The moment he took his first determined step to leave the plain, a notification rocked his mind, making him frown at the window.
Note: Baal felt the space disturbance. He will actively hunt you to find out how you left the demon realm.
Then another appeared, making his already twisted lips almost snap.
Note: Hestia's brow is raised at you. She wants to see what you'll do and how you crossed to one of her realms without invitation.
'Shit.'
His jaws dropping in disbelief, he reread the notes several times, his mind blanking for a second after each.
"Why are such powerful dudes watching me before I even started my territory?! Leave me alone and do something more productive!"
He clutched his head, the wind blowing his fiery hair in a wild dance as he shook it.
Shouldn't he face weak creatures like rabbits, slimes, or wolves as a newcomer? Why demon kings and gods?!
Still, he forced his frustration and fears down with a deep sigh.
Their gazes were better than being Baal's neighbor. In his situation, any positive idea sufficed to relax his tense nerves.
Without wasting time, he leapt and dashed to the horizon, scanning his surroundings and searching for a suitable area to set his territory.
'I'll need a water source. That's non-negotiable. Food is the next challenge. An area around a forest or a fish-filled river might do the trick.'
After half an hour, he halted, staring at a lush forest and the few individuals engaged in a raucous battle with a boar.
"You can do it! For our growing territory and to fill our bellies tonight!"
A teenager cheered two farmers wielding makeshift wooden spears from the back. The intriguing thing about him, forcing his eyes to narrow into slits, was the red hovering name.
And what a name!
'What idiot calls himself mighty lord of the nine realms?'
But that mighty lord's words were correct. After his mad escape, he could hear his stomach grumble in protest, insisting on its request for nutrients despite his efforts to ignore it.
'Since he is a lord, I can ask him to cooperate. I don't mind helping for meat.'
The idea crossed his mind. Even if he had to avoid humans, other lords like him should be safe to interact with.
Acting on it, he waved his hand, yelling to make him notice his presence. The last thing he wanted was to scare him into attacking after all.
"Hello, mate! I can help you with the boar."
Contrary to his expectation, the lord leapt back in dread as a guttural demonic language pricked his ears.
After noticing his short body, fiery hair, tail, and small horns pocking from his forehead, the lord's pupils constricted in pure terror. His rallying cry echoed next, alerting his improvised fighters.
"A demon! Regroup and escape to the territory. Don't let him approach and focus on running! We'll be in security in the safe zone!"
Before his enlarging eyes, the teen scrambled away, leaving the wounded boar behind without a second thought.
"Am I that scary?"
He lowered his head in a silent lament, his shoulders trembling.
"Hahaha. Fool! The entire boar is mine, now!"
The sound of his feet' nails digging into the soil broke the newly restored silence as he eyed the blood marring the beast's fur covetously.
The creature's angry yells daring him to step forward filled his ears. But he didn't care.
In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance. His sharp nails glinted as he lept on the beast's back. Without giving it a chance to throw him off, he plunged them into its neck, feeling the muscle fibers break under his shove and fresh blood stuck to his skin.
Bones cracked and snapped as agonising yells echoed when he tore its neck. Then, the boar collapsed under its weight, throwing him off its back. Yet, his lips stretched into a grin.
DING
That froze after a sudden notification rang in his ears.
[Lvl2 boar defeated. You have gained 2 experience points.]
"Hahaha."
He roared in laughter at how ridiculous this gamelike setting was.
'Experience points? Don't underestimate me! As a veteran gamer, my creature kill count is in the millions! The sight of mere blood can't distract me from a full stomach!'
His heart light, he gripped the carcass' still-hot leg and dragged it with him on his way.
Despite his short body and low weight, his strength surprised him. Even if he did the minimum recommended amount of exercise to stay healthy and live longer to reach the day VRMMORPG became more than science fiction, there was no way he could run for that long or drag that big thing.
Among the terrible news piling up, the realisation sent a wave of warmth and excitement in his chest as he engulfed himself in the forest, choosing the lord's opposite direction.
'The forest is vast. With his stoic commands, I believe that teen isn't stupid.'
A calculative glint flashed in his eyes.
There must be a river running inside or a lake at least. Of course, conflict might arise. But so? Why would he shy away from it when he escaped the strongest demon's territory?
'If he wants to fight, I'll show him how to manage a territory properly.'
He smirked, the sound of running water already entering his perception range.
A moment later, he reached a river, eyes brightening in delight.
Without hesitation, he focused on his lord badge, making a heavy medal appear in his palm. He felt its cold texture and the relief engravings, probably magical, with his thumb before letting it fall.
As a notification resounded, the soil swallowed the item greedily, and illusory walls rose to encompass a one-kilometer square area.
[Congratulations on setting your territory. Seven-day grace period initiated.]
The earth rumbled as he read, throwing him off balance with a wronged grimace.
But three buildings emerged, making him forget about his complaints.
[Your lord's badge is bound to the Demon lord's shaky hut. Defend it at all costs! Build an army and increase your territory rank by conquering other lords' main buildings to retrieve their badges.]
"So, this world is a mix of STR and MMORPG."
His fist met his palm, feeling his blood boiling with a new sense of excitation. Why wait for humanity to develop VRMMORPGS? He was now living in one!
'I only have one life, though.'
A pensive frown creased his brows, disturbed by another fiery window popping before his eyes.
[Loading territory's interface]
Rank: Iron III
Buildings: Demon lord's shaky hut LV1, Demon's den LV1, Gate LV1.
Blueprints: /
Note: Build a warehouse to store food and materials. Lord chat unlocked.
Two tabs appeared on his interface. The chat interested him, but the demon's den filled him with curiosity.
With a swipe, he closed the window and walked to a hellish construct wafting occasional green flames.