WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 11: The Demon and the Witch (2)
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The library was still dim.
The flames blooming in the darkness did not fully illuminate the interior. The underground space was too vast, and the light only cast deeper shadows.
Each time the flames flickered, the shadows swayed as well. Beneath those shifting shades, a crimson glow flashed.
They were surely the demon's eyes.
Buried in the shadows of the bookshelves, it fixed them with a sinister gaze.
Most people would have been frightened, but the visitor remained calm. If anything, she spoke with interest.
“...One horn.”
She was looking above the red eyes.
A horn glowing pure white. It was an intimidating mark of a demon, too much for an imp.
The old crone cackled in her mind.
“What a windfall. Isn't that a Mangnyang (魍魎)? How could a Horned Demon be born in a place like this...?”
“Indeed. It is quite strange.”
“Leave it to me. Rather than bind it to service, it would be far more efficient to devour it.”
That was true.
The more threatening the bloodline, the slower its growth.
Even if a city were wiped out, it would not provide enough souls or emotions for a Mangnyang imp to grow into an adult.
The greater its potential, the greater the investment it required.
The Crone Spirit was different.
The moment it consumed the imp, it would show immediate growth.
For immediate gain, abandoning the imp would be the right choice.
“...Hmm.”
Ilea quietly stared at Johan.
The demon frowned, seemingly displeased by her gaze.
“What are you weighing? I told you to come sit.”
At the same time, black smoke rose from Ilea's skin.
It was demonic energy stretching into the air. It swayed ominously as it gathered at a single point.
Johan leaned back and watched the demonic energy as if admiring it.
He was comparing it to the original story's description.
That current separating from the witch's body would soon take the form of a demon.
It was probably the Crone Spirit. He was very curious about how hideous it would be.
It was because of its depiction in the original story. Several humans had suffered cardiac arrest the moment they saw it. As someone who liked horror stories, Johan could not help looking forward to it.
‘Let's see.’
The condensed demonic energy gradually took shape.
It was a grotesque creature clad in a black hood. He was too far away to see its face clearly.
The moment Johan narrowed his eyes, a piercing scream echoed loudly enough to tear his eardrums.
The creature shot forward.
In an instant, it stood directly before Johan.
Its empty eye sockets wept thick pus. Thin worms crawled across its dark gray skin, taking the place of wrinkles. Clumps of sebum studding its cheekbones glistened.
Its open mouth revealed a tongue thickly coated in filth. The dreadful stench numbed his nose.
Standing so close to the Crone Spirit, Johan felt more disgust than fear.
“You are utterly vile.”
Raguel, on the other hand, trembled violently. The smell and the scream seemed to frighten him. How would he react if he saw that face? He might die of cardiac arrest.
Johan snickered.
“You should stay blind.”
The imp was distracted. It clearly needed discipline.
The Crone Spirit muttered eerily.
“Master, please give the order. A single word is enough.”
Then it licked up along Johan's horn with its filthy tongue.
Johan grimaced.
“You will die the most miserable death.”
The old crone cackled.
“Will I? My master doesn't have the time to raise you.”
Johan formed pincers with his thumb and index finger. Then, he grabbed the edge of its hood and pulled it aside.
It was disgusting to touch, but he had no choice.
Only then did the ugly creature disappear from his sight, replaced by Ilea.
Johan spoke.
“A servant is presumptuously deciding what its master wants. Did you fail its training?”
The girl slowly approached and stopped before the round table.
Johan inwardly admired her. Her doll-like face was exactly as described. Calling a girl of around ten a beauty was somewhat questionable, but her features were already perfectly formed.
She smiled calmly.
“I seek a relationship built on freedom, but since it's my first time, I'm still inexperienced. Perhaps I'll do better next time.”
Johan snickered.
“The demon that serves you is blessed.”
“Would you join me?”
The Crone Spirit snapped its head toward Ilea.
“W-what?”
“Be quiet.”
“B-but...”
“If you speak again, you'll be punished.”
Her voice was gentle, but the Crone Spirit flinched in fear.
Ilea let out a small sigh and took a handkerchief from her pocket.
“If you don't mind, may I wipe away the saliva?”
Sticky mucus clung to Johan's white horn. It was probably the Crone Spirit's spit.
“If you're trying to recruit me, stop. I won't come under you.”
Ilea shook her head.
“I have no other intention. I'm merely cleaning up my dog's mess as its owner.”
She brought the handkerchief to Johan's horn.
Then she began gently wiping it clean.
Johan watched her closely. There was no emotion in the witch's composed gaze.
Any mage or witch would go mad for a demon's horn, yet she did not seem greedy at all.
Just as in the original story, she was remarkably brazen.
“All done. It's clean now.”
The girl smiled in satisfaction. Johan could not see her as simply pretty.
‘What a sly snake.’
Johan spoke.
“You worked hard, but it was pointless.”
“As I said, I have no ulterior motive.”
After a brief pause, she added.
“Still, I don't understand. If you don't wish to serve me, why did you call for me?”
“I wish to make a deal.”
“Like how you tempted my father and the young master?”
“It was an equal contract.”
Ilea smiled faintly.
“Deals with demons always lead to ruin.”
“Their lives had already fallen into the abyss. It's difficult to imagine a worse hell.”
A parent who had lost a child, and a boy trapped in darkness. Their lives had already been ruined.
Ilea let out an artificial gasp.
“Then you pulled them out of their misery. How wonderful. You saved my father.”
Johan shrugged.
“Indeed. You should bow to me in gratitude.”
“You took his soul as collateral, didn't you? If you release it, it isn't impossible.”
“Gaf's soul?”
Ilea nodded.
“I don't know the exact terms of the deal, but the collateral must be his soul.”
Johan asked in confusion.
“Why do you care about that?”
Ilea's expression darkened slightly.
“What do you mean?”
A child would naturally worry about their parent. But Ilea was different. In the original story, she had allowed Gaf to die when he came to save her.
Johan said,
“Gaf's life doesn't mean much to you, does it? You aren't even related by blood.”
Ilea silently stared at him. She still wore a smile, but it had become subtly colder. The air around them cooled as well.
Raguel lightly tugged Johan's elbow.
“J-Johan. How could you say something so rude?”
Ilea spoke.
“I'd like to hear the basis for that statement.”
Because he had read it in the original story.
“None.”
“...Is that so?”
“If I offended you, I apologize.”
An uncomfortable silence followed.
Ilea smiled gently again.
“You said you wanted a deal.”
“That is why I called you here.”
“Release my father's soul.”
“Is that your condition?”
Ilea shook her head.
“No. Releasing him is the sincerity you should show me.”
Johan let out a hollow laugh. Ilea smiled too.
“If you wish to trade, accept it.”
Johan had never imagined Ilea would care so much about Gaf's life. Instead, it seemed beneficial. He had gained another leash to control her with.
Johan said,
“Impossible.”
Gaf was also his minimum lifeline. An imp was too fragile to stand alone.
“That is unfortunate.”
Ilea sighed as if she truly regretted it. A shadow crossed her face, but it quickly disappeared.
She took a step closer. Her lips curved again as she spoke.
“Is there even one reason I should let you live?”
The atmosphere turned cold.
Raguel hiccupped. The Crone Spirit began to cackle.
Johan spoke without expression.
“There are too many to list one by one.”
“For example?”
“The moment you kill me, Gaf will fall into hell.”
Who would have thought he would use Gaf as a card in negotiations with Ilea?
“So protection was the price of the deal.”
“Correct.”
“You are a thorough demon. Unlike this one, you are remarkably capable.”
The Crone Spirit swallowed a groan.
Johan spoke.
“So what will you do? You cannot kill me, and you cannot bind me to service.”
“Unfortunately, you're right. It's a little frustrating.”
It must have been an unfamiliar experience for Ilea.
“At least secure some practical benefit. If you make a deal with me, you'll obtain what you desire most.”
“What is that?”
Johan raised the corners of his mouth.
“The key to Narak.”
Ilea's expression did not change at all.
Still, she must have been startled.
He only needed to look at the Crone Spirit's face to know. The lowly spirit convulsed at the word key.
Johan said,
“That must be why you walked into the lord's castle yourself. Death Gorge. Don't you want to visit it soon?”
The moment he finished speaking, blue light flashed from Ilea's body.
It was magical power. She tilted her head.
“It isn't mental magic... What could it be?”
A demon had not read her memories or mind.
Had he simply figured it out through deduction? That was possible.
Johan said,
“I cannot answer that. Let's not waste each other's strength. Let's simply exchange what we want.”
Ilea thought for a moment, then spoke.
“If you possess it, show me proof.”
Johan pointed to a dark corner of the library in the distance.
One of the flames floating in the air flew in that direction.
A Corruptive Formation drawn in black blood. A sacred relic rested upon the wicked ritual.
Kazan's Ring.
“I brought it from the Forbidden Archive. That should be answer enough.”
Ilea let out a sound of admiration.
“...You truly are capable.”
“Do you feel like making a deal now?”
“Before that, I'll ask one last time.”
Her smile faded, and she spoke quite seriously.
“Will you not join me?”
Johan frowned.
“You are persistent.”
Ilea nodded as if giving up.
“It can't be helped.”
Then she sat down.
“So, what should I give you?”
“Magical power and a sacrificial offering. Those two things are enough.”
Ilea looked at the Corruptive Formation and nodded as if she understood.
“The magical power is settled, and the offering...”
Her voice trailed off as she stared at Raguel.
“Is it the young master?”
Raguel jumped in fright.
“J-Johan...!”
“So the demon's name is Johan.”
It did not suit a demon's name.
Johan said,
“It would be good to use this chatterbox who never stops talking, but that is impossible. I need another human.”
“Is there someone you have chosen?”
“Your mother.”
Ilea frowned slightly.
“...Betra?”
“Yes.”
“That may be somewhat dangerous.”
Betra might be a toothless tiger, but she was still one of the lord's castle administrators. Her disappearance could cause trouble.
“Would one of the tribute maidens not be better?”
No one would notice if one of them disappeared.
Johan shook his head.
“I want Betra.”
Was there another reason? Ilea could not know.
“...All right.”
“You will trade with me?”
Ilea let out a hollow laugh.
“You made sure I would.”
Johan's grin stretched wide.
“Bring Betra alive and place her on the Corruptive Formation.”
“However, I have one condition.”
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