The Initiation of the Abyss
What can you guys even do about it?
I had prepared myself mentally, but now that it was actually happening, I was absolutely terrified. I had to walk right into a den of seventy-two monsters. Six of them were among the strongest beings in the entire world, capable of killing someone like me as easily as breathing. The reality of my situation—that I had to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those monsters—finally hit me. Completely oblivious to my inner turmoil, the Demon Merchant babbled on.
"My congratulations are terribly overdue, Your Grace! Ah, the Tomb of Faith, ranked seventh! I offer my humblest congratulations and tremble in awe of your magnificent feat. Who could have possibly imagined that you would vanquish two Heroes in less than a month since your awakening?"
Ahhh... He looked as refreshed as if he had just downed a cold, fizzy drink. Overcome with emotion, the Demon Merchant's clenched fists trembled.
"And to think you even defeated Wilhelm, who had awakened the Holy Sword...! Do not ordinary humans rely on their faith to oppose Your Greatness? In that sense, you are the very epitome of a true Demon King."
"...."
"The Empire is utterly terrified of the rebirth of a new Abyss Palace. Even in the Demon Realm, they are in an absolute uproar over your grand achievement. They say you are beyond just one of the Abyssal Palaces—that you are the very end of humanity..."
"Enough."
Having smoke blown up my ass from point-blank range felt incredibly awkward. Flattery was fine, but there was a limit. Calling me the 'end of humanity' was just plain embarrassing to listen to.
"Forgive me, Your Grace. I allowed my excitement to get the better of me and made a fool of myself."
"I require a detailed explanation regarding the Gathering."
Even though I was a veteran with thirty thousand hours of playtime, this was my first time actually playing the role of a dungeon boss. Naturally, a single convocation letter didn't provide nearly enough information. The merchant had likely come here to act as both a messenger and an exposition fairy.
"Since this is your first Gathering, allow me the honor of explaining it to you."
As if he had been waiting for this exact prompt, the words flowed from the Demon Merchant like water. In short, all seventy-two dungeons would gather in one place to enjoy a banquet and participate in an auction hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Finally, with the Abyssal Palaces taking the seats of honor, the seventy-two Lords would hold a roundtable conference. The agenda of the meeting mostly revolved around plotting the eradication of humanity, resolving political disputes and conflicts among themselves, and ultimately strengthening their internal solidarity.
"However, this time will be somewhat different. Because you, the newly risen Lord of the Abyssal Palaces, will be present."
I silently waited for him to elaborate on what exactly that meant. Bowing his head slightly in apology, the merchant continued.
"Most of the Lords view this Gathering as an initiation and a welcoming ceremony for the newly risen Abyss Palace. The mere rebirth of one of the Abyssal Palaces was enough to pique their curiosity, but on top of that, you have achieved such a dazzling feat. The Demon Realm, the seventy-two dungeons, and even the other Lords of the Abyssal Palaces have all turned their eyes toward you. In other words, everyone wishes to see the true face of the mysterious Lord Vargore."
So, in the end, the main event wasn't the Gathering itself—they were all coming just to see my face. The pressure was immense, and I was shaking in my boots. Damn it, I was planning to keep a low profile to avoid exposing my lack of actual strength.
But if everyone gathered just to see me and I didn't show up? That alone would arouse suspicion, and my absence would draw far more scrutiny than my presence ever could. Above all, there was absolutely nothing to gain from making enemies of the other bosses.
Since their primary goal was to size me up, they would all leave with a firm impression of me. It wouldn't be surprising if thoughts like, 'Wait, is this guy actually a weakling?' 'Is he really one of the Abyssal Palaces?' 'Is he an imposter?' ended up sticking to me like gum on the sole of a shoe.
Therefore, I had to steel my resolve and play my part perfectly. I had to look like a true Lord of the Abyssal Palaces, no matter who was watching.
"...But if the core forces of the dungeon leave, who will guard it?"
It would have been great if I could use this as an excuse to skip the event, but...
"As you say, the dungeon would be left defenseless with its core forces absent. However, you need not worry. Our Dungeon Chamber of Commerce, along with the Seven Grand Dukes of the Demon Realm, will take full responsibility for defending the seventy-two dungeons. Free of charge, of course."
Ah, shit. I'm screwed. If I refused to go under the guise of not trusting them, it would look like I was trying to pick a fight with the Chamber of Commerce. In truth, if the Chamber and the Seven Grand Dukes of the Demon Realm were taking responsibility, I could actually rest easy.
But what do they gain from this? Hearing that it was free of charge raised my suspicions. Even if the Seven Grand Dukes had their reasons, a merchant guild like the Chamber of Commerce would never do anything without a profit margin. I thought about asking, but quickly decided against it. I didn't care all that much, and they probably had their own reasons for taking responsibility anyway.
"Lord of the Seventh Rank, I beg of you to attend. As I have said, you are the main attraction of this Gathering."
"I shall attend."
"Oh! A most wise decision!"
If I didn't go, I wouldn't be able to handle the inevitable fallout. I had already steeled my resolve. Suddenly, as if remembering something he had forgotten, the Demon Merchant gasped.
"Lords who attend may bring two of their subordinates as companions. Typically, they choose their deputy and a mid-boss, but..."
He trailed off, stealing glances at me. Bringing a deputy as a companion. It was painfully obvious what was making him hesitate.
"I suppose it is because my deputy is a human."
"Forgive me, but yes, that is correct."
Charlotte and Balutak. I had already decided on those two as my companions without a second thought. Putting the conversation with the merchant on hold, I summoned them. Upon seeing the convocation letter, Charlotte seemed to understand what was happening immediately. As for Balutak... well, he looked as brainless as ever. Skipping the previous details, I explained only the part about the two companions. Throughout the explanation, Charlotte listened intently, her face clouded with complex emotions, remaining perfectly still.
"In conclusion, I intend to bring the two of you as my companions."
"Y-Your Grace? Are you serious?" The merchant stammered, clearly taken aback that the outcome hadn't gone the way he expected.
"While she is undoubtedly an exceptional deputy, this is the Gathering of the Seventy-Two Dungeons, Your Grace."
"He is correct," Charlotte, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "This is a gathering of seventy-two Lords. A mere human like myself has no place at such a sacred and inviolable assembly."
"I do not recall there being any racial restrictions on entry."
"That is true, but it is an unspoken, unwritten rule."
"Your deputy has hit the nail on the head!" the merchant chimed in eagerly. "At a previous Gathering, a half-demon attended as a guardian. They were severely condemned for tarnishing the honor of the assembly, and it caused quite an uproar even in the Demon Realm. In the end, that half-demon was completely ostracized from society and took their own life."
"...."
"If even a half-demon suffered such a fate, imagine what would happen to a human. In fact, there has never been a single instance of a human attending. Your Grace, for the sake of your deputy, I beg you to reconsider!"
He wasn't wrong. Every word he said was true. Even so, I desperately needed Charlotte to accompany me for several reasons. Walking into a den of seventy-two monsters was terrifying enough on its own. Having a highly competent subordinate by my side would, in itself, provide immense peace of mind.
But that was only part of it. The seventy-two dungeons and the Demon Realm operated on the law of the jungle. It was a society where weakness itself was a sin, and only the strong commanded respect. While Balutak was fine, if I brought some insignificant, low-level mob as my other companion, it would severely damage my standing as a Lord of the Abyssal Palaces. 'Is that guy really from the Abyssal Palaces? Why did he bring such a pathetic weakling?' 'Does he think this Gathering is a joke?' Such reactions were one hundred percent guaranteed.
But going with only Balutak is out of the question. If I brought that low-intelligence insectoid alone, I wouldn't even be able to control him. If he caused a scene, I would have no way to handle it. Charlotte was the only one who could act as a leash for Balutak.
And going completely alone is even worse. That wasn't even worth considering. Going solo might look cool, but my heart wouldn't be able to take the stress. If I made a single slip of the tongue at the Gathering, my true strength would be exposed in an instant. Charlotte's presence was both my shield and my emotional anchor.
Although Charlotte was currently a human, she was strong enough to rival a guardian of the Abyssal Palaces. The other dungeon bosses would recognize her immense mana at a glance, realizing that her sheer power was indeed fitting for a servant of the Abyssal Palaces. Similarly, they might look at me and doubt my strength, but that was a different story. The Lords of the Abyssal Palaces possessed a power far more incomprehensible and overwhelming than mere mana. Given my recent track record, they were far more likely to assume they simply couldn't perceive my true depth, rather than doubting me.
"...."
I weighed the options in my head. Should I choose the fallout of bringing a human companion? Or should I choose the suicidal path of exposing myself to actual danger and ruining my reputation? As far as I was concerned, the former was infinitely better.
"Charlotte." My eyes met hers. "I highly value your capabilities as my deputy. So, I ask you: what is it that you wish to do?"
"...."
A heavy silence hung between us for a moment. Beside us, the merchant's Adam's apple bobbed. His face practically screamed his silent prayer: Please say no, please say no.
"To be completely honest, I am afraid. I am not even a half-demon; I am a human. My mere presence will draw waves of murderous intent." Charlotte's complexion grew visibly pale.
"I believe it is only right to eliminate any source of such ill will at a gathering meant for fostering relations. Furthermore, I fear the retaliation that may come my way after the Gathering concludes."
If she was willing to admit that much, the answer was clear. I couldn't force her to go if she truly didn't want to.
"However... if you are by my side, My Lord... I do not think I will be afraid. I believe blindly in your choices. Whatever your decision may be, I will follow it with absolute loyalty."
As expected of my loyal servant. I knew I could count on you, Charlotte.
"Then it is decided. My deputy shall accompany me."
Gasp. The merchant sucked in a sharp breath. I fixed my gaze on his pale, bloodless face.
"I will bring Charlotte and Balutak as my companions. I will hear no further objections."
"But, My Lord... I beg you to reconsider. The other Lords will look at you and believe you have defiled the sacred Gathering."
I understood the merchant's concerns perfectly. But I wasn't doing this without a plan.
"Furthermore, you must consider the physical harm that will surely come to your deputy. Even knowing this, do you still choose to bring her—this human?"
A newcomer like me, fearlessly appointing a human as a deputy and bringing her to a sacred gathering. A brainless Lord of the Abyssal Palaces. A traitor colluding with humans. They could think whatever they wanted. However, perception is always shaped by the prestige of the individual in question.
"Merchant. Who is it that stands before you?"
"Pardon? Why, you are the Lord of the Seventh Rank of the Abyss Palace, of course...?"
"And I, that very Lord, trust and cherish this human. Who would dare harm my deputy? To do so would be a direct challenge to me."
Charlotte's presence would not diminish my authority. On the contrary, it would establish an absolute, unshakeable prestige by flaunting my power in their faces. I knew that bringing a human to the Gathering was an outrageous act. It might draw the hostility of everyone present. But who was the one doing it? I wasn't just any ordinary Lord of the Abyssal Palaces. I was a solo powerhouse of the Abyssal Palaces. A newly risen great evil who had slain two Heroes. A high-priority target closely watched by both the Empire and the Holy Church. The foundation for intimidating them was already more than solid. I was strong and ruthless enough to crush even this absurd transgression with sheer authority. In a way, I was using Charlotte to imprint this exact impression on the other bosses.
"Do you truly believe I care about how they look at me? Merchant. Answer me."
"...My thinking was short-sighted. I beg your forgiveness."
"If anyone wishes to challenge my authority, tell them to speak to me directly. Whether they are of the seventy-two Lords or the Abyssal Palaces, I will shut them all up."
They said this Gathering was my initiation. If I cowered and took a low posture, I would be the one overwhelmed. I had to be the one doing the overwhelming.
"Charlotte. There is no need to fear or worry. Remember who it is that stands beside you."
"My Lord..."
Charlotte looked at me, her face filled with deep, unmistakable emotion. Above her head, her level color was shifting in real-time.
...Well, that was what I said, but...
I'm sorry, but I'm actually the one who's the most terrified here. I'm only doing this to survive.
