17

The hologram continued to display the four tabs: Monsters, Traps, Treasures, and Shop. The voice's explanation echoed in Sebastián's mind: "...a valuable resource... use wisely to improve your dungeon, challenge adventurers, and ultimately fulfill your role as Demon Lord."

Demon Lord. The phrase echoed in Sebastián's mind like an empty echo. He didn't understand what it meant, but the voice had referred to her with that title, the girl he held in his arms.

He looked at the girl. She watched the hologram with an innocent curiosity, oblivious to Sebastián's confusion. Her small fingers moved, tracing circles in the air as if trying to touch the floating images. Sebastián felt a wave of tenderness and worry. She was so small, so fragile in appearance, and yet… that title, "Demon Lord," was associated with her. He didn't understand anything.

Sebastián remembered the system's explanation about the "Dungeon Coins." "...a valuable resource… use wisely… buy monsters… traps… treasures…" The idea of "buying" monsters seemed absurd to him, a concept taken from a fairy tale. But in this place, where a hologram floated in the air and a robotic voice spoke of demon lords, nothing seemed impossible. Everything was new, strange, incomprehensible.

Sebastián observed the creatures displayed on the "Monsters" tab. Some were repulsive, others terrifying, and still others simply strange, beings that didn't seem to belong to any world he knew. Below each image, a number shone with a faint blue light: the price in Dungeon Coins. The numbers meant nothing to him. He had no way of knowing what they represented, or how valuable those coins were.

However, before Sebastián could continue observing, the girl extended a hand toward the hologram. Her small fingers landed on the image of a giant rat, the cheapest creature on the list, priced at 50 Dungeon Coins.

The instant her fingers touched the image, he felt a sudden vibration in the air, a jolt that made his skin crawl. The hologram flickered intensely, and the image of the giant rat lit up with a blinding white light.

Sebastián instinctively held the girl tighter, shielding her with his body. He feared something would happen. His heart beat strongly, and a sense of urgency washed over him.

Suddenly, a small circle of light appeared on the floor, right in front of them. The light quickly grew, expanding to form a circle about a meter in diameter. Sebastián watched in astonishment as the light intensified, shining with an almost painful intensity.

Then, as quickly as it appeared, the light vanished. In its place now stood a giant rat, just like the one shown on the hologram. It was about the size of a small dog, with grayish fur, bright red eyes, and yellowed, sharp teeth. But, unlike what Sebastián had feared, the creature showed no hostility.

The giant rat stood on its four paws and looked at the girl with its small red eyes. Then, it tilted its head, as if recognizing her. Afterward, it approached her and nudged her leg with its head.

Sebastián watched the scene with disbelief. She… calls them. And they obey her., he thought. The creature, which should be a beast, behaved with surprising docility toward the girl.

The girl, for her part, seemed to enjoy the contact with the giant rat. She reached out a hand and stroked its head, smiling with an expression of pure joy. The rat responded to the touch with soft squeaks.

Sebastián stroked the rat's fur. It was soft to the touch.

Sebastián looked down at the girl. Her eyes shone with happiness as she petted the giant rat. In that moment, Sebastián understood something important: the creature was not a threat. In fact, it seemed to be completely under the girl's control. But how was that possible?

Sebastián observed the rat carefully. Despite its unusual size, it didn't seem dangerous. Its movements were gentle, and its eyes conveyed docility. It was as if the girl had… called it to her side.

The girl turned to Sebastián, with a wide smile on her face. She held out a hand to him, inviting him to touch the rat. Sebastián hesitated for a moment. Despite the docility the creature showed, it was still a giant rat, with sharp teeth and sharp claws.

However, the girl's smile was so sincere, and her gaze so trusting, that Sebastián couldn't refuse. Cautiously, he reached out a hand and stroked the rat's thick, grayish fur. The creature responded to the touch with a soft squeak, rubbing its head against Sebastián's hand.

The girl giggled softly at Sebastián's reaction. Then, she looked back at the hologram and pointed to another image: a small green being with large, pointed ears. Below the image, the number "100" shone with a faint blue light.

Sebastián observed the creature in the hologram. It looked like some kind of goblin or fairy. One hundred Dungeon Coins, Sebastián thought.

With another flicker of the hologram, the creature materialized next to the rat. It was even smaller than it appeared in the hologram, barely the size of Sebastián's hand. It had bright green skin, large, pointed ears, and bright black eyes that radiated intelligence and mischief. Just like the giant rat, the creature showed no hostility. It looked at the girl with curiosity and then gave her a wide smile, showing small white teeth.

The girl giggled again and held out a hand to the creature, which delicately perched on her palm. The girl watched it with fascination, as the small green being fluttered around her, emitting small, joyful sounds.

Sebastián watched the scene with a mixture of astonishment and growing concern. The girl seemed to have absolute control over these creatures, summoning them with ease. She calls them, and they come. She touches them, and they respond with affection. He didn't understand where this power came from, or what it meant that she was called "Demon Lord." But one thing was clear: he would protect her.