Chapter 40: Ice Continent

I opened my eyes and felt different. More powerful? What was I doing before? I didn't have time to think more as Mio's and Seris's voices interrupted my thoughts, "My liege, we are happy to see you have awoken from your evolution."

"Um-huh?" Came my confused answer before everything cleared, and I remembered, "Ah yes, how long was I asleep for?" I asked.

"A whole week, my liege," Mio answered.

A whole week! But what about the daily quest? How am I still here? My mind was filled with questions, and I tried to open my status.

Nothing happened.

I panicked slightly, not seeing the screen I got used to seeing for the past six years.

'Status,' I tried again, but nothing.

I could still feel connected to all my shadows, so I wasn't panicking too much.

I focused deeply on my soul, just like when I did the first night in this world, and felt something new, something more powerful—an Ultimate Skill.

During the evolution process, I was put into a deep slumber and wasn't able to hear what was happening, but I didn't expect to gain so many new skills. While most of them are resist-type skills, there are also a few intrinsic-type skills.

Intrinsic Skill: [Infinite Regeneration]. Infinite Regeneration grants the user incredible regeneration properties far superior to Ultraspeed Regeneration and the Self-Regeneration I had before.

Intrinsic Skill: [Universal Shapeshift] allows the user to freely alter their bodily properties into whatever they desire, with hardly any effort. It is also incredibly useful in disguising one's appearance.

Intrinsic Skill: [Material Creation] Similar to creation magic, it allows the user to create matter by using Magicules. It is usually used to create equipment like weapons or garments, the grade of which depends on the amount of magicules used.

Intrinsic Skill: [Monarch's Ambition]. Monarch's Ambition could be described as a combination of Hero's Haki and Demon Lord's Haki.

Intrinsic Skill: [Ruler's Authority]. Ruler's Authority is a form of telekinesis, and at full power, this skill is almost like a black hole in potency.

Intrinsic Skill: [Black Heart]. Black Heart is a skill that allows the user to generate magicules infinitely and improve the vessel.

Then finally, Ultimate Skill [Shadow Monarch: Ashborn]. Aside from getting a few extra sub-skills like Monarch's Domain and a few more, it hasn't changed much. But I can feel that all my shadows grew in strength.

I looked at Mio and Seris. They also looked different and stronger than before. I also noted that the blue in Seris's hair changed to purple.

"Mio, Seris, what happened when I went through the evolution?" I asked.

"Your evolution time took more time than you expected, my liege. Everything has been taken care of after the battle, and you won't find a spec of those insects left," Mio reported.

"As you ordered, the humans observing everything from afar were allowed to leave, and word has spread through the continent about the Demon Lord Ashborn wiping out a whole army of 30,000. So they classified you as a Disaster-Class threat," Seris added.

I just hope Guy doesn't call me, "Oh, and a maid from the Demon Lord Guy Crimson arrived saying that he wants to meet you after you finish the evolution," Mio added.

I should have stayed silent...

"Urghhh..." I groaned. I knew this would happen but didn't expect it to be so quickly.

Instead of going to him directly, I decided to try and get my status panel to show.

It took me some time, but I got something similar but, at the same time, completely different. The sub-skill system in my Unique Skill changed into a status sub-skill now.

_____

Magicules: 43,566,000

[Stats]

Strength: 6,660 + 18% = 7,858

Vitality: 6,093 + 18% = 7,189

Agility: 6,399 + 18% = 7,550

Intelligence: 6,225 + 18% = 7,345

Perception: 6,225 + 18% = 7,345

_____

It didn't have levels, titles, names, or even points to spend. It just showed me my current statistics and nothing else. I could feel them slowly increasing due to Black Heart.

My magicules increased by ten times if I factor in the magicules that were used during the evolution to give me more skills and evolve an Ultimate Skill.

I also noticed that the status displayed the 18% boost from my previous level, and I couldn't see a level stat. I was slightly disappointed in myself. If I knew the system would be gone after the evolution, I would have waited a couple of years and leveled up more before doing it. But what's done is done, and even the 18% boost is better than nothing.

That's one less to think about, but now I'm not sure if I should keep the shadows in the forest and the barren lands when they don't give me EXP. I thought about it for a bit before deciding to leave them to gain more shadows, and they still should give me magicules.

Well, I shouldn't keep Guy waiting. I stood up from my throne and looked at Mio, "Did he say how to get there?" I asked, wondering if I should fly to the Ice Continent or not.

She puffed her chest and proudly declared, "Of course. I had a shadow go there and wait until you woke up."

Rule number one is always to act like you expected it, "Good job, Mio. I knew you would do a great job."

I then focused on a shadow located somewhere on the Ice Continent before using shadow exchange.

Our scenery changed, and everything was made out of ice. I'm thankful for my new resistance skills; otherwise, I would probably freeze to death here.

"Oh, so here he comes," Guy's voice sounded, and I saw him sitting on an ice chair drinking what I assumed was purple wine, "Five months and you already became a True Demon Lord, hahaha." He laughed and motioned me to sit on another chair.

He observed me the whole time, and I could see that he was more interested in me than before, "Shadow Monarch Ashborn, huh?" He chuckled.

I sat down with Mio standing beside me, "I was only defending myself and my castle," I said, keeping my poker face. Did he sense my Ultimate Skill and see the name?

"Hahaha, I see, I see, if you say so," He laughed, "How about some wine?" He asked and signaled Rain, the blue primordial, to bring me some.

I took it and tasted it. It was the first time I had tried alcohol in both of my lives. I didn't count the time during the banquet when Mom was there.

"By the way, who is the lady beside you?" Guy asked, interested, "She feels familiar to the shadows you brought to the banquet."

I momently forgot she was with me, "Oh, this is Mio, one of my shadow generals." I answered, "And one of my strongest shadows."

"Mio, huh?" He looked at her, "You got an interesting skill indeed." He sighed, "Such a shame I can't copy it."

I'm grateful you can't.

"I will just give you a piece of advice. You won't get in trouble if you do anything on the territory you claimed but try not to cause too much chaos." Guy said and looked at me, "While we are Demon Lords, try to keep the destruction to a minimum."

"As long as they don't try and attack my castle, I won't do anything," I said and felt someone strong enter. She had a child-like appearance, no older than a girl in high school. She has fair skin, deep blue eyes, and long, glossy pearl-white hair tied into twin tails reaching her waist.

"Oh," She looked at me with interest, and her eyes glowed gold for a second, "So this is the new Demon Lord, quite young," She then looked at Guy, "Guy, don't tell me you are into children now."

He waved his hand nonchalantly, "Velzard, don't be like if he is old enough for being a Demon Lord then..."

"You attacked me and forced me into becoming one," I cut in, "Plus, I'm not into men," I added.

"Guy, we need to talk about your preference," She then pointed at me, "That is too young," Guy was about to say something, but she cut him before he said a single word, "And don't say age is just a number."

"..." I just looked at them, not knowing what to say.

After she was done, ummm... scolding? She turned to me, "I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Velzard, the White Ice Dragon."

"Ashborn, the Shadow Monarch." I introduced myself with my new title, "But back to why you called me here, Guy. I don't think it was only due to wiping out a small army."

"Haha..." He chuckled, "Do I need a reason to call you here?"

"I could think of many other people you could call here instead of a fresh demon lord..." I replied.

"As I said, I find you interesting." He chuckled, "So I don't see a reason why not to invite you here."

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Author's Note:

Thank you for reading this chapter.

For the people that commented that I didn't give Cale/Ashborn new Unique or more Ultimate Skills. I thought about adding some but decided to do it later in the story.

If you enjoy this story, remember to vote and leave a review if you haven't.