[Character: Rudeus Greyrat ]
[Life: 2500]
[Blue Energy: 1,000,000]
[Strength: 1050]
[ Emotion Points: 2,879,635]
[ God Rank Blessing - God-Caressed Cheeks ] -- Greatly enhances innate charm and significantly increases the efficiency of gaining favor with the opposite sex.
[ God Rank Blessing - God-Gushing Tear Glands ] -- Increases mana recovery speed by 10000%.
[ God Rank Blessing - Void God Concealment Veil ] -- Blocks divine detection
Putting away the panel, Rudeus noticed the morning mist rising outside the window...
"You actually made it to the morning again...?"
He turned to look at Eris, who had just fallen asleep beside him; a satisfied blush graced her face.
"But... it's definitely not good to keep staying up all night like this, right?"
"Otherwise, you won't grow tall and will always be small..."
"Huh...?!"
"That's... that's cute too..."
"Yo~shi~"
"Stay up all night, Eris."
"From today onwards, you can only sleep one hour a day..."
"Haha~ Just kidding~ I'll give Eris a growth potion~"
... Divider line...
A week has passed.
My adventurer rank has been raised to S.
To be honest, it doesn't feel very real, since I didn't actually do it myself.
Even after reaching S-rank, Eris still scoffed at those so-called S-rank commissions.
It's nothing more than conquering large demon palaces, escorting high-value items, and at most, defeating groups of Black Wyvern.
In Eris's eyes, none of that was as interesting as having Rudeus draw a few King Rank monster-slaying formations.
Not only are the portions large, but they're also stimulating, and you get a different one every day.
Ancient mechanical beings from another world, elemental demons, ghost riders, remnants of ruins, and so on...
She wouldn't even look at anything that wasn't unusual or strange enough.
As a result, Eris's combat skills have become so exaggerated that it's safe to say that no monster below S-rank on the entire continent can withstand more than three of her moves.
In terms of skill, Eris is unmatched; all she lacks is the right stats.
Rudeus's new ultimate technique has also been completed.
only...
Everything has been going too smoothly lately.
The smooth sailing of things left him with a vague, unspeakable unease.
Rudeus got up and walked to the balcony, placed his hands on the railing, and quietly gazed at the distant horizon shrouded in morning mist.
Just then...
A faint, strange sound suddenly came from behind.
Glug...
Glug glug...
The next moment, a figure seemed to slowly emerge from the floor and stand silently in the center of the room.
He didn't turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the distance.
"Owner."
"It was Yanli," she reported in a low voice, kneeling on one knee.
"Your subordinates have basically investigated the overall situation of the Demon Continent."
" The Demon Continent is divided into eight major regions, containing approximately one hundred small settlements, twenty medium-sized towns, and five large cities."
Based on intelligence from various sources, the total population is estimated to be approximately five million.
"Currently, the Demon Continent remains in a state of prolonged chaos, with constant friction between different regions and frequent small-scale conflicts."
"At this stage, the most influential force is held by only one person."
" Atofe Latofi Rebek."
"It commands more than ten affiliated tribes and is expected to be able to assemble several thousand troops at any time."
"Ha~ That stupid woman, she can only muster a few thousand troops?" Rudeus couldn't help but sneer.
"In addition, almost every member of her personal guard is capable of taking on a hundred men single-handedly."
Rudeus listened quietly without interrupting.
Yanli continued:
"Currently, the strongest individual on the Demon Continent is the Demon Emperor — Kishirika Qixilis."
"However, based on my continuous observation over the past few days, her whereabouts are extremely unstable."
"Sometimes he'll fight with cats and dogs on the street for food, and sometimes he'll rummage through garbage dumps by himself..."
"Your subordinate is too dull-witted to understand the purpose of their actions."
Rudeus waved his hand, his tone perfectly calm.
"No need to understand."
She's just hungry.
After he finished speaking, he added another sentence.
"These aren't really important news."
Yanli immediately lowered her head.
"Your subordinate is incompetent."
"Anything else? Is that all?"
Yanli nodded slightly and continued:
"According to my recent observations, a small number of demon lords are secretly investigating Master's whereabouts."
"Their intentions are currently unclear, but based on my humble deduction, they probably want you to join their camp."
"Trying to win me over? Heh, interesting..."
Rudeus waved his hand gently and said with a smile:
"Alright Yanli, continue monitoring the situation across the entire Demon Continent."
"Stand by standby, ready to act at any time."
"Yes, Master."
As soon as she finished speaking, her body transformed back into a wisp of dark purple light and slowly disappeared into the floor, and the room returned to silence.
Rudeus gazed at the dissipating morning mist in the distance and gently exhaled.
There's no point in staying here any longer.
"It's about time... to go somewhere else."
The next morning.
After quickly packing their belongings, the three of them set off on their journey once again.
According to the intelligence gathered by Yanli, the nearest large demon city is called Valhein City.
Located in the northwest of the Demon Continent, it is built on a black obsidian canyon and is a trade center recognized by dozens of nearby tribes.
It is said that all kinds of rare ores, monster materials, and artifacts unearthed from ancient ruins circulate there.
As a result, caravans came and went in an endless stream, making it far more prosperous than the Rikarisu Town that they had passed through before.
The city was ruled by a powerful demon king.
--Hesro
According to intelligence reports, Hesro has a rhinoceros head, is nearly four meters tall, and has a single horn as hard as divine iron.
Legend has it that during the Human-Demon War, he smashed a mountain with his bare body, thus earning the title of " Mountain-Splitting Demon King ".
But what truly made the other demon kings wary was not his strength, but his intellect.
Hesro rarely waged war, yet he controlled nearly 30% of the nearby mines and trade routes, and commanded a large number of artisans, merchants, and mercenaries.
He ran countless illegal businesses, and countless innocent lives were lost at his hands.
Some say that if he wanted to, he could even arm tens of thousands of demons within a few days.
Therefore, even though many demon lords are stronger than Hesro, they are rarely willing to have a direct confrontation with him.
Along the way.
Eris picked up a twig from somewhere and excitedly waved it around, practicing her new sword moves as she walked.
" Rudeus, once we reach the next city, will we still be able to conduct live-fire training?"
"Certainly."
Rudeus nodded with a smile.
"However, I'm more curious about that demon king."
Rujierd said in a deep voice:
"I know a little about that demon king. I can only say that his strength is definitely exaggerated, but overall he is worthy of being called a regional overlord."
"Yes, after all, he's a strategist capable of assembling tens of thousands of troops."
"Indeed, the smarter a person is, the more they calculate their interests," said Rujierd.
Rudeus remained noncommittal.
Profits...
The topic he's least afraid to discuss is interests.
After two days of travel.
A magnificent, dark city finally came into view.
The entire city is built against the mountain, with black city walls tens of meters high, resembling an iron fortress.
The walls were covered with ancient demonic patterns, with huge spikes extending outwards, exuding a sense of oppression.
On both sides of the city gate, hundreds of fully armed demon soldiers stood in neat rows.
They all have at least an intermediate Intermediate Rank of skill.
Eris couldn't help but whistle.
"What a grand display!"
Just as the three approached the city gate...
One of the demon guards on duty suddenly narrowed his eyes.
His gaze swept back and forth between Rudeus and Eris, then he quickly pulled out a piece of parchment to examine it.
The next second, he saw Rujierd next to him.
"Pink-haired uncle..."
The demon guard broke out in a cold sweat instantly.
Recently, a rumor has been quietly circulating throughout the Demon Continent.
A small team consisting of a human, a red-haired female swordsman, and a strangely dressed middle-aged man completed a large number of high-difficulty missions in just a few days, and even defeated several A-rank monsters in succession.
Its captain is a human mage with extraordinary magical abilities.
Thinking of this, the guard immediately whispered:
"Level One Alert!"
"Report this to the commander immediately!"
After the order was issued, the area near the city gate immediately became busy.
A soldier rushed into the city.
Less than a minute.
Several more messengers riding magical beasts galloped off.
The message was continuously reported upwards.
Commander of the city guard.
Deputy City Lord.
The City Lord's Mansion.
at last--
Straight to the Demon King's Palace.
The entire Valhein City was thrown into motion by the arrival of the three.
Not long after.
A well-equipped honor guard strode quickly to the city gate.
The leader was a bull-horned demon clad in heavy purple armor.
He bowed respectfully.
"Three distinguished guests."
"The Demon Lord has learned that you have all arrived in Valhein City."
"I have been specially ordered to welcome you all."
Please follow me to the Demon King's Palace.
Eris blinked and whispered in Rudeus's ear.
" Rudeus, when did we become so influential?"
Rudeus chuckled softly.
"It seems our fame is spreading faster than we expected."
Rujierd frowned slightly.
"Things... are probably not that simple."
Rudeus understood, of course.
It's unlikely that a demon king capable of ruling large cities would give such a grand welcome to a few strangers he's just meeting, simply because he admires the strong.
Such high-level treatment often implies a larger conspiracy.
Or rather...
Greater benefits.
Rudeus raised his head, gazing at the towering Demon King's Palace in the distance, a meaningful smile slowly spreading across his lips.
It seems that Yanli's previous information was correct.
Those demon lords who had been secretly investigating him have now finally come knocking on his door.
"I'd like to see what tricks they're up to..."