Chapter 142: A Bunch of Enforcers (1)

“So the Demon King and the bat were already free a long time ago, mating around, raising grandkids, and living happily ever after. The guy knew how to enjoy life…. I’m jealous, so jealous.”

Saon brushed his hair back. Blan also grumbled.

“We were f*cking dumbfounded too…. Right now, everyone is scattered across Idea, searching like crazy.” “So you think he’s in Idea.” “Yeah. If he had crossed over to the Demon Realm, he definitely would have led the demons to start another war to conquer Idea. So he must be somewhere in Idea.”

Ion was confused. The Demon King wasn’t in a sealed state, but was actually… released from the seal. It was hard to believe, but.

“Kkyu.”

This tiny, cute bat was the descendant of the bat sealed with the Demon King. The Demon King’s bat had produced offspring. No matter how hard it was to believe, this alone was the truth. So, he couldn’t just remain confused forever.

The fact that they had to find the missing Demon King remained unchanged.

“The Demon King is….”

His voice cracked, so Ion cleared his throat.

“The Demon King’s memory must be incomplete. If it were intact, there’s no way he would have hidden.”

The Demon King was originally a bellicose and ferocious being who intended to invade Idea after the Heavenly Realm. Imagining the Demon King living as an ignorant village peasant deep in some forest, not even knowing who he was… gave him goosebumps. What would happen if the Demon King suddenly regained his memory at some point?

The phrase [52.08.24 Resurrection of the Demon King] written in the memoirs suddenly flashed through Ion’s mind.

‘Did that resurrection actually mean regaining his memory?’

An unexploded ordnance that could go off at any time… no, an unexploded anti-matter bomb was hiding somewhere in the world.

‘Crazy…….’

Whether it was keeping the Apostles in check or the ‘Real ’ scenario… he had to find such a dangerous element.

For now, clearing the dungeon came first. Ion’s party resumed their progress. They followed Saon’s snake through the maze, but the atmosphere was heavy and gloomy.

“Damion, you okay?” “Huh? Oh.”

Ion reflexively raised his head at the voice worrying about him. Baba was plopped on Sanse’s leaf, looking at Ion with concern.

“You look bad since a while ago. Don’t worry about me. I special even if I not find memory.” “I wasn’t particularly worried about you….” “Not honest. Cute.” “Who are you to call me cute?” “Damion, praise me too. Then feel better. I majestic bat. Great and special bat. Follow me.” “Praise you…?” “Yes, praise me!” “Sigh, the underlings and ancient magical beasts kept singing in rounds about how majestic our dear bat is, and that’s how he ended up like this.”

Blan added from the side. Majestic, my foot. Ion kneaded Baba, who was still just squishy and cute. Baba made strange noises like ‘kkyu-ung-kkyu.’

“Right. You are overflowing with majesty.”

Ion let out a smirk. Just then, Baba, who was enjoying the touch, sparkled his eyes.

“I also have ultimate move now!” “Ah, right.” “Oh, really? What is it?”

Unlike Ion, who had no expectations, Saon showed interest, his eyes crinkling like crescent moons.

“Can’t show now. Ultimate move better not shown. But really great ability!” “An ability better not shown? I don’t understand. Won’t you show it just a little bit to On-on?” “I hate using it on Damion even more!”

What? Ion furrowed his brows.

“Aha…….”

Saon nodded, pulling up the corners of his mouth as if he had caught on.

‘Is it a curse type?’

Abilities fitting for the Demon King’s bat, like pouring down curses or spreading poison, flashed through Ion’s mind. It probably wouldn’t be of great power anyway. Since he had no expectations, he didn’t pry.

“Damion, pet me here. Scratch here too.”

Just a moment ago he was puffing out his chest to brag about his ultimate move, and now he was immediately demanding to be touched. Ion stroked him all over and scratched his plump belly, wings, and butt with his fingers. A chuckle was heard from the side. It was Saon.

“I thought so last time too, but for you to be this affectionate toward a non-plant… it’s surprising.” “When was I ever affectionate?” “Damion, scratch my belly too. Scratch it.” “Didn’t you wash? Why do you keep asking for scratches?” “Misunderstanding! I clean bat, tidy bat. I just like Damion’s finger and want to be touched. And Damion feels better if touch me. Headache goes away. We in mutually beneficial relationship.” “Where did you even hear a phrase like ‘mutually beneficial’….”

Ion gave in to Baba’s demands as if he had no choice. Saon, who was watching quietly, suddenly wore a smile as cunning as a snake.

“By the way, Baba. Do you know? While coming here, we had a little time to share each other’s secrets. On-on actually thinks Puru is so cute. You know Puru, right? Jin Seongha’s pet monster.” “Yes. Puru cute. I want to see Puru soon too.” “He said whenever he has the chance, he wants to pet and touch him. To think he finds another animal cute while leaving our cute Baba aside. My goodness~ is this allowed? Isn’t it a betrayal?” “Not betrayal. Good phenomenon. Damion, find many things cute. If find cute, heart becomes happy. Become happy Damion!” “…….”

Saon, defeated by Baba’s pure heart, shook his head. Blan chuckled, and a smile played on Ion’s lips.

It was three days later when Ion’s party reached the central area teeming with giants.

Grrr. Gueeee.

Mad giants wandered the plaza like ghosts. There were easily over a hundred.

Thump! Thump, thump!

Every time a giant walked, the ground shook, making it hard to stand properly. Some giants slammed their heads against the maze walls, while others snapped their heads around, searching for prey.

Ion’s party only peeked their eyes out to check the scene in the plaza and gathered inside the corner.

“Hey, are you both chickening out? Don’t worry. I’m enough on my own. I’ve tried raiding a giant base in Idea. They were easy as f*ck. You just have to dodge the Ults with the right timing. I killed five of them by myself.” “This is the first time fighting mad giants inside a field, though.” “How much difference could there be?”

Judging by his combat strength so far, Blan had abilities that were more effective in individual combat than in cooperative warfare. Moreover, if he had no experience fighting mad giants… he wouldn’t be of much help.

‘Since there are only three of us here… we’ll have to move after watching the movements of the other groups.’

Ion’s group hadn’t grown in numbers while coming to the plaza. Even though the other groups had become groups of 20 and 23 people respectively. According to Saon, the group of 24 was at the 12 o’clock position, the group of 20 was at the 7 o’clock position, and Ion’s group was surrounding the plaza from the 3 o’clock position. Ion was curious as to where Jin Seongha was among them.

“Hey, where is Jin Seongha? You said Jin Seongha is marked as a red or blue triangle.”

Fortunately, Blan was also a non-awakened person, so he asked the question for Ion. Saon, who was looking at the system window, frowned.

“Non-awakened people. Tsk. How annoying.” “Did you just click your tongue?” “Jin Seongha is at the 12 o’clock position. On-on, what should we do? It seems the other groups are also waiting for your instructions.” “Why are they waiting for my instructions?” “Who else would give instructions in this situation?” “Jin Seongha, Dam Daon, Elliot, Sarah Harundas… there are plenty.” “Our dear On-on, you still think you’re an extra.”

While Ion was furrowing his brows….

Purung!

A familiar sound was heard. The three of them snapped their heads around. Emerging around the corner was Puru. Hidden by the presence of the massive giants, they hadn’t noticed him until he got close.

Pururu!

Puru cried as he flew over quickly, then paused for a moment. After looking at Ion, Saon, and Blan in turn, Puru flew into Ion’s arms.

Pururung!

“Puru…?”

Beee! Puru-puru!

“Wait, don’t cry and speak slowly.”

Beeeeeee.

“How did you get here? Did Jin Seongha send you? Did something happen to Jin Seongha?”

At the name Jin Seongha, Puru wailed even harder. Ion comforted Puru awkwardly. His palms became damp with tears.

“Puru, long time no see! What happened?”

Bireung? Bee… beee!

Puru, who finally discovered Baba, fortunately flew over to him. In the meantime, Saon unfolded the note hanging from Puru’s tail. It contained the list of Jin Seongha’s group and the 7 o’clock group. And also a memo like this:

[We will attack when we receive the signal. Planning to use —requesting you do not approach.] [We are also ready. Waiting for the signal.]

“Did he use this little guy as a messenger? Jin Seongha… can be quite chilling sometimes.”

The method of delivering the memo was quite radical. To the point where even Saon, who wouldn’t be outdone in terms of being extreme, clicked his tongue. To a giant, a person is as small as a hamster is to a person, and Puru isn’t even at the level of a fly. Because he was so small, he could actually weave between the giants. Even so, it was a dangerous task where he could die from a misstep or a wrongly swung arm….

‘Does he feel euphoria when a terrified Puru returns and wails in his arms….’

Ion thought Puru was suffering because of Jin Seongha’s twisted affection.

“The signal will have to come from our side. On-on, I’ll write that they should attack when your vines shoot up.”

Saon didn’t wait for Ion’s answer and took out a pen to write. In three languages: Korean, English, and Idean.

“Damion… Puru is shaking. Poor and pitiful. Must we send Puru?”

They had to send the note back now, but Puru, with his tail curled up, was clinging to Baba. Saon smiled brightly.

“Then will Baba go?” “Yes! I go. I brave bat. A helpful bat with an ultimate move!”

Ion’s face turned pale. Fortunately, before Ion could say anything, Blan got furious instead.

“Are you crazy? Don’t even think about touching Mr. Baba. You snake-like human bstard. If someone’s going, you go, fck. Didn’t you say you have an aura ability like or whatever and can’t die! I’ll just pick you up and throw you over there!” “Calm down, I just said it. How could I send On-on’s pet bat? Instead, I’ll send my big brother’s pet snake as Puru’s bodyguard.”

One of Saon’s snakes, the smallest thread-snake, appeared. The thread-snake poked Puru with its round head.

Shh-shh. Pururung…. Shh-shh. Puru, puru.

After some kind of conversation, Puru escaped from Baba’s arms.

Puru!

Puru looked up at Ion. With his mouth firmly shut, he looked full of solemnity, and his ears were pressed flat. Ion stroked him roundly and encouraged his courage. Puru, with the memo tied to his tail, turned the corner.

Gueee. Gueeee.

Thump, thump. Just as Puru and the thread-snake were about to move between the hideous mad giants roaming and shaking the ground.

“……!”

Ion, who discovered something among the giants, quickly pulled back both their tails. To Saon and Blan who were looking at him in confusion, Ion mouthed his words.

‘Over there, the giant wearing a ring. An Executioner.’

There was an Executioner among the giants. The party moved back inside.

“Hey, you say the one wearing a ring is an Executioner? The one sitting on top of the tower and the one lying down sleeping are also wearing rings.” “Surely you saw wrong. Why would there be as many as three Executioners in this dungeon?”

But.

“It’s true…….”

When Ion went out again to check, there were indeed two more giants wearing rings. There were a total of five Giant Executioners. Since Ion had killed one in Idea, four remained. To think three of them were gathered here. It could only be described as something someone had arranged.

The anomaly didn’t end there. While he was racking his brain over the presence of the unexpected Executioners…….

Kugugugung!

A black space appeared in the sky above the center of the plaza.

“W-what? Sh*t, that scared me.” “……A spatial gate?”

Just as Saon said, that was a spatial gate, the exclusive property of demons. The one he had seen in the Daisy Town dungeon. Ion’s eyes grew wider and wider.

“……!”

What walked out of the black space was a familiar silhouette. The figure began to take on color little by little with every step it took. The silhouette finally took on a complete human form.

‘Dam Ilon.’

And.

‘That person is……!’

Ilon was not alone. Behind him, a demon with red lips appeared. It was the demon who had instantly dismantled the Kraken in the Mermaid’s Nest.