Chapter 114
Demon King!
Among the countless Lords of the Abyss, it was the word reserved for those transcendent monsters that stood out above all.
There were exactly 108 Demon Kings. Beyond them were the 72 Demon Gods, and above even those—the Great Nine Lords.
But that did not mean a Demon King was weaker than a Demon God.
The Great Nine Lords were on another plane altogether, beings too detached to care about the affairs of the world, but in practical terms, Demon Kings were among the strongest monsters in the Abyss.
The criteria of their selection itself was different.
Demon Kings were chosen purely by personal strength.
Demon Gods were judged by their overall influence on the Abyss.
Because of this, there were Demon Kings stronger than some Demon Gods.
Those with small territories, few devils, or lacking Creative Abysses—unqualified for Demon Godhood, yet still terrifying Demon Kings.
Thus, in the Abyss, the very title of Demon King evoked fear and trembling.
And if Nameless Man was an Incarnation contracted to a Demon King…
―Don’t all Demon Kings ignore anything outside the Twelve Species?
―If true, then Earth 666 is likely the Demon King’s creation.
―A Demon King posting attention-bait in the community?
―They’re all insane anyway.
―Well, some of their eccentricities are legendary.
A heated debate raged in the [Creators’ Community].
Earth 666 Abyss!
The question of which Demon King had created it was at the center of everyone’s attention.
If a Demon King had indeed opened a Creative Abyss on Earth, then Earth 666 was the Demon King’s territory.
It was shocking, even for other Creators.
A newborn dimension that had only just brushed the Abyss—and a Demon King had stepped foot there.
―Where did all those who swore to burn Earth 666 go?
―Skinning alive and throwing into lava, wasn’t it? I support it.
―Whatever the case, no one can touch Earth 666 now.
―If there’s even a chance it’s a Demon King, then yes…
It couldn’t be touched.
No matter how much bait was thrown, no matter how many arenas were opened, the Lords could not interfere deeply with Earth 666.
Most Creators using the community were only ordinary Lords.
None could compare to a Demon King.
…And not just the community.
All the Creators paying attention to Earth were likewise ordinary.
Even if humans had conquered the name of Arrogance and defeated Ahheta, Demon Kings and above had no interest in Earth.
To them, anything but the Twelve Species wasn’t even life.
At most, they would show their face when a Species War occurred.
―Then this proves it.
―That humanity may become the “thirteenth” species?
―Even if not, this Species War will be very interesting.
―But what if Earth 666 wasn’t created by a Demon King?
―Then how do you explain that human Incarnation’s power?
―If not contracted to a Demon King, there’s no way humanity could produce such force.
There was pushback.
But without a Demon King, there was no way to explain the Champion of the Colosseum, Nameless Man.
Most likely, Earth 666 had been created by a Demon King, who then placed his contracted Incarnation there as a trophy Champion.
Whatever the purpose, it was anything but ordinary.
―…If I defeat him, does that mean I’ve defeated a Demon King?
―…Oh ho.
Of course, many Creators felt the urge to challenge.
An ordinary Creator, toppling a Demon King?
How exhilarating.
And they didn’t need to fight personally.
All they needed was an Incarnation.
So long as a Demon King did not reveal themselves, none could know which Creator had contracted the Incarnation.
Thus—
―We’ll need to forge stronger Incarnations.
―Time to open new Abysses on Earth.
―The waiting is over.
―Earth is the golden land.
―Especially the area where Earth 666 appeared. It’s unusually mysterious.
―Indeed. Average levels there are higher than elsewhere.
―If we want it, we must move quickly.
The fact that Earth, that humans, had moved even a Demon King was enough to ignite every Creator.
—
Two weeks had passed since the Second Night.
The world was beginning to settle into stability.
Compared to before, it was still upheaval, but chaos was easing.
Proof that people were slowly adapting.
And of all nations, Korea had changed the most.
“Where is Lee Hyuk-soo?”
“Our hero! Let us see the hero!”
Crowds traveled long distances to meet the hero Lee Hyuk-soo.
Others secretly entered Korea to investigate its Abysses or to study Korean Awakeners.
Many sought to recruit the hero to their countries.
“Lee Hyuk-soo is humanity’s hope.”
“If he joined America, it would be glorious.”
“We’ll meet any condition!”
He had saved over 800,000 people.
And among them were many classed as “super-Awakened.”
Had they all been lost, humanity’s resistance against the Abyss would have collapsed.
Thus, Lee Hyuk-soo was savior, hero, even godlike to some.
Whichever nation secured him could control the future.
A hidden card, a national-level asset.
“…I refuse all offers.”
But Lee Hyuk-soo rejected every proposal.
No matter the conditions, he never wavered.
He avoided them, busy scouring Abysses.
‘I must become stronger.’
He was not yet a true savior.
He had not saved—he had only been saved.
Still a rag wrapped in the Prophet’s mantle.
To avoid tarnishing that legacy, to not disappoint the Prophet, he burned with the need to grow.
‘Abysses have exploded in number recently.’
He explored them without rest.
What puzzled him was why their numbers had surged suddenly.
And only in Korea.
Elsewhere, their frequency was steadily decreasing.
But in Korea, in mere days, they had exploded.
The only relief was that they weren’t sudden-ambush Abysses.
They were dungeon-style, with designated entry zones. Perfect for growth.
Almost as if they were made to nurture.
Why?
Why so many of this type, so suddenly?
‘…Is it linked to the movements of Incarnations?’
Incarnations were enemies of humanity.
And their numbers, too, were rising explosively.
Many attacked him openly.
The feeling was ominous.
Could it be—they were raising Incarnations?
‘Incarnations can only be born of evil. They are killers, like devils. What are they plotting by raising them?’
Not just anyone could be one.
Creators only contracted with those of dark disposition.
A normal person would reject it.
Yet their numbers swelled.
And they appeared in droves inside these new dungeon-style Abysses.
People didn’t realize it, but Lee Hyuk-soo was certain.
Creators were pouring everything into training Incarnations.
If it tied to the massive Abyss to come, it had to be stopped early.
So he tracked them.
Followed their movements.
‘Some are moving in groups.’
They were forming organizations, moving in packs.
That was new.
Incarnations loathed exposing themselves.
Normally, they never grouped.
And yet, here they were.
‘They even know how to clear new Abysses—meaning they’re the Creators’ chosen.’
They cleared dungeons, repeated them, grew fast.
As if they already knew the strategy.
“Alright, that’s enough.”
“Time to go.”
“The Champion is ours.”
Champion?
A code word?
Unclear, for now.
Lee Hyuk-soo quietly tailed them.
After leaving the Abyss, they split up and traveled.
Destination—
‘…Mount Bukhan.’
They were all heading to the peak.
He sensed many gathered there.
‘…They’re all Incarnations.’
At least a hundred.
He recognized too many familiar ones to doubt.
Villains never just coincidentally gathered.
Something was on that mountain.
Should he kill them all?
‘Too many.’
Incarnations were far stronger than average people.
He couldn’t handle a hundred alone.
‘I must alert the Abyss Safety Bureau…’
Then—
“Lee Hyuk-soo! It’s Lee Hyuk-soo!”
“Oh! Lee Hyuk-soo!”
“The savior of humanity, why are you here?”
…He’d been spotted.
He steadied himself.
If it came to a fight, he would cut down the three in front and flee before more arrived.
“Lee Hyuk-soo’s an Incarnation too?”
“Haha! So you’re one of us after all?”
“Lee Hyuk-soo an Incarnation—truly the end of days!”
Strange reactions.
Their tone carried familiarity, almost kinship.
As if meeting an old comrade.
And not just them.
“Lord Balzac! Lee Hyuk-soo is here!”
“He’ll be a great addition to our strength.”
“With him, we can truly win!”
Balzac?
Feeling the gaze, he turned.
Someone stood there.
Watching from the beginning.
He had noticed Lee Hyuk-soo first.
Lee Hyuk-soo frowned.
‘…An ominous gaze.’
The man’s eyes were pitch black.
Not human.
And Lee Hyuk-soo realized.
That man was an Incarnation.
…The King of all Incarnations.