Chapter 72 – To Protect the Country!

While reading the reports brought by the goblins, Se-min suddenly looked up at the dim light illuminating the underground.

From the moment he went down underground, the light had always followed above his head. The entirety of Pandemonium was under the domain of that light.

“What is that exactly? What is glowing?”

“I don’t know either.”

“Why do you know nothing?”

The luminous body was always shrouded in something like fog, making it impossible to know its true identity.

Se-min stared at its center, then soon withdrew his gaze and ruminated on the report in his hand once more.

“None of them have a talent for background checks.”

There wasn’t much content.

Even though it was called a background check, it only had things like what food they liked or what style of clothes they preferred written down. There was not a single love affair, dirty under-the-table deal, or weakness that Se-min had hoped for.

Se-min let out a sigh.

“The world is pushing me to become the villain.”

He had wanted to win the election fair and square, but at this point, he really had to become underhanded.

Se-min took out three letters from his chest. Inside them lay his scheme. It seemed he had no choice but to send these out into the world.

Se-min summoned Calpacino.

He stood before Se-min with a solemn face.

“Is it because of that?”

“Yes, Calpacino. Let us begin.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Se-min handed the sealed letters to Calpacino.

“Inside these letters is my scheme. Deliver them.”

“Understood.”

“I wish you luck.”

“I don’t know if this is the right thing to do…”

“It must be done.”

“Right.”

Calpacino nodded. He departed to deliver the letters to the three recipients designated by Se-min.

Staring at his retreating back, Se-min muttered.

“The die is cast.”

Now, he could only leave it to the heavens.

“Why are you posing like that?”

Watching that scene, Kaorak spoke with a smirk.

He lay on the floor humming a song while supporting his head with his arm. Se-min felt deep skepticism toward himself for trying to cast three upright goblins into the abyss just to make a fellow like this the goblin lord.

“Kaorak, get up.”

“Let me rest a bit. I’m tired.”

“What did you even do?”

When Se-min nudged him with his foot, Kaorak rolled around here and there to avoid the disturbance before finally getting up only after being kicked once.

“You are going with me to meet the elder.”

“I don’t want to!”

“I never gave you a choice.”

Se-min dragged Kaorak along.

As they stepped onto the street, residents greeted them. The community service of the Sawtooth Angels bore fruit, and now, it reached the point where goblins would acknowledge them as they passed.

“Where are you going like that?”

“We are heading out for the election. Since this fellow is such garbage, I have to work hard at least.”

“You are working hard.”

Se-min was receiving praise from the residents as the entity who resolved the malicious gangsters of Pandemonium. The sentiment of the Sawtooth Tribe and the Blue Droplet Tribe began to turn in a positive direction for Se-min.

As Se-min greeted the goblins warmly and left the village, a group stood at the exit. A sharp gaze could be felt.

“Those guys, they’re the Dragon Tribal.”

Kaorak said.

They were goblins with dragon figures tattooed from their necks to their cheeks. They spotted Se-min and approached immediately.

An unusual momentum could be felt from the goblin standing at the front.

“Are you the Emperor?”

“Yes.”

He was tall for a goblin, and his eyes were sharp.

“I am Karactus of the Dragon Tribal. I serve Brother Kartoros.”

“So, what is the matter?”

Candidate Number 2 Kartoros was the leader of the Dragon Tribal, and Se-min was wary of him next to Kiplo.

Unlike Candidate Number 3, who was plain and lacked character, Kartoros had a distinct color.

“We have the same goal as you.”

Like Se-min, they were those who wanted to fight against Badurbarok.

However, there was an important difference.

True to the name Dragon Tribal, they worshipped dragons. They claimed that to oppose Badurbarok, they must first find the ancient dragon and awaken him from his slumber.

Of course, they could not properly explain where that dragon was sleeping.

In Se-min’s view, they were dreaming an absurd dream.

Fellows who relied on entities like dragons could never oppose Badurbarok. It shouldn’t be an imaginary transcendent existence, but they themselves who must stand up and fight the enemy.

“Why don’t you throw away that Angels or whatever nonsense and join the Dragon Tribal?”

“Why should I do that?”

“Because we are better than those trivial thug bastards.”

“That is true, but…”

At that moment, the gazes of the Sawtooth Angels turned toward Se-min. Se-min added out of politeness.

“Well, these fellows are improving too. Should I say they are acting like proper goblins now?”

“You are very generous.”

Karactus nodded. Se-min asked.

“What do you want to say?”

“I mean that we must unite. Kiplo and Kukri are cowards, but due to a long exile, all goblins have become cowards. If we go on like this, we will lose the election.”

“That makes sense.”

Se-min patted his shoulder.

“But there is a fundamental problem. I don’t believe your dragon story.”

“Dragons exist!”

“Of course I know that.”

Se-min knew about dragons better than anyone. He served the Dragon Lord, Imuncaser, who could be called the leader of dragons, as his sworn brother.

“But they all died long ago. What do you think will change by finding one or two dragons when we don’t even know where they are hidden?”

“The one we are talking about is no ordinary dragon. He is the God of Dragons. The entity that maintains the balance of the world.”

“Did you say you were Karactus?”

“Yes.”

“Karactus. Do you think we will lose if that dragon isn’t here?”

“Yes. It’s frustrating, but it’s a fact that Badurbarok is strong.”

“That’s why we cannot be together. I do not care about entities like dragons.”

Se-min pointed at Kaorak, who stood beside him. He was still wearing the sukajan Se-min had given him.

Touching the dragon pattern on the clothes with his fingertip, Se-min spoke.

“Such a thing is nothing but a decoration.”

“So you don’t believe in dragons.”

“Wrong. It’s not that I don’t believe in dragons, but that I believe in myself.”

As Se-min spoke emphatically, Karactus let out a low groan. He stared silently into Se-min’s eyes and took a step back.

“I understand your intent. Do not regret it later.”

“Regret…”

Se-min smirked, recalling the three letters he had sent out.

“Just serve your boss well.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

As Karactus turned around, the rest followed in a crowd. There was discipline in their stride. If the gangsters were a pack of thugs, those guys resembled soldiers.

Se-min revised his assessment of the Dragon Tribal.

“Their combat power seems to be the best among the fellows I’ve seen so far.”

As Se-min muttered, the surrounding goblins protested.

“What do you mean? If we put our minds to it, we can knock down guys like that in an instant.”

“That’s right. Don’t look down on us, Emperor. We are the gangsters who ruled Pandemonium.”

Se-min shook his head and headed toward his destination again.

***

“Are you the Emperor?”

The elder of the goblins welcomed Se-min.

He was the entity who used to lead the goblins along with the previous goblin lord. He retired when the previous goblin lord died of old age, but he still commanded respect from the entire race.

“I did not expect to meet the Emperor again before I die. I am glad. My name is Korox.”

“I am Emperor Lee Se-min.”

Se-min shook hands with him.

“Yes, for what matter did you visit a retired old man?”

Se-min spoke directly.

“It is for the election. Please support this fellow.”

Korox burst into laughter. Although he was an old man with age spots on his face, his laughter was clear like a boy’s.

“This fellow?”

“Yes.”

Korox stared at Kaorak. Kaorak, who stood beside Se-min, avoided his gaze. He looked like a student standing in front of a scary teacher.

“To think such a day would come in my life. The troublemaker Kaorak as a candidate for goblin lord… and he even came with the Emperor.”

“Times are times, after all. Anything can happen.”

Se-min said.

“I believe you know about Badurbarok. Because you experienced the war firsthand.”

When the previous Emperor gathered each race to fight a battle against Badurbarok, Korox was a young goblin warrior.

He still remembered that time.

Korox smiled again.

“I know.”

“Kiplo, who currently has the greatest support, plans to join hands with Badurbarok. He intends to become the goblin lord and place the entire race under Badurbarok’s command. I believe you know this, Elder.”

“…”

“Can you tolerate that?”

Korox remained silent with his smile intact. Se-min waited quietly. After thinking for a while, Korox spoke.

“If that is their choice, I must respect it.”

“Putting that aside, please tell me your honest opinion, Elder.”

“…”

As Korox fell silent, Se-min opened his mouth again.

“I came from another dimension.”

“What does that mean?”

The fact that he was not from this place was something only his companions with the Sargassonian nobles knew.

“My hometown was the second colony of Badurbarok.”

“What…”

“My world was destroyed by Badurbarok. It is falling apart even now. Just like this place.”

In the eyes of the young human Emperor standing before him, Korox could see a burning hatred.

“You must have seen the same landscape as me.”

At Se-min’s words, Korox closed his eyes.

“The same landscape…”

The time when the empire collapsed came to mind. Cities burned, and humans and goblins were trampled by demonic beasts in a tangled mess.

There was no mercy in Badurbarok’s army. They only chewed up, swallowed, and destroyed everything in sight.

Se-min’s words continued.

“I came to kill Badurbarok. And the Imperial Throne made me the Emperor because of that. This is just the beginning. I will gather all races and launch the final war.”

His voice was calm, but his intention was intense.

At one time, Korox was like that too. No, all goblins were. They were warriors.

But as they lost the war and came to this Pandemonium, everything changed.

They were exiled to the underground world. Instead of the midday sun, a dim light hung above their heads. Goblins became helpless and weak. The great goblins he knew had all died.

“I am not asking for much. Just as a single voter, please declare whose intention you support.”

“Do you think you know who I will support?”

“Even if it is not us, I will respect it.”

Korox let out a sigh.

“If you win, many goblins will die.”

“Yes.”

Se-min nodded.

“That is how it will be.”

Korox fell into thought again.

At that moment, the outside suddenly became noisy. Korox raised his eyebrows.

Soon, someone began to knock on the door.

“Elder! Elder! Something terrible has happened!”

“What is it?”

“It has been revealed that Kiplo traded with Badurbarok! They say he tried to sell out the race! There’s an uproar!”

“There’s no way that fellow would…”

Kiplo was one of the few goblins Korox acknowledged.

He truly worried about the well-being of the race. His attempt to bow his head to Badurbarok was, after all, to protect the goblins.

For such a person to try and sell out the race, what on earth did that mean?

“In exchange for handing over all goblins as slaves, he was promised a high position for himself!”

Nonsense.

Korox suddenly looked at Se-min.

“Could it be…”

Se-min smiled.

When Kaorak registered as a goblin lord candidate, the election committee goblin said:

‘Oh, you’re using polite language now. Keereuk-keereuk.’

When Se-min asked about Kaorak in the past, he distorted his elderly wrinkles detestably and mimicked Kaorak:

‘Hmph, where do you think you’re lecturing, you damn old geezer!’

His expression and voice were exactly the same.

The election committee goblin said that mimicking other goblins’ speech was his hobby. Se-min realized he was a master of mimicry.

When Se-min requested something else, he showed vocal impressions of several goblins. Even though he mimicked people Se-min had never seen, Se-min felt as if he had directly seen what kind of personalities and voices they had.

It was an uncommon talent.

Se-min kept him in mind.

And when the time came, Se-min decided to make use of him.

Shozen, who received Se-min’s first letter, led the members of the Sawtooth Angels to raid the house of the election committee goblin.

Intimidation was utilized.

As former gangsters, the Sawtooth Angels performed the mission given by Se-min excellently. In truth, this was their main profession.

“Hey, old man. You know what kind of guys we are, right?”

“Y-you guys… where do you think you are…!”

“Where do you think we are?”

One of the Sawtooth Angels grinned, pointing at the family portrait hanging on the wall.

“It’s the house of a decrepit goblin uncle who loves his grandchildren. Isn’t that right?”

“How dare you mention my family!”

“You must love your family. But what can we do? Our friends have already gone over there and are waiting.”

“You atrocious bastards!”

“Atrocious? Can you even see the heavens? Isn’t this place underground, old man?”

The gangsters snickered.

Shozen, who was watching them from behind, furrowed his brow. Although they were gangsters who had briefly done community service because of Se-min, their true nature indeed did not go anywhere. These fellows were guys who bullied others all their lives.

In his heart, he wanted to beat them all down.

However, Shozen knew well what path his Emperor intended to take.

So he chose to just close his eyes.

“What we want isn’t much. You know what you’re good at, right?”

“W-what do you mean?”

“Vocal mimicry. You just have to do that. According to what is written here.”

Inside the envelope Se-min handed over, a script for this slander was prepared.

The election committee goblin took the paper, and his eyes widened. He realized what they were trying to do.

“I-I belong to the election committee! Do you think I would do such a thing!”

A gangster mimicked his words.

“I am the Sawtooth Gangsters! Do you think we would leave your family alone if you don’t comply, old man?”

“Y-you guys…”

“There’s no need to feel guilty, old man. It’s all for your family, isn’t it?”

He even tried to persuade him with his own logic.

“Think about it, old man. This fellow Kiplo plans to join hands with Badurbarok. Why? Because Badurbarok is a scary guy! He’s too strong, so there’s nothing he can do! What is the situation you are facing? It’s the same. You just have to follow us because you have no choice. Because we are scary guys!”

“Wow, you’re smart, Cicero.”

“It’s nothing, Brother. Keereuk-keereuk.”

In the end, the election committee goblin yielded.

In front of the recording crystal the gangsters held out, he did his best to mimic Kiplo’s voice.

Now, a false rumor would spread that Kiplo of the Red Banner Coalition actually tried to join hands with Badurbarok for his own personal advancement.

The only evidence was a voice recording of doubtful authenticity. The voice was extremely similar to Kiplo’s, but it was impossible to know if it was truly him.

But it did not matter.

Because gossip gained persuasiveness the more sensational it was.

“Good job, old man. You just have to keep your mouth shut for the time being. Then your family will be safe too.”

The Sawtooth Angels left the house after leaving those words.

Shozen remained until the very end, watching the figure of the election committee goblin. He sat on a chair with a dark face, bowing his head.

Shozen wanted to offer some words of comfort, but he swallowed them down.

They came to kill Badurbarok. For that, they would willingly trudge through the mire. The Emperor was steadily carrying out what needed to be done.

***

“I don’t know how you did it, but it seems you played a trick.”

“Yes.”

Korox looked into Se-min’s eyes.

Something was burning.

His world, or this world, the things he lost, and perhaps even his own soul.

It was mixed in the flames, burning with hatred.

It was a familiar sight to Korox. During the days of fighting the demonic beasts, countless warriors had the same eyes as this Emperor. Those who would have been heroes in a peaceful era turned into fiends upon meeting troubled times and brandished weapons.

He could understand.

But he was too old.

Korox sighed.

“In one’s twilight years, one ends up looking around rather than worrying about the safety of the world. You have already made one young man I cherished into a bad guy. I am anxious. I am very anxious.”

Se-min smiled.

“Are you anxious?”

“Yes.”

“Korox. Don’t you know very well why you are anxious?”

Korox looked at Se-min.

“As long as Badurbarok is alive, your race will always live in this narrow, damp underground. It is not because of me. The anxiety and depression of all goblins originate from Badurbarok. Do not shift the blame to me.”

Se-min added.

“Cowardly.”

At those words, even the calm Korox twitched his eyebrows. No matter how old he had gotten, he was a warrior who had directly fought Badurbarok.

“Kaorak.”

“What.”

Kaorak had been quietly listening to the conversation between the two.

“You worked under Badurbarok and even led the demonic beasts to invade Sargassonia.”

As Se-min spoke, Korox’s eyes widened and he stared at Kaorak. Kaorak avoided his gaze.

“Yes, I did.”

“Since you were so loyal, why are you trying to kill Badurbarok with me?”

“It was due to the brainwashing. And because you threatened me…”

“If you don’t want to, you can remain here.”

“…”

“You won’t do that anyway, right?”

Kaorak closed his eyes and thought reluctantly, but soon sighed and straightened his posture.

“Look here, Elder. Instead of those fellows boasting about whether to bow their heads to Badurbarok here, have you ever seen the guys who directly surrendered and worked for him?”

“…”

“Did you see them return?”

“There were none.”

“If you don’t know, don’t talk.”

Kaorak clenched and unclenched his fists as he continued speaking.

“Badurbarok is scary. He’s a truly scary guy. No, he’s not even a guy. That is fear itself. He is a demon you can’t even imagine with your heads. Joining hands? Cooperation? Those are concepts that do not exist for Badurbarok.”

He pointed at Se-min.

“Emperor. Your mysterious sworn brother whom you summoned back then. I was shocked to see that human, but even such a strong human is nothing compared to Badurbarok. We are fighting a reckless fight.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Elder. Do you understand? Yet, the reason I am with this out-of-his-mind Emperor is…”

Kaorak let out a sigh.

“Elder.”

“Speak, Kaorak.”

“When was the last time you saw the sun?”

Korox’s eyelids trembled. Kaorak pointed out the window. There was a window, but what could be brought in through it was not sunlight, but only the mysterious, dim light looking down at them from the ceiling.

“Go to the surface and see the sun, Elder. Then you will understand.”

The goblins hid underground to escape Badurbarok. While they obtained a shelter, they lost the surface.

They sent away the dazzling sunlight, the shadows of plants, the dusk of sunset, and the two moons rising in the darkness.

“You have to see the sun.”

Kaorak said again.

“Then everyone will understand what my words mean.”

***

Pandemonium became tumultuous.

Evidence spread that Kiplo, who was regarded as the next-generation goblin lord, had actually joined hands with Badurbarok to sell out the goblins.

Those who liked gossip even re-recorded that recording crystal and played it for people.

Bad news about other candidates also broke out.

Rumors circulated that Candidate Number 2 Kartoros of the Dragon Tribal assaulted a passing goblin while drunk and fled, and that Candidate Number 3 Kukri was nothing but Kiplo’s subordinate.

The election ground was a mess.

Each candidate struggled to quiet the rumors about themselves, but thanks to the Sawtooth Angels fanning the flames here and there, the rumors spread like wildfire.

Se-min watched the scene and drew up a new strategy.

“There’s a limit to just bringing down the opponent. Now we have to instill a good image of Kaorak.”

“I will pass on troublesome stories.”

After arriving in Pandemonium, Gulad focused on training his sword while staying at Calpacino’s house. Recently, even Shozen had joined him.

They called in the members of the Sawtooth Angels to spar periodically. At first, they only got beaten up, but lately, they seemed to have become somewhat equal.

“What about Shozen?”

“He was beaten up by Calpacino and is bedridden.”

Of course, Calpacino, who was the leader of the Sawtooth Gangsters, was someone neither of them could match.

“Indeed, the only one I can trust is Bi-ryu. Where is Bi-ryu?”

“Bi-ryu said he gets depressed just staying underground and went outside for a bit.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because he’s a mage, it seems he has his own method.”

Getting outside of Pandemonium was no easy task. Kiplo of the Red Banner Coalition welcoming them also took a great deal of effort.

“For even Bi-ryu to not be here…”

While Se-min was worrying, a commotion was heard from outside.

“Emperor! Your Majesty! A problem has arisen.”

“What is it?”

Se-min’s group had been staying at Calpacino’s house since subduing the Sawtooth Gangsters. Because they stayed at the mansion of the gangster boss, no fights or problems arose outside. Even if something happened, it was handled at the level of the subordinates.

Thus, for the subordinates to come all the way here meant that some accident had occurred.

“Kiplo and the Red Banner Coalition have come!”

“Really?”

“But we also see the flag of the Dragon Tribal!”

“Them too?”

“It seems Kukri and his friends have also come?”

“Oh, everyone is here.”

Se-min scratched the back of his head and headed outside. Gulad followed.

Indeed, outside, a massive number of goblins divided into three groups were surrounding the mansion.

Kiplo, dressed in red as seen before, glared at Se-min with fierce eyes. Se-min raised his chin.

“What, punk.”

“I respected you, Your Majesty, but I cannot do so anymore.”

His sawtooth-shaped teeth clashed up and down.

As Kiplo stepped forward, a goblin on the left also strode out. The dragon tattoo reaching from his neck to his cheek was impressive. It was Kartoros of the Dragon Tribal.

“Are you the Emperor, bastard? Did you order your subordinate to mimic me and assault an innocent citizen?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Did you incite everyone to make me look like Kiplo’s subordinate?”

Even the glasses-wearing Kukri appeared.

Three candidates surrounded Se-min. Se-min admired them internally. As expected of goblin lord candidates, they had correctly grasped whose doing it was.

“What nonsense? Are you guys out of your minds? Persecuting the Emperor?”

“You are only the Emperor of humans.”

“Not the Emperor of us goblins.”

“You are not.”

They pressed Se-min, continuing their words as if they had rehearsed.

Se-min smirked and walked forward.

When they approached to the point where their bodies almost touched, the three goblins flinched. Se-min approached beyond their personal space as if threatening them, looking down at each in turn.

“What are you doing, Emperor?”

Kartoros furrowed his brow and pushed Se-min with his stomach. He seemed to have the fiercest personality.

Target acquired.

Se-min turned to Kartoros and whispered quietly in his ear. It was a voice small enough that only he could hear.

Kartoros’s face distorted.

He flew into a rage and shoved Se-min away.

“This bastard!”

At that, Se-min kicked off the ground, spun four times in the air, and sprawled on the ground.

Even after falling, he rolled five more times.

It was a performance that put professional wrestlers to shame.

“Kugh…”

Se-min whimpered, clutching his abdomen as if in pain.

Now, Kartoros was flustered and looked back and forth between his hand and Se-min. He had only pushed him lightly, so why was that guy acting like he was about to die?

The Sawtooth Angels immediately began to shout.

“Kartoros beat the Emperor!”

“He assaulted the human Emperor!”

“Kartoros, step down!”

“What kind of lord resorts to swinging fists!”

“Call a doctor quickly! The Emperor is about to die!”

The Sawtooth Angels kept shouting. The fierce protest was enough to make even the members of the Dragon Tribal doubt.

Kartoros was usually hot-tempered.

They began to suspect that he had truly gotten angry and struck the Emperor.

“Still, the violence was too much.”

“Ah, did the boss make another mistake…”

Since they inwardly suspected Kartoros, their voices naturally diminished. Only the cries of the Sawtooth Angels condemning Kartoros echoed in the area.

At the sudden commotion, residents gathered.

On the ground lay the fallen Emperor, and Kartoros looked extremely flustered. The voice saying he assaulted the Emperor was heard repeatedly.

The goblins, who guessed the situation, gave cold glares to Kartoros and his subordinates.

“I heard he beat up an innocent goblin after drinking before…”

“Dragon or whatever, he should become a proper goblin first. What on earth is that?”

“He is the Emperor, after all…”

As public opinion worsened, the Red Banner Coalition and Kukri’s gang took a step back and kept a low profile to avoid getting swept up in this situation.

The Emperor stood up.

“Kartoros. I respected you, yet you answered with fists…”

“What are you saying!”

Kartoros shouted.

“You insulted me by calling me a midget bastard…!”

At that, the Sawtooth Angels shouted even louder.

“Kartoros is swearing!”

“Not only did he hit him, he is insulting the Emperor!”

“Swearword Kartoros!”

No matter what Kartoros said, the Sawtooth Angels raised their voices to frame him as a bad guy. Kartoros’s face turned red. Now, there was no one around who took his side.

He tried to urge his subordinates to resist, but the momentum had already shifted.

Se-min said to Kartoros.

“If I wanted to, I could knock down someone like you in a single punch, but the great goblin I respect, Kaorak, told me not to use violence, so I will endure it this once. Be grateful to Kaorak!”

“What?”

“Do you want to have a go?”

Se-min and Kartoros had a staring contest.

“You seem to be mistaken just because you are the human Emperor, but I am Kartoros of the Dragon Tribal. That means I am a great goblin warrior. Shut your mouth if you don’t want to die.”

“Can you even kill me?”

And bowing his head again, he whispered quietly enough to only be heard by Kartoros.

“It was all my design.”

“What?”

“You came to the right place. Your assault suspicion, and what just happened, I deceived you in all of it.”

Se-min let out an unpleasant laugh. At that, Kartoros’s face distorted.

His fists trembled, but soon his lips curled up. It was an expression of having made a decision. His eyes blazed with anger.

“Fine.”

“What is?”

“Election or whatever, let’s end this today.”

Kartoros was the type to get excited easily.

He immediately swung his fist. Se-min stepped back. Kartoros kicked off the ground and rushed at Se-min.

“I’ll kill you!”

Kartoros instinctively felt that he was cornered, and thus intended to beat Se-min or make him half-crippled to force a confession.

However, there was something he did not know.

“Your movements are too large.”

Se-min was stronger.

Kartoros, who rushed in underestimating Se-min, was hit with a counter-punch in the abdomen and instead rolled on the ground. It was lightning speed. While Kartoros was dry-heaving on the ground, Se-min came and stood in front of him.

“Kaorak taught me that violence is not allowed, but today of all days, I cannot endure it.”

Se-min punched the philtrum of Kartoros, who barely raised his head.

While Kartoros lay collapsed, clutching his face, Se-min stood proudly, looking down at him with a firm face.

It was an impressive scene that would remain etched in everyone’s minds.

“Kartoros. If I were weak, I would have been beaten by you. But you are also nothing but a weakling to me.”

“Y-you bastard…”

“Don’t mess around.”

Se-min threw a handkerchief to Kartoros as if telling him to wipe his nosebleed.

It was a humiliating sight.

Countless eyes around were watching this scene. Those associated with this election—Se-min, Kiplo, and Kukri—felt intuitively that one candidate had fallen off the board.

Kartoros, out.

Se-min’s gaze now turned to Kiplo. He stared at Kartoros with a complicated expression, but soon smiled at Se-min. However, he could not hide his tense eyes.

Se-min asked.

“Putting this friend Kartoros aside, what is your business?”

Kiplo shook his head. Kukri was already preparing to return, standing quite a distance away.

“It’s nothing. It seems I made a mistake, Your Majesty.”

“How boring.”

He retreated, taking the Red Banner Coalition with him. As a crowd poured out, the atmosphere became disorganized.

Kukri also tried to slip away quietly, but was caught by Se-min and ended up greeting him.

“Aren’t you Lord Kukri? It’s my first time meeting you. For what matter did you come?”

“I-I came to see your face, Emperor. Haha.”

“Yes. Glad to meet you.”

The two shook hands.

Se-min applied force to his hand. Kukri’s complexion turned pale. He tried to pull his hand back, but Se-min instead pulled him toward his chest, squeezing his hand tightly and even patting his shoulder.

“P-please, my hand…”

“I did it without realizing because I was glad.”

“I’ll be going since I have busy work to do.”

Kukri also hurriedly returned, leading his crowd.

Now, only the onlookers and the Dragon Tribal remained. Kartoros bowed his head, supported by his subordinates.

Since he, hot-tempered and proud, had been framed and beaten in front of everyone, he must have been highly despondent.

Se-min walked to Kartoros. Subordinates stepped forward to restrain Se-min. They had fearful expressions, but still stood firm to protect Kartoros.

Se-min did not approach further and called Kartoros from a distance.

“Kartoros.”

“…”

“I will kill Badurbarok.”

Kartoros raised his eyes.

“It would be nice if we were together then.”

“Nonsense.”

“I hit you lightly, so take care of yourself, friend.”

“Who is your friend?”

“Men are friends after fighting.”

Se-min looked down at the Dragon Tribal goblin blocking his path and tapped his head.

“Serve your boss well.”

Kartoros also returned with the Dragon Tribal, and thus the incident came to an end.

Kartoros’s prestige fell to the ground, and the evaluations of Se-min and Kaorak rose.

***

Election day was drawing closer.

While continuing his black propaganda against other candidates, Se-min made a plan to raise Kaorak’s evaluation.

“Indeed, a concept of secretly performing good deeds would be good. Are there any goblin nursing homes or orphanages nearby?”

“There is one orphanage.”

“Who is the director there?”

“A kind friend named Kikiro.”

“Indeed, you know everything, Calpacino. Will you help me this time as well?”

Calpacino shrugged.

“What do you plan to do?”

“Bribe that friend and make him testify for Kaorak. Tell everyone that an anonymous goblin has been sending donations every month, and that it was actually Kaorak. This level would be good. It looks good when a good deed is done secretly and then discovered.”

“There should be a record of donation, right?”

“We can manipulate that somehow…”

“Hmm…”

Calpacino nodded.

“I’ll look into it. I know Kikiro.”

“Thanks. Work hard.”

Se-min patted Calpacino’s shoulder as if relieved.

Although he was a gangster, perhaps because he was the leader of a crowd, Calpacino handled whatever work he was given excellently.

When Se-min drew up the outline of a plan, the details were modified by Calpacino.

It was the same this time.

“Still, it seems like it will be difficult…”

Due to continuous slander and manipulation, Kaorak’s approval rating rose quite a bit, but it was not yet enough to catch up with Kiplo. Since he had stayed in Pandemonium for a long time and built his foundation, it was unreasonable for Kaorak, who suddenly appeared, to defeat him.

“I wish some accident would happen.”

For a turnaround, there must be a trigger.

Se-min lay down long on the sofa, hoping for that.

“I want to take a nap.”

Calpacino’s house was comfortable, so staying still made him want to roll around indefinitely.

The living proof of that was Kaorak, who was slacking off over there. Although he was working so hard to make him the goblin lord, the person himself was spending his time eating snacks and shuffling around on the bed.

Se-min and Calpacino beat him periodically, but Kaorak still remained the same.

Gulad, who had finished his training, came into the living room drenched in sweat.

“Emperor!”

“What.”

“Is it correct that we leave as soon as the election ends?”

“Yes.”

“I wish it would end quickly.”

He was urging to leave Pandemonium lately.

He said he didn’t feel good staying in a damp underground without sunlight. Se-min agreed with that. Living relying on the mysterious light hanging from the underground ceiling, he felt somewhat depressed and sluggish.

“That’s right.”

Kaorak, who was lying like a corpse on the floor eating cookies, spoke.

“I want to go outside quickly and run around excitedly.”

Since he said such things in an unconvincing posture, Se-min threw Lupus toward Kaorak. As the sword spun in the air and stabbed right next to his stomach, Kaorak gasped and jumped up.

“I-I almost died!”

“Don’t say things that make me want to kill you.”

“Uuuu… as soon as I become the goblin lord, I’ll issue an expulsion order…”

Se-min stood up. He was about to head outside, feeling like he would droop if he stayed.

A member of the Sawtooth Angels opened the door, entered, and spoke.

Se-min asked.

“What is it? What happened this time? Did Kartoros invade again?”

“It’s not that…”

His expression was strange.

There was no urgency, but a deep fear seemed to be settled in. He looked back and forth between the outside and the inside of the house, and then pointed outside.

“Please look outside.”

“Why outside?”

“I don’t know what’s going on either, but that…”

His voice trembled greatly. Calpacino stood up. They all came out of the house together.

They looked up at the sky.

As always, the misty ceiling of the cave and the dim light hanging inside it were looking down at them.

However.

Flicker.

That light flickered.

“That is flickering.”

“What?”

In an instant, the light disappeared.

The entirety of Pandemonium was plunged into darkness. Nothing could be seen.

To have one’s vision disappear was such an anxious thing.

Se-min instinctively reached for his back to find Lupus. However, since he had just thrown it at Kaorak, it was stuck inside the house. Feeling anxious, he hugged the shoulders of Kaorak and Calpacino standing beside him.

“What’s going on?”

Se-min whispered.

“Can that light turn off? What is that?”

He had asked around so far, but could not get a proper answer. No one knew what that dim light illuminating the cave was.

“Where is Bi-ryu?”

“I don’t know either.”

Only voices floated in the darkness.

Soon, a member of the Sawtooth Gangsters lit a lantern. The dim light illuminated the surroundings. However, it did not light up the scenery of the area like before. A vast darkness was surrounding them.

Flicker.

The light turned on again.

Outlines returned to the underground world of Pandemonium. Se-min looked up at the light on the ceiling. The light was swaying here and there.

“I didn’t want to do it this way…”

Se-min leaped into the air.

The Cloud Ladder Step, a secret technique he received from the Transcendent Network, was utilized.

“I’ll go see directly what that is.”

Se-min said, glaring at that light.

He began to rise, stepping on the air as if climbing stairs. Voices telling him to stop were heard from behind, but Se-min did not stop. Somehow, he felt like he had to check it directly with his eyes.

“Throw Lupus!”

Se-min shouted.

Gulad brought Lupus from the mansion and threw it at Se-min with all his might. After catching the handle, Se-min began to run toward the ceiling.

***

After that incident where the underground light flickered, Se-min did not leave his room for a while.

No one knew what he had seen at the end of the ceiling.

While he remained shut-in, Calpacino directly led the Sawtooth Angels to continue the election activities for Kaorak.

“Where is the Emperor?”

“He came out to eat earlier and went back in.”

“Hmm…”

Calpacino stroked his chin and said.

“I’ll go meet him directly. Until then, finish today’s service.”

“Yes.”

Due to the continuous good deeds of the Sawtooth Angels, the public opinion of the goblins was gradually turning.

It was the price of effort.

Calpacino knew that there was an order to everything, and that laying the foundation was the hardest part.

Ordinary people give up at that first stage.

“If you don’t give up, you will see results someday.”

However, once you build a foundation with patience, things roll on by themselves afterwards.

Such a philosophy lay behind his fame in the underworld of Pandemonium.

Although he lacked fighting skills for a gangster, he kept building his infamy and trust. He gave fear to enemies, and always kept promises to allies in contractual relationships.

Thus, he was able to become Calpacino, the godfather of the Sawtooth Gangsters.

Although they were the Sawtooth Angels now.

At any rate, utilizing such philosophy of his, he was transforming Kaorak into an excellent goblin lord candidate.

“Kaorak.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Go with the younger ones, massage the shoulders of the goblin elders, and listen to many good words.”

“A-as you wish.”

Kaorak, who loved laziness, was also obedient in front of Calpacino. Because he was a former subordinate, he knew well what kind of goblin Calpacino was, and inwardly respected him.

“Kaorak.”

Calpacino called Kaorak, who was turning around. As Kaorak looked at him, Calpacino placed his hand on his shoulder.

“What kind of human is the Emperor you saw?”

“The Emperor is…”

Kaorak recalled Se-min.

He was the human who stepped forward to protect the village outside when leading Badurbarok’s army to invade Sargassonia.

At first, he looked like a shabby gladiator. But once he saw him swing his sword, he was stronger than expected. Since he didn’t know that humans with spirit still remained in Sargassonia, Kaorak admired him inwardly.

But in the end, he thought he was destined to die.

Because thousands of demonic beasts were with him.

However, a mysterious human suddenly appeared and swept them all away. Se-min said he was his close brother.

In the end, Kaorak was dragged to Sargassonia, and saw the shabby gladiator become the Emperor.

Watching that scene, Kaorak had this thought.

It was his true feelings that he could never speak in front of Se-min.

“He is a human like the sun.”

When the sun rises, the darkness departs. The vague anxieties from staying up all night, the depression and reveries sobbing in the darkness, evaporate without a trace under the sunlight.

The sun makes one realize that the demon’s finger shaking toward him is actually nothing but a tree branch fluttering in the wind.

When the sun rises, grasshoppers chirp in the place where the darkness departed, and sparrows hop, erasing the remnants of the night.

A light truly illuminating the world, completely different from that dim light.

A massive comfort that seemed to tell him everything would be fine, and that the anxieties he held were nothing.

To Kaorak, who grew up in Pandemonium, the sun was such an existence.

Kaorak felt that kind of feeling from Se-min.

With him, it seemed that killing Badurbarok, who devoured this world, and fighting a war of destruction would be fine and work out easily. So he was able to start this journey following Se-min.

“Like the sun…”

However, Calpacino had never seen the sun.

He was born underground and lived under the dim light.

“I want to see it once.”

Kaorak grinned.

“Let’s go see it together once this election is over, Boss. The scenery outside is wonderful.”

“Then do it properly. If Kiplo becomes the goblin lord, we will live under this place forever.”

“Don’t worry. Keereuk-keereuk.”

Kaorak gave a thumbs-up and walked out with the Sawtooth Angels.

Calpacino leaned back long in his chair.

He had spent quite a lot of funds for this election. The money he had gathered was falling toward the bottom. But he didn’t feel bad.

Money exists to be spent.

“Like the sun…”

Calpacino closed his eyes.

His childhood passed by. He once dreamed of leaving this place and standing the goblins on the surface. But that remained as a dream. Now, he was nothing but a minor gangster boss even in Pandemonium.

But he met the Emperor.

If the metaphor of the sun matched his thoughts.

He was highly curious about the scenery of the surface where the sun illuminated the world above.

“I want to see it.”

Calpacino stood up.

***

Se-min came out of his room. He had a refreshed expression. A large mirror was sprawled on the floor in the room, but no one knew what he had done there.

“Hey, low-ranking subordinate.”

He called and stopped a passing gangster.

It was that low-ranking subordinate who was smart.

“Yes, Brother.”

“Why am I your brother?”

“Although you are the Emperor, the loyalty of our Gangsters—no, Angels—is more important than such social status. To me, you are my brother. I love you, Brother!”

“This bastard, you really applied honey to your tongue.”

Se-min laughed loudly.

“Yes. I also have a brother I respect. Just now, I heard hot words from that brother.”

“I don’t know who he is, but to me, he is my big brother. I want to meet him once.”

“Don’t bother. If you meet him, you might become a roasted goblin and be eaten in one bite.”

“Yes?”

Se-min hummed a song and looked around. The surroundings were empty. Goblins were barely visible.

“Where is Calpacino?”

“He went out to work.”

Calpacino was continuing his service and campaign day and night to make Kaorak the goblin lord.

Se-min evaluated Calpacino higher and higher.

At first, he thought he was just a short goblin boss, but the more he saw, the faster his work processing was and the smarter he was. Moreover, he liked that he cooperated with him without much complaint.

If he were a mere thug, he would only be obedient due to the difference in power, but he wouldn’t lead the work so voluntarily.

It was proof that he also had a great purpose.

He was a man who did not suit the damp underground of Pandemonium.

“Little brother. What kind of fellow is Calpacino?”

The goblin who had now been promoted from a low-ranking subordinate to a little brother answered.

“He is a respected brother. He is the savior who took in someone like me wandering the streets.”

“Really? How did you meet?”

“I was an orphan. There are no jobs in Pandemonium, and not much to eat. So I lived starving, but Brother took me in. Since then, I have not starved.”

Food in the underground was nothing but mushrooms, moss, and some demonic beasts and plants that could grow even in the darkness. The menu was also what Se-min’s group felt most troubled by.

“There are many other gangsters in Pandemonium. But there is a reason why Brother Calpacino, who isn’t even good at fighting, became the greatest godfather.”

“What is the reason?”

“Loyalty and trust. It creates a belief that it’s good to be with Brother Calpacino. So other gangsters also respect Brother Calpacino.”

“The quality of a leader.”

“Correct. He is a natural boss.”

Se-min nodded.

“What is the current status of the approval rating?”

“Currently, we have overtaken Kukri, but we have not yet reached Kiplo. We hired goblin doctors to keep checking.”

Se-min was hiring goblin doctors to check the status of the approval rating.

“There’s no need to check anymore. Because there will be an anomaly soon.”

“An anomaly?”

“Call Kaorak and Calpacino.”

“The two brothers must be showing off their charms to the elders at the nursing home right now…”

“Then bring them after it’s over. No, tell them to wait here when it’s over.”

“Understood.”

Se-min looked at the light fixed on the sky again. It was dim and misty. That glowing thing beyond the fog was dominating the vision of Pandemonium.

Se-min looked at the face of the goblin smiling at him.

Because the light was dim, black shadows were covering his face here and there.

“Little brother.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Don’t you want to go to the surface?”

The goblin brother smiled brightly.

“I want to go.”

“Yes. I’ll let you see it.”

Se-min patted his shoulder.

“Where does the Dragon Tribal stay?”

“The Dragon Tribal? You have to go quite far. I’ll give you a map.”

“Yes.”

“May I ask for what matter you are going? They must have bad feelings toward you, Brother…”

“You will find out soon.”

Se-min instructed him.

“The Sawtooth Angels will all wait at the hideout. Wait until I come. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Then, wait. Don’t wander around outside either.”

“Understood.”

After giving strict instructions like that, Se-min took the map and headed toward the settlement of the Dragon Tribal.

Goblins act in their own groups in Pandemonium. Thus, when reaching the giant vacant lot in the center, lonely goblins caught his eye.

They were those who failed to form a group or were not treated well in a group, being marginalized fellows.

They were mostly starving.

Se-min spoke whenever he ran into such goblins.

“Hey. Goblin.”

“Keereuk?”

“Go to the Sawtooth Tribe and ask the gangsters for a meal.”

“What are you saying?”

“Well, you don’t have anything to eat anyway, do you? It’s an opportunity I am giving you, so go eat and take a nap. It’s my favor.”

“Humans cannot be trusted…”

“Then never mind. The Emperor does not lie. I clearly said it. Who knows? Maybe they’ll even give you a job?”

“…”

The goblin hesitated, checking Se-min’s reaction, and then began to walk toward the Sawtooth Tribe.

Se-min left him behind and moved his steps again.

Soon he arrived at the Dragon Tribal.

In the distance, a flag embroidered with a dragon was waving. As if preparing for a war, they had built fences and set up spears, and buildings like barracks were lined up inside. It was the fortress of the Dragon Tribal.

Se-min used Shadow Stealth to hide his presence and infiltrated inside.

There was no sign of presence.

Scanning the inside with Shadow Stealth and the Cloud Ladder Step, Se-min soon discovered a passage leading underground.

Killing his sound, he seeped inside. Since the passage fit goblin sizes, it was narrow, so he had to bend his body. Se-min soon could hear a faint voice coming from underground.

It was a chant-like resonance.

Se-min soon saw the scene of the entire Dragon Tribal gathered.

A giant vacant lot was located underground.

Torches on the wall lit up the inside. In the center, a red magic circle filled the floor, and the goblins of the Dragon Tribal sat surrounding it.

In the center of the magic circle, Kartoros kept chanting something.

It was similar to the magic spell Kila of Sargassonia chanted.

Eventually, Kartoros opened his eyes.

“The time is midnight today. The great Dragon God will awaken, burn Pandemonium, and lead us to the surface.”

As he spoke, the entire Dragon Tribal bowed their heads.

“All of you prepare. Much blood will flow, but the Dragon God will announce the end of his long sleep with that blood.”

Midnight today, it was faster than expected.

Se-min thought for a moment.

But soon he turned his body.

He must not stop the Dragon Tribal now. Only when those fellows caused trouble and created chaos in Pandemonium could Se-min achieve his purpose.

On his way back leaving the Dragon Tribal’s fortress behind, Se-min suddenly looked up at the ceiling.

The light was misty.

Se-min raised Lupus and reflected his face in the blade of his sword. Because the light source was weak, shadows were cast here and there.

In this Pandemonium, black leaves bloomed on everyone’s faces.