After hours of immersing himself in scrolls and ancient tomes, Jin-ho began to make sense of his new reality. The diverse demon races, their unique abilities, and the long war with humans—all of it painted a fascinating yet complex picture of this world's history. The various powers that existed here were truly remarkable.
One detail, however, left Jin-ho particularly unsettled: humans apparently possessed no inherent powers. All demons, regardless of type, wielded some form of magical ability or special attribute. If that was the case, how had humans managed to force demonkind into such a small territory? The historical accounts didn't provide a satisfying explanation for this apparent contradiction.
With the Demon God's guidance, Jin-ho had learned to sense the whereabouts of demon populations throughout the realm. While he couldn't pinpoint individuals with precision, he could perceive that nearly all demons were concentrated in a surprisingly small area, with only a few scattered beyond these boundaries. The Demon God had also taught him how to focus on specific demons, sensing their general location and activities.
This tracking ability wasn't as clear as visual observation—it functioned more like an intuitive awareness. Jin-ho compared it to speaking with someone over the phone; you couldn't see them, but background noises revealed whether they were indoors or outside, in a crowd or alone. He couldn't hear his subjects, but the sensory principle was similar.
According to the Demon God, this ability was connected to the essence that powered all beings in this world. The deity had used a term from the demonic language that didn't translate well, though he explained he'd been converting everything else to Jin-ho's understanding. The closest approximation was simply "magic."
When Jin-ho finally examined a map of the entire world—a single massive landmass with interconnected regions—he was struck by the demons' situation. Their territory occupied only a small section of the northern lands, a fraction of what he'd expected for beings of such power and diversity.
"C-can I ask you something?" Jin-ho said aloud. He doubted he would ever get used to his new voice. It resonated with such depth that any man would envy it. Women would likely swoon if sweet-talked by such tones, and even the bravest souls would tremble at the slightest threat delivered through it.
"What do you want? Are you finally going to leave this place? We've been in here for hourssss," the Demon God complained, stretching the word like a bored teenager trapped in a lecture.
"First, no, we are not leaving," Jin-ho replied firmly. "And second, how in the world did demons get backed into a corner like this? I can't find anything that makes logical sense. Demons could have wiped out humans easily. What happened? Something significant must have occurred." He stood up and moved closer to examine the map on the wall, nestled among countless scrolls and ancient tomes.
"Well, it's because of the Goddess," the Demon God explained. "She changed how humans felt about demons. She also gave them blessings. Every human above the age of twelve received one. A few became nearly as powerful as your right-hand man, Kraxis. You noticed his scar, yes? Most humans had blessings equivalent to an average demon. Humans live shorter lives, but they reproduce far more quickly than demonkind. They simply outnumbered us."
"Do humans still have these blessings? If so, then—" Jin-ho began, but the Demon God interrupted.
"No, they no longer possess their magic. The Goddess bestowed all their power upon the hero she summoned before departing. I didn't need to do the same because you were entering a body that already contained considerable power."
"So why am I here? Just to rule over demons? If humans aren't a problem anymore, why do you need me? I don't remember much from when I was dying," Jin-ho asked. He pulled a face of disgust when he realized he had referred to his own race as "humans" rather than "people." He was already beginning to think of them as something rather than someone.
"Oh, it's simple—just kill all the humans," the Demon God stated casually.
"Okay, I just ne— wait, kill all humans?" Jin-ho's eyes widened gradually as the words registered.
"Yes, just kill all the humans. Then you rule this world," the Demon God continued in a matter-of-fact tone. "Simple, right?"
Jin-ho felt anger boiling within him, mingled with rising stress. "SIMPLE? Are you kidding me? I am a human!"
The faces of his parents flashed through his mind—long gone, but still a connection to his humanity. He thought of the few people who were reoccurring customers, the delivery people he interacted with, and even the random strangers he passed on the street. All humans. All marked for death according to this callous deity's plan. Though Jin-ho had always kept people at a distance, the thought of being responsible for their extinction made him physically ill.
Jin-ho heard the Demon God make three dismissive clicks before responding, "No, no, you aren't human anymore. You are Azrael, the Demon King. Your humanity ended when you entered this body."
Jin-ho couldn't believe what the Demon God was saying. Though his body was different—a demon form—his mind remained human, a person with his own identity and morality. As his anger and stress escalated, Jin-ho noticed shadows around him whipping out like living tendrils, responding to his emotional state.
The sight triggered immediate panic. He instinctively jumped backward, forgetting that his new body didn't respond to subtle movements the way his human form had. His muscles coiled with far more power than he intended, launching him backward with alarming force.
Jin-ho found himself embedded in the wall, with scrolls cascading around him and clouds of dust and smoke billowing through the chamber. He held his breath instinctively, wanting to avoid another coughing fit, especially in this enclosed cave.
A sudden realization struck him. He'd been in this sealed cavern for hours—a space that hadn't been opened in what appeared to be centuries. By all logic, he shouldn't be able to breathe here at all.
Hey, how come I can breathe in here? Jin-ho asked the Demon God mentally as he continued holding his breath, waiting for the dust to settle.
"Oh, you don't really need to breathe—you can subsist entirely on magic. This entire place is constructed from it. The black stone is essentially crystallized magic. It only holds demonic energy, though. You read about this less than an hour ago," the Demon God explained with a weary sigh, as if instructing a particularly slow child.
Jin-ho rolled his eyes. He carefully extracted himself from the wall he had impacted. Only his spine was slightly broken, but it snapped back into alignment as he pulled free from the Demon King-sized crater in the stone. Jin-ho slowly released his breath, taking care not to disturb the scattered scrolls or stir up more dust.
"Okay, so I don't need to breathe, yet I just exhaled," Jin-ho said as he began collecting the fallen scrolls. "I understand magic surrounds us, but breathing magic instead of oxygen? That makes no sense."
"Only demons breathe magic. Humans require oxygen. The Goddess rejected my idea of fashioning the entire world from magic crystals," the Demon God explained before adding in a quieter, almost petulant tone, "She said it was ugly."
Jin-ho struggled to contain his amusement at the Demon God's evident wounded pride over having his aesthetic sensibilities criticized. Despite his earlier anger, he couldn't help but grin at the deity's unexpected moment of vanity.
Jin-ho began to sigh, then caught himself, reconsidering how he should move and breathe with this unfamiliar body. His new form was doing nothing good for his stress levels.
"So, what year is it now? I didn't get a clear time frame," Jin-ho asked as he carefully placed the fallen scrolls back on shelves that remained intact. "The last dated scroll I found was from year three hundred and fifty-six, if I remember correctly. I know it's been centuries, but exactly how many?"
After a few seconds of silence, the Demon God finally replied, "It's the year, eight hundred and sixty-four."
Jin-ho froze, then slowly looked up at the ceiling. "Over five hundred years?" He lowered his head and shook it disapprovingly. "Why did it take you so long to summon someone? Wait, don't answer that. You don't seem particularly bright." He began walking toward the two massive doors at the end of the hall. After hours of reading, he had gradually made his way closer to them.
"Hey, I'm not stupid. I am smart," the Demon God protested indignantly. "I just didn't know how to perform a summoning. I observed the Goddess do it once, then quickly attempted it myself. For my first time, I think I did remarkably well." His tone carried unmistakable pride.
Jin-ho rolled his eyes but paused to reconsider. To witness someone perform a complex action and then replicate it, even imperfectly, was somewhat impressive. Jin-ho had assumed summoning would be extraordinarily difficult.
What Jin-ho didn't realize was that the Demon God had merely needed to contact the same deity the Goddess had negotiated with and arrange a trade for a soul. Since the Goddess had depleted all their collective riches—even the Demon God's personal treasures—all he had left to trade was some premium meat he'd been saving for a special meal. The Demon God had simply been fortunate that Jin-ho's soul was available at such a bargain price.
Jin-ho's massive feet carried him toward the two imposing doors at the hall's end. As he drew closer, he noticed they appeared almost identical—twins in design and proportion. Even the cracks in the stone matched perfectly. The only difference was their coloration: one fashioned from gray stone, the other from the same black material that dominated the chamber.
Throughout the hall, these two materials formed a consistent pattern. The primary structure—walls, floor, and ceiling—consisted of the black stone, while shelves and smaller elements were crafted from the gray variant.
"Hey, why are these doors made of different stones?" Jin-ho asked as he approached.
"The gray stone was once white as snow," the Demon God explained. "It was formed from magic meant for human use. Without human presence in this area over the centuries, it's faded to gray. Eventually, it will become ordinary stone if humans don't return to these halls, though it won't structurally fail."
The deity continued, "The black stone was also gray before your arrival. Your presence—specifically your status as Demon King—activated it to its full obsidian state. The stone responds more intensely to beings of higher power. Similarly, royal human bloodlines would cause the other door to illuminate with white light."
Jin-ho reached out to touch the gray door but encountered invisible resistance several inches from its surface. It felt as though he were pressing against a solid barrier, though nothing was visibly there. "Why can't I touch this door?" he asked, applying more pressure. The invisible barrier remained unyielding.
"I believe I already explained that there are two rooms that could only be entered by their respective owners—you and the Human Queen. That is her chamber. You cannot enter it. The other one, however, is yours to explore."
Jin-ho turned to the black door, which appeared to absorb the surrounding light. When he touched it, his fingers met solid, tangible material. He pushed it open, noting it had neither handle nor lock. Though it moved like a standard door, it swung open with surprising ease.
As Jin-ho entered, blue lights activated along the walls, illuminating a vast chamber. The room was enormous, containing a massive couch and an oversized chair. A desk made of the same black stone stood before a towering bookshelf, with walls constructed of identical material. The bed was the largest Jin-ho had ever seen—easily able to accommodate ten grown men comfortably.
As he ventured deeper into the room, more remarkable details emerged. Runes danced and shifted across the walls, similar to those in the hallway but glowing red rather than blue.
Jin-ho's gaze settled on a shelf crafted from the same black stone. Resting upon it was a sword unlike any he had ever seen. The blade gleamed with a dark metallic luster, its length undulating in mesmerizing waves from hilt to tip. Despite its unusual form, both edges appeared razor-sharp, catching the crimson light of the dancing runes. The double-edged wavy blade seemed to absorb and reflect the room's illumination simultaneously.
But it was the hilt that truly captured Jin-ho's attention. Coiled around the grip was an intricately detailed serpent, fashioned from what appeared to be black metal with subtle crimson patterns that matched the room's runes. Though the patterns glowed faintly, they seemed dormant, as if waiting.
"What is this?" Jin-ho asked, approaching cautiously.
"Ah, you've found Viperwraith," the Demon God said, his voice carrying an unusual note of reverence. "The signature weapon of the Demon King. Go ahead—take it."
Jin-ho hesitated, his hand hovering above the weapon.
As his fingers neared the hilt, the serpent suddenly animated, uncoiling slightly as its head lifted. Its ruby eyes gleamed as its forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air around Jin-ho's hand. After a moment of apparent assessment, the snake settled back into its original position around the grip.
"It recognizes you as Azrael, the rightful king," the Demon God explained. "Had anyone else attempted to grasp it, the serpent would have struck, injecting venom that can kill even the most powerful demons within moments. The previous Demon King had a flair for the dramatic."
Jin-ho carefully lifted the sword, surprised by how perfectly it balanced in his hand despite its unusual form. "Why is the blade shaped like this?"
"Viperwraith isn't merely decorative—it's one of the deadliest weapons ever forged in this realm. Those waves aren't just for show. When an enemy attempts to parry, their blade gets caught in those undulations, trapping it momentarily. In that split second of their vulnerability, you strike. Even the most skilled swordsmen find themselves at a disadvantage against its design."
The Demon God continued, "The blade itself contains magic that resonates with your power, but Viperwraith doesn't require a scabbard or physical carrying. Simply will it away, and it will return here. Call for it in thought or word, and it will appear in your hand instantly, regardless of distance."
Jin-ho looked skeptical.
"Try it," the Demon God urged. "Think of dismissing it."
Jin-ho concentrated on the sword disappearing, and immediately the weapon dissolved into wisps of crimson smoke that faded into nothingness.
"Now call it back."
"Viperwraith," Jin-ho whispered, and the sword materialized in his grip, the serpent briefly awakening to confirm his identity before settling once more.
"The blade was forged from the fang of a primordial serpent deity and metals found only in the core of this world. It can cut through nearly any material and even slice through certain forms of magic. As you grow into your power, the runes along the serpent will glow brighter, and the blade's abilities will evolve with you."
Jin-ho examined the weapon with newfound appreciation. In his human life, he had never held anything more dangerous than a kitchen knife, yet this lethal weapon felt unnervingly natural in his grasp.
"There's more to discover about Viperwraith's capabilities," the Demon God added, "but those revelations will come with time and use. Even I don't know all its secrets—it was created specifically for the Demon King, with some aspects hidden even from me. I crafted it, drawing it from my mind, but I sought counsel from deities of other worlds who provided inspiration for its design. When I placed it in this room for Azrael and he first held it, the blade transformed—turning black and red, becoming infused with his power, truly becoming his sword."
Jin-ho thought about the weapon disappearing, and it vanished as quickly as he had summoned it.
"I like it," Jin-ho said with a small grin.
"Thank you," the Demon God replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "It took me several years to perfect it for him. Azrael could hear me just as you do now. We didn't converse often since we were both preoccupied with our respective loves, but he would spend time in this chamber, talking at length. That's why this room holds such significance. My former partner, the Goddess, would communicate with the Human Queen while I spoke with Azrael. This chamber exists at the thinnest point between this world and my realm."
As the Demon God spoke, his tone shifted, becoming wistful. The deity seemed lost in memories of conversations long past, his voice carrying the unmistakable weight of ancient sorrow.
Jin-ho turned to examine the massive bed more closely. "You miss him, don't you?"
"He was a little shit," the Demon God admitted, "but yes, I miss him deeply. When the Human Queen killed him, she used a blessed blade given to her by the Goddess. The weapon destroyed his soul, though his body remained intact. This form you inhabit can heal from any physical wound—cuts, bruises, even dismemberment. The only way to truly kill a Demon King is to destroy the soul itself."
The deity's voice softened. "I don't know if Azrael's soul still exists somewhere or if it was completely extinguished. We were friends for thousands of years. He chose to share his immortal life with his Queen through a special bonding ceremony that linked their life forces together. When she betrayed him and destroyed his soul, their bond shattered. Without his life force sustaining her, she aged rapidly and died within a year."
There was a heavy pause in the Demon God's words—the weight of millennia of loss evident even in the disembodied voice.
When Jin-ho sat on the bed, he was about to offer some comforting words to the Demon God, but the deity didn't allow him to get a single word in.
"At least I don't have to worry about you falling in love, or someone falling for you. You're terrible at social interaction," the Demon God declared with smug satisfaction, followed by a deep chuckle.
"Really? I was going to say something nice, but now you can fuck off," Jin-ho sighed, carefully controlling his breath to avoid disturbing anything in the room.
Jin-ho could hear the Demon God immediately begin pestering him about what he had been planning to say, but something on the side table caught his attention.
"Hey, what's this?" Jin-ho asked, pointing to a small stone pendant.
"Oh, that's your armor," the Demon God replied, then quickly returned to his previous interest. "Now tell me what sweet thing you were going to say to this amazing Demon God?" he pleaded.
"Wait, armor? How? It's just a necklace." Jin-ho reached out and took it in his hand. The stone matched the sword's coloration but featured only a single red rune on its surface.
Jin-ho heard the Demon God sigh. "You put it on and summon it, much like the sword. Azrael hated getting dressed—armor was especially troublesome for him. After we developed the sword's summoning ability, he wanted the same convenience for his armor. You'll need to stand up for it to manifest properly."
Jin-ho stood up slowly, careful not to misjudge his movements and crash into another wall. He could tell he was gradually becoming accustomed to his new body's proportions and strength.
He attempted to put on the necklace, only to find it immediately tangled in his horns. Jin-ho silently cursed the two protrusions that suddenly felt more like ten as he struggled with the simple task.
Finally, after several awkward attempts, he managed to settle the pendant around his neck.
"Armor," Jin-ho whispered, just as he had with the sword. Nothing happened.
The Demon God's laughter echoed through his mind, louder than Jin-ho had heard before.
Jin-ho rolled his eyes. "What? I did exactly what you said. Does this also have a name?"
"Of—course—it—has—a—name," the Demon God managed between fits of laughter. He cleared his throat, making a visible effort to compose himself. "It's called Ophidian Aegis. Only Azrael and I knew the names of these weapons, so you should practice saying their names in your mind rather than aloud. Start by speaking it for now as practice. The necklace will move with you regardless."
Jin-ho thought the name Ophidian Aegis, and immediately the armor began to manifest. It spread from his chest outward, flowing across his body like a living serpent gliding over terrain. Some of the magical material tickled as it moved across his skin. Initially warm—almost hot—it gradually cooled to match his body temperature until it felt like a second skin.
Jin-ho pressed his hand against the breastplate. Though he could see his fingers making contact with the dark material, the sensation was strange—as if his skin registered neither pressure nor pain through the armor. Yet it didn't feel like a barrier; it felt like an extension of himself.
"It's part of your power," the Demon God explained. "That's why it feels that way. Azrael said he enjoyed the sensation because it was like being naked on the battlefield. He always laughed about that."
"Why would anyone want to feel naked outside?" Jin-ho muttered, walking toward a tall mirror mounted on the chamber wall. He'd been avoiding his reflection, but curiosity about the armor finally overcame his reluctance.
Viperwraith, Jin-ho called silently.
The sword materialized in his hand as he positioned himself before the mirror.
What he saw was not Jin-ho Park, the reclusive programmer. It was a being that looked as though it had crawled directly from the depths of hell to wage war upon the world.
A towering figure of imposing majesty stared back at him. His crimson skin was now largely covered by gleaming black armor adorned with intricate red runes that pulsed with inner light. The armor wasn't bulky like traditional plate mail—it followed the contours of his muscular form like scales, each segment flowing seamlessly into the next. The patterns etched across the surface resembled serpentine forms interlocking in complex, symmetrical designs.
His face remained exposed, revealing sharp features framed by long, midnight-black hair that cascaded past his shoulders. Two curved horns emerged from his forehead, sweeping backward like deadly crescents. His red ears followed the shape of his horns. His eyes glowed with an eerie light—no longer the dark brown of his human form but a luminous yellow that seemed to pierce through shadows.
The undulating Viperwraith sword completed the image, its serpent hilt appearing almost alive in his grasp, the blade's waves catching and reflecting the crimson light of the room's runes.
Jin-ho stood transfixed by his own reflection. This wasn't just a change of appearance—it was a complete transformation into something ancient and terrible. A being designed to command fear and respect.
"This is who you must become," the Demon God said softly, without mockery for once. "Not just in appearance, but in essence. This is Azrael, the Demon King."
Jin-ho continued to stare at his reflection, struggling to reconcile the image before him with his sense of self. The armor, the sword, the imposing figure in the mirror—they all belonged to someone else, someone he was expected to become.
What would his old friends, well, his one friend he had in high school, think if they could see him now? The quiet programmer transformed into this terrifying figure of authority and power. The irony wasn't lost on him—he who had always avoided leadership positions and responsibility was now expected to rule an entire race.
"I don't know if I can be this," he whispered.
"You already are," the Demon God replied. "Whether you accept it or not."