Chapter 99
Itarim.
Foreign deities known as the Outer Gods. Since the dawn of time, they were absolute beings who had created numerous universes.
“Even the god of our universe was once one of them.”
Something Beru had once told him flashed through Suho’s mind. Despite being a manifestation of absolute power, the deity couldn’t escape death, and his end was truly tragic.
The Rebellion of the Angels.
Created to be followers of gods, the angels one day realized the truth. They discovered that the god they worshiped was neither good nor righteous, but rather a cruel being who reveled in creation and destruction. Realizing this, the angels eventually rebelled against their god and succeeded.
“The god of our universe ultimately died, killed by the hands of his creation,” Beru said.
With the Absolute Being gone, the world was left without a god—a land without a master. The immense mana lingering in this world became free for the taking. The first to claim it was to be the new owner of this universe, and the other Outer Gods, scattered across distant dimensions, sensed the opportunity.
“That’s when the Outer Gods began to turn their eyes toward our universe,” the ant continued.
It all began with a frantic race as they all rushed like colonizers trying to plant their flags. Regardless of who lived here. Regardless of what the Itar who ruled here had created. It was a straightforward race for destruction and consumption. But upon arrival, an unexpected variable awaited them.
“Our king, the Young Monarch’s father.”
The god of this universe had perished, but a new king who governed death came between the foreign invaders to protect his universe—the Greatest Fragment of Brilliant Light, the Monarch of Shadows, Sung Jinwoo. He led a grand army into the cosmos to start fending off the armies of the Itarim, marking the beginning of the War of the Outer Gods.
“The war is intensely fierce and ongoing, even as we speak.”
Predicting the outcome of the war was impossible for anyone at this point. The Itarim endlessly created, while Jinwoo’s immortal army rose repeatedly, no matter how often they died. No one could tell how long this tense balance would last. They could only continue to fight and fight again.
“Then, the Itarim tried something to break through the stalemate.”
The Outer Gods decided to take a detour. Unable to penetrate Jinwoo’s defenses at the front gate of the universe, they decided to go around and attack the back gate instead.
“That place was Earth.”
For the Itarim, Earth was the least appealing bounty of the conquest. The remaining mana was so weak compared to other dimensions, so there wasn’t much to consume. However, it was also a place with many vulnerabilities that made it easier to invade. Thus, the followers of the Itarim set the planet as their target, and they immediately began to dissolve the dimensional wall to pave the way there.
As a result, the already imperfect dimensional rift began to twist uncontrollably, leading to the sudden emergence of gates on Earth. But surprisingly, those who invaded the planet through the new gates were not the armies of the Itarim, but rather dimensional refugees: the defeated followers of the dead Monarchs, who were torn apart and drifting after the Monarchs War.
“I suspected that the followers of Itarim were lurking behind all this, but...”
“Who would have known they took such a form...” Suho gazed at the Mad Blood Tyrant with a chilling look.
The way it consumed the corpse of the chief guard reminded him of mist burns— the magic beasts of flame that used dead humans as fuel. The dead demon was burning intensely in the same way.
Of course, there was a clear difference from the common mist burn. While humans burned down quickly into ashes, demons were significantly more durable.
Flames flickered above its severed neck, forming a face-like shape. It looked as if the flame was wearing the demon’s corpse like a suit of armor.
“A snail-like coward.” Beru clicked his tongue with disdain.
“It’s the Tyrant King!”
Upon the appearance of the Mad Blood Tyrant, every demon inside the arena trembled and bowed in submission. The scene reminded Suho of cult followers welcoming a false prophet.
Despite the fervent atmosphere, the Mad Blood Tyrant seemed oblivious to their cries, and he focused solely on Suho, who was the only one not bowing down.
“This is intriguing,” the tyrant said with a curious gaze. His voice was deep yet screechy. “I never expected to find someone like you in a place like this.”
Suho became tense. Has he figured out my true identity? The prospect of a follower of Itarim discovering the existence of the Monarch of Shadows’ son was nothing short of disastrous. After all, I am my father’s sole weakness. Sensing something in the Mad Blood Tyrant’s knowing look, he swallowed nervously.
The consequences of being discovered by the Outer Gods were painfully clear. He had never imagined encountering one of their followers, which left him understandably flustered.
The Mad Blood Tyrant stretched his mouth into a wide, maniacal grin and erupted into wild laughter. “Who would have thought that a demon noble still lived!”
At that moment, the tension drained from Suho’s face.
Beru seemed to feel the same, and he whispered softly from Suho’s shadow, “It seems the strong aura of Vulcan and Esil coming from the Young Monarch has led to a misunderstanding. Perhaps it’s for the best...”
The Mad Blood Tyrant’s eyes glinted ominously. “Astonishing. You’re also a successor who has inherited the power of a Monarch.”
Suho and Beru’s eyes widened in alarm.
Snap!
Suho readied himself to leap forward and strike down the foe immediately. He had already devised thirteen different methods to kill the creature as quickly as possible.
“Young Monarch! We must kill it here and now! If he escapes, the enemies will be aware of your existence!” Beru said.
“How can a demon become the successor to the Monarch of Fangs?” the tyrant asked.
“What...?” Beru was confused.
“How did you know? You’re quite perceptive,” Suho answered, quickly nodding.
“Young Monarch?”
Suho ignored the incredulous look Beru was giving him from the shadows.
The Mad Blood Tyrant smirked. “Do you take me for a fool? How could I not notice the strong scent of beasts coming from your body?”
[Rakan watches the Mad Blood Tyrant with disdain.]
Although Suho could almost hear Rakan’s disapproving clicks from afar, he maintained a brazen expression. “You’re right. I am a demon noble who has inherited the King of Beast’s power.”
“As I suspected! Most excellent! To think I would encounter such a being in this remote place!” Pleased with Suho’s confident response, the Mad Blood Tyrant burst into a satisfied laugh.
As his laughter resonated thunderously throughout the coliseum, the demons shrank in fear.
The tyrant was fooled as Suho was using Divine Possession with Gray. Moreover, even though he held Vulcan’s Horn in his hand rather than on his head, it made sense for the demons to assume he could weaponize his horn like Esil.
Great. I’ve managed to conceal my identity.
“Is this really okay?”
Suho smiled triumphantly, ignoring Esil.
Que and Beru had made brief appearances during the battle, but fortunately, the Mad Blood Tyrant hadn’t noticed them.
“So, what exactly is your plan?” Esil asked from within Vulcan’s Horn.
Suho casually redirected the question to the Mad Blood Tyrant. “So what’s your plan, exactly?” He looked at the tyrant with an arrogant gaze, playing the part of a demon noble.
The tyrant looked at Suho with a dismissive smirk. “Did you come here to strike me down?”
“Enough with the questions. Tell me why you’re collecting all this hellsteel. Why is it so important that you’re even using the demons here as slaves?” Then the reason came to him. “Don’t tell me you’re preparing for war?”
Esil had told him that hellsteel was most commonly used for making weapons in the demon realm. Infused with demonic energy, the magical alloy was not only incredibly durable but also highly responsive to magical energy, making it capable of significant mana amplification.
The Mad Blood Tyrant spread his blazing arms wide and pointed to the demons inside the vast coliseum. “Behold! Do you see? This place is already under my complete control. But as you know, this is merely a fragmented piece of the demon realm.”
This place was akin to the outskirts of a once-great empire. The demon realm had shattered into pieces, now adrift in the dimensional rift, and this place was just one of them.
“I plan to train these creatures to conquer all those demon realms. And then... I will subjugate every other dimension. I will kill and kill again, devouring everything in my path.”
The Mad Blood Tyrant, or rather the follower of Itarim, intended to use this place as a starting point to dominate the demon realms using demons. And then, one by one, conquer other dimensions until...
Reaching Earth. Suho narrowed his eyes.
The tyrant seemed to savor the moment, and his malevolent energy rose. “That’s why I’ve been looking for someone like you.”
“Someone like me?”
“Yes. If I wore the body of a demon noble as my armor, just imagine how much stronger I would become. The thought alone is exhilarating.” He was in complete ecstasy, as if he had already claimed Suho’s flesh.
Though, his ambition was neither bluff nor delusion. After all, all the demons inside the coliseum were his slaves, but despite the overwhelmingly dangerous situation...
Beru. Has my father... been fighting these creatures all along? Alone?
“Indeed,” Beru responded solemnly. “My master has always fought alone. In places unknown, in times forgotten by all.”
Even at this very moment, Suho’s father was continuing his solitary and lonesome battle—in the far reaches of the universe.
I see. Suho nodded silently, and his eyes began burning slowly with purpose. “My father must be incredibly bored. I should go and meet him myself.”
He wasn’t sure what help he could give his father, but as his only son, he felt compelled to support him, who was struggling alone in a distant dimension.
“I think he’d appreciate it if I brought him a present.” Suho’s intimidating gaze shifted to the Mad Blood Tyrant. Yes, a present. Let’s deal with this nuisance and wrap him up. “Arise.”
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel