Chapter 49. The Demon King's Advice
“So, if you spot any good talent, recruit them properly. As a special advantage just for you, the regressed version of me has wiped all memories of my past life.”
“What?”
“Given our history so far, I'll give you one more piece of advice.”
Malekith approached Jeonghyeon slowly, his expression suddenly serious.
He was little more than a holographic projection, but the overwhelming pressure he exuded—utterly unlike his usual playful demeanor—made even Jeonghyeon step back involuntarily.
Malekith narrowed his eyes at Jeonghyeon and spoke.
“After regression, I set it up so that my memories of the previous timeline would only return after meeting you.”
“......What?”
Before Jeonghyeon could even respond, Malekith's form scattered into the air and vanished.
You have obtained Malekith's Great Advice.
1 Demon King point consumed. - Current Demon King points: 3542
A Single Step Toward the Demon King
Reward: Further restriction on the Demon King's power.
Current Demon King Assimilation Rate: 2%
“Kugh!”
The moment Malekith's apparition vanished, agony exploded from Jeonghyeon's eye and surged through his entire body.
“Damn it. What kind of bullshit is this?”
He'd felt increasingly like he was turning into the Demon King the more he used its power, but there was actually a Demon King Assimilation Rate?
The pain faded in an instant, but the unease lingered far longer.
Still, unlike last time, it didn't make him shudder with revulsion or shy away from using the Demon King's power.
This power was his now. He'd use it to its limits and crush the Demon King—that was all there was to it.
As for the assimilation rate, he just wouldn't let it hit 100%.
'Let's see how much the next advice costs.'
He recalled that each use of the Demon King's advice cost more points. The first had been just 1, so curiosity piqued, Jeonghyeon tapped the Demon King Shop again—only to be met with a shocking sight.
Seek Malekith's Great and Noble Advice – 5500 points (Points required increase per purchase)
“This is insane. What a straight-up robber!”
5500 points after just one use? Even if it was a projection mirroring himself giving the advice, the inflation was ridiculous.
At least using it once netted that much income anyway.
“Whatever.”
For now, Jeonghyeon shoved aside the annoying details and, with some rare free time, browsed the rest of the shop.
Strength Stat – 50 Demon King points (Purchase limit max 100/100)
Agility Stat – 50 Demon King points (Purchase limit max 100/100)
Intelligence Stat – 50 Demon King points (Purchase limit max 100/100)
Comprehension Boost Rate Buff – 500 Demon King points
Seek Malekith's Great and Noble Advice – 5500 points (Points required increase per purchase)
Epic Weapon Liberation Limit Removal (Dominator) – 500 Demon King points. (1 time)
Epic Weapon Liberation Limit Removal (Subordinate) – 1000 Demon King points.
Afraksas Eastern Linguistics – 5000 Demon King points.
Afraksas Western Linguistics – 5000 Demon King points.
Afraksas Southern Linguistics – 5000 Demon King points.
Afraksas Northern Linguistics – 5000 Demon King points.
Current points held – 3542 Demon King points
The Afraksas sections unlocking meant entry there was imminent. With points piled up decently, it felt like the right time for a spending spree.
“Hmm.”
“What're you agonizing over? Just remove the limit on your Epic Weapon first.”
“Yeah, figured. Only 500 points... Gah?!”
Jeonghyeon jolted at Nus's sudden voice, reflexively hurling his inventory to the ground.
“Gah! What the hell, you insolent human scum!!”
Nus, tucked snugly inside, hit the dirt like a discarded rice ball.
“How can you even see my points?”
Jeonghyeon, eyes still wide from the scare, panted roughly.
“Can't exactly unsee what's visible, now can I? As one favored by His Majesty the Demon King...”
“Cut the crap. Spill it properly!”
At Jeonghyeon's shout, Nus shrank back momentarily, dipping his head into the inventory before peeking out and continuing in a tiny voice.
“I... I don't know either... you wretched human. But after devouring mana stones from your inventory, my mana started resonating with yours!”
Starting small, Nus ramped up into a gradient of fury, suddenly exploding in righteous indignation.
“Now that I think about it, this pisses me off! You think I want to resonate with a lowly lump of flesh like you?! It's bad enough inheriting His Majesty's mana, but becoming your familiar? What a joke!”
“Ah. S-sorry.”
Jeonghyeon had only yelled in surprise.
Seeing Nus overreacting, he scratched his head sheepishly.
“Hmph! Not like I wanted this either! You brat!”
“Yeah, yeah. Sorry.”
“Forget it!”
“Wanna head out then? Right here? Burst from mana density and vanish?”
“That apology works! That's what I meant!”
'Smartass. Takes the out when I give it. Making me look like the bad guy.'
In the brief truce, Jeonghyeon picked up Nus (or rather, the inventory containing him) and strapped it to his waist.
“Anyway, familiar? What's that mean?”
“No clue on the details, but ever since latching onto you in that last dungeon, I've felt this constant resonance with your mana. Means I'm the familiar of that doomed human, Kim Jeonghyeon.”
Nus replied curtly.
'A familiar.'
Jeonghyeon recalled his mentor Han—and the tiny cat always dozing on his shoulder, Yongho.
'That thing was a monster even at mung bean size.'
Yongho synergized explosively with Han. Its small body absorbed enemy mana to grow, granting terrifying combat prowess on its own.
'But the scariest part...'
Was that it could regurgitate the absorbed mana for Han to take in. For Han, of the mana-mastering Ran tribe and the best at it, no synergy beat that.
He remembered it outshining even salamander-type familiars carried by A-rank mage hunters or divine beast familiars of S-rankers.
Come to think of it, among 'tower rankers' beyond S-rank, Jeonghyeon was the only one without a familiar.
Lost in thoughts of familiars, he heard his own (supposed) familiar yell.
“Anyway! Unless you're an idiot, buy the 500-point one!”
“Did the Demon King have status windows like this too?”
Hoping for any Demon King intel, Jeonghyeon perked up—but Nus shook his head disappointingly.
“Nah. I saw similar windows, but His Majesty hid all the info with mana. Still remember him saying higher liberation limits are always better, though.”
Oh ho. Useful info.
“And invest some intelligence in me, why don't you?”
“Huh? Intelligence? That work?”
“Of course, you dimwitted... er, temporary master. All your power can be transferred to subordinates.”
He caught the 'dimwitted bastard' tail-end, but it evaporated from Jeonghyeon's mind.
“Really...?”
To Jeonghyeon, only mattered that stats weren't just for him—he could share with subordinates.
“Alright. Buying now.”
At his words, Nus obligingly pulled out the Blood Dissector.
Jeonghyeon grabbed the sword and purchased the Epic Weapon liberation limit removal. Growing himself came before boosting Philip or Nus.
Epic Weapon Liberation Limit Removal (Dominator) – 500 Demon King points. (1 time)
500 Demon King points consumed. - Current Demon King points: 3042
Epic Weapon – Blood Dissector's limit removed.
Liberation at former limit of 199% breaks free—now capable of infinite growth.
A brief notification accompanied, and the Blood Dissector vibrated with a red glow in response.
Attribute:Epic Weapon
Attribute Liberation: 199% → 201%
Special Effects
• Dissection Swordsmanship: Increases probability of harvesting mana stones when slicing foes.
• Mana Stone Reinforcement: Inject held mana stones for temporary performance boost.
• Form Mutation: (Unacquired) Temporarily mutate Harvesting Knife's attributes. Morph weapon into desired form. Consumes mana stones.
“Oh ho. Not bad at all. Given your status as an utterly pathetic porter among pathetic humans, you must have plenty of mana stones, right?”
“Sure, if you didn't scarf every one I get.”
Nus turned away, feigning ignorance.
“What, just a little.”
“What'd you say? Wanna go out?”
“No, nothing!”
Ignoring Nus's grumbling, Jeonghyeon swung the now darker, bloodier Blood Dissector around.
No noticeable change in weight or edge sharpness.
Considering the Demon King's perverted tastes, flashy external shifts weren't his style anyway.
'Armored in gaudy crap himself, though.'
Who cared if it looked like a twig? Usefulness in battle was all that mattered.
Satisfied with the purchase, Jeonghyeon eyed his remaining 3042 points and moved to close the status window—when Nus flailed out in panic.
“Intelligence! I helped you! Give me intelligence!”
“Why? So you can stab me in the back once you get it?”
“Obviously! I'll play your familiar, build power until... Don't close it! Don't...”
No need to hear more—Jeonghyeon sealed the inventory shut.
“Good thing you can't open it yourself.”
The remaining 3042 points? All for Philip.
He'd earned it sweating beside him, and pumping strength would boost mana resistance and toughness—perfect for a tank.
“Jeonghyeon-nim! I'm back!”
Philip returned, drenched from training, waving enthusiastically.
“Your timing's always spot on.”
“Pardon?”
Ignoring Philip's puzzled look, Jeonghyeon dumped a whopping 3000 points—60 strength stats—into him.
Share stats with subordinate?
Transferable Subordinates
• Philip Park
• Melani Wakin
[Philip Park.]