How A Mythical Holy Knight Lives As A Villain (Novel) - Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Discord
Go Johan was staring at the longsword floating in front of him.
Cursed artifacts—each one possessed vastly different abilities.
Some, like the seeds of demonic beasts, known as “demon seeds,” contained latent demons or fragments of demonic beasts that granted power to the wielder, gradually transforming them.
Others lent power without cost, only to summon a demon that would take over the wielder’s body.
Some turned the wielder into a sacrifice, covered the surrounding land with demonic energy, or cast curses.
The abilities of cursed artifacts were incredibly diverse.
“This one…”
While some cursed artifacts were created through the body or consciousness of a demon…
“…was made on Earth.”
Others were born from the hands of certain individuals.
Hell’s blacksmiths.
“It was made… about three months ago.”
They were once called witches or enchanters, but in Travania, they had a different name.
“…Dvergr.”
Fallen dwarves, known as Dvergr.
Originally, the term referred only to fallen dwarves, but over time, it came to encompass all those who created cursed artifacts.
“Where did Goldian get it?”
“The black market…”
“When?”
“A few days ago…”
But that wasn’t all.
“A new type of demon seed… has been discovered.”
Demon seeds were a combination of the seeds of demonic beasts and demon seeds.
Known as Demonic Stones, they granted the user immense power, comparable to elixirs, but came with curses and shackles.
When certain conditions were met, or when the seed sprouted, it would transform the user into a demonic beast or a demon.
“Mostly used on monsters… but it’s also possible to use them on objects…”
In addition, various other cursed artifacts were being discovered and their numbers were increasing.
“Good work. Keep looking into it.”
“Hehe. That’s my job.”
Kang Yoon-bae, Gluttony, nodded with apparent joy.
As someone with an endless passion for research and consumption, Gluttony would happily continue the work.
“Get some rest too.”
“…I don’t need to sleep.”
Though his excessive focus was concerning, Kang Yoon-bae wasn’t wrong.
It was absurd to impose human needs on apostles who had transcended humanity.
“Still, rest.”
“…Understood, Boss.”
With that, Go Johan and Lee Jae-kyung left the lab.
“It’s not just cursed artifacts.”
Lee Jae-kyung spoke up.
“Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of Eastern Europe, and South America… New forces and movements have been detected.”
New forces and movements.
“The timing…”
“After the press conference.”
Go Johan’s words made Lee Jae-kyung nod.
“Korea, the North, and the neighboring countries are the same.”
He was referring to North Korea and China.
“If it’s a coincidence, it might just be a coincidence…”
“It’s not a coincidence.”
Go Johan spoke firmly.
“I warned everyone that day.”
The invasion of demons had begun.
And.
“Just as I hoped.”
He had warned the demons and their worshippers in hiding.
It was only natural that they would start moving, having judged that they could no longer remain in the shadows.
And that was exactly what Go Johan wanted.
“Things are going to get busy.”
At Go Johan’s words, Lee Jae-kyung smiled.
“That’s what I was hoping for.”
The time to act was fast approaching.
***
The black round table began to flicker with holograms.
The figures were only silhouettes, not fully revealed.
“…How long has it been?”
Someone spoke up.
“It’s been four years.”
Another replied.
“Tracking?”
“It’s not magic. No matter how powerful ‘he’ is, he can’t control all the communications of a third country.”
“…Should we be relieved? Or horrified?”
“That’s why we have to meet in such a mundane way.”
“It’s ridiculous.”
“Actually, it’s refreshingly mundane.”
There were six of them.
They shuddered as they recalled recent events.
“I couldn’t believe it.”
“It’s really ‘him.'”
Even now, the views of Go Johan’s press conference were skyrocketing.
If Go Johan had created his own channel and uploaded the video, the views alone would have been enough to make him a tycoon, and it might have broken several records.
“…Michael.”
The name fell heavily, and the silhouettes trembled again.
They never imagined they would hear that name of terror and awe here again.
There had been prophecies.
“A prophecy said the Knight of Fear and Illusion would be here.”
Such prophecies.
That’s why they had been watching the situation closely, holding their breath.
But they couldn’t be sure.
“……”
“……”
“I hoped it was just a misunderstanding.”
Because his methods were so different.
The Michael of the past, known as the Knight of Fear and Illusion, was a man of despairing strength.
The cultists and demonic beasts he had painstakingly nurtured were swept away in his wake, and those he had worked so hard to corrupt were reduced to ashes.
But he had failed.
“Is it because he’s not alone this time?”
No matter how extraordinary a superhuman, even if they possessed power rivaling a god, it was impossible to hold back the world alone.
He had been utterly alone.
Even though his flesh and blood would later become the emperor of a great empire, he was still alone.
He never allowed anyone close, only increasing his enemies.
“……”
That’s why they thought the movements in this world had nothing to do with ‘him.’
“Kuh… huh…”
He had changed his methods.
A chill ran down their spines, and they couldn’t help but shudder.
“That’s why.”
The smallest silhouette spoke.
“There’s no other way.”
He continued.
“Don’t you know? He has no mercy. He revealed himself and spoke out, so this is just the beginning.”
“So?”
A tall silhouette, contrasting with the small one, spoke.
“We’ve already started moving. There’s only one way.”
“What is it?”
“Just like before. We must focus on the madness of the paladin. Also, this world is different from Travania.”
“……”
“In fact, it might be better.”
The small silhouette continued.
“If he’s given up being alone, then we must make him alone again. Humans… are always the same, even when they leave that world.”
The silhouettes nodded.
“…Will you join?”
Originally, these were not people who worked together.
They acted separately, each for their own expertise, or for grand ambitions and plans.
But they had gathered for the first time in four years to oppose the great enemy known as ‘Michael.’
“I’ll step back. It’s too early. I’ll just die for nothing.”
“…You sold your soul, yet you fear death?”
“Now he can really ‘kill’ us.”
“I’ll watch too.”
“Cowards.”
But what could they do?
“I…”
At that moment, the tallest silhouette spoke.
“I’ll join.”
And so, in the shadows, evil began to move.
Unbeknownst to them, this was exactly what Go Johan had wanted.
“In the black lands of Russia, he wasted more time than expected. It means he’s not yet complete. This might be our only chance.”
Secretly, and boldly, they began to move.
***
Koo Sung-hoon, the president of the Korean Players Association.
He was one of Korea’s legendary players.
As a first-generation player, he was a member of the first party to clear the gate that appeared in Korea.
He had once been Korea’s top-ranked player and the first Korean player to make it onto the world rankings.
Though he had retired over a decade ago…
Koo Sung-hoon was still a strong player.
Though not as strong as in his prime, he wasn’t afraid to step onto the field, and his level had grown significantly, even if it was no longer recorded in the rankings.
“…So.”
Koo Sung-hoon slowly began to speak.
“You haven’t figured out the true nature of the Black Crown?”
“…No.”
“And the Black Crown might not be as dangerous an organization as we thought.”
“……”
Standing with Koo Sung-hoon was Kim Da-yeon.
She was the head of the association’s investigation department and a friend of Go Min-ji.
“Four years. We gave them full support, even autonomy.”
Koo Sung-hoon’s eyes narrowed.
“And after four years, this is the report you bring me?”
“…I’m sorry. But since the Black Crown appeared, a lot of underground crime has been suppressed, and there’s even been some self-purification…”
“Enough, enough.”
Koo Sung-hoon waved his hand dismissively.
“Enough. I don’t want to hear any more.”
“……”
Kim Da-yeon tightly shut her mouth.
In truth, she had been struggling with how to present this report.
‘The Black Crown is backed by… Go Johan.’
That Go Johan.
The troublemaker of the Shinsung, the younger brother of her closest friend.
If that were all, Kim Da-yeon would have given a proper report to the association president.
But a few days ago, something happened that shook not only Korea but the entire world.
-“I warn you.”
Go Johan’s press conference.
When she saw it, Kim Da-yeon felt her confused mind clear.
If the Black Crown’s inexplicable movements had such a meaning…
Then perhaps they weren’t an organization that needed to be eradicated.
“Let’s have an honest talk.”
Koo Sung-hoon said.
“What do you think?”
“About what?”
“I made you the youngest head of the investigation department because I believed in your abilities.”
“……”
“So stop talking nonsense. Do you really think I’m that much of an idiot?”
Koo Sung-hoon said.
“Go Johan. The one behind the Black Crown. If you’re hiding him, you must have your reasons.”
“……”
“Why are you hiding him? Is it just because of your friend Go Min-ji? Or…”
Koo Sung-hoon’s eyes gleamed.
“Do you believe in that insane press conference too?”