The Demon Realm was not a place meant for life.
There was no sun in the sky. No moon. No stars.
Only a red sky, stretched endlessly like an open wound, covered by thick, rolling dark clouds that never moved gently. They twisted and crashed into each other like angry beasts, rumbling without rest.
The air itself was deadly.
To creatures from other realms, breathing here was torture. The air was heavy and thick, pressing down on the lungs. Every breath burned the throat, drying it until swallowing became painful. Sweat formed instantly on the skin, only to dry moments later, leaving the body exhausted and weak.
Small animals that wandered into this realm did not last long.
Some burned the moment they inhaled the air, their bodies turning to ash before they could even cry out. Others collapsed after a few steps, their bodies trembling as the heat and poison in the air destroyed them from the inside.
Larger beasts survived longer—but not without suffering.
They coughed violently, choking as they moved. Their eyes watered, their breaths came in short, painful gasps, and their movements slowed as the realm rejected their existence. Even the strongest creatures knew one truth the moment they arrived:This world did not welcome weakness.
Above the land, deadly creatures flew freely through the red sky. Winged demons with sharp teeth and burning eyes circled endlessly, their shadows passing over jagged mountains and blackened plains. Their cries echoed across the realm—harsh, cruel sounds that carried fear with them.
The ground below was no safer.
The land was cracked and dark, glowing faintly with red lines like veins beneath the surface. In some places, black smoke rose endlessly from deep holes in the earth, carrying the smell of ash and death. Rivers did not flow with water, but with thick, dark liquid that hissed softly, releasing heat and toxic steam.
This was the Demon Realm.
A place of power.
A place of cruelty.
A place where only the strong ruled—and the weak vanished without a trace.
But this story was not about the Demon Realm itself.
It was about the one who ruled part of it.At the heart of the realm stood a massive palace carved from black stone. Its tall pillars reached toward the red sky, and ancient demonic symbols glowed faintly along its walls. This was the palace of one of the Demon Kings.
Seated upon a dark throne at the highest point of the hall was Merlin.
He was known as a Demon King Hybrid—a being born of two worlds.
Merlin had long whitish-blonde hair, smooth and shining, with small strands that curled naturally as if perfectly styled by fate itself. His skin was pale—pure white, like untouched snow—standing in sharp contrast to the darkness of the realm.
He wore a long black coat, open in a deep V-shape that revealed his firm chest. The coat was decorated with elegant golden patterns, ancient and royal. On his right hand, three rings rested on different fingers, each radiating quiet power.A black trouser and thick black boots completed his appearance, and at his side rested a long sword, sealed in its sheath.
Even now, as he leaned forward on his throne, one hand supporting his chin, he looked calm… and dangerously beautiful.
Yet his expression was troubled.
His silver eyes stared into nothing, lost in deep thought.
Before him stood his two most loyal servants—the twins.
Asher and Asherly.
Asher had a handsome face, sharp and refined. His black hair was neatly gelled and combed back, giving him a clean, elegant look. He wore a simple but expensive suit, standing straight with perfect posture—every bit the image of a royal butler.
Beside him stood his twin sister, Asherly.
She was powerful and striking, with long black hair flowing down her back. Her lace black gown clung gracefully to her figure, decorated with subtle red ornaments that glimmered faintly. Every movement she made carried confidence—and danger.Asher was the first to speak.
"My Lord," he said calmly, "pondering like this won't solve anything. You need to find a solution."
Asherly tilted her head and smiled teasingly.
"Even when you look worried, my Lord," she said playfully, "you're beautiful as always."
Asher sighed lightly.
"No. 'Beautiful ' is for females," he corrected. "For males, the correct word is 'handsome.'"
Asherly laughed.
"I know that," she replied. "But Master looks like a girl sometimes. If he were one, many Demon Kings would fight over him."
Merlin stopped thinking.
Slowly, he turned his head and looked at Asherly with a strange expression.
"You two flatter me far too much," Merlin said calmly. "Sometimes I wonder… are you loyal to me naturally, or are you just serving me because I'm powerful?"
Asher adjusted his gloves.
"Fourth most powerful Demon King, my Lord," he corrected.
Merlin clicked his tongue.
"Geez. Can't I imagine being the most powerful one for once?""You are very powerful," Asher replied seriously. "But still ranked fourth, my Lord."
Asherly crossed her arms and smiled lightly.
"As for your question," she said, "we are loyal to the throne—not the ruler."
Merlin's expression did not change.
"But," she continued, her eyes sharp, "if one day you're in danger, you'll find out who truly cares."
Merlin let out a soft laugh.
"Right…"
He fell silent again.
Then suddenly, his eyes lit up.
"…I have an idea."
Asher frowned.
"What now?" he asked, clearly annoyed.
Merlin stood up from his throne, his coat swaying behind him.
"We've searched the entire Demon Realm for a cure for my illness," Merlin said. "But we never searched the Regular Realm—the world where many species live together."Asher stiffened.
"My Lord," he said carefully, "I don't want to sound rude, but what makes you think the Regular Realm has what we lack? If our realm doesn't have it, why would a common realm?"
Merlin walked closer, smiling brightly.
"Oh, Asher, you dummy," he said jokingly. "The Regular Realm was my mother's home."
Both twins froze.
"When she was alive," Merlin continued, "she told me stories about her hometown. A place filled with powerful artifacts and ancient relics. I'm sure what I need is there."
He turned back toward his throne.
"So it's decided. Tomorrow, I leave the palace. You two will rule in my place."
Asherly smirked.
"Are you sure you're not just escaping your royal duties and using your illness as an excuse?"
Merlin laughed softly.
"Maybe yes. Maybe no. Honestly, I feel like two different people live inside me."He smiled widely.
"I don't even know which one is real."
Asher remained silent.
Even if I try to stop him, Asher thought, he won't listen.
He looked at Merlin's back.
Who would believe someone with such a pretty face is an idiot?
They say never judge a book by its cover… and they're right.
This idiot overthrew the Great Demon Lord.
He crushed everyone who stood in his way.
He became the Fourth Demon King through pure chaos and will.
Asher smiled faintly.
Never underestimate an idiot, his grandmother once said.
They are unpredictable… and often already know how their story will end.
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TO BE CONTINUED