Chapter 344: What the hell are these humans? (1)

With a stunned expression, Aurora looked at Cale and Choi Han, thinking,
What the hell are these humans?

The dragon, Raon, flapped his wings happily and perched himself on Cale’s knees—Cale, who was sitting comfortably on the village chief’s sofa—looking like the king of the place.
“Human, is this village ours now?”

Aurora couldn’t help but think again.
How did this dragon become like this?

The former saint, Cotton, had warned Aurora:
‘They’re exceptional beings. Be careful.’

But now—
Isn’t this more unusual than exceptional?

Aurora dragged both hands down her face.

“Is something wrong?”

Startled by Cale’s gentle voice, Aurora raised her head, and their eyes met.

“Is it because of the village’s situation?”

Cale asked with a soft smile.

“No, that’s—”

Aurora faltered.

The mountain village was half destroyed. The situation was dire.
No one had died, but with so many injured, rebuilding would take considerable time.

But beyond the village—

“That’s troubling, but you—you’re the real problem!”

Aurora blurted it out before she could stop herself, unable to resist confronting Cale’s gentle face.

“That demon army—”

“Ah.”

Cale nodded, as if he understood without needing further explanation.

“Don’t worry about the army. Those guys won’t be escaping anytime soon.”

“That’s right! Aurora, don’t worry!” Raon chirped happily. “They’re all paralyzed by the amazing poison we made! It’s super effective!”

Thanks to Hong’s creation, most of the demon army lay paralyzed, completely helpless.

Raon flapped his wings contentedly, looking proud.

Meanwhile, Aurora screamed internally.

Before that, you already had them half-dead!

No—

You left them in a state worse than unconscious!

After Count Deshuran fainted, the village was enveloped in silence.

No one could have imagined that the leader of the wicked Sixth Army of the demon army, the Flame Demon, could be knocked out so easily.

However, it was a plausible situation.

Cale Henituse… the aura around that human... it’s enough to make you think of the Demon King!

In the presence of such a being, who would dare move recklessly to rescue Deshuran?

Amidst the heavy silence, the enemies finally began to stir.

But that was all.

One thought flashed through their minds: Deshuran has to escape.

Or maybe—

They had to escape.
Expose the others if they had to. Abandon Deshuran if it meant surviving.

“Why?”

Cale Henituse’s nonchalant voice cut through the air.

As he swept his gaze across them, calm and almost bored, he added:

“Escape? Do you want to die?”

And at that moment—

A force even more terrifying than before erupted.

Hiieeeng! Hiieeeng!

The horses of the demon army’s knights collapsed to their knees, crying out in fear.

Bang. Clatter. Thunk.

Weapons fell from trembling hands.

The knights and mages of the Sixth Army abandoned all thoughts of escape.

They knew this power.

It wasn’t just overwhelming. It was the kind of strength only a demon—or something worse—could wield.

And that was why they dared not move.

Aurora thought to herself, almost in awe:

If he can emit an energy that makes one think of a god—

How powerful is Cale Henituse? Even the current demon king couldn’t withstand him for a minute.

Gulp.

She involuntarily swallowed.

Two hundred members of the Sixth Army. All of them had been knocked out by Choi Han or had stared back and forth between Cale and Choi Han before finally collapsing in fear.

Aurora stared at her hands.

They trembled, despite her best efforts to steady them.

“Our Arm organization members also came and knocked out some of these guys.”

ARM? Aurora frowned. She had no idea what that was.

Suddenly, Aurora also knocked out some of the demon army, just like other members of the Mediators.

Ssshhhhhh—

And then it started to rain.

No, to be precise, when Cale Henituse gestured with his hand, it started to rain only over this mountain village.

That rain quickly extinguished the flames that were ravaging the village.

- Compared to the fire that covered the three-star dragon’s house last time, this is nothing.

The words of the Sky Eating Water echoed in Cale’s mind, but no one else could hear them.

Unlike the terrifying aura he continued to emit, the raindrops were incredibly clear and warm, enveloping the village and its residents.

Aurora lowered her gaze, remembering how Cale had effortlessly knocked out the demon army — and how the warm rain had touched her hands in that very moment.

Fear… yet warmth.

How could a being like this exist?

As the rain surrounded her, she saw it clearly: the leaders of the Sixth Army grew more desperate.
Though not as powerful as Deshuran or herself, their strength allowed them to feel the true force behind this gentleness.

Killing and reviving.
A being capable of both.

It was an astonishing power.

“......”

Aurora finished her thoughts and spoke.

"The Demon King’s army—"

She mentioned the demon army again, and Cale’s gaze turned toward her.

"The demon army... kill them all."

Cale didn’t answer immediately.

"There’s no reason to keep them alive," Aurora continued, her voice cold and calculated. "After all, Count Deshuran holds all the information. We only need to torture him to get it."

Cale's thoughts shifted, a faint frown tugging at his features.
She’s cruel.

Is that the nature of a demon?

The clear distinction between friends and enemies. It seemed possible for Cale as Aurora continued to speak.

“On the other hand, keeping them alive is poisonous. The manpower, cost, and time we spend managing them is simply a waste.”

“......”

Cale said nothing. And Aurora continued speaking.

“Of course, if we kill them all, the news will be cut off, so it’s possible the backup army will arrive at this village. No, they’ll surely come.”

However.

“But even if we keep them alive, it’s the same. Although we hide them well, the lack of news will mean the demon palace will definitely send a messenger and eventually discover this place.”

Aurora stared at Cale.

Tap, tap.

Cale tapped the arm of the sofa as he seemed lost in thought.

“Either way, they’ll eventually discover this village and the central base.”

Of course, there was a way to prevent the base from being discovered. Doing nothing. But that wasn’t what Aurora, as a Mediators, wanted. Although the people sent by the demon palace or the demon army would eventually find the base due to past actions, Aurora’s expression as she spoke wasn’t bad.

“Of course, they’ll eventually be discovered. But at least we’ve saved the village demons and bought time thanks to subduing the Sixth Army.”

If even one of the Sixth Army had escaped, they would have soon sent a report, and the enemy army would have arrived at this place. But thanks to capturing Count Deshuran and the demon army, a few days could pass without a report being sent.

It’s because of Count Deshuran’s usual behaviour.

Though he is known as a knight.

“He’s someone who unconditionally follows the demon king’s orders. There’s trust in him. But he has a strong tendency to act on his own.”

He’s only loyal to the demon king.

“That’s why he doesn’t report frequently, and everyone will think he’s just taking time to complete his mission.”

Therefore, they must make good use of that time.

“We have to eliminate the enemy army and also move the base.”

She quickly added, directing her gaze to Choi Han.

“But at least we’ve been given a few days of peace, so we’ll also meticulously prepare for Choi Jung Gun’s body to move. So don’t worry about that part.”

If they had to protect the base and move Choi Jung Gun’s body while fighting the enemy army, it would have been really difficult. But in the current situation, although it’s difficult, it’s still something they can handle.

Yes. I have to show them I can do it, so I must definitely achieve it.

A firm resolution formed in Aurora’s eyes. Then.

“It’s a shame.”

“What?”

Cale’s voice made Aurora’s eyes widen. The corners of Cale’s lips had lifted slightly.

“Lady Aurora.”

Cale pointed toward her.

“Isn’t it a shame… the outfit you’re wearing right now?”

Aurora’s eyes darted down.
She was still in her nightwear. Though the mask was off, she had been so distracted that she hadn’t bothered to change.

This outfit is a shame?

The fabric was fine, but the overall look—well, it was awkward, and it was making her feel unusually self-conscious.

“What?” She blinked, trying to mask her discomfort.

Aurora’s expression soured involuntarily at Cale’s teasing.

“It’s a shame, isn’t it?”

“What?”

“The time you’ve spent wearing those clothes.”

Cale’s words made her expression shift. At her confused look, he continued, his tone soft but serious.

“We are now the ‘secret organization Arm.’”

Facing Choi Han’s unconvincing performance, Aurora hesitated.

“The Sixth Army doesn’t know that we—or rather, you, Lady Aurora—are Mediators. They don’t even know who you really are.”

“...!”

Cale’s words echoed in her ears.

“Now, what exactly is ‘Arm’?”

Originally, ‘Arm’ had been created by the White Star, a group used by the hunters.

However, Cale wanted to transform it into something new.

“From now on, ‘Arm’ will be the followers of the God of Chaos.”

“...!”

Aurora’s eyes filled with confusion. However, as they descended into the village, Cale had seen the gray demon energy and began to explain calmly.

“‘Arm’ is a group that the God of Chaos secretly cultivates. They infiltrate both the Demon World and virtual reality game worlds, acting only for the benefit of the God of Chaos.”

Cale’s smile gradually widened.

Gulp.

Aurora swallowed without realizing it.

“The followers of the God of Chaos use gray energy. And demons use it too, don’t they?”

Aurora’s eyes narrowed slightly, her mind racing.

“So, for people in the virtual reality world, would it be difficult to tell whether they’re demons or followers?”

“......”

“Lady Aurora, am I right?”

“Ah, yes, yes!”

As she hurriedly nodded, Cale continued speaking, his voice full of a smile.

“And this energy I’ve used, doesn’t it resemble a little the fear that the God of Chaos might employ?”

The Dominating Aura hadn’t yet absorbed all of the Saint’s power, but he was increasingly imitating its essence.

“I’ve never seen the God of Chaos, so I’m not sure.”

Gulp.

Swallowing again, Aurora continued cautiously.

“That fear... it evokes chaos.”

“That’s right. And the humans who suddenly appeared in the Demon World are us.”

Cale smiled slightly.

“Sure, among the Sixth Army, some have seen Choi Han and me, and Raon. But among those who weren’t at the center of the events, many regular soldiers have only experienced my power and haven’t seen our faces clearly.”

That’s true as well.

“What if we let some of those soldiers live by accident and send them outside?”

“...”

“And if we act as followers of the God of Chaos before they escape? As if we had purposely attacked the Sixth Army, as if we were offering sacrifices for the God of Chaos, wouldn’t that make sense to them?”

Aurora found it difficult to speak. But the moment the burning heat surged in Cale’s eyes directed at her,

“Huh? Lady Aurora, what do you think?” The moment he asked for a response, Aurora spoke.

“Yes, if we can deceive them in that way—”

Stammering, she pieced together her thoughts.

“It would be an excellent way to sow discord among our enemies.”

“Exactly, Lady Aurora!”

Cale smiled brightly.

“Do you know what the greatest benefit for us is right now?”

He raised three fingers, each one emphasizing his point.

“We don’t have just one enemy, but three. And each of them has their own agenda, constantly watching the others.”

The Divine World. The Demon World. The hunter families. All were immensely powerful in their own right.

Cale’s target, however, was clear.

“Our goal is to take advantage of this excellent situation, don’t you think?”

At his words, Aurora nodded slowly.

This human—

Cale Henituse, standing right in front of her.

The fear and wonder she felt toward him only grew.

‘Arm.’

A secret group following the God of Chaos.

Cale intended to create it. That was possible because the power inside Cale resembled that of chaos.

Can a human really contain energy like that? Energy that resembles the essence of a god?

Terrifying.

This human is truly terrifying.

“Lady Aurora, who are we?”

But since he was an ally, Aurora suppressed her fear and answered.

“‘Arm.’”

“That’s right. We are the ‘secret organization Arm.’”

Cale smiled more brightly than ever.

“Human, are we finally going to stab them in the back? How exciting, haha!”

“Hm. As ‘Arm,’ we must act diligently.”

“Ah! Choi Han, don’t do anything! Just standing there is enough! Just stay still with me!”

The exchange between Raon and Choi Han had a warm and friendly atmosphere, but Aurora felt cold.

Her gaze still lingered on Cale.

Cale stood up from the sofa. He approached the chair where Aurora was sitting. And he leaned down to meet her eyes.

“Lady Aurora. Of course, posing as ‘Arm’ will complicate things from now on.”

They had a lot to do with the captured Sixth Army.

“And even if we let some regular soldiers live and send them out, in the end, both the base and the village will be discovered.”

Therefore, Aurora would have to use more time and resources than she initially thought.

“And we’ll also have to take care of the village’s residents.”

Hearing Cale, Aurora closed her eyes tightly.

Things have gotten complicated.

But if everything goes according to plan.

The base will become the secret headquarters of ‘Arm.’

By hiding the Mediators and exposing ‘Arm,’ the Mediators could be safer. Moreover, it could cause confusion among the enemies.

If done correctly, it’s beneficial.

A great benefit.

Aurora opened her tightly shut eyelids, determined to achieve it—

“Huh?”

However, what came out of her mouth was a confused tone.

“Huh?”

Her voice sounded perplexed again.
She couldn’t help it.

Her gaze stopped right in front of his eyes.

“Huh?”

She had no choice. Cale’s soft and gentle voice reached her ears. The voice that had terrified her continued.

“Let’s reduce the time and resources.”

Aurora’s eyes trembled.

“And in addition to finding a new headquarters, let’s move the village demons to another place. Let’s resolve everything quickly.”

Aurora closed and opened her eyes.

“Ah—”

However, there were still dazzling jewels in front of her. The jewels were piled up in Cale’s palms. Jewels so magnificently crafted that it was hard to estimate their value.

“Take them.”

Aurora received the jewels with trembling hands that Cale extended to her. Then, Cale pulled out another space pouch.

“There are more jewels inside this one.”

Gulp.

Aurora swallowed hard. She looked at Cale with trembling eyes as he smiled softly.

“Let’s use money to save time and effort. That’s possible, right?”

“…Yes.”
She nodded. With these jewels, anything was possible.

“And let’s make the new base properly this time. After all—”

He smiled.

“—we’re ‘Arm,’ aren’t we?”

Her lips parted, trembling with disbelief. And before she could stop herself, the words slipped out:

“…Oh my god.”

For the first time, Aurora sought divine intervention.

No—she corrected herself.
The man in front of her was a god.

A God of Gold.

“…Huh?”

Cale blinked at her sudden declaration. His smile turned just a little bitter.

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Proofreader's Comment:
Is this divine power?

Nope, just Cale Henituse being rich, terrifying, and slightly petty.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Mayank]