Devil’s Night – 1

Erkindra will distribute personnel to search for the fallen. All information obtained will be shared with Rebellion. Rebellion will cooperate with Erkindra under the condition of subjugating the fallen to tame them for Rebellion. Both guilds will support humans, elves, and monsters.

Once we dug into the details, we had a few more provisions, but the most important of them were these.

“As before, you’ll grasp the whereabouts of the fallen and move in to save them. Avoid colliding with the humans and elves as much as possible. We, like today, will tame the fallen. It won’t hurt, and you can achieve your guild’s purpose smoother.”

“…I can’t tell what you’re thinking. Do you want to save the fallen, or do you just want great power?”

“Rather than what I think, think about what can be achieved through this alliance.” She puffed up her cheeks and thought for a while, but eventually nodded.

“Alright, I’m convinced. But first, I have to ask our guild members if they have any complaints.”

“If there is any?”

“I’ll let them go.” I was a bit surprised by her unexpected answer, but she hardened her heart. I could tell she was determined.

“When internal opinions are split, it’ll only get harder later. The size of the guild may be reduced a little, but is that okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I’ll be back. Please wait.”

“Come back anytime.” She stood up straight away and regarded me.

“You…”

“Hm?”

“No, it’s nothing.” I couldn’t tell if she knew every move she made put me on edge. She turned away with a small smile. The Erkindra guild, led by my sister, went back, leaving only the members of Rebellion in the castle. I let out a sigh, and Lee Chan-yu stepped closer to me.

“I think that went well. Why the sigh?”

“There’s no problem with the alliance itself, just…” I was convinced it was an alliance that was worthwhile to both of us, but I couldn’t stop thinking that I forced my sister into an irreversible choice. An alliance with Rebellion meant they would have to face some strong enemies one day, and it felt meaningless that I had kept my identity secret from her. I initially thought to only watch from a distance, but various situations popped up in ways I didn’t expect. As if he could read my thoughts, Lee Chan-yu smiled at me.

“You’ve helped me several times before, enough so that it wouldn’t be enough for me to bow and express my gratitude a hundred times, so…” He looked at me directly.

“Do you like that girl?”

“…” I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about, so I could only blink. His smile grew even larger.

“I know your heart.”

“It’s not like that.”

“You don’t need to hide it. The captain greatly favors that person. I know how hard it’s been for you, but I’m sure that love will fill the emptiness inside of you!” I smacked Lee Chan-yu’s head as he needlessly spewed out passionate words and clenched his fist. I met Cain’s eyes, who was still leaning against the wall and looked out the large window in the castle.

[I’m feeling happy to enjoy this warm conversation after such a long time.]“Your words are too heavy.”

“Myu.” I stretched out with Solas on my shoulder. When I first heard a monster had appeared, I made a vague prediction. As a result, I not only acquired a strong fellow named Cain, but I was now also cooperating with my sister’s guild. At the same time, however, it was also a declaration of war against Elakatra. It would be difficult to move in the future with them checking in on me, so I have to move quickly and become stronger. But today…

“Should I have a drink today?” Lee Chan-yu was astonished.

“The captain sometimes says the worst things.”

“I don’t know about you, but Cain needs a break. So let’s take the day off.”

[Alcohol? To make me drunk in this body, I will need more than just a bottle of wine.]

Cain’s let out a laugh, the gigantic ogre’s body rumbling.

“I’ll make you drink until you get drunk, so look forward to it. Tomorrow will be tough.”

[Will it be time to keep my promise? I’ll be prepared.]

He nodded, his voice solemn. Looking up, I watched the clear moon float in the night sky. It really was a good night to get drunk. From tomorrow on, we would begin to move earnestly. We had so many problems aside from the Elakatra, but they all had one solution: to get stronger as soon as possible. To that end, it was my goal to bring higher-level entities under my command. We would have to travel far, too. The larger guilds monopolized the well-known dungeons around here, so we had to go beyond Seoul to find a new hunting ground.

“Are we leaving our mark wherever we go?”

“We just returned to human society, but now it’ll be difficult.”

[I’m sorry.]

“No, it’s alright. It was my fault for being so loud when I rescued you.”

“Cain’s great size will be a valuable asset though.”

“Myu.” There was only one way forward. I looked back at Lee Chan-yu and Cain, thinking for just a moment before nodding. I went ahead and opened the door to the underworld.

“Lee Chan-yu, leave only a few monsters to protect the fortress.”

“You’re taking us?” Lee Chan-yu’s eyes shone fiercely. I had never brought him with me before, and until now, he had deliberately avoided bringing it up out of consideration for me. But he seemed curious. I smiled bitterly and made the door bigger, beckoning for Cain to join us.

“Come on, Cain. Don’t you want to get stronger too?”

[I thought I wasn’t an ordinary person but…you’re in a different league.]

“You’re back, Fate.” Rain greeted me as always, unshaken no matter my appearance or company. Cain and Lee Chan-yu stood behind me, instinctively bowing their heads to Rain as they noticed the difference in their strength.

“I was going to look for a dungeon on Earth, but some things popped up, so I brought them here instead.”

“That is good timing, Fate. It’s getting closer.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“There is something that you should care about in this place.” Rain had a smile on his lips.

“L?”

“Less important than her.” A bitter laugh left him.

“As I said before, we can only stay inside this castle. Until now, it was okay because we were staying in the space given to us…”

“Does that have anything to do with L being out there?” On the wall, I saw L wearing a dress that was fluttering in the wind. She had been staring at me the entire time, so I couldn’t help but be conscious of it. A, who I hadn’t seen since conquering Jinma’s tower, was standing close to her with his eyes closed. L didn’t seem to care about him at all, though.

“Do you mean the Devil’s Night…?”[The Devil’s Night?]

While I had no idea of what it could be, Lee Chan-yu asked that. It even made Cain react.

“You know it well, you two. When you think about what you’ve been through so far, big things will happen.”

“What is it?”

“It is the night when ‘Ma’ was born. The night when all villages collide, an absolute rule admired by the underground.”

Thankfully, Lee Chan-yu interpreted Rain’s unintelligible words.

“I told you once about the underground battlefield, where aggressive monsters fight like crazy. When the time of the Devil’s Night arrives…”

[Experience values increase. It is said to be a sublime ritual where everyone fights for one purpose.]

Cain was clenching his fists.

[It worked out fine for me, though. I wasn’t strong enough to stay there.]

“It was the same for me. It’s a good opportunity in some ways, though.” Cain and Lee Chan-yu were united, and I was able to get a rough idea of what was happening from their conversation.

“Anyway, so demons will flock to this castle or something?”

“Like moths to a flame, but it’s annoying for us who can’t leave. It becomes difficult for us to keep the castle completely safe.” Rain smiled bitterly.

“The three of us will focus on defense. I apologize, but may I ask you to intercept?”

“Is there a strong opponent like L? I’m not confident about facing that yet.”

“Don’t worry. There are few such strong opponents left here.” He shrugged.

“If you don’t stop by and see her, she’ll scold you. So please go hug her before the battle starts.”

“I’ll tell you all about it later.”

“Fate!” Having embarrassed Rain a little, I smiled and looked back. Lee Chan-yu noticed L and looked at me with a blank face.

“Captain, two women?”

“I don’t remember there being any.”

The moon in the sky gradually began to glow black, an omen of what would soon occur. The Devil’s Night would come and with it a large number of demons. Thinking about it, it seemed similar to the outbreaks that would happen in a dungeon, or the Winds of Eutinus on the battlefield. I didn’t think it was a coincidence. No doubt, they were all related somehow. Perhaps it had something to do with the Elakatra or their chief. Maybe if I went through this, I would learn more about them.

“By the way, captain.”

“What?”

Only

“Who is that elf over there?”

“Ah.” I turned my head. I had been focused on L until now, but there was Mireina standing by with a bow. I thought she might cry if she realized I didn’t recognize her presence. Lee Chan-yu, who saw my reaction, made a face of realization.

“Not just two women, but three?!”

“You… are you bothered by the idea of me dating…?” I scratched my head.

“How like you.”

“The captain is completely a servant to love…”

I pushed him away and climbed the wall.

Soon, the Devil’s Night would arrive.