### Chapter 403 – Room 206, The Curse Room – ‘The Demon King Who Revives After 100 Days’ (5)
—
– Kim Ahri
Dark lighting, stale air, and a somewhat unpleasant smell.
I’m in ‘Paradise,’ where the quality of life is nearly at rock bottom, and this underground place is simply pathetic by even Paradise’s standards.
There’s no proper ventilation, and no electricity either.
In such a setting, hundreds of people were gathered.
“Everyone! Today’s topic is about ‘equality.’ We are all glorious descendants, and under this great gaze, our ranks are mere facades—”
A man on the podium was preaching with a booming voice.
If you just listened to the content, you’d think he was a 21st-century human rights activist, so sensible was it.
And it wasn’t just the sermons that felt warm.
People, regardless of the preaching, were sharing small talk and snacks.
No one tried to stop those acting freely, and even the preacher threw in some jokes in between.
Most gathered were Grade 4 citizens, but a few were Grade 3 and even Grade 2.
At least here, no one cared about their ranks.
This was all a far cry from the oppressive atmosphere of the city.
“How about we talk about the founder for a change?”
After this, the preacher started discussing the ‘true’ history of Paradise.
According to the preacher, the founder wasn’t a great savior but a swindler who deceived everyone.
“Ahirabata, the founder. Some call her a hero, don’t they?”
This surely felt like a storytelling cliché from the “Revelation of Secrets.”
Is there a creation more famous than the hero and the demon king?
“What did Ahirabata say? She claimed she’d lead us to Paradise! Everyone, place your hand on your heart and think about it! Is this a paradise?”
Countless voices soon replied.
“No!”
“Are you all happy?”
“No!”
“The founder has led us into hell!”
Then the preacher spoke about the ‘Demon King.’
“The time is approaching. Liberation is near, everyone! From the depths of this stuffy city, the heart of the stars, a true savior shall rise.”
For some, this was quite touching, as some even shed tears.
“Hey! Don’t cry! Why are you crying? This is the happiest news in the world! You are all lucky. You’re alive to see the descent of our savior; where else could you find such fortune?”
Of course, not everyone could adapt to this atmosphere.
Some found themselves bewildered, and though they tried to hide it, it was quite evident from the stage.
Some rolled their eyes in confusion or gaped in shock at the notion the founder was a fraud, while others thought, “Are these folks crazy?”
All of these were new converts.
To put it in the cult’s terminology, they were people from the city where the water has yet to drain.
In a typical cult, these ‘clueless believers’ would be a major threat.
Would this assembly end in this state?
Among those confused new believers, some would inevitably report information about the cult to informants.
The cult was well aware of this fact.
That’s why, at the end of every meeting, they always had a procedure.
“Alright, everyone! Now, let’s go see the truth.”
The truth.
This is the strongest weapon the Demon King’s worshippers possess.
*
Paradise was created long ago and has undergone maintenance over the years.
Thanks to that, as you descend underground, the structure becomes infinitely more complex, resembling an ant hive, and even informants do not know all the underground paths.
The cult does not fully understand the depths of Paradise either.
They’ve only opened a few routes unbeknownst to the informants.
The preacher led the hundreds of people gathered through one of the hidden paths.
Thick wires, pipes with unknown purposes, and endless steam spewing from the plumbing all surrounded us.
They are like the veins sustaining this complex city.
After walking for about two hours through these veins, we finally arrived at a wall so immense it was impossible to see the end.
The preacher asked, “Do you know what this wall is?”
People who had already been here a few times answered immediately.
“The Door of Truth!”
“Ha-ha, that’s right. It is indeed the Door of Truth. A place the cult holds sacred. However, saying that would confuse those here for the first time, wouldn’t it?”
At that moment, one of the ‘clueless believers’ couldn’t hold back and spoke up.
“W-Where are we exactly? And what’s that gap over there?”
“Great question! Everyone, this is the door to the ‘outside’ of the city.”
The outside of Paradise.
Citizens born and raised in it learn from a young age that Paradise is humanity’s last city, the final refuge created by the founder as stars face destruction.
Thus, citizens are conditioned to believe the outside is an unlivable hell for humans.
– Creak!
The preacher opened a gap.
“Now, everyone come out.”
Those who had already experienced this stepped out joyfully.
First-timers were shocked, hesitating, but curiosity eventually got the better of them.
Finally, those raised in a cage leaped out into the outside world.
The bright blue sky and clouds floating through the air.
A vast field stretched endlessly before our eyes.
The fresh air was in stark contrast to Paradise’s stifling atmosphere.
The sounds of birds singing and little creatures scampering around could be heard from all directions.
It was a landscape reminiscent of a beautiful botanical garden or a national park.
People who had worked in the city’s factories for their entire lives were seeing such sights for the first time.
It was hard for me to even imagine what they must be feeling right now.
And then…
The cult’s higher-ups, an elderly man, poked me gently.
“Apostle.”
“…”
“Why don’t you show the believers something?”
“Got it.”
I moved toward the meadow.
I could feel all eyes focused on me.
— Thud!
The moment I kicked off the ground— I soared into the sky like a bird.
This was the outside of Paradise, an area outside the confines of the cage.
A place where indomitable reason cannot suppress us.
Here, my hotel buddies and I would transcend humanity once more.
“Whoosh!”
Was this the third time?
Every time I do this, the method to use the wing boots feels exceptionally challenging.
The boots propelled power from both sides.
It required considerable leg strength to hold them down while simultaneously controlling both feet individually.
Failing to do so could send my body spinning wildly in the sky before crashing down.
Looking down from above, people gazed at me as if I was a god from Greek mythology.
This would surely fill the hearts of the ‘clueless believers’ with genuine faith—
“…”
In the vastness of the sky, one person caught my eye.
A familiar face.
Kim Sanghyun, mixed among the believers, awkwardly nodded his head.
I had no choice but to nod back as well.
*
– Yu Songee
“Hello! This is Trimbon from Happy Happy Paradise News. Not long ago, we reported on the tragedy that occurred at the Mirconium Mine, and here’s the recent update—”
During lunch with Leon Kardirov, the news that had stirred the city recently was being broadcast on television.
It was about the management of the mine and his underlings brutally murdering 24 miners.
And then, a very familiar face appeared on screen.
“… Han Kain.”
“To the citizens watching the news! This incident isn’t just an issue of Grade 4 citizens being sacrificed. Didn’t the founder once divide everyone’s duties? Grade 2 leads, Grade 3 executes, and Grade 4 supports. So—”
Listening to brother Kain talk, he sounded like a true activist who’d fought for the rights of Grade 4 citizens all his life.
But frankly, it sounded a bit crafty.
There’s way more discussion about the property damage suffered by the Grade 2 mine owners than mourning the deaths of Grade 4 laborers.
He didn’t skip a beat in mentioning how wisely and fairly the Grade 2 high-ranking law officer conducted the trials.
With utmost deference to Grade 2 and fulfilling their sense of superiority, all blame gets shifted onto Grade 3.
This was a classic divide-and-conquer tactic.
Usually applied by those in charge against those below them, but now being used from below to manipulate above.
Clearly, even someone with a functioning brain would see through that.
If I could see it, the person sitting next to me wouldn’t miss it either.
And so, the ‘dad’ next to me chuckled.
“Wow, that fella is pretty slick.”
“… Really?”
“Absolutely.”
“Isn’t it too obvious? Grade 2 citizens are innocent! Let’s bully Grade 3! It feels like that.”
“Indeed. But Songee, there are methods so obvious that you just can’t avoid them in this world.”
“Methods so obvious you can’t avoid them?”
“Well, let’s say the public opinion forms just like that, as this young man claims. The mine owners can sidestep the complex issue of responsibility, and the high-ranking law officer gets to add this to their resume.”
“…”
“Thus, those who benefit will stand by that kid, and in turn, he’ll achieve what he desires.”
As I listened, I grew curious.
What on earth was brother Kain trying to accomplish? What was his goal?
“Seems like he wants to elevate his status.”
“…?”
“Hmmm…. If someone has a brain, moving him to Grade 3 wouldn’t be a bad idea. What do you think?”
I was sure Kain’s goal was not merely to get promoted to Grade 3.
“Dad, can I meet him once?”
“Hmm?”
Leon Kardirov tilted his head and looked at me.
“Songee, those kinds of people are a bit rough around the edges. Meeting him might be—”
— Snap!
The moment I flicked my wrist, the bracelet glimmered, and visions began to appear all around.
At this, Leon Kardirov understood what I meant.
“Then you’re asking me to bring that person ‘to this place,’ correct?”
“Yes.”
This place is higher than the highest point of Paradise, a floating mansion outside the city.
A space where stubborn reason cannot bind us.
“Fascinating. Just a smart-sounding Grade 4 citizen, huh? Tell me why.”
In the past few days, I hadn’t been idle.
I’d tried my best to understand what kind of person Leon Kardirov was.
“Isn’t he a bit cocky?”
“…”
“Well, I know he’s clever, but… all ranks must fulfill their roles. Grade 4 are people who burn like coal for the city. So they should just burn. Is there really a need to think too much here?”
“Oh.”
“What makes you think a backlash against Grade 3 will sit well with Grade 2? They’re just pretending to be submissive because they currently lack strength. So, we need to show what kind of power the founder has bestowed upon us.”
In summary, he was saying that a cocky Grade 4 deserves a reality check from me.
Leon Kardirov laughed heartily.
“Very well! I shall summon him.”
This was the type of answer that man enjoyed.
By the time our meal ended, Dad smiled warmly.
“Honestly, I’ve never felt as reassured as I do today.”
“…”
“Good night, my princess.”
“… Yes.”
Leon Kardirov truly loved me, his only daughter.
This fact sometimes became a burden.
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