I Don't Need To Log Out

Chapter 179 Demons

The tunnel stretched forward, its walls smooth and polished, a stark contrast to what Arlon had expected.

It wasn't just a crude underground passage—it had been deliberately crafted and turned into something luxurious and refined.

The lighting was subtle, embedded along the edges of the walls, casting a soft glow that made it clear this place wasn't abandoned.

That wasn't surprising.

One of the two Demons residing here was Syme, the second-strongest Demon.

Arlon had been here before, in his past timeline.

That time, there had been two Demons inside.

Syme... and another.

He still didn't know if that had been by chance—if the second Demon had merely been visiting Syme at the time—or if they both lived here permanently.

But considering the significance of this place, there was a good chance that both of them resided here together.

That was why he had sent his copy first.

He couldn't risk being caught.

After walking through the tunnel without hiding himself, Arlon's copy came across an opening on the right.

He stepped inside.

What greeted him was a vast chamber, its ceiling high and shrouded in shadows.

But the most striking feature?

The water.

Nearly half the room was taken up by an artificial lake, the surface eerily still, reflecting the dim light from the walls.

The air was humid, carrying the faint scent of something unnatural like the entire environment had been altered by magic.

On the other side of the lake, a sunbed was placed against the stone floor even though sunlight didn't reach there.

Lying there, as if basking under invisible sunlight, was a child-like figure.

At a glance, he looked fragile—his limbs were thin, his face eerily youthful. But Arlon knew better.

This was Arn.

One of the twelve Demons.

"Bring me something to eat, human."

The command rang out through the chamber.

For a second, Arlon thought Arn was speaking to him.

But then—

A man hurried forward, carrying a fruit nappy filled with vibrantly colored fruits. He moved quickly, carefully, like someone who had long since abandoned the idea of resistance.

Arlon recognized him immediately.

Gellard.

A human.

Before he could think about it further, his senses flared.

Someone was approaching.

Instinctively, he jumped back, blending into the shadows of the tunnel.

A woman entered the chamber, moving with a grace that betrayed her power.

She had angelic wings, her figure strikingly beautiful—but the aura surrounding her was anything but divine.

She stopped right where Arlon had been standing moments ago.

Her gaze swept the room.

"Weird," she murmured, tilting her head slightly. "I'm sure I sensed someone..."

For a tense moment, she remained still, eyes scanning the area.

Arlon didn't move.

Finally, after a few seconds, she let out a small sigh and turned back.

They got the message.

"If you need help," Arlon added, "ask Maria."

Carmen and Evan nodded firmly.

Then, Arlon shifted his focus.

"June, Zack, Carole."

The three snapped to attention.

"You three will handle Arn, the child-like Demon inside. I will handle Syme."

Zack blinked. "Wait—you're taking the strongest one alone?"

"Yes," Arlon said without hesitation.

Carole sighed. "Yeah, that checks out."

Arlon ignored the comment and continued.

"Pierre, Lei. You'll clean up the rest—mainly the Named Monsters—and search for anything important."

The two warriors exchanged a glance, then nodded.

Then Arlon's voice hardened.

"Listen carefully."

Everyone stilled.

"Your number one priority is not dying to the Demons."

The weight of his words settled in.

"As long as you survive, I will come to help if necessary. But... I don't think I'll need to."

He glanced over them. "It will take me two days to handle Syme. Since I'll be in a separate room, you don't need to worry about me or my log-out time."

"But you," he continued, looking at each of them, "must finish your fights against the Demons today. Tomorrow, help Pierre and Lei with the Named Monsters."

Then he made himself clear.

"Don't come looking for me."

No one questioned him.

They understood.

Even if they didn't like it.

"How will we enter?" Lei finally asked, breaking the silence. "Is there a secret entrance?"

Arlon smirked.

"There's no need. We were already discovered anyway."

Lei frowned. "Huh?"

Arlon stretched his arms once, then—

He jumped.

The others stared in shock as he plummeted toward the entrance below.

But before he hit the ground— Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire

He stopped at the same place he had jumped to enter the entrance before.

Suspended mid-air, just before touching the surface.

A force was there. Something invisible.

"...There's a barrier," June muttered.

"Looks like it," Zack said, eyes wide. "Either that or Arlon just unlocked levitation magic."

Maria crossed her arms. "If he did, I'm quitting."

Arlon remained in place for a second, then gestured for them to follow.

Without hesitation, the rest of the players jumped down after him, landing lightly on the unseen barrier before the entrance.

Their mission had begun.