Corruption in the dungeon

EP.31 Chapter 31 May the Father God Watch Over Those Children

Max Level Rabbit.

It was the monster name I had given as a nickname.

In the game, it was a neutral monster that sometimes appeared as an Easter egg.

A disastrous creature that suddenly popped up outside the dungeon and occasionally wreaked havoc on the dungeon.

The cunning rabbit that escaped through carefully set traps always tormented players.

Traps were destroyed, monsters were killed.

Watching the carefully built dungeon crumble in real time was heartbreaking every time.

Son of a bitch! Son of a cow! Son of a horse! Son of a fuck!

When that damn rabbit appeared, the dungeon was utterly devastated.

If you encountered it in the early to mid-game, it was such a damn creature that you had to give up and reset the game.

I didn't know the cause. I didn't know the pattern.

It just suddenly came and disappeared like a natural disaster.

You don't know how much effort I put in to chase away the rabbit with minimal damage.

The Demon King in the game was too weak and repeatedly failed to drive out the rabbit.

Only when mid-level 3-star monsters became abundant could it be blocked.

Sometimes it helped growth by unexpectedly attacking the hero's party, but mostly it was a hindrance.

I wondered where that rabbit appeared from.

"So it was here."

To think the rabbit was the ruler of the forest.

Right. If you're not the ruler, who else would be?

It made sense.

Max Level Rabbit.

There's no one as formidable as that creature with such a brutal name.

The powerful strength hidden behind that innocent face was the most fearsome thing.

[Sudden Quest!]

[Guaranteed 3-star monster summon ticket upon defeating the rabbit.]

So you'll give an additional reward?

That means it will be that difficult.

"Maybe I should have sent Amy a little later?"

Or I should have brought the gargoyle.

I could have somehow conquered it with numerical superiority.

But running away is shameful.

The Demon King's pride, the gamer's pride won't allow it.

"Demon King, it's the forest ruler. It looks quite strong. You should retreat."

"I'll handle it."

I have to fight.

If I was alone I might not, but with Yulia here it should be possible.

I should be prepared to have arms and legs broken.

I can give up that much to kill you.

Take this, gamer's revenge.

I'll fight you seriously.

Crack!

I clenched my fist and drew the demon sword Arubis.

Twitch.

The rabbit twitches its ears and nose.

A strong smell of blood came from its red eyes staring at me.

It disappeared from view.

"Demon King!"

I heard Yulia's voice.

I reflexively raised my demon sword at the killing intent piercing my chest.

Boom!

"Kuk!"

The rabbit's body that grazed my sword changed direction like a cannonball and flew past my left shoulder.

If I had been a little slower it would have been big trouble.

It just grazed my left shoulder but it hurt enough to curse.

It didn't break.

That's good enough.

"You bastard."

I checked where the rabbit's body grazed. Though it just lightly grazed, my collarbone felt crushed and throbbing.

If I had been a little slower, my chest would have been pierced and I would have died instantly.

I gritted my teeth and pulled myself together.

"Demon King!"

"Maintain your position! Cast curse magic on it and buff me. Can you do that?"

Yulia nodded.

While she chanted spells, I searched for the rabbit that had disappeared from view.

The creature that was glaring at me with red eyes from an oak branch launched itself again.

'I can see it this time.'

My eyes, enhanced by the demon sword and Yulia, properly tracked the rabbit.

I swung Arubis towards the trajectory the creature was flying in.

I need to draw as much aggro as possible while it's still targeting me.

Yulia will only be able to join after casting buffs on me and curses on it.

Whoosh!

The rabbit easily dodged my attack as if it was laughable.

"Tough one. You won't go down easily, huh."

I moved my sword again.

Faster this time.

My muscles screamed.

They shouted to stop moving, but I ignored it.

If I listen to that, I'll never be able to move my muscles again.

I can't die.

So pathetically in a place like this.

Boom!

The rabbit that collided with my sword was deflected.

It was possible thanks to Yulia's curse slowing it down a bit.

Arubis was still emitting an ominous demonic aura.

"Huff, huff."

This was the toughest fight since becoming the Demon King.

Sweat dripped from my forehead.

The rabbit that took a hit raised its fur.

Screech!

The rabbit that was frowning showing its large front teeth took a stance again.

Here it comes.

Something big is coming.

"I'll join in!"

Yulia chanted a spell.

A crimson demonic energy whip headed towards the rabbit that was regrouping.

It was the binding magic that grabbed the wyvern's wings and dropped it earlier.

Whoosh!

It was useless.

The creature just jumped up and avoided Yulia's magic.

Yulia aimed for the next strike as if she had been waiting.

She intended to grab the rabbit's feet in mid-air.

At that moment, the rabbit curled up its body tightly and used that recoil to change direction in mid-air and jump once more.

"Another jump in mid-air?"

The creature was doing air-walking that I had only seen in martial arts novels.

Yulia looked at the jumping rabbit with a dumbfounded face.

It was the same for me.

What kind of rabbit is this.

No wonder all those traps were broken through.

"Don't let your guard down!"

The rabbit moved quickly leaving long afterimages.

We can't lose it.

If I lose sight of that creature's movements, we'll all be annihilated.

I followed its movements with wide eyes.

At that moment, my body felt lighter.

Yulia, judging her direct attacks wouldn't work, stacked another buff on me.

Whoosh!

Fast.

At this rate.

I should be able to aim for that rabbit's head.

Whoosh!

The rabbit that changed direction in mid-air stretched its foot towards my right arm holding the sword.

I didn't dodge.

Rather, I brought my arm closer so the rabbit could kick it better.

Crack!

"Kuuk!"

The eerie sound of my right arm breaking grated my ears.

I'll give up the bone.

And take the head.

I struck the Max Level Rabbit's head with my left hand.

My shattered collarbone creaked and made a fuss.

My shoulder hurt from bone fragments digging into flesh.

It was terrible pain.

It doesn't matter.

Because I'll smash that head with this strike.

Crack!

With a horrifying sound of bones shattering, the rabbit was slammed down.

Twitch twitch.

The Max Level Rabbit embedded in the ground twitched its hind legs.

Now that it's unconscious.

I need to finish it as quickly as possible.

I cut off the Max Level Rabbit's neck with Arubis.

Slash!

Spurt!!

Blood spurted from the rabbit's neck.

[Subjugation Successful]

[You have defeated the Master of Duvel Forest - Rank A.]

[Congratulations. Duvel Forest is now entirely yours.]

[The Demon King gains control over all of Duvel Forest.]

As I became certain I had killed the Max Level Rabbit, my body felt heavy.

"Haa, haa..."

"You have won, Demon King."

[You have obtained control over Duvel Forest.]

[You can choose one of two options:]

[Devastation - Greatly increases dungeon fame and experience points. You can directly create 4-star monsters.]

[Subjugation - Slightly increases dungeon fame and experience points. One of the forest masters randomly becomes a pet.]

One of the forest masters randomly becomes a pet...

If I could just get that Max Level Rabbit, it would be a game changer.

There's only one choice.

Subjugation.

Devastation has the benefit of experience points and 4-star monsters, but the Max Level Rabbit was better than most 4-stars.

'If only I could summon it.'

Moreover, if fame increases, a considerable number of adventurers will surely come.

'Even those comparable to heroes will come.'

Wait just a little longer.

I needed a bit more time to be able to catch them.

Both traps and myself.

"I choose subjugation."

I selected the reward while enduring the pain.

Light flashed before my eyes and a rabbit fell from mid-air.

The opponent I had just fought a life-or-death battle with was summoned.

"I got it."

Lucky.

The hard work paid off.

"Huk! De-Demon King?"

Yulia was surprised and took a combat stance, but soon relaxed her guard seeing the Max Level Rabbit rubbing its face against her feet.

"Hey."

Its nose-twitching appearance was a bit annoying.

Thanks to who are my shoulder, arm, and leg all broken? Yet it's summoned anew without a scratch, all clean.

I know they're different but.

'Can't help feeling irritated.'

"You keep roaming around this area like you've been doing."

I don't plan to take the rabbit to the dungeon.

There's no point in confining it in the dungeon anyway, so using it as a guard cat patrolling the surroundings would be perfect.

"You manage this forest well. Got it?"

It twitched its nose and rubbed its face against my leg.

The fur touching my leg is soft.

Looking at it like this, it is cute.

***

"Kuuk! Sleeping outdoors is more comfortable than I thought. Is it because my body changed? It used to be difficult before."

At Amy's words accompanied by strange stretching sounds, Rebecca, who had been absentmindedly smelling the Demon King's scent inside her mask, belatedly came to her senses and nodded.

"I feel the same."

Their enhanced bodies felt no aversion to sleeping outdoors at all.

Rather, the sense of freedom felt from sleeping outside gave them a liberating feeling they had never experienced before.

The journey they thought would take 2 weeks ended in less than a week.

The walls of Mir City where she was born and raised came into view.

"We've arrived."

"Then let's prepare."

Amy hid her revealing clothes with a robe.

Hidden like this, except for her hair that had turned black, she was completely Amy herself.

"Now we infiltrate."

She pulls herself together mentally.

The Demon King's scent fades.

It's regrettable, but she holds onto her sanity.

To disguise properly, she needs to face others with the right mindset.

If she accomplishes the task, He will give an even greater gift.

Don't be disheartened by small things.

Rebecca took a deep breath and walked forward.

"Halt! ...Lady Rebecca?"

"It's good to see you."

Even with her mask on, the soldiers recognized her.

That's how much influence she had in this city.

Rebecca faced the foolish soldiers and composed her voice.

"What on earth happened? That mask..."

"I received a big wound on my face while fighting monsters. The scar is so bad I'm embarrassed to show it."

"Ah... But what about the knights who went with you?"

"..."

Silence sometimes served as a better answer.

The soldiers bowed their heads, guessing from her behavior.

"May the Father God watch over those children."

Rebecca made the sign of the cross.

It was an unpleasant thing, but something that had to be done.

It was a necessary penance to punish those detestable hypocrites.

"But who is the person behind you?"

"It's been a while."

Amy standing next to Rebecca put on a sad face.

"Ah, Candidate... You've returned safely."

"Yes, it was difficult."

"Both of your identities are confirmed. Please enter."

The two women passed by the guard opening the gate.

A voice was heard from behind asking if the Candidate Amy's hair was originally black, but they ignored it.

It was words not worth paying attention to.

"Rebecca, you're a better actor than I expected?"

"I just spoke recalling memories."

"Hmm, but it was disgusting. Imitating those who use such filthy power."

Amy shuddered recalling Rebecca making the sign of the cross.

Her expression was as if she had seen a bug she shouldn't have seen.

"There's nothing I won't do for the Demon King."

"You're loyal. Is it because you're a knight?"

"Let's go in. They'll be waiting inside."

"Alright."

They entered the Order.

Without arousing suspicion from anyone.