Player who Returned 10,000 years Later

Side Story Chapter 104: Demon King of Pandemonium (2)

"PEEEEEEEP!! I-It’s the Demon King!!! It’s really him!!!" Horos trembled in shock. "P-Please spare me!!! Please!!! I was dragged here by that human against my will!!! Please, spare my life, my king—!!!"

"..."

Bash!

Oh Kang-Woo smacked the screaming Horos on the head and looked forward with his head tilted.

"That’s the Demon King?"

A young man was standing in the middle of the black swamp. The Demon King of Pandemonium had black hair that reached his waist, pale skin, a well-defined jawline, and a sharp nose, giving him a slight unisex feel.

"Sheesh, the fuck?" Kang-Woo expressed. "He’s handsome as fuck."

He was almost on par with Kim Si-Hun.

"But doesn’t he look a little too human to be the king of demons?"

His eccentric outfit aside, the Demon King of Pandemonium could even be mistaken for a human.

Lilith giggled and said, "Hohoho. You’re not one to talk, are you, my king?"

"I guess so."

In Kang-Woo’s case, he was a human turned into a demon. However, it was fascinating to see since that was likely not true for the Demon King of Pandemonium.

Just then, Horos blinked as he shouted at Kang-Woo, "Wh-What are you talking about?! The king used to be human, so, of course, he looks like one!"

"What…?" Kang-Woo’s eyes widened. "The Demon King of Pandemonium… used to be a human?"

"Peep!! Why are you asking something that even children know?!" Horos shouted in frustration. "The Demon King of Pandemonium, Oh Hyun-Seong, is a legendary being who fell into Pandemonium ten millennia ago and rose to become the Demon King!! Everyone in the Tower knows this!!!"

"..."

Kang-Woo’s mouth was left agape.

’The hell?’ He stared at the black-haired man in disbelief. ’He’s human too? And he even fell into Pandemonium ten millennia ago?’

Kang-Woo couldn’t help but laugh.

’Are our Earths parallel worlds for real?’

It was too similar to call it a coincidence.

"Wait a second…"

Just then, something popped into Kang-Woo’s head.

’If that guy really is a parallel version of me…’

There was a possibility that the Demon King of Pandemonium could possess the Demonic Sea as well.

Riiing.

[No, Sir Guardian Deity. That demon does not possess the Demonic Sea.] A blue message window popped up. [The world where the Tower of Creation exists is but an outer world. It is not parallel to Earth.]

"Then what about him?"

Kang-Woo gestured with his chin at the Demon King of Pandemonium standing aloof in the middle of the black swamp. There were too many similarities between the two Demon Kings who were once human.

"Just look at him. We practically look the same!"

[Do you have any shame, Sir Guardian Deity?]

’Fuck. Alright, fine. He’s just slightly more handsome than me by a near-negligible amount. As small as the hair on an ant’s ass—’

[You’re getting more and more unsightly, Sir Guardian Deity. (?(?)?)]

"Shaddup."

’Darling says I’m the most handsome man in the world.’

"Seriously though, how can it be possible if it’s not a parallel world?"

It couldn’t be passed off as a mere coincidence.

[The world where the Tower of Creation exists could have been influenced by the Triad because of their proximity. However, it is not as symmetrical as a parallel world.]

"Hmm."

Kang-Woo clicked his tongue and swiped the message aside. He still found it hard to accept but decided not to think too deeply about it.

’That’s not important right now.’

It was enough knowing that the Demon King of Pandemonium did not have the Demonic Sea.

"Who is that human who keeps talking to himself?"

"Hmph, he dares act disrespectfully in front of Master Hyun-Seong."

Two women, one with red hair and the other with blue hair, rose from within the Demon King Oh Hyun-Seong’s shadow. They couldn’t compare to Han Seol-Ah, but they were considerably beautiful. The Two women frowned in displeasure as they glared at Kang-Woo.

"No." Hyun-Seong slowly shook his head. "That is not a human."

His eyes, as dark as obsidian, gazed at Kang-Woo as if looking into him.

"Pardon?"

"Not human?"

The two women examined Kang-Woo in surprise.

"Oh?" Kang-Woo’s eyes shone with interest as he stared at Hyun-Seong. "Looks like you have a good eye."

It was quite surprising, considering Kang-Woo was concealing his demonic energy using his Trait Ruler of Demonic Energy.

"Who are you…? I have never heard about a human who became a demon in Pandemonium other than me," Hyun-Seong asked coldly.

It seemed like he even figured out Kang-Woo went through the same thing as him.

"Oh, uhhh… I’m…" Kang-Woo slurred troublingly.

Since the Demon King of Pandemonium did not know about the existence of the Nine Hells, it would be difficult to explain that Kang-Woo was a Demon King of another world.

’What should I do?’

As Kang-Woo was staring at the Demon King of Pandemonium as he thought about what to do, he noticed the sword in his hand.

"Oh."

The sword was gleaming with dark blue light, emitting energy so immense that anyone could tell it was no ordinary sword.

"A-Aaaahh."

Kang-Woo realized it.

"Yeah."

He shivered from the sparks running throughout his body. They started from two different worlds, but they both started from the weakest in Hell and fought their way to the top for ten grueling millennia. Their worlds were not parallel, according to Eve, but that didn’t matter.

"I’m sure of it. This is…"

Kang-Woo clenched his fists. Something hot was surging from deep inside his heart. His heart beat uncontrollably, and he could barely contain his impulses.

"This is… undoubtedly…?Love for Humanity?... No, NO!!!"

It was more apt to call it?Comradeship?!!!

"What…?"

"Ahhh!!! Yes!!! Why did I not realize it from the moment I saw you?!!"

Kang-Woo stomped his foot as if scolding his moronic self. The nightmarishly wretched memories of his days in Hell brought up at the Corridor of Trials filled his head again. No one else could understand his lone struggle.

"I am… the only one who truly understands you."

"...?"

"The only one who can understand your pain!!! The only one who can sympathize with your despair!!! The only one who can share your tears!!!"

"What in the world are you talking about?"

"YES!!!"

Boom—!!!

Kang-Woo smashed his foot into the ground, his expression filled with passion. The darkness lingering in the black swamp pulsed. Kang-Woo walked toward Hyun-Seong with his arms out wide.

"I AM YOUR?FRIEND?!!!"

Although they were from different worlds, they shared the same experiences and felt the same despair when they fell into Hell for the first time. They smeared poop on themselves to survive and barely survived by eating the flesh of demons. Kang-Woo and Hyun-Seong were likely the only two who could sympathize with each other in the entire universe. Hence, they could call each other friends despite meeting for the first time today.

"Are you insane?"

Hyun-Seong frowned as he glared at Kang-Woo. Kang-Woo grabbed his chest and swayed as if his feelings were hurt.

"H-Hyun-Seong!!! How could you be so harsh toward your friend?!!"

’I’m heartbroken!!! I think only a relic could piece my heart back together!!!’

"Are you saying… we’re friends because we’re both humans who turned into demons?" Hyun-Seong stared at Kang-Woo in exasperation.

Kang-Woo nodded passionately and exclaimed, "Yes!! That’s exactly it!!! We’ve experienced the same pain and despair!! We’re the only two people in the world who can understand each other!!!"

"..."

"You are my friend!! Whatever you say, we are friends!!"

Kang-Woo clenched his fists and approached Hyun-Seong.

"How dare you?!"

"You will not take a step further!"

The two women who appeared from Hyun-Seong’s shadow charged at Kang-Woo angrily. Kang-Woo lightly flicked his finger at the two women.

Bang!!!

"KYAAAAAAAAHH!!"

A wave of demonic energy spread from where Kang-Woo flicked his finger. The two women were blown back by the wave.

"..." Hyun-Seong’s eyes shone. He glanced at the two women who were blown back and looked back at Kang-Woo in surprise. "It looks like you have the skill to back up your insanity."

The spread of the wave was instantaneous but he could feel the power in the demonic energy through his skin.

Hyun-Seong continued, "But you chose the wrong opponent."

The demon would be no match for him.

"Friend… a friend, huh?"

It had been a while since he heard that word. Hyun-Seong chuckled faintly and stared at Kang-Woo.

"Very well. Let us be friends."

Hyun-Seong had never seen a human who became a demon other than himself. He was brimming with curiosity.

"Nice!! Okay!! Awesome!!! We’re best friends from today, Hyun-Seong!!" Kang-Woo fearlessly placed his arm around Hyun-Seong’s shoulders and danced. "Oh, but Hyun-Seong. You hurt my feelings a lot earlier."

It was too harsh to call one’s friend insane. Kang-Woo, who had never once cursed in his life nor had the thought to, was heartbroken.

"I tend to get super angry and lash out whenever my feelings are hurt."

"What are you trying to say?"

"And it turns out you have something that can cure my heartbreak!" Kang-Woo patted Hyun-Seong’s shoulder with a smile. "Hyun-Seong. Friends are supposed to share everything."

Kang-Woo passionately stared at Hyun-Seong.

"So—" he continued. "Let me borrow that relic you have in your hand."

"What…?"

"I’ll give it back in a flash, yeah? Just for a little bit."

"..."

"Come on~ what’s with that face? I just need to use it for something and give it back. Or is it that you don’t trust your best friend?"

Kang-Woo stuck out his tongue, put his thumb on the tip of his tongue, and his pinky on his forehead[1].

"See, look. I swear on my mom!!!"

’Though I don’t have one.’

"..."

"Come on, what? You still don’t believe me? Hah! Fine!! I swear on my dad too!!! I swear on his name and honor that I’ll give it back in just a second!!"

’My dad is a great man. I should know; I killed him.’

"I’ll be really upset if you don’t let me borrow it even after all that, okay?"

Kang-Woo gripped Hyun-Seong’s shoulder harder.

1. This is a gesture used in Korea basically used to show that you swear you’re not lying. It’s called ??, which is an abbreviation for "If I break this promise, my mom is a prostitute." ?