Chapter 95 – That’s Where the Delusion Ends

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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‘No matter how great he is, in the end, he is merely a human.’

The True Name Demon, Acampatam, swallowed a smile.

Karimzeva, he knew well just how incredible of a human that guy was.

Was he called the Fire Dragon.

Well, even if we put aside his reputation on the Arcana continent for a moment.

The magic power rippling from his flesh was truly unusual.

‘If I babble my mouth carelessly, I’ll burn to death.’

But this place was not the Arcana continent.

A world completely different from the Arcana continent.

Because he knew about this world better than Karimzeva.

“Your words are correct. I was rash.”

At least he was able to avoid bowing his head.

“Yes. My words were also excessive. We have to help each other and live.”

Of course, there is no need to have an underlying battle of nerves with a monster like that.

Acampatam generously accepted the apology.

And sat down facing him on the sofa.

‘Let me do some calculations first.’

Phew

He lit a cigarette and racked his brains.

The successor of a chaebol family.

If you take away his status, he occupies a body with nothing special.

Still, his brain that calculates gains and losses wasn’t bad.

Why, as you can see even now.

Isn’t he prioritizing his own pleasure over other people’s lives?

‘One could say he even has a more wicked side than me.’

That brain was telling him.

‘This isn’t an appealing proposal for me at all.’

The Greater Demon King?

Even if they succeed in resurrection.

There was nothing he would gain from it.

If anything, he would suffer a loss.

‘Because all the energy of evil will head towards the great Demon King-nim.’

Even though I, who am insignificant, am satisfied with my current life.

Sizzle!

In short, it’s a situation where he stepped in poop and cannot even budge.

He had no choice but to put strength into his hand putting out the cigarette.

“You need news of the Mage Tower. Well, it’s not difficult. This world is also quite convenient. There’s no need to even use magic, if you just flick your finger a few times, you can get the information you want.”

Swish

As he took out his smartphone.

Karimzeva’s pupils shook slightly.

What a country bumpkin.

Acampatam let out a smirk and acted cheeky.

“But as you know better than anyone else, the Mage Tower is a very conservative group, isn’t it? Even the floating information is all just speculation. Everything is inaccurate brainfical(headcanon/personal opinion without proof). Ah, you know what brainfical means, right?”

At a single joke, his complexion changed directly.

Rumble

The surrounding furniture began to vibrate at the rippling magic power.

‘Does this old man have no self-awareness?’

Of what kind of magic power he is spewing out.

Ah this, if I play push-and-pull wrong, I’ll die.

Acampatam hurriedly continued his words.

“But who am I? There is a way for everything, is what I’m saying.”

“A way. Can you tell me?”

“Of course. We are in the same boat now.”

And swoosh

He handed over the contact information.

“I don’t know how ordinary demons like us, who aren’t even Demon Kings, look to you. But everyone is using their brains in their own way. Wearing the masks of humans like me, we are active all over this world.”

I know.

As Karimzeva nodded his head, he immediately continued his words.

“Naturally, the number of them? It’s more than what you, Karimzeva-nim, think. And their abilities? I don’t know about the Arcana continent, but it’s decent enough to be sufficiently utilized in this world.”

“Get to the point.”

“The point is simple. Currently, there aren’t only those from the Arcana continent in the Mage Tower, right?”

Karimzeva immediately caught the meaning of his words.

“……You are talking about the adventurer, Lee Ho-yeol.”

“Correct! On our demon side too, there is a demon who has a connection with that Lee Ho-yeol.”

“……!”

There is a demon who has a connection with Lee Ho-yeol……?

Karimzeva knew well the inherent power of a demon.

Even if Lee Ho-yeol is a talent acknowledged by Chief Marcelo.

If it’s the power of a demon, regardless of his ability.

‘Just like how it was for the other Elders and Bangrit.’

It would be able to cloud his judgment.

‘I would definitely be able to acquire information regarding the Mage Tower.’

No, going beyond that, what if he utilizes Lee Ho-yeol?

Couldn’t he obtain results greater than that?

Acampatam revealed a smile and continued his words.

“Looking at your expression, you seem to have guessed it roughly. But it’s still not an easy task, you know? Even from the perspective of the Arcana continent. And even from the perspective of this world. Lee Ho-yeol, that bastard is not ordinary.”

Clack

The chaebol family’s connections.

The scroll that had been going down endlessly finally stopped.

“Even so, there is a guy who eventually did it.”

“So it means it is possible.”

“Well, since it’s a matter for the Demon King-nim, wouldn’t he naturally cooperate?”

Acampatam purposely twisted the end of his words.

No matter how much he racked his brains.

As expected, it still wasn’t appealing in the slightest.

‘Damn it, I can’t even wash my hands of it.’

Of course, it wasn’t something he could refuse either.

‘Do I want to turn into ashes.’

In short, it meant if he didn’t want to die, he had no choice but to do it.

Moreover, because he was a demon.

He also knew well what kind of reaction the other demon would show.

‘Ah this, I don’t know if I’ll even be able to get a reply.’

If he even said the business was related to the resurrection of the Demon King.

Let alone cooperation, it would serve him right to get blocked.

However.

His brain, which had been calculating gains and losses since earlier, produced a method.

‘……In the end, you mean a sacrifice is needed, right?’

Demon worshippers.

Although he couldn’t know up to those guys’ concrete plans.

Resurrecting a Demon King, a Greater Demon King at that, requires a tremendous number of sacrifices.

Acampatam’s brain spun despicably.

If so, what if those sacrifices…….

‘What if I can snatch them away?’

I too can grasp power comparable to a Greater Demon King……!

‘I should also be able to drag this guy in using this as an excuse.’

The goal is not resurrecting the Demon King.

The goal is to snatch away the sacrifices needed for the Demon King’s resurrection.

If he said that, he would also be able to obtain information regarding Lee Ho-yeol.

‘Of course, I’ll have to backstab him over and over again but.’

It would be easier than pulling out now and surviving.

It means it’s do or die.

The calculation ended at that point.

“However, I also have one condition.”

Now he just needed to deceptively present that bill.

“As someone in the same boat. Don’t you think there is a need to accurately inform me as well of exactly what that plan is?”

He could tell without necessarily observing his mood.

Because the fluctuating magic power was representing his uncomfortable feeling.

However, Acampatam did not bend his will.

“I just don’t want to fail. For our great Karimzeva-nim, a single failure wouldn’t be a problem. But an weak demon like me is in a different situation.”

Karimzeva, who had been silent, nodded his head.

“Let us do that.”

Of course, Acampatam was not satisfied with just that.

Even if he got to know the plan.

Because preparations are also needed to snatch it away.

“Also, while I am proceeding with the plan, please keep quiet.”

“……?”

“I know it’s a presumptuous request but. Even right now, Karimzeva-nim’s magic power stands out far too much, doesn’t it? Leave proceeding with the plan secretly to demons like us who are experts.”

The reason he could babble like this?

It was simple.

Karimzeva still didn’t properly know how this society rolls.

‘For now at least, it means he is merely a frog that has just left the well, not a Fire Dragon.’

Swoosh

Indeed, Karimzeva rose from his seat.

And then quietly opened his mouth.

“I shall wait for news regarding Lee Ho-yeol.”

That meant, he accepts the proposal.

Acampatam replied with his black pupils shining.

“Of course. I will let you hear good news.”

Teleport.

Soon, Karimzeva disappeared from the hotel room.

Acampatam did not hesitate.

He raised the corner of his lips despicably.

“The r&t#@d got hooked properly.”

He sent a message right away.

Since a big fish was caught.

Because he had to snatch it quickly.

*

Belonging to the Shinhwa Group.

Shinhwa Guild.

Guild Master Baek I-seol listened attentively to the briefing.

“The domestic brand preference for the Shinhwa Guild has risen by 4.8 percentage points compared to last month. For the first time since the guild’s founding, it has recorded an upward trend for two consecutive months…….”

Trust, once fallen, is hard to turn back.

That was the case for the Shinhwa Guild, which had been firmly planted as an eyesore due to its past actions.

But as seen in the graph, the Shinhwa Guild’s image was rebounding.

“The reason for it being the changed attitude of the owner…….”

Everything was the Yusra Kingdom.

Right, it was thanks to Ho-yeol.

Watching the footage, new emotions rushed in.

‘At first, it was really…….’

It felt like eating mustard while crying(biting the bullet).

The conditions Ho-yeol proposed were truly.

From the Shinhwa Guild’s perspective, no different from telling them to dig up dirt and do business.

Of course, because they owed Ho-yeol big time.

Baek I-seol boldly signed the contract.

The result of that was right now.

“Shinhwa Guild. And even on the Shinhwa Group level, it was a bold investment, but rather, it appears that bold investment brought about a response from the public.”

To think the Lee Ho-yeol effect would be this big.

It was a result she couldn’t even expect when deciding on the investment.

Because the Shinhwa Guild was regaining the trust they couldn’t buy with money, with bribes, or with connections.

When the entire briefing ended, Baek I-seol opened her mouth.

“Now we probably won’t hear people say we’re stained with Shinhwa wherever we go, right?”

“Ayy, of course not.”

“Honestly, we’re still lacking but. I will put in more effort.”

The pleasantries going back and forth.

The quietly bursting laughter.

The un-stiffened atmosphere of the conference room.

It showed the changed appearance of the Shinhwa Guild directly.

Click

Baek I-seol returned to her office.

Today’s newspaper placed on her desk.

As expected, Ho-yeol’s face was printed on its front page.

-The appearance of the World Tree…… Just how much does Lee Ho-yeol know?

-AAU side, “We are also bewildered. We want a conversation with Lee Ho-yeol…….”

-Gaon, Inazuma, Berserker…… Is the strongest guild alliance being born?

Her hand naturally reached for the newspaper.

“Hmm.”

Baek I-seol completely stared at the newspaper.

No, to be exact, she looked at the photo of Ho-yeol in the article.

With an expression even more serious than during the meeting.

“How come he doesn’t have a single humiliating photo?”

An automatic search keyword that is completed just by typing ‘Baek I-seol’ on portal sites.

[Baek I-seol Humiliation]

“How perfect.”

Even though the image of herself turning him away at the door would float around the internet forever.

Of course, there were dark histories even more shameful than that.

The rumors of scandals that flew around regardless of the entertainment industry or political domain.

Going further, they called her a femme fatale or whatever.

Up to the dizzying outfits that made her dizzy even when looking through the gaps of her covered hands now.

“……Of course, when I think of that state, I should be thankful for the rest of my life.”

Right, whether her humiliating photo was stuffed and mounted or whatever.

To Baek I-seol, Ho-yeol was no different from a benefactor.

If it weren’t for Ho-yeol, she would still be in that state……!

“Just imagining it is terrible, sincerely.”

Shiver.

Baek I-seol stroked her forearm where goosebumps had risen.

And then she looked at Ho-yeol’s photo once again.

“…….”

Silver hair.

A noble gaze.

An expressionless face like always.

Is it because that expression is consistent?

Top and bottom, there’s nothing to find fault with from any angle.

However, Baek I-seol knew.

“Still, the photo can’t capture his real self.”

A neat blouse and skirt.

Even the serious expression staring at the newspaper.

Baek I-seol, who looked like a CEO grasping the flow of the times, no matter who looked at her.

“A photo can’t express that elegance and formality.”

It wasn’t for nothing they were saying Ho-men Ho-men.

To think she was also a believer of the Ho-yeol cult.

Who could have guessed?

Because Baek I-seol merely looked like she was performing important daily tasks.

It means if someone had tact, they couldn’t dare to interrupt her.

Vrrrrr

However, without any tact.

Baek I-seol’s smartphone vibrated.

When she checked, it was a message.

Baek I-seol, who checked the sender, flinched.

“Jang Hyun-do……?”

The successor of the Jangseon Group, Jang Hyun-do.

Since he was a figure in the financial world like herself.

It was natural she at least knew his name but.

“Well.”

He wasn’t someone she would exchange private contacts with.

What that meant was simple.

A period where her memories were hazy.

It must be a connection built at the time when she was possessed by a demon, a Succubus.

‘My head is already throbbing.’

Because she had suffered quite a bit to clean up the aftermath of that.

As the Succubus disappeared, the Abyssal Dream status effect also vanished.

And their respective memories also disappeared but.

Evidence remained with the victims.

It meant the messages she had exchanged, including her contact information, remained.

“I’m already dreading what nonsense he’s going to say again…….”

I saw you in my dream.

I think we’re somehow meant to be.

By any chance, did we have that kind of relationship.

Of all things, did it have to be a Succubus when getting possessed?

Baek I-seol sighed and checked the message.

Soon, such Baek I-seol’s face hardened quickly.

-Succubus. I will offer a proposal that will be appealing. It is a matter concerning the Demon King.

“……Succubus?”

Jang Hyun-do was calling her a Succubus.

What those words meant was simple.

Jang Hyun-do is not a victim of the Succubus.

Jang Hyun-do is a demon, or a possessed individual by a demon like she was in the past.

As if that wasn’t enough, it’s a matter concerning the Demon King……?

Baek I-seol calmed her startled chest.

“Demon, Demon King. I don’t know what on earth he’s talking about but.”

One thing was certain.

That Jang Hyun-do has some sort of plan.

That plan is related to the Demon King.

Up to the fact that it’s a plan so big he has to drag other demons into it.

However, Jang Hyun-do, the demon, lacked one thing.

Tact.

Baek I-seol did not hesitate.

No, rather as if she had been waiting for it.

She was about to call Ho-yeol right away…….

“……Ah.”

Instead of calling, she left a text message first.

Right, no matter how urgent the matter is.

Because one must observe etiquette.

*

The successor of the Jangseon Group, Jang Hyun-do.

And the Demon King.

Even with just those two words, I could be certain.

‘Found him.’

The demon worshipper, and the demon.

You guys also racked your brains in your own way?

To think of borrowing the power of a chaebol.

At least it seems you have accurately grasped how South Korea rolls.

But no matter how quickly you adapt to this world.

‘Can you know better than me, who was born in this country?’

I don’t know about the Arcana continent but.

In reality, I also have experience(Jjam-bap) that I’ve eaten.

“I will immediately open a portal leading to the coordinates.”

Marcelo said resolutely.

Although I know how he feels, there is no need to do that.

Because the reason the demon occupied Jang Hyun-do’s body was simple.

‘He believes in it.’

There’s no need to look far either.

Baek I-seol, and was it Maeda.

The demon who possessed the Japanese politician was the same.

‘That the fence called society will protect him.’

Whether they became Players or Arcanians.

He is in a situation where he has put on the mask of Jang Hyun-do.

To touch him who is wielding Jang Hyun-do’s power?

He uses it knowing it’s a burdensome task for anyone.

“There is no need to blab about internal affairs to the outside.”

Moreover, this was an internal affair of the Mage Tower.

And it was an internal affair related to the contradiction of the Mage Tower.

There is not the slightest benefit for it to be known to the world.

‘If it were the past, my head would have hurt quite a bit.’

I might have whined that the demons are getting craftier.

However.

‘It’s not that difficult of a task for the current me.’

That was right.

Just taking Jang Hyun-do to a place where fences do not exist.

Because that’s all I have to do.

Gooooo

I drew up my magic power.

I searched the area like Marcelo tracking Bangrit Tom.

Of course, with my insignificant magic power, searching the entire Earth like Marcelo is beyond my capacity. However, if that range is limited to Seoul, it is sufficiently possible.

‘Because it’s certain Jang Hyun-do is in Seoul.’

Interference and manifestation aren’t overly special either.

Thinking of taking him there sounds grand but.

A path that comes and goes.

Because I just need to think of manifesting a portal.

To put it simply, it meant manifesting a portal under Jang Hyun-do’s feet.

Now, like this.

“U-Uwaaack! F*ck. You scared me. Wh-What?!”

I looked at Jang Hyun-do rolling on the floor.

[The skill, ‘Natural Enemy’, is activated.]

Right, this place is the Mage Tower.

Among them, the Topaz Hall.

Where independent interviews take place prior to regular conferences.

An extremely closed-off place even within the Mage Tower.

Neither prying eyes.

Nor CCTVs.

Nor the fence called a chaebol family exists.

It means there is no place more suitable for an interrogation than this.

“We shall begin the interrogation, Marcelo.”

“I-Interrogation! What bullshit are you suddenly saying?!”

“Will you be okay without asking yourself?”

At Marcelo’s question, I replied with a voice overflowing with pride.

“I do not mingle words with my prey.”