To be continued in the next episode)