To begin with, it’s extremely rare for mid-level demons to appear by chance.
Lesser demons can evolve by absorbing large amounts of life force, including from humans, but most are exterminated before reaching that point.
Even if they did evolve, they shouldn’t be in a Level 3 dungeon.
This is because mid-level demons cannot survive for long periods in dungeons below Level 5.
This relates to demons’ nature of living by absorbing magical energy; when they run short of it, they naturally weaken and disappear.
Dungeons contain different amounts of magical energy proportional to their level, so naturally there’s a limit to how long demons can be active in dungeons with low magical density.
However,
“That armored demon was super energetic when it attacked Garm!”
“Indeed, the magical energy of seven humans wouldn’t be enough.”
“…Considering that the first disappearance was a month ago, it’s impossible for it to have continued living there.”
A mid-level demon surviving for a month in a Level 3 dungeon is theoretically impossible.
If so, there’s only one explanation.
“Someone was supplying that demon with magical energy… that’s what you’re thinking, right?”
“Yeah. Setting aside the origin of that mid-level demon, there’s no other explanation. And there’s a possibility that Helheim is involved… probably.”
It’s conjecture, but it makes sense.
I push away from the wall, and with the two following me, exit the gates of Gart.
We head toward the dungeon where the explorers we passed when entering town were likely heading.
“[Cage of the Battlefield]… let’s go back there.”
■
[Cage of the Battlefield]. A hollow dungeon formed underground at an ancient battlefield.
The dimly lit dungeon interior, made of earthen walls and hard ground, instills an instinctive fear in explorers.
Explorers who heard the tragic news of the mid-level demon’s appearance gathered together, and bravely entered the dungeon to destroy it.
Three Level 4 explorer parties. Four Level 3 parties.
A total of twenty-seven people formed ranks and proceeded through the dungeon with Level 5 explorer Lander Code serving as the captain for this mission.
What they saw there was…
“T-This… is it the [Armor]?”
“N-No doubt about it! This is what attacked us!”
The one shouting in dismay is Dight Neiman, the man who brought back information about the mid-level demon.
What lies before Dight and the other explorers is the lifeless remains of Demons, a mid-tier demon that should have spawned in this dungeon.
Most of its flesh has vanished, but the signature armored portions remain intact.
Explorers sell materials left behind by demons like this for money—or use them to craft weapons to fight back.
“I-Is it… dead?”
Randa prods the armor’s remains with his foot, but there’s no reaction.
“Did other explorers get to it first…?”
“If it was explorers, they wouldn’t just leave the materials behind.”
“T-then, who…?”
“Hell if I know…”
They try to make sense of the situation, but the chatter only spreads confusion.
Amidst it, Dight raises his voice from a spot slightly farther away.
“A… Agh…!”
Before him lies a dried-up pool of blood—scattered fragments of equipment and crushed flesh in a ghastly mess.
This was where the greatsword-wielder of his party had swung at the demon to let Dight escape.
Dight picks up an explorer’s ID card, stained with blood, wipes it clean, and tucks it into his pocket.
The other explorers avert their eyes with pained expressions.
“Sorry, everyone… I need to recover the other two’s cards too…”
They force cheerful voices to comfort the tearful Dight.
“Yeah, of course! Can’t leave ’em here!”
“Don’t just stop at the cards—let’s take back whatever we can!”
With lighter steps now that the mid-tier demon’s threat is gone, they press deeper into the dungeon.
Their destination: the dead-end chamber where Dight’s party was slaughtered.
Occasionally, Lesser Demons, ant-like creatures called Mushi-Ari —scuttle forth on many legs to attack. But as mere Lv. 3 Lesser Demon, they pose no real threat to the organized group.
TLNOTE : Mushi = Bug, Ari = Ant
Swords slash, spears thrust, and fire magic burns them away.
True to its Lv. 3 rating, the dungeon isn’t complex, and they reach their destination quickly.
Arriving at a wide, circular dead-end, the explorers secure the exit while surveying the area.
But Dight freezes, breath caught in disbelief.
“…………Gone……!”
The bodies of his two slain comrades—they’ve vanished without a trace. Not a drop of blood, not a sign of being devoured.
Almost as if… someone took them.
“W-why!? Why are they gone!?”
“Hey, calm down, Dight!”
“Are you sure this is where they died? Maybe you’re misremembering—”
The others keep searching, but no traces are found.
As they step fully into the chamber, trying to soothe the frantic Dight—
He snaps his fingers.
Instantly, the ground collapses.
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Screams echo through the dungeon—then silence.
The pit isn’t deep. Climbing out would be easy.
The fallen explorers quickly rise, assessing the situation.
Their leader, Randa, shouts:
“Everyone alright!?”
“We’re fine here!”
“No issues!”
“All good on our end!”
Party leaders call out, confirming their safety.
Once assured, they survey their surroundings.
“An underground layer…? Was this part of the dungeon…?”
In the dimmer space, what catches their eye is Dight—standing unnervingly still, as if nothing happened.
As dust settles, Randa approaches to check on him— And stumbles over something.
“Whoa—!”
Regaining his balance, he looks down—And freezes.
“……Huh?”
Three corpses.
Two are likely Dight’s missing comrades.
But what paralyzes Randa is the third one.
A corpse with wide, lifeless eyes—its lower half crushed.
Dight. No mistake.
Because right in front of him stands a man with Dight’s exact face.
Which means… the thing standing there is—
“Aah… Perfect success!”
The thing wearing Dight’s face grins, twisting its mouth obscenely.
“————Welcome, honored explorers. To the breeding grounds of demons.”
It spreads its arms—and snaps its fingers again.
The darkness moves.
What appears—
“Aah… AAAAAAAAAHHH!!”
—is an uncountable swarm of Lesser Demons, Mushi-Ari.
Surrounded, the explorers can only scream in terror.
But that’s not all.
Leading the swarm are three mid-tier Demons:
One wields a staff-like weapon. One has an unnaturally massive jaw. One with grotesquely overdeveloped arms.
They stand in unnervingly perfect formation, as if trained.
The thing—now peeling off Dight’s skin—places a hand on its chest and bows.
When it raises its head again—Its face is no longer Dight’s. Instead, it’s the visage of a black panther.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am the 57th Greater Demon—Executive President, [Ose]. To our glorious meeting… and farewell—let us toast… in blood.”
The instant those words end—The demon horde swallows them whole.
Greater Demons
Demons with intelligence rivaling—or surpassing—humans. They serve the Demon King, embodiments of malice that erode mankind.
They rank themselves.
At the top: [King], the mightiest Greater Demon—arrogantly self-styled as monarch despite serving the Demon King.
Beneath them: [Lord], [Duke], [Marquis], and [Earl].
Power scales from Earl to King. Dealing with a [King]-class Greater Demon demands national-level military force—a supernatural, biological catastrophe.
And then—[President].
These exist outside that hierarchy. They wield power not through strength, but by commanding other demons. Individually weak, they excel in cruel intellect and unique abilities to invade humanity.
“Hahahahaha… You fell for it far too easily.”
Ose, the [President]-class Greater Demon.
A shapeshifter, adept at mimicking others.
After killing Dight, it took his place, infiltrated the explorers’ city, and lured them into this “Cage of the Battlefield.”
All for the sake of expanding its forces.
“Now… Rise.”
It touches the lifeless explorers—
Their bodies bubble and warp, transforming grotesquely.
What emerges are mid-tier Demons.
Every explorer who entered this dungeon as a strike force—Has become one of them.
“Khee-hee, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!! It was risky moving under their noses… But finally, we’ve done it!”
Ose dances atop a sea of blood, howling with laughter.
“Still… that armored Demons corpse was odd. My masterpiece… Ah, well. Just one of many.”
Supplying the new Demons with magic, it asserts control.
The newly born Demons and their kin prostrate before Ose.
“O Demon King… Your awakening is near! Our ambition is within grasp—”
“Ah. Too late.”
Crack.
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