# Chapter 466: Side Story 139
Among the demon races, the Dark Titans possessed the most superior physical specs.
As the name suggested, they were a race of giants.
Their average height was 10 meters.
Their physical abilities were outstanding, but their other abilities were lower-tier.
In areas like magic, academics, and crafting skills, they lagged far behind other races.
It was not because they were stupid.
Since most things could be solved by pushing through with brute force, there was simply no need to learn such skills.
Dark Titan Demon King Kraton passed through the gates of Heldon City.
Along with his Titan subordinates.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! The ground rumbled with each of their heavy footsteps.
“Another one has arrived.”
“He’s big.”
“Gobang must be happy. Meeting a friend.”
“He’s not my friend.”
Upon reaching the plaza, Kraton looked around, surveying his surroundings.
“Who is Bong Ju-hyeok?”
Soon he spotted Gobang and said,
“It’s you, isn’t it? Come out! Let’s fight!”
A human as large as a Dark Titan.
If that person was not Bong Ju-hyeok, then who could it be?
Gobang had been singled out without warning.
But Gobang did not move.
“Are you scared? What a waste of that size.”
Demon King Kraton took one great stride forward.
In that instant!
“Kyaruk?”
What was that?
Kraton tilted his head in confusion.
He had definitely heard some kind of sound.
But when he turned his head to look, no one was there.
“Kyaruk!”
The sound again.
Not in front, not to the side… Could it be?
Kraton looked down.
It was a tiny little girl.
So short she did not even reach his knee.
“Move aside.”
“Kyarook!”
“If you don’t move, I’ll hit you.”
“Kyaroot!”
“…Hoo.”
Letting out a deep sigh, Kraton raised his massive hand and grabbed the girl’s head.
That was when it happened.
“Ah?”
Tssssssss…
Pure white frost spread across his entire body.
“Guk!”
Clatter clatter clatter.
His upper and lower teeth clashed together uncontrollably.
His muscles stiffened completely.
Kraton’s eyes bulged as if about to burst.
Even his tears froze.
It was the most extreme cold he had ever experienced.
It felt as if the blood in his entire body was freezing solid.
His subordinates came running too.
They put their hands on him, trying to pull him away.
But.
Tssssssss…
The cold spread through their bodies as well.
They all froze.
Frozen solid like fish in cold storage.
The Dark Titans’ magic resistance was among the highest even among demon races.
Yet this cold was utterly unbearable.
If this continued for just a few more seconds, they would die.
Both himself and his subordinates.
To think a Dark Titan Demon King would be killed by the smallest little girl.
But then?
“Manyeon, that’s enough.”
“Kyaruk?”
“I’m cold too.”
“Kyaruk.”
Ssssss…
The cold vanished in the blink of an eye.
“Haaa.”
A sigh of relief.
Thud.
Kraton collapsed on the spot.
Half out of his mind, Kraton looked around in a daze.
The girl had already disappeared somewhere.
Who had stopped her?
Only then could he see.
The sight of Liliana kneeling demurely before a young man.
Kraton was not a fool.
To put it another way, he only appeared foolish because he used his brain less than he used his body.
Why would Liliana be kneeling before that young man?
That man had to be Bong Ju-hyeok.
So.
“Are you Bong Ju-hyeok?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Come over here and sit down. Until the other Demon Kings arrive.”
Stomp stomp.
Kraton sat down beside Liliana.
Soon the next Demon King arrived.
Undead race Lich Demon King Remotar.
“Who is Bong Ju-hyeok?”
Remotar had not come alone either.
He had brought an entire undead army.
Swooooosh.
Death Knights, Dullahans, Ghouls, Zombies, Skeletons attempted to enter through Heldon City’s gates from outside…
A force of roughly 30,000 or more.
But Demon King Remotar’s opponent had already been assigned as well.
Weeeeng!
“…Hm?”
At the sudden buzzing sound, Demon King Remotar looked up at the sky.
Whitish flying insects were swarming about.
‘What are those…’
Something felt ominous.
A presence that should not exist in the Demon Realm, alongside humans.
It was 100,000 Micro Angels.
They gathered into a sphere above Heldon City.
‘Huh.’
Fwaaaash!
They emitted a blinding light of divine power.
Freeze!
Remotar became completely paralyzed.
So did the 30,000-strong undead army.
Was that all?
As the finishing touch.
“Light!!!”
It was practically the angel Bardin.
Radiant light of brilliant splendor.
Light descended upon all of Heldon.
The undead army stumbled about in confusion, losing their sense of direction.
Their chain of command had long since collapsed.
The army scattered in all directions.
Their only thought was to get away from the light.
Demon King Remotar remained silent.
He looked in turn at the divine sun floating in the sky, the shining angel of radiance, and the fleeing undead army.
Then his gaze returned to Ju-hyeok.
Then to the summoned beings around him.
Finally, after seeing the two Demon Kings sitting down.
“…Where should I sit?”
“Next to the giant Demon King.”
“Do I need to kneel?”
“Just sit comfortably.”
Remotar plopped down beside Kraton.
Who was next?
Some time passed.
“Human Bong Ju-hyeok, step forward at once! Who is he?”
The prideful Lycanthrope race Demon King Severn.
Who was his opponent?
A beast’s growl came from somewhere.
“Grrrrrrrr…”
The Blood Wolf slowly approached Severn, fur bristling and body lowered to the ground.
The scent of a wolf.
Blood Wolf had instinctively regarded Demon King Severn as his enemy.
Was the Blood Wolf just any ordinary demonic beast?
As a summoned canine, he had eaten well and grown strong.
Seondo, Spirit Medicine, and even a Dragon Heart.
Severn tensed up as well.
This was no ordinary dog.
It looked dozens of times stronger than the Cerberus guard dogs of the Demon Realm.
Of course he would not lose, but neither would victory come easily.
If they fought, he would not escape unscathed either.
He would have to be prepared to sacrifice at least one arm or leg.
“Grrrrk!”
Blood Wolf stopped abruptly.
Long protruding fangs.
A suffocating killing intent.
He seemed ready to attack.
Severn lowered his stance as well.
That was when!
“Blood Wolf.”
At Ju-hyeok’s call, Blood Wolf whipped his head around.
“Woof?”
“Come here.”
“Woof woof!”
Blood Wolf ran toward Ju-hyeok, tail spinning like a helicopter propeller.
“Lie down.”
“Woof!”
“Roll left.”
“Woof!”
“Roll right.”
“Woof!”
“Good boy!”
“Woof!”
Blood Wolf showed his belly, tongue lolling out, acting cute for Ju-hyeok.
“Oh my, aren’t you such a cutie? How can you be so adorable?”
“Heh heh heh!”
Lycanthrope race Demon King Severn watched the scene blankly.
Then he quietly walked over and sat down beside Remotar.
The next Demon King.
Stomp, stomp.
A horned demon walked confidently through the gates.
Carrying a greatsword larger than his own body, he declared,
“Insolent humans! It is I! I have come! The ruler of the Demon Realm and Demon King…. Hm?”
Demon race Demon King Vulcanic.
‘What’s this?’
Vulcanic tilted his head.
The atmosphere was strange.
A human youth sitting comfortably in a chair.
And four Demon Kings before him.
‘Wh-what on earth?’
It was an incomprehensible sight.
He could not believe it.
Even after rubbing his eyes and looking again, it remained the same.
At that moment.
Vroom!
A white-haired elder emanated a terrifying aura as he spoke to Vulcanic.
“You go sit over there too.”
A mage-looking elder also placed a pure white ball of flame on his palm.
“Sit down, didn’t you hear? Are your ears clogged?”
At the same time,
Flash!
A sword materialized in front of Vulcanic.
Slice!
It cut clean through Vulcanic’s greatsword, said to be harder than any other metal, in one stroke.
“The elders have spoken. Why aren’t you sitting?”
Vulcanic finished assessing the situation.
What choice did he have?
He had to sit.
Next.
Rumble rumble rumble.
Dark Elf race Demon King Kadian entered, leading his subordinates.
Flinch!
The moment he entered, he witnessed it.
The state of the city.
‘…’
But then?
“They really have fallen.”
“They’ve become pitch black.”
“It’s wrong to discriminate by skin color, but black is black.”
“Well, we should acknowledge them, shouldn’t we? They’ve established themselves as a clan in the Demon Realm.”
Two figures walked toward Kadian while conversing with each other.
One had green hair and green eyes.
The other had golden hair and golden eyes.
Demon King Kadian was shocked.
Because he realized what they were.
‘D-dragons?’
And ancient dragons at that.
No, perhaps even greater?
The Green Dragon in particular had a presence beyond that of a Dragon Lord.
Though fallen, Kadian was an Elf.
His race had once been closer to dragons than any other.
So he could tell instinctively.
“That aside, why aren’t you sitting? Why are you just standing there?”
“…”
“Do you have a slipped disc?”
“…”
“Read the room and act accordingly.”
There was no choice.
He could only sit.
And so, a total of six Demon Kings.
“Is everyone here?”
At Ju-hyeok’s question.
“No. There are Seven Demon Kings, but only six have come.”
“Who’s missing?”
“Vampire Demon King Zaikal. The shameless mosquito bastard.”
“Let’s wait a bit more.”
But even after waiting, he did not come.
“…We’ll have him join later if he shows up.”
Ju-hyeok rose from his chair.
“Supervisor Bong is about to speak. Everyone, pay attention.”
Ahem!
A single cough.
“First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Demon Kings of the Demon Realm for coming despite your busy schedules. My name is Bong Ju-hyeok. I’m a human.”
Clap clap clap clap clap!
The summoned beings applauded.
The Demon Kings followed along, clapping reflexively.
“I’ll get straight to the point. In our dimension— ah! I didn’t mention this, did I? I am a dimensional traveler and also a Dimensional Investigator affiliated with the Dimensional Management Bureau.”
What was he talking about?
The Demon Kings could only blink in confusion.
Meanwhile.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
More applause.
Applause after everything?
The Demon Kings had no choice but to follow along this time too.
“Anyway, having received the authority of Wignar, the main god, I have been appointed as the Supervisor for the Demon God Selection.”
Clap clap clap clap clap!
“At this point, let me explain the selection process. In my homeland, there is a system called a conclave. It’s a type of election held by a religion called Catholicism to select a Pope.”
And so?
“I intend to hold a Demon God Conclave here in the Demon Realm of the Skaldion dimension as well. Through peaceful means!”
Clap clap clap clap clap!
“From this moment forward, the Demon Kings may not leave Heldon City.”
The Demon Kings were startled.
Was he going to imprison them here and torture them?
“Please select a Demon God from among yourselves. However! It must be unanimous. Furthermore, any use of force, magic, or powers is forbidden. Treat each other through dialogue and compromise, tolerance and concession.”
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Thunderous applause.
“While you are here, I will provide you with every convenience. Please focus solely on selecting the Demon God without worrying about anything else.”
How wonderful was that?
Demon Realm democracy.
This was what a peaceful transfer of power looked like.
The Demon Kings wore dumbfounded expressions.
No fighting, just talking?
Could that really work?
* * *
Heldon City Hall conference room.
Six Demon Kings had gathered there.
They were currently watching something called a “movie.”
The subject was the conclave.
It even had subtitles kindly translated into the continental language.
The contents were as follows.
Cardinals had gathered at the Vatican.
The cardinals debated over who should be made Pope.
It was fierce.
Everyone was desperate.
To become Pope?
No.
It was the opposite.
They were fighting to push the position of Pope onto someone else.
That was how difficult and demanding the Pope’s position was.
Some even tried to escape.
“Why are they showing us this?”
“Are they telling us not to become a Demon God?”
“It must mean it’s that difficult a position.”
“That Kozak fellow said it earlier. He said the previous Demon God wasn’t expelled but ran away on his own.”
From the Demon Kings’ perspective, it was utterly incomprehensible.
Why refuse to become a god?
The ruler of a dimension.
The arbiter of laws.
A Demon God who could wield tremendous powers as he pleased.
“Everyone seems reluctant…. There’s no helping it. I shall bear this burden.”
“Heh heh heh, not a chance.”
“Do you take me for a fool? What kind of scheme is this?”
“If a moron like you becomes the Demon God, the Demon Realm is finished.”
“You bastards… Want to die?”
“Fine. What’s the point of debating among ourselves? Let’s fight it out.”
“Heh heh heh, that’s what I was waiting for.”
“Oh my? You’re all so energetic. I do love strong men.”
Right at that moment!
Swoosh. A human emerged from the wall.
“What do you think you’re doing? Have you lost your minds? Didn’t Supervisor Bong, the Demon God Selection Supervisor, tell you not to fight?”
Ssssssss.
A spine-chilling killing intent filled the conference room.
The Demon Kings tensed up, drawing in their breath.
Since when had that man been here?
He seemed to have been hiding with stealth.
None of them had noticed.
Despite six Demon Kings being present in the same room.
Well, it was not that surprising.
They had already experienced it.
All the humans here were like that.
Power enough to chew up Demon Kings.
But the most remarkable human was someone else.
It was Bong Ju-hyeok.
At first, he had seemed ordinary.
But the more they watched him, the more they could feel it.
The enormous power hidden within him.
Demon God.
That was it.
Bong Ju-hyeok was practically a Demon God himself.
Why were they obediently engaging in this meaningless debate?
Because of Bong Ju-hyeok.
Because he had told them to.
“Let me ask. Are you going to fight again?”
The Demon Kings shook their heads.
“Then will you debate?”
Nod nod.
“Good. Finish watching the movie, then wrap up the selection process quickly. If you need anything, just ask.”
Swoosh.
Kozak disappeared again.
Fine.
Let’s try debating.
Whether it turns into porridge or rice.
The Demon God Conclave began in earnest.
A heated debate about why each of them should become the Demon God.
* * *
Time passed.
Darkness fell over Heldon City as well.
And then.
In the pitch-black sky above Heldon City.
Flutter flutter.
A small bat flew in.
It was Vampire Demon King Zaikal.
He had infiltrated to find out what was happening in Heldon City.
‘No one around.’
It was quiet.
Where were the other Demon Kings?
He had definitely heard they had gone to Heldon City.
This was truly strange.
If the Demon Kings had come here, something should have happened by now.
Like a war, for example…
The brutish Titan Demon King Kraton would not have stayed still.
Neither would the prideful Lycanthrope Demon King Severn.
Lich Remotar would have brought his undead army.
Vulcanic would have swung his sword first and asked questions later.
At that moment!
‘Ah!’
Just as he thought.
What Zaikal spotted was the plaza of Heldon City.
Buildings lay destroyed everywhere.
It was practically ruins.
‘So there was a war after all.’
Who had won?
The Demon Kings, surely.
What about the one called Bong Ju-hyeok?
‘He must have been captured by the Demon Kings.’
That man was said to know the location of the Divine Status dungeon.
‘Could he be getting tortured right now? Have they already talked?’
If so, he needed to hurry.
‘Where are they?’
The Demon Kings and Bong Ju-hyeok, that is.
His heart was racing.
Flutter flutter.
Vampire Demon King Zaikal beat his wings rapidly.
First, the City Hall building.
Tap!
He clung to the wall, searching for a gap to slip inside.
Tap!
Another bat flew over from somewhere and landed beside Zaikal.
What was this bat?
It probably thought he was a fellow bat.
‘Should I just kill it?’
No.
Just leave it.
Not worth bothering with.
Zaikal spotted a ventilation duct.
He crept closer.
Trying to get inside.
“Did you come alone?”
“Of course I came alo— Urk!”
Zaikal was startled.
This was no ordinary bat.
Swoosh!
Zaikal immediately transformed into red mist.
He tried to flee the scene, but.
“Ah!”
Swoosh!
There was another mist.
Mist within mist.
A mist even redder and denser than his own had spread all around.
“Damn!”
Tssspit!
Zaikal’s mist was being absorbed into the darker mist.
Swoosh!
Zaikal reverted to his true form.
All the blood in his body was being drained.
“Haaah!”
The power of absorption.
A technique stronger vampires used to control weaker ones.
“Grrk!”
Whoooosh!
Zaikal, his complexion now gaunt, plummeted helplessly toward the ground.
Thud!
Zaikal lay sprawled on the ground.
An unidentified vampire landed beside him.
A vampire stronger than a Demon King…
Who on earth was this?
“Thank you.”
What?
Why was he grateful?
“Thanks to you, I can prove my worth to the Summoner.”
“…”
“Now, let’s go. To meet the Summoner.”
Summoned being Jepet grabbed Demon King Zaikal by the scruff of his neck.
And shortly after.
Another Demon King was added to the Demon God Conclave.
A total of seven.
The debate continued day and night without rest.
