NOCTHARIS CASTLE — THE HIDDEN PASSAGE
"Lacod Junyu…"
Morgan's voice caught in his throat.
For the first time, the confidence in his face disappeared.
Junyu stood at the end of the corridor, surrounded by the cold darkness of the hidden passage. Behind him, faint crimson light from the castle spilled through the broken entrance.
Katsa could barely believe what she was seeing.
Junyu had actually found them.
Junyu looked across the room.
"So… you guys are Organization X."
His eyes moved toward Katsa.
"Leave Katsa."
Dom tightened his grip around Katsa.
Junyu's expression hardened.
Without warning, he pulled a knife from his side and threw it.
The blade cut through the air.
Dom immediately moved his head aside.
The knife passed within inches of him.
At the same moment, Dom's grip loosened.
Katsa slipped free.
Junyu stepped forward and placed one hand behind him.
"Stay behind and sit."
He didn't even look at her.
"I'll finish things here."
Katsa stared at him.
"Junyu…"
Morgan slowly smiled.
"Lacod Junyu."
He stepped forward.
"You're not stronger than the guard I faced earlier."
Junyu's eyes narrowed.
He suddenly jumped onto the wall and pushed himself off, landing several meters away.
As he moved, his eyes remained fixed on the strange room surrounding them.
"What are those 10,000 ores?"
Morgan's smile faded slightly.
"So you know about them too?"
Junyu landed silently.
"Hmm… interesting."
Morgan's voice became colder.
"Then you have to die as well."
A black-hooded figure stepped forward.
Her mask slowly opened.
Junyu's eyes widened.
Organization X — Number 2.
Lucia.
She suddenly launched herself toward him.
Junyu didn't even move at first.
Lucia twisted through the air, almost as if she were deliberately trying to show off.
Junyu stared at her.
"This is your Number 2?"
He tilted his head.
"Ha. Looks like a whore."
Lucia smiled.
"You're cocky, Junyu."
She landed.
"And I like that."
Junyu immediately closed the distance.
His leg swung upward.
THUD!
The kick caught Lucia and sent her downward.
Before Junyu could follow up, Lucia slammed her palm against the ground.
A burst of energy erupted.
Junyu jumped backward—
but the blast caught him.
Ice spread across his body.
He froze.
Lucia slowly walked toward him.
She reached up and touched his lips.
"It's really pink…"
Her smile disappeared.
"But I'm sorry."
"You also have to die."
Suddenly—
CRACK!
Katsa's kick struck Junyu across the face.
The ice around him shattered.
Junyu crashed onto the ground.
For a moment, everything went silent.
Then his fingers moved.
Junyu slowly pushed himself up.
His eyes opened.
In an instant, he grabbed Lucia's arm.
His grip tightened.
Lucia's eyes widened.
But before Junyu could move—
A hand caught his leg.
Another member pulled him backward.
Junyu's body dropped.
He immediately twisted in midair.
Using the momentum, he pulled his leg free and performed a backflip.
He landed several meters away.
His feet slid across the stone floor.
He looked up.
All six members of Organization X were standing together.
Six enemies.
One Junyu.
The atmosphere suddenly became suffocating.
Junyu slowly raised his fists.
I might lose this time.
Morgan disappeared.
Junyu barely saw him.
He shifted his body sideways.
Morgan's attack missed.
But that was exactly what the others were waiting for.
A blast struck Junyu in the stomach.
His body folded slightly.
He immediately pushed himself upward, twisting through the air to avoid another attack.
He landed on one hand.
Before the enemies could surround him, Junyu launched himself forward.
Straight toward Smith.
Smith raised his guard.
Junyu suddenly changed direction.
His elbow slammed into Smith's head.
Smith stumbled backward.
Junyu landed.
But his breathing was already becoming heavier.
The others hadn't even begun to slow down.
Junyu wiped his mouth.
One against six…
His eyes moved from one enemy to another.
That's something that only happens in books or fiction.
In real life…
His fists tightened.
It's almost impossible.
Behind him, Katsa tried to stand.
Her wounds were still bleeding.
"LACOD JUNYU!"
Morgan's voice echoed through the corridor.
"Is this everything you have?"
Junyu looked at him.
"Seriously?"
Morgan continued.
"You wanted to become much better."
"You idolize Bellini."
"And this is what you do?"
His voice became colder.
"What a shame."
"A pity for you…"
"And your friends."
"You are all going to die today."
Junyu lowered his head.
His fists slowly loosened.
I'm not actually strong.
I've been pretending to be someone because I wanted to become a king.
His eyes trembled.
But if I can't even save my own people…
Then what kind of king am I?
Silence.
Then—
A voice echoed inside his mind.
You are the king.
Junyu froze.
Who are you?
I am your demon.
I don't care about you.
And I'm not a king.
You are the king.
All demons obey you.
You were destined for this.
Junyu's expression hardened.
I wasn't destined for anything.
I'm just an orphan.
Nobody helped me.
I grew up searching for a family.
And guess what?
I don't have any.
Now I finally think I do…
His eyes became wet.
But they're going to die.
I'm worthless.
The voice suddenly roared through his mind.
STOP IT!
Junyu's eyes widened.
You are not worthless.
Your veins carry blood.
Lacod Darmen's blood.
Junyu became silent.
Who is Lacod Darmen?
He was the king.
And the hero of the Great Dark War.
I don't know him!
He was your father.
And you are nothing like him.
Junyu clenched his fists.
I don't know anyone!
The voice continued.
You were supposed to be the best.
Wars were fought for you.
Teriyaki Sumoi died for you.
Your mother…
Everyone did everything for you.
The whole world is yours.
Junyu shook his head.
No.
It isn't.
His expression slowly changed.
I am Lacod Junyu.
And my world is my friends.
Silence.
Then the voice became quieter.
Your mother, Runa, did everything to protect you.
But what are you doing?
You can't lose to some little gang.
You are meant for something higher.
Junyu looked forward.
The darkness inside his eyes began disappearing.
You are HOPE.
Junyu's breathing steadied.
Don't fight for yourself.
Fight for what made you.
Fight for everyone else.
I can't speak much longer…
But someone can find it.
Find yourself.
Then become HOPE.
Junyu closed his eyes.
One final breath.
Then—
"I am Lacod Junyu."
The voice answered.
Yes.
You are.
The greatest hero of the world.
THE BATTLEFIELD
Morgan watched Junyu standing completely still.
"Thinking a lot, are we?"
Junyu slowly raised his hands.
His fingers curled into fists.
He looked directly at Morgan.
"I am meant for more than this."
Morgan's expression changed.
Junyu moved.
He stepped inside Morgan's attack and grabbed his arm.
With a sudden shift of his weight, Junyu threw Morgan over his shoulder.
Morgan crashed behind him.
Junyu didn't stop.
He began walking forward.
His breathing had changed.
His posture had changed.
Even his presence felt different.
His shoulders rose.
His muscles tightened.
The air around him became heavy.
The members of Organization X slowly stopped moving.
Something was wrong.
They weren't looking at Junyu anymore.
They were looking at something else.
Something dangerous.
Junyu's horns began extending.
One moment.
Then another.
Dark energy slowly spread around his body.
The corridor trembled.
The crimson light outside the castle flickered.
Katsa stared at him.
"Junyu…"
Morgan slowly stood.
For the first time, even he didn't speak.
Junyu's transformation continued.
His horns grew.
The darkness around him deepened.
His eyes opened.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Only determination.
The six members stood before him.
Junyu looked at them.
A faint smile appeared.
"Let's start, shall we?"
KING OF DEMON FORM — AWAKENED.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
100 CHAPTERS.
Thank you all for the love and support throughout this journey.
Devil Horns has come a long way, and this is only another beginning.
The series will keep growing, and we'll reach many more milestones together.
Thank you for reading.
— Devil Horns