The Life-Killing Stone.
As the name suggests, it's not a special item like a sword or armor, but rather a type of stone. The kind of stone you might commonly see on the side of the road.
However, given the modifier "Life-Killing," it's no ordinary stone.
In the episode where this stone appears, it causes hundreds to thousands of casualties, so it's safe to assume it's a stone specialized in killing, as its name implies.
And most importantly.
'It's deeply connected to me.'
In the original story, Baek Seung-woo, a one-time extra villain, dropped out of the academy due to poor grades.
Once a promising talent, he was crushed by the rapidly growing protagonist, lost his wings, and fell from grace. Eventually, he ended up touching something he shouldn't have.
That something was the Life-Killing Stone.
"Do you know what the Life-Killing Stone is?"
"It's a stone transformed from the death of a nine-tailed fox. If I had to compare it, it's closer to a relic."
"You know more than I expected."
"It's one of the legacies of the nine-tailed fox. Well, to be precise, it's a treasure of the Japanese government."
The White-Faced Golden-Furred Nine-Tailed Fox, one of Japan's three great evil spirits.
There are many stories and legends about her and her past, but one thing is certain: she met her end in Japan.
After her death, her body turned into a stone, becoming a poisonous rock that scattered powerful resentment and curses.
The poison was so strong that most blacksmiths were poisoned before they could even process it, making it famous as a material no one could work with.
Well, it's a treasure of the Japanese government, so it's not like any ordinary blacksmith could attempt to process it anyway.
"Why is such a dangerous thing in our country, and even in an auction house?"
"How should I know? I only heard about it secondhand. The auction is tonight, so figure it out yourself."
"...."
His words only made my head spin more.
The Life-Killing Stone, which played a decisive role in Baek Seung-woo's downfall and death.
I had no way of knowing how the original Baek Seung-woo obtained the Life-Killing Stone and how he fell. I hadn't read the novel, and not many people would dig deep into the fate of a character based on themselves.
Knowing that would only make me feel uneasy.
"...This is driving me crazy."
Should I take the Life-Killing Stone or leave it be?
A binary choice lay before me with no clear answer.
If only I could distinguish between truth and falsehood. Sadly, I didn't have that ability or knowledge.
"...."
I closed my eyes and pondered.
What should I choose?
If I choose the former, I can keep the Life-Killing Stone.
The legacy deeply connected to the nine-tailed fox could serve as a significant variable for my family, and in some cases, it could be used to craft powerful equipment or gain leverage over the Japanese government.
The latter offers me no benefit or disadvantage.
Having the decisive trigger for the original Baek Seung-woo's downfall by my side doesn't seem particularly beneficial. Even if I had it, I suspect the drawbacks would outweigh the advantages.
Just then.
A semi-transparent window appeared before me, guiding my path.
[Main Quest: Decision]
[Description: Your actions were clumsy and unprepared. As a result, the protagonist awakened as planned, and unrelated students became sacrifices in the scenario. Despite this, you decided to continue down this path. No one knows what lies at the end of this decision.]
[Clear Conditions: 1. Intervene in the new episode in advance. 2. Exclude the protagonist's intervention.]
The quest I had received earlier came to mind.
The semi-transparent window flickered faintly, then began displaying a new message.
[An intersection between the Main Quest and a new scenario has been discovered!]
[The scenario has been added to the 'Main Quest: Decision,' and it has been reestablished as a new Main Quest.]
['Main Quest: Life-Killing Stone' has been issued.]
***
[Main Quest: Life-Killing Stone]
[Description: You have put considerable effort into twisting the predetermined scenario so far. Now, it's time to see the results of that effort. Whether your preparation was sufficient or still lacking will be determined by the outcome.
Your goal is singular: to seize the 'Life-Killing Stone' at the underground auction house. The method doesn't matter. What's important is the choice you will make through that stone.]
[Clear Conditions: 1. Obtain the 'Life-Killing Stone.' 2. Leave no room for other competitors to take it.]
[Success Reward: Unlock 'Point Shop,' 'Trait Catalog,' 'Author's Comment']
[Failure: Nothing will happen. However, there will be no changes either.]
The moment I saw the rewards, my body stiffened.
There was no longer a binary choice.
This damn status window was forcing me to make only one choice.
***
There is an absolute gap between humans and demons.
Humans can dominate as absolute powerhouses through training and practice, but demons are born with tremendous power and abilities from the moment of their birth and transformation.
Although the noble demons who should lead them are trapped on a cursed island due to the system's sanctions.
The demons under their command could roam the city freely without any restrictions.
Of course, if they were to act openly without any precautions, they would likely be caught by the Association or Guild and killed.
"Another meeting in this gloomy cave today. This can't be good for your health."
"I-I'm sorry! It's because the mercenary failed, and the Association and
"Ah, I'm not blaming you. I'm just concerned about the health of the demons staying here."
"We're fine! There's no problem at all!"
A dark cave where it's unclear when the last human footstep was heard.
There were several people there.
No, one human and several demons.
Under normal circumstances, it would be reasonable to assume the human had been kidnapped, but their relationship was strange.
Demons with horns on their heads were bowing to the human.
The human surrounded by demons wasn't particularly strong either. The magical power emanating from him was stronger than an average person's, but weaker than any demon present.
A behavior contrary to the nature of demons, where the logic of power reigns supreme over law and morality. An ordinary person witnessing this scene would rub their eyes and deny reality.
It was that shocking.
The shocking behavior didn't stop there.
The human man took out a document from his pocket and handed it to the demons.
The demon, who had been bowing just moments ago, respectfully accepted the document and read it.
The document's contents were clear at a glance.
It listed the next destination and objectives.
"A ring made from a golden dwarf, a sword crafted from a snake's tail, and a cursed stone... With this, the Japanese government couldn't have missed it. This is insane, absolutely insane."
"That's just how humans are. If you tempt them a little, they'll even sell their country's treasures for their own greed."
"In that sense, the owner of this auction house is truly human. To even think of putting such items up for auction in their right mind."
The Jongno Underground Auction House.
The horned demon read the location written at the top of the document several times, marveling.
What kind of strong-hearted person is the owner of this place to dare such a thing?
Even though he himself is a demon who has abandoned humanity, he didn't have the audacity to recklessly commit such madness.
The items appearing in this auction are all treasures cherished by the Japanese government. To receive such treasures from a broker and boldly plan to sell them.
This is madness, sheer madness.
"Anyway, we must secure the items from this auction. Even if the plan goes awry, make sure to retrieve the cursed stone."
"Ah, yes! I'll call all available demons, from C-rank to A-rank!"
"Haha, there's no need to go that far. Our Demon Cult has already prepared martyrs who will disguise themselves as participants."
The demon, trying not to show his sweat, subtly wiped his hand as the human spoke in a soft tone. Martyrdom, the act of sacrificing one's life for faith.
Those who have personally practiced this noble sacrifice are called martyrs or fatalists.
The human man had already selected such individuals.
It was utterly natural, as if speaking of the weather, but the demon felt an indescribable madness at the sight of a human casually sending his own followers to their deaths.
"Since I've been involved to this extent, there's no need to discuss this matter further, right? I hope we can meet with smiles next time."
"Ah, yes, yes! P-Please take care!"
"Haha, I've told you before that you don't need to use honorifics with me. I hope you'll adjust your tone a bit more comfortably next time."
With those final words, the human man left the cave.
The demons surrounding him frowned as they watched his frail footsteps, but he showed no concern.
Instead, the demon who had been speaking with him was taking deep breaths.
He had been staring at the ground until the human left.
Only after the human's presence had completely disappeared did he finally raise his head and sigh.
"Haha, since when did our Pandemonium's prestige fall this low?"
"S-Senior, are you okay?!"
"Ah, I'm fine. I'm still breathing."
"That's not what I'm asking! Why do we have to bow to a mere human...."
"Huh? You don't know Simon?"
"...Simon?"
Not knowing that name.
With a look of utter disbelief, he asked again.
"Simon, the Demon Cult Worshipper. Haven't you heard of him?"
"Ah! I don't know the name Simon, but I've heard that title somewhere before."
The Demon Cult Worshipper.
A notorious wanted criminal known in the world as a vicious pseudo-religious fanatic.
His wanted level is C-rank, and any player who has passed the B-rank test from the Player Association can capture him without much difficulty.
If we're only talking about combat ability.
"Why do you think his wanted title is 'Demon Cult Worshipper'?"
"Isn't it because such a title is more sensational for broadcasts or articles?"
"Sigh, you idiot. To think my junior is this clueless. The future looks bleak. Think about it carefully."
The bowing demeanor from earlier was nowhere to be seen.
The sharp, violent demeanor befitting a demon had returned.
The junior admired his senior's demeanor but quietly pondered.
There are many worshippers and fanatics in the Demon Cult besides Simon.
So why was such a title given only to this human named Simon?
As a demon with little experience, nothing came to mind.
"U-Um, I really can't figure it out no matter how much I think."
"Sigh, of course you wouldn't know. I don't know much about that person either, but they say his tongue is three inches long."
"Huh? His way with words is impressive? What does that have to do with anything...."
"You're really an idiot. If I've said this much, you should understand by now. Why can't the younger generation read between the lines these days..."
"I-I'm sorry!"
The senior scratched his head vigorously, and the junior followed suit.
Why are demons these days so clueless?
If I've said this much, they should understand on their own.
It wasn't like this back in my day.
He sighed deeply, filled with the thoughts of an old-timer.
This is all because the Association and Ninetails raided the demons' secret branches. If that hadn't happened, we could have accepted better juniors.
We wouldn't have had to hide in this filthy cave or show such humiliating attitudes to a human like Simon.
"If only the 'Mage Hunter' had succeeded even halfway...!"
All of this stems from the failure of the 'Mage Hunter.'
Before attacking Seven Stars, the Mage Hunter raided one of the dungeons managed by Ninetails, causing a massacre that made the news.
If only he hadn't died horribly at Seven Stars, he would have become a demon through the contract and served as a reliable asset.
With his enhanced power as a demon, Ninetails wouldn't have dared to retaliate properly, fearing greater losses.
The Association wouldn't have had the guts to collaborate with the Guild and destroy all our branches like they're doing now.
"But there's still hope, right?"
"Hope? In this situation where we demons, who should be breaking the seals of the nobles, are bowing to a human religion instead of leading the charge?"
"T-the candidate for the Brave General from the European branch is coming."
The Brave General, this was slang used in Pandemonium.
With the nobles sealed on a remote island, Pandemonium is relatively weaker compared to other factions. The four vanguard leaders who will lead Pandemonium.
This refers to one of them.
"That's a relief. With his power, he can temporarily fill the void left by the nobles."
A candidate for the Brave General is stronger than most S-rank players.
It's hard to compare them to rankers, but considering their potential, reaching the level of a ranker isn't far off.
At that level, there shouldn't be any major issues in accomplishing our grand plan.
"Even if our Pandemonium's prestige has been shaken for a while, we just need to hold out until the day the nobles are freed from the system's sanctions."
Until that day, even if it costs us our lives.
We lowly demons must sacrifice ourselves for the nobles. The blood flowing in our veins exists for them.
The demon, filled with extreme aristocratic ideology, swallowed his words and closed his eyes.
Everything is for the nobles.
***
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