Chapter 397
Chapter 397
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 397
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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Amad, the leader of the Demon Wind Squad and Kasha's older brother, prostrated himself before me.
"Heavenly Demon. To grow the Demon Wind Squad further, we need to change our main area of operation."
District 14, Sand Hell. The desert region where the Demon Wind Squad is currently active. They rob merchants and travelers passing through this district. As a bonus, they hunt the monsters that appear throughout the desert to hone their skills.
"Why bother with the hassle?"
"...As the Demon Wind Squad's skills have improved, we've started hunting monsters too easily. The efficiency of our real combat training has dropped. On top of that, recruiting talent isn't easy."
To grow stronger, they need to fight tougher opponents and gain experience. I could understand that.
"Recruiting talent is hard? District 2 is right nearby, so it should be easier to find people. Am I wrong?"
District 2, Today's City. The city where new exiles arriving in Atlantis head first.
Just being close to Today's City allows for a steady supply of recruits. Of course, the top talents get snatched up by the giant legions first, and they wouldn't want to join a bandit group anyway—but there are always those with rock-bottom lives no matter where you go.
"That's true, but at this rate, the Demon Wind Squad will develop too slowly!"
"Why?"
"...Because the newbies need time to grow. It takes at least a year of proper training before they're usable. At this pace, it'll take over three years for the Demon Wind Squad to reach the level of a decent legion."
Amad was right. At the current rate, it would take far too long for the Demon Wind Squad to become useful.
I hadn't paid enough attention, so I didn't realize their situation was this dire.
"I see. But do we really have to move our base?"
I didn't want to leave this pyramid district. I'd grown attached to it, and it would still be useful going forward.
"I want the Demon Wind Squad to grow by absorbing other bandit groups. But in this area, there are only smaller bandit groups than ours nearby. The biggest issue is that Today's City won't just sit idly by."
A large-scale bandit group suddenly popping up right next to Today's City would be a threat they couldn't ignore. To prevent potential risks, they'd probably try to wipe out the Demon Wind Squad using a legion before we could grow into one.
"...You wouldn't bring this up without a concrete plan. If we leave this district, where do you plan to operate?"
"The west side of Atlantis. Over there, we can expand the Demon Wind Squad without interference from the giant legions."
The west side of Atlantis is such a lawless hellhole that it's practically synonymous with chaos.
The Yushitia Empire's influence doesn't reach the west, and most of it is desert. Even the giant legions rarely venture there and have almost no sway. From their perspective, there's not much worth taking.
It's perfect for building strength. However, that makes Atlantis's west side equally dangerous. One wrong move, and the Demon Wind Squad could disband or get swallowed by existing powers.
I thought deeply and nodded.
Staying complacent like this, who knows when the Demon Wind Squad would ever be useful to me. Plus, acting as an inspector this time let me feel the power of having a proper force. I wanted a decent one of my own.
"Fine. Let's head west."
Amad's face lit up. He'd clearly thought I'd refuse.
"I'll prepare right away! We can reach the western district in about three months."
Three months was too long.
I couldn't hand out spatial teleport scrolls to the entire Demon Wind Squad either. With around 70 members, it'd be a waste.
I thought for a moment, then came up with a good idea.
"No. I'll handle getting us to the west. More importantly, I saw on the way here that the Demon Wind Squad's skills are disappointing."
"I'm sorry!"
Amad immediately bowed his head.
"No need to apologize like that. I get it—most are newbies. But at this rate, it'll take forever."
"...I'll find a way. If I can learn how the giant legions train their talent...!"
"Pointless. The giant legions take talented exiles and train them accordingly. They wouldn't know how to handle rabble like ours."
"......"
Amad had no sharp solution for this either.
I decided to help with this part. If I left them as is, the Demon Wind Squad would be less than useless.
"I'll bestow a martial art upon the Demon Wind Squad."
Amad lifted his head, his eyes gleaming.
"Thank you! Heavenly Demon! Uh, may I ask what martial art it is?"
I said without hesitation.
"Heavenly Demon Divine Art."
"It's no joke. The Heavenly Demon Divine Art is something anyone can learn anyway. Sharing it with my subordinates shouldn't be a problem."
Thinking about it, I didn't strictly need the Heavenly Demon Divine Art myself, and this world was just one of the playful worlds I could choose. Even if it became a basic martial art that dogs and cats learned here, it didn't matter.
The King of the Demonic Heavens's reaction was off. Something felt fishy. He wasn't usually this talkative.
A long tongue means trouble ahead!
I saw it in a movie.
"Maybe one in a hundred will master it. Or one in a thousand. And that one will be a useful subordinate."
"Mastering the Heavenly Demon Divine Art doesn't make someone the Heavenly Demon. Besides, I have lightning beyond that."
My class itself is Heavenly Demon. I also have the Heavenly Demon Physique trait. Even if some scrub mastered it, they'd be beneath my toe.
I looked at Amad. He'd noticed I was conversing with the divine seats and was quietly keeping his eyes down.
"Listen carefully, Amad, since I won't repeat myself. The Heavenly Demon Divine Art is—"
"I don't need money. I need a martial art that makes my subordinates strong quickly and easily."
I stroked my chin, pretending to think.
'This bastard... Why is he so obsessed with the Heavenly Demon Divine Art? Is he up to something I don't know? Shit. Suddenly feeling uneasy. Gotta raise my Mental Resistance more.'
The King of the Demonic Heavens wasn't acting like a normal divine seat right now. They usually just watch whatever I do without interfering. That's more entertaining for them. Even the Lord of the Heavenly Expanse was staying quiet.
"No ordinary martial art. It has to be a demonic art that makes them strong fast."
"Side effects don't matter. The key is fast and strong."
I furrowed my brow. He hadn't done that lately, but suddenly spoke in a sultry woman's voice.
As the King of the Demonic Heavens said, I sat quietly and waited. About three minutes passed. Then a response came. But not the one I'd expected.
"Oh... This is getting exciting."
I grinned in satisfaction and cracked my knuckles. If the System was imposing penalties, something huge was coming.
The King of the Demonic Heavens had earned some points for once.
I immediately checked the skill. And tilted my head. I knew how to transmit the Demonic Gale Divine Art, but had no idea what the martial art itself was like.
"King of the Demonic Heavens. What's the side effect?"
This was more of a restriction than a side effect.
"If the max transmission targets are 588... What's the condition to increase them?"
My current stats were Strength: 63, Agility: 61, Stamina: 60, Mana: 82, Luck: 28.
"Any other side effects?"
"No big deal."
If they turn into demon beasts, just kill them.
'Don't transmit it to the fuckhouses.'
"Oh."
It was a side effect—for them. But from my perspective, not at all.
"Perfect."
"In this world, only I will learn the Heavenly Demon Divine Art."
The System had no reply.
I turned to Amad, still prostrated.
"Amad. I'll transmit the Demonic Gale Divine Art to you."
"Thank you! But... is the Demonic Gale Divine Art any good?"
"You doubting me right now?"
"No! That was a slip of the tongue!"
"Pledge your loyalty to me. That's the condition."
"I am already your faithful slave, Heavenly Demon!"
Black smoke flowed from my hand and seeped into Amad's body.
"......!!"
Amad's eyes widened. At the same time, black tattoos resembling swirling winds appeared on both his wrists.
"This is the Demonic Gale Divine Art...!"
"Amad. Do you understand what the Demonic Gale Divine Art is?"
"Yes! It's a fiercely destructive power. At the same time, it lets me feel Your greatness even more clearly, Heavenly Demon."
"Show me the Demonic Gale Divine Art."
"Yes!"
Amad stood, drew his sword from his waist, and swung it at the empty air as if an enemy were there.
'...His form is still unrefined and clumsy... but that's swordsmanship.'
It emphasized power and speed over technique, though it wasn't entirely without finesse.
Amad unleashed sword energy. Its color had shifted from blue to pitch black. Each swing sent forth sharp, ferocious black winds.
Amad was getting lost in the Demonic Gale Divine Art.
"Stop."
He lowered his sword the instant I spoke.
"Got it. Here's your reward. I'll release your enslavement."
"Really?!"
Amad brightened. Bound to me, he had the red "Subordinate" mark etched on his forehead—the proof of enslavement.
"I trust you now."
Amad had faithfully carried out my orders so far. And having received the Demonic Gale Divine Art, he'd prioritize my commands. Plus, his sister Kasha was one of my fuckhouses.
"Oh...! Thank you! Heavenly Demon!"
His reaction was somehow more intense.