Dungeon Defense (WN): Chapter 11-15

Chapter 011 – Pave 10 Paths and Earn a Penny (1)

Clang!

A pickaxe struck the wall of a stone hole. How long have I been doing this for now?

Transience of life, all is vanity, vanity is all... I swung my pickaxe endlessly with the intent to cultivate myself morally and religiously. They say that Bodhidharma trained himself by going into a cave and staring at a wall for an incredibly long period of time. There was no reason for people to not call me an ascetic for mining tunnels endlessly like this.

After striking the wall roughly 40 to 50 times, a hologram appeared while emitting a 'Ding!'―I honestly think this sound effect is going to make me neurotic―sound effect.

「You've extracted 2 iron ores.」

Ooh.

Cultivating myself turned out to be a worthwhile thing to do. Two ores came out at the same time. This rarely happens.

I put down the iron ores I received as loot by my feet. I went back to swinging my pickaxe energetically.

"Mother~ why do I~ keep wanting to~ see you~."

Why was a Demon Lord like myself in a mine extracting iron?

There was no reason to ask. It was for money.

200 gold coins were taken from my initial fund of 1,000 gold. I spent 400 gold in order to hire a golem. All the money I had left on me was 400 gold.

If I were a normal human, then this would be enough to laze around for the rest of my life. However, as a Demon Lord, this was a sum that would be embarrassing to show anyone else.

Should I just take the money and run off somewhere?

There was a time when I once considered this idea. It must be because I was a Demon Lord as I had a small horn on the back of my head (It was so small that I only discovered it recently); however, if you excluded this, then I looked no different from a human. I had become a Demon Lord with the exact same appearance and physique I had in my original world. I naturally thought that if I just went around with a hat, then I could live a relatively wealthy life.

However, I remembered something. What the culprit behind all of this, VenusPanties, said to me.

─ VenusPanties: In any case, if the goal of Dungeon Attack is to stop the Demon Lords and protect the world, then the biggest goal of the sequel is to conquer the world. This is what's important. Don't forget.

I didn't really think much about this at the time. I simply thought that they were giving me some information on the new game that was coming out. If I think about it now, it was a type of allusion. It was information on what I had to do in order to reach the ending of this damn world.

'Conquer the world, huh.'

If this were a game, then I would have thought that this goal wasn't anything impressive and that it was dull. However, the idea of having to conquer the world with this piece of garbage character seemed hopeless. I was Dantalian. The weakest Demon Lord. If this guy went and declared that he'd conquer the world, then a passing slime would probably snicker at him.

Well, I shouldn't be hasty.

If I learned something in these past few days, then it was probably the fact that no matter how desperate the situation was, I should always keep a corner of my mind calm. There was a chance that if I tried to run away, a systematic restriction could be imposed upon me.

─ Keruru, keru.

A goblin approached me. It was a monster that I barely managed to hire with what little I had.

The reason why I went out of my way to summon a goblin was simple. It was written on their monster tab that they specialized in digging caves. Golems were powerful, but they had no talent in mining. In other words, they were purely warriors. I required a worker.

Meeting my expectations, the goblin was holding an armful of iron ores. It seems he came to me to show off his haul.

"Oh, our Blingy! You mined this much today as well?"

I put down my pickaxe and started to rub the goblin's cheeks. The goblin grinned.

I wonder how it could be so adorable. Ever since I became a Demon Lord, even horrifyingly ugly goblins started to look cute to me. There was no doubt that my sense of beauty was broken. But who cares when he's this cute?

─ Keruru.

The goblin laughed adorably and spread out his arms. I grabbed him by the waist and lifted him up. I then started to spin around. The goblin started to laugh with excitement.

The thing I experienced with the golem for the first time happened again. The goblin's emotions were being transmitted to me. It was a purely joy-filled emotion. It felt like our senses had connected.

A dark cavern, grand stalactites, the scent of moist dirt─.

The goblin's deep and instinctual love for all of this was being transmitted to me with no alterations whatsoever. I could tell that this child liked this dungeon a lot. It was to the point that it made even me like it slightly. Who knew that having your senses connected with another being would be this phenomenal.

It was then, while I was in the middle of playing with the goblin.

"Sir Dantalian."

"Ah."

I came to an abrupt stop because of the sudden voice.

"I am here to purchase the ores."

Once I turned around, I saw an impassive girl standing a short distance away.

The girl was wearing a black suit like an office worker. She bowed to me while maintaining a perfect posture. There was still an absence of emotions on her face when she lifted her head back up. It gave off a feeling that she had bowed to me because it was standard procedures and not because she held any respect towards me.

"Huh? Oh, is it time already?"

"Yes."

"Time really goes fast in a cave, huh? Haha...."

The girl didn't respond. She only stared at me with her azure stone-like eyes. It was then that I realized I had been hugging the goblin since earlier.

I felt awkward, so I put the goblin down.

"Hahaha."

"...."

Keru? The goblin made a quizzical sound as it tilted its head.

Go on now. I said inside my head.

The goblin heeded my request and walked to the far side of the cave. I could communicate with monsters mentally. I let out a sigh. It was a relief that I didn't have to show the goblin my unsightly side.

"Now then, Sir Dantalian, let us begin the exchange."

The girl spoke in a businesslike manner.

Lapis Lazuli, this was her name.

I met her for the first time half a month ago. After I dealt with the adventurer party from Jalsen village, I continued to research the game functionalities of this world.

My efforts paid off. Not only did I discover that I could perform magic research and technology research―the cheapest magic research I could do was 5,000 gold, so I couldn't possibly dream of doing it in my current state―but I also discovered how to place luxury items in my dungeon and how to set up all sorts of traps.

All of the necessities required to operate a dungeon was available.

I also discovered that there was a trade tab. Other than a button with the word 'Trade' on it, there was nothing else. I clicked it once out of curiosity and a pink magic circle was suddenly drawn in front of me.

Once I stepped back in surprise, a girl appeared from the magic circle. She was beautiful. Her pink hair was tied into low pigtails. As soon as the girl, who was wearing a black suit which I was used to seeing in my own world, appeared, she gave me a polite bow.

'It is an honor to meet you, Sir Dantalian. I am Lapis Lazuli of the Keuncuska Firm.'

She introduced herself as a rank 5 personnel demon in a flat tone.

'I have been put in charge of Sir Dantalian's transactions with the Keuncuska Firm. I will be in your care.'

The way she moved her body was adept like a veteran butler. I couldn't hold back my curiosity as I asked her to elaborate. While maintaining her impassive expression and toneless voice, she gave me a thorough explanation.

The Keuncuska Firm was a company that shouldered the mundane work of Demon Lords and other high-ranking demons. They would go and acquire anything their customers asked for. All of their employees were demons and their headquarters was in the demon world.

「We can even provide you with a dragon's horn!」

This was the Keuncuska Firm's motto. However, this was only if you could pay them properly.

Lapis' explanation went like this: as Demon Lords were all VIP customers to them, the Keuncuska Firm provided an impressive customer service where they summoned personnel like herself directly in front of their customers. I got a little excited as I asked her a question.

'Am I also a prioritized customer?'

'Nominally.'

Lapis continued without batting an eye.

'I am a rank 5 personnel demon. Rank 5 is the lowest rank.'

There was no need for any further explanation.

Damn D Class.

There was literally all sorts of items in the inventory list which Lapis showed me. From high-quality grimoires to nearly peerless swords. However, my customer level was only F. The most an F rank customer can buy is a well-sharpened long sword or some armor for goblins.

'Your rank goes up the more items you purchase. If you reach rank A, then rather than buying a dragon horn, you can purchase a dragon entirely.'

A dragon?! In Dungeon Attack, dragons were monsters that were second to Demon Lords. If you had a dragon, then even if an adventurer, no, the regular army of a kingdom swarmed you, there was nothing to fear.

'B-But... I don't have any money.'

'Is that so? Pardon me, but how much gold do you have, Sir Dantalian?'

'406 gold.'

I answered with a retreating tone.

Lapis' eyes narrowed slightly.

'Sir Dantalian, may I ask how many monsters you have in your dungeon?'

'...One.'

Lapis' temperament changed. I hastily added to my sentence.

'No. I mean, I also have a goblin.'

There was no change in the other party's face. It was impassive.

Except, it felt as if the calm and still aura that was surrounding Lapis had changed into a viscous one for some reason. Ah, since she's also a demon, is she considered a monster as well? It wasn't the same as how it was with the golem and the goblin, but a certain degree of her emotions was transmitted to me.

'Excuse me. I believe that I heard a single monster and not an entire unit. Did I hear correctly?'

'Y-Yes."

Before I knew it, I started to speak formally.

'May I ask what type of monster it is?'

'A lowest-tier golem.'

Woosh.

A needlessly cold gust of wind blew past.

'I apologize, Sir Dantalian. This may be discourteous of me, but I have no other choice but to say this.'

'Go ahead....'

'This is the first time in my short demon life that I've seen such an ungainly dungeon.'

I sincerely thought the same as well.

I found a useful service, but I didn't have enough money to buy anything. Fortunately, the Keuncuska Firm seemed to also purchase products. They took care of the equipment and other things which Demon Lords would often take from adventurers. If I play my cards right, I might be able to make a profit.

The problem was that I didn't have anything to sell.

Lapis thought for a second after hearing about my situation.

'You have no other choice but to extract ores.'

She suggested.

The places where Demon Lords set their dungeons up are, if I use a term from my original world, propitious spots. They're overflowing with mana, so the ores are sometimes enchanted with magic. Thus, ores infused with mana sell for a relatively high price.

For a Demon Lord to swing a pickaxe, this was literally the lowest one could get.

But what am I supposed to do? I had no other immediate way to make money. I heeded Lapis' advice and hired a goblin before spending the next half month digging tunnels endlessly.

"How many ores will you be selling today?"

"Fifty-six iron ores."

I answered after putting together the ores the goblin had mined as well. Lapis let out a small breath. I realized a few days ago that that was the constantly impassive Lapis' unique way of sighing.

"Sir Dantalian, as you know already, iron ores are the lowest-tier ores. No matter how much mana is infused in them, I cannot offer you a high price."

That's right. Iron ores had as little value as pureed soybean soup. However, I also had an excuse. What am I supposed to when my mining level was so low that only iron ores came out?! In the first place, the very fact that a Demon Lord had the mining skill was weird.

"I wish to tell you that my recent business performance is the lowest in our company."

"Fufufu."

I chuckled. Lapis tilted her head.

Girl, if you thought that I would stay as a Demon Lord that's only a nuisance to you, then you're wrong!

"I knew it would be like this, so I prepared a secret weapon."

I pulled out an ore while imitating fanfare. It was an ore that emitted a golden glint.

"Behold! Gold! What do you think? If it's this, then it isn't that bad, right?"

"...Hm."

Was this able to surprise even the eternally impassive girl? She let out a 'Hm' of awe. A whole 'Hm'. She received the gold ore from me and examined it carefully.

I managed to mine gold by pure chance. As I was on my way to dig while freeing myself from all ideas and thoughts, I noticed something yellow out of the corner of my eye. Amazing! I let out a cry of joy and immediately mined the gold.

I felt like Spring had finally come to my demon life. Despite having mined and sold iron ores for the past 15 days, I couldn't even make 10 gold. A gold ore infused with mana should go for at least 100 gold.

"Lapis, there's no need for you to be overly grateful. If it weren't for your suggestion, then I would have never discovered this gold. This is all thanks to you."

"...."

"I only feel genuine gratitude towards you. It's not something to boast about, but I truly have nothing. It's not like I became a Demon Lord because I wanted to."

While I was going on and on, Lapis was silently scratching the wall of the cave with the gold ore.

"My dungeon only has a golem and a goblin, so I don't have anyone to talk to. Ah, of course, the golem and the golem are good kids. They listen to me well and they don't complain despite living in such a shabby home. Truly...."

"Sir Dantalian, this is not gold."

"they're so kin... Pardon?"

Lapis looked at me calmly while holding the ore in one hand.

I blinked.

"Eh?"

"This is pyrite. It is often mistaken for gold because they look similar on the outside. It is also known as Fool's Gold. I am uncertain as to whether you know this or not, but the way to distinguish ores which have a similar color on the outside is to scratch a surface with them."

She showed me the residue that came out from scratching the wall with the ore. The residue was black.

"People refer to this color that comes out after scratching an unweathered surface with a mineral as 'streak color'. Native gold, pyrite, and copper pyrite all give off a similar color, but their respective streak colors are gold, black, and murky green. This is pyrite."

"...."

I plunged into a depthless pool of embarrassment.

"T-Then, how much will it sell for?"

"I can only say that it will not reach anywhere near Sir Dantalian's original expectation."

I fell to my knees in despair.

"A-And here I thought things were getting a little better...."

"Fifty-six iron ores. One pyrite ore."

Lapis acted as if nothing had happened and cold-heartedly used an abacus.

"The total will be 2 gold."

"Uuuah...."

"Thank you for doing business with the Keuncuska Firm."

"Kuuuaaah...."

A Demon Lord like myself managed to make only 2 gold after working all day. Tears blocked my vision.

I heard Lapis' calm voice above me.

"I fully recognize Your Highness Dantalian's enthusiasm towards myself; however, I would be happier if you were able to provide more of a profit for our business."

Guuaaack!

I rolled around on the floor for a while due to my embarrassment.

Chapter 012 – Pave 10 Paths and Earn a Penny (2)

It took a while before I managed to calm down.

I sat on a flat boulder that was nearby and fixed my posture. I've already shown Lapis my worst side, so I didn't have even the slightest right to make a display, but I wanted to be serious today. I had an important business proposal.

Lapis furrowed her brow slightly after hearing my request. It was so minute that I wouldn't have noticed it if it weren't for my ability that allowed the other party's emotions to transfer to me.

"You are interested in receiving a loan?"

"That's correct."

The Keuncuska Firm doubled as a bank. There are times when Demon Lords required emergency funds. In those cases, the firm would lend them the money.

There was one thing I realized after spending half a month extracting ores non-stop. It was the fact that, at this rate, it was only natural for an adventurer's axe to fly at me and take my life.

2 gold a day? If I worked for a hundred days without rest, then I would only manage to make 200 gold.

With 200 gold, far from being able to hire a lowest-tier golem, I wouldn't even be able to hire a goblin. I'd just barely be able to hire a goblin after grinding my bones to dust swinging a pickaxe. How was I supposed to protect my dungeon with a golem and 2 goblins?

'I can't.'

Adventurers seek dungeons. Riff's party, who have become hostile towards me, were making me nervous.

It wouldn't be strange for a party to invade my dungeon at any moment. I can't sit back and leisurely wait for my money to pile up by mining.

I believed that receiving a large loan and slowly paying off the interest would be better. Honestly, I was confident that I would be able to pay back the loan itself and not just the interest.

However, Lapis voiced her refusal.

"Sir Dantalian, many Demon Lords have borrowed money from our firm. Among them, there are a fair amount of Demon Lords who only manage to pay off their interest. Not only is this due to the interest increasing each month, but the profit earned by their dungeons are inconsistent as well."

Lapis shook her head. Her pink hair waved from side to side.

"The largest profit earned from dungeons are paradoxically the adventurers that come to invade them. The stronger the adventurers, the more profit that is earned. It is inevitable for strong adventurers to have good equipment and items, and Demon Lords can take those from them. In contrast, dungeons that only receive low-quality adventurers will barely profit at all."

"...."

"Most importantly, it is a question as to whether the firm will even loan you a lot of money. The Keuncuska Firm is a place that only pursues profit. It is an organization that causes other demons to become astonished by how cold-hearted they are."

Lapis emphasized once more.

"If there is no guarantee for profit, then even if it is a Demon Lord that asks for a loan, it will still be firmly declined. Pardon my rudeness, Sir Dantalian, but the class of a Demon Lord is determined by the class of how trustworthy they are. It is a question as to how much the Keuncuska Firm will trust you, Sir Dantalian, when your rank is still F."

"You're probably right."

"Not only does the firm possess a large military unit under its wing, but it has enough funding to hire more as well. The firm is merciless towards Demon Lords who do not pay back their interest. They have even threatened and used force against some in the past."

She lowered the tone of her voice.

"Once, His Excellency, Rank 25 Demon Lord, Glasya-Labolas received a loan and did not pay back the interest for 70 years, the Keuncuska Firm mobilized no less than 36 demon armies and invaded His Excellency Glasya-Labolas' dungeon. The Demon Lord's monster units were wiped out and, in the end, His Excellency Glasya-Labolas had no other choice but to pay off the interest that had piled up for 70 years. As a result, his dungeon went bankrupt."

Lapis let out a small sigh.

"This is the Keuncuska Firm's strength. This is the reason why the firm was able to establish itself as the greatest firm on the demon continent for the past 3,000 years. Sir Dantalian, I am advising you not as an employee of the firm, but as another demon. Do not borrow money from the firm rashly."

I could feel the other party's sincerity.

This girl truly thought that my request was foolish. She wasn't being cold-hearted. If anything, tricking me into receiving a loan would most likely help her personal business result.

Even though ensnaring a Demon Lord by loaning a small sum would be profitable for the company, Lapis disregarded her evaluation and the profit of the firm she worked for simply because she didn't want to scam me.

She continued in a clear voice.

"Be patient. It may be difficult now, but if you slowly gather money for a century or two, Sir Dantalian, I believe that you will definitely manage to obtain a splendid dungeon as well."

Lapis Lazuli. A demon with a cold face and tone who also possessed a businesslike manner.

However, different from her outer appearance, she was pure. She was quietly shining with her pure creed.

I pushed my request further towards this Lapis.

"What if I possess a business proposal that will most definitely be successful?"

"...."

She gave me a blank look.

"Of course, our firm does not hold back on investments. If by the rare chance Sir Dantalian possesses a sure business idea, that is."

You most likely do not, though, was what she was saying in between the lines.

I smiled lightly.

"An epidemic."

"...?"

Lapis knit her brows.

"What do you mean?"

Good. I have her attention.

This is where it all begins. I whispered in my head.

'Acting skill, activate.'

A row of notifications appeared before me.

「Acting has been activated.」

「A bonus effect will be granted to your skill according to your intelligence and charm stats.」

「The die of luck has slipped from your hand! The chance that the other party doubts your statement has been 'slightly' lowered.」

I received the Acting skill for beating the tutorial. It was literally a skill that increased my acting ability.

There was a fixed chance to lower the other party's suspicion 'slightly, somewhat, fairly, or incredibly'; however, since my intelligence and politics stats were abysmal, at most, I could only lower it slightly.

It seems that the type of skill I was bestowed depended on the actions I took during the tutorial.

If I got through the tutorial by force, then I would have probably received a skill like Thousand Endurance or Adept Army Commander, and if I had gotten through the tutorial by strategizing and planning out my moves, then I would have most likely received a skill like Long Spear Efficiency or Octal Notation.

For instance, Thousand Endurance was a skill that raised their character's strength by 140% for a long period of time. It was also the skill that my hero character had in Dungeon Attack.

On the other hand, not only was Octal Notation a skill that turned the entire party the character was in into a stealth squad, but it also raised your party members' strength and defense by 25%. Either way, both of these skills were referred to as overpowered skills.

Damn it, in contrast, the Acting skill was trash.

For starters, it had no direct connection with combat. The most important factor in Dungeon Attack was, obviously, the combat. In that regard, the Acting skill already received a failing mark. Moreover, it isn't capable of deceiving the other party completely! Be it 'somewhat' or 'fairly', these were all subjective and relative terms.

In the first place, why were skills important? It was because they were capable of always displaying a reliable effect. They always exhibited a predictable effect, thus it allowed people to plan things out because they could theorize what would happen if they used the skill at a certain point.

An unreliable skill that you don't know when and how well it will work?

I couldn't even laugh at it. It would have been better if I could raise my stats a little instead.

There was a time where someone asked on the Dungeon Attack fan site about the Acting skill and some others. They couldn't figure out why these skills existed. It didn't lower the enemy forces' intellect and it wasn't like Dungeon Attack possessed a separate political or diplomatical system....

I suggested that they might have added those skills in name only just so that they could have exactly 255 skills.

Honestly, I didn't know what exactly the Acting skill did as well. I even forgot that this skill existed in the game. A trash skill that even an advent fan of Dungeon Attack like myself was unfamiliar with. The Acting skill.

'Well, it'll probably be as helpful as the dirt under an ant's claw.'

I simply used the skill because it seemed relevant to the situation. Nothing more and nothing less.

I continued in order to persuade Lapis.

"Within 2 months, an epidemic will spread across the human continent."

It seems she didn't understand what I was saying that well as Lapis remained quiet for a while. Her confusion was being transmitted to me.

"...An epidemic, is it?"

"A plague known as the Black Death. On the year 1505 of the Empire Calendar, in other words, on the summer of this year, an unprecedented casualty will occur."

This wasn't a lie. This was a setting in the world of Dungeon Attack.

The year the protagonist starts to go around as a hero, in other words, the year that the player starts the game is in the year 1515 of the Empire Calender. The Black Death swept across the entire continent exactly one decade before this.

The epidemic, which starts at the northern end of the continent, spreads across the entire continent in an instant. Within a few years, 20% of the population, which consists of humans, elves, and other races, die out.

Should I say adding insult to injury...? Extremely lean years follow as well. Poor harvest for 10 whole years. There's no way the harvest could be good when the people who should be farming get infected and the underground water reserves also become contaminated. Every race on the continent fell into anguish.

And they all turned the blame towards the Demon Lords.

They declared that the Demon Lords were the ones who brought about the epidemic and caused the famine.

Naturally, this wasn't true; however, as the people in this world possess a medieval era-level of intellect, they sincerely believed that these accusations were true. They also had their suspicions because the demons suffered relatively less than they did. Demons naturally have strong immune systems because they were born on the demon continent which is infamous for its extremely rough environments. However, that was elaborately twined around the logic that the disease was harmless to demons because they were the ones to spread it.

The humans came to the conclusion that they had to expel every Demon Lord on the surface in order to prevent the extinction of mankind.

'Conquer the dungeons!'

The age of adventuring. A new era unfolded where anyone that could swing a spear would gather around dungeons.

This was the back story of Dungeon Attack. In particular, the protagonist loses their parents during their childhood because a Demon Lord pillages their village, so they hate Demon Lords more than anyone else. Although this hatred dissipates as the story progresses and they find out the truth.... Mm, this isn't relevant right now. The outlook of the world was rather dark despite being a game, but it was able to garner huge fans thanks to this.

Regardless, the important fact was this. A cure for the Black Death exists in this world.

The plant is known as black herbs, but you can think of it as an herb that's a little rarer than the deodeoks you can find back in my original world. In other words, they aren't that rare.

(TL note: Deodeok)

However, as soon as people found out that black herbs were the cure during the early phases of the outbreak, people started gathering black herbs like mad. It was due to this that the seeds became rare.

Black herbs were later managed and cultivated on a national level, but it was too late. It was like trying to use a rake to push water uphill. The amount cultivated was astronomically abysmal in comparison to the number of patients. In the end, the population was sharply reduced by half within a century.

'The greatest tragedy in history created by misunderstanding, ignorance, and urgency combined together.'

I would consider this cruel... but once I realized that I was coincidentally dropped in the year 1505, I was ecstatic. I was so happy that I ran around with my one good leg.

Because I could take advantage of this situation.

'An unprecedented epidemic will sweep across the continent soon. Black herbs are the cure for the disease. This was information which only I knew!'

Who could possibly imagine something like this in the world?

The black herbs that grow on the mountainside and are useless for normal illnesses and have such a tough texture that you couldn't even use them as an ingredient. The absolutely pointless plant that you couldn't even use as a spice was the one and only cure for the worst epidemic in history.

Black herbs were a weed that had no name until the Black Death started to spread. People started to refer to it as black herbs once they realized that it worked against the Black Death. Moreover, people discover the effect of black herbs several years after the plague had spread across the entire continent.

What does this mean?

'If I stockpile on black herbs now, then I'll be able to earn an unimaginable profit.'

This was definitely a cruel thing to do. Each black herb I collect would have normally saved someone's life.

However, I may think, speak, and act the same like the people in my world, but I treasured myself more than the characters in a game and I cherished my golem and goblin as well. I wasn't kind enough to let a chance to develop my dungeon slip by for some random people I don't know.

"I know what the cure for this encroaching epidemic is. If I monopolize on the cure now, then I will be able to earn a massive profit later."

We exchanged questions and answers for a while.

How was I certain that an epidemic was going to spread, how did I discover what the cure was going to be, it was these sort of questions. I simply fleshed out the information I had and lied appropriately.

Now then, Lapis Lazuli. How will you react?

"...."

Her azure eyes gazed right at me. Eventually, her soft lips spread apart.

"I apologize, but I still cannot."

There was no hesitation in Lapis' eyes. I received a firm refusal.

Chapter 013 – Pave 10 Paths and Earn a Penny (3)

"Hm."

I tapped the floor with my left foot twice. It was a habit that formed after being unable to use my right foot for a while due to my injury. It wasn't a particularly good habit.

I responded in a tone that sounded as if I expected to be refused but I wanted to know the reason anyway.

"Why's that?"

"For starters, there is no guarantee that an epidemic will occur. Sir Dantalian, you proclaimed that an epidemic will manifest itself soon and that it will spread across the entire continent and wipe out a third of mankind. However, this is not a claim. There is no basis. The firm does not invest in prophets."

Yes, this was an impasse that I expected.

I was certain about my information because I knew the game's setting; however, trying to convince others of this was an entirely separate matter.

Think about it. What would you do if someone declared that the worst plague in history was going to happen in two months and that half the population on the continent was going to die because of it? It'd be a relief if they weren't arrested under the pretext of trying to start a revolt. Even I wouldn't loan any money to me if I were in Lapis' shoes.

'It's all going as planned up to this point.'

Regardless, if I let this information go to waste, then I would be a fool among fools.

A thin smile appeared on my lips.

"How about this? Simply inform the firm that I've requested a loan. Also, tell your superiors what my business plan is. It doesn't matter if you don't loan me any money."

"Pardon me?"

"I'll only receive a loan of the 1,000 gold which I can immediately borrow as emergency funding."

"Sir Dantalian, the interest rate for emergency fundings is incredibly...."

"It's probably astonishingly high."

It didn't matter.

"It's fine if the firm doesn't loan me any money this time around. If the epidemic that I mentioned truly does happen, then the firm will, at that time, realize that I, Dantalian, had devised an accurate business plan. Then their interest in me will rise."

It's unfortunate, but I have to give up on my plan to use the epidemic to make a large sum of money.

In return, I'll obtain the Keuncuska Firm's trust. There are occasionally times when Demon Lords are gifted with the ability of foresight. The thought, 'Maybe Demon Lord Dantalian has it?' will most likely cross their minds. I'll take advantage of this misguided trust for the next opportunity I get, for the extremely lean years which were going to follow afterward.

"I cannot comprehend your actions. Sir Dantalian, your tone sounds as if you⎯⎯⎯."

Lapis spoke in a fairly agitated tone.

"It sounds as if you know everything that is going to happen in the future. It is difficult for me to distinguish whether you are truly a prophet or an extraordinary gambler."

I grinned. There was no reason for me to go out of my way to answer her. It was better to leave these sorts of misunderstandings alone. If the other party overestimates me on their own, then what more could I ask for? Especially if their job is related to lending money.

"...."

Lapis avoided my gaze.

Huh? This was the first time she ever averted her gaze. Lapis has always looked straight at me when she spoke. I could sense that she was feeling conflicted.

'What's wrong?'

Although I was overflowing with the desire to check what she was thinking through her status window,, unfortunately, her affection towards me hasn't reached a point where it would show me her inner thoughts.

For the past 15 days, I did all I could to try and raise her affection, but Lapis was an impregnable fortress. If you consider how stupidly easy it was to raise the affection of those Jalsen Village males, then the difficulty of this task was outrageous. Should I call her the chicest modern woman on the demon continent?

"There is something that I have not told you, Sir Dantalian. In truth... my right to speak in the firm is not very high. No, it is incredibly small. Therefore, even if Sir Dantalian did have a good business proposal, there is a large chance that my superiors will not even listen to what I have to say."

"Well, you did say you're a rank 5 personnel."

She was at the lowest rank, so it was only natural that her right to speak would also be small.

Lapis shook her head.

"It is natural for even rank 5 personnel to possess the minimum amount of discretion and speaking ability. The Keuncusa Firm is a company that advocates talent. They allow their employees to have a lot of discretion as a way to test their ability."

"Oho. Then does that mean you also have the ability to loan a reasonable sum at your discretion?"

"No, it is the opposite."

Eh?

"I am only allowed the minimum amount of discretion. To be honest, I am like a heretical existence in the firm. Most of my superiors and colleagues do not have a favorable opinion of me."

"That's surprising. You may be cold, but you seem very competent. Is it because you lack social skills?"

Lapis' eyes became sharp for an instant. I hastily changed my words.

"Ah, if they advocate talent, then that must not be the only reason."

"As you may also know, Sir Dantalian, we demons are individualists by nature. Sociability is not a virtue that is specifically encouraged. Our value is determined by our ability and results."

Lapis affirmed. It felt like she was fairly proud of her own ability. As expected of a cold city girl. Right after I clicked my tongue in my head, I came to a question.

"Wait, I don't get it, then. Why are you being cut off then?"

"...I am a mixed-blood between a demon and a human."

I waited for her to continue; however, Lapis shut her mouth after saying that one line. It was as if she thought that one line was enough to explain everything.

I felt annoyed, so I questioned her.

"So what?"

"...Pardon?"

"Oh, is that it? So you're a mixed-blood between a demon and a human. How interesting."

There was also a heroine in Dungeon Attack who was a mixed-blood between a demon and a human. A powerful mage known as Romei who was shunned by human society. It seems that if you're a mixed-blood, then it was easy for you to be ostracized.

The hostility humans possess towards demons goes up to its peak after the Black Death starts to spread, but it was currently an era where there weren't any big grudges between humans and demon yet. Lapis probably wasn't being bullied that badly.

I continued nonchalantly.

"Why does it matter if you're a mixed-blood? Humans and demons bully others all the time just because they're a little different. It's fundamentally the behavior of children. Don't worry about these kinds of things."

Lapis looked at me blankly. This was also the first time I saw her look at me like this. It felt like I was discovering a lot of Lapis' new sides today.

"...I understand. I will return to the office and prepare your emergency funding, Sir Dantalian."

"Good, good. Don't forget to tell your superiors about my plans as well."

"Please leave it to me."

Lapis bowed to me politely. A pink magic circle lit up from underneath her feet.

The light wrapped around her waist like fog before her body disappeared in an instant. She had probably returned to the demon continent. As this all happened, she kept bowing the entire time.

Mm, how reliable. She may be a little inflexible, but she was a courteous and good girl.

I nodded with satisfaction. A sound effect rang in my ear the moment I got up and tried to pick up my pickaxe.

「Lower Succubus Lapis Lazuli's affection has risen by 15.」

"Eh?"

I let out a sound.

Why was the affection, which I had been desperately trying to raise since half a month ago, going up now? I tried to look back at everything I had said during our conversation just now, but I couldn't figure out which of my lines could have increased her affection.

I wracked my brain for a while, but I soon went back to picking up my pickaxe.

"Whatever. Let's just mine some more."

Who cares?

It isn't a bad thing, anyway. I hummed to myself as I walked through my dungeon.

On a side note, Lapis is a succubus, huh? I didn't know because her basic status window doesn't show her race.

* * *

A pink light wrapped around Lapis before disappearing shortly after.

Lapis thought to herself. The color of a demon's magic circle was determined by their race. Centaurs were gray, vampires were crimson, and succubi like her mother were a bright scarlet. However, hers was....

'A pitifully pale pink.'

She raised her head.

The room she was in was shabby. It was tidy and clean, but it had no decorations whatsoever. The one table in the center of the room was probably the only thing that could be called a luxury item.

This was the office that was assigned to Lapis by the firm's branch office. Starting from rank 5 personnel, private offices were given to employees in the firm. Lapis had struggled for several decades as a probationer in order to obtain this small room.

Lapis sat down in her chair. There were dozens of documents piled on top of her desk.

Demon Lord Dantalian wasn't the only customer she was in charge of. She was always being bombarded by customer orders; however, those other orders weren't in her head right now.

'Was this... what people referred to as Demon Lords are Demon Lords?'

(TL note: I'm not exactly sure what she's trying to say here)

Rank 71st Demon Lord Dantalian.

Her first impression of him was honestly as a very unreliable person.

'B-But... I don't have any money.'

'Is that so? Pardon me, but how much gold do you have, Sir Dantalian?'

'406 gold.'

Demon Lords weren't just individuals who were slightly stronger than others.

They were the only ones among demonkind that could possess an army. By seizing and reading the hearts of monsters, they were the only ones capable of uniting the demon continent where war and betrayal never ended. Demon Lords required charisma that was unlike any other.

On this standard, Dantalian was undoubtedly a flunky.

'Sir Dantalian, may I ask how many monsters you have in your dungeon?'

'...One.'

He even went as far as to speak to her in a formal tone. A Demon Lord using honorifics for a mere succubus was unthinkable. If another demon were to hear about this, then they would probably roll on the floor laughing.

There are times when a normal demon is stronger than a low-ranked Demon Lord; however, even those demons still showed Demon Lords respect. Only Demon Lords can rule and win over the demon continent, after all.

When the head office ordered Lapis to manage Demon Lord Dantalian, she thought it would be a golden opportunity. She didn't intend to rot away as a rank 5 personnel forever.

'I will make a Demon Lord my customer. No matter what.'

The reason why Lapis was always impassive rooted back to the tragedy and bullying she experienced during her childhood. Underneath her never-changing visage, she hid her fierce desire for authority and revenge which was stronger than anyone else's.

The very fact she had the blood of a human while living on the demon continent was an incredible demerit for her. For demons who believed in strength and stratagem, having the label of 'child born after their mother was impregnated by a weak human' was close to being a critical blow.

The shame of demonkind.

Throughout Lapis' a bit over a hundred years of life, those were the words she had heard the most. Her muddy inferiority complex had at some point solidified over her face like a mask.

'I apologize, Sir Dantalian. This may be discourteous of me, but I have no other choice but to say this.'

'Go ahead....'

'This is the first time in my short demon life that I've seen such an ungainly dungeon.'

How disappointed she was once she realized the truth about Demon Lord Dantalian.

Honestly, it wasn't that surprising. If anything, the thought 'so that's how it is' was the first thing that went through her head. There was no way that the firm would leave a large business opportunity to a mixed-blood crossbreed like her. She was the foolish one for getting her own hopes up.

Immediately after meeting Dantalian, Lapis put a leash on her emotions and collected herself.

'A customer is still a customer.'

Lapis reflected on herself for considering a customer as a tool to raise her own status for even a second. Deep down, Lapis was an earnest person. She put aside all of her own personal interests and began to listen to Dantalian's requests. She personally visited his Demon Lord castle every day in order to buy something as trivial as magic-infused iron ore.

The average demon lived for hundreds of years. If she was in a difficult situation now, then she might prosper in the future.

Lapis suppressed her impatience and forgot about her urgency. Slowly, if she proceeded slowly... then the day she becomes an executive in the Keuncuska Firm will one day arrive.

Would you truly be satisfied with just that? This question rose up from a corner of her heart, but she forced it down.

"...Today was different."

Lapis looked up at the ceiling as she talked to herself. She recalled the conversation she just had.

At first, it wasn't any different from the usual. When she went to the Demon Lord Castle, Dantalian was playing with his goblin.

Does he even know what the word dignity means? She has never seen or heard of a Demon Lord that doted on a goblin that much. Though, she had heard rumors about Her Highness, Rank 12th Demon Lord Sitri, using goblins as playthings for her unique sexual preferences.

'You are interested in receiving a loan?'

'That's correct.'

Furthermore, he went and said something idiotic today. He wanted a loan?

Certainly, it may be difficult to feel fulfilled by mining ores endlessly. Regardless, borrowing emergency funds was, without a question, the most ignorant action one could possibly take.

Lapis had, in her own way, a favorable impression of His Highness Demon Lord who was eccentric and nice to even goblins. She did her best to persuade him to not take a loan. She also explained how vicious the Keuncuska Firm could be. Fortunately, it seems the Demon Lord understood.

'An epidemic.'

It was then that there was a sudden change in his atmosphere.

Lapis felt the air inside the cavern change. The air that once felt like a calm lake had abruptly shifted into violent waves that normally occur at the dead of night. Tension gripped her spine. If she weren't the always calm and composed Lapis, she would have most likely panicked.

'...An epidemic, is it?'

Even this Lapis had no other choice but to speak slowly. She felt pressure on her chest. Just the very fact that her voice didn't tremble was worthy of praise.

Whether he knew what sort of state the other party was in or not, the Demon Lord before her smiled boldly.

'Don't treat my prophecy lightly, young demon girl.'

His tone had changed. She had never seen His Highness Dantalian talk so prudently.

And yet, it didn't feel awkward. It felt as if that was his true tone. Lapis didn't even consider asking back as she held her mouth shut.

The Demon Lord declared.

'A black cloud will envelop the continent. Within two months, every human on the continent will fall into despair and anguish. This is a Demon Lord's prophecy!'

Lapis felt her heart sink.

Chapter 014 – Pave 10 Paths and Earn a Penny (4)

'All of nature breathes just as those doomed to perish breathe. Plagues are the same, so if there is a moment of pause, its breath will eventually come out and spread an epidemic throughout the continent. I call it the Black Cloud.'

Divination.

Since ancient times, it has been widely known that Demon Lords were the only ones who could possess this ability.

They were referred to as oracles of God back when Demon Lords used to be treated as such. As time passed, or possibly, because the veils of magic gradually lifted from the world, people stopped believing in the Demon Lords' prophecies.

The number of Demon Lords who were capable of making prophecies slowly diminished before they vanished entirely. Demon scholars had come to a general consensus that 'Demon Lords possess higher intellect than the average person, so people may have misunderstood their simple predictions as prophecies'.

His Highness Dantalian possesses the ability of divination?

There was no way. Lapis' rationality immediately refuted. No matter how much you try to predict the future, it was impossible.

...Regardless, has he always been hiding this overwhelming presence?

Lapis found it hard to swallow as saliva pooled in her mouth. Demon Lord Dantalian's voice slammed against her like thunder.

'Soon, numerous cumulus clouds will flow over the earth. However, a certain cloud will enshroud the entire continent. An immense cloud, an immense calamity will laugh at the history of the doomed.'

'If so, then.'

Lapis spoke. Her way of speech had unconsciously changed as well. From simple honorifics to the most honorary terms. The person before her was no longer a mere customer, they were a king.

'How much... damage do you predict will happen to the continent?'

Dantalian grinned.

'How impatient. Do you think I used the modus operandi of being metaphorical simply to confuse you? Divination is the act of borrowing the power of spirits to call upon something which should not happen yet to the present. If one tries to reproduce the future too precisely, then the fate of the world will become distorted and bring about a catastrophic calamity.'

'Apologies, this one was discourteous because of her ignorance.'

Lapis promptly lowered her head.

'I forgive you. In this day and age where there are no more Demon Lords who are capable of observing time, how could one expect others to know the decorum of divination? Girl, engrave my words into your heart. If there are three arrows on the continent, then the Black Cloud will break one of those arrows. If there are nine arrows on the continent, then three of those arrows will rot.'

'...!'

This meant that a third of the continent was going to be wiped out.

A chill went down Lapis' spine. His words meant that a third, in other words, tens of millions, no, if you include the other races as well, then hundreds of millions of people were going to die. Even as a joke, the level of deaths was too immense.

Lapis questioned if Dantalian truly had the ability to prophesize an epidemic. Adding to that, even if he could prophesize one, she considered the possibility that he was referring to a small one. Epidemics are always happening somewhere. Even now, an infectious disease is most likely causing panic in some corner of the continent.

If he was prophesizing something like that, then he definitely wouldn't be lying.

But what if it was a prophecy about a third of the population vanishing? Within 2 months, at that.

The risk was too high to brush it off as a lie.

To put it bluntly, if nothing happens in the next two months, then Dantalian will lose all of her trust. There was no room for excuses. Losing the trust of your exclusive personnel meant, by proxy, that you were losing the trust of the entire Keuncuska Firm.

Was he telling the truth?

'There's no need to fear too much. As there is nothing in the world that does not have a natural enemy, the Black Cloud is the same. It is common for things that have more power to have a natural enemy that is, in truth, small and trivial. A small herb that grows on the mountainside has the ability to suppress the Black Cloud. I intend to gather those herbs beforehand.'

Lapis immediately understood the Demon Lord's intention. A monopoly. This Demon Lord was hoping for something which all merchants dream of. He intended to borrow funds from the firm in order to create a monopoly.

'Two months from now, the royal families of the human continent will scream as they try to obtain a mere plant. I plan to supply the herb at that time and make a substantial profit. Lapis Lazuli, consider my offer.'

A silence fell over the cavern.

'....'

Lapis' intuition was warning her that the Demon Lord wasn't lying.

An unprecedented calamity was truly going to happen. You can change a crisis into an opportunity. An unprecedented opportunity will be born from this unprecedented crisis.

On the other hand, Lapis' rationality was refusing fiercely.

Intuition or rationality. Lapis stood quietly as she faced the fork in the road.

She somehow managed to give an answer.

"I apologize, but I still cannot.'

'Is that so?'

Unexpectedly, the Demon Lord didn't appear to be displeased. No, he seemed interested.

'Tell me why.'

Lapis felt as if she had entered the mouth of a Balrog. Her refusal was going to be forgiven; however, if she dared to refuse the Demon Lord's offer for a trivial reason, then she was going to have to pay with her life.

That was what the Demon Lord's eyes were telling her.

Lapis calmly ruminated over her beliefs before speaking in a clear tone in order to not get pressured by the Demon Lord's aura.

'For starters, there is no guarantee that an epidemic will occur. Sir Dantalian, you proclaimed that an epidemic will manifest itself soon and that it will spread across the entire continent and wipe out a third of mankind.'

'However', Lapis continued.

'This is not a claim. There is no basis. The firm does not invest in prophets.'

Merchants must always be rational. That was what Lapis believed.

If her belief caused her to die to Dantalian, then it couldn't be helped. For demons, death wasn't a distant future. It was a shadow that constantly threatened them from behind. Lapis was resolved to die.

However, something unforeseen happened next. The imposing aura which the Demon Lord had been incessantly emitting until now had spontaneously vanished. Dantalian had become a normal person again.

He grinned.

'How about this? Simply inform the firm that I've requested a loan. Also, tell your superiors what my business plan is. It doesn't matter if you don't loan me any money.'

His words that followed afterward were also unexpected. It seems that Dantalian knew she was going to refuse him since the beginning. He understood the firm's position.

He was simply trying to set up an opportunity to gain the firm's trust. Lapis felt as if she had been hit by a hammer.

That's right, if he truly does have the power of divination, then there was no reason for him to obsess over the infectious disease right now.

What a terrifying ability.

However, there was something more horrifying than that. It was the Demon Lord himself. Despite having an incredible skill like divination, he didn't go around flaunting it. If anything, he utilized his prophecy in order to plant fear and trust in her.

Furthermore, he went back to his usual self the instant he had achieved his goal. No, was that truly his usual self? Was the attitude he had been showing her until now, which she thought was his norm⎯⎯⎯actually just an act he had been putting on for the sake of this very moment?

Lapis reproached herself. She was hit by a pang of regret.

How could she lower her guard just because he was a rank 71st Demon Lord?! Demon Lords are Demon Lords even in death.

Rather, this Demon Lord was earnest. He had been constantly sharpening his blade in order to deal with her. A blade for a single moment.

Lapis felt embarrassed. She suddenly had the worrying thought that the Demon Lord was possibly overestimating her excessively. The authority she had in the Keuncuska Firm was pitiful. She wasn't confident that she could live up to the Demon Lord's expectations. She found herself inadvertently avoiding the Demon Lord's gaze.

'...There is something that I have not told you, Sir Dantalian.'

Lapis then explained how humble her birth was.

The Demon Lord will probably begin to scorn her as well, but it couldn't be helped. Whether she told him or not, he was going to find out one way or another anyway. If the Demon Lord held any needless expectations towards her, then it would be better to break the news to him early. Rather than be scorned later... it'd be best to start enduring it now before our relationship could build any further.

However.

'So what?'

⎯⎯Dantalian was different.

'Why does it matter if you're a mixed-blood?'

Even though he was a noble and pure Demon Lord who, out of everyone, should be appalled by crossbreeds the most.

'Don't worry about these kinds of things.'

He declared that that was an incredibly insignificant matter.

Lapis stared at the Demon Lord vacantly.

Has anyone ever said this to her before? This was the first.

Even the people who approached her with good intentions would eventually scowl at her and walk away. There was no exception. For the past hundred years, this had always happened. She had a life where she had to think about separations before even meeting people for the first time.

She had already given up on those words which she always wanted to hear and the desire was simply floating around her unconsciousness in a twisted form. And yet, these words were said to her by one of the highest existences in the demon world.

Ah⎯⎯⎯.

Lapis' emotions fluctuated more than ever before. She didn't want the other party to notice what sort of state she was in. It would be the end if someone discovered a merchant's weakness. That's why she had to get out of the dungeon as soon as possible. She didn't even remember what sort of excuse she gave before leaving.

After returning to her office, she continued to stare at the ceiling. She couldn't suppress her emotions like she used to.

This was a good thing. If Demon Lord Dantalian was this gifted all along, then the chance she'll rise up in her career will swiftly increase as well, was what she kept trying to fell herself, but... nothing could douse her current emotions.

In the end, Lapis couldn't help but mutter to herself.

"What a weird Demon Lord."

Still, her emotions refused to calm down.

With an emotionless face, Lapis tilted her head as she declared that today was a weird day. She then began to prepare the report which she intended to hand in to her superiors. The document started with the statement that Demon Lord Dantalian may possibly have the ability of divination.

「You've extracted 2 iron ores.」

"All right, two in one again!"

While this was happening, a certain Demon Lord continued to swing his pickaxe energetically. Unaware of whatever was happening outside his cave.

* * *

It has been two months since I intimidated Lapis.

Adventurer parties invaded the dungeon roughly once a week.

It might be because this was still the beginning portion of the game, as all of the parties consisted of only 15 members. They were also all F-ranks. If this were a proper dungeon, then a party of F-rank adventurers would normally get wiped out the instant they step foot into the dungeon.

Of course, my Demon Lord castle, my dungeon which I couldn't even proudly say was my Demon Lord castle, wasn't a proper place. All of the F-rank adventurer parties approached me as a threat to my life.

Thus, I was currently laying down on the floor.

"Huh? Hey, someone's collapsed over here."

"Oh, you're right. Hey, wake up!"

An adventurer approached me and patted my cheek.

I let out a groan.

"Uuh, waaater... water...."

"Tsk! He's suffering from dehydration."

Water was poured on my face. It seems that one of them had poured their water bag on me. Water flowed through the gaps of the cheap helmet I was wearing. I lapped at the water like a dog during a summer heatwave.

"Uu, uuu. T-Thank you."

"People down on their luck should always help each other out. So, how did you end up like this?"

"Well."

I activated my skill in my head.

「Acting has been activated.」

「The die of luck has slipped from your hand! The chance that the other party doubts your statement has been 'slightly' lowered.」

"It's been about 3 days since I came to this dungeon."

I then began to tell them my pathetic story.

My name was Hansen and I was from Jalsen Village. I traveled to this dungeon with some other people from the same village, but we were assaulted by monsters and our group wound up getting separated. Our guide had died early on, so we soon got lost in the dungeon. I wandered around for 3 days straight before my body could no longer hold itself up and I collapsed... Even I felt like my acting ability was amazing.

However, these people were more naive than I thought was possible.

"Hkk, you must have had a hard time!"

"This is the first time I've ever heard such unfortunate events."

"Uaah. Young man, please don't despair and continue to live on. No matter how shitty the world is, the stars will shine upon you one day. Let us believe in the future! We must believe."

The cave was filled with tears.

The faces of the adventurers were rough since they had spent their entire lives under the sun. Tears and snot came flowing out from those sunburnt faces. The adventurers patted my shoulder with their hands which they had blown their noses and wiped their tears on. Gross.

'They're really weak to acting, huh.'

The party from Jalsen Village wasn't this weak to it.

Well, I'm wearing a helmet, after all. My horn, which was the only evidence on me that made it clear that I was a Demon Lord, wasn't visible to them. The difference between how they react to Demon Lords and other humans is probably massive. I came to this realization as I watched a bunch of notice windows pop up telling me that I had raised their affection.

"Young man. No, young friend, may I ask a couple of questions about this dungeon?"

Chapter 015 – Pave 10 Paths and Earn a Penny (5)

"Young man. No, young friend, may I ask a couple of questions about this dungeon?"

A man asked in a tender tone. His name was Hawk. He was the captain of the party this time around.

He didn't try to hide the worry in his gaze.

"Although I'm a bit worried that I might make you recall some bad memories."

"I-It's all right. You guys are already my saviors."

"This youngster has some really good manners."

Hawk seemed pleased as he turned to speak to his comrades.

"It'd be great if you bastards were as sensible as this guy."

"What are you talking about? At least Felix has just enough education to get by. My son, on the other hand, is a lost cause. Tsk tsk."

"Youngsters these days don't have any manners."

It was a bit funny. Youngsters these days being rude was a topic that was shared in the past, the present, and even in another world.

"You said that your group was assaulted by monsters. For starters, allow me to give you my condolences. However, would it be all right if I asked you what type of monster attacked you the most and how many there were?"

"Golems. It was a unit of golems. There were 14 of them...."

"What? 14 of them!?"

The adventurers were flabbergasted.

Golems were monsters that required at least 5 properly positioned F-rank adventurers to take care of one golem. The presence of 14 golems was like a death sentence for these men. It was only natural that they would be surprised when the dungeon they invaded without much thought turned out to be this dangerous.

"Kuh, one golem appeared in front of us at first. It was only one."

I shed a tear.

"Our party may have lacked fame and skills, but we weren't so weak that we would lose to a single golem. We quickly got into formation and fought back, but, at that moment, golems started to pour out from one of the tunnels on the side!"

The adventurers turned to look at each other worriedly. I grinned in my head.

I lacked the manpower to protect my dungeon. Adventurers continued to invade. The countermeasure I decided to take in this seemingly hopeless situation was simple. I chose to bullshit.

Some people might say that I'm underhanded and call me a cheater; however, this method was undoubtedly called bravado in strategy books. This was the best trick I could use as someone who only had the Acting skill.

'Please work.'

Even the party that came last week ended up turning around after I managed to successfully deceive them with my excellent performance. Asking a shabby party to deal with 14 golems would be asking for too much. Nevertheless, saying that it worked very well also meant that, in contrast, there were times it didn't work.

The party leader, Hawk, opened his mouth.

"Friends, comrades, this has become a dire situation."

He had an awfully serious expression on his face.

"I swore on my name to you men. As a childhood friend who grew up with you all in the same village, as a comrade who has made his way through the rough patch of mud called life with you all, I promised that I would send you all home alive. You guys trusted me. For some of you, this is your first time in a dungeon, but you came here because you trusted me. And yet, I must first apologize to you all. It seems that I can no longer guarantee your safety."

"Kuh."

"Well, there are over 10 golems, so there's no other way...."

The adventurers sighed. Some of them even turned to look at the path they had passed needlessly.

Different from the monsters that grow naturally in the wild, dungeon monsters go for a lot of money. The leather from dungeon monsters alone is far more luxurious than the leather from wild monsters. They had come to this dungeon after overcoming their fear in order to get rich quick, but their greed started to lose its strength once they realized how tall the wall before them was.

"Fortunately, this young man has shared his information with us. The mere fact that we've prevented the future of being wiped out helplessly may possibly be a miracle. If there are those of you who want to go back, then I won't stop you. But!"

A sound effect resonated all of a sudden.

「Novice Adventurer Hawk has activated the skill 'Speech'.」

'What!?'

I was startled. What kind of "dog tap dancing on the hottest day of the year"-sounding news is this?

I hastily checked Hawk's status.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Name: Hawk

Race: Human　　 Faction: Levian Village

Attribute: Good(+25)

Level: 3　　　　Fame: 2

Job: Fisherman(B+), Adventurer(F)

Leadership: 20　　Might: 15 　　Intelligence: 3

Politics: 15　　Charm: 10　　Technique: 10

Affection: 26

Current thought: '14 golems...that is certainly an intimidating number, but!'

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

'But? But what!?'

How could a mere F-rank adventurer have a skill? That's cheating. I have the Acting skill as an F-rank Demon Lord, but am I not nominally a Demon Lord?

As a Dungeon Attack addict, I can say with certainty that there has never been an F-rank NPC with a skill. Even the NPCs who eventually become heroes all started without any skills. But what was up with this world...?

'How high is the difficulty!?'

Hawk proceeded with his speech with a bold and powerful voice.

"We all have families that are relying on us. Our wives and children are probably waiting for us back at the village with empty mouths. How long can they last? That godforsaken region lord has no intention to lower our taxes. Next week from now, that demon-like tax collector will come to our village, but we don't have enough to pay even half of our taxes."

Everyone became as quiet as a mouse. I could easily tell that they were all thinking about their homes.

Damn it. Men with wives and children tend to act irrationally. This wasn't looking good.

"Of course, if we die, then we would be putting the cart before the horse. Honestly, even if we put our lives on the line, winning against 14 golems is impossible. Nevertheless, comrades, what if I had a plan?"

"A plan? How could you have a plan? There are 14 golems."

"Think about it the other way around! Young man, you clearly said there were 14 golems, right?"

Hawk asked me. I nodded on impulse.

"Y-Yes."

"There weren't any other monsters besides them, right?"

"...That's right."

Hawk grinned widely.

"That's where our enemy's weakness lies. The fact that they only have 14 golems. As you all know, golems are rather slow. Their fists may be fast, but their actual movement speed is slow. Do you get it? If we fall back and attack the golems from afar, then we'll be fine."

"Ah!"

"You're right!"

The other adventurers exclaimed.

On the other hand, my mouth was agape. My jaw was nearly touching the floor. He's right!

"If this place also had some goblins or fairies, then our plan would most likely fail. However, if there are only golems, then that makes things easy. Use your bows. Just fire your arrows appropriately while walking back. It will probably consume a lot of time, but we should definitely be able to wipe out a unit of golems."

The adventurers started to chat excitedly. They were acting as if they had already won the battle.

"You're right! This was such a simple solution."

"What a relief. I don't have to worry about my wife's nagging now. Honestly, my wife would have probably killed me if I came home emptyhanded again."

A couple of notices appeared.

「Levian Village Adventurer Party(F)'s Speech skill was successful.」

「Levian Village Adventurer Party(F)'s morale has increased greatly!」

I almost let out a swear. Who knew that using the strongest monster among the lowest-tier monsters, golems, as my bullshit card would end up being my downfall.

I was the stupidest person in all the land. I wanted to kill myself. If there were a 1m long stalactite nearby, then I would have probably impaled my head on it. My foolishness played a big part, but the adventurer called Hawk was really something else.

It may sound easy, but actually trying to take down 14 golems with a group of novice adventurers using only stones and arrows was anything but easy. You'd need great courage and tenacity. Their party leader, Hawk, managed to fill them with those two things by making them think about their families and children.

'If only my skill was that good as well.'

I felt like crying. How could a Demon Lord be worst than one of the lowest NPCs? How could the player, who was at the peak of Dungeon Attack, fall this low? I felt skeptical about life.

Despite my sorrow, I was busy turning the screws in my head.

People say it's wise to prepare for a rainy day. Even if I didn't consider the golem's weakness, I had already devised several different strategies just in case.

"Leader Hawk!"

I hastily got down on my knees.

"Mm? You...?"

"I was moved by your speech! Please allow me to join your party!"

Wrinkles appeared on Hawk's forehead. It seems he felt troubled. I shouted more desperately.

"I also... I also have a family. My three younger sisters and my elderly mother are waiting for me back at home... I haven't been able to earn any decent profit for the past 3 months... Our village has been experiencing a famine since last year, so who knows how long we have left."

"Huh, so you had your own set of circumstances."

"Just like you all, I dived into this damn dungeon because life was becoming too difficult to endure. And yet, far from making any sort of profit, my comrades, the men of our village, were killed. My family might be all right for now, but what about the other villagers...? If even I don't manage to earn anything, then, hkk, our village, our village will...."

The atmosphere became solemn. Only the sound of my sobbing echoed throughout the cavern. There was a moment of silence.

"You... You are truly."

Hawk blew his nose.

"You are truly a splendid young man! At most, I've only been thinking about my own family, but you've been worrying about your entire village.... What a noble lad. Is this not beautiful!? Throughout my forty-five years of life, I, Hawk, have never felt this embarrassed! Just knowing the fact that a lad like you will be leading our next generation has made this dungeon adventure meaningful!"

He grabbed both of my shoulders before speaking in a stuffy voice.

"Aye, aye! We shall go together. We must! We aren't strangers! We were all born in this accursed world. Are we not all struggling to live our lives? My close comrades! What do you think?"

"Ha, you'll make me sad if you think we'd have a different opinion."

"We are also warmhearted men of Levian Village! If you weren't moved by that lad's conviction, then you have no right to cross the violet river!"

The adventurers patted my shoulder as they walked past me. One by one, they met my eyes before giving me a firm nod.

I naturally nodded back at them. A silent commune among men was exchanged back and forth. I pulled out a bottle of alcohol from my bag.

"We can't have such a blissful day without any alcohol. Fortunately, I was the porter of my party. There isn't a lot, so everyone can only have one sip, but does the quantity matter? Let us firm our resolves together before the battle."

Yeah! Yeah! The other adventurers agreed in unison. I passed the bottle. The adventurers each took a sip before passing the bottle to the next person. Since ancient times, alcohol has often been used as a tool in war. A small amount of alcohol was capable of raising your morale, after all.

"Now then, lad. You're the last one."

Hawk handed the bottle to me. I politely received the bottle and emptied it in my mouth. Once Hawk saw me do so, he raised his arms.

"We will win!"

"Ooooooaaah!"

"We will go home alive!"

"Ooooooaaah━━!"

A received a notification telling me that their morale had raised greatly again. There was no reason for it to go out of its way to tell me. The man in front of me was bursting with vigor. I joined in on the shouting. I cheered so fiercely that I spat out the alcohol that was in my mouth.

Right when the group was about to depart, it happened.

"All right. Let us go... Rajeev?"

As soon as one of the adventurers took a step forward, he fell to the floor as if the ground under his feet had sunk. The others became alarmed and approached him.

"Hey, what's the matter? What's wrong all of a sudden!?"

Their previous energy had vanished like thin air and a wave of confusion swept over them.

But that was only the beginning.

"H-Huh...?"

"The ground...?"

Within the span of a few seconds, all of the adventurers started to fall one by one. The last person to fall was Hawk. As expected of the leader. Till the very end, he was perplexed by the chaos.

Once a minute had passed, I was the only one left standing.

"Bleh."

I gathered the saliva in my mouth and spat it out. I took out some detoxifying herb just in case and chewed on it. Preparing a trump card was a good idea.

I took out a dagger and proceeded to walk between the fallen adventurers.

Schnk! Schnk!

Each time I passed an adventurer, I stabbed my dagger into their throats. Death without any cries, fear, or surprise followed. It seems some of them were able to resist the drug somewhat as they groaned on the floor; however, groans weren't capable of stopping a blade. My dagger slit their throats without any problem.

...I didn't want to do this.

These people were all good humans. That's right, humans. A race of people that were hostile towards Demon Lords. If they want to live, then I have to die, and if I want to live, then they have to die.

I was the one to live this time. That was it.

I stopped in front of Hawk's body.

"It would have been better if you had gone back, Leader Hawk."

I stabbed his neck. I felt my blade penetrate his muscles and scrape a bone.

I raised my head. I stared at the ceiling for a while.

The ceiling was high. Different from the sky outside where it became clearer as it got higher, the ceiling of a cave became darker the higher it was. I started to get a headache, so I took off my cheap helmet and threw it aside. Clang, the helmet let out a metallic sound as it hit the floor.

"Damn it."

I kept swearing over and over again as I looted each and every corpse. I gathered every item that could be sold for a fair price.

How long did I have to keep this up for? Is there truly an ending to this world...? They must have felt my emotions as I noticed my goblin and golem approach my side. They stood next to me silently.

It was the day after this that Lapis arrived in order to tell me about the outbreak of the Black Death.