# Chapter 464: Side Story 137
Dimensional Management Bureau.
Ju-hyeok explained the investigation results to Eina and Wignar.
The arrest of the 1/10th Demon God.
And the whereabouts of the 9/10ths divine status.
“This is absurd. What? Freedom? You think I don’t want that too? But if you call yourself a god, you should know how to accept your fate.”
Main God Wignar wore an expression of disbelief.
“Setting that aside, can a god just leave if they get tired of their dimension? Is that even possible in the first place?”
Eina nodded.
“There are actually cases like that from time to time.”
“Huh? Really?”
“When a god abandons their dimension, and the dimension also pushes out the god, they end up mutually excluding each other.”
Ah, I see.
“That’s probably how he was able to separate 9/10ths of his divine status. Because the Demon Realm’s will allowed it.”
To put it simply.
Assuming the Demon Realm was a sentient being that could speak.
If you were to stage a conversation between the Demon God and the Demon Realm.
I hate you!
Yeah? I hate you too.
Fine. I’m leaving now, okay?
If you’re leaving, leave everything you have behind.
I’m taking 10%. I worked hard all this time too.
You cheap bastard… fine, do whatever you want.
Good grief, it’s not like they’re a divorced couple.
But Eina said it happened from time to time.
“Is there no way to reverse it? If we take Kallihar back to the Demon Realm…?”
“The Demon Realm will probably push him out. You should consider him already banished from that world.”
A banished god.
Essentially a dimensional stray with nowhere to go.
“And the Demon Realm will select the next Demon God on its own. Since it needs someone to replace him.”
In other words, remarrying.
But how exactly?
“By having a qualified being absorb the 9/10ths divine status. It’s probably already in progress.”
They’ll handle it on their own then.
So there was no need to worry about that anymore.
“Excuse me, Wignar-nim?”
“Speak.”
“What should we do with Kallihar?”
“Destroy him. If you don’t want to do it yourself, bring him to me.”
Kill him?
“He’s useless. He’s someone who abandoned his dimension and left.”
Tsk tsk.
Suddenly a burden.
How pitiful.
That’s why killing him seemed a bit much.
First, let’s settle accounts. Settlement!
“Anyway, since I caught him, the promised non-attribute divine status fragment….”
“Hmm, the completion condition was retrieving the 9/10ths divine status.”
“The Demon Realm’s dimensional will should handle that on its own.”
“……”
It’s all finished now.
So hand it over.
“How about this?”
“What?”
“Given the nature of the Demon Realm dimension, I have a guess about how they’ll select the next Demon God, so I’m making this proposal….”
What’s the selection method?
“Survival of the fittest—winner takes all. A war will break out in the end.”
That made sense.
For example, the Demon Kings would hold some kind of tournament to claim the divine status.
War would be inevitable.
“Honestly, I’m tired of war. I experienced enough of it a thousand years ago.”
Was he talking about the Continental Race Great War?
“Why do you think I made the elves the ruling class and integrated them into human society? Through conciliatory governance to minimize conflict, to create a continent without war, a continent overflowing with love.”
Love, my ass.
You think there won’t be war just because they love each other?
He seemed like a slightly odd Main God.
“Go to the Demon Realm and intervene in the next Demon God selection process.”
Uh.
“A stable, peaceful transition of power.”
“……”
What should I do?
How annoying.
He was making things extremely tiresome.
Let’s refuse.
Who am I to select the next Demon God?
“If you do that for me, I’ll add one top-grade Dimensional Stone on top of the one non-attribute divine status fragment.”
What’s a Dimensional Stone?
Even so, it’s just a rock….
“Think of it as a high-density dimensional energy storage crystal. It contains nearly planet-level dimensional energy in one piece.”
“Deal! Let’s make a deal. Should we write up a contract?”
“Very well!”
This was something I absolutely had to do.
It was a big deal.
* * *
Ju-hyeok came out from the Dimensional Bureau to the Mortal Realm.
Spat! Spat!
Summoning Gold Dragon Alejandro and Mari.
“Alejandro-ssi, I’ll be counting on you again this time.”
“Anytime. As I mentioned before, I’ll be handling Summoner-nim’s transportation for the time being.”
“…Isn’t it tiring?”
“Not at all! Being able to fly through the sky in my true form is like a blessing to me.”
That was true.
If he had stayed on Earth 561, he would still be living while hiding his identity.
Riding the Gold Dragon toward Artia Kingdom.
Shwaaaaaak!
They arrived at the capital and circled a few times at low altitude.
The capital’s citizens were shocked.
A dragon?
Wasn’t it the dragon that had disappeared after the Continental Race Great War a thousand years ago?
And now suddenly?
Flying around so brazenly?
After circling the capital once, the Gold Dragon hovered in place right above the royal palace’s rear garden.
Having heard the news, Queen Serena also came out to the rear garden.
When she looked up at the sky, there really was a dragon.
“Ah!”
There wasn’t just one dragon.
Two people were riding on its back.
Flutter, flutter.
Slowly descending.
The dragon and the people touched down on the ground.
One was the High Elf-nim.
And the other?
“Hello, Queen Serena. We meet again.”
“Um, y-yes, B-Bong Ju-hyeok-nim.”
Her head bowed of its own accord.
A man who traveled with a High Elf, summoned the Wind Spirit King, and now rode around on a dragon.
“I came to ask you something.”
“Ask m-me anything.”
“Do you happen to know who Kadian Artia and Nerian Artia are?”
“…Pardon?”
Queen Serena doubted her own ears.
Why were those names coming up here?
“You don’t know them?”
“N-no. I do know the names.”
Serena’s additional explanation.
“They are ancestors of House Artia. The two of them were siblings.”
“Have you ever seen them?”
“They lived a thousand years ago, so… but Nerian Artia-nim might still be alive. She’s a High Elf, you see.”
A dimensional traveler and a long-lived High Elf.
But Kadian Artia was also alive.
He was a Demon King in the Demon Realm.
He lived just as long as a High Elf.
“You don’t know where Nerian Artia-nim might be?”
“That’s correct.”
“No way to contact her either?”
“Uh, there isn’t.”
Hmm.
In that case.
“If Nerian-ssi happens to come here, please tell her to come to the Demon Realm.”
“P-pardon?”
The Demon Realm?
Serena looked flustered, not knowing what to do.
“I have business in the Demon Realm, so I’ll be there for a while.”
“Uhh….”
At least he had passed on the message.
There wasn’t any particular business really.
They were both dimensional travelers.
It would be nice to meet and get acquainted.
There was one more reason for coming here.
And that was….
Fwoooosh!
Brilliant light spreading through the rear garden.
Mari and the World Tree.
Communing with each other.
That’s right.
Finish the conversation you couldn’t complete before.
There’s plenty of time.
* * *
Spat!
After spending some time at Artia Palace, Ju-hyeok returned to the White Tower.
‘I wonder what the Demon God is doing?’
Surely he didn’t get beaten up for mouthing off to the summoned beings?
But then.
“Huh?”
The 1/10th Demon God Kallihar was sitting crouched on the ground in the plaza with the summoned beings, watching a movie.
Heh, his mouth hanging open.
His gaze fixed on the screen.
He was really enjoying it.
Completely absorbed.
“He’s been watching movies for 5 straight now.”
“Ah.”
“He reminds me of how Choroki used to be.”
Understandable.
He was indirectly experiencing the sights of a new dimension.
Ju-hyeok approached Kallihar, who was in the middle of watching a movie.
And then told him about the deal he had made with Main God Wignar.
“Ah! Is that so?”
That instant!
“GAL!!!”
Heok, that startled me.
This man was always going gal gal every chance he got.
He’s not even a seagull, why does he keep shouting?
“From now on, no more half-polite speech. Use the highest honorifics when speaking to Summoner-nim.”
Flinch! went the Demon God.
“…Is that so? Like this?”
“It’s not ‘is that so’, it’s ‘is that correct, sir’. Don’t copy my speech pattern, you’ll get in trouble.”
“I-is that correct, sir?”
“Very good. Good job.”
Why are you doing this?
To someone who isn’t even a summoned being.
“Anyway, it seems I do need to go to the Demon Realm, but you can’t go back there, can you?”
Kallihar shook his head vigorously.
Meaning he couldn’t go.
Because he was banished.
“Then at least explain to me what the Demon Realm is like.”
“Ah, understood… sir.”
The explanation began.
He should at least know the basic information before going.
Eventually.
The explanation ended.
He had learned everything he needed to know.
Swoosh.
Ju-hyeok pulled out the mallet.
Kallihar was startled.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to hit you.”
“……”
“Instead, hold the mallet handle together with me.”
“L-like this?”
“Yes, and then we spin it together.”
Although banished, he was the former Demon God.
Using his power to open a dimensional gate to the Demon Realm.
“Inject your energy.”
Wuuung!
Dark energy imbued the mallet.
Underworld Energy and the 1/10th Demon God’s divine power.
Whirrr!
Ju-hyeok spun the mallet.
Eventually.
Zziing! A dimensional gate opened.
“Are you going right now, sir?”
“Is there any reason to delay?”
“At least put on the Veil of Transcendence before you go.”
Of course he would.
This wasn’t just any ordinary world, but the Demon Realm itself.
“And summon all your summoned beings as soon as you step out.”
Okay!
Don’t worry.
I won’t play the pushover act in the Demon Realm.
If things go sideways, I’m even considering dropping a nuclear strike.
This is a mission to intervene in the Demon God selection process.
There’s no way the Demon Kings and demons will welcome me, is there?
In the end, the only option is to suppress them with force.
Gotta show them clearly.
That if they mess around, they’ll regret it.
Sssss!
Ju-hyeok donned the Veil of Transcendence.
Shwoook!
And entered the dimensional gate.
* * *
When people think of the Demon Realm, they usually imagine dark skies, gloomy atmosphere, and barren wastelands, but not all places were like that.
This Demon Realm was different.
Outwardly, it was a world no different from human society in the Mortal Realm.
For one, civilization existed.
There were communities like cities too.
Zziing!
The dimensional gate opened in a back alley of a major city in some Demon Realm kingdom.
Shwoook!
Ju-hyeok emerged through the gate.
Ding!
[Dimensional Investigator Bong Ju-hyeok-nim is currently in mission progress status.]
[The Dimensional Investigator’s unique system has been successfully applied to the Skaldion Demon Realm dimension.]
[Granting the Dimensional Investigator the language ability of the Skaldion Demon Realm dimension.]
Arrived in the Demon Realm.
It was definitely as he had heard.
It was a city where humans lived.
Well-paved roads.
Houses where people resided and shops selling goods.
Tall structures rising in the distance.
‘First I need to figure out where I am.’
There were several Demon Realm kingdoms.
Which Demon King’s nation was this?
Swoosh!
He removed the Veil.
Beginning the summoning process.
Spat!
“Aigu, of course you’d summon me first. Quick situation assessment, agile response, supreme adaptability, founding contributor, Zhuge Jaryong Kozak at your service!”
Yeah yeah.
Thanks for the usual introduction.
‘Who else should I summon?’
There was one most reliable person.
Spat!
“Summoner, thank you for calling this old man.”
Gwangma-nim.
Spat!
“Warrior has arrived.”
Gobang.
Spat!
“Hoe!”
Our dimensional manservant Rajiks.
‘Next is……’
Right at that moment!
Pow! Crash! Roll roll roll.
“Die!”
“Guh!”
A bloody figure came rolling into the alley where Ju-hyeok was standing.
A group chasing after that figure.
“Raagh!”
“Where do you think you’re running!”
“Come at me! You bastards, come at me.”
“Get him!”
Rumble rumble!
Pow pow! Thwack! Crack! Thud!
A one-versus-many brawl unfolding right before Ju-hyeok and the summoned beings.
They were demons with horns on their heads.
Perhaps because of that, they were firing magic and using physical skills.
“Looks like a gang beating.”
“It does.”
“Should we help?”
“…I don’t know.”
Ju-hyeok carefully observed the fighting demons.
But the King Status Window wasn’t appearing.
It had worked in the Mortal Realm but apparently didn’t apply here.
“First, let’s break up the fight….”
That instant!
“There they are!!!”
Rumble rumble.
Another group came pouring into the alley.
“You bastards, fighting dirty….”
“Dirty my ass, what’s dirty about fighting? The guy who came into our territory is the one at fault.”
“Shut up! You bastard!”
He felt dizzy.
Why was he witnessing a fight the moment he crossed into the Demon Realm?
“The numbers are about even now. Let’s ignore them and go on our way.”
“Yessir!”
But then.
“Wait! What are those guys?”
“What are you talking about in the middle of a fight!”
“No, look over there, those guys aren’t demons.”
“…Huh? You’re right.”
The demons who had been fighting to the death just moments ago suddenly stopped.
At the same time, all eyes focused on Ju-hyeok’s group.
“Humans?”
“That’s right.”
“Hehehe, what a windfall.”
“We should catch them, right?”
“You even need to ask? First one to catch them gets to eat first.”
What the!
Were these guys cannibals?
Suddenly!
Tsupit!
One demon shot forward like an arrow.
“I’ll eat first….”
But.
Grab!
His neck was caught by Gobang, who had somehow moved forward.
“Guk!”
“Third Principle Article 3.”
“Wh-what?”
“Applies.”
Gobang lifted the demon he was holding high into the air.
And then.
Shwaaaak!
Slammed him straight into the ground.
Kwung! Shwoook!
The demon’s head burrowed into the earth.
Like a nail being driven in, the demon’s body stuck upside down in the ground.
“Next.”
The remaining demons seemed shocked and didn’t move from their spots.
They must have been quite startled.
Demons were also humanoids—people—and they had just witnessed a body made of flesh and blood, not metal, get driven into the ground like that.
But the demons were quite different from Mortal Realm humans.
They only froze for a moment before soon emanating a sinister killing intent.
“Kill them!!!”
Wow!
They’re charging even after seeing that?
Were they crazy, stupid, or brave?
But the result was the same.
Crack!!!
“Kek!”
A demon went flying from a single slap from Gobang.
“Hoek!”
Twang! Spin spin spin!
Rajiks’s body slam.
Three-cushion ricochet—boing boing boing! Thwack thwack thwack!
“Aack!”
“Guk!”
“Kuk!”
But Gwangma and Kozak didn’t move.
“Why are you standing still, old man?”
“Is this old man needed to deal with trash like that? It would be like using an ox-slaughtering knife to kill a chicken.”
“Aha. Is that so?”
“Then why are you standing still?”
“Same reason. If I join a small fry fight, it’ll break the balance.”
“You just didn’t bring your ribbon, did you?”
“……”
Well, it was actually better that those two stayed put.
At least he wouldn’t have to see body parts getting severed.
“Holy shit!”
“R-run!!!”
The demons might have been crazy, but they weren’t stupid.
No, wait, were they stupid?
They should have run from the start.
Anyway, those overwhelmed by superior power fled.
“Let’s get out of this alley first.”
But then.
“Summoner Bong-nim.”
“What?”
“I think our appearance is going to cause problems. How about we polymorph?”
He meant they should transform.
Like putting horns on their heads to look like demons.
However.
“Is there really any need? It’s not like we did anything wrong.”
“Kyaa! Truly the manliest of men.”
“Summoner was always brave.”
“Indeed! The epitome of magnanimity.”
“Hoe!”
Aigo, why are you all doing this?
Don’t pump me up so high.
If you keep doing this, I’ll want to be even braver.
“Let’s go out boldly.”
“Yessir!”
“Hohoho! Truly spirited!”
“Huek!”
Chest out, walking proudly.
Exiting the alley into the downtown area.
Even when their eyes met demons along the way.
What are you looking at?
First time seeing a human?
Glancing and glaring while striding forward.
A plaza came into view in the distance.
Also something that looked like a grand palace built in an antique style.
“That way.”
Gobang took the front position ahead of Ju-hyeok.
Gwangma took the rear behind Ju-hyeok.
Kozak and Rajiks flanked the sides.
Thud thud thud.
Heading toward the Demon Realm city plaza.
Just then!
Ssss, ssss, ssss!
Stealthy presences heard from around them.
An ominous atmosphere emanating from the entire city.
“Looks like those demon bastards are trying to surround us.”
“…Hmm.”
These bastards.
Were they looking down on us because of our small numbers?
“Very good. A highly desirable situation.”
“Hoek!”
“Warrior is ready.”
By the time they arrived at the plaza.
Wooooo!
An enormous number of demons had packed the plaza full.
Every single one was a demon.
It seemed like all the demons in the city had gathered.
Crackle crackle!
Thick killing intent felt from all directions.
Good.
Since it’s come to this, let’s have a go before we start.
‘Summon all combat-type summoned beings.’
Spat! Spat! Spat! Spat! Spat! Spat! Spat! Spat……
Summoned beings appearing everywhere.
Aigu, how reassuring.
Ju-hyeok quietly murmured.
“Crush them. So they can’t even resist.”
Kozak eagerly picked up the words.
“His Imperial Majesty’s decree has been issued!!! All forces commence attack!!! It’s Mabonggaeng!!!”
Uwaaaaa!
It’s Mabonggaeng!!
The summoned beings cheered.
“Hueeek!”
Rajiks pulled out the super-sized Magnus Gigant and the Mechanic Golem splitter from subspace.
Thump thump thump thump!
Under El’s control, the Gigant and Golem began their advance.
“Kuoooooo!”
Choroki and Nureongi transformed into their dragon forms and rose into the Demon Realm sky.
Sssss!
At the same time, the Underworld Shipgant appeared.
Skaldion Demon Realm dimension.
Mabonggaeng begins.
How do you like it, demons?
This is your first time having your home base invaded, isn’t it?
Don’t worry.
I’ve done this plenty of times.
I’ll go as easy as possible.
How do you prevent a war?
Suppress it with overwhelming force.
So they don’t even dare to try.
