Chapter 9

Monster Gacha… No, I mean monster creation, which has been going smoothly, and I’ve been able to create quite a few.

Thanks to that, my stats have been slightly boosted again.

Izumi Reiko
Magic: 10
Strength: 5
Technique: 7
Toughness: 7
Agility: 6

I guess this is due to the magic I’m using to renovate the dungeon. Since magic is the primary thing I’m using, it’s probably easier to increase it compared to other stats.

Well, right now, what I need most is magic, so it’s more helpful if it keeps increasing.

“By the way, is Fiona-sama doing well?”

Since then, Fiona-sama, who has been continuously infusing magic into the treasure chest, stood up straighter and answered my question.

“I just finished. About 90% of my maximum magic has already been infused into this treasure chest.”

“Indeed, the chest looks even more luxurious now.”

It’s the same kind of chest as the one that had the resurrection potion. If we resurrect Fiona-sama’s subordinates with this, reviving the Demon Lord’s army might not be a dream.

“Well then, I’ll open it.”

“Yes, please. Neither Primilla  nor I can do it.”

With permission, I opened the chest. Inside was not the glowing liquid from before… but what’s this? A sand clock? It looks just as luxurious as the chest itself.

“Fiona-sama, it doesn’t seem like a resurrection potion.”

“…Something like this.”

Unlike me, who felt a bit disappointed, both Fiona-sama and Primilla -san were surprisingly astonished. From their reactions, this sand clock seems to be some amazing item.

“This is a Time Sand Clock. It’s a rare item that allows the user to rewind their time by a few seconds. It’s even rarer than a resurrection potion.”

As expected, it’s an incredible item. Rewinding time means we could even undo death.

“Rey, you should keep it. It’ll be useful as a safety net in case something happens.”

That’s appreciated, but… I’ve already come up with another use for it in my head.

“If we use this, Fiona-sama’s magic could be instantly restored, right?”

“…I see, instead of slowly infusing magic like before, you’d restore it all at once and then use the Time Sand Clock. That would restore the magic as well.”

“Then, Fiona-sama, please hold on to it. I’ll make another chest.”

Eventually, I’d like to have it as my safety net, but right now, we need to focus on restoring the Demon Lord’s army. We don’t want to be caught off guard when strong humans and beastmen attack.

“Lord Demon, if that’s the case, please focus on restoring your magic while sitting on the throne.”

“…Well, that’s why I revived Primilla , but it can’t be helped. Primilla , while I’m away, you’re in charge of protecting Rey.”

“As you command.”

It seems that restoring magic is easier when doing it this way. Fiona-sama reluctantly headed toward the throne room.

“…”

“…”

Primilla -san just stood by my side, waiting. It’s like she’s my secretary, but considering she’s one of the Four Heavenly Kings, she’s a high-ranking member of the Demon Lord’s army. I hope she’s not secretly angry about being assigned to someone like me.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, I was just thinking about something.”

For now, I’ll have to prove to her that I’m useful. I’ll keep renovating the dungeon little by little and make that known.

Now, I wanted to try something that had appeared in the menu along with the treasure chest and monsters.

Trap Creation: Magic cost 5

Judging by the name, this menu is probably also for repelling intruders. It’s likely a trap set within the dungeon itself, separate from the monsters.

“Primilla , could you come with me to the entrance?”

“You may call me Primilla . Understood. I will protect you with my life, Lord Rey.”

Such a devoted person… I hope it doesn’t come to that.

We arrived at the room closest to the dungeon’s entrance. Now that the monsters I created are waiting here, it feels like the room is smaller than before.

Dungeon Crawler Magic: 10 Strength: 23 Technique: 7 Toughness: 30 Agility: 19
Cobalt Lord Magic: 7 Strength: 26 Technique: 30 Toughness: 28 Agility: 35
Goblin Mage Magic: 32 Strength: 10 Technique: 27 Toughness: 25 Agility: 24
Toxic Slime Magic: 12 Strength: 4 Technique: 9 Toughness: 41 Agility: 28

It feels like there’s a good balance between frontline and backline. The similarity in the monsters might be due to my low magic or just random chance. I’ll need to look into that later.

“Let me through.”

At first, the monsters were wary of me, but now they treat me like an ally. They’ve come to recognize me as a valuable member of the Demon Lord’s army. Since I’m weak, I rely on them to protect the dungeon.

“Are you leaving the room?”

“Yes, there’s only one path leading to the entrance from here. By the way, can you sense any intruders nearby?”

“Please wait a moment… There’s no sign of magic, sound, or movement around. It’s safe for now, but please be cautious.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“No need for formalities.”

Well, once I’m used to this, I’ll consider it. For now, it seems safe, so let’s quickly take care of things.

Trap Creation: Magic cost 5

I spent magic to renovate the path leading from the dungeon entrance. At first, nothing seemed to have changed, but I noticed that a round rock had been placed on the ceiling. That’s probably it. Just like with the monsters, once a trap is created, it seems to be added to the menu.

Rolling Rock: Magic cost 5

The name is simple and helpful. It seems the rock will roll automatically when an intruder is detected. I don’t know how effective it’ll be against those who challenge the dungeon, but even if it’s just an annoyance, it’ll do the job.

I’d like to see how it performs, but I’m not foolish enough to wait around near it. I’m not sure if this trap will work, but I might want to add more traps in between creating monsters.

“That should do it. Primilla … let’s head back to Fiona-sama.”

“You can make traps too… Understood. I’ll accompany you.”

◇

For now, we’ll rest until my magic is fully recovered.

I left the entrance to the traps and monsters, and we headed back to Fiona-sama.

When we arrived, Fiona-sama, who should have been on her throne, greeted us holding a treasure chest in one hand.

“Fiona-sama, has your magic been restored?”

“Welcome back, Rey. My magic has already been restored.”

Is that really true? It feels unusually fast, but could it be because she restored it in the throne room?

“Lord Demon King… Could it be that you’ve used the magic in the throne room?”

“Primilla . The magic in the throne room is for use in emergencies. Is that correct?”

“Yes… I apologize. Please forgive my overly forward remark.”

“I forgive you. Now, Rey, could you open the treasure chest?”

From the conversation, it seems Fiona-sama used the stored magic.

If it’s for situations like this, I shouldn’t interfere. I should just open the treasure chest.

“…A crystal? No, there’s silver liquid inside?”

“Ah… Something different again…”

Fiona-sama visibly deflated.

It’s an item I’ve never seen before. In other words, it’s not the resurrection medicine she had been hoping for.

“Um, what kind of item is this?”

“…It’s a universal medicine. It can cure all status ailments. I’ll give it to you, Rey…”

Since it wasn’t resurrection medicine, Fiona-sama still seemed a bit disappointed.

“Now then. Rey, I’d like you to make another treasure chest.”

“My Lord, Rey-sama just set up traps in the dungeon. If he creates another treasure chest, there’s a chance he will run out of magic.”

“Ah, I see… Then, when he can create a chest without overexerting himself, could you make another treasure chest, Rey?”

“Yeah, I can make one now if you’d like.”

“That’s not allowed.”

She firmly stopped me.

But… I wonder if Fiona-sama is okay. It seems like she’s become a bit obsessed with the treasure chest gacha and the items that come out of it…

It might be a good idea to keep an eye on her so she doesn’t get too caught up in the gacha craze.

◇

The hole where the prey had escaped was still there.

It was just a little further, but I was blocked by a wall and had to turn back.

When I returned with my companions, the hole had been completely sealed.

The giant lizard wasn’t happy about it.

It resented the fact that such a weak prey had been allowed to escape, and it hated the cave that was sheltering it.

However, for some reason, there was nothing obstructing their path at the entrance.

And now, it was leading the pack.

There was no reason to let the prey escape again.

Thinking this, the giant lizard stepped into the cave, leading its pack.

The path was narrow and only one way forward. As it crawled on all fours, it heard a small, unfamiliar sound.

Because the sound was faint, it paid no mind and continued moving forward. But that was when it lost its life.

The falling rock didn’t just crush the leading giant lizard.

The spherical shape of the rock, combined with the gentle incline toward the entrance, created a trap that rolled over the giant lizard’s pack, crushing them and finally halting its movement when it collided with the entrance.

And so, their lives were converted into magic for the dungeon, though no one ever knew this…