Even Today, the Ranker Dreams of Retirement

“Demon King!”

“Waaah, it’s the Demon King!”

“……”

Demon… King…?

While they hesitated for a moment, the magical beasts uniformly knelt before Habin.

“The Demon King has appeared! Show your respect!”

“Show respect!”

‘……Huh?’

“I chose the plainest appearance, so why am I a Demon King?”

Habin shot Jiseok a questioning look. But he seemed to have been struck by a mischievous mood and chimed in with the monsters’ fervor.

“Demon King!”

“Wow, Demon King! You’ve completely turned the Demon Realm upside down!”

“What’s going on? Why are you playing along?”

Just as Habin was about to poke the excited Jiseok who seemed to be teasing her…

“…Oh my, could it be? Has the Demon King graced my domain with her presence?”

“……!”

Thump, thump.

Suddenly, the magical beasts parted like the Red Sea. Through the center, a demon with pink hair and large pink eyes, wearing an alluring smile, gracefully walked up to Habin and bowed deeply.

“I am honored to meet the Demon King of ‘Greed’. To be in the presence of the Demon King so closely, how can I be so fortunate?”

“……”

“I, Ipsine Lil Morphesia, daughter of the Morphesia Succubus family, offer my greetings. Since you’ve come all this way, would you care to visit our mansion? If you’d allow it, I’d like to properly entertain such an esteemed guest.”

Demon King of Greed.

At those words, Habin grasped the current situation and whispered to Jiseok.

“Don’t tell me, the form I’ve transformed into is…!”

“That’s right. The form you’ve transformed into is the Demon King who oversees ‘Greed’ among the seven Demon Kings.”

“Even though it’s this plain?”

Jiseok discreetly opened the guidebook.

The seven Demon Kings of the Demon Realm had all sorts of appearances, but the Demon King of ‘Greed’ was very plain, while the Demon King of ‘Sloth’ had such dark circles under their eyes that it seemed they had lived quite diligently.

The Demon King of ‘Avarice’ looked like a pushover, and the Demon King of ‘Lust’ appeared extremely ascetic.

“Why are they all opposites?”

“Hmm, maybe it’s a lesson not to judge a person (?) by their appearance…?”

“As if.”

Come to think of it, even Kriksha, the Demon King of ‘Pride’, looked quite humble when he was expressionless.

Habin glanced down at the pink-haired demon Ipsine, who was bowing her head respectfully. She seemed to be a high-ranking demon who was quite knowledgeable about the Demon Realm.

‘Well, this might be a golden opportunity to gather information.’

Habin flashed a smile at Ipsine.

“Very well. Lead the way.”

“It’s an honor!”

‘If things go south, I’ll just cause a ruckus and leave.’

Blissfully unaware of what Habin was thinking, Ipsine guided everyone to her beautiful carriage. Her excited, bouncing figure as she walked ahead looked just like a pink rabbit.

“This way, Demon King of Greed!”

◆◇◆◇◆

Clatter, clatter.

Ipsine’s carriage provided a fairly comfortable ride even on the rough terrain of the Demon Realm.

The best part was that monsters cleared the way wherever they went.

‘It’s Lady Ipsine!’

‘It’s the terrifying succubus’s carriage!’

Whether it was because they were of the same kind or because it was a high-ranking demon’s entourage, they had a free pass wherever they went!

Thanks to this, Habin and Jiseok were exploring the Demon Realm in utmost comfort.

“Demon King, if I may be so bold to ask, the person accompanying you is……”

Not long after the carriage departed, Ipsine cautiously opened her mouth.

While Habin had used her skill to disguise herself as a Demon King, Chae Jiseok was still human, so it was natural to be curious.

However, Habin dismissed it simply.

“Knowing would hurt you.”

“Heuk! I apologize, Demon King! How dare someone like me make such a careless remark to you…!”

At her words, Ipsine seemed terrified and didn’t even dare to glance at Chae Jiseok.

“…Isn’t that a bit much, Habin?”

Just then, Jiseok discreetly whispered so that only Habin could hear.

“According to the guidebook, the Demon King of Greed has a very wicked personality and is extremely greedy. You should demand everything you see, and when you see food, you must always ask for more. Even for things you can’t eat, you must show that attitude! That’s how to avoid suspicion.”

‘Hmm, is that so?’

It seems that being excessively greedy was the characteristic of the Demon King of ‘Greed’, befitting the title.

[I’ve heard such stories before as well.]

‘But Kriksha, despite being the Demon King of ‘Pride’, was very humble towards me…….’

Kriksha, who had acted so subserviently towards the anxious Habin.

His evaluation as a wicked Demon King was gradually being rewritten in Habin’s mind as a humble fellow as time passed.

While Habin was lost in thought, Chae Jiseok made a suggestion.

‘So, why don’t you start by demanding the carriage?’

‘The carriage?’

‘You don’t actually have to take it. Just show your greed.’

Fighting! You can do it.

Receiving such unhelpful encouragement, Habin tilted her head.

‘Right. Since I’m in disguise anyway, I might as well do it properly.’

“You there.”

“Y-Yes! Demon King?! Is something not to your liking?!”

A tense reply came back. Ipsine perked up her ears and raised her head.

Habin swept her gaze over the carriage, beautifully decorated with gold leaf.

“This carriage is quite pretty. So much so that I covet it.”

“Heukkkk!”

Ipsine blinked her large eyes sadly.

“T-This… is my most treasured carriage……”

“Do I covet it?”

“My late… mother… left it as her only heirloom……”

‘W-What?’

How can a mere carriage have such a tear-jerking story?!

Habin furrowed her brows.

‘Taking something like that would make me trash!’

[Of course. That would be trash behavior.]

“Wow, that’s really bad.”

Ahezar and Chae Jiseok let out sighs. Habin glared at them.

‘Weren’t you the ones telling me to demand it earlier?!’

[Ahem.]

“Hmmm……”

Ahezar pretended not to know and remained silent, while Chae Jiseok averted his gaze to look out the window.

Habin hurriedly changed the subject.

“I-I just meant it’s pretty enough to covet. I’m not asking for it!”

But Ipsine was not in a state to take things at face value. She replied in a resigned voice.

“Sob… hic…… I understand, Demon King. Once we reach the house…… after that……”

“……”

Sniffle, sniffle.

Her voice was now mixed with sobs.

“After I spend a little more time with my precious carriage…… I’ll give it to you.”

“I said I’m canceling it!”

“You don’t have to say it like that, I understand. Just the fact that you, Demon King, are using my carriage…… is an honor for me.”

Thank you, my mother’s carriage…….

Ipsine stroked the carriage cushion with a sad smile.

‘Don’t smile so wistfully! I really don’t need it!’

I can’t tell if this is obedience or disobedience!

Habin crossed her arms and snapped.

“Ha! Forget it, I don’t need it. Keep it for yourself.”

“……Pardon?”

At Habin’s words, Ipsine tilted her head with a strange expression.

After a moment of thought, Ipsine spoke again.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. How can I ever repay this kindness?”

‘Did I not show enough greed?’

Habin deliberately spoke again.

“I’ll take everything else, so prepare accordingly! I’ll demand even more extraordinary things.”

“Gasp! As expected of the Demon King of Greed. I understand.”

◆◇◆◇◆

Habin’s ordeal continued even after arriving at Ipsine’s mansion.

‘I should demand more food, right?’

The Demon King of Greed is also known for gluttony. To maintain the disguise properly, she had to act that part as well.

As if on cue, the table was laden with sumptuous meat dishes, salads, and soups to the point where it seemed the table legs might break.

It seemed they had really gone all out, believing a real Demon King had arrived.

Just then, Ipsine came in with an excited expression, bringing alcohol.

“For Your Majesty’s visit, I’ve brought out a precious liquor that only appears once every 1000 years in our family!”

“Bring more food… What?”

“Heukkkk, of course. Demon King! This alcohol…… I should bring more, right…?”

At Habin’s untimely demand, tears welled up in Ipsine’s eyes. Her hand holding the bottle trembled.

Seeing this, the mansion’s servants whispered among themselves.

“Oh no! That’s the liquor our lady treasures so much……”

“We have no choice. It’s the Demon King after all……”

“Hiiing……”

What kind of situation is this?

‘If I do this, won’t I look like too much of a jerk……?!’

In truth, she didn’t need the alcohol. She hadn’t planned on eating much food either.

She had just said one thing to match the ‘Demon King of Greed’ concept to avoid being discovered.

But due to the terrible timing, things kept escalating.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

“D-Demon King…… I’ve brought more.”

Tremble, tremble.

Ipsine, who had set out so much food that the table was tilting, sat down next to Habin with a pale face.

She glanced furtively at Habin.

“A-Are you alright?”

Habin almost reflexively answered that she was fine, but remembering her ‘Demon King of Greed’ persona, she replied:

“……It’s not entirely to my liking, but I suppose this is the best you lot can do.”

At those words, Ahezar and Chae Jiseok whispered:

“Hyun Habin is doing great!”

[A perfect jerk!]

“……If you’re going to cheer like that, both of you just stop!”

For some reason, Ahezar and Chae Jiseok were agreeing that she was doing well. Meanwhile, Ipsine was on edge, watching Habin’s every move nervously.

‘Sigh.’

In the midst of this chaotic situation, as Habin was resting her chin on her hand with a bored expression…

Ipsine hesitated before speaking up.

“Um… excuse me……”

“What is it?”

“Heuk. I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m so curious……”

“……Speak.”

Habin intentionally frowned.

What’s with these people, every other word is ‘Heuk, heukkk’.

Just what kind of being is the Demon King of Greed for everyone to be this terrified?

‘At this rate, isn’t she going to pass out?’

At Habin’s consideration that didn’t seem like consideration, Ipsine gulped down the water in the glass next to her.

After catching her breath for a while, Ipsine slowly opened her mouth with a trembling voice.

“Um, well, I was wondering if you, Demon King, will also be attending the auction at the Demon King’s castle this time?”

“Huh?”

“Ah, the one where they say the Demon God’s ring will be up for auction.”

“……!”

The Demon God’s ring.

Wasn’t that the conquest condition for this 50th floor?

‘So, the Demon God’s ring will be auctioned at a demon auction?’

Chae Jiseok and Ahezar also perked up, whispering excitedly.

“Oh? That’s good information!”

[Keep listening!]

Habin, not showing her interest, tilted her head.

“That’s that. Why are you curious about such things?”

“Ah, no. I’m sorry. How dare I…!”

Ipsine hurriedly lowered her eyes. Fidgeting with her fingers, she continued.

“Of course, I wouldn’t dare think of participating in an auction with the Demon Kings. After all, only Demon Kings can participate in the auction. I just wanted to attend the ball that will be held before it, but unfortunately, I don’t have a chaperone to look after me at the ball……”

“You don’t have one?”

“Yes. My mother passed away, and my father has been gone for a long time. To make matters worse, a relative I’ve never even met is eyeing the position of family head, and I don’t have a suitable guardian to take me in……”

“Hmm.”

Habin slightly rested her chin on her hand and frowned.

Honestly, she didn’t understand half of what was being said.

Something about a chaperone, something about a guardian.

It seemed that even in the world of demons, which she had thought of as mere monsters or game NPCs until now, such things existed.

Ball, nobility.

In any case, what was certain was that the ‘Demon God’s Ring’, the conquest condition for the 50th floor, would be auctioned after the demons’ ball.

‘And this pink-haired demon Ipsine wants to attend that ball…….’

[Usually, a lady attends social gatherings or balls with a chaperone. It seems this demon child has no parents, so she has no guarantor to go with! A noble who hasn’t made their social debut might become a laughingstock if they attend their first ball alone.]

‘Oh, Kim Jaljal, what’s this? You understand it all?’

[Ahem, it was the same in some countries on the continent where I lived! I received many requests to accompany people too!]

‘Oh, really? This chaperone thing or whatever. Is it that impressive?’

[Of course! I was once the greatest swordsman on the continent. I received invitations from all sorts of influential families across the continent asking me to accompany them. Those were the good old days…….]

‘Yeah, yeah. I get it.’

Habin turned her gaze to Ipsine. She was nervously glancing at Habin while nibbling on a green grape-like fruit placed beside her.

Perhaps because of her pink hair, her appearance of cautiously munching on grapes reminded one of a frightened rabbit.

Despite being so timid, the reason she courageously brought up the topic of the ball in front of the terrifying Demon King was…

‘……It’s quite obvious.’

Habin’s eyes sharpened.

“You, are you taking me for a fool?”