NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 43
– 1 –
The difference between Mill Don 1 and 2 that I’ve come to know after arriving in this world extends beyond just a simple historical backdrop; there are several more nuances.
First and foremost, there’s the existence of the Magical Realm, as well as the presence of those called Grand Dukes in the Demon World and on the surface. In Mill Don 1, there were ‘Demon Lords,’ but there were no Demon Clans known as ‘Grand Dukes.’
This signifies one thing.
Human culture is infiltrating the Demon World.
Of course, it wasn’t just based on the title of Grand Duke alone. It was inferred from the feeling I had meeting the Demon Clans—those I met now feel much more ‘humane’ than the ones in ‘Mill Don 1.’
“Well, 200 years have passed, after all.”
Two centuries of sustained interaction branded as ‘war’ between humans and demons makes it understandable for them to influence each other significantly.
Going forward, the cultures of the two worlds will likely become increasingly similar.
“Given the absolute beings of the Demon Lord and Goddess, it’s impossible for them to fully merge into a state of complete peace, though.”
At least not until one of them undergoes a decisive change.
[We’ve received testimonies that children have been kidnapped here! Enter as quickly as possible… and let’s survive!]
[Send everyone else away. What you really want is me anyway.]
The next notable sensation I’ve felt is the difference in ‘human quality’ among the adventurers I’ve encountered thus far.
‘Million Dungeon Lord 1’ essentially depicts a story where the protagonist is a villain from a human perspective.
Rather than a picaresque tale, it was more like a villain’s story.
Because of this, in the narrative, the Dungeon Lord revolves around being a source of evil, and the main goal of adventurers entering the dungeon is primarily to kill the Dungeon Lord and silence the dungeon itself.
However, this era is different.
“You humans are truly greedy.”
Adventurers here grow in reputation by hunting dungeons that appear or thrive within each nation, heading toward the border with the Magical Realm to solidify their accomplishments and become strong or powerful figures.
Moreover, there are those who are already walking such successful paths.
These are the figures that serve as the goal for adventurers of this time.
In other words, the aspirations for present-day adventurers are not ‘victory in war and peace.’
“What’s the big deal? Which adventurer these days isn’t craving money and power?”
These are the things that can be gained from war.
With this line of thought, and after witnessing the jealousy of knight Elias towards two senior knights, one idea struck me.
‘Can’t I just provide the wealth and honor?’
Strong desires are sometimes like hands trying to acquire a treasure in a bottle.
Initially, those whose sights are blinded by wealth and power will later find their hands constrained, either by narrowing the bottle’s neck further or making that grip even more powerful.
Of course, whether to trust and utilize such people is another matter, but after making a contract with the Demon World, the only way for the contractor to escape such contract is through ‘another contract.’
Until contractors meet stronger or more convenient Dungeon Lords, they are considered safe.
‘It’s risky, though. Surely, not all human nobles are utterly incompetent. But the potential gains are significant. If that’s the case…’
After hesitating a bit longer, I decided to test the first candidate right before me.
“What if you took this gold? Could you seize one of the titles of Copgerin?”
“Where did you get so much gold… Wait, what did you say? A noble?”
Alexis looked at me incredulously.
But between that bizarrely distorted expression, I could detect the glimmer of greed beginning to flicker in his eyes, along with a subtly rising smile.
Though it quickly vanished a moment later, it was undoubtedly a sign of bubbling desire.
“This won’t do. Unless you take the head of the Dungeon Lord you made disappear as well.”
After that, Alexis, with his expression subdued, replied with a crooked smile that hinted at a ‘negotiation.’
Of course, what I wanted wasn’t a negotiation, but how he felt about it didn’t concern me.
“Really? Then how about the head of another Dungeon Lord? For example… near Iltkis?”
“There’s a Dungeon Lord near Iltkis? Is that for real?”
“The truth of that information can be verified directly.”
Honestly, I had little to share. The information I possessed stemmed from asking our association to disclose potential allies in the area.
Since I hadn’t even met or contacted any yet, it was impossible to provide anything of substance.
‘But the name of the city holds weight.’
Iltkis is a city to the west of Copgerin, located upstream of one of the two logistics hubs within the Kaisen Kingdom and is one of the primary sources of grain sold to the southern continent.
Additionally, this place is a military strategic point for Kaisen; if conflicts arise with the southern Arilite Principality, it’s the quickest route for transporting supplies.
If a Dungeon Lord exists there, then Kaisen might face another potential crisis that is still undetected.
“Shit. Are you kidding me…”
Swish.
“Um, are you joking? Of course, it’s possible! Depending on how much growth… I mean, in Hailash, even a baron can be done quickly with good words!”
Seeing my expression, Alexis gradually revealed signs of excitement, finally speaking, and almost slipped into using profanity until he fell silent before Evangeline’s blade.
As I watched, I reevaluated the benefits and risks of keeping him alive.
‘Most dangers are typically eliminated at the point of contract.’
The ‘secrets’ Alexis must keep will be safeguarded once he’s formally placed under the influence of the contract.
Even if he drinks heavily and inadvertently begins to spill secrets, the contract and curse tied to his soul would gift him a pain that would drive even the drunkenness from his mind.
Even if he were to be hypnotized or subjected to mental manipulation, he could repel it to some degree, and revealing his contract through spoken word wouldn’t be possible either.
Hence, the danger is minimal at best.
Unless he casually summons the power of the Demon World and gets caught by a cleric.
‘The gains are unpredictable. It’s not something I’ve ever done before. Human Grand Dukes might have only barely managed it.’
Of course, that remains uncertain. Up until now, it’s been something unheard of to me.
However, if those established Dungeon Lords have indeed succeeded in fully claiming their territory within the Magical Realm, it wouldn’t be strange at all to have spies among humans monitoring them.
By that point, they should realize the importance of information.
‘To think that what I can do, they can’t accomplish is arrogance.’
There’s a contradiction between the setting of needing to ‘corrupt’ humans to make a contract as a Dungeon Lord in Mill Don 1 and my current situation.
I, too, possess a human in this world.
While I haven’t obtained complete loyalty from the heart, I can at least utilize them as human resources.
Thus, for me to follow them…
‘Ideally, I’d like to slowly fill the necessary parts…’
[Demon Lord Candidate ‘Libertus’ Dungeon Lv. 4]
[Core Activation – 417/560]
[Attributes – Stamina 18 Dexterity 26 Endurance 23 Magic Power 32 Resistance 24]
I alternated my attention between the dungeon’s information window and my status window.
My hesitation didn’t last long.
‘Indeed, now’s the time to invest.’
Taking the level-up gained from sending Serika, along with the resultant magical surplus, I poured it into my attributes without hesitation.
To the level that the blonde vampire I sent out had reached.
[Core Activation – 663/728]
[Attributes – Stamina 34 Dexterity 46 Endurance 38 Magic Power 53 Resistance 47]
Whew…!!
Creak—!
The power surging rapidly throughout my body, rising from the ground where I stood, costs the remaining magical energy of the Dungeon Core.
As a result, the sudden enhancement in physical ability due to magic felt somewhat stiffening.
Since this decision would, in any case, affect future ‘contracts,’ it was only natural that I packed it to a slightly tense level.
If a contract were to proceed over there, only 10 energy would remain in the core.
Contracts with humans or mercenaries from the Demon World often consume dozens or even hundreds of times the magical power used to maintain a regular summon, thus careful measurement is crucial.
Ugh… hehehe…
The change wasn’t confined to my body alone.
The eerie wail that began ringing out from various parts of the dungeon vanished as I waved a hand, though the power that formed its origin still lingered in this space.
Dead Energy.
This distorted magic proves this place is the domain of a grand Necromancer.
Though few areas could currently be applied, limiting strategic potential, at this level, I should be able to weed out or subdue the lesser beings.
Seeing it felt similar to my memory’s descriptions, it seemed that part hadn’t changed much.
However…
[Job – Sinister Necromancer]
I secretly hoped this would have changed.
Being labeled a ‘wicked’ Necromancer feels too standard, and it’s a little disappointing. Yet, it’s laughable considering ‘ancient’ vampires and ‘excellent’ demonic beasts are just as ridiculous.
“That’s absurd…”
– Could it be that what captured us has brought about this level of growth…?
Surely, that can’t be the case.
An ordinary Dungeon Lord born in this world can’t visibly confirm their power and the conditions of the core, so they must directly accumulate the know-how through various trial and error to enhance their strength.
If I recklessly increase strength like this, I might overload the core, resulting in diminished strength for a while.
But there’s no need to disclose even that secret.
[Name – Alexis Julka]
[Job and Tier – Elite Magic Swordsman]
…
[An exceptionally capable warrior and mage relative to his tier. Both body and soul are of premium quality.]
As I scrolled down the information on Alexis that popped into my mind, I spoke again to the dumbfounded individuals before me.
“Do you understand what I can offer you?”
– 2 –
“That’s absurd…”
The shocking sight unfolding before Alexis and Jinkyung.
The woman, with an outwardly harmless, gentle, and delicate face, was instantly enveloped in black magic, which darkened her form while simultaneously amplifying the amount of magic flowing from her.
It was a change that felt somewhat irrational.
‘Now I understand why Dungeon Lords grow so fast…’
Alexis, unaware that he was misunderstanding, gazed up at the woman who looked down on him with horrified eyes.
She… no, she was small, but now appeared enormity.
‘I now see the reason why these monsters must be dealt with as soon as possible…’
This sentiment was one shared by Jinkyung as well.
This was due to a single distinction when compared to adventurers who had come to the dungeon until now.
It was during the transition from high tier to elite status. At this point, the ability to sense external magic begins to blossom forcefully.
Thanks to that, the change in Libertus was far more pronounced to the adventurers than with previous ones.
Of course, sensing another’s magic so acutely is inherently impossible, and this development is so remarkable that it could be felt even lacking a refined sense of magic.
“Do you understand what I can offer you?”
Facing the stunned duo, the still-apathetic Libertus spoke again.
With remnants of black magic still coursing beneath her shadowed hair, her violet eyes shone brilliantly.
With a voice brimming with force due to the sudden surge in magical power.
“Power. And riches. Furthermore, honor.”
Without even a smile, her lips were drawn into a faint line.
“Choose.”
Her eyes, shimmering innocently as if curious about something trivial.
“Will you grasp what you desire? Or…”
With an immense power that belied her small stature, she stood tall.
“Will you crumple here futilely, only to bloom anew?”
An angelic beauty.
“Either way, I will welcome your choice.”
To the two adventurers now, she felt less like simply a Demon Clan or a monster and more like a legendary demon from scriptures…
That is to say, akin to a ‘Demon Lord.’
“We serve you. If you will…”
– Just spare us, and…
Gazing up at the expressionless face with that kind aura, Alexis and Jinkyung finally knelt properly before her.
“Desire. A splendid choice.”
It was the moment Demon Lord Candidate Libertus began to claim dominion over humans, exceeding mere ownership, starting to invade their territories.