Chapter 11

Honestly, I feel like I've been dealt a setback.

The Demon King I had imagined, based on the town, was a male figure loyal to his desires.

However, I was surprised when I actually met him. It was a delicate girl.

The town wasn't created as an outlet for desires, nor did it seem that he enjoyed seeing girls tortured to an extreme degree.

Yet, the reason he created this town was likely because it was the most efficient way to gather emotions.

He's not someone to be underestimated.

Abnormally calculating.

I had planned to first negotiate, and if that didn't work, to guide things towards a [War]. This was because if a [War] broke out, I could temporarily join forces with Quina and the others.

However, my plan was seen through. The Demon King of [Desire], Elygor, looked at me with a playful expression.

"I don't like complications, so let me get straight to the point with my first proposal. I'll tell you everything about the Demon King on this side and answer any related questions. In return, I want to know about your medal and abilities."

The Demon King of [Desire], Elygor, immediately presented his demands.

This is the lowest of negotiation tactics.

Normally, one's objectives should be hidden, as they can become a weakness.

He must be doing this on purpose. To stop the mutual probing and go straight to the point.

"Fine, but is that okay with you?"

"Well, it's worth a thousand pieces of gold to me. In return, let's start with a [Pledge], so we don't lie to each other."

He bit his finger and drew a magical formula with his blood.

The contract, which would result in immediate destruction if broken, is called a [Pledge] among Demon Kings.

The formula he used is the same as the one I know.

Since the mechanism is related to the structure of Demon Kings, using this [Pledge] suggests that this Demon King is almost the same kind of being.

However, if the other party has one-sided information and is leading me astray, it's a different story.

There's a possibility that this [Pledge] is only effective for me due to the differences in the bodies of Demon Kings from different worlds.

"Shiela, use all your [Analysis] skills to confirm if this [Pledge] has any meaning for Elygor."

"Leave it to me."

Shiela stared intently at Elygor.

Then she whistled. It seems my worries were unfounded.

"Wow, Procell is really cautious, isn't he? Let me be frank. I'm not so corrupt that I would lie in a deal. ... I could even stake my pride as a Demon King on it."

"I apologize for doubting you."

"No, I'm not angry. If you didn't doubt me, you'd be a fool, and there would be no point in negotiating with you."

In a way, it's difficult, but in another way, it's easy.

He's not someone to be underestimated, but negotiating with a smart and rational opponent is easier.

I also bit my finger and performed the pledge with blood.

"Alright, the [Pledge] is complete. For today, we can't lie to each other."

"Agreed. I won't lie."

We shared a meaningful laugh.

Not lying and not deceiving are different.

By selectively providing information, one can lead the other to a misunderstanding, and by carefully choosing words, one can make them sound like something else.

We both understand this.

"First, my information. My ability is [Creation]. It allows me to create substances from my memory in exchange for magic power. The drawback is that I can't summon living things or beings with magic power."

As I explained, I demonstrated.

I summoned a knife. It's a weapon made by the master craftsmen of Avalon, known for its exceptional sharpness, which cannot be matched by any magic-infused weapon. I replicated it and presented it as a gift.

"Wow, that's a great knife. I'll take it gratefully. So, what kind of monsters can your medal create?"

"A special medal. Normally, two types of medals are combined to create a monster. But [Creation] is different. Two types of medals plus [Creation] are required. In return, I can pour the power of three medals into it. Additionally, I can choose the desired monster from all the possibilities that the medals can create."

That is the power of my [Creation].

The ability to choose the desired monster from all the possibilities that the combination of medals can create.

Moreover, using three medals, I can create an S-rank monster.

"That's almost cheating. I'm so envious, I could kill you."

"I hear that a lot. But there are drawbacks."

"What are they?"

"Using two medals for [Creation] was mentioned earlier, but one of them must be an original medal. In other words, [Creation] alone is useless."

Original medals are created by each Demon King once a month and can only be obtained from other Demon Kings.

This makes it very inconvenient.

However, by shattering the crystal, which is the source of a Demon King's power, one can choose to either shatter their own crystal or the crystal of the Demon King who shattered it when the time comes to create a medal.

"... Still, the benefits are too great. I want [Creation]. I can understand why your monsters are so incredibly strong."

"Alright, I've provided the information. Now it's your turn."

"Sure. I'll tell you all the rules of the Demon Kings on this side."

Elygor began to explain the Demon King rules one after another.

- A dungeon can be created using a crystal as the core, and if the crystal is shattered, the Demon King loses all their power.

- The Demon King's Book can change the structure of the dungeon and create various rooms and traps.

- A Demon King can create one medal per month and combine two to create a monster.

- Once an original medal has been used, an Imitate Medal, which is one rank lower in performance, can be created by offering DP.

- Once a monster has been created, a monster two ranks lower can be obtained with DP.

- Demon Kings can declare [War] on each other, and the creator can summon them to a white room to shatter each other's crystals.

- ... And various other rules, which are the same as in our world, including the details.

- However, there was one difference.

"[Domination]. Such a rule doesn't exist in our world."

"That's interesting. Shattering a [Crystal] grants the ability and the right to create medals of the Demon King, which is the same for us. However, there's an option not to shatter it. In that case, you touch it and pour magic power into it, changing its color to your own. The [Crystal]'s attribute changes to your color. Instead of gaining the ability and the right to create medals, you get the entire dungeon. The original monsters disappear, but the biggest benefit is that even if your own crystal is shattered, if you have a [Domination] dungeon, the dungeon with that crystal as the core will disappear, but the monsters and the Demon King's power will remain intact. You can move to the backup and rebuild."

The ability to have a backup is attractive.

After all, a Demon King can only gain up to three abilities by shattering another Demon King's crystal.

For a Demon King whose medals have no appeal, [Domination] is far more beneficial.

"That's interesting. Can I do it too?"

"Who knows? We won't know until we try. This concludes the first agreement. Next, don't you think it's very inconvenient not to have a dungeon?"

"Indeed. I'm a big eater. If things continue as they are, I'll starve to death soon."

"Right, then don't you want a dungeon? You seem smart, and with a dungeon, you can do a lot of things."

Should I create a dungeon here?

Indeed, having a dungeon would increase my options.

"I don't plan to stay that long."

"... Really? Transferring between worlds is a significant feat. Choosing one world from countless worlds and jumping to it requires a lot of magic power. Even if you can create S-rank monsters, it's not easy without the full support of a Demon King. And to get that support, you need a dungeon. Hungry Demon King."

He hit a sore spot.

Just crossing the boundaries of worlds is not impossible for a Demon King or an S-class monster.

The Demon King who sent me here did just that.

However, choosing one world from countless worlds and jumping to it requires a massive amount of magic power.

Shiela calculated that even a transfer-specialized monster like Tiro in Avalon couldn't do it.

"Elygor, you're trying to let me [Dominate] your backup dungeon, but I don't have anything to offer in return right now."

"You do. You have your [Creation] medal. In exchange, I'll give you my backup dungeon. And if the [Domination] fails, the contract can be canceled. It's a good deal, isn't it?"

"One medal and one dungeon? I'm getting too much."

"It's an S-rank monster. And you can choose the possibilities. Let me reveal my secret and weakness. I need to create a specific monster to fulfill my desire. If you can create that monster, I'm willing to give you a dungeon."

It's too good to be true.

But we can't lie here.

Given the situation, not making the contract is not an option.

Still...

"Sorry, can you give me half a day to think about it? I can't decide right now."

"Sure, but I'm making a lot of concessions. I'd prefer an immediate decision. Just so you know, I won't pay a penny more."

"Sorry for being indecisive."

I had a bad feeling.

A tingling sensation on the back of my neck.

Something inside me was screaming that it was a trap.

This feeling has never been wrong.

So, I will now try to find the reason for this feeling.