As usual, he was seated and practicing when—

“Hey, get ready to head out.”

Out of nowhere, manager Bang Jin-ho approached and casually threw out the remark.

Lee Shin ended his game and asked with a puzzled expression,

“Where to?”

“Watch your tone.”

“Where exactly are we going?”

Manager Bang Jin-ho barely restrained the urge to smack him.

“The Amateur League finals.”

“Ah, is that today?”

“Watch your tone.”

“That was just me talking to myself.”

Lee Shin stood up and threw on the white linen shirt he had taken off earlier.

It was only then that manager Bang Jin-ho noticed Lee Shin’s extravagant outfit.

“I’ve been wondering for a while—do you put this much thought into your clothes, or do you have a stylist?”

Instead of answering, Lee Shin flipped open his old flip phone and showed him a text message.

The message read as follows:

[Dear Shin ♡ Did you receive the boat shoes I sent you yesterday?
Wear them barefoot with the striped shirt I sent last year and navy slacks. A white shirt over it would be even better! Today’s concept is a marine look ^^

I’d love it if you could send me a picture, but since you don’t use a smartphone, I guess that’s impossible? ㅠㅠ

A few devoted followers will be taking pictures when you head out, so please be understanding even if it’s a bit bothersome ;ㅇ;

We love you, as always ♡

— The High Priests of the Lee Shin Sect]

Manager Bang Jin-ho wobbled slightly, overwhelmed by cultural shock.

‘What kind of person actually lives like this?’

Perhaps because he was considered a god, he was genuinely being treated like one.

“…Anyway, let’s go.”

“Sure.”

The players in the practice room who overheard their conversation shuddered.

No one had ever dared act so cocky in front of manager Bang Jin-ho. In the past or now, it was clear that these two had a long-standing rivalry.

Lee Shin and manager Bang Jin-ho left the practice room and headed down to the underground parking lot of the broadcasting station.

Lee Shin took the passenger seat of Bang Jin-ho’s white sedan.

“Do you have a driver’s license?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Get one, you idiot.”

“When I have the time.”

Bang Jin-ho could tell that Lee Shin had no intention of ever getting a license.

Seeing him buckle up and immediately lower his head to sleep only reinforced that belief. If anything, he’d hire a chauffeur before driving himself.

Despite the irritation boiling inside him, manager Bang Jin-ho held back and started the car.

If his passenger had been a regular player or coach, he would’ve already punched them a few times.

Lee Shin, who had dozed off in the passenger seat, woke up.

‘Are we there already?’

He no longer heard the hum of the engine, so he slowly opened his eyes.

‘Huh?’

He was utterly bewildered.

This wasn’t the interior of Bang Jin-ho’s old compact sedan.

It was an opulently decorated bedroom in an antique style.

He was lying on an enormous bed large enough to fit at least five grown men.

“You are awake, Contractor.”

A woman clad in a thin silk dress that barely concealed her fair skin greeted him politely.

Only then did Lee Shin grasp the situation. She was a maid serving in the palace of the demon lord, Gremory.

“Where is Lady Gremory?”

“Her Majesty is in the Rose Garden. She instructed me to escort you as soon as you awoke.”

“Let’s go now.”

“Yes, please follow me.”

The maid led the way.

Through the sheer fabric of her dress, every movement of her body was visible, leaving Lee Shin unsure of where to direct his gaze.

As he passed through the palace corridors, the other maids he encountered were all stunningly beautiful. Their demeanor was a blend of seductive allure and respectful grace.

Every single decorative piece within the palace exuded an extraordinary level of artistic sophistication.

A palace that seemed to embody all forms of desire. This was the palace of the demon lord.

‘It feels like it’s trying to tempt me.’

Lee Shin had a strong feeling that everything here was orchestrated by Gremory.

Come, isn’t this nice?

Don’t you want to stay in such a wonderful place forever?

If you wish, you can. You can have everything in the world.

“We have arrived.”

The maid flashed a bright smile before gracefully stepping back.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Lee Shin walked into the garden.

The Rose Garden.

In a single phrase, it was a maze formed by walls of red roses. The entire place was filled with vibrant crimson petals.

Each time he encountered a fork in the path, he had no idea which way to go, but he simply followed his instincts.

If Gremory hadn’t set this up as a prank, she would have arranged it so he wouldn’t get lost.

His assumption was correct.

Despite walking aimlessly, Lee Shin soon arrived at the center of the garden, where Gremory awaited him.

Curious, he asked,

“Is this magic?”

“No. All paths simply lead here.”

“Ah…”

“Have you been well?”

Gremory smiled kindly.

Clad in a crimson dress, the demon lord Gremory stood surrounded by radiant roses, yet she outshone them all.

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Did you summon me because of the Ranking Battle?”

“That’s right. I plan to challenge the 71st-ranked demon lord soon.”

“Amdusias?”

“Yes, you remember. I thought I should get enough practice before the challenge.”

Lee Shin nodded.

“I’ll need to prepare. Knowing Amdusias’s contractor’s preferred race and battlefield will help in forming a perfect strategy.”

“Good. I’ve faced Amdusias in a Ranking Battle twice, so I can teach you what I know. His contractor is a man named Giacomo Casanova. He’s a rather famous figure from your world, so you’ve probably heard of him.”

For a moment, Lee Shin was dumbfounded.

Casanova? Could it be… that Casanova?

Noticing his reaction, Gremory chuckled and explained.

“Yes, it’s the very same person you’re thinking of. When he was a poor violinist, he made a pact with Amdusias, offering his soul in exchange for musical talent. In the end, though, he never truly devoted himself to music.”

“And that’s the person he put forward for the Ranking Battle?”

Lee Shin had heard that Casanova was one of history’s greatest philanderers and a multi-talented individual. But none of those talents seemed to involve military strategy.

“Being skilled in warfare doesn’t necessarily mean one will excel in the Ranking Battle. Amdusias likely relied on Casanova’s versatility and cunning.”

‘That makes sense.’

After all, aside from serving in the Air Force, Lee Shin himself had no real connection to war.

“Anyway, Casanova primarily uses elves, orcs, and monsters, and he favors the second battlefield, Blue Rain.”

Lee Shin took a moment to recall what he knew about Casanova.

Versatile, highly sociable, an alchemical fraudster, a notorious womanizer constantly on the run…

‘Only one preferred battlefield, but he picks multiple races…’

Recalling the terrain of Blue Rain from numerous mock battles, Lee Shin nodded.

“I can already tell what type he is. I’ll take the challenge.”

TL/N: In chapter 4 the author said the 71 Demon Lord was Caim but here it's Amdusias. I don't know if this was a mistake or if the author for what he wrote previously.