The clock was tickling.
The demon box imprison skill would expired.
After the relic gained experience to level up from the last match against Arak, it received a newly acquired skill to entrap its prey for a long period, from five minutes to thirty minutes.
'The newspaper hasn't appeared yet. I guess I have to finish the quest in order to receive the certain reward,' Hermes contemplated inside his head.
"Slime, she won't survive in this place. What do you think we should do?" queried Hermes as he pointed his nose at his new familiar. "There's a vacant seat for her. It is called a content moderator," the slime responded.
"Give her the role. I believe she will fit in her new role in this place," directed Hermes, and walked away from the new servant. "Yes, master," the slime followed obediently.
The slime placed a hand on her sister's head and bestowed a large portion of her ki into her mind. The new servant coughed blood for a second, but since she endured the pain, she managed to pull it off.
After the blessing, the slime kept a distance and moved closer at her master's side.
"What's the moderator, sister~?" asked Meili as she regained her strength. "The content moderator is a special privilege to move freely in this dimension. It is also authorized the staff member to delete and add new 'articles' in this place," the slime explained.
"What's the article stands for?" questioned Meili with a curious look. "The article is the special transparent room where the contributor like you have an access to demonstrate your powers. For example, you can make a room for the challengers who will be imprisoned here like those high elves," the slime pointed out.
"Oh, it's like the content moderator's job is to make sure that enemies are placed in the right category, are free from counter-insurgency, don't include any illegal items, and much more," Meili was amazed. "Yeah, exactly. But you're prohibited to get access to the special codes in this realm, so don't get full of yourself. Remember this, you're lower than me," the slime declared as she pointed a finger at the transparent floor.
The little letter girl lowered her head and smiled bitterly.
"I wonder who made this relic," Meili tilted her head on the side. "Well, the person is a reputable overpowered human who is at par with the Emperor. He could make the world trembled with his unique abilities, he killed a lot of demon generals with bare hands. Truly terrifying individual," the slime responded with a disgusting look.
"Oh, why you looked like that, sister~?" questioned Meili with a bitter smile. "That stupid womanizer took advantage of his position, used his connections to make a living, stole some married women from their husbands, saved some slaves to turn them to his collections, and worst but not least, he tried to form a contract with me. What an asshole. The funny thing here is, he was poisoned by one of his lovers. Ridiculous, right? By the way, there's a rumor that the inventor stole the idea from somewhere," the slime giggled.
"Oh, you met him in person, huh. Is that before the master arrived in your secret lair a thousand years ago?" asked Meili, smiling. "Yup, and I'm glad I didn't kiss his dirty hand," the slime pounded her chest proudly.
'He must be a transmigrator or a reincarnator. Like the generic storyline from other novels related to Isekai, he might be too stupid to believe he could do everything here. Man, what an idiot,' Hermes commented inside his head.
"Let's forget about him then. Master, I want to inform you that our relic will have to level up tonight. At least fifteen souls are needed to accomplish it," the slime reminded. "Oh, sure. Got it," Hermes nodded.
"Sister~, are you sure we have five guests?" confused Meili. "Of course, there's no doubt I sensed only five raw materials," the slime shrugged it off.
'Raw materials? What kind of word is that? They are people too,' Hermes sighed inside his head.
"Meili, what is wrong?" asked Hermes as he approached the little girl. "Dear master~, I think the elder is hiding eleven souls within his body. I don't know where he's hiding it, but I've never failed to smell the delicious scents of high elves, you see. Unlike my sister, I am indeed special. Let me tell you a short trivia, this elder elf professes a special ability to hide his cards on his pocket," Meili explained explicitly.
"Hmm, interesting. Our enemies are prepared, huh," Hermes simpered. "E, eleven souls? So, we have sixteen people inside this realm. Wonderful," the slime rejoiced.
'Don't tell me you're going to sacrifice them to level up this relic? I feel bad for them,' Hermes heaved a tired sigh.
His two familiars transformed back to their disguise, a mask, and a letter. The young Don picked up the mask and wore it. Then, he inserted the letter into his chest pocket.
Hermes, together with his familiars, headed to the article where his enemies were on stand-by.
As he entered the room, their silence was interrupted. He welcomed them with open arms like a host in an event party.
"Y, y, you, what have you done?" asked Elder Kilo, ready to initiate his magic attack on the young Don. "I only save your time to meet me in person. Don't be so exasperated, elder," responded Hermes before he shut the door thereafter.
'Is he alone? I doubt it,' Elder Kilo commented inside his head.
"You, you did this?" questioned Elder Kilo, calmly. "Me? Maybe, who knows," Hermes shrugged it off sarcastically.
"If it is not you, then who's your proponent?" questioned Elder Kilo, signaling his men to stand guard. "Proponent? Man, that's too deep. You see, my vocabulary is limited. But... hmm, that's a wonderful good question. It's hard to give a name since she doesn't even possess one yet. Should I say that's she's not even a human but a mere pet? Naah, forget it. Ummm... it's kinda churlish if I don't give you an answer. I'm not stupid to reveal my cards on the table, you see. My answer is secret," Hermes placed an index on his lips with a neon sight.
"Master is really a trickster," slime giggled. "Indeed, the master is bestial, smooth talkative being and I love it," Meili seconded, laughing.
'I wonder why the hell am I talking nonsense here. I inadvertently said the same line that the original Hermes always stated when he's facing the players and her reversed harem. Fuck... Fuck it, Stump G,' Hermes clicked his tongue.
"Right, you're a magicless and ordinary person anyway. Because I don't sense a single drop of mana out of your body. I'm sorry for... jumping to that conclusion," Elder Kilo placed his hands behind his waist, stood up firmly, and glared at him with wrinkled eyebrows. "Man, that's too harsh to hear. I don't think my background will be incorrigible by the public. Some of its information is biased and fabricated, lol," Hermes's shoulders up as he teased them a bit.
'Hmm, I don't sense anything really. Is this person probably an illusion? No, I believe it is him in a flesh. Hermes, no, Aljen the merchant won't even show up in front of us full of opening without thinking the possible risks,' Elder Kilo conjectured.
"May I ask a question?" asked Elder Kilo. "Go for it," Hermes permitted.
The elder gulped some air and exhaled it.
"Just for a confirmation. Are we inside the demon box?" questioned Elder Kilo. "Yup," Hermes nodded promptly.
His henchmen's body twitched upon his answer.
'I knew it. Why did I even ask that? What a dumb question,' Elder Kilo heaved a disappointing sigh.
"Sir Aljen, I know we have some sort of history between us. But I realize our relationship will come to an end at last. Let me... Let me give a bit of special advice before we began our operation against you. Whoever controls the demon box right now... is probably behind all of this. Am I right? So, I suspect he's hiding somewhere here, so you can drop the act like a brave warrior who is prepared to fight us at all once. And plus, I hate to tell you that we have to break this conversation before the time runs out," Elder Kilo signaled his men to surround his prey. "C'mon~, don't be like that, elder. Don't break up with me like that. Off, you missed the point here. Let me correct you there. We're not even friends, so why should we end a relationship that doesn't even exist in the first place," Hermes snickered.
The elder heaved a sigh and raised his hand, attempting to initiate his order to attack him at once. His men equipped their weapons and were ready to comply.
"Elder, I agree. We're running out of time. Tell your men to stand down, and stop this ludicrous attempt," warned Hermes. "I don't think you're in the right position to ask that, Sir Aljen," objected Elder Kilo, and he hovered his two fingers to snap it.
"Elder, why are you so obtuse?" Hermes placed a hand on his forehead and heaved a tiring sigh. "Obtuse? Young man, I don't think you have the right to say that to me. Do you even know the meaning of the word 'obtuse'? I'll give you a piece of advice. Don't mock a powerful being who is stronger than you. Stop being an asshole," Elder Kilo scolded with his eyebrows wrinkled.
"You tried to defame me. Usurp my title. Spread a lot of fake news to take advantage of the crisis within the village. However, I don't like to kill someone of your caliber, you see," Hermes kept a distance to avoid being surrounded. "Stop it now, Sir Aljen. Let's end this. We're not even getting anywhere if we keep talking. You don't have to pretend. I know, deep inside, you're scared. Just let us kill you, and bury you properly, okay. I'm doing this in a professional way," Elder Kilo requested gently.
The young Don extended a hand to stop him again.
'What now?' Elder Kilo halted his order for the third time.
"C'mon~, you still don't get it, do you? I'm givin' you all a chance to redeem and apologize. As long as the countdown is still on time, I can spare you all from your pending death," Hermes pointed out gravely. "My apologies, you're only buying time to escape. I won't be fooled by your tricks. As long as you're trapped here, you won't go anywhere too. I don't know how much time we have left before we randomly transferred to another place, but we don't negotiate with a dead man. I don't want to do this too, but a job is a job. I have to redeem my honor tonight, you know. So don't take it personally, okay. We have to end this. Right here, right now" Elder Kilo snapped his finger and his men jumped to his position to attack him simultaneously.
*Swish* *Swish* *Splash* *Swish* *Splash*
However, three bars of barrier repelled it.
'What the hell?' Elder Kilo was bewildered.
"Futile. Your attacks won't reach me. Man, give me a minute, will ya. I thought your personality resembles Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter, but man, I was wrong. To think your behavior has the same vibe as Saruman from the Lord of the Rings. What a shame," Hermes heaved a disappointing sigh. "Your sarcastic joke won't affect me. Who the hell is Albus anyway? And Saruman? I believe we should stop reading fiction in this world. You're not alone too. I met a lot of men with the same personality as yours, so I'm already used to it," Elder Kilo clicked his tongue.
"Eh? You must be mistaken. When did I say a joke?" Hermes tilted his head on the side and mocked. "Earlier, stop playing around," Elder Kilo responded quickly.
"Pff, my bad. I thought you were deaf because of your age, so I said it out of a blue," Hermes giggled. "Enough already. Just accept your fate please," Elder Kilo cast a spell and hit him with a fire blast, but it was repelled.
Dust of smoke covered his position. Following his order, his men entered it to attack their target. However, as they kept swishing their swords, it was only deflected by an invisible force.
"Whoever the owner of the relic, he's an eyesore. Stop meddling with our business," Elder Kilo complained, shooting him with a first ball continuously. "C'mon~, chill. Refresh your mind. And stop killin' me already, elder," Hermes jeered.
"Magic spell has its limit, so I will open a door with my own key. Once the barrier is gone, you're finished," Elder Kilo chided. "Oh, what a flimsy word," Hermes placed a hand on his waist and stood up firmly.
"Don't get cocky. We're not even finished yet," Elder Kilo cast a huge flame to hit him, but to no avail. Then, his men hit their prey's barrier with their sharp weapons. "Man, how about you released the burden out of your shadow. I know you're hiding your pets underneath, you know," Hermes yawned.
"Why can't you understand? Why? Once you're dead, everything will turn back to normal. I'm just doing my job for sake of humanity," Elder Kilo stated. "I doubt it. Humanity, my ass. You're like a politician who is using a political language to get some votes from the citizens," Hermes shrugged it off.
"Sir Aljen, I challenge you to a duel. Your knowledge is favorable, but your attitude is a little bit repugnant," Elder Kilo demanded. "I believe you have to add that my mouth is impeccable," Hermes suggested promptly. "No, it's despicable," Elder Kilo adamantly refused.
In one hit, one of the bars of the barrier broke into pieces.
"Wow, you're pretty good. Good job, here's my reward," Hermes clapped a hand to mock him. "Oh, have fun. Take a look, your barriers are starting to crumble. I believe you should open that door to escape then. Or else, wait for us to rumble your face with our feet," Elder Kilo replied with a terrifying smile.
"Man, please don't befall to lust. I don't like to experience a gangbang, especially with the same gender," Hermes teased with his shoulders covered with his hands. "Sir Aljen, I'm goddamn straight. Unlike my younger brother, I'm normal. Is this how you interact with your enemy? Unbelievable, what a dirty-minded kid," corrected Elder Kilo with a bitter look.
"Eh? You had just realized it now?" Hermes was bewildered, covering his mouth with smiling teeth. "What the heck? Fine. Enough of this. Let's be civilized. Your barbaric mouth should shut first. Listen here, I am enough to kill you here. How about you accept the challenge already. Of course, this duel is nothing but a mere struggle of a criminal anyway," Elder Kilo's vein popped out angrily.
"Me? Have you perhaps mistaken an innocent kid like me as a criminal, huh? I'm honestly the most decent child in the world world, you see. Umm, uh, eh. You're correct about your last sentence. Criminals should be rightfully punished anyway, so I believe it is necessary to give you a special experience that you wouldn't ever forget," Hermes agreed, nodding. "Tsk, our attacks are futile. C'mon, Sir Aljen. I have some business to do," Elder Kilo insisted.
"You're in a hurry? Man, I'm hurt," Hermes leaned his waist on the door, and shouldered down. "My goodness, stop it already," Elder Kilo argued.
"How long will we wait to end this, master?" asked the slime. "Just wait a little longer," Hermes instructed.
"Dear master~, we have only six minutes," Meili reported. "It's fine. Leave it be. I got this," Hermes asserted.
"Whatever you are planning, master. I will be there for you," the slime assured. "Me too," Meili seconded.
Hermes looked at his arms and checked them.
'I guess, I have no other choice, huh,' he closed his fists tightly.
"Hey, let's talk about this. Regarding your offer, how about we have a truce temporary and listen to my question first. Here. Before I accept your duel, what is the rule and its condition?" asked Hermes briefly.
The elder and his minions stopped their assaults and kept a distance from his position.
"Fight to the death. I have no condition to speak out," Elder Kilo answered.
"So generic. C'mon~, it's between you and me? You.. and me. If you're stubborn to declare your part, then I beg to differ. My condition is this. I hope your minions won't interfere," Hermes proposed, pointing his finger at his henchmen. "Negative, your request is denied. They have the right to join in. You must be mistaken it as a simple duel. My type of duel is a bit special, you know," Elder Kilo simpered sarcastically.
"What kind of duel where your friends will join the fight. Isn't that unfair? It's pretty obvious from the start that they will attack when I reached my limit, though," Hermes scratched his head as he complained calmly. "C'mon, don't be such a coward. In a battle, this is a common approach," Elder Kilo taught.
'Of course, it's a joke. You're making fun of me earlier, so why not let me give you a taste of your own medicine?' Elder Kilo commented inside his head.
"Elder, I don't think I can give you more time to save your ass. I guess I cannot imitate how all villains with dark personalities convince the bad guys to side with me like Saruman. Honestly, I'm about to offer you salvation, but my familiars wish to have a taste of your body. I don't think everyone is lucky to continue their existence," Hermes was anguished. "Same to you. I'm about to offer you a good ending, but now, the gift is pending," Elder Kilo simpered and cast a spell.
"Man, you're unfair. I hope you won't regret it," Hermes snapped a finger and all of the minions collapsed instantly.
The elder halted his advance and jumped away in a distance.
"W, w, what the hell just happened?" Elder Kilo shivered in shock. "Their life has expired," Hermes responded as he walked forward to get closer to the old man.
"Fuck it, take this," Elder Kilo shot him with a blast. "Futile," Hermes repelled his magic with the help of his slime barrier.
'I, I, Impossible!' Elder Kilo was astonished.
"H, how? You're not even a mage," Elder Kilo stepped aback. "Elder, you can use your final trump card now, if you want to," Hermes recommended, pointing his index at his shadow.
"Y, you know?" Elder Kilo gulped his saliva. "C'mon~, it's a hunch. Do you think I'm kind of monster to make you swallow your pride already? I'm still a magicless human being. I just randomly said it, but to think you will react like that. Man, all I can say is this, Gotcha. C'mon~, release them all. I'm tired of waiting," Hermes challenged.
"Wow, we're almost running out of time. This moment is what he's waiting for, huh. Master, should I play music?" the slime suggested. "Go for it," Hermes permitted.
Suddenly, a piano and violin started to play. The song terrified the elder too much.
"What the hell is happening here? What kind of music is that?" Elder Kilo worried. "A villain OST, elder," Hermes responded in respect.
"OST? What it stands for?" asked Elder Kilo. "Official Sounds Track," Hermes spread his arms wildly.
The terrifying sound crossed his mind, melting his enemy's pride like an ice cube inside the old oven.
"Unbelievable, you got me offhand. A music, huh. Do the villains often play it before they died? You're insane. Regarding my minions, to think you will notice my card under the table. You're going down this time," Elder Kilo snapped his finger once again, and released his eleven High elves minion out of his shadows instantly. "I'm sorry for your loss in advance," Hermes was dismayed upon seeing them all.
"Drink it now," Elder Kilo directed. "Sir, yes, sir," all of his minions drank a green potion, and their bodies began to change.
Their ears turned sharp like a rat, eye colors transformed into crow eyes, and their bodies turned into a monstrous high elf.
"Kyaaa, delicious raw materials. They are worth a thousand human souls. How lucky we are!" rejoiced the slime. "Kyaaaa, I love it too. I have never thought that we will catch a good recipe for our dinner tonight!" Meili cheered.
'I thought she's joking about the numbers. Man, I'm so unfortunate. I don't like to upgrade this creature to a new whole level. I don't know if I can still live as a normal human anymore. Why the hell this is happening to me?' Hermes cried silently inside his head.