The Demon King Who Draws

Chapter 44

Trudge…

Trudge…

Even as I followed Amon, I harbored doubts.

‘He promises an intriguing sight…’

After wrapping up external affairs, Amon had become reclusive. Rarely seen, she had goblins deliver meals to my abode.

But now, ‘abode’ seemed an inadequate term. Upon my return, my temporary quarters were swiftly dismantled and transformed into something new.

[Completion of Amon’s Secret Laboratory construction.]

[Deploying Amon to the Secret Laboratory increases efficiency of all production and research facilities.]

[When Amon’s Secret Laboratory is operational, there’s a chance for the birth of inventions. [These inventions vary from familiars, traps, to cursed amulets.]

[Inventions are categorized as revolutionary, astonishing, amazing, or junk.]

[Tip: Possessing certain familiars allows the construction of special facilities like Amon’s Secret Laboratory.]

…

Amon’s Secret Laboratory.

The reason why the Archdemon Amon was called a non-rights character, despite not being one.

Though the rights were exorbitantly priced, this single laboratory was said to be worth the investment.

‘Even excluding Amon’s own formidable power.’

This secret facility was among the special ones that didn’t rely on geographical conditions. It could be placed anywhere, regardless of the presence of geothermal energy or resources.

It could even be part of a field, and as it happened, my laboratory was precisely where a new field was to be established.

Whirring…

Whirrrrring…

Upon visiting Amon’s laboratory, mechanical hands emitting a strange light scrutinized me.

“Can’t this be adjusted?”

“Ah, leave it be. Once this visit is registered, it can even discern your doppelgänger.”

“Where did all these mechanical hands come from?”

“Curious, aren’t you? Did you think I’d reveal everything to you?”

Ah, this relates to Amon’s character story. Like with Phenex’s story, character information is revealed as intimacy and character growth occur.

…Honestly, it was just a question asked out of a lack of anything else to say. Let’s move on.

“By the way, do you know about it?”

“About what?”

“Phenex, that parasite.”

“…Parasite?”

“Is there a better term for a demon who fails to fulfill its role? I consider it a rather merciful term.”

“Hmm…”

Amon seemed to be a staunch meritocrat.

Considering other demons that could replace Phenex, she seemed… fitting for the term ‘parasite.’

“Looking back on our conversation, I noticed you haven’t even inherited the name yet.”

“…”

“Not having succeeded the true name. Were you aware?”

I was aware.

That was the reason Phenex kept failing.

“…So you knew. How cruel of a master you are.”

“Cruel?”

“Why not free her immediately? Unless she’s not to your taste.”

Amon turned to explain.

“The power of a demon mostly comes from its name. Out of all the demons in hell, only 72 have power in their true names. Hence, those 72 names are powerful.”

True to Amon’s words.

The demons listed in the Lesser Key of Solomon all have power in their names.

Perhaps it’s the power accumulated from being remembered over a long time… It’s an unresolved plot point, so I don’t know the details.

“Therefore, she’s incomplete. She hasn’t even received her name from her master yet.”

No, that’s incorrect.

The name has indeed been passed to Phenex.

‘She just hasn’t shouldered it yet.’

I’m pondering over this part. If the direction I’m considering turns out to be wrong, like some game knowledge that changed in reality, then this might also be a changed aspect…

“Enough of that. We didn’t gather to discuss such matters. Let’s talk about your dungeon core.”

“A matter of the soul.”

We’ve discussed this once before. A detailed explanation seems necessary.

“You’ve collected quite a useful soul recently, but there’s still a long way to go. You know best how unstable you are.”

“Of course.”

“You’re fragmented. More precisely, you’re broken due to imbalance.”

My poor constitution, the reason I must coexist with the dungeon core.

“If things remain as they are, the moment your connection to the dungeon core breaks, your life will end.”

“So I’m safe as long as the dungeon core is intact?”

“Tsk… The dungeon core is a substance coveted by all on this land, and eventually, this place will be overrun with invaders.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“More souls, stronger souls are needed… We must lure more invaders before the dungeon core catches the eye of the true powerhouses.”

“It’s paradoxical. To avoid the gaze of the mighty, we must invite them first.”

When will it be possible to live without absorbing someone’s soul?

“What hesitates you?”

“…I ponder over the many lives I must take to sustain my own existence.”

“Such foolish thoughts of a foolish being.”

“Why is that?”

“Every being stands upon the life it tramples. To think coexistence is the only way of life is too crude. Does the lion not eat the flesh of other beings from birth till death? Do you deem it wrong?”

“I am not a lion.”

“Weren’t you determined to live as one?”

Ah.

This creature…

Amon smirked with mischief.

“You’ve already witnessed dozens of lives crushed by my hand in the mansion, without a stir of emotion. Do you remember?”

…Indeed.

Is this also growth?

“If you’ve chosen to live as a lion, then live as one. Do not dream a rabbit’s dream in vain.”

Amon’s words ring true.

The time for misplaced compassion has long passed.

“Anyway, that brings me to a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“I’ve surveyed the terrain around here recently. There were quite interesting findings.”

“Findings… What might they be?”

Minerals? Magic stones?

“Spatial rifts.”

“Spatial rifts mean…”

Could it be?

“In the future, we can build bridges from these rotten roots to various places across the Solaria continent.”

They’re known as dimensional gates.

One of the dungeon’s core facilities, once constructed, opens gates to the Rotten Roots across the continent.

Whether it’s an advantage or disadvantage, it connects only to coordinates set by the dungeon’s original master.

“Using the spatial rifts, we can lure invaders into our nest.”

“So that’s why you mentioned it earlier.”

“You’re not without perception. It’s an unparalleled fortune for you now. Fortunately, it’s not too far from the base facilities. However…”

Of course, there’s a problem.

Otherwise, there would be no need for such a lengthy explanation.

“Something has taken residence there.”

…Found it.

‘The second area boss.’

It’s been a while since the giant spider Agnea, the limping one, was hunted.

Most of her territory was absorbed, but it inevitably brought the dungeon and the second area boss’s territories into contact.

So far, there have been no issues, but if we desire the spatial rifts, we must now confront it.

“…It must be eliminated.”

The second grand cleansing of the Rotten Roots begins.

The situation differed from Agnea’s this time.

The dungeon’s power had significantly increased.

Expanding the dungeon’s territory and rotating the base facilities, the growth resources obtained have developed the familiars, and the magic stones acquired from outside have replenished the ranks with diverse and high-quality familiars.

It was a world apart from when only a level 1 Phenex could be trusted.

The extermination squad is not much different from an invader’s party.

‘Shall I pick and choose to my liking?’

First, Phenex.

This one is a must.

‘Got to get my money’s worth…’

Investing growth resources in Phenex for the future, she must be put to good use, especially in a raid where she shows strength.

“Next is…”

Honestly, it doesn’t matter who I bring. Phenex will handle it.

But if I were to choose someone who might be a bit helpful…

‘Jaakim… Shall I take that one?’

Ah, no.

This time, I should throw in all the newly acquired 5-star familiars, except Santo.

The reason for excluding Santo, the leader of the Mad Traveling Troupe, is that he’s not much help in a raid.

‘He doesn’t communicate well, and there’s a high chance of unexpected behavior…’

After all, the nature of the familiars is far from raiding.

Anyway, excluding Santo, I summoned three 5-star familiars and Phenex before the Throne of the Abyss.

“You understand, don’t you?”

“Yes, my lord! Just find the big one and take it down.”

“…Precisely.”

Grrrrr…
“Leave it to me, this Jaakim will show you.”

“Boredom was killing me. I’ll be back soon.”

“Great! Ruby, just follow me!”

“Right, Phenex! Let’s crush them together!”

…I need to separate those two quickly.

The extermination squad, composed of the Guardian of Ruins Moam, the werewolf Ruby, the Goblin King Jaakim, and the Demon of Resurrection Phenex, thus set off.

With all details other than the mission to subdue the entity blocking the spatial rift left to their own judgment, all I can do now is watch.

The squad moved further into the darkness. I followed their figures through the illusions of the Abyss.

* * *

Grooooooar…

Grooooooar…

“What keeps grumbling, Moam?”

“Seems he’s saying not to stick torches in his body?”

“How’d you know?”

“He’s pointing at the torch. Besides, wasn’t Jaakim supposed to hold the torch? Jaakim!”

“What’s the matter?”

“You were supposed to carry the torch!”

“Kekeke… Silence, as long as the path ahead is clear, what does it matter?”

The four bickered from the start.

Phenex yawned and said,

“Fighting makes you useless.”

Jaakim flinched…

Despite Phenex’s lack of force, Jaakim reacted swiftly to the demon’s words.

“Thinking about it, I should be the one to carry it. I didn’t mean to cause concern over such a trivial matter.”

“See! …Huh?”

Ruby suddenly sensed something and warned,

“…Movement!”

Swish!

With Phenex ready at the forefront, the other three quickly prepared themselves.

Screeeeeeech!

A rat, tainted red with corruption, charged at Ruby, who swung her arm in response.

Crunch…

Her hand, covered in wolf fur, left a trail of claws, slicing the rat’s body to pieces.

Grooooooar…

Creak…

With a slight shift of Moam’s arm, a half-crushed rat turned into mere chunks of flesh.

“Everyone, look ahead.”

“…There’s quite a lot of them.”

At Jaakim’s words, Ruby responded.

Dozens of eyes glinted in the darkness.

Just as a tedious battle seemed imminent…

[Phenex activates Pain Sharing.]

[Phenex unleashes a fan-shaped wave of flames.]

[The wave of flames inflicts 200% of combat power evenly among enemies within range.]

Fwoooooosh…

Boom!

From the tip of Phenex’s sword, a wave of flames erupted, decimating the enemy ranks.

Had it been before, the flames would have slowly whittled down their health, but the grown Phenex’s base damage was now enough to instantly melt neutral dungeon monsters with intense heat.

“…Wow.”

Grooooooar…

“Truly… the power of a demon. It feels like my eyeballs are burning.”

Phenex turned around with a carefree laugh.

“Shall we go?”

Whoosh!

Jaakim, with a wicked smile, said,

“I’ll lead the way.”