HBWnovel Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Seong wrapped up the explosion with a stoic calm.
The ghost wasn’t the only one visibly elated. Naturally, the audience, who had been glued to the live broadcast, went wild.
“Wow! That was insane! Absolutely insane!”
“I literally held my breath watching that.”
“That was worth every penny.”
“Honestly, isn’t this a steal? Watching a stream like this for this price?”
“LOL, I’m subscribing to Rapid Guild and turning on notifications for their streams.”
“This is how it should be.”
“If you’re Korean, please subscribe to Rapid Guild.”
The viewers were in an uproar. It was a broadcast that left them thoroughly satisfied.
Normally, after a victory like this, one would expect some kind of reaction: cheers of triumph, a celebratory roar, or even a flashy performance.
But Seong showed none of that. He remained composed.
[That’s all for today’s broadcast. Thank you for watching.]
“...??????”
“...???????”
“...?????? Wait, that’s it?”
“...??????”
Ending the stream with such a humble statement? After displaying such an extraordinary performance? While bearing the title of Demon King? The viewers lingered, refusing to believe it was truly over. Moments later, the words Broadcast Ended appeared, and the screen faded to black. The stream had indeed concluded.
Even though the stream had ended, the chat remained active, and the reactions only grew more intense.
“LOL LOL LOL LOL.”
“Who ends a stream like this? LOL.”
“The performance was insane, but this ending? LOL.”
“He’s thanking us for watching when we’re the ones who should feel honored.”
“LOL, seriously, this was gold.”
“His humility is refreshing.”
“Honestly, so many people these days act arrogant while being nowhere near as skilled as the Demon King.”
“True LOL. Instant fan here!”
“Demon King! Please stream more often!”
While the viewers reveled in the moment, there were others who found the atmosphere irritating—primarily the guilds competing with Rapid Guild in the rankings.
Notably, Eclipse Order, ranked 4th among all guilds, felt the impact.
“Ha... We can’t catch up now, can we?”
“We might have to settle for staying in 4th place.”
“This is disappointing...”
The senior members of Eclipse Order couldn’t help but admit defeat.
Even with Mayrin and their current top-ranking player, Wade, leading a two-pronged strategy, it was clear they couldn’t measure up. Seong’s performance today had all but solidified his future as a top-ranking solo player. In comparison, Wade, their ace, was only ranked 15th—far from a position to compete with the likes of Seong. Adding to that, Rapid Guild already boasted Yuna, ranked 9th among solo players.
If Seong continued to rise at this pace?
“We won’t even be able to challenge Rapid Guild.”
“With just us, there’s no way forward.”
“Ha...”
Most of Eclipse Order’s senior members were consumed by despair. While being ranked 4th was still impressive, the rising pressure from the guilds below them made maintaining their position increasingly difficult. They had brought Mayrin, a remarkable talent, on board to try and climb higher, but it wasn’t enough.
There was only one option left.
“We’ll have to accept Echo Willow’s proposal.”
“It seems that’s our only path forward.”
“Well, even if we align with them, it doesn’t directly harm us.”
The senior members exchanged knowing smiles, referencing Echo Willow—a group that had remained conspicuously absent even as the major event approached its climax.
1.
Seong ended the stream abruptly. He had his reasons.
It was time to savor the sweet rewards of completing the main quest. He had gained new skills, a powerful summon, and even the appointment of a Legion Commander. Yet what Seong anticipated the most was something else entirely.
Before him knelt a skeletal knight, one knee to the ground in a posture of loyalty, swearing fealty to him. Beside it stood a translucent teal ghost with a faintly fractured appearance, pixelated edges shimmering faintly.
The Doom Knight, Leonic Evoke’s body and spirit, both knelt in unison, bowing deeply to Seong.
“...”
The skeletal knight remained silent, seemingly incapable of speech.
—For the new successor to possess such extraordinary talent and skill... This must surely be a virtue of the previous Lord. This knight is deeply moved.
The ghost spoke excessively, his tone noble and refined. Seong, feeling slightly awkward, nodded stiffly in response.
Despite the formal manner of speech being reminiscent of Noctrynnium, Leonic was far from reserved. He was verbose, to say the least. Still, Seong acknowledged his abilities and replied, though his words felt forced.
“Ah, well then, I’ll receive the memory...”
—Hah! It is humbling to request this of you, but as a lord, you must remember to consider the hierarchy between ruler and servant. I ask that you lower your tone when addressing me.
“...Ah, very well. I shall do so.”
Though baffled, Seong found himself slipping into a more archaic manner of speech. For reasons he couldn’t quite explain, it felt fitting.
Satisfied, Leonic nodded approvingly. Now, it was time to delve into his memories. While Seong’s stats would rise, he was more interested in the swordsmanship those memories would reveal.
“Ahhh! I am overwhelmed by your boundless generosity, my lord!”
Leonic’s gratitude came with another long-winded speech, prompting Seong to shake his head in exasperation. Despite the theatrics, he was just as curious to test the skill.
When Seong activated Knights of Ruin, the skies darkened instantly.
It was as if a portal to the underworld had opened. A swirling black-and-teal vortex materialized, and from it erupted a thunderous neighing sound.
Whiiiiiiinnnnneee—!
The pounding of hooves followed, a rhythmic crescendo of galloping horses that grew louder with each passing second.
The sound reached a deafening roar, shaking the earth and air as nine shadowy figures burst forth from the portal.
Each figure rode a ghostly steed wreathed in black flames, their armor and weapons exuding an aura of death. Though their number was small—only nine—their overwhelming presence filled the air with the might of an entire army.
They’re as terrifying as Valtar, Seong thought, recalling the fearsome knight he had summoned previously. While none of them individually matched Valtar, their combined presence was suffocating. Even Leonic, newly appointed as commander, seemed momentarily taken aback.
“Did an undead truly think to make us his subordinates?”
The knight at the front of the group sneered down at Leonic with contempt. The arrogance in his tone was palpable, befitting warriors from the Demon Realm.
It was clear the knights had no intention of obeying. For now, at least.
Should I shelve this skill until I can assert control?
Judging by the atmosphere, Leonic would have to subdue all nine knights before they would even consider following him.
Leonic, however, remained undeterred. His navy-blue eyes flared with determination, his aura brimming with defiance.
So he’s going to fight them after all, Seong mused. Despite his verbose and pompous demeanor, Leonic’s martial prowess was undeniable.
As Seong braced for a clash, Leonic suddenly roared, “Which generation are you from?!”
“...What?”
“...W-What??”
Even Seong was stunned. The Knights of Ruin exchanged bewildered glances, their arrogance giving way to confusion.
“I asked, what generation are you?!”
“R-Ruin! 1263rd generation!”
“Your voice is too weak!!!”
“R-RUIN! 1263RD GENERATION, SIR!!!”
“I’m from the 3rd generation. Bow your heads!!!”
Astonishingly, glowing numbers appeared above each knight, indicating their generation. Upon seeing Leonic’s number, the knights collectively paled.
“R-RUIN!!!”
“R-RUIN!!!”
“R-RUIN!!!”
Without hesitation, the nine knights dismounted and knelt, their foreheads pressed firmly to the ground in submission.
A dumbfounded Seong watched the scene unfold in silence.
“My lord, may I take a moment to educate these younger knights? It seems their discipline has been neglected, haha.”
“...”
[The ‘Knights of Ruin’ now obey ‘Death Legion Commander – Doom Knight, Leonic Evoke.’]
Seong sighed and nodded. It didn’t seem necessary, but there was no harm in letting Leonic have his way.
“Thank you, my lord! Now, you all heard that, didn’t you?! Let’s start by fixing your mental discipline...!”
As Leonic launched into his tirade, Seong quietly retreated to a safer distance.
It wasn’t because he didn’t want to hear it.
And it certainly wasn’t because the situation reminded him of his days in the military, where lectures like this were the norm.
Absolutely not.