The god of esports.
The deity of gaming.
These were the epithets that followed Lee Shin.
He made his pro debut at 20 and shocked the esports world by winning his first individual league undefeated.
Then, he continued his unbeaten streak in both pro leagues and individual leagues!
With his tall stature and handsome appearance, he became a national star.
However, his soaring career came to a halt at the age of 24.
He had enlisted for military service and was playing as part of the air force pro team.
It was after he had easily won the semifinals of an individual league and secured his place in the finals.
He was attacked in the bathroom by a masked assailant.
The attacker precisely struck Lee Shin’s wrist with a metal pipe while he was washing his hands.
The terrible pain of his wrist bones shattering!
Screaming in agony, Lee Shin was left behind as the attacker fled, as if his mission was accomplished.
The police never caught the assailant.
His wrist never fully healed. Every time he made a fine manipulation with a mouse, pain surged through him. That was the end of Lee Shin’s career as a professional gamer.
The pro teams that had been courting him turned their backs.
After being discharged from the military due to his injury, Lee Shin returned home and spent his days in lethargy.
Upon waking, he would check his wrist, feel the grating pain as if his bones were being ground, and sink into despair.
He spent his time listlessly, like a lost soul.
Initially, his family offered consolation, but gradually they began to express their irritation with him.
“How long do you plan to live like this!”
“That’s why I told you not to play those games!”
Lee Shin locked his room and shut his heart.
The esports section of the internet news was plastered with photos of his rival and perennial runner-up, Hwang Byung-chul, weeping with the championship cup in his arms.
[Hwang Byung-chul Sheds Runner-Up Stigma: “I Feel Sorry for Lee Shin”]
[Champion Hwang Byung-chul: “Not a True Victory” Stays Humble]
[Hwang Byung-chul’s Victory: Due to Lee Shin’s Absence?]
[The Crossed Fortunes of Two Rivals]
Lee Shin gazed at the photo with a lonely look.
The glories of the past four years flashed through his mind.
Brilliant strategy, intuitive control, monstrous multitasking. He had made an era his own.
Born into a family of esteemed educators, he chose gaming over studies, defying his parents’ vehement objections. It was his everything.
It had to be.
It was insanely fun.
Dying while gaming was his wish.
‘Yes, that was my wish.’
Lee Shin smiled bitterly, lying listlessly in bed, staring at the ceiling.
‘So, should I just die now?’
It was then.
A small, round, black dot appeared on the ceiling. The dot grew larger and larger.
‘Huh?!’
Eventually, a black hole-like light burst forth, swallowing Lee Shin.
And then…
***
“Are you asking me to fight a war right now?”
To Lee Shin’s question, Gremory nodded.
One of the 72 Demon Lords, Gremory.
Her red hair adorned with a golden crown flowed beautifully. Her attire, adorned with black velvet and white lace, accentuated her slender waist and fell elegantly.
Originally ranked 56th among the lords, she had now fallen to the lowest rank.
“I am one of the few demons who are merciful to humans and cannot lie. Although, it seems that my personality does not help in the rankings.”
Gremory continued with a sad face.
“If I lose even once more in the rankings, I will lose my lordship. That’s why I summoned someone to fight and win the war on my behalf. That someone is you.”
“But I am…”
“I understand. You wouldn’t want to get involved in the disputes of demon lords. However, if you listen to my request, I will grant your wish.”
“No, but…”
Gremory did not give Lee Shin a chance to speak and continued.
“I govern healing and love. I can heal any disease and bring any woman’s love. There are many wishes I can grant.”
Lee Shin became speechless as if he had honey in his mouth.
‘Can heal any disease?’
Lee Shin’s gaze naturally went towards his right hand.
Following his gaze, Gremory also showed interest in Lee Shin’s wrist.
“Oh, you’ve severely injured your wrist?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“It hurts even with a little pressure?”
“Yes.”
Lee Shin’s voice trembled.
“I can heal it for you. It’s quite an easy task for me.”
“…!”
Lee Shin’s eyes widened at this.
Gremory saw an opportunity to persuade him and her eyes sparkled.
“If you make a contract with me, I will heal your wrist right away. Moreover, with each victory, you will gain much.”
“What happens if I lose?”
“I will lose my status as a demon lord.”
“And what about me?”
“Only a lord has the authority to open the gates between dimensions. If I am no longer a lord, I won’t be able to send you back.”
“So, I have to stay here forever?”
“Until I regain my lordship.”
“Is this hell?”
“This is the demon world, where demons and monsters live. We do manage hell, though.”
“If I win, will you send me back to my world?”
“Until the next war, you can stay in your original world.”
“There’s more than one war?”
“Yes, the rankings among the 72 demon lords are endless.”
“Is it not allowed to lose even once?”
“No, there are times to win and times to lose. However, the next ranking battle is very important as my lordship is at stake.”
Gremory smiled.
Many questions meant that his heart was beginning to move.
“Do I have to fight in the battlefield myself?”
“Hehe, there’s no chance of you coming into harm’s way during the ranking battles. You just need to command with confidence.”
“…”
Lee Shin’s eyes wavered. Numerous thoughts flooded his mind.
Making a contract with her would heal his wrist.
Winning could help him regain everything he had lost.
Losing would mean never returning to his original world.
‘I was ready to die anyway.’
To Lee Shin, who wanted to escape his miserable reality, the risk didn’t seem too great.
After thinking it over calmly, he asked.
“What exactly do you want from me? Do you want me to keep winning? Do you want me to elevate you to the highest rank?”
“I would be satisfied just to maintain my lordship.”
With that, Lee Shin made up his mind.
‘She’s giving me a chance, and her expectations aren’t too high. It’s worth a shot.’
Lee Shin spoke up.
“I’ll do it.”
It was the moment a contractor was born for Gremory, once ranked 56th and currently the lowest at 72nd among the demon lords.
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