Demon King Kyuse Descends! (13)

No doubt about it!

Its skin had the texture of something like black latex! Slightly smaller than a goblin! A singular horn on its forehead! A deeply set nose! A demon's tail!

"Imp!"

That creature was an imp, known as the lowest-ranking monster even in the demon realm! Of course, I was the one who named it an "imp"!

"Has this creature been in the middle realm too?"

"Keureuk…!"

Buril was currently very excited upon seeing the imp.

It was a display of his predatory nature. The reaction of a predator when it finds a potential prey. Seeing this natural response, it seemed that these imps were also quite at home in this middle realm!

"Buril! Subdue it!"

In the demon realm, imps were infamous for being weak. So, it should be easy to subdue.

"Keryaaaak!"

Immediately, Buril charged towards the imp. I decided to try to subdue and recruit it. With this creature, the art of domination would surely be 100% effective.

"Kkureureu?"

The imp, which had been tearing into a large insect, looked at us.

"Keryaaaak!"

"Kkureuk?!"

The imp was startled as if it was a cat seeing a cucumber. But then!

"Watch out!"

Whooosh!

In that instant, a purple flame erupted from the imp's tiny grasp! That was a flame from the demon realm! Could this creature also use magic?!

"Buril! Dodge it!"

"Keurek?!"

Woosh!

I immediately lunged forward, pulling Buril with me. We needed to avoid the magic at all costs. There was no benefit from getting hit.

As I was looking at it…

Whoosh!

The purple flame narrowly missed us as it flew past…!

"What the? Hey! It's so slow! Why is it moving at that snail's pace? Is it a tortoise or something?"

The speed of the fireball was damn slow. So damn slow that anyone and everyone could see it coming and dodge it easily! It was so frustrating to watch that I couldn't help but shout!

"Who would get hit by that?!"

"Kkureureureuk!"

"Darn!"

But that darn imp was actually trying to flee!

Was it trying to distract us with such a low-level spell and run away? Its running speed was surprisingly fast.

"Kererureuk!"

But our Buril was faster!

"Buril! Beat it up!"

"Keurek!"

Boom!

"Kkureureureuk!"

Like a wild beast, Buril charged forward and tackled the imp. They both tumbled to the ground, wrestling with each other. The imp was only about 70% the size of Buril. There was no way it could overpower him. Buril swiftly gained the upper hand, pinning the imp down in a mount position.

"Kererureuk! Kererureureung!"

"Kkureuk! Kkureureureuk!"

Thud! Thud!

Buril's furious punches rained down on the imp. The imp screamed in pain as it took the beating. We got this. We're winning. I immediately joined the fray to assist Buril.

"You little bastard!"

I spread out my palm and slapped the imp across the face.

Slap!

"Ggeaek…!"

Immediately, the imp's head snapped back. Of course, one slap wouldn't be enough. After instructing Buril to hold the imp tightly, I launched a barrage of slaps with both hands!

"You're gonna get it!"

Slap!

Slap!

Slap!

"Ggeaeeeeek!"

After enduring such a fierce onslaught of slaps…

"Kkureureu…"

The imp soon passed out.

Great! It was successfully subdued!

"Hehehe, a mere imp like you stood no chance against me."

"Kererureuk."

"Well done, Buril. Is it just me, or is your battle sense improving as time goes on?"

"Kereung!"

It seemed like Buril was leveling up or something.

"Anyway, this guy is weaker than a kobold."

Such a frail monster.

Alright.

Mind Control: ON.

Gooooh.

Having used this ability a few times now, I had become somewhat adept at it. A dark orb, the size of a bead, materialized at my fingertip.

"Inject!"

I directly infused it into the imp's head.

Sarureuk.

The orb dissolved seamlessly.

"Now, we just wait."

"Keurek…"

The unconscious imp.

Stirred.

He began to move slightly.

"Good."

It wasn't a particularly strong reaction. Shortly after, the imp slowly began to rise from the ground.

"Kkureuk…?"

It blinked slowly.

He opened and closed his eyes, gazing at us. There was no indication that he wanted to flee or that he was scared. His face was just swollen from the slaps I had given him.

"Imp? Come closer."

"Kkureuk."

Without hesitation, the imp stood up and began walking slowly towards me… It worked. I succeeded!

"Hehehe! Hey, imp. You're now my second subordinate."

"Kkureuk…?"

The imp tilted its head with a slightly clueless expression. Considering how he used magic, he might be smarter than he looks. But that remained to be seen.

"Let me heal you."

After my control spell, I immediately used all the remaining magical power to heal the imp.

"Kkuroeut…?!"

Instantly, the swelling on the imp's face disappeared. The recovery was so rapid it was visible to the naked eye.

"Wow."

"Kkureuk!"

Perhaps because he was a creature from the demon world? He seemed to absorb my magic power more effectively. Perhaps his body inherently had some magical properties.

"Hey, imp. Are you okay?"

"Kkureuk? Kkureuk! Kkureukkkureuk!"

"Imp?"

Suddenly, the imp started convulsing.

Why?

"Kkureureureureuk!"

Thud-thud!

After asking him a single question, he bounced around like a mentally disturbed patient, unable to stay still… Overreacting? Was this a racial trait? Well, I did have the impression that they were quite active.

"It's good if he has energy."

Finally, I got my second subordinate.

I felt increasingly elated… Hehehe, yes, this was it. This was how I would expand my force. After all, they would all become my power.

Let's immediately start the test!

"Imp! Stop!"

"Kkureuk…?"

The imp hesitated at my command.

But then…

"Kkureuk! Kkureukkkureuk!"

He couldn't stay still for even 5 seconds and began hopping around again.

"Imp, I said stop! Stop!"

"Kkureuk?"

With a clueless look, the imp glanced up at me and stopped again.

"Kkureureuk!"

Then he resumed his jumping.

"This guy?"

Yes, yes.

He clearly needed more training.

It was evident that he was a bit slow-witted, quickly forgetting what I said, just like a goldfish.

Just as I was about to explain again…

Blurt!

"Kk, Kkureuk?!"

"Huh? Buril?!"

Buril suddenly struck the imp with his fist!

"Kerek! Kerekkek!"

Then he maliciously yelled at the imp and began disciplining him!

"Kkureuk?!"

The imp seemed angry, but he couldn't resist the ensuing violence from Buril.

Thwack! Whack!

"Kerek! Kerekrekeung! Kerekkerek!"

"Kkureuk! Kkureureuk!"

When Buril started punching, the imp just helplessly took the hits, guarding himself and cowering.

"Buril, you…"

"Kerekeung!"

Seeing that, I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Kuhahahaha! Kid! Just because a junior has arrived, you're asserting your dominance! Impressive! I'm truly proud of you, Buril! Well done!"

"Kerekkek!"

Buril became even more enthusiastic and continued beating the imp.

"Kkureureuk!"

Good!

Educate the junior well!

Perhaps it was because he was mercilessly beaten by Buril, but the once hyperactive imp became docile.

"Kkureung…"

His eyes drooped in what seemed like sadness. He looked sulky. Seeing him like this, this imp seemed somewhat cute.

"Kerek. Kerekkek. Kerekrek. Kerek."

"Kkureukkkureuk."

Standing next to the imp, Buril kept scolding him with his arms crossed. Were these two even communicating? I couldn't understand a thing.

I wondered if monsters had their own way of understanding each other.

"Buril, good job. But that's enough. It's sufficient."

"Kerek!"

Buril immediately stopped his lecture and stood beside me. Truly a top-notch ace.

"Now that the imp's initiation is over. Imp."

"Kkureuk…?"

The imp turned to look at me.

"Do you know any skills? You seem to know some magic."

He had thrown a demonic fireball at me during our scuffle. Though it moved as slowly as a butterfly, it wasn't without its effects.

Because when that fireball hit the ground, it ignited a feeble flame.

"Kkureureu…"

Then, we could minimize the usage of demon's breath in the future. We could use this imp to ignite fires. That was sufficient. He would be great as my subordinate.

"Can't you use any other magic? Nod if you can, shake your head if you can't."

"Kkureuk? Kkureureuk."

The imp shook his head.

"You understand words well."

So, he couldn't use anything else?

"We'll do the detailed command execution test tomorrow. Let's go! We have a newcomer today, so it's party time!"

"Kerek!"

We immediately returned to the side of the river. The imp followed beside Buril with a slightly subdued demeanor. It felt like I was watching a seasoned soldier alongside a new recruit.

After gathering our belongings, we began our return trip.

"My subordinates… one goblin and one imp. That makes two."

Initially, it felt daunting, but now I already have my second subordinate. Rapid progress. I was really satisfied.

Perhaps creatures like kobolds would also be good as subordinates.

Once we amassed a sufficient number of monsters as soldiers and laborers, we should try building a real dungeon. A labyrinthine cave overflowing with monsters. And me, commanding them all.

"That's what a Demon King is."

Was I not just too capable? At this rate, I might actually become a Demon King. If that happened, great. I would ask Karuti for praise. Honestly, if I showed Karuti what I had been doing right now, she'd undoubtedly heap tons of praise, saying I had done incredibly well.

I didn't really need anything else besides Karuti's praise.