Chapter 284: Meeting with the Demon Grand Duke (2) |
[I have brought the awaited guest, Your Grace.]
On a throne engulfed in flames sat a towering giant, easily exceeding ten meters in height.
His dark skin made him resemble a statue when still, but as he moved his lips, it was clear he was alive.
[Well done. You may leave now, Chrom.]
[Yes, sir.]
As the gatekeeper withdrew, Ryu Min gazed up at the Demon Grand Duke with intrigue.
‘He remembers the name of a mere gatekeeper? That means he’s not a tyrant.’
Ryu Min had slaughtered countless demons before, but this was his first time seeing a Demon Grand Duke.
Neither Archangels nor Demon Grand Dukes had ever shown themselves in previous regressions.
The Demon Grand Duke was different from what he had imagined.
Rather than looking demonic, he had a strikingly handsome face.
Had he been normal-sized, women would have flocked to him.
But his words were far from elegant.
[So, you’re the Black Scythe. I’ve been waiting for you.]
Ryu Min raised an eyebrow.
“You called me ‘you’?” (T/N: In Korean, the informal “네놈” implies disrespect.)
The corners of Plunitos’ mouth curled upward.
[What, did you expect me to speak politely like those angelic fools?]
Plunitos sneered.
[Or are you referring to the ‘Eternal Alliance’ reputation granted by the system? To think you’d put such blind faith in mere words. How pathetic.]
The Demon Grand Duke scoffed, his laughter dripping with mockery.
[We demons have raised humans before. We know exactly what kind of abilities players possess and what they rely on.]
Suddenly, Plunitos’ expression twisted into something grotesquely sinister.
[You worthless human maggots. You’re nothing more than slaves to the system. Like mindless amoebas, you fawn over trivial numerical values, failing to even recognize your true master.]
For a moment, he raged as if venting years of pent-up resentment, only to smooth his expression a second later.
[Forgive the sudden outburst. But tell me, am I wrong? It’s undeniable that your kind is inherently foolish.]
Ryu Min didn’t respond.
Plunitos chuckled at the silence.
[Of course, I can understand it to some extent. After all, the system granted you such overwhelming power. It’s only natural that you’d become dependent on it.]
As he spoke, his sharp fangs glinted beneath his curled lips.
[I do appreciate you for slaughtering those Archangels, though. From our perspective, you’re indeed a valuable ally—perhaps even deserving of the title ‘eternal ally.’ But nothing lasts forever. The system may be a creation of the gods, but not all beings are bound by its rules.]
Ryu Min narrowed his eyes.
“You’re saying that you yourself aren’t subject to the system’s authority? That’s why the reputation effect doesn’t apply to you?”
Plunitos’ gaze sharpened as if intrigued.
[Oh? I thought all humans were simple-minded fools, but it seems you possess some intelligence after all. Yes, you’re correct. I am a god. At least, within this Demon King’s Castle.]
Ryu Min smirked.
“So, you’re not actually a god, then.”
Plunitos didn’t take the bait.
[Enough with the petty provocations. Do you really think a being as great as I am would be rattled by such cheap tricks?]
Ryu Min crossed his arms.
“Just answer the question. If you were a true god, you wouldn’t be stuck here in this desolate castle, reeking of loneliness.”
For the first time, Plunitos’ eyebrow twitched.
[You dare mock me, human? Are you not afraid of death?]
“I thought we were allies.”
[Foolish creature. Haven’t you been listening? Do you still believe that a trivial reputation system will protect you?]
“I get it. You rule over this place like a god, and the system has no effect here. That means my reputation is meaningless, and you could kill me whenever you want.”
Plunitos leaned forward slightly, his immense form casting an even darker shadow over Ryu Min.
[If you understand that, then why do you still act so arrogantly?]
“Because you’re not going to kill me.”
For a brief moment, Plunitos’ expression shifted.
[Oh? And what makes you so certain?]
“Michael told me something interesting. Even after receiving the Akashic Record’s authority, you still insisted on having me. That means you must have a reason for keeping me alive.”
[Hah, that loose-lipped angel. He just couldn’t keep his mouth shut, could he?]
“And that’s not all he told me. He also mentioned how you demons and the celestials have been cultivating us humans like mercenaries for your own purposes.”
Plunitos scoffed, but his expression betrayed nothing.
[That blabbering fool. Is there anything he didn’t tell you?]
“You should be asking yourself the same thing. Here you are, wasting time chatting with me. If all you wanted was my soul, you would have killed me the moment I stepped inside this place. But instead, we’re having a conversation. That means you need something from me, right?”
Plunitos’ lips curled into an amused grin.
[What an amusing little human you are.]
“So, why don’t you stop stalling and just tell me what you want? I’ll listen and decide if I’m interested.”
Plunitos finally leaned back against his flaming throne, his eyes narrowing as if evaluating Ryu Min anew.
[Very well. You’re quite an intriguing specimen, Black Scythe. In that case, I shall be honest with you.]
He let out a deep, rumbling chuckle before speaking his next words.
[I want your soul.]
Ryu Min tilted his head.
“My soul?”
[Human souls serve as excellent materials for us demons. I won’t bother explaining what they’re used for, but I need one that is particularly powerful—yours.]
Ryu Min frowned.
“You’re saying my soul is special? How’s mine any different from others?”
[You truly don’t know? Human souls aren’t all equal. Surely you realize that the system’s power is tied to the soul, not the body? Players who grow exceptionally strong also develop more refined souls. Just as goods vary in quality, so do souls.]
“So, you’re saying my soul is a premium-grade material?”
[Exactly.]
Ryu Min let out a short laugh.
“That’s a rather disgusting way to phrase it.”
[Your feelings on the matter are irrelevant. No matter what you think, you are my property.]
“You sure sound confident.”
[And why wouldn’t I be? I demanded you as compensation for the death of my avatar, and the gods agreed. You were handed over to me before the 18th round even ended. It was a completely fair trade.]
Ryu Min exhaled sharply through his nose.
“Then why haven’t you killed me yet? If my soul is such an invaluable material, shouldn’t you have extracted it already?”
[Hmph. Do you take me for a brute? I am a refined individual. I don’t mistreat a new pet the moment I bring it home. Of course, if it refuses to obey, I have no problem beating it into submission.]
“So, before you kill me and harvest my soul, you decided to be good to me first?”
[Precisely.]
Ryu Min chuckled at the absurdity of it all. But he didn’t doubt Plunitos’ words.
The claim that Plunitos possessed divine authority within this castle seemed true.
‘The proof is that I can’t read his thoughts.’
More than that, Ryu Min had another means of verifying the demon’s power—his newly obtained Eternal Item, the Eye of Insight.
[Plunitos]
Race: Demon
Alignment: Evil
Rank: Demon Grand Duke
Special Notes: While the Demon King is the ruler of the Demon Realm, the throne remains vacant, making Plunitos the de facto leader. Within the Demon King’s Castle, he exerts power equivalent to that of a deity.
Weakness: [Unavailable]
‘So, according to the system, he really does have divine influence here.’
Ryu Min wasn’t surprised.
But even after hearing Plunitos’ so-called ultimatum, he remained utterly composed.
“So, what now? Are you going to kill me?”
Plunitos’ crimson eyes glowed ominously.
[…You really don’t fear death, do you?]
“Why would I? I have no intention of dying.”
[You misunderstand. This isn’t a negotiation. I am simply informing you of your fate. You cannot escape this castle without my permission. Michael knew that, which is why he left you here to rot. There’s nothing you can do. Accept it while I’m still offering you the courtesy of civility.]
Ryu Min smirked.
“There are three things I need to correct you on.”
He raised one finger.
“First, Michael didn’t bring me here—I came on my own.”
Then a second.
“Second, I have no intention of running away.”
And finally, a third—lowering his two first he raised his middle finger and pointed it at Plunitos.
“Third, I’m not planning on dying either.”
Plunitos’ expression darkened.
[…What are you implying, human?]
Ryu Min grinned.
“I have a proposal for you.”
I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!
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