The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 3: Return (2)

A few pairs of eyes quietly scanned the alley.

“…Team Leader, am I dreaming right now?”

“…I’m not sure either.”

Kim Eun-ha’s pale complexion wavered.

To summarize, that man had single-handedly taken down the Behemoth.

‘Really…?’

A sentence that was so simple, yet incomprehensible.

However, that inexplicable event was right before their eyes.

They must catch that man. Kim Eun-ha’s instincts told her so.

First of all, to express their gratitude through a reward, and if possible, even extend an offer to scout him.

Kim Eun-ha steadied her breathing and approached the man, who was still standing on the corpse, feeling the world.

It was just when she got close enough…

“…Oh no.”

The man clutched his stomach and his expression turned serious. He then started to scan his surroundings quickly.

Kim Eun-ha took a step back, her hand on the hilt of her sword.

‘…What is it?’

Was there another enemy? Why was he acting like this?

Soon, his gaze fixed on one point.

Kim Eun-ha followed it.

A plain commercial building in the distance. There was no sign of the monster she had expected.

Kim Eun-ha asked with a puzzled expression.

“What’s going on—”

Thump!

The next moment, the man kicked the corpse and vanished.

Kim Eun-ha reached out her hand towards his fading silhouette.

“Ah, wait…!”

But he was already gone.

Kim Eun-ha’s words, along with her outstretched arm, fell limp.

*********

“Refreshing…”

Entering the bathroom of some building, I relieved myself. The pleasure at the end of this pain was indescribable.

Even after reaching superhuman levels, it was ridiculous that I couldn’t overcome a mere physiological phenomenon.

Of course, I was prepared for it.

[All citizens may return to their daily lives, as the monster has been defeated.]

Announcements rang outside, as if my actions had resolved the situation.

Now that I could relax, I sat down for a moment to check my status screen.

Stats

[Strength: 1318]

[Agility: 1306]

[Stamina: 1340]

[Magic Power: 0]

[Magi: 1240]

[Worldview Causality Points: 60]

My Worldview Causality Points had increased from 10 to 60. It seemed that the quest(?) rewards had been added.

But how do I use [The Demon King of Solomon]?

‘There’s something new.’

A new entry named [Solomon Window] had appeared just below my abilities.

[‘Solomon Window’ will be updated within 3 days.]

[※ Delay reason: Calculating the Worldview Causality Points of Solomon object.]

So, they are calculating the Worldview Causality Points required to summon them.

I can wait patiently for 3 days if that’s the case. I then examined my newly acquired ability.

[Predation]

[Description: By taking the blood of your opponent, you can store up to 3 of their abilities. (Can be deleted at any time)

[Unregistered]

[Unregistered]

[Unregistered]

“Is this really okay?”

That was my impression of [Predation].

It seemed like an overly overpowered ability. It was as if I had merely landed a sucker punch. Or perhaps, it accounted for my 6666 years?

“In that case, it’s only fair.”

Only then would it not be unfair.

I even discovered abilities I hadn’t been able to check since then. They were all exceptional abilities.

–knock–

While lost in thought,

someone knocked on the door, and I naturally opened my mouth.

“Come in.”

“Um… may I come in?”

Ah, habit. I hesitated for a moment and returned home.

*********

After Lee Seo-jun left, the Dawn Guild was cleaning up the site.

“Greetings! Lord of the Dawn!”

“Just focus on your own tasks.”

“Yes!”

A man in a refined gray suit wandered around the site. He was Kim Jin-woo, the Dawn Guild leader and the eldest son of the Dawn family, and also one of the six S-class hunters in Korea.

“You’re here, Lord of the Dawn.”

Kim Eun-ha greeted with a slight bow.

Their relationship was that of siblings, but due to the formal setting, they maintained propriety.

“What about casualties?”

“No reported deaths so far, just minor injuries.”

“That’s… good to hear.”

Kim Jin-woo sighed deeply, adjusting his glasses.

He then looked at the defeated Behemoth.

“So, did we improve? It’s a top-tier A-class boss, but there seem to be no injuries and minimal collateral damage.”

“Ah, well…”

Kim Eun-ha fidgeted, contemplating. The minimal damage was solely due to that man. However, she hesitated, worrying that mentioning it might annoy him. Finally, she decided to tell the truth.

“Another person showed up and took care of the situation.”

“Another person? Was he S-class?”

“Yes, at least S-class based on his power. He took down the Behemoth with one blow.”

“…What?”

Kim Jin-woo’s eyes widened. He then chuckled, adjusting his glasses.

“You’re exaggerating. Even for S-class hunters, taking down a Behemoth in one blow is impossible.”

“No, it’s true! Ask our team members!”

An annoyed Kim Eun-ha insisted, and Kim Jin-woo turned to look at the team members cleaning up the debris.

One team member nodded.

“Ah, it’s true. Everyone here saw it.”

“So, you’ve really coordinated your story well to surprise me. What’s the real story?”

Despite Kim Jin-woo’s skepticism, their lips all told the same truth. He sighed deeply, reluctantly conceding.

“Fine, let’s say he took it down in one hit. What was his ability?”

“Should I even call it an ability…”

“If not an ability, then magic?”

After a pause, an even more unbelievable story came out.

“No, it was his bare fist.”

“…What?”

“Bare fist.”

Kim Eun-ha showed her clenched fist. After a brief silence, Kim Jin-woo chuckled.

“You’re joking too much. Are you lying to your boss?”

“It’s true! The Behemoth went down with one punch!”

“Team Leader Kim Eun-ha, don’t lie like that. Next time, make up something more convincing.”

“Ah, wait! We were recording the gate entrance today! You can check the footage!”

Kim Eun-ha pointed at her eye, quite serious. Kim Jin-woo rubbed his forehead. This was strange. She wasn’t the type to lie.

“…Fine, let’s see. We’ll know if it’s true or not after seeing that.”

“Yes! I will convert it to data and send it to you today!”

Kim Eun-ha’s eyes blazed with anticipation.

“Let’s not do it today and look into it tomorrow. This situation will become annoying anyway.”

“…Well, yeah, I suppose so.”

“Was that person someone you don’t know? If he were that strong, it’s hard to imagine you wouldn’t know them.”

“It was my first time seeing that person. I was going to offer to scout them, but they hurriedly left, as if something urgent had happened.”

“Something urgent? What could it be?”

“I don’t know. They left before I could ask… but it certainly seemed serious, judging by their expression.”

“I see…”

Someone who defeated the Behemoth in one blow has something urgent… I can’t even begin to guess what that could be.

“Regardless of their identity, we should be thankful to that person. If he wasn’t there, not only would there have been civilian casualties, but our guild would have taken a big hit too.”

“I agree.”

“Let’s gradually sort this out later and continue with the clean-up.”

“Yes.”

The two went their separate ways to their respective way.

*********

When I entered my home, I sat down on my bed. I had jumped out of the window because I didn’t know the building’s entrance code and had to get back in the same way.

No one was home.

My parents had passed away due to the destruction of the gate, and the remaining family member was my sibling, whom I’m not close with.

Suddenly, I was hit by hunger. First, it was stress. Now it’s my stomach.

I’m hungry, I thought as I rubbed my empty stomach.

Ever since I came back to Earth, it seems my appetite has returned. Precisely, I now need to eat to replenish my energy.

What should I do? As I was pondering…

–Beep beep–

I heard the sound of someone hastily entering the password.

I extended my senses to look beyond the door. The silhouette appeared to be a woman, but I couldn’t identify who it was.

The front door swung open, and a woman shouted.

“Seo-Jun!”

Brown hair falling over her shoulders, familiar facial features, flickering eyes. My pupils dilated for a rare moment.

“…Sister?”

My sister, Lee Seo-Yeon, was there.

She came to me quickly and hugged me. Her warm embrace softly enveloped my body.

“You’re alive… I thought you were dead because you weren’t answering your phone.”

It seems she heard about the Behemoth and came to find me. I casually scratched my cheek.

“Sister, weren’t we not on good terms?”

“No, I never thought that.”

“Is that so.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Lee Seo-Yeon still hadn’t let go of me.

6666 years of reunion. Something was pricking at my heart.

I realized I missed her.

But no tears flowed.

Was it because our relationship had always been like this, or had emotions faded over such a long time? I couldn’t tell.

My face remained stiff, as if I had met a stranger.

I forced a smile.

“Sister.”

“Tell me.”

“So, are you going to feed me since I’m hungry?”

“…You bastard.”

Hmm, seems like we still aren’t on the best of terms.

*********

“Kimchi stew!”

Delicious.

“Rolled omelet!”

This is also delicious.

“Truly, it’s spectacular!”

The intense flavors swirl around in my mouth. Is this truly what a Korean dining table is like? My dormant appetite has exploded. Lee Seo-yeon chuckles as she watches me eat heartily.

“Is it good?”

“It’s spectacular. I almost want to appoint you as a ‘changed person’ right away.”

“Little brother, I’ve been concerned; what’s with your princely way of speaking and your dishevelment? Are you auditioning for an acting role?”

“Mm, don’t worry about that.”

“…No, it’s impossible not to worry.”

Lee Seo-yeon sighs heavily and rises from her seat.

“That’s fine. As long as you’re alive. I’m going now.”

“You’re leaving already?”

“I have to go back to work. I snuck out.”

“I see.”

I looked at Lee Seo-yeon.

I remember her aim was to be a blacksmith, so why is she working in an office? I decided to test something I had been wanting to try.

[Lezie’s Insight]

[Description: Deep insights possessed by Lezie. By taking away her purity, you can use this skill to read others.]

This is the [Lezie’s Insight].

If Roberto was the most villainous during the Demon King era, then the most challenging opponent was Lezie. She could read the opponent’s information and thoughts.

It was impossible not to be wary of her as I had to act like the Demon King to survive.

Thinking about it, it was surprising I survived, and that Lezie had changed so much.

Anyway, if this can use Lezie’s abilities, I should be able to get the information I want.

[Lezie’s Insight]

My pupils turned blue. A gentle touch grazed my chin.

Elegant and graceful, it seemed like a seductive scent was drifting toward me. Is this an illusion caused by thinking of Lezie?

For a moment, a scroll of paper unfurled before my eyes.

Name: Lee Seo-yeon

Ability: [Thicker Than Blood – Unawakened]

Likes: [Life], [Pudding], [Blacksmith]

Dislikes: [Loneliness], [Boss]

Current Thoughts: I’m relieved that Seo-jun is alive… Ah, but I don’t want to go back to work. Ah, I want to quit, someone please let me quit.

I was able to see a lot of information as expected.

I checked Lee Seo-yeon’s ability slot.

[Thicker Than Blood – Unawakened]

If blood is used when making a weapon, the weapon recognizes the owner of the blood, responds to the energy more easily, and random special options are added.

You can check the information of the sword by shouting ‘Check Sword Information’. (However, special options will not apply if the blood owner does not use it.)

Awakening Condition: Reconcile with younger brother Lee Seo-jun

… Maybe she can quit her job?

(To be continued in the next episode)