"How long do we have to keep walking like this?" Jinhyuk asked, glancing back and forth as he stepped carefully across the sand.
Ever since they had arrived in this world, the compass Ilwoo had obtained from the system had been their only guide, leading them toward the nearest demon city. Their journey had not been without obstacles.
Minji had been ambushed by a demon lying in wait beneath the sands, and the oppressive heat, strange in a realm without a sun, was enough to make them feel sick.
"Don't worry. Just a couple more miles and we'll reach the city," Ilwoo muttered, pulling his hood lower to shield his face from the swirling dust. He wasn't sure if he was speaking to Jinhyuk or simply to reassure himself.
As time passed, frustration kept building inside him. He trudged through the endless desert, though he was confident enough to trust the system's compass that pointed toward the nearest demon city. Yet after hours of walking, he hadn't encountered a single living being along the way.
_Is it really broken? If this thing's broken, we're completely screwed,_ Ilwoo thought, frowning at the compass in his hand.
For a moment, Ilwoo drifted into his own thoughts until Hayeon's voice cut through his mind, snapping him back.
"I saw something," she said, pointing toward the distant gray haze that hung on the horizon.
Ilwoo narrowed his eyes, following the direction Hayeon was pointing. At first, he saw nothing in the distance, but after focusing carefully, a faint structure emerged, its outline resembling a building.
For a brief moment, his heart stirred with hope. The sight promised the possibility of escaping the endless desert they had been trapped in.
But that flicker of relief quickly vanished as he reminded himself of the grim truth: this was still the demon realm, where danger lurked behind every shadow.
"We have to go quickly." Ilwoo strode toward the city, but before he could take another step, a hand caught his arm and stopped him.
He turned his head and saw Minji gripping him tightly. Her eyes were sharp as she said, "Wait! You can't just rush in recklessly."
"I know," Ilwoo replied, pulling free from her grasp. "I'm not planning to throw my life away."
"But the way you were walking straight into that city makes you look like a complete idiot," Hayeon cut in, glaring at him.
For a moment, Ilwoo looked at both of their faces, let out a sigh, and said,
"I have a plan."
"Well, you always have a plan," Hayeon interrupted, rolling her eyes. "So, what kind of plan is it this time?"
Ilwoo gave her an annoyed look, but quickly let it fade; arguing with her was pointless. Instead, he opened his system shop and purchased an item.
As soon as the transaction was completed, the object materialized in his palm.
"What is that?" Jinhyuk asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes as the item dropped into his palm.
It was small, no larger than a marble, glowing faintly with a purple light that shimmered ominously.
"This thing can hide us from demons," Ilwoo explained, his voice steady. "But the downside is… high-ranking demons can still see through it, even if we cover our presence."
Kim Donghyun leaned closer, examining the marble. "So how do we use it?"
"We have to eat it," Ilwoo said bluntly, watching their reactions. "Once swallowed, it takes effect."
Hayeon's eyes widened in disbelief. She jabbed a finger at the marble. "Are you seriously telling me I have to gulp down that weird thing? No way!, I'm not eating that."
Ilwoo shook his head, glanced at Hayeon, and said,
"We have to eat this before we enter the city." He pointed toward the distant walls rising against the horizon.
"No way in hell that's happening." Hayeon took a step back as she saw the item in his hand; it looked like a poisonous snake to her.
Seeing her reaction, Ilwoo didn't press forward. Instead, he said calmly,
"Fine. If you don't want to eat, you can stay outside and wander around until we return."
"That's impossible! I can't survive out here alone." Hayeon's voice faltered, stunned by his words.
A flicker of anger stirred in Ilwoo's chest, hardening his gaze. Hayeon was being far too stubborn, she refused to enter the demon-infested city, yet she also couldn't bear to stay outside.
Either choice was unacceptable to her, and that left him with nothing but frustration.
"Then you're coming with us," Ilwoo said roughly, his eyes locking onto hers. Hayeon tried to look away, but it was hard to avoid his gaze when there was so much concern hidden behind it.
After a brief moment of silence, something unspoken passed between them, an agreement.
"Fine."
She reached out and took the marble from Ilwoo's palm.
"So… I have to eat it?"
Ilwoo gave a silent nod.
Hayeon stared at the marble-sized object resting in her hand, hesitation flickering across her face. Then, with a deep breath, she opened her mouth. The object vanished the moment it touched her lips.
As she gulped the object, a dark aura oozed from her body, wrapping around her completely.
Her form began to blur, as if she were trying to turn into mist. When the aura finally vanished, the Hayeon that Ilwoo once knew was gone. In her place stood someone who looked like Hayeon, but with horns curling from her head and skin turned a deep, shadowy hue.
"How do I look?" she asked, staring at her hands that had just darkened moments ago.
"Looks good on you," Jinhyuk said, circling around her with a grin. "More like a demon now."
"Really?" Hayeon reached up and touched her horns, her eyes wide with wonder. "Whoa… I actually have horns!"
"I told you it would work." Ilwoo smiled, pulling another marble-shaped object from his system's shop. "And the best partm, you don't have to freak out about it anymore."
She turned her head away from him, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation.
"Then…" Ilwoo glanced at his team. "Shall we take this marble pill?"
After Ilwoo and the others swallowed the marble-like pills, their bodies began to twist and shift, transforming into demon-like figures.
Slowly, they made their way toward the city. As they drew closer, the towering wall in the distance grew larger and larger, until it seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky.
Ilwoo looked ahead, where the entrance towered over them. Several human-like demons had formed a line at the gate, and a massive, imposing figure loomed, guarding the threshold.
"Is that the entrance?" Kim Donghyun asked, leaning closer, his eyes fixed on the unmoving gate.
Ilwoo nodded in response. "Yeah… that's the entrance to the city."
A voice cut through the tense silence. "You piece of shit!" Ilwoo's gaze shifted to the distance, where he saw a figure arguing fiercely with the guards at the gate.
"Do you know who I am?" the figure demanded of the guards.
Ilwoo's eyes narrowed as he studied the stranger. Unlike the others in the crowd, this one wore fine clothes that spoke of wealth and privilege. From his tone and bearing, Ilwoo quickly understood, the demon was of noble blood.
"You think someone like me is just a mere..."
The demon never finished. A flash cut across his left hand, the very one he had pointed at the guard.
He froze, staring in disbelief at the stump where his hand had been. Blood gushed out as his eyes went wide with horror.
"...!"
The noble collapsed to his knees, clutching his severed wrist, his screams echoing through the street.
"There are rules in this city," one of the guards said coldly, ignoring the demon's cries. "Whether you are a noble or a beggar, if you want to enter, you obey them."
Everyone in the line fell silent, the hush sharp enough to hear a pin drop, when the guards spoke. Eyes lowered to the ground; not a single person dared argue or even glance at the soldiers directly.
The crowd only stared downward in fearful silence.
"Move," one of the guards ordered coldly. At his words, several in the crowd flinched. "The entrance to the city resumes now," he announced.
"You think we can actually get inside?" Minji asked quietly as she watched the wounded demon noble being dragged along by his servants.
"We can," Ilwoo whispered back, steadying her nerves with his calm tone.
"Don't worry. As long as you stick to my plan," he said, before leading his teammates forward, pushing into the line toward the bloodstained guards.