Location: Hell - Dungeon Domain
Demon Imps, are creatures that are stronger than the average human and are described to be mischievous, as opposed to being evil by nature. However, they are certainly harmful, don't get it twisted, for when the aroma of fresh blood is even brought about in any significance, they will strike, pounce and tear relentlessly. From what you can certainly gather from the previous chapter, Nitro has presented herself in quite the rebuttal, with 150 of them attempting to attack her simultaneously. Now, the remaining question would certainly be, "Will she survive" - yeah short answer, nah never mind, let's see for ourselves...
(Notes: ** Gigaton is a unit of measurement in physics that measures explosive power.
1 gigaton = 1x10^9 tons).
Demon King: Ahem, let us begin!
The imps with their bloodthirsty demeanour - growling hungrily, as they all launched simultaneous strikes at Nitro. However, strangely enough, she never felt any fear, for instead she welcomed their attacks like a guest to a household, and kept dodging them seamlessly. As the battle went on, Nitro noticed that some imps wielded weapons, and one of the weapon wielders swiftly approached her. Amazingly, before it could even land a worthwhile hit, Nitro evades its attack rather easily and launched a punch at it with a power packing 0.5 **gigatons, immediately dismembering the imp. She then picks up the rusted sword for which it wielded and spots the remaining 149 imps bearing mixed reactions towards her subduing one of their kind in such a way. Some were scared - terrified by the thought of even colliding with a fist of such magnitude, alternatively - some exhibited mannerisms that hinted that they were more or less intrigued and thrilled to kill such "worthy" prey. Well, to Nitro's eyes, she treated them all indiscriminately and lunged to slash away at them endlessly. Each time she swung the weapon and it killed an imp - the process of her movement became more concise. It was as though she became a fiend for battle, growing stronger each time she killed. Time passed by as she was tackling her adversaries, and one remained huddled in a corner, taking into account the endless piles of its comrades, feeling gutted to face the realization that there was nothing it could have possibly done against Nitro.
Imp: *whimpers*
Nitro: *scoffs* I suppose you're the last remaining one.
*The imp remains confused, wondering why Nitro wouldn't finish it off immediately*
Nitro: *pouts* Hm, what on earth am I to do with you? I could presume to let you live - if you would want that.
Imp: *begins to calm a little*
Nitro: *in a colder tone* However...
*She then swiftly subdues the imp of its remaining life*
...I am not that nice.
*She says, as she walks triumphantly clearing the first dungeon of 500*.
*Later Nitro notices distant clapping, that slowly becomes louder the more she paid attention to it*
*The Demon King then enters, with his servant present by his left-hand side*
Demon King: *applauds then stops* Congratulations on clearing the first dungeon, not many make it alive past this stage - honestly.
Nitro: ...
Demon King: (Hm? The silent treatment again...?) *sigh*
Servant: *alarmed* H-how dare you not answer back to your majesty's praising!!!
*Nitro then glared at the servant with seemingly murderous intent, intimidating him as a result*
Servant: *covers his face* Eep! Don't look at me, you scoundrel
Demon King: *annoyed* That's enough out of you.
Nitro: *looks towards the DK* Shush, I don't need any of your pleasantries - scum. Those who pose a threat to my home and family... shall suffer all punishment...
Demon King: Ho?
Nitro: *exhibits a scornful demeanour* You'll be next, bastard...
*At that moment the Demon King was so surprised at this particular instance of Nitro's contempt towards him, he couldn't help but laugh in astonishment*
Demon King: *smiles* My word, who would've thought humans like you would exist - amongst all the sea of trash!? You need not worry, I'll be sure that it is you that will be the one to kill me!
Nitro: Oh...?
Demon King: But don't get it twisted, you'll only be able to fully accomplish that goal - once you've cleared all 500, and EVEN THEN, ther-
Nitro: There's more than meets the eye? Alright. *cold glare* I'll just kill them too.
Demon King: *smiles with pride* Wow, you are an incredible specimen. Not many have determination as unbreakable as yours even in adulthood - that truly sets you apart from the rest.
*Nitro at this moment could care less about what the Demon King had to say about her, notwithstanding - she was only focused on one particular signification*
Nitro: 10 years... or maybe longer...
Demon King: *puzzled* 10 years...what?
Nitro: I recognize that at my current stage, I am severely disadvantaged against you. However, I pledge to defeat you - immediately after the dungeons.
Demon King: *intrigued* That's the spirit, moron!
Nitro: (If all the dungeons appear to be of this difficulty, then it wouldn't take long. However, it would be incredibly foolish to merely assume that all dungeons would be this easy. They should really increase in difficulty, such that the next 10 dungeons I conquer would be in an otherworldly league compared to the first. So, under that assumption, it may take me a majority of my lifetime - to clear all of them and kill this bastard. Hopefull-).
Demon King: *mildly annoyed* Hey, what on earth are you daydreaming about? I'm trying to talk to you, Nitro.
Nitro: *flustered* S-shut up, I already knew - I was thinking about, some things.
Demon King: *chuckles* Oh? Like what, in particular?
Nitro: Ways to - uh, kill you!
Demon King: *pats her head* Good girl, that's the spirit!
Nitro: *laughs* Oi, who are you to touch me!?
Demon King: *stops* Anyhow, back to what I was going to say. You don't need to constrain yourself with limited time. For you have an unlimited amount of time to clear these dungeons.
Nitro: *confused* Hm, really? Then how are you certain, that I wouldn't run away from the challenge? Not that-
Demon King: *scoffs* Not that you would anyway, do you notice a black mark enveloping your wrist?
Nitro: *looks* Hmm, OH - yeah?
Demon King: I placed the curse "***Immoveable Binding" with the condition set such that even if you were to feel any slight intent to run away from the objective - it would activate immediately.
Nitro: *visibly concerned* ...Alright, is there more?
Demon King: *continues* The first time the curse activates - half of your time of existence would be stripped away.
Notes: ***Immoveable Binding: A cursed technique which is permanently bound to the victim, up until the conditions of the cursed technique are met, or if the user so wishes to strip their opponent of the curse. In this case, if Nitro clears all 500 dungeons, she would be rid of the curse. The drawback to using such an ability is the large cost in not only mana but stamina too*.
Demon King: I remember one time telling you that you wouldn't be furthermore harmed if you decided to refuse participation.
Nitro: *puzzled* Well why yes, that is what you said, but...
Demon King: The key word there, however, is "participation" - what do you think that implied?
Nitro: *concerned* That, once I participated...
Demon King: That's right - you'd be subject to these conditions.
Nitro: *laughs* Heh, is that it? Who do you think I am? *she asks, sarcastically*
Demon King: *smiles* You are a marvellous specimen. SERVANT!
Servant: *appears swiftly* Yes, my lord!
Demon King: Get this girl a drink or two, she needs to replenish her stamina.
Servant: If you give an order, my lord! *exits*
*returns with drinks*
Nitro: *holds her drink* I'm not going to stop today. I'll continue as much as I can.
Demon King: *astonished* HOOO?! You still can keep going even after that?! SERVANTS - GET THIS WOMAN MORE DRINKS.
Servants: *salute* SIR YES SIR!
Nitro: *sighs* (what a day this is going to be...)
to be continued