Chapter 40
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The demon constellations are secretly selecting the “Apostles” who will serve them.
The unease Do-yoon felt inside the abandoned cathedral.
The words of Walter—that he had “coincidentally” discovered the trial—stuck in his mind.
‘I didn’t know the exact identity of who was behind it.’
But the senses honed through repeated regressions had picked up the trace of an unseen hand.
In this damned scenario of destruction, there were always two things: the “inevitable” that repeated without fail each round, and the “variables” that changed every time.
“What do you mean? I just found it while being chased by a monster.”
A textbook “variable.”
But was it truly coincidence?
Across all twelve rounds, Erast Walter had always been either the “Monster Professor” or the “Wraith Chancellor.”
If his steps led him to the abandoned cathedral every single round as a matter of “coincidence,” then it could no longer be called coincidence.
It meant there was a hand behind him, “guiding” him there.
‘The <Trial of the Dark Hall> is structured differently from ordinary trials.’
The trials designed by the constellations were unfairly fair.
It sounded contradictory, but it was true.
Even if designed at a difficulty that made you curse, so long as you succeeded, you received fitting rewards.
They did not demand one-sided losses from challengers.
But this place?
‘Fail, and you lose skills. Succeed, and you become their puppet.’
Unfairness mixed with outright injustice.
That was why the escape hatch of “End Trial” existed before entering the third stage.
Since the structure was abnormal, there also had to be risks for the demon constellations.
‘The Demon of Sadism, Romideus… he must be one of them. Not his true body, of course—an avatar.’
Just as the avatars who had overseen stages 1 and 2 were dragged into Do-yoon’s servitude.
The Dark Baron of stage 3 would also have to pay a price.
And that price would be far beyond losing a mere constellation.
The demon constellations had chosen the wrong opponent.
‘Of all people, it had to be me. Such rotten luck for them.’
[The “Demon of Gluttony” growls. “Human, what the hell do you want?”]
Exactly as expected.
A smirk tugged at Do-yoon’s lips.
“You still don’t get it. I’m the one cutting you a break here.”
[The “Demon of Oblivion” (몽염의 악마) raises her lips elegantly. “We know this trial’s survival rests on your fingertips. So… what is your ‘merciful’ proposal?”]
As the demons revealed their willingness to negotiate, Do-yoon slowly withdrew his hand from the flame sword.
“First, let’s be clear. Even if I leave here, it must not be counted as a failure. That means no penalty of losing skills.”
[The “Demon of Gluttony” nods. “That much is within the designer’s discretion.”]
“How do I trust you’ll keep your word? You’re demons, after all.”
[The “Demon of Gluttony” replies with an expression that could be either insulted or flattered. “Then we use the system’s notarization process. Ever heard of the Red Oath?”]
“First time hearing it.”
He feigned ignorance, though in truth he already knew.
And he knew well how excruciating the price of breaking it would be.
[The “Demon of Gluttony” sneers. “A mere human wouldn’t know. It’s an absolute contract that even constellations cannot defy.”]
“Fine. Next condition. I want all the rewards I’d receive if I cleared this trial.”
The demon constellations fell silent.
The rewards were right there, within his grasp.
They had no grounds to refuse.
[The “Demon of Masochism” concedes. “It was going to someone anyway.”]
[The “Demon of Sloth” nods lazily.]
“On top of that, I’ll be taking the first-clear reward as well.”
[The “Demon of Oblivion” glares icily. “The first clear happened ages ago. Don’t try that trick.”]
“Not that one. If you see someone wandering around clearing foreign trials in this mess, feel free to object.”
Do-yoon chuckled low.
“‘World’s First Foreign Trial Clear.’ ‘Nation’s First Foreign Trial Clear.’ No matter how you spin it, those titles belong to me.”
[Your knowledge of the “System” makes the demon constellations grimace.]
“Oh, and add the double-clear bonus. 2,500 points.”
[The “Demon of Gluttony” is momentarily lost for words. “Damn, you’re thorough. Fine, take it.”]
“And finally, I want reimbursement for the points I had to waste here.”
[A subtle silence falls among the demon constellations.]
[They wait for exact figures.]
“My ‘Mental Power’ from 5 to 24. That’s 18,500 points.
My ‘Compatibility’ from 1 to 20. That’s 460,200 points.”
He had saved 150,000 points by substituting with ability points, but he let that part slide.
“Altogether, 478,700 points.”
[The “Demon of Masochism” cannot believe his ears. “What…?”]
[The “Demon of Oblivion” is struck dumb with disbelief. “That was your growth investment!”]
[The “Demon of Sloth” jolts to his feet. “A second-tier special ability…?”]
[The “Demon of Gluttony” bellows. “You greedy bastard!”]
Despite their uproar, Do-yoon only shrugged nonchalantly.
“Giving in to my demands is cheaper in every way than redesigning the trial. Pretty reasonable deal, don’t you think?”
Logically, he wasn’t wrong.
But for the constellations, it wasn’t about logic or loss-and-profit calculations.
[“A mere human—how far do you think you can climb?”]
[“Now I see. You intended to draw us out from the start.”]
[“A player outsmarting our design—insufferable!”]
[“We should’ve ripped out his spine and boiled it in hell-broth.”]
[Your outrageous demands provoke the demon constellations into spewing even harsher curses!]
The message window filled with profanity.
Negotiations had failed.
“You really still don’t get it, huh.”
[“Toy Repairman’s Tool Belt (S)+” is activated.]
[Borrowing—‘Toy Repairman’s Screwdriver’]
“Well then.”
The shattered black armor of the Dark Baron.
Do-yoon gripped the screwdriver in reverse.
Kwaaak—!
He drove it straight into the knot of darkness at its core.
“…I’ll just ‘repair’ it.”
[The “Demon of Gluttony” bursts out laughing. “Pfft! What’s that, threatening us with a skewer?”]
[The “Demon of Oblivion” twists her lips into a grin.]
[The “Demon of Sloth” yawns mockingly.]
[The “Demon of Masochism” hides his face with both hands and cries out. “Haaah, Romi got beaten by this guy? I love it—no, it’s humiliating…!”]
As the demon constellations ridiculed him—
Do-yoon slowly, ever so slightly, turned the screwdriver.
Click.
The black armor shuddered violently.
Clink.
Shattered fragments began clinging back together, morphing into new shapes on their own.
Zzzzt, zzzzztt—
With each turn of the screwdriver, time flowed backward.
The exposed joints, the plain and undecorated design—
The origin of the Dark Baron.
It regressed into the prototype of the “Living Armor” that the demon constellations had designed.
A grotesque reverse playback of its very existence.
And then—
[The “7th Pillar Lord of the Ten Thousand Demon Hall” rushes forward frantically. “Impossible…! How does a human have that tool?!”]
[The “7th Pillar Lord” screams. “Get your hand away! Stop at once!”]
The Ten Thousand Demon Hall—where all demons gathered.
Its seventh pillar.
The faction formed of the most twisted desires: the Yo-rak Faction.
Bang—!
The faction leader’s fist slammed down, shattering a blood-crystal throne into dust.
“Damn it all!”
The subordinates already had their faces pressed to the floor, barely breathing.
“First Belaus, now even Romideus! How many more do we have to see sealed inside that damn Sanctuary?!”
The Yo-rak leader’s unleashed aura shredded the space itself.
Twitch!
Before their lord’s fury, the Demon of Masochism, Remideus, let out a moan—half fear, half pleasure.
“B-but how could anyone disobey the Demon Lord’s command? When he says jump, we jump. Ahh~ even his wrath is an honor to me.”
“Shut up, you perverted trash.”
The leader almost kicked Remideus, but realizing it would be a reward for him, he withdrew his foot.
His eyes fixed on the mirror floating in the air.
Reflected there was Hyun Do-yoon, driving a screwdriver into the Dark Baron’s heart.
Cold eyes staring back as though seeing straight through the mirror.
“Cocky bastard. So who the hell is this guy?”
The Demon of Oblivion rose, her alluring silhouette swaying.
“I shall report, my lord.”
With a seductive smile, she continued:
“Player Hyun Do-yoon. The only confirmed early awakener in Korea. Currently ranked AAA.”
“AAA? And that’s enough to cause all this?”
“It is not to be underestimated. His base stats were ordinary, but leveraging his early awakening, he has been growing at a grotesquely fast rate.”
“What’s AstraNet saying?”
“They report that his understanding of the system is unusually high, and that he’s an anomaly who doesn’t cower even before constellations. My own judgment agrees.”
“Hmph… He reeks of a regressor.”
The Demon of Oblivion shook her head.
“That is not the case. A constellation once checked his player code. No trace of repeated cycles was found.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, my lord. The information came from a highly reliable intelligence constellation.”
“If he’s not a regressor, then—”
The Yo-rak leader’s brows furrowed deeply.
“Just how the hell did he get his hands on that tool?”
The Demon of Oblivion lifted her brows slightly.
“That ‘tool’ in Hyun Do-yoon’s possession. Might I ask, my lord—what exactly is it?”
The other demons tilted their heads and whispered among themselves.
“That silly little tool is a threat?”
“It just looks like a toy.”
At those words, the Yo-rak leader’s shoulders trembled.
His pupils quivered.
Not awe, not fear—something beyond words flickered in his eyes.
“…You called it a toy just now.”
“Ah—no, what I meant was—”
The Yo-rak leader pressed his lips shut, then muttered as though swallowing poison.
“Yes… the ‘Toy Repairman.’ Even the Demon Lord himself doesn’t meddle with that existence lightly.”
“What? That can’t be! The Demon Lord himself?”
“The tools touched by his hand mock the laws of the universe and twist order itself.”
“W-what?!”
The subordinate demons’ faces all went pale.
The ruler of all demons.
Even the Demon Lord of Demon Lords, the master of the Ten Thousand Demon Hall, kept his distance from that being.
“Then… he’s no ordinary awakener.”
“Far more than that. It would be safer if he simply destroyed the trial outright.”
The Yo-rak leader glared once more into the mirror at Hyun Do-yoon.
“If he actually ‘repairs’ the Baron…”
At that moment, the Demon of Gluttony spoke cautiously.
“With respect, my lord… why not just leave him be? If he fails, he only loses a skill. He’ll have no choice but to clear the trial anyway.”
“Idiot!”
The leader slammed the iron table. The metal tore apart like paper.
“‘Repair’ and ‘Collection’ are one and the same. The <Dark Essence> that powers the Baron could be extracted! Do you even understand what that means?!”
“B-but that’s impossible.”
“Impossible…? That word means nothing to the Toy Repairman! He fixes even the impossible and makes it usable!”
The leader’s temples throbbed violently.
“Our very origin, the DNA of the great Demons—every secret condensed into that essence. If it falls into human hands—”
His jaw trembled.
“This isn’t about losing a few avatars.”
Just the thought sent chills down his spine.
It was a disaster too horrifying to imagine.
“…Our entire Yo-rak Faction could be obliterated! Give him whatever he asks for—whatever it is!”
