Chapter 97

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 97

Chapter Title: Demon King, Diabolo

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"Get a grip."

Supporting the demon man I'd found in the flower garden over my shoulder, I slowly made my way forward...

I'd tried to rescue the others too, but mandrake roots had burrowed into their vital organs, leaving me powerless to help. So I prioritized saving this one guy first. The reason he was relatively intact compared to the rest... probably his [Regeneration] skill. Or something similar in the recovery line.

I'd managed to force a potion down his throat somehow... but no idea if he'll pull through. Well, as far as I'm concerned, dragging him out of there was job enough done.

Leaving the unconscious man behind, I pulled up the system messages.

Tsk... I'd timed that last action specifically to trigger [Lust Absorption], but weirdly, I barely got any experience. No skills leveled up either.

Looking at the system messages, the skill did activate... so what's the deal? Isn't it supposed to give more experience the stronger the target? Hallucinations didn't work on me, so I took him down easy, but objectively, the guy seemed pretty capable...

As if to console me, the follow-up system message announced I'd picked up a new skill from the target. Low probability my ass?

Whatever, doesn't matter. Hallucinations! And magic! Finally, I can use ma—

"...Huh? Hold on."

Something off in the skill description? What does it consume?

...No way.

'[Hallucination Magic]'

'.......Ah.'

Fuck, what a pie in the sky.

-Rumble.

"Uncle... Ian?"

Clara had been scratching at the door alone while chugging the medicine I'd given her when a rumbling came from the basement door I'd gone through. She whipped her head around in a hurry.

And then...

"Uncle, you okay? You look awful."

"It's nothing. Just bummed out about something... Oh, and could you try some recovery magic on this guy? Looks rough, so close your eyes."

Clara tilted her head for a moment, then froze at the sight of the blood-soaked demon man I was propping up, riddled with holes all over his body.

But she quickly shook it off, brushed off my attempts to stop her, and approached to channel her feeble divine power.

"Yeah. It's fine. I've seen plenty of hurt people at the temple."

While Clara channeled her divine power, I sat down for a breather, rubbing my shoulders with a sigh.

'What a hassle, stepping out for no reason. I just came to buy a gift for Gloria. Ended up with all the work and nothing to show for it... Ah, maybe report the criminals and get a bounty from the guards?'

Then I checked on Clara, who'd gotten dragged into this mess with me.

"Clara. You holding up?"

"Yeah... I did what I could, but he's a demon, so the divine power isn't taking well."

First time learning demons had that kind of racial trait, but whatever. Clara, you call me 'uncle' but this guy you just met today is 'big bro'? He does look young, I guess...

Anyway, I was worried about you, Clara.

"Let's head out for now, Cla—"

"There you are!"

-BOOM!

"????"

Suddenly, the shop wall exploded, and a black figure leaped inside through the hole.

"Finally found you! Hold on, Karon. I'll get... Huh?"

The man, muttering menacingly, glanced back and forth between me and the demon man I was carrying, then asked in a deflated tone.

"...Who the hell are you?"

"...And who might you be?"

I shot back in equal confusion. The magic tool from the basement should still be active, right? I thought you needed the key to dispel the barrier...

Didn't he just rip through it like it was nothing?

"Me? Diabolo."

"...Diabolo?"

The name rings a bell from somewhere...

"Uh... could it be."

As I pondered, Clara's eyes lit up at the name.

"Are you... one of the Council Ten Seats, Diabolo?"

Demons are an alien race.

Unlike other races on the continent, they wield a unique power called demonic energy instead of mana. They have horns on their heads... or wildly different diets like succubi or vampires...

And on top of that, unlike other races, they repel divine power—they can't learn it, and recovery or buffs from it are heavily reduced.

Perhaps because of these traits? Up until 150 years ago, demons were shunned and discriminated against.

The worst cases saw them treated as monsters and hunted down, or lone wanderers captured and sold into slavery by slavers. They'd endured countless humiliations.

Then, 150 years ago, one demon rallied his kin, resisted the discrimination, waged war, and ultimately eradicated demon prejudice across the continent. Later, he became known not just to his own kind but to all races as the 'Demon King'.

Afterward, to save his still-suffering kin, the Demon King headed to the continent's darkest depths—the Labyrinth City—and boldly claimed a seat as one of its rulers.

That being was none other than the Labyrinth Guild Supreme Council Tenth Seat, Demon King Diabolo.

"It's true I cherish and protect my kin, but that doesn't mean I cover for the criminals among them. Those scum tarnish our name, so I have to track them down and nab them for sure..."

After hearing my explanation of the basement I'd found, Diabolo spoke as I watched him with curious eyes.

That made three Council members I'd met now. And each had a totally different vibe.

The first, Third Seat Vivian, had an air of mystery that inspired awe.

Fifth Seat Cain exuded solemnity and masterly prowess.

And now Tenth Seat Diabolo...

"Love my kin so much I've only dated demons—over twenty lovers already. Lately, I've been chasing this special succubus..."

He's chatty.

His vibe's like a chill neighborhood bro. Casual speech, casual moves. And yet...

'...He's strong.'

A black aura swirled around him, similar to Mystic's but denser, bottomless. If he wanted, he could probably erase this whole space in an instant.

"Anyway, thanks. You did my job for me. And sorry—must've caused you trouble with that idiot kin of mine."

"No, please lift your head. It wasn't your fault, Diabolo."

Now I get why they call this man the 'Demon King'.

You can feel how much he cares for his kin. Even though it's got nothing to do with him, he takes responsibility just because one of them screwed up. And he rushed here the moment he heard one was in danger.

That Karon guy collapsed over there? Not even directly related to Diabolo, but he came running on a tip she'd gone missing nearby.

"And just to check... any mandrake you took with you?"

His casual demeanor vanished, replaced by a serious question.

"...None."

"........."

I answered forthrightly, and Diabolo and I locked eyes in silence for a while.

"...Looks like you're for real."

"Yes."

Honestly, I was tempted. Cultivation's nasty, but mandrake's the real deal performance-wise.

Problem is, you need it refined for consumption, and I can't do that. Hand it off anywhere, and boom—I'm wanted. So I tearfully left it behind. Sure, I pocketed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠some other plants, so I feel a twinge... but damn, good call not touching it. He asked right away.

"Alright then. You still did my job, so I owe you a reward."

"Oh, no need for that..."

His tone lightened again as he brought up payment. I politely declined on the surface while grinning inwardly.

Holy shit, a reward from a Council member!

After Vivian and Cain, I knew these folks were walking honey pots. My jaw dropped on instinct.

What'll it be? Magic tool like Vivian? Lessons like Cain sound good... Nah, even straight cash would be fine...

"Gimme your hand."

"??"

He demands my hand out of nowhere for the reward. Puzzled, I extended it anyway.

"Why the hand all of a sud—"

"σύμβαση"

-ZZZAP!

"Guh?!"

Diabolo gripped my hand, channeled his demonic energy over the back, and black lightning crackled as searing pain burned my skin, the flesh tearing open.

"Hang in there. It's something good."

"..!."

Not seeing it as an attack from his attitude, I tamped down panic, bit my lip through the pain... nah, just slapped on [Sensory Block] lightly.

"...Tanking it well? This hurts like hell."

"Eh, somewhat."

Familiar reaction by now. But shouldn't you warn someone before doing something painful?

Whatever. Par for the course with folks I've met.

-ZZZZT...

As the black smoke from my hand died down, Diabolo released it.

And on the back of my hand...

"A tattoo?"

A black tattoo shaped like a demon's horn and tail.

"It's called the demon clan's emblem... No time to explain. Gotta head out soon."

As I stared at it fascinated, Diabolo stood, unfurling black membranous wings.

"Wait, at least explain this..."

"It's good stuff, roughly! Got a date—later!"

With that, he kicked off the ground, soared up, and vanished from sight in a blink.

"...Do Council members never explain shit?"

What the hell, carving a tattoo on someone without warning?