Second Life of a Dragon Raising Hunter

---

Chapter 416

So far, everything that Choi Yeon-woo has done, regardless, the hero profession is fundamentally close to that of an assassin.

Especially in a situation that has escalated into a war between nations.

While the all-out war with Saturday was called a war, it was, strictly speaking, more due to the endless influx of Undead led by Nephren-Ka rather than the numbers of the armies.

In other words, just like back then, crushing the opposing forces from the ground up and settling things with the Demon King was impossible this time.

If one were to march all the way up to the central part of the continent, join the armies, crush the enemy forces completely, capture the Demon King’s stronghold, clean up any remaining forces, and then return, by then, a new Demon King army would have already been assembled.

That’s why they send an assassin, disguised as a hero.

There was a time I mentioned something similar; ultimately, eliminating the leader tends to stall the war.

If that target is the Demon King, then it holds even greater significance.

However, sadly, such assassinations were not Yeon-woo’s specialty. If it had been before his return, it wouldn’t have been impossible, but now, it’s different.

Above all, fighting the Demon King quietly without causing inter-floor noise doesn’t make sense.

Originally, the main force was waging war against the Demon King’s army to draw the military out of the Demon Castle.

But fundamentally, due to the vast difference in capabilities between them and the Demon King’s forces, it had been ineffective.

‘Then I guess I’ll have to do it instead.’

In the end, the four split into two paths again. The nomadic tribe led by Yuri, Noel, who had drawn the map independently, and Yeon-woo, who would directly breach the Demon Castle.

‘It’s sort of like the style of The Lord of the Rings.’

Of course, the difference was clear in that they were going to kill the Demon King directly rather than dismantle the High Ruler’s Ring.

Well, nonetheless, I had to faithfully fulfill my role. If I had the time, I’d also go help with the fight against the Demon King. Though that might be a bit tough.

Thinking so, Yeon-woo approached the entrance of the Demon Castle, sword in hand.

At that sight, two gigantic Demonic Species guarding the entrance reacted.

“…What’s this? I didn’t hear anything about a special meal coming through?”

“Khahhah, looks like another idiot who wants to die has come! Just another fool claiming to be a hero!”

‘What? Besides me, there are others who boldly stormed in like this? In the depths of this pandemonium?’

These guys must have considerable skill, after all. But it seems they ultimately failed to pass through the gate.

That meant it was clear that the ones in front of him were quite capable Demonic Species.

Halberds and clubs were pointed toward Yeon-woo. Hmm, weapons fitting for a Giant. Yeon-woo raised his sword without hesitation.

“Dieee!!”

In an instant, as the two weapons were launched at him simultaneously, Yeon-woo lightly swung his sword.

As he did, countless shadow blades sprang from Yeon-woo’s shadow, flying past the two weapons and striking at the gatekeepers.

Though he raised his sword, that didn’t mean he was attacking. The range difference was just too drastic.

No matter how much of a master you are, it’s inefficient to stubbornly try to fight in an unfavorable situation.

*

“It seems it’s begun.”

As Yuri muttered that, Noel nodded. Only the nomadic tribe seemed confused, tilting their heads in confusion.

“Then, could you guide us through the secret passage?”

“Ah, yes. Please follow me this way.”

The secret passage. It was the most protruding and significant part of the map of the Demon Castle that he handed over.

A secret passage that allows you to sneak into the Demon Castle. Isn’t the existence of such a thing suspicious in itself?

“I understand your concern. You might think that the Demon King wouldn’t be unaware of the passages within the castle. However, the Demon Castle wasn’t built by the current Demon King. It was constructed by the former Demon King.”

“…The old Demon King, huh?”

The Demon King doesn’t only exist in this era. It’s just that the current generation’s Demon King is exceptionally powerful.

The old Demon King once held dominion over Pandemonium, dealing with Arbelora… as far as I knew.

“It’s entirely plausible.”

If it wasn’t established by the current Demon King, then he might not know about its structure.

Of course, there would be magic for security inside, but that wasn’t a significant issue since Yeon-woo would stir things up.

“A secret passage, this feels like an adventure.”

Whether he knew Yuri’s concerns or not, Noel murmured with excitement in her voice.

“This way. Please come along.”

Guided by the nomadic tribe, they headed south toward the Demon Castle. It felt as if the dark, thick jungle was swallowing them whole.

However, they seemed devoid of any unease. That’s why she was referred to as a hero.

*

“If the Demon King finds out, we’re all toast…”

“Try and catch me~.”

“…Get that bastard!!”

Yeon-woo was sprinting through the Demon Castle. While it was great that he easily overpowered two gatekeepers, the flow of mana caused by the battle was making the Demonic Species come rushing out.

If their numbers were appropriate or moderately strong, it wouldn’t be a problem even if a hundred rushed at him. However, coincidentally, the Demonic Species were at the brink of a minimum threshold. The reason was easy to guess.

‘They must be getting experience points since they just come back to life…’

In short, Demonic Species were in a position similar to players in an RPG game.

Since they keep coming back to life, they can fight powerful enemies without worry. Of course, most would stagnate from the moment they reached their minimum threshold since there’s no urgency to survive.

Even so, if they had an environment where they could indefinitely gain real combat experience, they would reach mastery eventually.

And that moment would be when the Alkeon Alliance is pushed back.

Having guessed that, something flashed in Yeon-woo’s mind.

Dealing with hundreds of Aura Experts is a cumbersome job. But as a Master, wouldn’t I be able to escape even while facing hundreds of Aura Experts?

As soon as he realized that, his gaze shot towards the windows of the Demon Castle above.

The execution was instantaneous. Leaping up in a graceful arc, he crashed through the window and dove in.

The Demonic Species, who were watching in a daze, hurried to chase after Yeon-woo.

And now. Yeon-woo was running through the corridors of the Demon Castle like a wild horse, while very enraged Demonic Species were chasing after him.

Lowering his speed just enough to be nearly caught, the guys were getting increasingly furious.

[Waaaah! I almost got him!!]

[So much fun! This is amazing!!]

It was a situation where his life could easily slip away, but the Children were squealing in delight.

Well, that “almost” insinuated that such a thing hardly ever happened. With the map of the Demon Castle in his head, he had perfectly plotted his escape route.

‘As long as the Demon King doesn’t show up.’

The secret passage lay to the south. He would head from the south and take the stairs up to the Demon King’s chamber.

For that reason, Yeon-woo was pulling all the patrolling Demonic Species with him up to the fifth floor.

Occasionally, he’d cleave through those hiding in ambush as long as they didn’t disrupt him. At this rate, it felt like he could somehow manage it before making 50 laps.

‘Before that, I hope I can catch the Demon King…?’

That wouldn’t happen. Yeon-woo swallowed the pointless hope.

Do you know? Expecting something leads to disappointment…

*

Hearing the roaring Demonic Species that seemed like they would shake the castle down, the trio ascended the empty Demon Castle, catching faint whispers of Yeon-woo in between.

They had drawn so much aggro that there was nobody on the way leading to the Demon King’s room. Even the nomadic tribes were startled by that fact.

Yuri and Noel shivered in a strange embarrassment.

“Here it is, heroes. Please, take care of it.”

“Understood. Leave it to us.”

Upon hearing the trembling voice of the nomadic tribe, Noel took his hand.

The nomadic tribe, gazing at Noel with apparent admiration, tore the scroll in his hand.

Then, the nomadic tribe’s body began to slowly harden to stone from his feet up. It was the scroll Yeon-woo had prepared.

The nomadic tribe would never be able to witness the Demon King’s death.

Once they realized the betrayal, the Demon King would undoubtedly give an order.

In that case, it was better to be dead and see the Demon King die afterward. That was the conclusion Yeon-woo arrived at while making the scroll with Shar.

Being petrified and then directly dispelling it after killing the Demon King would suffice.

Of course, there was a high possibility that it wouldn’t go that smoothly, but the nomadic tribe’s wish was like that, so there was no choice.

The intensity of their hatred was easy to gauge, as they wished to see the Demon King die even if their petrified bodies shattered.

“Well then, see you in a bit.”

“Please… take care….”

Before the nomadic tribe could finish their sentence, he completely turned to stone.

It wasn’t a pleasant sight. To have someone with whom you were just conversing turn to stone like a statue.

Yet, thinking that they shouldn’t leave it like this, Yuri moved the statue to a suitable hiding place in mid-air.

“Alright, is everything ready?”

“Yes, it’s all set, Master.”

A dark-hued sword was drawn. The pure white sword strapped to Noel’s waist revealed itself. The symbol of the hero, the holy sword.

Just the appearance of the holy sword was enough to feel the magic within the Demon Castle dissipate.

“Let’s go.”

With a screech, the massive iron door was slowly pushed open by Yuri’s magic. Beyond that, seated arrogantly at the end of the magnificent hall was the figure of the Demon King.

Life was being created within his grasp, bursting forth as he clenched his fist tightly.

As the life turned to a handful of blood, letting out a pitiful scream, the Demon King raised his head.

[…Have you come, hero.]

As he licked the blood-soaked hand, the Demon King spoke.

A pair of horns like crowns sprouted from his head, and his muscular body with purple skin, along with a vicious red glare that seemed to overlook everything, instantaneously revealed his dominating presence.

Noel frowned at that sight, letting out a deep sigh. The words she wanted to say were limited to one.

“It has been a long-standing grudge, Demon King. Let’s end it here.”

[…Kuhuk, you’ve brought some truly entertaining companions. I’m surprised even myself. I never imagined there would be two heroes beneath the same sky.]

The Demon King laughed as if he had known Yeon-woo’s existence from the very beginning. Then, he rose to his feet, the nearly 3-meter tall giant looking down at them.

[Please entertain me well. If you fail to do so, I will make you suffer even in death.]

“…Your tongue is quite long.”

With a swift swing, the dark blade sliced through space. With Yuri’s strike as the signal, the battle between the hero and the Demon King commenced.

(To be continued in the next chapter)