533. Guardian of the Netherworld
[??? - Lvl. ???]
My na is Belphegor, and I am the Guardian of the Netherworld. Now tell why are you destroying my [Gargoyles]?
I stared at this towering Demon. He wasnt the largest Demon I had ever seen he was only seven feet tall, but his back was hunched. If he stood up straight, hed be at least ten feet tall. Maybe more.
But his arms were scrawny. He wasnt built like a twig, but in proportion to his size, he was rather thin. His body almost seed to shrivel up into itself as he gazed at curiously with a pair of hollow eyes. And they were hollow. They werent black or gray or silver it was like his eye sockets were empty. A black void that reflected no light. A darkness that consud everything, including .
I blinked, breaking free from his gaze a mont later. The Demon tilted his head at with a quizzical look. He wasnt suspicious, nor was he angry that I supposedly killed his [Gargoyles]. He just seed confused. It was a gaze filled with a childlike innocence that reminded of Rachel or my children.
I stared at him for a mont, before scratching the back of my head.
Um I killed them because they were attacking ?
Belphegor paused. He tilted his head back as he stroked a hand through his beard. I hesitated. I wasnt sure if it was a good answer. But he just nodded slowly.
Yes, yes, yes. That is indeed a good reason to destroy them. Attack you. Yes, yes. I can see why youd do that.
He muttered to himself as I pursed my lips. I looked to his left arm. He was being burnt my Grand Skill. [My Flas Shall Burnt Until Eternity Ends] no longer just gave an aura of protection. It literally lit everything it ca into contact with ablaze. Not a weaker fire, either. I stared at the burning remains of the [Gargoyles] I had just crushed.
The heat from my Grand Skills flas were intense. They incinerated the stone-like remains of the Prival Demon until there was nothing left. But Belphegor?
He barely reacted even as his leathery skin burned.
Youre, um, on fire, by the way.
I am? Oh, I am.
He blinked a few tis, looking down at his left arm as he yanked forward. I grimaced as I staggered. I weakly tried to pull back, but he was far too strong. Belphegor just continued holding onto as he patted at the gray flas, extinguishing them, only for his arm to combust once more.
This is hot. Very hot. Hot, indeed. Why isnt it going away?
Because youre holding onto ?
I answered as I tugged back hard. Belphegor didnt budge. He nodded at .
I see. I see.
Um, can you please let go of my hand?
Oh, I see.
He repeated himself as he finally loosened his grip. I sighed in relief, stumbling back. Only for a nearby [Gargoyle] to pounce at from behind. Its claws struck my aura of invulnerability as I frowned.
Hey!
I protested, turning to Belphegor.
Your [Gargoyles] are attacking again!
I kicked the statue-like Prival Demon back, but a second and third flanked from behind. I stood there as their attacks failed to hurt . But even more of them charged my way, and I pointed accusingly at Belphegor.
Are you going to do sothing about this?
Oh, they are still attacking you.
He stared at blankly as another pair of [Gargoyles] pumled at my back. I swung my Divine Nebular Scythe, at one of the injured Prival Demons, slowly whittling it down until it fully shattered. A notification resounded in my head, and I exclaid.
Stop them!
I faced Belphegor. He blinked, snapping out of his stupor. He scrunched up his forehead before nodding.
I should do that, shouldnt I? Yes, I should.
I just bit my lower lip as he raised a hand. Belphegor pointed at the snapping [Gargoyles], and he spoke a single word.
Stop.
His voice reverberated throughout the room as I reeled. The room shook. The Prival Demons froze. I stumbled back as if an invisible force had struck . But it didnt hurt. It was just a blast of power.
My eyes grew wide as I looked at Belphegor. He cocked his head at , giving a smile.
There. Is that better now? Or are my [Gargoyles] still bothering you?
I, um, thats
I tried to work my jaw, then I shook my head. I lowered my hand.
Thank you?
I stared at Belphegor as he just drew back, waiting for expectantly. He nodded at , before turning around. And I just watched him go.
--
Belphegor strutted forward, leaving behind the Lair as he slowly ascended the tunnel. I followed him apprehensively. I wasnt sure if I should say anything. I wasnt even sure if I should be trailing after him. But he was the first actual person I encountered since arriving in the Netherworld again. And he did save kinda.
He was eccentric. An oddball. He certainly didnt act like any Human I had t while in the Mortal Realm. But I realized he wasnt a Human. This wasnt the Human Lands. This was literally the Netherworld.
This was a world of Demons.
So I pressed forward. Sure, Belphegor was acting weird. But he was a Demon there was no reason for him to act like any mortal I knew because he wasnt a mortal.
He wasnt a wild Demon, so I didnt need to be that wary of him. He also didnt have any collar or whatever, which ant he wasnt with the Demon King.
I finally mustered up the courage to saunter up next to him and speak up.
So, um, Belphegor, right?
I spoke, and he craned his neck to face . He walked sluggishly. He lazily looked my way and slowed to a halt.
Indeed, that is my na. Indeed. What is it you need?
I waited, shifting my feet uncomfortably. Belphegor was slow! Even the way he spoke was slow. He peered at , and I shrugged.
Um is this place your Lair?
I asked as he blinked. He drew back as I tapped my feet a little bit impatiently. He shook his head.
In a sense, you can say this is my Lair. But in another sense, I do not believe this is my Lair.
Then what is it, then?
I crossed my arms. Belphegor tapped a finger on his chin. He didnt say anything as his fingers heavily beat against his leathery skin. I just pressed my lips into a thin line.
And Belphegor made a sound.
Ah. This place it is not my Lair. It is my tomb.
He spoke simply, but his words made freeze. It sent a chill down my back as I stared at him for a mont. I opened my mouth.
Tomb? But what do you an by that? Why is this your tomb hey, wait!
I called out, but Belphegor was already strolling back up the corridor. He glanced back at briefly as I called out to him. But he didnt stop. He continued walking onwards as I hurried after him.
Why cant you just leave this place? What makes you the Guardian of the Netherworld?
Honestly, I was glad I could walk and talk with Belphegor. He was barely even walking as fast as I could crawl. He kept his gaze on as we turned a corner.
Leave this place? No I cant do that. It would be ridiculous. Leaving my tomb? I cannot
Thud! I watched as Belphegor walked straight into the rock wall. He paused mid-conversation, rotating his head to face what he had bumped into. He blinked in confusion as I sighed.
Why not?
I rolled my eyes. But Belphegor didnt give an imdiate response. Of course not. He was very slow. I raised a hand and poked his side.
Hey, I said
And Belphagor snapped his gaze towards . He caught my hand, even as his skin burned once more. His grip tightened as the aura of invulnerability flashed then began to tear.
Do not touch .
My eyes went round as I stared up at him. Belphagors back straightened, and he lood over . I saw the darkness in his eyes flicker for a mont as I backed away. He let go of my hand, his gaze still fixed on .
I ok! Sorry! I did not an to touch you!
I looked down at my hand, looking at his grip marks. He had broken through my Grand Skill. Sohow, just through sheer strength alone, he had overpowered the aura of invulnerability, nearly crushing my hand.
I glanced back up at Belphegor as his back hunched once more. But he spoke as his gaze continued boring into .
You ask many questions. Now let ask my own.
He walked straight up towards as I felt a prickle of fear creep up my back. Belphegor twisted his head threateningly as I scratched my cheek.
Um, what is it?
He spoke simply at that.
Do you wish to see the Gate of the Netherworld?
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