The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player Novel - Chapter 284
Chapter 284 – Meeting with the Demon Archduke
With Ryu Min’s consent, Michael’s smile bloomed like a flower in full bloom.
[Thank you! I can’t believe you accepted a request that could have been so troublesome so easily.]
“It’s a difficult request to ask you to look at the face of the demon archduke for a moment. Besides, aren’t we comrades on the same boat? It’s not hard to ask so much to get your support up to the 20th round.”
[Thank you for thinking that way! After all, unlike other humans, you are an awakened human!]
Haha, Michael was smiling and praising me, but his true intentions were different.
-Kkkkkk, he looks like a bug that hasn’t fallen off. You don’t even know you’re falling into a trap, but you accept it easily. The moment you enter the Demon Castle, you won’t be able to escape.
Michael smiled with a slightly different meaning, but Ryu Min, who could read thoughts, couldn’t know that fact.
The stupid one is you, Michael. ‘Are you afraid that I am not a fool and will meet the demon archduke without any countermeasures?’
Ryu Min sneered, but to Michael’s eyes, it seemed like nothing more than an idiotic laugh.
[So, shall we go right away? I think now is a good time since the gods are watching.]
“Of course. Take the lead.”
Michael nodded and flew into the sky.
Ryu Min also spread his black wings and did the same.
Muuuuuy-
As they flew, a horn sounded announcing the start of the war.
At the same time, shouts from both sides shook the heavens and the earth.
[Wow!]
[Let’s kill! Dirty demon bastards!]
[Damn angels!]
5,000 angels and 10,000 demons faced off on the ground.
Looking at it from the sky, it was nothing less than spectacular.
At that moment, I saw players taking down demons among the angels.
“We, the Four Gods, are desperate.”
Since their fate is determined by their contribution, they will have no choice but to focus on achieving results.
Min Juri, Christine, Victor, and Russell, who have perks, don’t have to worry because their contribution will increase even if they stay still.
‘The followers don’t have to worry. I also told you to save yourself as much as possible.’
Besides, I have told you about the appearance and characteristics of the demons you need to be careful of so that you do not die unexpectedly during the war like last time.
[It’s over there.]
Michael, who was flying, nodded and pointed towards the hill.
Unlike now, when the sulfur fires were burning, a spooky area appeared as if it had been shrouded in darkness.
[That’s the Demon King’s Castle.]
Even if you don’t say it, you can see it.
Because there was only one building that looked like a castle.
widely-
Ryu Min, who followed Michael to the ground, looked back.
The angel and demon who were fighting a moment ago are no longer visible.
It was so quiet that it didn’t even seem like a war.
[My guidance ends here. You can walk alone to the Demon King’s Castle.]
“Can’t I just fly?”
[If you want to be attacked blindly, you can do it, but it is not recommended.]
It seems that some unconfirmed intruders attack without even asking questions.
“Let’s walk.”
[This is an excellent choice. We will meet again later.]
-If you can get out. Kick.
Although Ryu Min could hear that his inner feelings were different from his outward appearance, he didn’t show it and nodded.
Anyway, it was Michael whom I would meet again in a while.
fluttering-
Michael, who soared into the sky, returned to the battlefield without any regrets.
‘He probably thinks he won’t see me again. The moment you enter the Demon King’s Castle, you will know that it is impossible to escape.’
But Ryu Min had no intention of falling into the trap.
He had no intention of giving my soul to the demons.
‘First, let’s see the face of the demon archduke.’
As I walked through the barren land towards the magnificent castle gate, I heard a dog barking somewhere.
Cough! Woof!
Cerberus, the three-headed dog, growls inside a cage.
Next to him, demons holding tridents are standing guard as if they are about to open the iron bars at any moment.
It seems that if they determine that it is an enemy, they will immediately open the iron bars and bite them.
At that moment, the gatekeeper guarding the castle gate approached Ryu Min.
[Are you the Black Scythe?]
“That’s how you are.”
Thanks to the interpretation function, I was able to communicate with the demons.
It was even more surprising that a mere soldier recognized him.
[Please come this way. I was waiting.]
Contrary to Michael’s concerns, the treatment was polite, but Ryu Min was not surprised.
‘The reputation with the demons is an eternal alliance. There’s no way you can treat me badly.’
Because I already guessed it based on the reputation.
The moment I followed the gatekeeper into the castle, a message came to mind.
[You left your seat during the round.]
[If the player does not return to the location within 1 hour, they will be disqualified.]
[Time remaining until disqualification: 00:59:59]
The same message came to mind as when I entered heaven, but I didn’t panic.
Because I knew it would happen this way.
However, a slightly different message also came from Heaven.
“You have entered the devil’s domain.”
“You cannot leave the Demon King’s Castle without the permission of the Demon Prince, who has inherited the authority of the Demon King.”
Of course, without permission, you cannot escape.
“It’s like reading Michael’s thoughts.”
At this point, it was time to realize it was a trap and get angry, but Ryu Min, who already knew, walked silently.
While looking around the enormous hall with a worry-free face.
Jump-flutter-
The interior had a creepy, desolate feeling, but Ryu Min was not intimidated.
Rather, he walked confidently, shoulders raised as if he were the owner of the castle.
The same happened when he faced the demon archduke.
“We have brought you the guest we were expecting, Your Excellency the Grand Duke.”
In the burning sprain was a giant who could have been more than 10 meters tall.
The skin color was so dark that if he stood still, you would have thought he was a stone statue, but the corners of his mouth moved to see if he was a living being.
“Good job. Stop following, Chrome.”
“Yes.”
When the gatekeeper withdrew, Ryu Min looked at the demon archduke in surprise.
“Seeing that he even memorizes the gatekeeper’s name, I guess he’s a tyrant.”
Although he had killed many demons, this was the first time Ryu Min had seen the demon archduke.
Neither the Archangel nor the Demon Archduke appeared in previous episodes.
‘But in this episode, there are many events that I am experiencing for the first time, perhaps because of something I did. That’s how I met not only the Archangel but also the Demon Archduke, whom I had only heard about through rumors.’
The Demon Archduke’s image was a bit different from what I had imagined.
I thought he looked like a demon like the other soldiers, but he even looks a bit handsome.
If I had had a normal stature, many women would have done the same.
However, contrary to his appearance, his speech did not seem courteous.
“You are the black scythe. I was waiting.”
“You?”
Plunictos’s mouth corners rose at Ryu Min’s question.
“Why? Did you think I would treat you with respect and regard you like other angels?”
“You demons will be my allies forever, right?”
“It seems you’re talking about the reputation of the system. How can you blindly trust such a false text? It’s trivial.”
Plunictos let out a sarcastic grin.
“We demons also know this because we have raised humans. What skills the player has and what they see.”
Suddenly, Plunictos’s expression distorted in a cruel way.
“Bastards. Those bastards who are slaves to the system. Stupid people don’t give a damn about that kind of shame. These amoeba-like babies that even their masters don’t recognize.”
Plunictos, who suddenly rushed forward, frowned as if he had never done that before.
“I’m sorry for cursing out of nowhere. But isn’t it all true? You humans are less intelligent.”
“…….”
“Of course, it’s not that I don’t understand. Since I obtained such strong power from the system, it’s no wonder I trust the system.”
Sharp fangs emerged from Plunictos’s smiling lips.
“I am grateful that you killed the archangels. Certainly, from our perspective, you are a noble person who can be considered an eternal ally. But nothing lasts forever. Although the system is a product of God, you should know that there are beings that are not subject to it.”
“Are you saying you are God? Then, unlike other soldiers, it doesn’t apply to the effect of reputation?”
Plunictos raised his eyebrows as if surprised.
“Wow, I thought all humans were stupid, but it seems that’s not the case. Yes. I am a God. At least here in the Demon King’s Castle.”
“Strictly speaking, he is not a god.”
Ryu Min chuckled, but Plunictos did not fall for the provocation.
“Stop making trivial provocations. Do you think a great being like me would fall for such a small trick?”
“Don’t change your mind. Anyway, you’re saying he’s not God, right?”
“Although I am not a god, I am a being close to god. I am Plunictos. Here in the Demon King’s Castle, I have the same status as a god.”
“So are you trapped in this desolate castle? Does it smell like a widower?”
Plunictos said that the provocation doesn’t work, but Ryu Min didn’t overlook the way his eyebrows moved.
“It seems you are not afraid of death, insignificant human.”
“Because you and I are allies.”
“You’re stupid. What have you heard so far? Are you acting so proudly, trusting only in your reputation?”
“I know. Here you are a god and the system has no effect. So reputation means nothing and you can trample me to death at any time.”
“How can you be so confident when you understand?”
“Because I know you won’t kill me.”
Plunictos seemed surprised once again.
“Why do you think that?”
“I heard it from Michael. Did I hear that you asked for me until the end even though you had the authority of the Akashic Records?”
“That bastard said something like that?”
“I said something else. You demons and the elios are doing this to turn us humans into mercenaries.”
“Like an angel with a closed mouth. There’s nothing you can’t tell a human.”
“You are not in a position to curse others. You are just talking to me like this, right? And that too with someone who looks like scum. If I were going to kill him, I would have trampled and killed him immediately, then what do I regret? Aren’t you just talking because you feel lonely? Isn’t it?”
“What do you mean? Do you really think I want something from someone like you? It’s absurd, yes.”
“Is there something you want? Then try to kill it.”
Plunictos was silent, as if he couldn’t actually kill him.
“Look, there’s something you want. So without further ado, tell me what you want. I’ll judge after listening.”
“You have great confidence. Good night. I liked it, Black Scythe. Since this has happened, tell the truth.”
Plunictos spoke with a more serious expression.
“I want your soul.”
“My soul?”
“Human souls are a good material for us demons. I won’t tell you what the ingredients are, but it takes a strong soul like yours.”
“Is my soul powerful? Isn’t it the same for me and everyone else?”
“I don’t know. Not all human souls receive the same treatment. I don’t know if you know, but the player’s system is a skill that comes from the soul, not the body. That is, if you stand out as a player, your soul can also serve as quality material. Just as the quality of the same product varies depending on the product.”
“Do you feel a little dirty handling things?”
“I really don’t care how you feel. No matter what you say, you are mine.”
“Now you are openly treating me like an object?”
“Did I say something wrong? In exchange for killing my incarnation, I asked the gods for you and received it before the end of 18 rounds. It was a fair request.”
“Then why are you talking so much about killing me or using my soul as material?”
“The reason is simple. It’s because I’m more of a gentleman than I look. They are not as barbaric as to hit a dog they adopted in their home. Well, if you don’t listen to me, I have no choice but to beat you up.”
“So you’re telling me out of courtesy before killing it and using it as material?”
“That’s right.”
Although it was absurd, Ryu Min did not consider the other person to be lying.
It was also believed that divine power was exercised in the Demon King’s Castle.
“Because the proof is that thoughts cannot be read.”
Besides, the eternal object recently acquired “Eye of Insight” could see through the essence of the opponent.
[clap]
└ Race: Demon
└ Trend: Evil
└ Status: Demon Archduke
└ Special note: The ruler of the Demon World is the Demon King, but since the position is vacant, he rules the Demon World as the number one de facto. In the Demon King’s Castle, he exerts divine influence.
└ Weakness:… … .
‘I suppose according to my standards, the inclination is bad, right?’
Probably.
Didn’t they tell you that they would kill you immediately and turn you into materials?
However, Ryu Min still maintained a confident attitude.
“So? Are you going to kill me?”
[…] … Seeing that you are still proud, it seems you are really not afraid of death.]
“Because I have no intention of dying yet.”
“You have no choice. What I’m saying is Tongboda. I will kill you, take your soul, and use it as material to build the demon world. Anyway, in the Demon King’s Castle, no one can escape without my permission. Didn’t Michael know that too, so he couldn’t enter and flee in front of the castle? So it would be better to accept it meekly. While he was still a knight.”
“There are three things I would like to correct in your statement… … .”
Ryu Min looked at Plunictos and crossed his fingers.
“First, Michael didn’t bring me there. I came all the way here on my own. Second, I have no intention of running away.”
When he crossed two fingers, the middle finger pointed at the demon archduke.
The statue guy’s eyebrows move.
“Third, I have no intention of dying.”
“Do you not understand what I am saying, human? It’s your choice… … .”
“No? I know. That’s what you think. But if you listen to what I say from now on, you will think differently, won’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
A smile escaped Ryu Min’s mouth.
“I want to make you a suggestion.”