Chapter 17

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***

The new archdemon gave me a piteous look.

Behind me, Chthon was slaughtering an army of undead with animal fury. Cyclops, too, was simply annihilating everything living and undead. Igris and Baruca also easily slaughtered monsters, but these two fighters are more specialised in fighting one or more strong opponents than in quickly destroying weak armies.

The king of the undead, the archdemon Metus, took a step back.

He didn't try to speak to me, I could just feel the icy chains of fear gripping his soul.

And, I simply squeeze his spine with the Monarch's Power. The demon tries to grasp at his neck, of which he only has vertebrae. This creature was a powerful lich archdemon clad in a black royal robe.

His bones began to crack and crumble from the force of the pressure, and fire flashed in his eyes.

- Yup...

His magic resistance was too strong. Even though the archdemon couldn't resist me, he was still holding on, not letting me just rip his head off. And, then, I took another step closer and hit him with my steel-gloved fist. The demon's skull simply exploded, scattering bone fragments.

You have killed the archdemon Metus.

Your level has been raised.

Your level has been raised.

That's when his army fell. I decided to pick up the loot. I just put the ingredients in my inventory. I was more interested in the second item of the set, which I decided to equip, replacing the old amulet in the equipment box.

Archdemon's Necklace

Rank - S

Dexterity +20

Intelligence +20

Set Effect 2\3

+5 to all stats

And that wasn't the only reward for this battle. Methusa's army was simply huge, in addition, from the demon itself, I received not just one soul, but several hundred. Thus, after finishing this battle, I also finished the task I received when entering the Demon Castle.

The "Collect Demon Souls" quest has been updated!

Retrieve the Demon King's Soul

0\1

Receive the reward for the first part of the quest:

Item of your choice

+20 character points

Special Reward

I was somewhat tempted to take one of the special boxes, blessed or cursed. But, they give me something that Ashborn or the Architect, themselves, would want to give me anyway. So, I chose a weapon from the system shop as my first reward. The item at the very top of the list, and it was not only the most expensive sword, but the most expensive item in the shop in general. I would have to go through a dungeon like Demon Castle five more times, selling all the trophies I found, to collect enough gold for this toy.

Greatest Shard of Light

Attack + 5000

Sword of primordial light, tempered in treachery and death, deals extra damage to creatures of chaos and order, deals double damage to traitors

The hilt of a beautiful half-and-half sword appeared in my hand. It seemed to be forged from the same darkness that had created my servants, but the cutting edge of the blade shone with a dazzling light. Once in my hands, the sword, as if it had a will of its own, hummed unhappily with the power hidden in it. My hand tingled unpleasantly.

- Hey, yes, I may say that I betrayed her trust... but I didn't make any vows! And if I give my word, I keep it.

The tingling eased.

But I could directly feel the sword's displeasure, it was as if it was whispering "Fine, use it, infidel, but I'll keep an eye on you, watch from me". Anyway, the sword wasn't initially hostile to me, it was more like a disgruntled rebuke.

Nevertheless, it was worth it.

The characteristics of this weapon were simply monstrous compared to what I had used before. And, my breath was simply taken away by this mysterious feeling. The light of the blade pulsed with the beats of my heart. And those bursts of power were echoed by a dark heart somewhere inside me, held back by the system.

- How did you do that? - I asked involuntarily.

I really wondered what Ashborn had made that sword out of.

And it was as if it was designed to kill Monarchs. The greatest beings of chaos that had once betrayed Ashborn. But, in any case, the Shadow Monarch was in no hurry to give me an answer. I, on the other hand, rather unwound the sword in my hand. Cutting through the air, the blade left a line of light behind it.

Igris had already appeared nearby, tossing several heads of particularly powerful demons at my feet.

- Hmm, well done.

- Lord... - He looked at the sword with a strange look.

- Do you recognise this weapon?

- Yes... - Igris shuddered. - It is the sword of my former master.

- So this is the weapon Ashborn used?

The general obediently bowed his head, confirming my assumption.

Okay, well, the next reward is performance points, and I spent them on increasing my strength and agility. I have enough intelligence for now. Especially with this sword, it will be more profitable for me to increase my physical data, so that I can effectively use this weapon against future enemies. Magic, on the other hand, while interesting, is clearly not as effective against Monarchs as I would like it to be. Especially not against the strongest of them.

And, the final reward.

A scroll appears in my hands.

Recipe: Holy Water of Life

Holy Water of Life

Rank - S

A mysterious potion that heals all illnesses and wounds.

The effect will only work if you drink the entire potion.

Three ingredients are needed to create it. A fragment of the world tree I got for killing Vulcan. The spring water of the Whispering Forest that fell from Metus. And the final ingredient, the refined blood of the Demon King. It doesn't take a genius to figure out where to get it.

And basically, it's the very potion that can cure sleeping sickness.

Maybe not out loud, but I promised Jin Wu that I would take care of his mother now that I've taken over his body.

Okay, now...

I climbed up to a particularly high monument of the demonic pogost and raised my hands to the remains of the undead army.

- Rise.

Wrinkling my nose at the succession of multiple messages, I glanced at the rare warriors that were rising, taking on new flesh from the pure darkness. I couldn't lift a demon, even if it became undead. But, it wasn't just demonic undead in Metus' army. A few death knights who became ordinary shadow knights clearly belonged to some other race when they were alive. So also among the regular soldiers, there were other beings that I could raise with my shadows.

- Now let's move on.

I was determined to go through this tower to the end.

And the demons on the floors grew more and more vicious. Weak ones were still encountered, but at the same time, powerful higher and ancient demons appeared more and more often. When we got to the eightieth floor, it was the first time my army was given some kind of rebuff. It wasn't even about strength. The coordinated attack of the demon knights damaged the weakest parts of the shadow army. But seeing that my servants, after receiving mortal wounds, simply regenerated and attacked back, those guys immediately retreated.

This behaviour was completely uncharacteristic of semi-intelligent demons. Of course, they also run away in front of an overwhelming force, but elite shadow warriors weren't strong enough to turn demons to flee.

But, in general, I had expected something like this.

The troop of knights didn't go far. Baruka was stealthily pursuing them and, through him, I could track the movement of the demonic knights, and direct my troops.

Thus, it wasn't long before a whole group of S-rank demons were surrounded.

And I personally went out to them.

At the head of this group was an archdemon armed with a spear. After looking around, he made a sharp gesture, and at the same moment, the demonic knights rushed towards me. I didn't use a shadow blade, I simply clutched my new sword in my hand and gave the demons a fight.

This weapon didn't create any additional effects like invisible energy blades, just a shining blade that simply destroyed the demons. A single strike was enough to chop an S-rank demon in half. The archdemon on the other hand wanted to attack me under the cover of his subordinates, but seeing how I dealt with them without even straining, he flinched. But still, even gripped by fear, he attacked.

And I simply intercepted his spear with my hand, pushing with my physical strength and squeezing with the Monarch's Power. The demon's weapon simply split in my hand.

I raise a particle of light, and....

- I surrender! - The archdemon took a step back and raised his hands.

And sure enough, it was a pleasant and young female voice.

Reaching out to the archdemon who had shrunk from fear, I picked up her helmet and removed it, revealing a pretty face. Her long dark purple hair, braided at the back, also showed from under the helmet.

- You attacked my soldiers.

- My fault! But... you would have also attacked someone... who invaded your domain!

- Hmm.

- I surrender as a prisoner!

The girl tensely looked at me, and even tried to portray a friendly smile.

However, there was still a sense of menace emanating from her.

- I need a pass to the next floor.

- Huh? - The girl was surprised. - Yes! The pass is under the protection of my clan! If you... let me go, I can get it for you!

Sighing, I looked at the bodies of the demonic knights.

Without saying a word, channelling dark power towards them, trying to lift these creatures, but the effect was still the same. The mana is contaminated, shadow extraction is impossible. But, this time I decided to try something new. Reaching out to the dead man.....

- Huh?

The demoness took advantage of the fact that I was distracted from her and attacked, snatching the dagger that was hanging from the back of her belt.

In the next instant, the weapon flew out of her hands as I grabbed her forearm and threw her over me sharply, stamping her into the ground.

- Kha...

A steel boot rose up on the archdemon's breastplate, pinning her to the floor.

- What was that? - Bringing the blade of the shard of light to her neck.

- P-excuse me... - The demoness squealed in horror.

The blade didn't touch her, but the light of the blade burned the noble demon's skin, causing her pain.

- Please... mercy... I'll do anything you say! You need a pass, right? I'll also show you where to get the rest! - The girl spoke quickly.

And I took the blade from her throat.

- Will you? So there's someone guarding them too?

- Y-yes... starting from this floor, on every next floor the demonic clans are guarding the passes. I'll show you where they are. Just spare my house.

- And you won't try to stab me in the back again?

I poke my sword lightly into the demoness' breastplate. Not the slightest bit of effort, but I nearly stabbed her in the process, just in time to draw my weapon back.

- Haa..." the demoness exhaled heavily. - I dare no more... I swear, I dare not attack you!

- Then get up. - I retreated.

And, while the demoness was getting up, I returned to the corpses of demons. Directing the usual, not corrupted mana into them, I tried to fill their bodies with magical power. Then I tried lifting them as shadows again.

The mana was contaminated, extracting the shadow was impossible

But, this time I felt the failure a little differently.

- Hmm...

That was interesting.

But, while I was pondering the feeling of this experiment, the wild demons started to approach us. However, these guys were easily handled by my shadow soldiers. Demoness was cautiously squinting at some and others. Intelligent demons were clearly not friends with the wild ones.

As for the demoness...

- What is your name? - I asked.

And, in the meantime, helped her up, taking her hand and just lifting her up.

- Ah... Aesil, I am the eldest daughter of the Radir clan.

She looked at me in surprise while I took her by the chin and examined the girl's face. Indeed, just like the real thing. Soft skin, clear scarlet eyes. And, the demoness herself blushed, embarrassed by the touch.

- Okay, lead the way.

- Y-yes... you won't touch my house if I give you the pass, will you?

- I won't, unless you give me a reason too. I promise.

Although, that many high-class demons in one place, I could raise a couple of levels on them. But honestly, I just liked this girl. She seemed pretty funny in the comic as well. She's also the first demon in this dungeon who talked to me and tried to settle the matter peacefully instead of fighting. But I guess I won't be so lenient with the other demon clans. My goal here is to go all the way to the top as quickly as possible and destroy the demon king.

However, I wasn't quite sure what the local monsters were like.

After all, Ashborn had already killed the demon king and destroyed his army. Does that mean that everything in this dungeon is just an illusion? However, all my senses told me that it was real. Even the supernatural senses. They also showed me that demons were something drastically different from ordinary monsters. Their magical power and the way their mana interacts with their bodies.

- This way.

- Wait.

- А?

Stopping the girl, I placed my hand on her shoulder, after which the titanic figure of my most massive servant began to rise from the shadows beneath us. At the same time, the other soldiers went into the shadows as well.

- Woah... that... what is that? - She was dumbfounded. - A disaster beast? That's the titan of the beast army!

- Hmm, do you recognise this creature?

The girl nodded excitedly.

- I saw... - She wrinkled her nose.

And now I could feel the threads of the system in her very clearly. Not like mine, more coarse and implanted much deeper.

Meanwhile, Aesil was showing us the way, and Chthon quickly took us to the castle of her house.

- And, aren't you filled with anger? I killed your servants.

- They're demon knights, their lives belong to the Radyr clan. They should be happy that I survived and can go home.

Without a shadow of shame, the girl spoke of her dead subordinates with a touch of disdain. There really wasn't any underlying anger in her. Demons don't have much of a sense of camaraderie.

In the meantime, we reached the castle and Chthon began to lower his head, allowing us to descend to the castle walls.

- Stop! - Esil exclaimed, stopping the demonic guard that was ready to attack.

- It's our guest!

- I beg your pardon, Mistress. - One of the knights bowed.

- Hmm, they are obedient. - I appreciated that.

- Of course! I'm a demon of a higher rank. - Esil's nose puckered.

And soon she led me into the castle itself, to the throne room, where a dark-haired demon sat on a luxurious, regal chair, digging his claws into the armrests. He was slightly stronger than Aesil herself, and much more aware of my power, so much so that he was sweating with tension and a sense of threat.

- Aesil... who have you brought? - He said in a trembling voice.

- It's... the master of the shadow army, father. - Excitedly, the girl replied. - 'He is a guest.

- A-army of shadows... so... - The archdemon on the throne shuddered.

- 'I need a pass. - I took my word for it.

- That's it?

At first I wanted to nod, but then I remembered that I could use a guide too.

- I'm taking her with me, too. - I put my hand on Aseel's shoulder.

- What?" The archdemon frowned.

- She promised to guide me to the next demonic clan castles.

The head of House Radiru exhaled tensely.

- Y-yes... - The girl nodded to herself.

- Ohhh. You are a guest of my house... - The archdemon hesitated. - I apologise for such a welcome. I will have the servants set the table for you right away.

- No need. - I shook my head.

Although I have longevity, which neutralises the effect of poisons, but something does not want to eat in the house of demons.

- I'm not going to linger. Esil, don't waste too much time packing, when you're ready we'll move on.

- Understood... - The girl swallowed nervously.

The archdemon seemed to become even more tense. But at the same time, he was now looking forward to me finally leaving his territory. And then my pass was quickly brought to me as well.

- Perhaps... I should assign you my guardsmen to accompany you. - The demon said.

- Don't worry, I don't need to. And I can protect your daughter on the way. All I need from her is for her to lead the way. I'll do the fighting.

Feeling the demoness's awkward stare, I looked back and saw her. It was simply amazing that even I myself was in such a strange situation! Embarrassed, the demoness came closer, carrying a bag of belongings on her shoulders. Just then, the archdemon's servant appeared, bringing a pass.

- Thank you for your co-operation. - I said calmly, taking the paper.

And without lingering in the castle Radir, I went on my way.

- I'm coming! - Esil hurried after me.

Just then, a system message appeared.

Archidemon Aesil wishes to join your squad.

Only creatures in the squad can follow the player to the next floor.

Experience for destroying the enemy will be distributed among the squad, proportionate to the contribution made.

That's right, and I've never even tested this feature before. And I was immediately interested in it. No, I wasn't going to gather a team of players and pump them up, sacrificing experience that could have gone to my own reinforcement. But, the way the group functions allows me to take a fresh look at the very structure of this system.

For now.

- Esil, you won't have to go into battle. If you see danger, just tell me. I'll take care of the fighting.

- Y-yes... - The girl looked away embarrassed.

Well, yes, for her it sounded like "I'll protect you!", but I did not specify that it was the system of experience distribution and my greed.

- Please... Lord... bring my daughter back to me alive... - The demon lord admonished us.

- Of course. - I waved my hand.

And soon Esil and I were gone in a fierce stream of flames that carried us to the next floor.

*** 

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