Suicide Before Defeating the Final Boss

Suicide Before Defeating the Final Boss – 110

EP.110 Good to See You Again, You Bastards!

It was as if time had stopped.

Jeong-hyeon, Shin Si-ah, and Reltra stood frozen, each struggling to process the absurdity of the situation before them. Jeong-hyeon let out a humorless laugh.

‘This is a disaster.’

The words summed it up perfectly.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Jeong-hyeon realized that this mess wasn’t his to clean up. The so-called “secret room” was entirely Reltra’s creation, and the responsibility for its existence rested solely on her shoulders. Deciding to step back, he opened his mouth.

“I’ve never seen this room before in my life.”

And it was the truth. Having only recently arrived in the demon realm, Jeong-hyeon had no connection to the ridiculous shrine Reltra had constructed.

Shin Si-ah, though visibly shaken, seemed rational enough to recognize this, her stiff expression softening just enough to offer an awkward nod of agreement.

Jeong-hyeon was ready to extricate himself completely, but Reltra’s desperate plea stopped him in his tracks.

“If you help me, I’ll share more of my secrets with you.”

The offer was tempting enough to give him pause.

‘And, honestly, watching this play out could be pretty entertaining.’

Suppressing a sigh, he turned back to Reltra and nodded.

“Fine, I’ll help.”

Then, addressing Shin Si-ah, he tried to calm her down.

“Alright, Si-ah, let’s take a moment and—”

“Si-ah noona,” she interrupted coldly.

“Right, Si-ah noona. Just take a breath and hear me out.”

Her sharp glare softened ever so slightly, indicating she was willing to listen. Jeong-hyeon took that as his cue.

“From what I can tell, this room was made out of loyalty. You’re the Demon King, and she just wanted to show her devotion.”

Shin Si-ah’s expression only darkened further at his explanation.

“…Loyalty? Don’t you think this is a bit much for loyalty?”

“Everyone has their own way of showing loyalty,” Jeong-hyeon replied with a shrug.

Shin Si-ah narrowed her eyes.

“…Then tell me this, Jeong-hyeon. If Lucia created a room like this, filled with your likeness, would you be okay with it?”

Lucia. Jeong-hyeon couldn’t say for certain whether she hadn’t already done something similar. The thought alone made him hesitate, his silence speaking volumes.

With a frustrated sigh, Shin Si-ah brushed past him, turning her attention to Reltra.

“Reltra,” she began, her tone sharp.

“Y-yes, my lord?” Reltra stammered, visibly shrinking under the weight of Si-ah’s gaze.

“No matter how much loyalty you feel, there’s a line. Even as the Demon King, this kind of devotion is… excessive.”

“…I understand,” Reltra replied in a small voice.

“Not that I dislike your dedication or anything, but…! Couldn’t you find a different way to express it?”

“…I’m sorry, my lord.”

“There’s no need to apologize. Just—ugh, come here. Don’t get all upset. Stop pouting!”

Though Shin Si-ah’s words carried authority, there was a softness in her tone that revealed her internal struggle. She couldn’t bring herself to be harsh with someone who clearly adored her.

And that, Jeong-hyeon noted, was the real problem.

‘She’s too soft-hearted, leaving just enough room for misunderstandings, like every harem protagonist ever.’

The image of Shin Si-ah overlapped with the stereotypical “heroine-magnet” protagonist trope. She wasn’t just more of a hero than Jeong-hyeon—she was more of a protagonist, too.

It was a bitter truth, but one Jeong-hyeon couldn’t deny.

Shin Si-ah, meanwhile, turned her attention back to the infamous secret room. After a quick glance inside, her expression hardened.

“This is this, and that is that. I’m burning this room down. No arguments.”

“W-wait, my lord! At least spare the body pillow set modeled after you—no, no, just the life-sized figure! Please, I beg you!”

“……”

Reltra’s desperate cries echoed through the room as blue flames consumed the shrine she had so painstakingly created.

Jeong-hyeon stood by and watched the fire devour the space. When the flames had subsided, he quietly turned and headed back to his quarters.

***

Discontent, as always, began with minor deviations.

Behemoth, the captain of Reltra’s first guard and the leader of the radical faction, seethed with anger. His frustration boiled over, aimed directly at the two mysterious individuals who had recently aligned themselves with Reltra.

“Are we just going to stand by and let those arrogant human wretches roam free?!” he roared.

Technically, only one of them was human, and even that fact was questionable due to the strong perception-dampening magic surrounding the other. Still, calling them both humans stoked the fires of his audience’s outrage more effectively.

The gathered radicals nodded in agreement, their collective indignation growing with every word.

“Indeed! It is preposterous that mere humans, not even demons, dare to tread upon this sacred duchy. As Reltra’s loyal subordinates, it is our duty to address this insult ourselves!”

“Exactly! Allowing such vile creatures to disgrace the duchy is an affront to its sanctity. They must be expelled—or better yet, eliminated entirely!”

“My subordinates include those skilled in assassination. It might be worth considering their services in this matter.”

Demons, by nature, revered strength above all else. In the demon realm, one’s political acumen or talents outside of combat meant little if they lacked the power to defend themselves. This unyielding principle was the law of the land.

Thus, self-preservation was not just expected—it was required. If one failed to protect themselves and perished, whether in an ambush or a duel, the fault lay entirely with the victim. Such was the custom.

‘Which is why, if someone doesn’t sit well with you…’

It was an age-old tradition to eliminate them through subordinates or hired assassins.

Still, something about the situation nagged at Behemoth. Recent rumors suggested a troubling connection between the two newcomers and a certain incident.

The disappearance of Petryonne, a demon knight ranked among the top ten in the demon realm, had not gone unnoticed. Whispers abounded that these two strangers had defeated the knight, and that Reltra, recognizing their strength, had chosen to keep them close.

‘What utter nonsense.’

The idea that humans could defeat Petryonne, a centipede-like knight of immense power, was laughable at best. To Behemoth, such rumors were worthless drivel unworthy of consideration.

‘Unless they’re heroes from the human realm… but even then, it’s impossible.’

There was no reason for any hero to be in the demon realm, much less under Reltra’s wing. Scoffing at the absurdity of the thought, Behemoth smirked and refocused his attention on the matter at hand.

‘First, I’ll lure them into a duel.’

If they refused, he could denounce their cowardice, tarnishing their reputations and diminishing their perceived value. Should one of his followers “lose control” and hire assassins, so be it.

Determined, Behemoth resolved to teach the newcomers a harsh lesson in the traditions of the demon realm. Whether by duel or by assassination, he would see to it that they were dealt with accordingly.

***

Meanwhile, in Reltra’s Mansion

‘I’m bored.’

After the fiasco with Reltra’s collection of Demon King memorabilia being discovered by none other than Shin Si-ah herself, a peculiar cold war had settled over the household.

A strange silence hung in the air, each party keeping to themselves, avoiding unnecessary interaction.

Jeong-hyeon didn’t particularly mind the lack of communication with Reltra. They were hardly close to begin with, and he could manage just fine without her. The real issue, however, lay elsewhere.

“……”

Shin Si-ah, too, had withdrawn, her cool demeanor an icy wall that seemed impossible to breach.

Jeong-hyeon’s boredom had reached a breaking point. With nothing to do and no one to talk to, his restlessness festered, growing unbearable.

‘Hah… if only someone would pick a fight with me.’

It was a recurring wish ever since he had arrived in the demon realm, but today, it burned hotter than ever. As if answering his unspoken plea, a loud knock echoed from the door, followed by a booming voice.

“Humans! I am here to deliver a message from First Captain Behemoth!”

The condescending tone brought a grin to Jeong-hyeon’s face.

‘Finally’

He thought, springing to his feet with a newfound energy.

Shin Si-ah, observing this sudden burst of activity, quickly interjected.

“Jeong-hyeon, calm down! The demon realm is harsh on those who haven’t proven their strength. They’re looking down on us because we’re human—that’s just how they are. Ignore them!”

Her words, filled with concern, didn’t even register. Jeong-hyeon’s mind was already filled with thoughts of the upcoming fight. Dismissing her cautionary advice, he flung the door open and barked,

“Let’s go!”

The demon messenger on the other side blinked, startled.

“W-what are you doing, human?”

“You came here to challenge me to a duel, didn’t you?”

The messenger faltered, taken aback by Jeong-hyeon’s confident assumption. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded awkwardly.

“Y-yes, that’s correct.”

“Then lead the way,” Jeong-hyeon demanded, stepping forward with a grin that sent a shiver through the demon’s spine.

The messenger’s expression betrayed his uncertainty, but he turned and began to guide Jeong-hyeon, muttering to himself about how something didn’t feel quite right.

***

As they walked, Jeong-hyeon pondered the situation. The path stretched ahead, but whether it led to a dueling arena or directly to Behemoth himself, he wasn’t sure.

‘I might’ve acted impulsively, but this could be more important than I first thought.’

Even Reltra, who adored Shin Si-ah, had put him to the test upon their arrival. It wasn’t difficult to imagine how the subordinates under her command might feel about him—a supposed ally brought in by their leader.

‘If only the word about me defeating that centipede demon had spread properly, this wouldn’t even be happening.’

Unfortunately, since that skirmish had been unofficial and shrouded in secrecy, the tale of his strength hadn’t circulated. This, Jeong-hyeon realized, was why he now found himself in this situation.

‘Fine. This time, I’ll prove my strength.’

His plan was simple: to demonstrate his power so thoroughly that no one would dare to question him or disobey orders in the future. It was a return to the techniques he had perfected during his academy days. Grinning to himself, he drew his sword.

‘I’ll make an impression… just without killing anyone. That should be fair.’

Having decided to show mercy—reluctantly, given the circumstances—he prepared for action. Without hesitation, he thrust his blade into the demon guide’s abdomen.

Thwack!

The distinct sound of steel slicing through flesh was a symphony to Jeong-hyeon’s ears. His eyes widened with excitement as he drank in the scene before him. The guide let out an ear-splitting scream, convulsing and spraying blue blood in all directions.

“Grrraaahhh!”

Jeong-hyeon casually kicked the writhing demon aside, clearing his path. Looking up at the onlookers, he plastered a bright, almost innocent smile across his face and declared loudly, “It’s good to see you all, you bastards!”

Now, standing at the center of their attention, he mentally mapped out his next steps. Anyone who stood in his way—or even looked at him wrong—would be swiftly and thoroughly dealt with.

‘By the time I’m done, no one will dare oppose me again.’

This, he decided, was a necessary prelude before moving on to conquer the other dukes. First, the internal cleanup had to begin. Drawing upon his divine power, he braced himself for the chaos to come.