I DIDN'T WANT TO BE A KEY ROLE

Diaval stood in his room, the Mask of Mammon resting on his desk, its dark aura palpable even without wearing it.

The memories of his first dungeon raid and the intense fight with the fat demon still fresh in his mind, he now turned his thoughts to the moment he had acquired the mask itself—a pivotal event that had changed everything.

As Diaval picked up the mask, he was transported back to that harrowing day.

He remembered the intricate key he had obtained from the merchant and the subsequent journey into a dungeon that had almost claimed his life.

But it was what happened after defeating the dungeon boss that truly stood out.

---

Diaval, panting heavily and covered in cuts and bruises, staggered into the final chamber of the dungeon.

Unlike the previous chambers, this one was eerily quiet, the air thick with a malevolent energy.

In the center of the room, on a pedestal, lay the Mask of Mammon, its dark, intricate design exuding an almost hypnotic allure.

"It's as beautiful as it was described in the Novel," Diaval said smiling.

He approached the pedestal cautiously, his eyes fixed on the mask.

As he reached out to take it, the air around him shimmered, and a figure materialized before him.

Diaval froze, his hand inches from the mask.

The figure was unlike any demon he had encountered before.

Tall and imposing, Mammon stood with an air of regality.

His features were strikingly beautiful, a stark contrast to the grotesque depictions Diaval had seen in books.

His skin was a flawless, alabaster white, and his eyes gleamed with a captivating, otherworldly light.

Long, flowing hair cascaded down his back, and he was adorned in luxurious robes that seemed to shimmer with every movement.

"Mammon..."Diaval muttered under his breath.

Was he going to fight onw of the strongest Demons and beings.

He hoped he certainly wasn't going to. To Mammon, even though Diaval was of the dragon race that stood at the pinnacle of other beings in Ranora, he was nothing more than a lesser being.

"Welcome, traveler," Mammon's voice was smooth, almost soothing, yet it carried an underlying menace.

"You have done well to make it this far."

Diaval, still in shock, managed to find his voice.

"Are you really the Demon Prince of greed?"

Mammon smiled, a gesture that sent chills down Diaval's spine.

"I am Mammon, the Prince of Greed and Lord of Gambles. And you, Diaval Astarot, have proven yourself worthy to wield my power."

'Good, I won't be fighting him..but all this seems strange...there's no way I'll be gaining the mask so easily...'

Diaval's eyes widened. "You know my name?"

"Of course," Mammon replied, his gaze piercing.

"But not just your name in this world. I know your true name, your name from your past life."

He paused, letting the words sink in.

"Adam Veridian."

Diaval—no, Adam—felt his heart skip a beat.

Hearing his old name in this world was surreal, almost disorienting.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to comprehend what was happening.

"How... how do you know that?" Adam stammered, his mind racing.

Mammon chuckled softly.

"I am a demon of great power and knowledge. I see beyond the veil of worlds and lives. You were brought here for a purpose, Adam, and that purpose is about to unfold."

"Brought here for a purpose," Diaval said, as his body shifted back to his previous form. A slight chubby man, with brown curly hair, brown eyes and a beard.

Seeing himself in that body put him in a state of unease. Not that he didn't like his previous self that much, but compared to the current life and previous, he loved the current one.

Adam's shock gave way to a burning curiosity.

'Could he be affiliated with the author?'Diaval thought.

How else did the demon know his true self?

"What do you mean? What purpose?"

Mammon's expression grew serious.

"This world, Ranora, is on the brink of monumental change.

Mysteries long buried will be unearthed, and powers beyond your comprehension will come into play.

The balance of power will shift, and chaos will ensue."

Adam listened intently, his fear gradually being replaced by a sense of determination.

"What kind of mysteries?

What powers?"

Mammon stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Adam's.

"There are ancient forces in this world, remnants of a time before even the dragon houses.

These forces are awakening, drawn by the conflicts and ambitions of mortals.

You, Adam, are uniquely positioned to navigate these changes.

Luckily for you with the Mask of Mammon, you will have the power to influence the outcome of these events."

'He's bluntly offering the mask to me...'

Adam looked at the mask, understanding its significance even more now.

"And what do you get out of this?"

"What's the catch?"

Mammon's smile returned, more enigmatic than ever.

"My interests are my own, Adam.

But know this: the power of the mask comes at a price.

Greed and ambition can consume those who wield it unwisely.

Use it well, and you will achieve greatness. Use it poorly, and it will destroy you."

Diaval who was faintly remembering, glanced at the black mask with two horns protruding out of it as an extension to the mask.

"The Mask of Mammon offered such a crazy and incredible power at that. If you think about it, loosing 70% of your Will Power and having it transferred to the mask wearer is more than unlucky.

It's a crazy cheat."

"But the mask didn't come without a price. The more one used it, the more they would fall victim to Demonic possession."

"Shoulda known, Mammon is probably trying to find a vessel for his descendance into the mortal world."

"But the fact, he's helping me out, has me more than confused,"Diaval though pondering.

"That mentioned, the wearer would loose their sanity as well..."

"A tricky price to pay, but there's more to it, than the novel explained."

"I'll just go with Mammon's words for now...until I can find a clear pathing."

Adam nodded, absorbing Mammon's words. "I understand."

"Do you?" Mammon's eyes bore into his.

"Remember, Adam, this world is not as it seems. Trust no one completely, and always be prepared for the unexpected. Your journey is just beginning."

With that, Mammon began to fade, his form dissolving into the air.

"We will meet again, Adam. Until then, make your choices wisely."

Adam watched as Mammon vanished, leaving him alone with the mask.

"Didn't fight the Demon Prince of Greed...fucking CHECK!"

He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the responsibility that had been placed upon him.

He reached out and took the mask, its surface cool to the touch.

---

Back in his room, Adam—now fully embracing his identity as Diaval Astarot—stared at the mask on his desk.

"Aaah...back in this glorious and magnificent body."

The memory of his encounter with Mammon was vivid, and the demon's words echoed in his mind.

Mysteries and powers, conflicts and ambitions—it was all so much to take in.

He picked up the mask, feeling its demonic aura. Despite its foreboding nature, he knew it was a tool that could help him navigate the turbulent times ahead.

But he also knew Mammon was right: the mask's power was a double-edged sword.

"This thing, isn't as overpowered as I thought it was in the novel,"he began.

"On top of that, it did say that the wearer would gain an equivalent buff in power, but the novel never truly explained it in whole."

"While it did give the buff and debuff the enemy, only those who are bound by limitations of the world would fall victim to the mask."

"Those who transcended in power, the mask would have no effect to their Will Power as it was beneath them."

*Sigh...'its going to be hard to know who is a transcender and who isn't,'Diaval mused.

As he held the mask, Diaval made a silent vow to use it wisely.

"Moreover, I planned not to be a key role in the story, but everything I try to do changes the plot and has me at the centre of it all."

"For now, my loved ones are the top priority."

He would uncover the mysteries Mammon had spoken of and protect his family and house from the coming chaos.

"Let's see where this journey takes me," Diaval murmured to himself, placing the mask back on the desk.

He glanced out the window, the first light of dawn breaking over the horizon.

Diaval turned away from the window, his resolve firm.

"I have no other choice as of now."

"I promised myself I wouldn't get involved but if needed be, I'll act and react accordingly..."

"Long as the tables are turned in my favour."

///NEXT CHAPTER: BETTY IS A JACK OF ALL TRADES