I turned my attention to Baalkaroth, the demonic entity bound to me through the glove. "How can you feel the energy of the monsters in the dungeon?" I inquired, a furrow forming on my brow.
Baalkaroth chuckled, a low, ominous laugh as he replied "Ah, Favian, my boy,'' I shiver at how he calls me ''demons and devils like me, we're of a similar species. We share the same type of mana. It's like a signature, a resonance that I can easily pick up on. So, sensing their presence is almost second nature to me."
A dark amusement evident in his tone. "And as for those low-level monsters, well, they practically broadcast their mana signals. It's child's play for me to detect them. If you ever want to find demons or monsters, just ask me. I've got quite the knack for it."
Well It was a reminder that, at the end of the day Baalkaroth was still an entity that lived for eons ,so it is normal that he hold a wealth of knowledge and power that would certainly prove useful for me but unfortunately he is kind of a dick
"Would you be able to lead me towards that dungeon?" I asked, a hint of uncertainty in my voice, desperately hoping that Baalkaroth's revelation wasn't as ominous as it sounded. Could it be possible that he was merely spouting nonsense?
Baalkaroth's response came with a tone of assurance, "Of course I can, but the real question is, what do I want for it?"
My patience wearing thin, I snapped, "Stop playing games, demon. What do you want?"
"Stop calling me that, human... Anyway, I want five souls right now. Not when you invoke me for the first time, I want them now," he declared, his voice dripping with disdain.
I clenched my teeth, trying to negotiate. "Now is a bit difficult, but if you really want, I can offer you at least ten souls. We could even make a deal, postponing the payment. What do you say to that?" I proposed, attempting to find a middle ground with the sinister entity that shared a bond with me.
''I have no way of giving you five souls, as I am observed by thirty men, and sacrificing them is out of the question as I need a secluded area where I am sure no one will see or talk.'' I explained as I could not risk being discovered
After a brief, tense silence, he finally conceded, "Very well, human. Ten souls it is. But remember, I won't wait forever for my due."
Feeling a mix of relief and apprehension, I pressed on, "Now, how will you lead me to that dungeon?"
He chuckled darkly, the sound resonating with a malevolent satisfaction. "Ah, Favian or should I call you Riccardo or whatever your name?''
''Call me what you what'' I replied with disinterest
'' Very well Favain , it's a simple matter for me. I can feel the essence of that dungeon—the pull of demonic energy. As we get closer, the sensation becomes stronger. Right now, we are moving closer to it."
Kneading my forehead with a growing sense of stress, I absorbed the unnerving information.
''Very well inform when we are getting away from it ''I said as I immediately started to think about my situation.
Ok let's think it through.... in the novel there was never stated about such big of a dungeon, which means two things, one the most worrying some...the plot line has already changed or never was the same , with the second option making more sense .As after all in I a week and half , there was no fucking way it was my fault that all of this happened.
The second thing was that it was never discovered....or maybe until the point where I read it still did not weight the story unless....BLOODY FUCKING HELL FORGET ABOUT CURSE THIS IS A FUCKING BLESSING.....
Inside the carriage, I couldn't contain the laughter building up within me. It erupted, a mixture of nervousness and amusement, echoing in the enclosed space.
"Have you gone mad, human?" He asked confusion in his voice
"No, absolutely not I have never been saner," I chuckled, "if anything, I've been blessed. Blessed to have you as my lapdog . All of this is nothing but a gift, not a curse. You have potentially saved me and you do not even know it"
Baalkaroth, taken aback by my response, asked incredulously, "Blessed? What the hell is there that makes you so happy?"
I couldn't help but grin at his confusion. "Don't you realize, that conniving bastard of the demon king has planted his army here? That dungeon is nothing more than his breeding ground for more monsters. The reason for the low monster appearances within the county was because, he really did not want to shit where he eats. The plan was probably to launch a massive attack on the capital once the number were sufficient..... Ahaha, and to think that all of it has gone to hell thanks to you. It's hilarious, really. You don't realize how big of a prize I've won by having you."
I leaned back in the carriage, a mix of amusement and satisfaction playing on my face. I can not believe that thanks to Baalkaroth I will manage to deprive the demon's king of an army that he must have planted here immediately after the last war, I wonder how he managed to do so....Now the last issue to think was on how the hell I would spread my discovery...
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The journey continued for several hours, the rhythmic thud of horse hooves and the creaking of the carriage wheels echoing through the air. Inside the carriage, a tension lingered as Baalkaroth maintained a vigilant watch on the surrounding mana energies, guiding our path through the unknown.
Suddenly, Baalkaroth's voice cut through the monotony, "We're getting farther away from the dungeon now."
I nodded, acknowledging the information. Leaning forward, I pushed the carriage window down and stuck my head out, feeling the cool breeze against my face.
"Make camp here," I declared, withdrawing my head back into the carriage, as I saw the face of Roy coming towards me with a frown.