Chapter 124

When I Was Reincarnated into the World of an Ultra-Difficult Game, I Ended Up As the Sole Subordinate of the Ridiculously Strong yet Incompetent Demon Lord, Tasked with Creating a Dungeon

“I wonder what’s going on?”

“I… I have no idea…”

His words, which were meant to be a muttered thought, had apparently been louder than expected. A subordinate, mistakenly thinking he was being asked, bowed his head in response.

He felt a little guilty for putting him on the spot, but considering how strange the situation was, surely, he could be forgiven.

“It’s tougher than the usual Soul Eaters.”

“Y-yes. Normally, with that sturdy body, our weapons and magic wouldn’t have much effect. It should be charging at us without a second thought.”

Yes. That was one of the strengths of a Soul Eater.

Half-hearted attacks wouldn’t even slow it down; they would be trampled without mercy.

That’s why the usual approach was to either strike with overwhelming power or gradually weaken it with poison, magical depletion, or paralysis.

“However, that Soul Eater seemed to be maneuvering as if it was avoiding attacks rather than taking them head-on.”

Rather than blocking attacks with its strong exoskeleton, it actively chose to dodge—despite its massive size.

“Could it be a cowardly individual?”

“A monster… being cowardly?”

“That was a stupid joke. Forget I said it.”

But listening to the reports, it really did seem like it had a cowardly personality.

Monsters developing unique traits or personalities—he had never heard of such a thing before. But considering what they were witnessing, it was only natural for such thoughts to cross his mind.

“Not only is it hesitant, but it’s also overly cautious, never pursuing our wounded too aggressively…”

“When you put it like that, it really does sound like it has a personality…”

“But it’s still a monster. They are creatures created by the Demon King’s magic, designed solely to attack non-demons without emotion. It’s questionable whether they should even be called living beings.”

According to the goddess, not only the demons but also the monsters were the result of the Demon King’s existence.

Indeed, whenever a war inflicted damage upon the Demon King or his army, no new monsters appeared for a long time.

This was likely because the Demon King had to use his magic to heal himself and restore his subordinates.

In fact, even while the Demon King was actively fighting, monsters ceased to appear.

They were beings created from the surplus magic that the Demon King didn’t use during peacetime. That was the nature of monsters.

But… could they really afford to stay bound by that assumption?

Monsters didn’t learn. From the moment they were born, they instinctively knew how to wield their abilities and simply used them without thought.

They never adapted their strategies based on enemies or situations. And because of that, the more one studied them, the more one could devise effective countermeasures.

But could the goddess guarantee that a monster immune to these expectations wouldn’t emerge? No, she couldn’t.

“I want to see this Soul Eater with my own eyes.”

“W-what are you saying!?”

“I won’t know how to properly deal with it unless I see it myself. Besides, I fought against demons in my younger days. I won’t be a burden.”

Well then, while I may not be as perceptive as a Halfling, my instincts aren’t to be taken lightly.

This Soul Eater… I don’t think it’s as dangerous as we assume.

So, my subordinates will have to forgive me. I’ll insist on going to the site myself.

◇

It was definitely a Soul Eater.

But… were they always this big?

Damn. My memory isn’t reliable. The last time I saw one was centuries ago.

Still, this one was a peculiar individual.

“Your Majesty! It’s dangerous!”

Even now, despite its massive size and enormous mouth—easily capable of swallowing us whole—it seemed reluctant to take our attacks head-on.

Instead, it changed its course abruptly, as if dodging attacks, and ended up heading straight for me.

Was I targeted because I’m the queen? No, from what I saw, it was just avoiding attacks, and I just happened to be in its path.

“How about this?”

I cast a rock magic spell, launching an attack directly at its face—or was it its mouth?

Whatever the case, as soon as I struck, the Soul Eater swiftly distanced itself from me.

That confirmed it. It was deliberately avoiding taking unnecessary damage.

Despite the fact that, if it wanted to, it could have easily endured our attacks.

“…It doesn’t seem all that violent.”

“What are you saying!? If we let our guard down, it’ll devour us at any moment!”

“But it hasn’t eaten anyone yet, has it?”

“That’s only because we’re fighting desperately!”

Would a Dark Elf fighting for their life really escape unharmed against such a powerful Soul Eater?

It felt less like a mindless predator and more like… a gatekeeper for this dungeon’s trials.

“Let’s test something.”

I conjured more rocks and launched a continuous barrage of attacks.

By keeping up the assault, I forced the Soul Eater into a purely defensive stance.

“Now’s our chance—move forward!”

I had my subordinates proceed to the next floor while I held the Soul Eater at bay before following after them.

Something was definitely off.

I had a feeling this Soul Eater wasn’t acting of its own volition but was instead following an order to test intruders.

If that were the case, then by moving forward, we might encounter something left behind by a past Demon King…

Was the real challenge just beginning?

I’d better conserve some magic for our return.

◇

“Oh, we finally made it deeper inside.”

“They sure are being extravagant with that Soul Eater.”

I understood what Ipiletis was getting at.

But wouldn’t it be a waste to have such a creature and not let as many intruders see it as possible?

Besides, it wasn’t just for show.

“Soul Eaters are supposed to be quite powerful, right?”

“Yes. For Dark Elves, even if their entire tribe bands together, they expect a few casualties. And that’s the least costly method they’ve found.”

I see… Epiclesi wasn’t just knowledgeable about undead—he knew a lot about monsters and other races too.

“If they realize that such a dangerous monster can be repelled without any casualties, they might start underestimating the dungeon’s traps and other threats.”

“Ah, so you plan to lure them into a false sense of security before crushing them? Not a bad strategy.”

“I never said to go all out, Rigma… These guys are a bad influence on you.”

Oh, judging by Ananta’s complaints, we might have overdone it.

Alright, let’s tweak the traps and monsters in the next area.

◇

My master gave me new orders.

I was still to patrol this vast chamber as usual, but now, there were more detailed instructions.

A normal monster wouldn’t be able to comprehend such complex directives.

That meant my master believed in me.

I’m smart, after all. I had to do my best.

Dark Elves would invade.

I should attack and threaten them but eat no more than two per day.

If possible, I shouldn’t eat any for now.

That was fine. My master had given me magic to sustain myself.

Even without eating Dark Elves, I would be just fine. I’m smart, after all.

So, I adjusted my attacks accordingly.

Gradually, the Dark Elves began fighting back.

But my top priority was clear—my survival.

If an attack seemed even slightly dangerous, I avoided it.

One day, the Dark Elf Queen arrived.

Oh, this was the queen?

Compared to my master’s master—the Demon King—she was nothing.

…Wait, why is she pelting my face with rocks!?

What the hell!?

Just go already!