Barbarian in a Failed Game

When Kurtank opened her eyes again, she realized she was in an unfamiliar room. And a nightmarish voice spoke from right beside her.

“Here….”

“This is Residence No. 17.”

“You─!”

As soon as she heard the voice, memories rushed back to her. Right before she lost consciousness, she remembered her forces being wiped out in an instant, the secret weapon Bloodworm being split open, and the distinct aura she sensed from the Scion of the Arch Demon.

“…….”

Kurtank’s lips, which had been about to burst into a shout while pointing accusingly at Khan, clamped shut.

If the aura she felt was genuine, then the demon before her wasn’t just any ordinary demon…

“Your abilities are quite handy.”

“…What do you plan to do with me?”

“You catch on quickly.”

For some reason, Kurtank’s tone had become more cautious, and a pleased smile curved Khan’s lips. Whether it was due to the Heart of Predation on his right chest or not, he was satisfied that the subordinate he intended to use was capable of such discretion.

“Let’s go back to the first question. Among the generals, where do you rank? Considering you’re in such a remote place, your standing must be lower?”

The question was rude, outright disrespectful, but Kurtank suppressed her emotions. She understood precisely who held the power in their current situation. Moreover, she had confidence in her abilities.

“There are twenty-one demonkin generals. Among them, there are only three whom I cannot defeat.”

“Demon generals?”

“That’s the designation for the generals in the legion. Unlike the legions outside the Blood Domain, we are led by demons, hence the distinction.”

Khan paused for a brief moment.

“So why are you stuck out here in this remote area?”

“You’ve seen my abilities, right? I can enchant any intelligent being and make them my subordinate. That includes other demonkin generals. The only exceptions are you and…”

Kurtank trailed off, glancing warily at Khan. She seemed hesitant to mention another ‘exceptional being’ like Khan.

“…The one who created the current legion. He also isn’t affected by my charm.”

“And the other two? You said there were three you couldn’t beat. Besides the one who created the legion, there should be two more.”

“Those two, our abilities are simply mismatched. One is too fast, and the other is too tough. It’s not that I would lose, it’s just that the battles would end in a draw.”

“Well, that’s something you don’t know without trying.”

Khan continued his questioning, indifferent to Kurtank’s frustrated expression.

“What kind of guy is the one who gathered these demonkin generals? You seem to be quite cautious.”

“Are you asking me that?”

“Who else could I ask?”

“…….”

Kurtank felt the conversation was veering off course.

‘What’s going on? I thought he knew about the other descendant of the Hell Monarch and came here because of that?’

Considering a being with the same Hell Monarch’s power as the head of the Blood Domain legion suddenly causing chaos in the Blood Domain, it seemed more plausible that Khan was aware of his presence.

Moreover, Kurtank was inspecting the residence due to orders from ‘him,’ so from her perspective, it was logical to think she had been caught up in a fight between the two descendants.

But from the way the conversation was flowing now, it seemed like the gray demon before her had no idea about the other’s existence.

“…Do you really not know?”

“I wouldn’t be asking if I did.”

“Sigh….”

Kurtank cast a suspicious glance, wondering if she was being deceived, but Khan showed no reaction.

‘So, he really just appeared by coincidence? And I just happened to get entangled…?’

Thinking this way left her feeling hollow. Encountering a monster by chance had rendered her lifelong efforts futile. Even a seasoned demonkin general like Kurtank couldn’t help but be stirred.

“…He’s not well-known. Among us, he is just spoken of as a monster comparable to the demons outside the Blood Domain. How strong he is hasn’t been detailed.”

“Is it because no one has seen him fight?”

“No. He often demonstrates his power. Especially when there are rebellious movements within the legion. He personally executes them as an example. Naturally, even rebel demonkin generals have tried to resist…”

But they couldn’t even come close.

“Let me make it clear, all demonkin generals are powerhouses that are hard to categorize as mere demonkins. While they may not be on par with demons from outside, three or more together could stand against external demons. But… he’s different. No matter how many of us join forces, we can’t stand against him.”

Just recalling the memory seemed to give Kurtank goosebumps.

“Even though he only acted for a moment, the aftermath resulted in six rebel demonkin generals and hundreds of strong demonkins turning into blood puddles. They didn’t leave a trace… Not even a single scream. Just, in an instant.”

Despite Kurtank’s warning, Khan’s reaction was dismissive.

“All you’re saying is he’s strong. Not quite what I was expecting.”

“…Whatever you were expecting, you won’t get that information from me. I’ve been exiled from the central legion. Only a handful of times have I seen him since I became a demonkin general.”

“Then why do you trust that guy and follow him? You don’t know who he is or how strong he is.”

“Because he’s strong. Isn’t that enough?”

A different mindset, indeed. Khan fell silent, momentarily taken aback by Kurtank’s straightforward attitude as if questioning why he would even ask.

“Of course.”

Perhaps mistaking Khan’s reaction for displeasure, Kurtank hurriedly added further explanation.

“That’s not all. Actually… I thought you’d know best, but apparently not.”

“Me? What do you mean by that?”

“The thing on your right chest. It’s a fragment of a Hell Monarch, isn’t it?”

Khan’s eyes became sharply focused. Surrounded by a palpable menace that suggested he might split her skull with an axe if she didn’t explain how she knew, Kurtank raised her hands in exaggerated surrender.

“I just sensed it. I’ve felt something similar before… Even if it’s not me, some of the other demonkin generals can sense the fragment’s power in you instinctively.”

Though she didn’t understand how it was possible, Kurtank seemed to gather more information from Khan’s reaction, her demeanor relaxing slightly.

“And the one who created the Blood Domain legion carries a fragment of the Hell Monarch, just like you. My abilities didn’t work on him either. That’s why I was exiled to the outskirts. My powers don’t affect him.”

‘So Tulkan’s claim that the demonkin generals inherited Esperus’s power was true…’

Khan was now half-convinced that the one who had gathered the demonkin generals, including Kurtank, held vital clues. A fragment of a Hell Monarch. In other words, a being with powers once possessed by a scion of the Arc Demon.

‘It’s only natural that he knows things others don’t about Esperus. He might have found the place where Esperus vanished and taken those powers.’

However, the issue was more complex than that. Finding the dimensional rift and politely asking for all the details wouldn’t result in a cooperative response.

‘They might aim for the power I possess.’

Given this, Khan would need a different approach. Since the chance of a friendly reception was virtually nil,

‘I need to strike first.’

“Why are you staring at me like that? I’ve told you everything I know. Is this done?”

Kurtank stood up in the opulent room that Tulkan had prepared to showcase his prestige, subtly increasing the distance between herself and Khan. It was a clear gesture for him to let her go.

Khan gave a small nod, signaling her to do as she wished. Kurtank hesitated several times, suspecting a potential ambush from behind, but the apparent sincerity in Khan’s intention to let her leave left her feeling both puzzled and relieved.

However, just as she was about to leave, a mocking voice stopped her in her tracks.

“By the way, will you actually survive going back after losing so many of your subordinates?”

Given her situation, she should have ignored such a simple provocation. Yet Kurtank halted not because she fell for the provocation, but because she understood the true meaning behind it. This man intended to win her over.

“…What do you really want?”

At first, she thought he had come to find the other descendant of the Hell Monarch. But it turned out to be a coincidence. And now he was trying to recruit her?

It was a perplexing turn of events.

“From what I hear, you’re quite dissatisfied being stuck in the outskirts. You’re unable to do anything because of the one your abilities don’t work on. Isn’t that right?”

“What does that have to do with anyth—”

“I’ll send you to the central region.”

Kurtank’s eyes widened in shock despite her attempt to maintain composure.

“If I eliminate those demonkin generals your abilities don’t affect and the other descendant, wouldn’t you be able to control the Blood Domain with your power?”

“Ha…! You must be joking. Sure, I can admit you’re strong. But I’m unsure if you’re capable of handling all the demonkin generals. Especially against him, mere strength won’t suffice…!”

“Then I’ll show you.”

When did he get so close?

Kurtank flinched and took a step back, startled by Khan’s face suddenly being inches away. But for every step she took back, Khan took one forward, keeping the distance unchanged.

“You’re not the only demonkin general operating outside the central region. If they exiled you here to keep your abilities in check, it’s likely they sent measures to control you as well. Am I right?”

“How do you…!”

“I’ll deal with all of them. Better yet, I’ll capture them alive so you can use your abilities on them.”

Is this enough as a down payment?

***

On the outskirts of the Blood Domain, the largest of the demon residences bore the number one. At the center of this residence stood an antique castle distinct from its surroundings.

Oddly enough, the castle lacked any walls, as if its owner anticipated no attacks from the outside. This was because the castle’s owner was a powerful demon lord who ruled the Blood Domain.

The absence of walls was a demonstration that the demon lord had no fear of being overwhelmed by hundreds or thousands of lesser demons. In reality, as long as the demon lords resided there, the walls were unnecessary, making the castle nearly impregnable.

Currently, the stronghold had indeed become nearly invincible since a demonkin general, renowned even among those at the central legion, had been dispatched there.

“Lord Tenel, according to your orders, we deceived Kurtank by posing it as a central mission and sent her to Residence No. 17. But are you certain this is alright? If she finds out we sent her knowing there was danger lurking there, she won’t stay quiet…”

“It doesn’t matter. No matter what that fox tries, she won’t be able to kill me.”

The name of this demonkin general was Tenel. Known as the ‘Shield of the Blood King’ in the central region, he was a powerful demon and the one responsible for sending Kurtank to where Khan was.

“No, actually, it would be preferable if she survived and then came to try killing me.”

Tenel chuckled, his voice a mix of metallic rasping and a deep male tone, producing an eerie sound.

“Then I’d have a good reason to put that damn fox down and return to the central region as soon as possible.”