The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Chapter 239: The Demon Grand Duke (Part 1)

‘What on earth is happening?’

Just moments ago, Ryu Min was smirking while watching Soso struggling. But now, there wasn’t a trace of a smile on his face.

Red skin, bat-like wings, slit pupils like those of a cat, and a smooth tail.

The being standing in front of him didn’t look like a human player.

“Wh-who is that?”

“The orb suddenly grew larger, and then a person came out of it.”

“That person looks exactly like a demon…”

Hearing the murmurs around him, Ryu Min let out a bitter smile.

‘It doesn’t just look like a demon—it is the demon lord.’

From the 18th round onward, a quest is given where players have to battle demons. At the time, Ryu Min and seven other players had survived and completed the quest.

‘I killed enough demons back then to know exactly what they look like.’

Demons weren’t supposed to appear until after the 18th round. But here they were, showing up in the 14th round, devouring people. It was no wonder Ryu Min was shocked.

‘It seems to be because of that book the Archangel gave him…’

As soon as the soso uttered the incantation, the members of the Messiah were consumed, and the orb grew larger. Then, the orb shattered, revealing the demon.

‘It’s like the demon hatched from an egg, using the players as sacrifices.’

Either way, this was a dangerous situation. Just because demons were hostile to angels didn’t mean they would be friendly to humans.

‘Although, I’m sure it will be friendly towards me.’

After recently defeating Uriel and Raguel, Ryu Min’s reputation with the demon faction had risen to the level of “Eternal Ally.” In short, this demon wouldn’t attack him.

‘Though I can’t say the same for the other players.’

He couldn’t let the people he’d saved just die at the hands of this demon.

‘But I need to figure out its intentions first. Strangely enough, I can’t read its mind.’

Ryu Min had a Rune that allowed him to read the thoughts of angels. Naturally, he assumed he’d be able to read the thoughts of a demon as well since demons were sentient beings like humans.

But he couldn’t read anything from the demon standing before him, as if it were a soulless doll.

[This air, this environment… It’s unmistakably the human realm, though it feels slightly off.]

The demon sniffed the air, then turned its gaze toward the players.

[Humans? No, their bodies and souls feel out of sync… Players, I see. In that case, this must be a place mimicking the human world.]

The demon’s disappointment lasted only a moment before its lips twisted into a wicked smile.

[Well, it doesn’t matter. Even if they’re in different shells, trash is still trash.]

Suddenly, the demon’s eyes gleamed with malice.

[Filthy parasites. I might as well kill all of you to spite that angel brat. Heh heh heh.]

As the demon’s evil grin spread toward the players, a voice called out from the sky.

[W-what? A demon?]

Hearing the voice, the demon looked up.

[Who do we have here? Just in time—a pesky angel has shown up.]

[A-a demon? How…? It’s only the 14th round!]

The angel Milen looked bewildered. She had descended to this dimension to tally the round’s results, only to encounter an unexpected demon.

[A guide? You must be a ninth-ranked angel. Heh, it’s been a while since I’ve met one, and it’s disappointing to see that you’re weaker than a human.]

Despite the demon’s ridicule, Milen couldn’t maintain her pride. The strength she sensed from this demon was overwhelming, far beyond her ability to handle.

[So, you can at least sense power. It’s hilarious to see you trembling like that.]

[W-who are you?]

[Does it even matter if I tell you? Do you think trash like you would understand?]

[…….]

[Well, you might know. Have you heard of the Demon Grand Duke?]

[G-Grand Duke Plunictos?]

Milen’s eyes widened in shock. It was a rare sight for the players, who had never seen an angel this flustered.

[So, you’ve heard of me? Of course, even a fly like you must have heard of my reputation. After all, I’ve stacked the heads of countless angels. Heh heh heh.]

Milen couldn’t laugh. She knew too well that “flies” was a derogatory term the demons used for angels.

[Now that you know who I am, why don’t you come down? Or do you plan to hover above me forever?]

[Ah…]

Milen instinctively started to descend but halted mid-air.

‘W-wait a minute. Why am I listening to the orders of a demon when I’m not even dealing with an archangel?’

The sworn enemy of angels was always the demons. No matter how high-ranked, following a demon’s orders would be absurd.

[Why did you stop coming down? Hurry up and descend!]

As Milen slowly began to back away, the demon let out an incredulous laugh.

[I can’t believe this. A ninth-ranked angel is actually defying my orders.]

[If I come down, won’t you kill me?]

[I won’t kill you. I only wish to talk.]

Still, Milen didn’t move. She had been taught that demons lied as easily as they breathed and that they excelled at striking when their opponents let their guard down.

Her body continued to drift upwards.

[I-I’d prefer to talk from a distance…]

[This damn angel is really pushing my buttons. I swear, she’s making me want to kill her.]

The demon’s killing intent surged towards Milen.

[Do you really think I’m hesitating because I can’t kill a single fly like you? Do you honestly believe you can escape from my grasp?]

[…….]

[I offered you a chance to live, and yet here you are, showing me no respect. Fine, I’ll drag you down myself and rip off your wings. Then I’ll tear your limbs apart, just like the insect you are—]

Before the demon could finish its sentence, someone approached it.

[What…? A human?]

The demon’s eyes widened in surprise when it saw who had come forward.

[You… The Black Scythe?]

Of course, having such a high reputation made it easy for the demon to recognize him, even if it was their first encounter. Well that’s after he read his nickname.

[I’ve heard a lot about you, Black Scythe.]

With a crescent-moon smile, the demon spoke in a low voice, so only Ryu Min could hear.

[I’ve heard you smashed the heads of archangels yourself. You did well. Very well. How did you gain such power…?]

“Did you hear the rumors? Or did the system tell you?”

[…….]

The demon’s expression briefly soured, but it quickly shrugged it off with a cool smile.

[I hate it when people interrupt me, but since you’re the Black Scythe, our steadfast ally, I’ll let it slide this time.]

“No need for long speeches. Why are you here?”

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