NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 352
Chapter 353: What the Heck is This?
‘What is this?’
I was completely caught off guard by the unexpected situation. It felt as though the shockwave from the Demon King’s landing had ripped away my sense of reality.
Looking to the side, Namgung Seong wore a similar expression. His gaze was sharper than Yeon-woo’s, likely because he felt the overwhelming power of Hwayo’s Demon King was beyond his reach.
However, from the conversation exchanged between the boy and the others, Yeon-woo easily deduced that this child was the Demon King. With that pure, almost innocent mana he exuded, who could think of him as anything but a Demon King?
When Hwayo’s gaze shifted away from Yeon-woo, he finally realized he could move again. The ability to petrify someone with a mere stare must belong to Mookyoh. If that was the case, then the reason he couldn’t move earlier was…
‘Was it menacing aura?’
Like a torture device, that sinister presence had created a framework around me, trapping me inside it. It had no real lethality, yet it could restrict even the movements of a Master.
Chills ran down my spine as I took a few steps back from the two Demon Kings. Luckily, Namgung Seong followed my retreat. It seemed he retained enough clarity to act.
Fortunately, the two Demon Kings appeared too focused to bother with us. Toyo was concentrating on Hwayo, while Hwayo didn’t seem particularly concerned. When it came to pure combat power between Demon Kings, Hwayo wouldn’t fall behind Toyo.
Proof of that was how even the undead, who should have been mindlessly fixated on life, were now fearful of approaching Hwayo.
Only the Demon King of Chaos, the God of the Sun, and Hwayo could instill fear in something that should be filled with a hunger for life, like the undead.
As infamous as Hwayo was as a Demon King, this was the first time I had encountered him face to face. With an indescribable atmosphere weighing down on me, I moistened my parched lips, and Namgung Seong whispered softly.
“Hey, is this situation really okay?”
“Probably.”
“Damn it, nothing’s certain.”
“That’s just how being a Hunter is.”
I said it nonchalantly, but my palm was slick with sweat. At least the two were indifferent to us, or else even whispering would have been impossible.
“Anyway, let’s eavesdrop for now. They’re having an interesting conversation.”
“That does sound intriguing.”
Moreover, the inconsistency Hwayo was radiating with a broad grin caused the undead to hesitate in their approach. Thanks to that, for the first time since arriving on this battlefield, I could act freely without worrying about the undead.
*
[Why are you interrupting my event, Hwayo? I was just trying to put your pet to sleep since he was rampaging without a leash.]
[Ha ha, sorry about that. But you need to take some responsibility too. How can you prepare for war so tantalizingly? If you do, I can’t control my people.]
[Ugh, how shameless…!!]
Caught in between the not-so-friendly two Demon Kings, the War Leader had no choice but to bow down before his master.
[Well, I didn’t want to interfere if possible. Who am I to stop someone from choosing their own demise? You know I’m not one to do that.]
[But why are you doing this!! Have you forgotten the rules of the Demon Kings!?]
Realizing he had a justification, Toyo shouted defiantly. But that choice was a mistake. Hwayo responded with a snort as if Toyo said something utterly ridiculous.
[Right, the rule. That Demon Kings can’t harm each other—who dared to impose such a constraint?]
Initially, Hwayo’s voice was calm but gradually warped with rage. The intensity of that rage was so palpable, the mana around him started to ripple out, creating a haze.
Seeing Hwayo’s sharp reaction made Toyo flinch. But in an instant, Toyo regained his composure and slammed his staff onto the ground.
[Well, didn’t we agree not to interfere in each other’s affairs with that constraint!? Didn’t you also consent to that proposal!?]
[I agreed, but there’s been something that’s bothered me since then!]
A calm admission from Hwayo released a chilling aura. Even the War Leader, accustomed to sensing sinister energies, was sweating profusely; it was that intense.
[What do you think you’re doing standing in the same space as me? Hey, do you want to die?]
[W-What…?]
With that chilly remark, the area fell silent, as if someone had doused it with water. Just moments ago, I could even hear the skeletons creaking, but now, not a sound could be heard.
In Yeon-woo’s view, it seemed as if crimson mana was spreading through the air like diluted paint.
It wasn’t just any mana; it was Hwayo’s genuine, suppressed fury. If the two weren’t Masters, they would have suffocated right then and there from its thickness.
‘Damn it, thank goodness this isn’t our territory.’
If it were, with just this one sentence, hundreds or thousands could have perished.
[You posing as a Demon King is making it seem like our guy will be killed by the Demon King himself, and he’s just satisfied with that. What kind of Demon King are you?]
“What do you mean, my Lord!?”
The War Leader shook his head in disbelief at Hwayo’s words, looking between the two Demon Kings.
That was understandable. Had they not been forewarned, Yeon-woo and Namgung Seong would surely be straining their necks in confusion.
[W-What are you talking about? I am the definitive Demon King. I am the sixth Demon King who seized Toyo’s throne!]
[Spare the nonsense that won’t build a case? You think I wouldn’t know?]
[N-No, no. There’s no reason for me to listen to your drivel. Look at you, threatening me with words, yet you can’t even kill me!]
[You’re laughing?]
With that one cold remark, light tore through Yeon-woo’s field of vision. It was the kind of speed that couldn’t be expressed any other way. Hwayo, with a serious expression, moved at a pace that made it nearly impossible to perceive, standing before Nephren-Ka faster than sound.
Kaboom──!!
The sonic boom created by Hwayo’s excessive speed rippled through the area. Yet, everyone except the two Demon Kings could only gawk in astonishment at Hwayo’s figure. How could they not?
“…Did you see that?”
“No, it was almost invisible.”
That was the truth. I even-called upon my clairvoyance, fearing I might miss it, but it was almost undetectable.
Saying it was simply fast would be an understatement; the phenomenon accompanying it was merely a sonic boom. It meant it was super-sonic rather than being anywhere close to a speed beyond light.
‘…Is he skilled at hiding his presence?’
I only caught a glimpse, but that move resembled martial arts. But why would a Demon King, of all beings, bother to learn martial arts?
Do lions or elephants practice martial arts to fight humans? Martial arts are originally born for the weak to bolster their strength.
Regardless of what the question about Hwayo’s identity might be, what mattered now was the current situation caused by Hwayo’s strike.
I had heard about the restrictions of being a Demon King from Leviathan. They could not harm each other. But if that was the case, what would happen to the shattered bones of Toyo, courtesy of Hwayo’s recent attack?
[Ugh, am I really using this much power just to hit such a scoundrel? There has to be a limit to inefficiency…!]
[W-What…? What in the world…!? I’m leaving; I can’t take this anymore…!!]
[Hey, pick up your bones, you filthy piece of trash.]
Yet, despite Hwayo’s warning, Toyo hurriedly turned, brandishing his staff to tear open the gate to the underworld. Then he took off inside.
Seeing this, the necromancers who had been keeping their distance began to flee. It looked like they were trying to escape to their sacred grounds. Thanks to that, I managed to successfully chase Toyo off without risking further danger…
[Oh, looks like a hero has appeared. How about we throw down right here? I’m game.]
Hwayo was mimicking boxing moves into the air, huffing and puffing. It was highly clumsy, yet with every punch thrown, gusts of energy swept through the space.
“Um, we’re kind of busy trying to kill Toyo right now…”
As Yeon-woo cautiously opened his mouth, Hwayo slumped his shoulders as if feeling dejected. The War Leader, seeing this, lightly patted Hwayo on the shoulder.
“It’s fine, my Lord. Saying you came to kill the Demon King means your turn will be up next, doesn’t it!?”
[Right? You’re here to kill me, aren’t you?]
“Absolutely, my Lord! No doubt about it!”
…What the heck, are these guys serious? Glancing to the side, I saw Namgung Seong wearing a similarly incredulous expression.
[Oh, then I have a great idea, Hero. Want to hear my proposal?]
“…What is it? Don’t tell me it’s some insane scheme.”
[Ha ha ha, why would I do something like that? I either die at your hands, or you die at mine. Anyway, listen up. How about taking him out and killing Toyo? Even if the kid is a bit foolish, he could still be of help, right?]
“…What?”
Feeling as if I hadn’t processed what I just heard, I craned my neck, and Namgung Seong wore the same incredulous look beside me. Why’ve you been copying me since earlier? I wanted to smack him a bit.
[You might not know this, but that guy is a Demon King posing as a Demon King. I’ve long found that sight unsightly.]
“Is that so…?”
[And here we are, a hero come to kill Toyo, and our “pet” almost got swallowed up. Given this chance, don’t you think we ought to get rid of him? It’s a win-win for you, hero, isn’t it?]
“Well, hunting the Demon King and then fighting against you guys! That actually sounds interesting!!”
“Crazy people.”
In response to Yeon-woo’s long-suffering murmur, the two subordinates awkwardly scratched the back of their heads. The only issue was, it was such a tempting proposal that there was no reason to refuse.
(Continued in the next part)