Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad [EN]: Chapter 86

Demon King Army 2nd Corps Headquarters, Magic Engineering Tower.

Even at a glance, one could tell that this tower, soaring high into the sky, had an enormous architectural footprint.

However, the Magic Engineering Tower was more than met the eye.

Underground.

Beneath the Magic Engineering Tower existed a space as vast as what was visible above ground.

Rather, secret and important research was conducted more often underground than in the upper levels.

“Kyak-!”

“Squeak! Be careful!”

Magic Engineering Tower underground Chimera testing facility.

Chimera was the field of research to which Rotark devoted the most effort.

As the Corps Commander directly oversaw the work, the scale of the testing facility was also immense.

Hundreds of cylinders lined up.

Inside were bizarre-looking creatures of unknown origin.

All were artificial life forms, Chimeras.

Among those cylinders, white-coated rats scurried busily.

The 2nd Corps Commander, Rotark, was blankly staring at the scene.

“Rotark… Lord Rotark…!”

At the sound of the voice, Rotark snapped out of it.

“What is it?”

“Are you alright? Squeak! You’ve been standing still for 10 minutes already.”

“Hmm, I need to rest for a moment.”

Rotark shook his head and left the testing facility.

A sight that would normally be impossible to see.

He was always immersed in experiments with a mad glint in his eyes, even cutting down on sleep, but not today.

‘I can’t concentrate at all…’

Right now, there was no room in Rotark’s head for Chimera research or anything of the sort.

‘Choi Hyun-seok. When will he return?’

Ever since the moment he first saw Choi Hyun-seok.

Choi Hyun-seok had not left Rotark’s mind for even a single moment.

An experimental subject he had never seen before.

The sight of him possessing both mana and magical energy while maintaining a delicate balance with his body even felt beautiful.

I want to quickly dissect his body, check the insides, and conduct various experiments!

That was all he could think about.

If he could only uncover Choi Hyun-seok’s secrets, he could confidently say that a new horizon he had never known before would open up.

He would be able to bring all the dream experiments he had only imagined for hundreds of years into reality.

That was why Rotark could not focus on the present.

He wanted to rush to the Black Star right away and kidnap Choi Hyun-seok.

“Squeak! How long are you going to make me wait?”

Just as Rotark was about to sigh, the magic communication device lit up.

Rotark manipulated his magical energy to activate the device.

“What is it?”

“Lord Rotark. We have received a call from the 3rd Corps Commander. Shall I connect you?”

Rotark’s face crumpled.

The 3rd Corps Commander must be referring to Hemis.

‘What’s that crazy woman up to?’

He had heard that Hemis and the Demon King had had a falling out recently.

It wasn’t particularly surprising.

There had been signs of it for a long time.

‘Either way, it shouldn’t concern me…’

Rotark didn’t care about internal power struggles within the Demon King Army.

The research and experiments he conducted here at the Magic Engineering Tower were his everything.

The Demon King and the other Corps Commanders were aware of Rotark’s tendencies.

The reason why there had been no direct contact was probably due to that.

But suddenly, he received a call from Hemis.

What could be the reason?

As his worries deepened, the signal soldier urged him.

“Lord Rotark. What should we do? Should I connect….”

Zzzt-!

In an instant, the soldier’s words were cut off, and black sparks flew from the magic communication device.

Soon, cracks appeared in the device, and a familiar voice was heard.

-Rotark. Are you not even taking my calls now?

He didn’t know what means she had used, but Hemis had forcibly opened the communication.

Rotark’s face crumpled even further.

He tried his best to act nonchalant and continued speaking in a relaxed voice.

“No, that’s not it. I was just about to connect.”

-Cheer up. If you make such a face when we’re seeing each other after so long, it makes me sad, you know?

In an instant, an awkward smile appeared on Rotark’s frozen face.

‘That monstrous woman…’

This magic communication device was literally for communication.

It didn’t have a video transmission function or anything like that.

But Hemis had not only forcibly connected the communication but also seemed to be directly watching this place through the cracks.

He couldn’t even begin to guess what kind of magic she had used.

-Yes, yes. That’s how our cute Rotark should be. Ohoho!

“Squeak! Anyway, Lord Hemis. What brings you here so suddenly?”

-Come to the Black Star right now.

“Yes?”

Suddenly telling him to come to the Black Star.

Rotark was a Corps Commander.

He wasn’t some pet dog who would come and go just because he was told to.

Rotark asked again, wondering if it was a joke.

“Are you saying to come to the Black Star?”

-Why? Do you not want to?

“That’s… Shouldn’t I know the reason? Squeak!”

-Ohoho! Our Rotark has grown up so much.

Hemis laughed in her unique high-pitched voice.

Then, as if she had never laughed, she continued speaking in a voice dripping with coldness.

-Stop talking nonsense and come quickly. Or should I come over there?

The range of changes was so extreme that it was hard to believe she was the same person.

Rotark swallowed a sigh.

“I will… go immediately…”

-Yes. That’s like our Rotark. Ohoho!

Her voice was filled with playfulness again.

-There’s no interference magic field, so just come straight here. You know the coordinates, right?

“Yes.”

-Then I’ll be waiting~

That was the end.

Clang!

The communication device shattered, and the communication ended just like that.

***

‘She actually came…?’

Choi Hyun-seok’s mouth dropped open.

The situation was unfolding so rapidly that he didn’t know what was happening.

‘Can this even happen between Corps Commanders?’

It was a unilateral notice, an order.

Hemis summoned Rotark, a Corps Commander, as if he were a subordinate.

Yet, Rotark obediently came.

It was even less than 3 minutes after the communication.

“It’s been a while, Lord Hemis.”

Rotark bowed his head.

The appearance of the absolute powerhouse he had shown in front of Choi Hyun-seok could not be found even if one washed their eyes and looked again.

“Well, you too~ It hasn’t been that long. We saw each other at the last regular meeting.”

“Squeak. That’s right.”

Rotark smiled obsequiously.

“But what brings you here?”

Instead of answering, Hemis handed over a piece of parchment.

“This is…”

It was the contract he had given to Choi Hyun-seok.

But the contents had changed.

Rotark slowly read it.

-Rotark shall treat Choi Hyun-seok with sincerity and to the best of his ability.

-Rotark shall not engage in any actions that may harm Choi Hyun-seok.

-Rotark shall not, without Choi Hyun-seok’s consent….

-Rotark shall…

There was no need to see the rest.

It was simply a slave contract.

Veins popped out on Rotark’s forehead.

He couldn’t understand what this dog-like behavior was.

He raised his head and looked at Hemis.

“Why is this…”

His voice was low.

He was desperately trying to hold back, but he couldn’t help the anger that was seething in his voice.

“What is the reason, Lord Hemis, for protecting a mere human?”

“Do I have to explain everything one by one?”

“If you don’t tell me the reason, I have no reason to obey. Squeak!”

Rotark spat out the words as if he were chewing them.

‘Are you telling me to give up on Choi Hyun-seok now?’

He might have considered it before seeing Choi Hyun-seok, but not now, absolutely not.

Rotark was determined to push forward with the experiment no matter what.

Even if it meant going against Hemis’s wishes.

Then, Hemis called out to Rotark.

“Rotark.”

“Yes.”

“Was it 350 years ago?”

“…”

“Who was it that saved you when you were about to die as an unknown lab rat?”

350 years ago.

It was before Rotark had become an adult.

Originally, Rotark’s clan was renowned as researchers.

Among such a clan, Rotark, who possessed white fur, attracted attention in many ways.

Thanks to that, just as Rotark, who had not even fully grown, was about to be dissected alive, it was Hemis who stopped it.

“It was Lord Hemis…”

“That’s right. 200 years ago. Who helped you win the Corps Commander selection battle?”

It was also Hemis who had placed Rotark in the position of Corps Commander.

Although Rotark was relatively weaker in combat power compared to the other Corps Commanders.

He was able to win the Corps Commander selection battle thanks to Hemis’s trickery.

“100 years ago. Who was it that saved you when you were about to be killed by a human again?”

“…”

“It’s quite interesting, isn’t it? After that, you were trapped in the Magic Engineering Tower, and I was trapped in this Black Star. Of course, you were there voluntarily, and I was there involuntarily.”

After a moment of silence, Rotark opened his mouth.

“I am grateful for what happened back then. But this is….”

“Rotark.”

Hemis cut him off as if she didn’t want to hear it.

A chill dripped from her continuing voice.

“You seem to be mistaken, but this is not a request. It’s an order.”

Rotark didn’t back down either.

His voice gradually rose, and magical energy flowed out without him realizing it.

“I am a Corps Commander of the Demon King Army. I only listen to the Demon King’s orders. Squeak! What Lord Hemis is doing right now is a clear overreach of authority.”

Hemis was silent for a moment.

Then, at some point, her lips twisted greatly, and she smiled.

Those who had seen Hemis for quite some time could tell.

That her smile now contained deep anger.

“Rotark. Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

“…”

“Which will be faster, my head falling from the Demon King or me slitting your throat?”

It was a clear threat.

Cold sweat ran down Rotark’s back.

‘Has this monster finally gone crazy…’

Hemis drove the wedge in.

“Why can’t you understand what I’m saying?”

“…”

“If you don’t want to die, shut up and do as you’re told.”

This was the end.

He shouldn’t provoke Hemis any further.

She wasn’t in her right mind to begin with, but looking at Hemis’s recent actions, she was literally an uncontrollable madwoman.

She already had a track record of driving the 4th Corps Commander, Park Hyun-ah, to the brink of death.

If he resisted here, Hemis might really slit his throat.

Anything is difficult the first time, but it’s easy from the second time onwards.

In the end, Rotark had no choice but to raise both hands.

“I understand…”

“Yes. You should have done that from the start. Ohoho!”

The high-pitched laughter filled the office.

Soon after, Rotark infused magical energy into the parchment, and the contract was completed.

Hemis’s lips opened wide, and she swallowed the parchment whole.

“I’ll return it to you when this is over. You can tear it or burn it then, whatever you want.”

“Yes…”

As long as the parchment remained, the contract would continue forever.

Unless he killed Hemis, Rotark would have no choice but to obey.

“Good. Rotark.”

“Yes.”

“Now get lost.”

“I understand…”

Rotark left the office without complaint.

With a bang! He disappeared just like that.

It seemed he had used space-time magic like when he came here.

“…”

A brief silence lingered in the office.

Suddenly, Hemis grinned.

“Was it resolved well?”

Choi Hyun-seok desperately moved his stiff facial muscles.

“Yes! As expected of the Corps Commander! I was truly impressed by your wise and bold decision!”

“Really? Ohohoho!”

“Yes! It was really the best! Hahahaha!”

Choi Hyun-seok and Hemis laughed.

Of course, even though they were laughing outwardly, Choi Hyun-seok’s insides were about to turn upside down.

‘What do you mean it’s resolved!?’

He didn’t know Hemis would come out this forcefully.

In the first place, he didn’t even expect Rotark to oppose so strongly.

In any case, he hadn’t anticipated that the two Corps Commanders would be so antagonistic towards each other.

However, just because an unexpected event had occurred didn’t mean he could only be discouraged.

‘It’s too late to turn back. I don’t know why Hemis is helping me this much, but… now that it’s come to this, I’ll use it properly.’

He had come too far to turn back.

Choi Hyun-seok had jumped into the middle of the enemy camp with the monster Hemis on his back.

If he dawdled here, he would be eaten by Hemis on his back before being caught by the enemy.

He had to make a bold decision and move before the situation spiraled out of control.

“Lord Corps Commander! I will serve you with unwavering loyalty for the rest of my life!”

“Yes, yes. You should. Ohohoho!”

***

Rotark returned to the Magic Engineering Tower.

His steps towards the laboratory were filled with annoyance.

“Daring…! Daring to defy me, Rotark…!”

The magical energy flowing out of Rotark enveloped the entire Magic Engineering Tower.

“Zz, zzzzt…!”

“Squeak…!”

The researchers trembled in fear and scattered in all directions.

No one could approach Rotark.

Rotark muttered something over and over again, filled with anger.

“Those bastards… Just wait until this is over…”

At that moment.

His face twisted hideously, and a roar erupted.

“I’ll tear them to pieces!”

“Until the words ‘save me’ come out of those precious lips! I’ll keep tearing them apart!”

“After dividing them into thousands, tens of thousands of pieces, I’ll turn them into Chimeras and make them crawl under my feet for the rest of their lives!”

It is said that Rotark’s curse continued all night that day, and thanks to that, all the beings in the Magic Engineering Tower were restless and unable to sleep.