Su-hyun’s Madness
Thanks to An-sol’s unintended antics, the group’s mood lightened considerably. Of course, An-sol herself was blushing furiously, tears streaming down her face, but what could she do? It was genuinely funny. The group seemed to have cleared their heads a bit and enjoyed a much-needed break. I wanted to rest too, but An-sol, still crying, ran to me and clung on, thwarting my plans.
Leaving behind the fallen ghost knight, we resumed our exploration.
The second floor was a haven for the undead. Every door we opened unleashed more undead experiments from the lab, and each time, Vivian’s eyes blazed with fury. Honestly, I couldn’t see much difference between what she did and what the lab staff did, so her anger was a bit puzzling to me.
When we turned clockwise and opened the second northern door, we found an empty room. I had hoped for stairs leading to the third floor, but my expectations were dashed. Since we had already rested enough in the room with the ghost knight while calming An-sol, we moved on to the last door on the east side.
Opening the east door, we were greeted by none other than a mummy.
Mummies aren’t particularly difficult monsters, but this one had regenerative abilities. Every time Ahn-hyun and Yoo-jung cut its bandages, they regenerated, constantly threatening them. My cuts seemed to prevent regeneration, but new bandages emerged from within, complicating matters.
In the end, there was only one solution. I raised my left hand, adorned with a ring.
“Anti Magic.”
A white light burst from the ring, and Jang Ha-yeon seized the opportunity to cast her specialty, an applied spell.
“Target: Mummy. Overlap.”
The white light from my hand seeped into the mummy’s bandages. The bandages, enveloped in light, quickly lost their glow.
Though she hadn’t learned advanced spells like Dispel, Jang Ha-yeon’s applied magic covered for it. Soon, Yoo-jung’s dagger sliced through the mummy’s bandages, and it let out a scream.
Not to be outdone, Ahn-hyun thrust his spear into its abdomen, and I swiftly aimed for its neck with my sword. The mummy let out a final, horrific scream before collapsing. I quickly grabbed the back of the kids’ collars, pulling them away from the fallen mummy.
Boom!
The kids struggled briefly, but when the mummy’s corpse exploded, releasing a foul stench, they fell silent. They shivered occasionally, realizing they would have been covered in the toxic liquid if they had been closer. Once I confirmed the mummy was reduced to rags, I finally let them go.
“Great job, everyone. Jang Ha-yeon, your magic application was truly impressive.”
“It’s nothing compared to the frontline warriors risking their lives. Don’t flatter me too much.”
Jang Ha-yeon replied modestly, but a faint smile betrayed her pleasure. Vivian pouted, and An-sol, with her swollen eyes, did the same. Yet, having witnessed Jang Ha-yeon and Shin Sang-yong’s skills firsthand, they said nothing. Since the two mages joined the caravan, Jang Ha-yeon’s contributions on the second floor rivaled Vivian’s.
Inside the east room, we found stairs leading to the third floor. As I stared at the stairs, Shin Sang-yong approached me.
“Leader, are we heading straight to the third floor?”
“Yes. How’s everyone holding up?”
I turned to ask, and the group responded with various gestures, showing they were fine. However, Ahn-hyun kept glancing back with a hint of regret.
“Ahn-hyun.”
“Oh, yes, hyung. I’m fine.”
Startled by my call, he nodded. I could guess what he wanted, so I shook my head.
“Don’t be too disappointed about not finding anything on the second floor. We’ve already hit the jackpot with what we have.”
“Yeah… but hyung, do you think I could use the items the skeleton knight had?”
“No, it’s best to leave them.”
I was about to say, “Well, should we take them?” but Vivian beat me to it. As Ahn-hyun looked at her, she shook her head, echoing my sentiment.
“Those items, used by a spirit for so long, could harm a normal human. Weapons meant to protect you might end up threatening your life.”
“Um, master, can’t we purify them?”
“You fool. Do you think items with dark attributes can withstand purification? They’re already worn out and don’t seem durable.”
“Ah, I see. As expected of you, master.”
Her explanation made sense, so I nodded. Despite her logical reasoning, Ahn-hyun couldn’t completely let go of his attachment, but seeing me agree, he sighed.
“We still have the third floor ahead. Let’s keep our spirits up and head up.”
Promising myself to gift Ahn-hyun a qi spear when I got the chance, I led the way up the stairs to the third floor. The group quietly followed, ascending one by one.
Opening the door to the third floor, we were met with a single space. Despite the passage of time, the room seemed to want to tell its tragic story, preserving its horrific scene. It was, quite literally, a room of ashes.
Had a small war taken place here? The scattered debris and rusted fragments left the group speechless.
But my silence had a different reason.
The third floor was eerily quiet, but soon, a rustling sound broke the silence as a figure rose. The chair it had been sitting on crumbled with a crack.
“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve seen humans…”
The figure slowly turned to face us. Its skin was a dark, bluish hue, with horns protruding from its forehead and demon wings fluttering behind it. It was a demon.
The group was visibly startled, not expecting to encounter a demon so soon. I was just as surprised. I knew we’d meet a demon eventually, but I never imagined it would be him.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen humans, yet you say nothing. How tiresome.”
There was no doubt. It was him. The arrogant face, the condescending gaze, the way he ended his sentences with “tiresome.” How long had I wanted to see him again? How many things had I wanted to do and say? The desires I’d buried in my heart were awakening, spreading through my body.
I rubbed my eyes and looked at him again. It was real. I wanted to pinch my cheek to confirm it, but the weight of my sword in my hand was enough.
“Why don’t you say something? It’s been a while since I’ve seen humans…”
“Su-hyun.”
“Hyung.”
My heart pounded wildly. The blood coursing through my veins roared back to life, burning hot. The part of me I’d lost while living with the kids was returning. With a voice full of emotion, I spoke.
“It’s… good to see you.”
“Hmph. An impolite human. Even though I asked you to speak, shouldn’t you kneel and show respect first, you inferior creature?”
Madman.
“I am Belphegor, a proud demon with the rank of count in the demon realm. I say again, kneel.”
“Ah, shut up. Anyway, a count… what a headache.”
Vivian muttered, frowning. Belphegor, the demon of sloth. He was classified as a high-ranking demon. Not quite at the top, but with the potential to reach it, his power was considerable. At least, to some extent.
“Be mindful of your words and actions. Hmph… Even though I’m a demon of sloth, being trapped here for so long was unbearable. Since it’s been a while since I’ve seen humans, I’ll grant you mercy this once.”
Listening to him, the group looked uncomfortable.
I despise demons. They’re the most arrogant, the most deceitful, the least trustworthy. They’ll stop at nothing to fulfill their desires. But their power and cunning are formidable. And because of their vile schemes, I lost someone dear to me. And Belphegor…
“Stop spewing nonsense. I’ll kill you, you lunatic.”
He was the one who set off
Recalling that time, anger surged within me once more. I smirked bitterly and raised my sword. I could feel several eyes on me, but I didn’t care. The only thing that mattered now was to make the creature before me suffer as much as possible.
Even though I had gained skills surpassing my first-round self, there was no guarantee of victory. After all, he was a high-ranking demon. But fear? No, what I felt was closer to exhilaration.
Belphegor looked at me with an amused smile and spoke in a polite tone.
“Humans are always so entertaining. I’ve decided. I’ll use you as my chair.”
“Is that your last wish?”
“Human, even though you’re no better than insects, you still manage to be annoying. I’ve tolerated your antics long enough. However, I can be merciful. If you apologize now, I’ll grant you and one other man a swift death. Of course, you’ll spend eternity as my chair.”
“Oh? And what about the women?”
I chuckled as I asked, and Belphegor responded with a matter-of-fact expression.
“Isn’t it obvious? They will serve me, the great demon. The wretched humans who were here before tried some pathetic tricks, trapping me in this building. It was quite dull, but now some fine women have arrived. They all seem top-notch, and I’m very pleased.”
Hearing his words, I noticed the faces of my companions, especially the women, twist in disgust. I glanced at them and then spoke in a mocking tone.
“They don’t seem too eager to serve you.”
“They’re just ignorant. Don’t worry. My… assets are more than enough to satisfy them. Serving Belphegor, a noble demon count, should be considered an honor.”
“You’re insane.”
“I warned you to watch your mouth. Do you dislike the idea of being a chair that much? Kneel and beg, and I might reconsider.”
“I’ve heard enough. Everyone, prepare for battle.”
At my command, my companions immediately drew their weapons. Belphegor looked down at us with an endlessly arrogant expression, then spoke with a bored tone.
“Humans always seem to shut up after a show of force… how tiresome.”
As he finished speaking, dark flames erupted before him. It was one of the fires demons wield, known as dark fire. Not as powerful as hellfire, but still formidable.
“When I was first summoned here, it was promising. But they offered me inadequate sacrifices, pathetic creations of their own making…”
“So, you weren’t fully summoned. Good. That makes it easier to deal with you.”
At my words, Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“Heh, you’re right, human. The power I have here is less than seventy percent of my true form… you seem to know a thing or two. But.”
He paused, snapping his fingers. Instantly, the dark flames surged toward me. Belphegor finished with a leisurely smile.
“You’re too much of a nuisance. This is the end, human. Be reduced to ashes before the flames of a great demon. Suffer in agony! Hahaha!”
As the flames rushed toward me, I slowly awakened the power of hellfire. Heat surged through my body, and I raised my sword high.
And then, I saw a deep smile spread across Belphegor’s lips.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
We’ve finally reached the 100th chapter of Memorize. I’m overwhelmed with emotion. Many readers have already sent their congratulations. :)
I wish I could write a storm of chapters, but after writing two today, I’m completely burnt out. Haha. I’ll take a short break and then aim for the midnight release. (If it doesn’t come out at midnight, assume I’ve collapsed.)
Thank you so much to all the readers who have supported me.
Thank you, truly. (__)
PS. Am I the only one annoyed by Belphegor? Even though I wrote him, he really got on my nerves. ㅜ.ㅠ (I have this urge to completely ruin him…)
『 Reader Comments 』
은빛가람: Congratulations on being first! :) I hope you enjoy the 100th chapter.
MT곰: Indeed?! I’m looking forward to your first comment on the 100th chapter! Go, go power!
카지매스: NO. It’s not. Hehe.
twins7842: They’ll make an appearance soon. Hehehe.
zjekfksqlc: Haha, Hanbyeol’s appearance is still a bit away. I can’t wait to meet Hanbyeol again. Our Suhyeon is quite the cool guy, you know!
MKira: Right? Sol is so cute, isn’t she? I wish I had a little sister like that~ Haha. (?!)
악마신전: Thank you. I always draw strength from the readers who support me. I won’t be swayed by any interference. Haha.
최강성녀: Ahem. Ahem! Please, spare me. ㅜ.ㅠ
랜슬럿 듀 락: Because they come at me too eagerly. When my nephews rush at me with excitement, I get a bit flustered and overwhelmed. Haha.
sd5963: I’m so sorry, but I love you! (?!). Haha. I always try to keep the comments to an average of 10. Please understand. But I always read and reread all the comments! Thank you for the 100th chapter congratulations. :)
Your recommendations and comments are the driving force behind more chapters. (This is the truth.)
I always read all the comments repeatedly.
Please don’t feel too disappointed if you’re not in the comments.
If you’re really curious about something, send me a message, and I’ll reply!
I’ll take my leave for today.
I hope you always read with a relaxed mind.
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