A new beginning [6]

It turns out that different kinds of demons needed different amounts of stimulus to grow stronger, and that there was a very good reason as to why Tatiana had been skeptical of my choice.

Sitting down on my throne in a daze, I was still trying to accept the fact that I had picked a race of demons that needed more than two times the amount of stimulus as other demons to raise their levels.

I couldn't even imagine how many slimes I would have to kill now to raise my level even once. If I had before been known as the Slime Slayer, my future alias would most likely have to become The Decimator of Slimes for me to grow stronger by killing those liquidy creatures.

From what Tatiana told me, as I had subtly tried to ask her a bit while still not showing that I was feeling extremely bad about my choice, there was a direct correlation between a demon's potential and how hard it was for them to grow stronger.

For example, a werewolf had a lower ceiling than other demons, where they would struggle a lot to reach a level higher than 50, but they would reach that ceiling quite fast, while a vampire could become much higher leveled than them, but it would take a lot more time and work.

Though archdemons also suffered from being in a similar situation to fallen angels, they were still not as extreme of a case as my race, while still being able to grow incredibly strong.

Now, it had to be said that all was not bad. I had at least picked a race that bore the potential I needed to fulfill my dream of not dying to my girlfriend's hands.

'Though I suppose we can't actually be considered a couple anymore, can we?'

It had been an extremely short ride for me and Selene, as our relationship had only managed to last for a day, but I was still happy that I at least was able to say that I had been in a relationship with a beautiful girl. Something I was not especially happy about was the thought of someday having to fight with her.

"Now that you have managed to become a true demon, it might be for the best if you start to assemble an army, master. The different monster tribes seem to have started to move, noticing that something is happening around the tower."

"Monster tribes?"

Yet again, I was confused by the new information that she was about to relay to me, while at the same time making me a bit frustrated that if it was something that important, why didn't she tell me earlier?

"Yes, monster tribes. Although most monsters are creatures without a lot of intellect, some species band together, creating small societies and villages. For example, the goblin tribe that is currently on its way here, and which will likely arrive in a few days."

"Oh, I see. I do suppose it would be quite bad if they somehow got here right now, seeing as we are quite understaffed at the moment."

"Under-what, master?"

"Nothing. Anyway, you are right."

Standing up, it also felt like like a great way to distract myself from thinking about the choice I had done. There was also the fact that I still hadn't checked to see if there was anything different regarding the demon core after I become a true demon, checking if there was anything new that I could create.

Arriving into the small chamber where my core was resting leisurely on its pedestal, I didn't hesitate to put my hand on it, kind of excited to see the changes that should have occurred.

==========

List of available monsters to create:

Goblins - 10 DE

Bird of Prey - 50 DE

Fairy - 100 DE

List of available demons to create:

----

List of available weapons to create:

Wooden club - 5 DE

Steel Sword - 10 DE

Wooden Bow - 10 DE

Wooden Spear - 10 DE

==========

For the first time since I arrived in this world, I felt like things were looking up, as I was now getting to see the fruits of my efforts! Granted, my efforts had mostly consisted of me walking around killing defenseless slimes that didn't offer up much resistance, but still!

Now all that was left was to figure out what the best course of action was, seeing as my options had increased by quite a margin.

With my DE having increased to a total of 130, there were a lot of things I could choose to do now, a lot of ways to approach this army-building thing that Tatiana kept pestering me about.

So far I had only created Gob, which I now kind of regretted, seeing as I didn't find him particularly cute after he learned of my true nature, now acting more like a thug than anything. But now, I didn't have much of a choice whether or not to create more underlings.

'Let's start by experimenting a bit then...'

Before anything else, I needed to make sure that I at least knew what I could summon. Therefore, I began with the most expensive monster on the list, channeling my DE into the core to create a fairy.

Just like before, it didn't take long until I felt my energy getting sucked out of me, getting absorbed into the core. This time, however, I was adamant about seeing the entire process, having left the door open just so I could peek into the throne room while the creation procedure was happening.

'Woah!'

Turning my gaze into the banquet-like halls, I could see a somewhat small magic circle with all kinds of runes, shimmering with all the colors of the spectrum appearing on the floor.

Then, from it, a stream of magical energy seeped out, slowly constructing some kind of shape in the air. A second later, it had finished, and before our eyes, we got to witness the birth of my first fairy.

Even smaller than the goblin, the blue-haired fairy floated in the air by using its somewhat transparent, insect-like four wings, dressed in a small brown robe as to make sure it was all PG 13. Her entire ambiance glittered with fancy magic, as if to make sure everyone knew it was a magical being.

With my body feeling slightly anemic due to the loss of energy, while still not even close to how I had felt after creating Gob, I returned to my throne room, eager to meet my new underling who came up to me as soon as she saw me, her green eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Pii!"

'Cute!'

As I was scratching the underside of her cheek, making the fairy's head tilt to the side a bit while closing her eyes, enjoying the sensation, Tatiana also stepped forward.

"A fairy? That's quite lucky, master. Despite them being more or less useless in terms of physical stats, they are very adept at using magic. They are usually acting as long-ranged casters while hiding behind the vanguard."

Despite her almost robot-like way of talking, there was no doubt that Tatiana was also very excited about seeing our new comrade, even if the only sign of her excitement was her red eyes lighting up a bit.

Focusing my eyes on the fairy once more, I looked at her status page, as I still needed to know exactly what she was capable of.

===Status===

Name: Pi

Race: Fairy

Level: 9

Strength: 4

Agility: 8

Stamina: 5

Intelligence: 20

Free stat points: 0

Mana: 500/500

Traits: []

Skills: [Wind Cutter]

Talents: [Wind magic - Beginner]

==========

For the most part, I could understand the reason as to exactly why Pi's status looked like it did, but there was something about it that I couldn't quite figure out.

"Hey, Tatiana, why doesn't this one have a trait?"

"Most individuals don't carry any traits. Only unique beings are born with them, and although some might attain a trait while practicing or fighting, most never do."

Unable to hold back, I looked at Gob, who was currently leaning his body against one of the walls, picking his nose as one could expect from a goblin.

'You're telling me that thing is a unique being...?'

Switching my gaze between the sparkling fairy, who could manipulate winds and who was cute as a penny, and... Gob... it was hard to believe that he was more of a special being than Pi.

'Come to think of it, I still don't even know what traits are.'

"Traits are more or less unique characteristics ingrained in the souls of chosen individuals. Unlike talents, which can be practiced and learned, traits are something that belongs intrinsically to the owner. All of the traits that exist..."

Then, as if reading my mind, Tatiana began speaking again, now talking about the intricacies of traits, which made me put up my hand to stop her.

"So... they are like passive bonuses with added benefits?"

For the very first time, I could visibly see her getting disappointed as the edges of her mouth oh so slightly lowered a couple of millimeters.

"Yes... they are like... passive bonuses..."