Chapter 545: Return of the Demon Commander
Sabikang spoke with a cold expression.
“Think carefully. Once you demons swear loyalty, you’ll be bound by many restrictions.”
Indeed, the moment demons pledge their loyalty, the demonic laws grant their master significant authority over them. Helmut’s use of the compello spell on them was a prime example.
Gormos pounded his fist into his palm and said, “What’s there to think about? Let’s accept the offer and crush that guy!”
But Zeke was cautious. He was troubled by how Helmut seemed to obey Sabikang without question.
‘He can’t just be a madman. There’s something more.’
As if reading Zeke’s thoughts, Gormos added, “If, by any chance, we can’t take him down, then swearing loyalty wouldn’t be the worst thing, would it?”
That single comment resolved Zeke’s dilemma. It made sense. After all, demon knights are driven by a natural instinct to pursue strength. If Sabikang could defeat them all, why not serve him?
The knights of Helmut’s order had already pledged loyalty to him, knowing he was once human. Their sense of superiority, typical among demons, was already diminished.
Finally, Zeke spoke. “Fine, we’ll accept.”
Sabikang smirked. “Can you swear by the demonic laws?”
“I swear,” Zeke replied with a resolute expression.
There was no turning back now.
“Good decision. Let’s start by instilling some discipline,” Sabikang said, descending to the ground.
Zeke watched him closely, curious about how this man planned to take on a thousand demons alone.
Sabikang spread his arms wide and called out, “Come forth, Natas!”
In an instant, a blinding light erupted from the skull embedded in his collarbone, and a skeletal knight draped in tattered robes appeared.
Zeke and Gormos’s expressions darkened at the sight of Natas.
‘How can he command a fallen god of evil?’
Meanwhile, Sabikang was communicating something to Natas. Moments later, Natas turned and shouted, “Rise, my soldiers!”
With a sweeping motion of his massive scythe, corpses scattered across the battlefield began to rise, animated by a dark energy.
Gormos’s face fell. “Damn it… It’s the army of the dead! No matter how many times you cut them down, they keep coming back!”
Zeke gritted his teeth and shouted, “Human! This isn’t what we agreed on! You said you’d fight alone!”
Sabikang chuckled. “Didn’t you know humans aren’t great at keeping promises?”
“What?”
“But don’t worry. I’ll keep my word for now.”
“What do you mean?”
“These soldiers won’t fight. They’re just here to cut down anyone who tries to run. They’re forming a perimeter to keep you in.”
Only then did Zeke and Gormos realize that the army of the dead wasn’t attacking them directly. Instead, they formed a large circle, completely surrounding the knights.
Sabikang grinned. “This is now an impromptu arena. Anyone who tries to escape will be hunted down to the ends of hell. So don’t even think about running.”
Zeke was dumbfounded. ‘Is he really planning to fight us all by himself?’
As if to prove Zeke’s thoughts, Sabikang cracked his neck and stepped forward. “Come on, then. I’ll take you down with my bare hands.”
Sabikang’s lips curled into a smirk.
**
Crash!
“Argh!”
“Ugh!”
Demon knights were sent flying in all directions.
Zeke and Gormos watched Sabikang with a sense of dread. ‘He’s not human! He’s a monster!’
Sabikang wasn’t bluffing. The army of the dead was merely there to prevent the demon knights from fleeing.
Even when hundreds of demons attacked at once, it was futile. Sabikang didn’t kill them outright; he merely incapacitated them temporarily.
No matter how many attacked simultaneously, they couldn’t all strike Sabikang at once. The real question was how long Sabikang could withstand the onslaught and how effectively he could counterattack.
But…
“Damn it…!”
Gormos, blood trickling from his mouth, gritted his teeth. Demon knights who charged at Sabikang were repeatedly knocked back, piling up around him.
Zeke, battered and bruised, gave the final order. “Attack with everything you’ve got! Prepare to die if you must!”
“Raaah!”
The demon knights, fueled by desperation, charged at Sabikang like moths to a flame.
But they were indeed moths to a flame.
Crash! Boom!
Every time Sabikang swung his fist, the earth shook with a thunderous roar, and when he extended his palm, it was as if the sky itself was collapsing.
Each time, the demon knights were helplessly flung back, sprawling on the ground.
Even for Sabikang, facing a thousand demon knights alone was a daunting task. Yet, he was still brimming with energy.
This was largely thanks to the influence of Banmyo, brought by Churyang, who was observing from the sidelines. Banmyo continuously buffed Sabikang’s energy while debuffing the demon knights.
Zeke clicked his tongue and shouted, “Gormos!”
“On it!”
Gormos launched himself at Sabikang, leaving no strength in reserve. He intended to end Sabikang with this strike.
Who could have predicted such a turn of events? A single human bringing a thousand demon knights to their knees!
“Raaah!”
Gormos let out a battle cry as he charged at Sabikang.
In that moment, Gormos saw it. As their eyes met, Sabikang was faintly smiling.
‘He’s… smiling?’
Whoosh!
Gormos’s fist, charged with magical energy, shot forward.
Crash!
The magic exploded, striking Sabikang’s face.
‘Got him!’
But Gormos’s expression soon twisted as he looked at his fist.
‘This can’t be…!’
His massive fist was caught in Sabikang’s palm.
Sabikang twisted his lips and said, “You should’ve surrendered before it came to this.”
Whoosh!
Sabikang’s fist flew like the wind.
Boom!
With a sound like a thunderclap, Gormos’s massive body was sent flying.
Crash!
He landed with a thud, eyes rolling back as he lost consciousness.
Zeke, who had been preparing to follow Gormos’s lead, felt his strength leave him.
He had suspected that even Gormos couldn’t subdue Sabikang. He had planned to exploit any opening Gormos might create.
But this was…
‘We don’t stand a chance.’
Sabikang turned to Zeke, looking at him with a calm gaze.
“It’s been a while, Zeke.”
‘He knows me?’
Sabikang’s words intrigued Zeke, who was now frozen in place.
“Meeting you again after your death is quite nostalgic.”
“What are you talking about…?”
“Ah, for you, it’s the future.”
Zeke could only stare blankly at Sabikang, unable to comprehend his words.
Regardless, Sabikang continued, “If you follow me, that future can change. I know it’s confusing, but I think I’ve proven myself to you. What do you say?”
Zeke swallowed hard and looked around. A thousand demon knights lay groaning on the ground.
Not one against a hundred, but one against a thousand!
How could he not acknowledge Sabikang?
Finally, Zeke collapsed to his knees.
“We… have lost.”
In accordance with the demonic laws, Helmut’s knights were now fully subjugated to Sabikang.
**
On the roof of the pavilion, Sabikang and Helmut stood side by side.
Since awakening from Murang’s spell, Helmut had been silent. He needed time to adjust.
In a brief moment, he had experienced the future. And the past.
With time so intertwined, his mind felt hazy.
Sabikang and Helmut had spent decades in the realm of consciousness. Accepting their sudden return to reality wasn’t easy.
For Sabikang, however, it wasn’t so difficult. He was relieved that this time, which felt like a dream, was the true reality.
He was also immensely grateful to Maesellan for risking everything to awaken him.
Suddenly, Helmut knelt before Sabikang.
Sabikang furrowed his brow and looked at him. Helmut bowed his head and spoke.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I hurt her.”
Only then did Sabikang understand. He was talking about Maesellan.
In the realm of consciousness, Helmut had struck Aranius in the side.
But it turned out Aranius was actually Maesellan.
As a result, Maesellan had sustained quite a serious internal injury.
Fortunately, thanks to Murang’s swift intervention, her life was not in danger.
Now, she was resting and recuperating at the guest house.
Sabigang spoke as if it were no big deal.
“You did your best to protect me.”
“But because of me…”
“There’s no point in dwelling on the past. What matters is what comes next.”
“I pledge my loyalty!”
Helmut’s voice was firm with resolve.
To an outsider, it would have been a truly bizarre sight.
Wasn’t it just half an hour ago that Helmut was growling, ready to devour Sabigang?
And now, such a sudden change!
Yet, for Helmut, who had been loyal for over a decade in the realm of consciousness, this newfound determination felt perfectly natural.
In fact, he was so regretful of his blatant disregard for Sabigang just an hour ago that he didn’t know where to put himself.
Sabigang turned to Helmut with a faint smile.
“Alright, this time, I’ll trust your loyalty.”
Helmut looked up at Sabigang with eyes full of emotion.
During the past ten years in the realm of consciousness, he had known deep down that Sabigang didn’t trust him.
So he had tried even harder to prove himself.
But Sabigang never did trust him, and likely never would until the end.
Yet…
There was sincerity in Sabigang’s words now.
Sabigang gazed up at the night sky and spoke.
“I told you, if I fail, I’ll turn back time to succeed. Now, it’s time to hunt the Demon King.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Helmut replied, his voice brimming with loyalty.