Damn Necromancer

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Chapter 242: Ballroom (3)

Can the position of Demon Lord be transferred?

According to the information he had gathered in the Demon Realm, it was possible. It's just that there were very few lords who did that.

In fact, it was natural.

Becoming a lord raised one's 'rank', so even if the level was the same, one would have overwhelming stats that were incomparable to before.

'And it was said that even the authority is strengthened.'

Greater Demons of a certain level or higher were given authority.

For example, Vulcan was good at handling fire. It was the authority of flame.

The ability to detect treasure that Andromalius had given him. That too was an enhanced authority he had gained as he ascended to the position of Demon Lord.

It didn't even end there.

A vast territory was given as a gift, and the taxes flowing from that territory were basic, and the respect and reverence received from the residents of the Demon Realm were a bonus.

It's not like they were cultivating Tao or anything, why on earth would they give up all this? That's why it was very rare for demon lords to relinquish their positions.

But…….

―……Did I hear you correctly?

Give up the position of that great lord to Vulcan and have him run the ranking battle as a mere proxy?

"Why, can't you let it go?"

―Vulcan. For us demons, the position of lord is literally everything. You wouldn't know that, would you?

"I know. I know it well. I once aimed for that position and failed miserably. That's why I'm saying this."

―So that's why?

"You said it. There will be very few lords who will treat the human Kim Minwoo well. But you'll be different. So let's join hands."

―That's right.

"Why? Why do you treat Kim Minwoo well? As you said, he's just a human. Doesn't that mean your neck is on the line?"

―What the…….

"You were lucky enough to get the hat, but the fact that you're at the bottom of the rankings doesn't change. Of course, it will be difficult to find a decent proxy."

Picking his nose with his pinky finger, Vulcan continued nonchalantly.

"It'll be tough. Other demons will rise from below, and if you look up, it will be as solid as an iron fortress."

―That's not a reason to accept your offer. Giving up the position of lord just because it's difficult? Even a passing dog would laugh.

"Ah, think carefully before you refuse, my friend. In the end, we can just go to another demon lord."

Andromalius fell silent at Vulcan's words. This was because, as he had said, Kim Minwoo had many alternatives.

He rubbed his temples as if he had a headache and sighed.

―Mr. Kim Minwoo

"Speak."

―What on earth are you going to give me to make such an offer? You know it's not easy to give up the position of lord.

"How about 2nd place?"

―……Pardon?

"Rank 2. In other words, the second-in-command of the Demon Realm. How about this?"

―Ha! Now I see you're quite the joker. 2nd place? Do you even know who 2nd place is?

"I know. Vasago."

He had met him at the trial.

From 1st to 7th place, all of them.

They were a kind of stagnant water, so they've been able to maintain their positions well until now.

―You promise that position even though you know that? Are you saying that because you don't know how strong lord Vasago is?

"The important thing is, I'm promising you that position. So is there any reason to think about anything else?"

―Ha! I treated you with some respect because you seemed like a decent card to play, but you've been blinded by arrogance! Get out! Now!

Andromalius abruptly stood up. This was nothing more than a crazy human.

That was when it happened.

Kim Minwoo grinned and said,

"Of course, it's hard to believe. But what if we're clear enemies with Baal?"

―……What do you mean by that?

"It means I can't live under the same sky as him. I stole some of his abilities."

―Nonsense!

What kind of lord was Baal?

Baal was a monster among monsters who hadn't come down from the 1st rank for thousands of years.

It was known that even after obtaining the Demon God's Stone, it was questionable whether all the powers of the Greater Demon Lords combined could defeat Baal.

How could a mere human steal the power of such a mighty demon lord? Was that even possible?

―Stole Baal's power? Do you think that makes sen... Huh?

Andromalius, who was about to explode in anger, suddenly fell silent.

He had a total of three powers.

Finding the place where treasure is hidden. And, retrieving stolen goods.

Lastly…….

Finding the culprit of any incident.

But…….

'Why is my power being activated?'

The power within his body wriggled.

Soon, a vision followed in his mind.

―Kuaaah! Kim Minwoo! I'll kill you!

Three faces rampaging like crazy.

He saw Baal, enraged and on a rampage.

Even though he was at the bottom, he was still a demon lord. His enhanced power couldn't lie…….

Andromalius instantly realized.

Who the 'culprit' was that stole Baal's power!

―Why is this…… real? No, how on earth did you steal Baal's power?

"There were some complicated things."

Andromalius immediately sat down.

With a friendly business smile on his face, he rubbed his hands together.

―This is interesting. Very much so.

"I heard last time that you also have the ability to retrieve stolen goods."

―Yes, that's one of my powers.

"Then will you retrieve it for Baal?"

―Haha! You're joking. I told you. I retrieve 'things'. Power isn't a thing. It's not something I can retrieve.

Andromalius grinned and asked slyly,

―By the way…… you must be in a bit of trouble now, right? With Baal's personality, he'd be rushing to the banquet right now, eyebrows furrowed. I'll get to see that expensive face of his after a long time.

"I wonder if he knows I'm here?"

―With his information network, I'm sure he does. Well, it's unlikely we'll see blood on this fine day. Haha! It seems I gave you the invitation at a perfect time. Thanks to that, we have time to have an in-depth conversation.

Andromalius's face turned serious as he said that.

―I also understand why you asked me to give up the position of lord. It must be quite difficult without it, right?

This was the key point.

In the first place, the ranking battle was a sacred competition created by the Demon God to prevent bloodshed between the lords.

In other words, it means that as long as one is not a 'lord', they can shed blood as much as they want.

It also meant that it was okay to kill someone just because they were strong.

Of course, doing so would ruin one's reputation, so the act of brutally killing someone rarely happened.

But now it was different.

Baal was very angry, and Kim Minwoo and Vulcan were nothing more than vagrants with no backing in the Demon Realm.

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If Baal, panting with rage, came and crushed them with his power, there would be no problem.

"It's troublesome. I stole one of his powers, but even considering that, Baal is still strong."

―You must be in a hurry. Well, entering as a proxy for another lord and getting under their umbrella is one way... But if it were me, I'd rather abandon the proxy than antagonize Baal.

"That's true too. That's why I want your position. So, are you getting interested?"

―I am. Very much so.

Until now, he had thought it was just the ramblings of a madman.

How could a mere insignificant human take the 1st place in the Demon Realm rankings?

Even with a proxy, it was the same.

But now, it was different.

Thinking about it.

Lords cannot directly participate in the ranking battle. It's a structure where they can only trust their proxies and pray.

But Kim Minwoo was already a high-quality stock as a proxy.

And now, he had even stolen the power of the famous Baal?

As a proxy, he was truly a top-tier card.

'If we make Vulcan the lord and he directly participates as a proxy....'

1st place.

There was definitely a possibility.

'Of course, it won't be easy....'

Would other lords bring in mediocre proxies? The Great Demon Lords had long since hired talents who were ten steps ahead, not just one, across all dimensions.

But even considering that, the fact that he had stolen Baal's power was a super powerful variable. That was the reason why Andromalius immediately sat down with a friendly business smile.

"Let's make a bold decision here. All you've lost is the position of the lowest rank. But what about the future?"

―Phew…… This is thrilling.

Naturally, there was an insurmountable fourth-dimensional wall between 72nd and 2nd place. What if he rejected Kim Minwoo's offer like this?

He would somehow find a proxy. But even then, at best, he would maintain his bottom rank, or not even that. As it had always been, Andromalius's life would end there.

'On the other hand, if I accept....'

He would become an enemy of Baal.

But at least his immediate safety would be guaranteed. He wouldn't be a demon lord anymore, so he could just participate as Kim Minwoo's proxy.

It wouldn't be bad for Kim Minwoo either.

'Let's think big.'

Andromalius.

The lord of the lowest rank, most likely to give up his position.

Also, if he was raised to a higher rank later…….

'It would be useful.'

The higher the lord, the stronger their power.

He had used the one-time treasure-finding power he received at 72nd place so usefully.

What if he received that power at 2nd place?

The effect would be beyond words.

That was why.

He had drawn him in.

The conversation in the secret room was deepening.

* * *

Demon Lord.

The highest position in the Demon Realm.

Also, everything in the Demon Realm.

Therefore, the change in the ranking of the Demon Lords was something that all the residents of the Demon Realm were keenly interested in.

However, changes in the rankings did not happen often, and the reason was simple.

The cycle of the ranking battle was quite long, about once every 100 years.

If there was no ranking battle, the ranking wouldn't change unless a demon lord gave up their position.

It definitely should be that way, but.

The Ranking Stone.

All the names of the Demon Lords, from 1st to 72nd place, were inscribed on it, and it immediately reflected and displayed any changes in the rankings.

Now, the contents of that stone had changed.

[72nd Place - Vulcan]

―Huh?

―The ranking has changed?

―Vulcan? Is it THAT Vulcan?

Although it was the lowest rank, the news that a new Demon Lord had ascended spread throughout the entire Demon Realm in less than 10 minutes.

And now that Vulcan was…….

['Andromalius' transfers the qualification of lord to 'Vulcan'!]

[Legion Commander 'Vulcan' ascends as the lord of the Demon Realm!]

[All of Vulcan's stats increase significantly!]

[Vulcan's 'Authority' is strengthened!]

Under the auspices of Andromalius, he was taking over the position of Demon Lord.

['Vulcan' has obtained the right to participate in the Demon Realm Ranking Battle!]

"Haha! Finally... I've returned to my place!"

Was he so happy to become a lord?

He was wearing the widest smile he had ever seen, almost a maniacal laughter.

"Quickly designate your proxy."

"Alright! I will designate Kim Minwoo and Andromalius here as proxies for the ranking battle!"

['Vulcan' designates you and Andromalius as his proxies!]

[Do you agree?]

"I agree."

―I agree.

[You have become proxies for the ranking battle!]

After becoming proxies for the ranking battle along with Mr. Ahn, they left the secret room.

Rustle!

The gazes of all the demons gathered in the banquet hall were drawn towards them.

Andromalius's renunciation of the lordship.

And the subsequent ascension of the name 'Vulcan.'

That group was literally the eye of the storm.

And at that moment.

―The great king of all the Demon Realm, the lord of fear with three faces, the absolute being who holds the Demon God's Stone, the immortal being who has guarded the throne for a thousand years, the supreme lord who commands seventy-two legions, Baal's Majesty is entering!

A resounding voice echoed through the banquet hall.

The demons inside the banquet hall parted like a great sea.

Through the strange silence, they saw a monster with three heads walking steadily.

A familiar face.

A demon with burning hatred in his eyes.

Baal revealed himself.

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