After Ten Millennia in Hell

[Satan, the leader of the Demon Cult, escapes. Threat still looms over humanity…]

[All about the heroes of the victory: Sword Dragon Kim Si-Hun, First Lady Grace McCubbin, and the angels.]

[Who is the golden hero that suddenly appeared on the battlefield?]

[The identity of the golden hero… revealed to be the sworn brother of Sword Dragon Kim Si-Hun, Oh Kang-Woo.]

After the war against the Demon Cult ended, the world was up in a stir.

People showered Guardians with praise and awe, and they went wild for news related to the heroes who had been the protagonists of the war.

The Demon Cult was considered the biggest threat after the Day of Calamity, so it would be an obvious result.

The support each country offered to Guardians rose dramatically, and the number of Players who wanted to join also exploded. It felt as if they had finally earned the status of 'protectors of the world.'

After the Demon Cult was defeated, the average level of Players increased and the territories that monsters had conquered were recovered. People exclaimed in happiness, saying that the era of peace had finally come.

Of course, some people emphasized the fact that they couldn't relax yet because Satan, the leader of the Demon Cult, had escaped, but that didn't appeal to the masses.

People only saw what they wanted.

After all, it was better news that the cult that kidnapped people to use as sacrifices had been eradicated instead of the fact that they were still out there.

Regardless of the truth, countries worldwide were met with a time of peace they hadn't been able to enjoy since the Day of Calamity.

Commenter (Tresha writing a new novel): bros I heard the Demon Cult headquarters got fking bodied LMAO

ㄴ Concluded JerryM: LOL justice finally served

ㄴ Newbie Sagyesu: the national pride is unreal. I heard Sword Dragon did most of the work again

ㄴ Butterfly Valley's failed diet: didn't the angels do all the heavy lifting?? I bet they would've been floored without them

ㄴ Soon to be finished Wooden Spoon: there's that Oh Kang-Woo guy too. I heard he chased after Satan to the very end to fight him

ㄴ Reborn Woojin: it's an established fact that Oh Kang-Woo is the secret powerhouse of Guardians

"Mm…"

Kang-Woo scrolled down the comments on the news article on his smartphone.

Most of the messages were congratulating the victory, but some people were discussing the golden hero that had suddenly appeared on the battlefield. Even the press was posting his photos and making speculations about him.

"Well, I guess it's about time."

He didn't expect to be able to remain hidden until the end. Although not being known was comfortable, there was a limit. The only good thing was that he was receiving far less attention than Sword Dragon Kim Si-Hun and the angels.

'I didn't show myself on the battlefield for long.'

Other than when he killed the Barbatos and during the last moments of the war, he hadn't appeared on the battlefield. He probably wouldn't receive more fame than necessary.

"Nice."

Kang-Woo lay on the bed; the ends of his mouth went up.

The Demon Cult had lost.

He'd told Guardians that Satan had escaped and that the threat wasn't over yet, but he knew the truth.

"Burp."

He'd killed Satan and devoured him without leaving anything behind. On top of that, Satan's wails, which he could hear due to the incomplete digestion, had mostly faded.

'I can finally rest a little.'

He felt as if he had finally been able to put down one of the weights that had been eating away at him.

'I feel a bit sorry for Si-Hun, but…'

Ever since Kang-Woo had told Si-Hun that Satan had escaped, he'd been undergoing harsh training. In his mind, he never knew when he would be able to get his revenge.

'It couldn't be helped.'

Kang-Woo slightly opened his eyes. He had a reason for telling everyone that Satan had survived despite having killed him.

'He has to remain as the Demon of Prophecy.'

If a god gave a revelation saying that the Demon of Prophecy was alive while people knew that Satan had died, the only one to suffer from the trolling would be Kang-Woo.

The Demon of Prophecy had to be Satan, and he must not be killed.

'That way…' Kang-Woo smiled. 'I can keep using him.'

The Satan cheat code had become a very important resource for him.

Kang-Woo hummed while thinking about when and how he should use Satan again.

- Waaaaaaaah.

He heard faint wailing from somewhere far away. He ignored it.

"The only unfortunate thing is…"

He narrowed his eyes.

The plan had gone better than he'd expected. If there was one unfortunate thing, it was…

'Raphael survived.'

Not only that, but he had even sworn to bring more reinforcements to search for Satan. That meant that there was a chance of another archangel arriving on Earth.

"Ngh."

He didn't like it. It was true that he had a good relationship with angels for the moment, but he never knew when it would turn sour.

'I guess I have no choice but to play innocent.'

Oh Kang-Woo was the apostle of Tirion, God of Heroes. The best possible decision at the moment would be to use that fact to maintain collaborative relations.

'I still haven't taken care of all the princes of Hell. If angels get involved, things will become unnecessarily complicated.'

Things finally turned out for the better after he killed Satan, so he didn't want to create any more complications.

Kang-Woo clasped his hands together and used them as a pillow.

'Four left.'

The remaining princes of Hell were Leviathan, Asmodeus, Lucifer, and…

'Bael.'

Kang-Woo's expression slightly crumpled.

"Haaa… Fuck."

He couldn't help but curse.

'It wouldn't have been a problem if they were only as strong as before, but…'

He narrowed his eyes.

The princes of Hell had become stronger than they had been during the thousand-year war. Leaving Mammon and Belphegor aside, Satan had become significantly stronger.

'There are apparently two more of those Demonic Origins that I ate.'

Since the Demon God had said himself that he had acquired one of the three, it was most likely true.

'Princes of Hell and the angels… I can't relax yet.'

Kang-Woo had become stronger. Although he couldn't use the power known as Divinity yet, he'd become far stronger than he had been in Hell.

'The problem is…'

His enemies could have become just as strong as him.

'Also, opening the Doors has become far too risky,'

The Doors were his trump card to forcibly make the Ten Thousand Demon Core run rampant on purpose. It had always been risky, but that level of risk has risen far too much.

'I have too much demonic energy.'

Because he'd devoured Satan and the Demonic Origin simultaneously, he had reached the limit of the demonic energy that he could keep under control. It was to the point that it was honestly a miracle that he was able to keep the Ten Thousand Demon Core in check.

'If I open any of the Doors now…'

There was a large chance he'd be devoured by the Ten Thousand Demon Core.

"Tsk."

It was good news that he'd become stronger, but having such an overpowered ability like opening the Doors of the Ten Thousand Demon Core unavailable to him was unpleasant news.

'First, I have to improve my control over demonic energy.'

Kang-Woo took out a black gem the size of his fist from his pocket.

"So I can eat this."

The black gem was the condensed corpse of Belphegor.

His limit of demonic energy control had become so close to the limit that he couldn't devour the gem that contained the Authority and soul of a prince of Hell despite it being right in front of him.

'I'll think about it later.'

Kang-Woo unclasped his fingers and stood up from the bed.

There had only ever been one way to improve his demonic energy control; he was doing it even while he was lying down.

'I just have to keep working at it.'

Even in his peaceful days of eating and laughing, one part of Kang-Woo's mind was always frantically keeping the rampaging demonic energy in check.

'I'm sure I'll be able to go even higher soon enough.'

He raised his head. An intense thirst burned his throat. He'd surpassed his previous self, but it wasn't enough—there was no way he'd be satisfied with that.

He wanted to reach even higher.

He wanted to walk even further.

He had never stopped even once.

"Right then, I'm gonna have a date with my darling toda—"

Click.

"Master Kang-Woo."

"Gasp."

Kang-Woo became short of breath, his body trembled, and cold sweat dripped down his back. His expression hardened when he saw Lilith enter his room.

Lilith walked toward him while tilting her head in confusion.

"You seem unwell… Has something happened?"

"N-No, it's nothing. That aside, what brings you here?"

"Oh, I have come to give my report on what you had commanded me to investigate since I was more or less done."

"You're already done?"

She shone in fields other than battle, so Kang-Woo hadn't ordered her to participate in the battle.

"Yes. I have confirmed the general location of the remnants of the Demon Cult."

He'd asked her to infiltrate the Demon Cult branch and locate the remaining forces of the Demon Cult while the war was going on.

The Demon Cult was spread out all across the globe, so they wouldn't be dismantled just because their main force had been destroyed. To completely trample on their chances of a comeback, he had to eliminate the remaining forces as well.

Lilith said, "I have found the locations of nineteen small and medium-sized branches."

"Good work," Kang-Woo said as he looked at her.

He hadn't said that just out of courtesy. It had only been a week since the war had ended—the only one capable of gathering so much information in such a short period of time was probably Lilith. She'd likely done an unreal amount of work.

"Fufu. This does not even come to the level of an errand as long as it is for you, my king."

Kang-Woo started to feel guilty that he had become frightened when he had seen her enter the room.

'I'm sorry… I'm… so sorry…'

He felt like he'd done something he shouldn't have to someone as loyal as her. He lowered his head in guilt.

"Will you be taking action yourself, Master Kang-Woo?"

"Nope. They're only remnant forces, after all. Mobilize the Guardians Players so that they can level up. Actually, no. Give me the information you've gathered. I'll give it to Grace and have her take care of the mobilization."

It was Kang-Woo's way of showing his appreciation for her work, since she had not been able to take a break since the war.

Understanding his intentions, Lilith smiled and embraced his arm. A soft sensation spread through his arm.

"Thank you very much, my king."

"Now go get some rest."

"Ah, there is one more thing I have to report."

Kang-Woo looked at her while tilting his head.

She lowered her head as if she were sorry. "I have not been able to find the last remaining Aspect of Evil."

"Hmm… Do you know who it is?"

"It is a black mage known as Kalgia."

"A black mage… He's the one who used to be Satan's subordinate, right?"

"Yes."

Kang-Woo's eyes shone.

'An Aspect of Evil, huh?'

Since he used to be Satan's subordinate, he was probably only as strong as Crimson Fiend and Belphegor.

'I won't be able to get much out of it.'

He remembered Si-Hun's face.

'He could be a valuable experience for Si-Hun.'

Unlike Kang-Woo, who had almost reached the limit of his growth, Si-Hun could still grow a lot more.

After facing Ludwig, Si-Hun had apparently been able to reach a greater height.

"Let me know as soon as you find him."

"Yes, Master Kang-Woo."

"And don't forget to take a break."

Kang-Woo gently patted Lilith's head.

Lilith twisted her body and blushed.

"Fu… fufufufufufu."

'Oh, fuck.'

Her hair had begun moving on its own, and it wrapped around his finger.

Kang-Woo's expression hardened. He couldn't help but think he'd stepped on a landmine.

"No, I shouldn't. Fuuu, fuuu." Lilith took deep breaths to calm herself.

"… Huh?"

Kang-Woo was surprised at her reaction, and he looked at her with his eyes widened.

Lilith turned away.

"In that case, I will excuse myself."

"Uhh… S-Sure."

Close.

Lilith quickly walked out of the room.

"…"

There was a heavy silence.

Kang-Woo looked at the door while making a confused expression.

"Could it be…"

A thrill spread through his body.

"H-Has Lilith finally realized it?!"

Has she realized that he despised her tentacle mode?

Finally… Finally… Finally!!!!

"I finally have hope!!!!!"

Kang-Woo clenched his fist and raised it. Tears dripped down his cheeks.

He could see the end of the nightmare.

* * *

"My, I almost got aroused again."

Lilith raised her head after striding out of the apartment. She quickly began walking somewhere.

"Fu… Fufufufu."

She giggled uncontrollably.

"Please look forward to it, my king, my love."

Boosh.

A tentacle that appeared from her chest in her excitement burst, yellow pus trickling down from it.

"I will make you a memory you will never forget."

A wide smile appeared on Lilith's face.