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Chapter 215: The Third Trial (3)
‘Did I just hear that wrong?’
He's going to ask Paimon where Vulcan is because he doesn't know where it is?
Is this the common way of thinking of the human race?
‘Who spread the rumor that humans are weak?’
He was really curious.
And why wouldn't he be? Paimon is no ordinary demon.
He is one of the 72 demon lords, out of hundreds of millions of demons.
And his rank is not low either.
He's not 72nd, he's 7th.
In other words, he's the great demon of the great demons.
Even he, a Balrog who is revered in the Demon Realm, cannot dare to belittle him and must always address him with the honorific title of "nim".
That's who Paimon is.
―Are you really, really going to meet him?
"You talk too much, shut up."
―Ah, no...... I'm just worried that Kim Minwoo might be in danger.......
"Who's worried about who?"
And for such a trivial reason!
‘Then I'll be in big trouble!’
No matter how respected a Balrog is in the Demon Realm, it doesn't mean that all their sins are forgiven.
Wasting the time of a busy demon lord is a serious crime.
With a single gesture, he would be turned into a bloody mess. That's why he was desperately trying to stop him.
―It's really dangerous! Paimon doesn't live in the middle of nowhere......! He lives in a castle in Batalian, one of the seven major cities of the Demon Realm......! There are a lot of demons there!
―There are a lot of demons there with a keen sense of smell! They'll probably drool over Kim Minwoo's scent!
"Like you did earlier?"
―......The vulgar ones with nothing but instinct left will rush right in! I'm telling you this because you're too reckless! With all my heart!
"You're a Balrog, aren't you?"
"You're respected in the Demon Realm, right? Because you're strong."
"Then you can protect me if I go to Batalian or whatever."
"If some trivial demon comes at me, you can turn them into a bloody mess. It's not that hard, is it?"
"If it's hard, tell me. I'll correct your thinking right now."
It was just the sound of a small finger bone in his fist cracking.
Why was his body trembling?
The once 'corrected' body was reflexively spitting out fear.
―That's easy! Who am I? I'm a popular Balrog in the Demon Realm! Haha.......
"Get ready. Oh, is it far?"
―It won't take long if we fly. About a day?
Long Long carefully slipped away.
―A city in the Demon Realm.......
―You don't trust Minwoo?
―No, it's not that. The master will do as he pleases.
―Exactly. Paimon or Pie or whatever, he's just asking a question, right? If he's not an idiot, he'll answer. Right, Minwoo?
"Of course. Absolutely."
He seems pretty strong.
But, he had something he can rely on.
‘I rolled and rolled and gouged out his eyeballs back then, but......’
Kim Minwoo back then and Kim Minwoo now are worlds apart.
‘Back then, I was level 200. But now?’
The equipment and skills are also incomparable. Honestly, He didn't think he would die to a demon lord even without using a nuclear bomb.
‘Going in circles is not my style.’
He had to find out where Vulcan is anyway.
He had to meet a demon related to Mr. Pa or ask him directly.
‘That means my actions will be exposed.’
If he's going to confront him anyway, it doesn't matter how he goes about it.
If not, it's better to just go and ask him directly and be done with it.
He chose to go straight ahead.
"I should do some sightseeing while I'm at it."
Let's see what a demon city looks like.
The Balrog's wings roared powerfully.
On top of the giant Balrog.
Kim Minwoo was riding with the reins in his hands.
―Hehe. Did you have a comfortable flight?
―Do you see that giant city over there?
"Is that Batalian over there?"
―That's right. Ah, we can't fly there. There's a barrier. We'll have to land soon.
Kim Minwoo got off comfortably and looked at the huge castle gate. And the enormous queue in front of it.
He opened his inventory and took out a jet-black robe. A robe that completely covered his entire body.
This was a must-have item for entering the city, prepared at Long Long's tearful request.
Kim Minwoo, with his hood pulled over his head, asked.
"Do we have to wait?"
―Humph. Of course not. I may look , but I'm a Balrog.
―Free...... What's a pass?
"Just passing through without a line."
―Ah, that's right. Free pass. Absolutely possible. Let's go.
Every time the Balrog took a step, a slight tremor echoed through the ground.
The eyes of the demon guards at the gate were immediately drawn to them.
They were demon-like creatures equipped with decent helmets and armor.
―It's Long Long. I'm passing through.
―Of course. Bu, but...... what's that next to you.......
―What's 'that', you bastard!
The Balrog, who had forcefully struck the demon guard's helmet, said.
―This is a great person. Much greater than me, Long Long.
―Is, is that so? But...... sniff, gulp.......
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Even as he spoke, the guard could be seen drooling.
With a look in his eyes as if he were looking at a perfectly cooked steak.
Long Long, startled, immediately set his body ablaze.
Long Long glared at the guard with a menacing look in his eyes, like a neighborhood bully.
―If you don't want to die, keep your eyes straight.
―......So, sorry.......
―We're passing through, okay?
The Balrog bus was quite sweet.
They entered the city.
‘The architecture is similar.’
The architecture was similar to that of a medieval city. The only difference was that the buildings were all huge.
And the trees growing along the streets were all twisted in a spiral shape.
‘I've seen this before.’
When he was with Merhen in the second trial. The trees were in this shape just before the passage opened and the monster wave poured out.
Adult demons and child demons were holding hands and walking.
Food was being sold at street stalls.
Most of that was similar.
The only difference was that the food was all made of blood and had a bizarre appearance.......
―Welcome to the show!
And that a street troupe was putting on a very gruesome show.
―Ah, the stabbing show?
"Yeah. And the food too."
―It's perfectly normal in the Demon Realm. That's cute. It's like...... a big city, so they have a small amount of manners?
Well, he respects that.
Everyone has their own culture.
He doesn't care what the demons do.
As they passed by the main street, they could see the demons drooling and staring at them.
Really, what would he have done without the Balrog bus? Hecould have gotten through anything, but it would have been a pain in the ass.......
That's when it happened.
―Oh, isn't that Lord Long Long?
A gentle-looking, young master-type demon stepped forward and spoke. He was so happy to see him that he waved his hand.
―Are you...... Lord Elmantra?
―Haha, that's right. I saw you once before, didn't I?
―Yes, I remember. You came to the village.
―But, Lord Long Long, what brings you here......?
―What about you? Have you finished your test already?
―Yes! I was lucky. Thanks to you, I was able to serve my father.
The two demons seemed to know each other and were talking.
‘He seems to be high-ranking?’
If he was a nobody, Long Long would have ignored him. But the fact that he was responding to the conversation means.......
He must be someone important.
Long Long carefully approached and whispered in my ear.
―Elmantra. One of Paimon's sons.
‘......He's a bigger shot than I thought?’
That's when it happened.
―Sniff. Sniff. But, I smell something delicious?
The guy, who had been sniffing and licking his lips, stared at them.
―This is… a human smell? Right? Why is Lord Long Long with a human? Ah! Could it be!
The guy clapped his hands and said.
―I see! Is this a tribute to my father? Right? Humans are very precious!
―Uh...... it's not like that.
―Haha! There's no need to be shy! Come to think of it, it's been a long time since my father had a special meal. The passage hasn't been opening lately...... Neither have I.
He smiled and approached them.
He could see him reaching out to take off his hood.
―Let me see your precious face...... Huh?
He grabbed his wrist.
Long Long's eyes immediately became sad.
"Does Paimon have a lot of sons?"
―Quite a few. Great demons are known for their fertility.......
"I guess he eats a lot of humans too?"
"So, is he a precious son?"
―He's just...... a son.
"That's what I thought. Then I've made up my mind."
Blood splattered everywhere.
The headless corpse fell to the ground.
―Oh, that guy's pretty hot!
One of the demons on the street gave him a thumbs up as if to say he was admirable.
Is the thumbs-up a universal language?
‘I don't think he knows he's Paimon's son.’
He gave him a thumbs-up back with a smile.
Long Long may have drooled, but he never actually ate a human.
It didn't matter if it was a rare, precious treat or not.
But this guy was different.
This guy was a cannibal.
He could tell just by looking at his eyes.
‘Then I have to kill him.’
If Paimon is also a demon who enjoys eating humans.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to give him a warning.
―You're really hot.......
―......You, you're going to the castle, right?
"I don't think that's necessary."
A huge castle in the distance.
It looks like Paimon's house.
A jet-black shadow was flying towards them from there. Long Long's face turned pale when he saw it.
Before long, the shadow that had been rippling approached them and a voice came out of it. It was as if it was being hammered into his head.
"Ah, are you Mr. Paimon?"
―Yes. I am Paimon. And you?
"I'm a human named Kim Minwoo. You need to teach your son some manners."
The rippling shadow transformed into an eyeball shape.
A huge eyeball blinked on its own.
―......I am in the presence of Paimon, one of the seven great lords of the Demon Realm and one of the great demons.
―What is going on here?
―......Your son… was rude. To Kim Minwoo, here.
―Is that really true?
―......I believe it is.
He was a Balrog with more backbone than he thought.
He decided to help him out a little.
"Why are you acting ? You're a fertile man, so don't be petty."
―I've lived a long time. I've seen everything.......
"You've lived a long life? Congratulations. By the way, I came here because I have a question for you."
The eyeball, which let out a tone that was either admiration or frustration, blinked once more.
―Humans drink tea when guests visit, right?
―I have some good tea.
―I need to prepare to welcome you.
Soon after, the eyeball became blurry.
He really wants to serve him tea, doesn't he?
It seemed like he would have to go inside the castle.
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