Demon King
Chapter 73 The War Between Man And Ferries [1]

This isn't the first time we've fought for a guild. We destroyed someone called the Phoenix Hunters, and Lee Chan-yu defeated the attack from the group called the Future Makers while I was on the sixth floor. But what is surprising is how they attacked Lee Chan-yu who was disguised as a human. They tried to kill him without hesitation, not because they saw him but because they wanted to be the first to conquer the dungeon. I'm sick of imagining how far humans and their societies have fallen.

When I think about it, I think that fighting them in the first place is just the catalyst needed for them to do more resources. The Phoenix Hunters had been wiped out entirely, but the Future Makers continued to lead a massive assault. According to my count, they probably brought at least two hundred combatants into the dungeon. The fact that these dungeons were difficult, and that they met enemies who were not monsters; these things could not be hidden any further. The fact that the Black Palace was not an ordinary dungeon must have spread like wildfire in the world.

However, this did not mean the Black Palace was full of challengers. Most of the Future Makers died with dignity inside the dungeon, except for one. “That I saved, of course.” I have been convinced that it would be better to let one live rather than kill them all. I hope he will deter others from showing up, and it worked until now. I don't know what he's saying out there, but it's enough to stop the weak from appearing, and it's even giving stronger vigilance.

But what seems to be happening is that it motivates humans to group, deciding that the risks will be reduced and more profitable if they do. It gave us time, at least, but the result was that they had gathered enough people to attack the Black Palace as I cleared the 7th floor. “This place I know better than anyone now.”

The first floor was full of activity, people were running around the hallway and fighting against the monsters inside. They had to continue doing so until they found the key to the boss room; it was the path they had to take to ascend to the next floor.

“Lee Chan-yu.”

“You're already here ?!” He stopped in his tracks, turning his head towards me in amazement as I placed a hand on his shoulder. I caught up with him on the third floor. He was even more surprised as he looked at me.

Captain, have you changed again?

A little, but not as much as before. After all, I am still a Crimson Elf even though I continued to evolve as I passed the 5th and 6th floors. The titles became even grander and sounded impressive, but I was still a Crimson Elf. I hope my next evolution will be different once I finally conquer this dungeon. The search, harder than ever, supports this idea of mine.

“You look much stronger than me.”

“Of course.”

“Listening...!” Lee Chan-yu also becomes stronger, now having the name Beast Lord after evolving from Werewolf Beast Commander. He's still a mid-level monster, Werewolf. But the fact that he evolved twice meant that he was a rare high-level species that could compete with other advanced monsters. His evolved hellhounds made him even more of a threat.

“I'll go, let's stick to the plan.”

“Give me.” I nodded towards Lee Chan-yu before speeding down the corridor. I had to get down to the first floor before they broke through to the second floor, although it might be difficult to do so. The structure of the Black Palace extends to a higher level, and it is a known tactical fact that small spaces are more advantageous for small forces to fight against larger ones. Although I might be fine, I had to stop them in the small room for Lee Chan-yu's safety. With that in mind, I ran at full speed through the basement.

I have no problem with monsters, knowing that no one at this level or the next two can stop me or even sense my presence. I move pretty fast even if they try to do something, they won't be able to follow me. This body specializes in agility rather than strength. And while evolution has increased my strength drastically, it is still nothing compared to my growth in agility. There is nothing here that can compensate me now.

‘I'm here.’ From the first time I heard from Lee Chan-yu until now, standing on the first floor, only about an hour and a half had passed. “But there is no time to pat my own back.” I improved my Surprise and Fairy Tale skills to the maximum, letting my senses reach the entire first floor. I know a large number of undead have been wiped out, and an even larger group of humans swept through the dungeon. ‘570 in total? It seemed like most of them were not even level 70 .. but they had some that were stronger than level 100. ‘

A truly shocking number of them had entered, but that was not all of them. I know a large group of them are still coming, and it feels like the guild master hasn't even come yet. ‘They may wait outside the report, saving their strength. Maybe they're waiting for me to show up? ‘ It seems so funny to me that the strongest of the guilds will throw all these weaker people first to protect themselves. But I have to thank them for that. It gives me plenty of room to move around without any problems.

They were the ones who had entered this dungeon with the sole purpose of exterminating the elves. My goal is the same — extermination, pure, and simple. My first goal was to defeat the seventeen stronger members standing outside the boss room. They each looked like elites with levels over 100, perhaps the top representatives of each guild here. My feet landed gently on the floor, the face of the soldier holding the shield was only as wide as my hair. I immediately closed the distance, and I could see the realization starting late on his face. I had already gripped her neck before she could turn that consciousness into a reaction, crushing her quickly mercilessly.

[You have gained 273,003 experiences.]

[You have obtained items in the opponent's inventory, which includes.].

I do not care about the notification window that appears, directly using Lunatic Trickster. Sixteen abilities were fired a moment later, blocked by the huge trap I set as I stepped away. It took them a second to realize one of their comrades was dead; I had moved too fast that their eyes could follow him. By the time they realized what had happened, the guard had been devoured by the black smoke. The confusion did not last long; however, when a soldier who seemed to be from the same guild opened his mouth to shout.

“- ?!” There was no sound coming out of his mouth, a foolish expression on his face as he stood there with his jaw agape in confusion. The other guild members realized that they were in the same boat as well, no sound came out of their mouths as they tried to speak. That was the power of my Lunatic Trickster; I set up a trap that would absorb sound in that space. As my stamina and magic increased, so did the power and diversity of the Lunatic Trickster. This one is very useful for stealth attacks.

I moved forward again, a flash of black lightning pierced through the heart of one of the terrified warriors who was trying to escape from the trap. I followed the gesture, pushing into the wizard, holding a stick beside him. He could not help himself as I pulled his head towards me and snapped at him, manifesting my Devil Claw as a tendril to pierce through the other three. One of them pulled his greatsword and swung it towards me. A long bar where the dark burned in it. The remaining humans arranged swiftly to fight me.

‘Not enough.’ The battle was quick and calm. The strength these warriors had in life was not small, all of them were stronger than level 100. Unfortunately, they were not ready for my ambush. As an assassin, all I have to rely on is my speed and stealth, and I am unwilling to give my opponents the chance to show off their strength. I faced them heartlessly with my mind at ease. My Predation Skills swept over them, engulfing the body at once. I quickly left the area after the last remains of the body were consumed by the black smoke.

I browsed through my inventory as I moved, thinking about how I could use the item I had just obtained to set a trap. My inventory has grown again with my evolution, now it has a total of 81 slots. “Not mean it's enough to save loot from hundreds of humans.” I decided it would be better to consume the trash first, then handle the good stuff later.

“How long until the next hunt?”

“How about asking the master if you can test some of these treasures?”

“Do not be foolish. This is the dungeon that Future Maker will conquer. ”

The guild alliance members paid close attention, maintaining strict restrictions as they patrolled the dungeon. I was alert when I could attack. Maybe it was stupid, but the strongest of them had to come to handle me if I made my presence known. I swung my sword into the corridor as I passed by, breaking down the passageway and burying at least ten soldiers. I set an explosive trap in the middle of another corridor, setting dozens of humans ablaze as I consumed the items I obtained to charge my magic.

“She's here!”

“He's not alone! Stay alert!”

A bloody laugh came out of me as my feet carried me through the basement. It was so funny that I could barely stand it. They still thought I was one group and not just one person.

‘Let's start.’ I apologized mentally to Lee Chan-yu, who was already waiting in front. “He may not get his turn to fight.” I allowed my mana to flow out of me, more than half of it, to summon a powerful fire in the middle of the room I was in. It lit up out, flowed through the first floor of the dungeon and ate the humans inside.

“Argggggh!”

“Job!”

With a bang, I announce the start of a war between humans and elves.