Chapter 9
Main Quest <Let’s Get Close!>
You’ve gained favor with all demons in the 1st Legion!
Didn’t think you could do it, but you somehow pulled it off! Favor earned at the cost of your pride! Applause for your shamelessness.
Rewards:
- Favor of the demons (Acquired)
- Bonus points added during job advancement quest (Acquired)
Yeah, yeah, say whatever you want—I cleared the quest.
So hand over those bonus points or whatever.
[SYSTEM]
Calculating bonus points…
Since it said it was calculating, it looked like it would take a bit of time.
So I pulled my gaze back from the air and turned toward the demons.
“Aw, I didn’t know babies could be this cute. Maybe I should go down to the village and see other kids too.”
“Well, it’s because it’s Lady Sekina, right? Human babies aren’t cute at all, right?”
“Guess that’s true.”
“Lady Sekina! Could you look this way one more time and do that flower pose again?”
The quest is over—why would I do that? Screw you.
I raised my still-unsteady middle finger and snorted.
And then—
“What are all of you doing? Does the 1st Legion have nothing better to do than slack off at the training grounds?”
A familiar voice rang out.
It was Riat, dressed neatly in a tailcoat just like when I saw him a week ago.
“S-Sorry!”
“We’ll correct it immediately!”
At Riat’s appearance, the demons scattered like chicks before a hawk.
Even the ones who had been talking weirdly snapped into line. It showed just how much influence Riat had. Arthur also set me down and left.
“Tch, this won’t do. I’ll have to properly discipline them sometime.”
Riat clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Of course he acted so arrogantly.
Among demons obsessed with strength and slaughter, he was the only one who used his brain—and that’s why he became the Demon King’s sole aide.
After becoming the right hand of that great Demon King, how could he not act high and mighty?
If Riat told them to die, these demons would pretend to do so without hesitation.
‘Still, he’s no match for Martin.’
Brains get crushed by muscle.
Having seen the scenario where Riat cowered when Martin raised his voice, I was certain.
‘Speaking of which, where is Martin?’
Since Riat was here, the grand meeting must be over.
‘I wish he’d hurry up and get rid of this guy.’
Being near him made me feel like he might figure out I wasn’t a homunculus, but a real human.
Thinking that, I subtly avoided his gaze.
“Hmm.”
Riat, who had been watching me, slightly raised his pale eyebrow.
“Hmmm.”
He crossed his arms and circled around me.
“Hmmm.”
The way he stared at me so persistently—it felt like he was observing a test subject. I frowned.
At that moment, he suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled.
“Feels like you’ve grown since last time?”
Kids grow fast.
“Your mana’s gotten denser too.”
That’s because the demons keep pouring it into me.
“At this rate, binding you to a relic will be much easier.”
That’s because I’m human—…huh?
“You can bind relics, control mana, and even captivated the 1st Legion.”
…Wait a second. What? Is he suspecting me right now?
“Did I really make this?”
In that instant, it felt like all the blood drained from my body. My spine went cold.
This is bad.
If they find out I’m human, forget a bad ending—I’ll just die first.
Haven’t I heard “pathetic humans” every single day since coming here? Demons hate humans.
And if the youngest homunculus in the Demon King’s castle turns out to be human…? One who’s been absorbing mana and handling relics…?
‘I won’t die peacefully.’
I swallowed hard, praying that the stubbornly silent Riat would say it was all just a misunderstanding.
Then—
“Kh—kahaha! Hahahaha!”
Riat suddenly burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
“As expected, I’m a genius. Absolutely brilliant. Myself, of course! How could I create something like this?!”
Thank god—he’s insane.
Watching him take out a mirror and praise himself, I let out a sigh of relief.
“Khahaha! What should I do with this incredible brain? A genius that appears once in a thousand years—that’s me!”
This guy is seriously ridiculous.
If I keep watching, I’ll just get more annoyed.
‘Go away… please.’
Just as I glared at him—
Ding!
A notification rang out.
[SYSTEM]
Irregular favor acquired from Main Quest <Let’s Get Close!>!
Details: Favor of Riat Noae (Acquired)
Huh? Huh??
[SYSTEM]
Additional bonus points will be granted during the job advancement quest!
Oh. What?
You… like me?
I grinned as I watched Riat still cackling.
I thought he was too sharp to ever get close to, someone I should avoid—but who knew he’d end up liking me so easily?
“Byaaa! (Bow before me, you bastards!)”
“I’m a genius! A genius! Khahaha!”
I only found out much later that the demons were looking at both me and Riat strangely as we laughed for entirely different reasons.
Yaaawn.
Finally, a break after a week.
Instead of going to the training grounds, I lay leisurely in my crib, enjoying some alone time. With the quest finished, there was no need to follow them around.
‘But resting is only for today.’
At the training grounds, the demons would pour mana into me on their own. No way I’d give up that sweet deal.
Now that they liked me, they’d probably treat me even better.
‘…Thinking about it, that’s kind of a waste.’
Maybe I should go later in the evening.
The more mana I stockpile, the better.
‘Anyway, what should I do this time?’
Since I got bonus points for the job advancement quest, it was time to seriously think about my class.
In my past six lives, I’d taken on countless jobs.
Just to avoid dying. To survive somehow.
Of course, despite all that struggle, I still died at fifteen.
Thinking about it again almost makes me cry. Poor me.
But because of that, in this life, I could freely choose my path.
After all, I had reached the peak in almost everything.
‘Which means I need to decide quickly.’
My goal isn’t something cheap like becoming the strongest on the continent.
‘My goal is to screw this game over.’
So I needed to quickly develop my abilities, then stick close to the Demon King and raise him up.
‘Swordsman?’
Ugh. That was exhausting. And if I choose that, I’ll have to stay with the 1st Legion guys. No thanks.
‘Mage?’
Nearly fried my brain cramming formulas into it.
‘Spirit Summoner?’
The spirit kings never listen. Pass.
‘Then what should I pick?’
Honestly, none of the options are bad.
With knowledge from past lives and the mana the demons give me, I could show outstanding talent no matter what.
‘Plus, there’s the system.’
It pisses me off sometimes, but overall it hasn’t done me harm.
I survived Cerberus thanks to it. I gained favor with the demons. Things have been going fairly well.
On top of that, it shows me the main quests and even the game’s bad ending—like saying, “Do this if you want to survive.”
I don’t know what the system’s intentions are, but it’s been beneficial.
‘Right. Keep treating me well. Then I won’t kill you.’
Just as I clenched my fist—
Ding!
Another familiar notification rang out.
Job Advancement Quest <Find Your Class!>
You have lived multiple lives and experienced many professions. That may be why it’s difficult for you to choose now.
But think carefully. There must be a class that suits you perfectly.
(Hint: Library)
Time Limit: 24 hours
Reward: Increased proficiency in the chosen class
Look at that.
Bringing me a nice quest like this.
No matter how annoying it is, the system is somewhat relia—
Failure: Death
…Never mind.
Why do I die for failing to choose a job, you insane system?!
‘Come out here.’
For a moment, I almost forgave it.
‘I swear, I’m going to kill you someday.’
Creak.
I trembled, grinding my toothless gums.
And when I arrived at the library, I cursed the system once again.
‘What am I supposed to do here?!’
