4
The shock from the very first sentence was so big that I couldn’t even hear the rest.
Demon Lord.
Yeah… a Demon Lord.
I covered my face with my hand.
Out of all things, the scenario I got dragged into had a Demon Lord in it.
And not just that—
I was now running away together with a hunted Demon Lord.
“……”
Suddenly, I remembered the players chasing me like a pack of dogs.
My sigh stopped.
I rubbed my chin.
Wait… this might not be so bad.
I didn’t know what bug brought me into this unopened area—
But honestly, this was the perfect hiding place.
And the enemies here were easier.
Over there: players.
Here: NPCs.
The first fight was hard because I wasn’t used to it—
But demons didn’t use guns like players.
Once I got used to their fighting style, this side would be easier.
“Yeah… maybe I can just stay here until the area opens and leave naturally.”
“What are you muttering about?” the child asked.
“Nothing.”
I brushed it off.
He narrowed his eyes.
“…I see. You’re planning to leave me behind.”
Sharp kid.
I leaned my head against the tree and answered honestly.
“Yeah.”
“I see. Then I’ll make you an offer.”
He didn’t look shaken at all.
“As you may have noticed, this is not my true form.
My real self is noble, powerful, and beautiful—the Demon Lord of Bellos.”
“If you help break my seal, I will reward you accordingly.”
Ding.
[SSS Rank Quest has appeared.]
I tilted my head.
Did I hear that right?
SSS rank?
It took half a year to even find an SS quest—
and now this?
Then I remembered—
This was an unopened area.
That made sense.
What should I do?
Honestly, it was tempting.
But I hated getting involved with people—players or NPCs.
Even bringing this kid here was already unusual for me.
Meanwhile, he continued calmly.
“There are three things needed.”
“The horn of Demonica.
The eye of Srandur.
And…”
He paused.
“The heart of the one I love.”
“…What?”
Did I hear that right?
“With these three, my seal will break.”
Ding.
[Quest: Release the Seal of Bellos Atinos Idniss. Difficulty: SSS]
Rewards:
- Change in Demon World main story
- Your name included in main story
- 2,000kg of gold
- SSS weapon box
- Unique title: “Trusted One”
- Unique title: “Kingmaker”
I stared.
Read it again.
And again.
2,000kg of gold.
“…Is this a bug?”
It had to be, right?
Then—
“If my seal is broken, I’ll give you gold bigger than that rock.”
I turned my head instantly.
Checked the size of the rock.
Then grabbed his hands tightly.
“I will risk my life to break your seal, dear client.”
[Quest accepted.]
“You’re greedy,” he said.
“I’m poor. I need money.”
I joked—
But he nodded seriously.
“I see.”
Then he said,
“Evan, was it? I look forward to working with you.”
“Yeah… sure…”
I opened the quest window again.
That long name…
“Bellos?”
His brow twitched.
“Atinos?”
His face tightened.
“…Idniss?”
That one hit.
Suddenly—
The air felt heavy.
Like gravity increased.
I clenched my hand.
That “weight” feeling—
I hadn’t felt that in a long time.
“You’re thinking something strange, aren’t you?” he said.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Still. Whatever it is—no.”
“…?”
He looked at me suspiciously.
Fine.
Time to say it.
“I’m not low-class or anything.
I’m not even a demon.”
“What?”
His eyes widened.
“I’m human.”
He didn’t even react much.
“Weak humans can’t survive in the Demon World.”
“Then I’m just strong.”
“There’s no such human—”
“There is. Me.”
He went quiet.
Then changed the topic.
“Don’t call me ‘you.’ Call me ‘Your Highness.’”
“Okay, Idniss.”
He looked tired already.
“Then Bellos?”
“No. That’s the land.”
“Atinos?”
“That’s my god.”
“Then Idniss it is.”
“Call me ‘Your Highness.’”
“Idniss.”
“…Your Highness.”
“Idniss.”
He rubbed his face.
“…Is one gold bar enough as reward?”
“Your Highness!”
I shouted immediately.
He looked at me like I was a complete miser.
Honestly—
He looked like a cute kid.
Calling him “Demon Lord” felt weird.
“I really need to rest now. I’m exhausted.”
“So you are human.”
“That’s what convinced you?”
Too tired to argue, I lay down.
“Wake me if something happens.”
“Understood.”
[Entering sleep mode.]
My consciousness faded quickly.
Rest.
And…
Thank you for saving me.
It felt like I heard his voice.
When I opened my eyes—
The scenery was unbelievably beautiful.
Sunlight passed through thin leaves.
Strange insects flew around.
Soft green moss glowed.
A green-furred rabbit passed by.
The air was fresh.
Clean.
Perfect.
I checked the time.
8:30 PM.
Idniss was sitting beside me, wide awake.
“…Did you not sleep?”
I almost asked—but didn’t.
He spun a stick and said,
“You sleep well.
Even when I poked you, you didn’t wake up.”
So much for worrying about him.
“I’m sure now. You’re human.”
Meaning:
You sleep like a dead person → definitely human.
“Let’s go. We wasted enough time.”
Ah yes—
2 tons of gold.
I stood up quickly and followed him.
“I don’t know how a human is here, but I won’t ask.”
“More importantly, I’ll explain the situation.”
We walked as he spoke.
“In the Demon World, there are three kings.”
“Izero of the western sky.
Ammu of the lava lands.
And Bellos of the golden hills.”
His clear voice echoed in the forest.
“The west is ruled by vampires with black wings.”
“The center by dragon-blood demons.”
“And the east—our land—is the richest.”
As we walked, I realized—
This wasn’t a mountain.
It was a forest.
An ancient forest.
Huge trees. Strange plants. Endless greenery.
Light fell like ladders from the sky.
It felt like stepping into another time.
“The three kings kept balance for a long time.”
“But demons are naturally violent.”
“So that balance always felt strange.”
“Like a kind loser… or a kind butcher.”
A horned squirrel ran up a tree.
A snake with too many legs chased it.
Both disappeared into the leaves.
“Then I became a Demon Lord.”
“And I understood everything.”
I listened more closely.
“Why past Demon Lords never left their castles.”
“Why they chased pleasure.”
“Why they rushed to choose heirs.”
“Why they suffered every night.”
That part—
Was interesting.
Like a curse.
Like a fairy tale.
I listened carefully, curious.
