Chapter 34: Choice

A new demon, Seere, has been resurrected.

And this happened less than 3 months after Andromalius was subjugated.

What's worse, we didn't learn about the resurrection through a divine message like last time - we only found out after victims had already appeared.

In other words, we'd long missed the window for early containment.

Demons that used to resurrect once every few hundred years - now one appears after just 3 months.

Naturally, the Imperial Court was in chaos.

"What kind of nonsense is this!"

Bang!

The Emperor's fist slamming against his chair echoed throughout the chamber.

Though unbefitting of imperial dignity, no one dared stop him.

The situation certainly warranted such anger.

Between communicating with Otherworlders, controlling the sect, and cleaning up after the last raid.

They were already working at burnout levels, and this news struck like a bolt from the blue.

"Wasn't there not even a child with demon's blood this time? Yet suddenly a demon resurrects? If you can't explain this properly, you'll face severe consequences."

Though he threatened 'severe consequences', it was fortunate they wouldn't execute anyone due to lack of manpower. Though retirement dates might get pushed back a few years.

Very fortunately, the ministers had properly investigated the cause.

"Yes, it seems that group called Lemegeton recently found Seere's altar..."

"Damn those cultists..."

The Emperor swallowed his rage at this information.

There are two main ways to summon a demon.

First, having someone with demon's blood harvest and offer souls directly. In other words, making offerings remotely.

Almost all summoned demons until now were unsealed this way.

The second method is finding the sealed altar directly and breaking the seal.

You can either make offerings or gradually weaken the seal through effort.

The advantage of this method is that you don't need to offer souls to the demon.

You don't even need to find someone with demon's blood. You just need to make offerings directly at the altar.

The downside... is that they're so well hidden that not a single one had been found until now.

But coincidentally, one was discovered this time. And by enemy hands no less.

Haah, the Emperor sighed once before asking:

"So... how many casualties this time?"

Usually when a demon manifests, there are countless deaths.

Andromalius was a special case since Otherworlders tanked him, but normally casualties number in the hundreds at minimum.

When Belial appeared, there were even cases of over ten thousand deaths.

As such, the Emperor could only imagine the worst case scenario.

The demon had manifested days ago, so the damage must be quite extensive.

"About that..."

However, the minister's answer was completely opposite to the Emperor's expectations.

"Less than 20 deaths, Your Majesty."

"...Huh?"

The Emperor tilted his head.

That few?

*

Seere had manifested. And he remained remarkably quiet up until the day of his manifestation.

Unlike last time, there was no official notice yet, nor did he engage in any major battles right after appearing.

As quietly as he'd been buried, he emerged from his seal.

And he faithfully listened to the requests of those who summoned him.

No particular restrictions or pressure were applied.

After all, who could pressure a ranked Great Demon?

It could simply be considered Seere's nature. He was notably kind to his summoners. In many ways, quite different from ordinary demons.

Anyway, the request he heard upon being summoned was this: to expand their sect's influence.

"That much I'll gladly do."

From then on, Seere began claiming victims. Though rather mildly.

Instead of indiscriminately slaughtering humans, he first asked them.

"I'll give you a choice. Will you serve under me, or die painfully here?"

Join or die.

Given such extreme options, people's choice was obvious. You need to stay alive to look for other options, right? Though Lemegeton would likely be designated an enemy of the continent, life was precious.

And so the sect suddenly gained exponential growth in followers.

The Lemegeton executives used persuasion, threats, or light constraints to prevent them from escaping.

Of course, there were also Otherworlders among those Seere threatened to join.

For them, death wasn't such a big issue. Though dying caused significant losses, they wouldn't vanish forever like others. With enough time, they could fully recover.

But quite a few Otherworlders still chose to join the sect.

"Hmm... what an interesting child. How about serving under me?"

"Yes! Please let me!"

The reason was that Seere was remarkably beautiful.

Standing nearly 190cm tall with brilliant golden hair flowing to his shoulders, a sculpted body and face. Though he had a slightly sensual air, he was the archetypal western beauty.

He even had small wings on his back, making him appear almost angelic at first glance.

And here was such a being inviting them to join.

Even if the organization itself was somewhat off-putting, the temptation was undeniable.

Whatever this world's setting, to Otherworlders this was just a game.

Though quite a few were trying to make a living here, most users played for enjoyment.

To them, Seere's offer was just an interesting choice.

As a new content appeared, the forums briefly exploded.

+

[From today Seere is my god]

(Photo)

Look at this god-tier design

Wonder how hard the art team grinded for this? Just so grateful...

From now on Seere and I are one

Seere, my light my darkness my life...

+

[Calm down man]

[fr with those looks who could refuse joining under him? Gotta go lol]

[ㄴ Isn't this too hasty? System shows they're an evil group, might lose reputation;-;]

[ㄴ Don't need reputation to worry about~]

[ㄴ Who cares about evil alignment when you can be Seere's footwasher?]

+

[I tried joining but chose death instead]

Was slightly tempted and about to nod when nearby NPCs cursed me out hard

How could you do this when you can just respawn they said;

I have a bit of good kid syndrome so just died cleanly

My precious plate armor... lost that expensive thing too fuck

+

[idiot lol]

[Please don't come to me I have no plans to join]

[Why won't he come to me? Ready to lick his feet and join right away]

[ㄴ You'd join even though it could mess up your game? Just looking ahead like an idiot lololol]

[ㄴ If a player won't explore the unknown why be an adventurer? Fucking coward lol]

Many opinions clashed in the community.

Though usually a fighting arena, today's heat was especially intense.

This event would clearly have major future impact.

Right or wrong? Efficient or not? Does it turn you on or not? etc.

Countless perspectives emerged about a single incident.

As chaotic as the nations of Demons Saga were, the users were quite lively too.

But as always. No matter how noisy the outside world got.

For someone living in the forest, it didn't matter for shit.

*

Though I'm cursed to only wear tank tops because of unwanted visitors to the forest.

Sometimes even I get brief relief from this curse.

Namely when Ha-neul visits my cave.

When she casts illusion on me, I can briefly forget my body's curse and pull out my tank top.

That old, worn tank top sealed deep in the cave.

"Ahh... so refreshing."

I can briefly experience paradise sunbathing in my tank top like this.

"......"

Of course, Ha-neul in front of me feels quite embarrassed each time, but still.

She's gotten somewhat used to it after meeting several times.

Right, a tank top is just casual clothing when you think about it? No reason to be so embarrassed.

Though she still avoids eye contact much the same.

Anyway, thus freed from my curse, I pulled out bread from my prepared pouch.

A pastry I'd saved for today's sunbathing.

Though bread is always delicious, sometimes you want to eat it in a relaxed atmosphere. I'd carefully preserved it for two days for this.

Expecting the crispy bread texture, I take a bite. But sadly what greeted me was sogginess.

"...Ah."

I let out a small sigh.

Though it was really nice being able to eat bread occasionally.

It felt like I'd fulfilled one of my childhood wishes. When eating sweet and savory bread, my stress seemed to naturally melt away.

If there was one small regret, it was that by the time bread reaches this forest, it's already completely cold.

The taste doesn't change of course, but the texture takes a big hit.

The bread in my childhood memories was warm and crispy...

I muttered briefly with a gloomy face.

"It's really frustrating not being able to go outside."

"Well, can't be helped..."

Ha-neul timidly responds to my grumbling.

As the only one who knows about my tattoo, she occasionally sympathizes with my situation.

I watched her for a moment, when suddenly a thought occurred to me.

"Come to think of it, can't that magic change appearance...?"

"Hm? Haven't tried, but probably could?"

"Hooh..."

Ha-neul tilted her head at my nodding.

A look of not knowing what I was thinking.

If we can change appearance too... seems worth trying even if a bit risky.

I smiled slightly and asked her:

"...Want to go to the city together?"

Seemed about time to tour beyond the back alleys.