Chapter 489: A Demon Must Act Like A Demon To Be A Demon (1)

Regressor Instruction Manual

- Disgusting bastard.

Donovan, the cancerous member of the 27th Legion. He was an uncompromising warrior and was currently a new member of Belial’s army. Personally, he was the type of individual that I despised the most. Unlike Rimoura, Lonovera, and Ballitos, his nature was the complete opposite of Belial, and if I had met him without knowing anything, then I would have been doubtful if he was even a member of the 27th Legion.

That was how unsuitable Donovan—the scapegoat—was from the legion, but…

‘This is all in the past.’

Before Belial’s army became the 27th Legion, he was still the leader of the 68th Legion.

I was sure Belial was desperate to climb the ranks because the 72nd Legion was the last legion among the 72 Demon Lords. I was sure his position was worse before he became one of the 72 Demon Lords.

He had definitely recruited any Tom, Dick, or Harry for the sake of increasing the size of his army. It had to be the reason why his army was so disorganized.

‘That’s why this guy is trash…’

Of course, I knew that Belial’s nature was hopelessly shitty.

However, Belial also knew how to prioritize quality over quantity, especially now that there was no way he was going to be demoted after becoming the 27th Demon Lord among the 72 Demon Lords.

It was understandable that he was trying to create a solid army, but abandoning his subordinates who had been working hard for his sake was still a scummy move. I was sure he had his own reasons, but he had to have realized that it would be dangerous for him to get rid of them with his own hands.

Therefore, he was trying to use me to get rid of his incompetent subordinates, which was such an asshole move for me.

I had no choice but to nod while smiling because I still had a lot to learn. The world was big, and there were lots of scummy people out there. It was also the moment I realized that the darkness still hadn’t completely engulfed Light Ki-Young.

‘It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, so it’s good for me. Honestly, I feel kind of bad for him, but I don’t anymore.’

I got what I wanted, so there was no need for me to feel bad. The most important thing right now was to quickly get out of this formal meeting and move on to the next stage.

I was about to speak, but Donovan interrupted me with an annoyed look.

‘It should be easy, but I should still take it slow.’

Donovan was the lead actor, and he would have the most important role in this audition of evil.

- I’m just here to pass the time, so don’t think about talking with that dirty mouth of yours, human.

“...”

- Honestly, I’m not happy that a scum like you is standing beside Belial. If I could, I would have already wrung that weak neck of yours.

“...”

I kept on smiling at him, but it was ridiculous how he kept acting hostile toward me. He emitted a murderous intent that made me want to run away and escape, which was kind of shocking because I knew that he would do that to me.

Fortunately, I had a solution for this, so I continued talking with a smile.

Donovan was surprised to see me talking while smiling.

“You must fill out the questionnaire, Mr. Donovan. I needed to provide proof to Belial that you came here. I already knew that you weren’t happy about this project.”

- Looks like you’re looking down on me. Didn’t I tell you not to talk with those dirty lips of yours?!

“You pass,” I said.

- What?

“I said that you passed, Mr. Donovan,” I repeated.

- It seems like you really don’t know your place. If you’re acting this way because you have Belial’s support, you’re making a big mistake, human.

“No, that’s not it, Mr. Donovan. I always engrave the words of the great high priests on my heart. I know my place very well. I told you that you passed because it’s Belial’s will, so please don’t be angry,” I explained.

- What… are you talking about?

“What do you think about the current 27th Legion, Mr. Donovan?” I asked.

‘Coaxing an idiot isn’t that hard.’

- I just asked what the hell you’re talking about.

“The answer is in the question I asked, Mr. Donovan. Please don’t be angry and answer this mortal’s question. I’ll ask one more time—what do you think about the current 27th Legion, High Priest Donovan?” I asked again.

- …

“I’m sure you already know the answer. The 27th Legion is…” I deliberately trailed off to observe his expression.

- …

“...weak.” I continued.

- It’s not weak. How dare you judge the strength of the 27th Legion?!

“I’m not talking about strength. I’m talking about the mentality. A long time ago, when Belial was still the leader of the 72nd Legion, the 27th Legion wasn’t like this. The 27th Legion was filled with courageous warriors overflowing with fighting spirit. The 27th Legion of the past was smaller, but the warriors were strong and unyielding. Don’t you agree?” I asked.

- Stop talking shit when you don’t know anything. You dirty human…

“However, the young demons these days aren’t like that. Rather than the glorious war filled with blood and guts, they have become businessmen that are more focused on contracts and results. It can’t be helped because trends are ever-changing. I’m sure that they simply realized that it was the easiest and safest route to success. Basically, you’re a hero living in the glory of the heyday, so it’s only natural that real warriors like you are dissatisfied with the current status quo,” I continued.

- So what are you trying to say?

“I’ll get straight to the point. Belial said he wants to walk the centrist path,” I replied.

- What?

“The unification of hard-liners and soft-liners. He’s trying to walk down the difficult path,” I added.

- …!

“It seems that Belial is also longing for the glorious days, Mr. Donovan,” I continued.

I checked his reaction and saw tears in his eyes, and it was a reaction that was unlike a demon. His feelings were none of my business, but I had a feeling that he was overwhelmed with emotions.

‘So even crocodiles cry…’

My heart broke because I couldn’t use the famous line—Cry and prove your innocence!

I clenched my fists and continued our smooth conversation.

“No matter how you look at it, the 27th Legion is currently walking in the direction of soft-liners. Belial felt bad for the demons who weren’t that strong physically, so he decided to take them in. However, he had no choice but to acknowledge the fact that the result wasn’t that great. Right now, those young demons are the leaders of the 27th Legion. In the end, it seems like Belial is troubled because the army is losing its glory and honor. Naturally, I understand how you’ve been feeling these days, Mr. Donovan,” I explained.

- …

“I believe you’re unsatisfied about many things, and even after reaching the top, you’ll still have no choice but to listen to the opinions of the majority. However, the 27th Legion’s current path isn’t that strange because of the ever-changing trends, so please don’t harbor resentment,” I added.

- I have never resented Belial.

“That is the reason Belial told me to make you the key member of this project. He also told me to tell you this secretly,” I said.

- …

“He said he wants to empower you and the hard-liners within the army to form an equilibrium with the demons like Rimoura, Lonovera, and Ballitos. Belial wants to recruit you as one of the Four Heavenly Kings who will assist him in the future. He also believes that this project is the start of walking down the centrist path. If you think I’m lying, you can ask Belial yourself, Mr. Donovan,” I told him.

- There’s no need for me to confirm since I’ve always thought of Belial as a centrist. The centrist path… the centrist path.

“This step is a very small step to him personally, but it’ll be a meaningful step because it’ll help the 27th Legion take one step ahead. Mr. Donovan, once you’ve accepted my offer, please engrave on your heart the fact that you’re part of the 27th Legion. You’re the key to this plan, Mr. Donovan,” I said.

- …

“This is Belial’s will, Mr. Donovan,” I added.

I noticed him staring intently at me.

‘Did I get caught?’

I couldn’t help but think that way for a brief moment, but there was no way he would catch me red-handed. I even used Belial for this, so there was no way he would be suspicious of me.

- You.

“Yes?”

- You’re not as rotten as I thought.

“I-I appreciate that you’re thinking that way,” I stuttered.

- Do you agree with him?

“How could a lowly mortal like me give an opinion? I’m just a man doing whatever Belial tells me to do…”

- I asked if you agree with him, human.

“Of course.”

- …

“The path that Belial wants to take isn’t going to be easy at all, but if the 27th Legion takes that path, not only will the army grow a lot, but I’m sure that it’ll also rejuvenate the lifeless hell and usher in a new era. The hard-liners, soft-liners, and centrists. The forces of hell are currently divided into two camps, but Belial’s path will instantly divide hell into three camps. This is what you call dividing the world into three,” I continued.

- Dividing… the world… into three…

“The 27th Legion will soon become one of the leaders of hell, so please leave your sword to me, Mr. Donovan,” I suggested.

‘Will Ki-Young Coin go to the moon?!’

I could see that Donovan’s opinion of me was improving, and his gaze toward me was softening as well. However, it was a bit scarier than cute to see him hesitate, and that was when he suddenly stretched his fist toward me.

‘Is this bastard crazy?!’

I was stupefied, but his fist was moving slower than I expected, so I was confused. In addition, he also broke out into a cold sweat just to control his strength. I wasn’t sure if this was the right description, but he looked as if he was trying his best not to kill an ant while trying to touch it.

I wasn’t sure what to do. I raised my fist in response, and I felt a slight shock.

‘What are you doing, you crazy bastard?’

And that was when he explained shyly…

- Punching each other makes us friends...

‘Ah… No wonder people have been abandoning you. It’s because you’re still using past trends.’

“It’s an honor,” I said.

- Two thousand years. It’s longer than I thought, but I’ll be waiting for the day we fight together, human. No, my friend.

I felt bad, but I was sure that day was never going to come because an unfortunate accident would claim this bastard’s life during the upcoming war.

‘I feel bad for Donovan, and it’s unfortunate that he has been making bad friends.’

As an apology, I decided that I would bring the most beautiful flowers to his grave—no, I had no choice but to promise that I would do that.