The Awakening of a Demon Lord (8)
The adventurer screamed and struggled. I, who was on your back, obviously fell. As I was already preparing a safe way to fall, the impact was not so great.
"J-Jackson !? What happened! What's it!?"
"Guh, ah, ear! My ear!"
With a genuinely scared expression, I pointed the other way.
"Folks! Behind you! Look behind you! "
Where I was pointing, an arm made of stones was coming out of the earth.
The stone arm grabbed the ground, and like a demon coming out of Hell, a thick body emerged. A disturbing 'Grrrrdduh, Grduh' sound resounded. It was the sound of rocks rubbing against each other. Adventurers face the magic of summoning with their jaws dropped.
"M-My God ..."
"Raise the shields! Draw your swords! "
The adventurers were in confusion, moving from side to side. However, the bald-eyed one, proving that he was not a sub-captain for nothing, gave orders to his companions. However, his enemies were not just the golem that suddenly appeared.
"Mmmmm… !?"
I jumped on the newbie's back and covered his mouth. He opened his eyes wide. His look was like he was shouting, 'What are you doing !?'
He had a dagger on his hip that I had been watching from the beginning. I pulled out his dagger and stuck it in his throat. Once, twice, three times, and finally a fourth time. I didn't even give you a chance to resist.
"Eub, pbb ... Huppbb ..."
The rookie screamed, but the sound was muffled by my hand, making it sound just like a groan. His eyes started to water without stopping, it looked like a storm gradually forming. Soon, the muffled screams became jets of blood and soaked my hand, making it sticky.
"Uuh… Eub…"
Finally, his body went limp.
This took 8 seconds.
The other adventurers had no idea that the young man was murdered right behind them.
So, I committed the first murder, but I didn't have time to be shaken. The situation was worrying. I immediately hid the dagger in my clothes and turned my head.
"}]}] <}]} [<]} <`} ────! "
Just in time, the golem finished rising.
As if celebrating the fact that it had escaped the suffocating underworld, the monster raised its head and let out a long roar. The roof of the cave trembled, making the stalactites tremble next to it. Even though it was called 'Weak Golem', at that moment, the one who dominated this place was him.
That was a monster.
This was a demon.
It was very different from humans, and this terrifying appearance was enough to implant fear in the hearts of humans.
"Hiiiik…!"
The adventurers flinched. One's hand was shaking so badly that he dropped his torch. As the light from the summoning circle extinguished, the cave became dark again — this increased the fear of enemies to the limit. The torchlight was producing a reddish glow, giving only small glimpses of that colossal body in the distant darkness.
They used to only do agricultural work in their hometowns and towns.
These people may have noticed it for the first time.
That 'Adventurer' was a dishonorable profession that normally faced mythical terrors like this.
"E-euuuh ..."
The three combatants approached. This was an instinct implanted in humans, to join together with their companions when facing a large beast. However, in that situation, following this instinct made them make a serious mistake.
"® ¥}] <, ~ € ¿> ¥ ©] ™ ────!"
As the golem was very large, its steps were slow.
If the adventurers had spread out instead of gathering, then they might have been able to deal with the monster. But they had no experience. The experience of fighting the various types of Demons.
Like a tank, the golem advanced towards the men. His foot came down with a thump and made the floor shake. Violent tremors shook the darkness.
The adventurers could do nothing but hold their wooden shields. Their bodies have completely stiffened. They should probably be congratulated for not running away.
"W-that man is dead!"
I scared the already disoriented adventurers to another level. He was holding the rookie's chest while screaming.
"He fell suddenly! It's black magic! Someone is attacking them without my knowledge! Hurry, please run away! "
"What…"
A moment of restlessness.
However, braking for even a moment while a golem is in front of you is more than enough to bring a tragic result.
The adventurers' attention was dispersed. Taking this chance, the golem brandished his fist. The target was bald. Because he was responsible for this group, when he heard that the newcomer died, he turned here for a moment. The demon's heavy rocky fist crushed his body.
There was not even a cry.
His skull was brutally broken and he died instantly.
The wooden shield made by the village blacksmith was useless.
"... Uh, aaahhh?"
The survivors reacted a little late.
Honestly, to say that it was a real reaction would be a great kindness.
An adventurer. As if giving up completely, he dropped to his knees. The other decided to do the opposite and was about to escape. Throwing away his torch and sword, he got rid of everything that weighed and ran.
It would be problematic if I let one of them escape from here.
"This way! Escape this way! "
"Uh, ah! Aah! "
Giving me an incomprehensible answer, the adventurer ran towards me. It was like the unconscious behavior taken by people during a fire. When told to escape on a path, they would run in that direction without hesitation.
I pulled him close and whispered.
"Calm your breathing. Golems have poor vision and hearing. If you hide quietly in the corner of the cave, you will be safe. You can believe me. I am an expert on demon traits. "
"O-okay. I understood."
"Now, with me, breathe slowly. One… Two… Hoo… "
"Hoo ... Hooo."
"Very good ... Just like that ... Inhale and exhale slowly."
The adventurer calmed his breathing. I held your hand tight. It is a well-known fact that people are more relaxed when a professional holds their hands during a crisis.
"A…"
The adventurer breathed following my command. I discreetly pulled out the dagger.
"Two…"
It was just when he was going to expire. With the blade, I slit it. Stable breathing would never come out of your mouth again. Blood filled his pharynx and his breath could no longer be transformed into words. The only sounds that came out were just coughs and gargles. Shortly afterwards he died.
At about the same time that the man in my arms stopped breathing, the golem ended the missing one.
He simply raised his foot and stomped the last one. The human body is much more resistant than I expected, his body was not crushed immediately.
The adventurer made a horrible cry every time the rocky foot went down. The screams grew weaker as the trampling continued. At one point, the screaming had stopped, and only the sound of breaking bones echoed softly. Stuck at the foot of the golem was a sticky substance that was probably the victim's strangers.
It was a macabre end.
"... Hoo."
I sat with my back against the cave wall.
My whole body was covered with exhaustion. The heat still had to subside. I didn't know how hot it could be so unpleasant. On the other hand, the cold from the wall was good. It was the perfect temperature for me at the time.
Half the temperature ...
… Half.
"… Not over yet."
I mumbled to myself.
I felt tired as if I had spent four sleepless nights. Regardless, I had several manuals engraved in my mind. Inlaid like the hieroglyphs in Egypt. The instincts, which were implanted in me, whispered.
'Clean everything up.'
If you don't want your crime to be discovered in the future.
'Finish what you started.'
If you don't want the malice and apprehension to continue.
'Kill them all if you want experience ...'
Only by killing can you get experience.
"..."
I calmly frowned.
My racing heart slowed.
My breathing calmed and my composure returned.
Humans are instinctive beasts.
If you create an instinct for every possible situation, then no matter where and when you are, you can behave like a predator.
There is no need for 'trial and error'.
In that sense, my father's words were right.
In fact, I, 'who was life-threatening', reacted 'getting rid of all the humans who threatened me' without hesitation. It can be said that it was thanks to this that I survived.
"Anyway, my dad still ..."
Even after all this time, he still chases me like an annoying ghost.
I got up and searched the bodies' pockets. This is not stealing. I am only recovering what rightfully belongs to me.
I was just taking back what was mine. After searching through all my pockets and boots, my fortune increased by 30 gold coins.
"Map window."
The map of the cave's inner area appeared in the air.
The other groups are not far ahead, I wonder if it is because they are moving cautiously. I decided to go and wait where they will arrive. I got ahead of them using shortcuts they didn't know.
~~~~~~ ***** ~~~~~
"Shit, why is there still a monster here ...!"
The second battle had begun.
The plan was quite simple.
The golem was standing in a dark corner of the tunnel. Since your body was made of stones, in a dark tunnel, it was impossible to distinguish it from the other Rocks unless you were someone experienced in disarming traps - something that clearly none of them were. Then, just as the adventurers were passing, I suddenly launched an attack.
The surprise attack worked well.
In the first blow the head of one of them was destroyed. Another was grabbed by the monster's hand, and then his body was easily crushed.
It took a mere 40 seconds for the unit of three to be reduced to just a single standing man.
"Keuuk !?"
I stabbed the back of the last adventurer who was focused only on the golem.
This time it was not a dagger, but a long sword. The blade pierced through his chest.
"Can't ... Gremory ..."
He looked at his chest. He had an expression on his face as if he couldn't believe a sword was going through his chest.
He distorts his face, eyes red with fury staring at me.
"Demon Lord, you son of a bitch ... you betrayed us ...!"
"Cheat? Are you a human and me a demon where the betrayal in that? "
I pulled the long sword out.
He fell on the ground. I wonder if the blade pierced his lungs. His last breath was a little slow, like the sound of air escaping from a flat tire. That was his last cry.
"Betrayal, huh."
He was wrong.
I never betrayed them. On the contrary, it was the opposite. You were the invaders and this was the home of Demon Lord Gremory. If you hadn't invaded, then you wouldn't have to die.
"Haah…."
I searched the bodies' pockets.
Crimson blood was staining the copper and silver coins. I held these coins tightly.
While I was trapped in the role of Demon Lord Gremory, other groups of adventurers would come to capture me in the future. In preparation for this, I had to collect war funds.
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Demon Lord Castle Riches
Withdraw amount: xxx Gold Coins.
Total balance: 58 Gold Coins.
※Warning. If you withdraw too much at once, you can go bankrupt.
------------------------------
I deposited the money in the castle vault.
If you included the 20 gold coins I spent invoking the golem, then I was almost back to the original amount I started with. Now it would all be over once I got rid of Bruno's group. I climbed on the Golem's shoulders and proceeded towards the next location.
After a short time, I arrived at the castle entrance.
I made the golem lie down while waiting elegantly at the exit of the cave.
After 20 minutes. On the other side of the tunnel a group emerged. It was Bruno's unit.
"Hm? Look, aren't you Your Demon Lord Gremory? "
Bruno recognized me and frowned.
"How did you get here alone? Where are the others?"
I did not answer.
I think they realized that the atmosphere was dark. The group stopped walking alone. Well, if you weren't blind it would be easy to see that something was wrong. My whole body was tired.
"They are dead."
"…Eh?"
"They are all dead. Not just the group that was with me. With the exception of those in his group, all seven died. They are probably together taking advantage of a devil's lunge in the afterlife. "
A voice that came out of my mouth was so cold that it surprised even me. It wasn't just cold, but it also had a strong sense of mockery mixed in it. I could tell by the contortions on Bruno's face.
"Don't tell me that ... Did the enemies attack from both sides?"
"Sir Bruno. Don't act like a fool when you've already realized what happened. If what you said was true, there would be no way I could be here in front of you like this. "
I laughed coldly.
"There is no invading enemy force anywhere. That was a lie. A big lie. "
"What?"
"You still don't understand? It was simply a strategy designed to kill each one of you. "
The adventurers' face has changed dramatically.
From welcoming the suspicion. From suspicion to anger. From anger to ...
But that was not enough. My goal was to turn their anger into fury. I twisted the corners of my mouth and gave a big sarcastic smile.
"It's all thanks to you, Sir Bruno. I am honestly grateful that you believed in me so easily. Adventurers believing in a Demon Lord. The main character in this funny comedy is not me, it's you. "
"Was it all a scam ...?"
"Yes. I killed all seven with my hands. "
I pulled out the dagger that I had hidden in my clothes. You could see the blood rising over the blade.
"That guy and the other were just idiots. Each time he placed the dagger amicably on their necks, they responded by bulging their eyes. Did you really think that a Demon Lord like me would cooperate obediently? That is why adventurous beginners who have no experience are ridiculous. "
"...… .."
"...… .."
"...… .."
"The rookie's reaction was especially wonderful. He looked at me and muttered 'It can't be', even with blood coming out of his throat. So I politely pierced it again. His wife must be relieved. She is better off not having an imbecile human .... "
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[Adventurer Bruno's affection decreased by 21 points.]
[Adventurer Zod's affection decreased by 23 points.]
[Adventurer Zachariel's affection decreased by 20 points.]