Chapter 674

“What do you want from me?” Gluttony nodded, unable to hear Wrath’s desperate scream.

She was still licking her lips while looking at the unconscious people on the ground as she spoke, clearly showing her gluttonous side.

“To start with, don’t attack the people here.” Raon glared at Gluttony through Wrath’s blue eyes. “They are all the King of Essence’s subordinates.”

“Hmm…”

Gluttony bit her lip lightly, a hint of regret in her expression. Her expression suggested that she really had been going to eat them if he hadn’t told her not to.

Seriously, none of the demon kings were normal.

“The one you’ve devoured was Greed’s follower. The King of Essence intended to carve the price of attacking his subordinate into his very soul…” Raon tilted his chin while looking down on Gluttony. “But you swallowed him alive. Moreover…”

Raon pointed at himself while spreading Wrath’s pressure around sharply. “You even forced him to show this appearance.”

“Hmm…” Gluttony furtively stepped back, her eyebrows furrowed in fear.

“Whatever goes in that mouth of yours never comes back out, so you’ll have to pay the price for it.”

“......” Her shoulders slumped, having no excuse for it.

Raon realized that the blue cotton candy was one of the most powerful entities even among the demon kings.

H-how did you even notice that about Gluttony’s mouth?!

Wrath’s head poked out from Raon’s chest.

‘You are the one who told me.’ Raon tilted his head while looking at Wrath’s wide eyes.

When did the King of Essence ever say that?!

‘You said that even the King of Essence can’t save them if they end up devoured by that mouth. That was when you asked me to quickly hand over my body.’

It was thanks to that line that Raon had realized how dangerous Gluttony’s white lips were and managed to come up with a plan to gain Gluttony’s authority.

Aaargh!

Wrath shouted, clutching his fluttering hair.

This is driving him nuts! Why did you even say that?! King of Essence’s mouth, please!

He hit his own mouth, saying that his talkative nature was the issue.

“Then do I just need to not eat the people around here?”

Gluttony hung her head as if she were offering a huge compromise. Raon was dumbfounded by the fact that she even considered it to be a compromise.

“You are gravely mistaken. That was a warning, not a request.” Raon furrowed his brow looking at Gluttony’s white mouth. “You’d better submit if you don’t want your tongue to be pulled out.”

“Uhh…” Gluttony shook her head while groaning, the white lips floating in the air fading away into darkness.

Ugh! This is driving him nuts!

Wrath shouted while swinging his round fist into the air.

Why do you get better and better at acting the more you practice your swordsmanship?!

‘I was just born with it.’

Deceiving the demon kings was an extremely easy task because of how simple they were. After all, Raon had impersonated countless humans during his life as an assassin.

“Hey, Food Waster.” Raon enjoyed the sight of Wrath’s desperate struggle for a while before he slowly raised his gaze. “Hand over your authority.”

Raon beckoned Gluttony with his finger, gesturing to where she was waiting for his answer.

“…My authority?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want Gluttony?” Gluttony’s eyes widened, showing that his answer was unexpected. “But why?”

“Why does the King of Essence need to answer that question?” Raon calmly shook his head. He could end up gaining Gluttony’s suspicion if he spoke too much for no reason. Saying as little as possible by taking advantage of Wrath’s authority was the right course of action. “You just need to decide. Get your tongue pulled out right here or hand over your authority and disappear.”

It was an extreme bluff. Gluttony could kill everyone with a single swing of her hand, but Raon raised his gaze confidently, without the slightest hesitation.

Awww…

Wrath groaned, clutching his temple.

E-even the King of Essence would be deceived in this situation. Still, don’t be deceived!

He raised his hand toward Gluttony.

Food Waster! Kill him right now! He is an angelic bastard who will threaten the entire human realm and even Devildom!

Wrath shouted, but Gluttony obviously couldn’t hear him.

“Haa…” Gluttony let out a small sigh. “I think I’ll be hungry, but alright.”

She reluctantly nodded.

Noooooo!

Wrath shouted in despair, clutching his head.

Why is every single demon king a doormat like her? Why?!

‘But you are the number one among all those doormats.’

He was the first doormat and the one who’d made the biggest contribution. It was laughable that he was criticizing others without looking at himself.

‘All I need to do now is decide how I get Gluttony’s authority.’

W-wait a moment!

Raon started to smile, but Wrath rapidly raised his hand.

Don’t tell him… Are you planning to get it in a different shape than a flower bracelet?

‘I am. What’s the issue?’

All three flower bracelets were Wrath’s preference even though they were currently invisible. He wanted a different shape now.

You have no artistic sense at all! Don’t you even realize that the shapes need to match?!

‘I do realize it.’

Then why?!

‘Because I dislike the flower bracelet even more than that.’

No! The King of Essence can’t stand it when they don’t match!

Wrath shook his head, saying that it was one thing that he couldn’t yield on.

‘Keep it to yourself.’

Raon slapped Wrath away and gestured at Gluttony with his hand.

“Gluttony.” Raon’s lips curled into a smile while toying with the two demon kings. “Add your authority to make…”

Raon was about to explain how Gluttony should hand over the authority while pointing at his wrist.

“What are you doing right now?” A dignified voice that weighed heavily on the ears came from above Gluttony.

“Huh…?”

Raon raised his gaze and swallowed nervously. He could see a young man supporting his chin on Gluttony’s head.

He was a tall, handsome man with black hair, golden eyes, and slightly tanned skin. He wore a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a black vest, and a golden monocle over his right eye.

‘Who is that guy…?’

He was different from Gluttony, who was twisting the space just by breathing. Raon couldn’t feel his presence at all even though he was right in front of him. He would’ve considered it to be an illusion if he hadn’t noticed that the ground was slightly caved in.

So, he came in the end…

Raon realized who he was the moment he heard Wrath’s groan.

‘Wrath… By any chance, is he…?’

Yes.

Wrath nodded heavily.

He’s Greed, the Monarch of Greed.

A chill ran down his spine the moment he heard Greed’s name. Raon had considered the possibility of his appearance, given that Sil’Kreth was Greed’s follower.

However, he didn’t expect it to be at that exact moment. The situation was the worst.

“Greed.” Gluttony raised her eyes and looked at Greed, whose chin was resting on her head. “Why are you here?”

“Because you devoured my follower,” Greed chuckled, gazing down at Gluttony. His face was full of composure and smiles even though his follower had been slain.

“I was already being scolded for it.” Gluttony licked her lips while looking at Raon.

“Scolded? By whom?”

“Wrath.” She raised her hand and pointed at Raon.

“Wrath…” Greed’s golden eyes skimmed over Wrath’s body in a frightening manner. “I understand what you are talking about.”

He chuckled and shook his chin, stating, “He’s a human.”

As soon as Greed called him a human, every hair on his body stood on end.

“Human?” Gluttony tilted her head, wondering what he was talking about. “The color of his hair and eyes, even the demonic energy are just like Wrath’s, though.”

“Yes, his hair, eyes, and demonic energy are the same as that demon with anger issues. However…” Greed’s lips curled into a long smile. “That thing is a human.”

He nodded, indicating his certainty.

Raon remained silent, keeping a calm expression on his face, but his heart pounded so rapidly it felt as though it might burst.

As expected, he noticed.

Wrath didn’t look that happy even though Greed had discovered the truth. He looked irritated instead.

The King of Essence told you before that Greed and Pride would be different from those you’ve made into doormats in the past.

He beckoned with his finger.

Get ready to hand over your body to the King of Essence. You might cross the river of no return at the smallest mistake.

Wrath quietly advised Raon without taking his eyes off Greed. He looked nervous for the first time.

‘…Damn it.’

Raon weakly bit his tongue and harmed the mana circuits around his shoulders and arms directly. He was injuring himself on purpose because he really had to use the Demon King’s Advent if his acting didn’t work.

“But he’s not.” Gluttony pouted slightly, showing that she still didn’t believe him.

“Then let’s ask him.” Greed turned his head toward Raon. The faint glow in his golden eyes made him look like he’d attained mastery over all things in the universe. “How long are you planning to keep up with that act?”

“......”

Raon looked into Greed’s eyes. There was still no pressure or presence emanating from him. However, meeting his eyes was enough to mess up his insides, as if he’d gained an internal injury. He suppressed his trembling chest and confidently raised his chin.

“Mongrel, have your shitty eyes turn into gold coins from doing nothing but gathering money?”

“Hah!” Greed exclaimed, sweeping back the hair flowing over his forehead. “You really sound like Wrath. That’s exactly what he would’ve said with his anger issues.”

He casually shook his finger, implying that he still thought him to be another existence than Wrath.

“Gluttony and the others would’ve been deceived, but…” A frightening light flickered from Greed’s eyes. “You can’t deceive me. Who are you?”

Raon’s heart tightened as soon as he heard it. He felt like his tongue was paralyzed because of the suffocating feeling.

‘I can’t let myself get nervous here.’

Even Gluttony might start suspecting him if he accidentally stuttered. It was necessary to stay confident until the end.

“The King of Essence had business with you anyway. The donkey in your care picked a fight with the King of Essence.” Raon twisted his lips, suppressing the nausea in his chest. “You’ll need to pay the price for it, just like Gluttony.”

Huh…

Wrath gasped while gazing up at Raon.

You truly are a madman…

His head trembled in admiration for Raon because of how he could still maintain his act despite the situation.

“If you’re really Wrath, I’m willing to pay the price. However…” Greed narrowed his eyes, maintaining his smile. “You aren’t Wrath.”

“That bullshit again…”

“Do you want to know why I’m so sure about it?” He raised his finger and tapped on his monocle. “This monocle shows me the target’s core. I can clearly see your lowly soul, wriggling like a worm.”

“......”

Raon forced himself to maintain an expressionless face and bit the inside of his lip.

‘This is really dangerous.’

If the monocle really was an artifact capable of showing a person’s core, his acting was completely meaningless. His heart felt like it was being stabbed by a needle.

“Yes, I’ll admit it. You’re definitely a great actor.” Greed raised his long, thin finger, his lips curving into a faint smile. “But I’m curious. Can you keep acting even with your head rolling on the ground?”

This is no good.

Wrath firmly shook his head, looking into Greed’s eyes.

Your acting was perfect, but that bastard doesn’t trust others. Further delays will be dangerous. Hand over your body…

‘We don’t have enough time.’

The distance between his body and soul wasn’t far enough yet to take Wrath inside. He needed a bit more time.

‘I need to buy some time somehow… Ah!’

Raon thought about the conversation so far to buy some time and noticed something strange about what Greed had said.

‘He said my soul was lowly.’

Whenever he was using the Ring of Fire, his soul level was high enough for even Wrath to recognize it.

Since Greed called it lowly even though Wrath had recognized it with his high standards, there were definitely some lies mixed into Greed’s words.

‘It’s highly likely.’

The fact that he was a demon king didn’t guarantee that he would never lie. Wrath was a special case.

Regardless of all that, he needed something to buy some time.

“Hustler.” Raon straightened his spine. He sneered, looking straight at Greed’s eyes. “Did you really believe that the King of Essence would be deceived by such a shabby lie? Even your brain must’ve been ruined from counting your money so often.”

“Huh…” Greed gasped in disbelief. “You are really acting unlike any other human I’ve seen.” He giggled while clapping his hands. “You’re right. I don’t have an item like that, just like you said. However…”

Greed took off his monocle while chuckling. “It doesn’t change the fact that you are a human.”

“For what reason—”

“My instinct as a merchant is telling me that you’re human.” Greed shook his hand, implying that further explanation was unnecessary.

“Tsk…” Raon briefly clicked his tongue.

‘This isn’t going to work after all.’

His instincts that had saved him so far were telling him as much. The golden-eyed demon king in front of him was certain that he wasn’t Wrath.

‘I still need more time…’

His hands trembled with worry, concerned that Wrath might weaken if he gave away his body like that, anxious about the lingering aftereffects of using the Demon King’s Advent with the duel to the death fast approaching, and saddened for everyone present in that place.

Raon Zieghart.

Wrath heavily beckoned with his hand.

It’s fine, so just hand over your body right now.

‘What?’

The King of Essence will take responsibility since he still guaranteed that it would be a fair trade even though that hustler is the villain behind this incident.

He said that he would take responsibility, repenting for telling him that there were no issues with the demon’s contract.

The King of Essence will bear over half the burden that’s going to harm you from accepting him into your body.

‘Err…’

Decide quickly! Everything will be in vain once it’s too late!

Wrath shouted, looking at the murderous intent in Greed’s eyes.

‘Damn it!’

Raon tore apart his mana circuits and organs even further. He didn’t feel any pain because of the tension, but his vision started to fade away. He could feel Wrath’s soul seeping into the sword formation drawn in the opening gap between his body and soul.

“I shouldn’t even need a warm-up.” Greed raised his finger with an evil grin on his face. 

“You’re just a hustler.” Raon twisted his lips into a smile while enduring the pain.

“You can talk better than him, at least.”

Greed took a step forward with his right foot. His footstep was casual, as if he were going for a walk, but it was transcending the space. He was already standing in front of Raon the next moment.

The flow of time came to a halt.

The entire world was overwritten into a dark, black-and-white world, connecting his previous and new lives like a knot. Raon could sense that his death was imminent.

He felt the severing pain of the skin on his neck before he sensed Greed’s finger cutting through the air.

Crack!

His skin was cut apart, and when his neck bone was about to snap, his body and soul opened up widely, like a clam. Wrath didn’t miss that opportunity, shoving his soul all the way into the Sword Field.

Whaaam!

The thunderous noise resounding throughout the space felt like the flow of the entire world was being twisted.

A deep blue radiance soared, breaking through the dim sky. The silver halo of the moon showered down upon the land, washing away the demonic energy covering the entire kingdom.

A delicate luminance flickered from the frosty world tree, soaring to the sky while leaving a long fissure in the space.

The blue demon king and the golden demon king stood amidst the fluttering blue leaves, their fingers crossed like blades.

“Those arrogant eyes. That’s how it should be with your anger issues.” Greed smiled deeply, as if he had expected that to happen. He didn’t lose his composure even though he was facing Wrath.

“Who the hell was that human?”

“What are you talking about?” Wrath’s frightening eyes placed a tremendous pressure on Greed’s golden eyes.

“How long are you planning to keep up the act? The one who was controlling your body until a moment ago was a human.”

“It was the King of Essence.” Wrath straightened his spine, as if he was even protecting Raon from his mistake. His eyes sparked with silvery determination. “That mediocrity from a moment ago and the current arrogance both belong to the King of Essence.”

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Harley]