0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 44: The Third Box (3) (Part 1)

At Karos’s irritated words, Sinclair blinked. Then, as if understanding, she nodded.

“So this is what a joke is.”

“What?”

“Sorry. It’s my first time experiencing a joke, so I didn’t know how to react. I’ll do better next time.”

Karos was at a loss for words at her completely different reaction.

“…Whatever.”

He shook his head and walked through the space.

“First, let’s open two boxes.”

A box from which material things come out and a box from which monsters come out. He had used both quite a bit. Karos made a judgment based on that experience.

“…It’s not bad.”

Most of it was trash, but some of it was definitely good.

“There’s a wide variety of things that can come out.”

The Twin-Headed Ogre, the divine mineral Bryon, and the necklace that blocks dark magic were all things that couldn’t be considered early-game items. Karos wasn’t a Demon King who focused on brute strength, so he didn’t have much use for them, but an ordinary Demon King would have rapidly increased their power.

“And the number of boxes will increase. The contents will differ for each type, right?”

“I expect that to be the case.”

The boxes increase. That means having more options.

Right now, it’s close to just picking whatever comes up, but later on, it could be directed to bring out what is needed according to the situation.

“Objectively, if luck is on your side, it’s useful.”

“Are you satisfied now?”

“No. Damn The Great Demon King.”

Karos immediately dismissed Bathesia’s words.

“If I had received a brainwashing ability instead, things would have gone better. Besides, this can only be used if prepared in advance.”

He couldn’t use the ability unless he pulled it out from the space within the Demon King’s castle. This time, too, Bathesia had to come directly to the sanctuary because of that.

“Having to rely on luck is also a big problem. This time, there were eleven slimes. I almost died there.”

No matter how useful it was, there were too many variables as it was dependent on luck.

“And it can’t grow. Bathesia, your ability grows stronger as you grow stronger, right?”

“It’s not just me; all Demon Kings are like that.”

A Demon King’s ability was not simple. It was a symbol that represented the Demon King. How they used it was directly tied to their survival.

“But mine isn’t like that.”

Karos’s ability was outside that norm.

“Even if the number of options increases, I can’t grow it. It’s a fixed power.”

“It’s unshakable.”

Bathesia murmured with a discontented face. His words were correct, so she didn’t argue further.

“And the biggest problem is that it’s not cool.”

Karos grimaced. Bathesia also remained silent. It might sound like a joke, but it was an important issue for a Demon King.

Karos stomped his foot irritably.

“Enough. Complaining won’t change anything. Anyway, it’s important to increase the number of boxes. Lillis, any more messages from the Great Demon King?”

“The Great Demon King is aware of this. He has made a proposal.”

“Do I have to receive proposals for my ability?”

Karos smirked and gestured with his chin.

“Tell me.”

“The black box given this time was a service.”

“…Service?”

“Yes.”

Lillis spoke without any change in her expression.

“Because the situation isn’t favorable, it was given as a one-time favor. Normally, you would need to use points to open new boxes.”

“…How much?”

“It varies depending on the number of boxes, but to open the third box, it will cost five thousand points.”

“Damn.”

Karos muttered with a hollow face.

“This is driving me crazy.”

“Wait.”

Sinclair, who had been quietly listening, raised her hand.

“Could this… not be a joke?”

“No, it’s not. Did you think it was a joke?”

“Um, I thought it was a prank.”

Karos and Lillis were very serious. Sinclair asked with a doubtful face.

“Is it really… gacha?”

“Don’t make me say it again.”

“Geez.”

Sinclair had a troubled face at Karos’s irritable words.

“As a hero, this is quite a complex feeling.”

To humans, the Demon King was an enemy and the ultimate evil that invaded the world. Their fear was deeply ingrained in humans, and the Demon King’s abilities were inherently terrifying.

But to think that the Demon King’s ability was gacha.

“Are all Demon Kings created in such a joke-like manner?”

“No. Usually, there are grand ceremonies and succession rituals. This guy is unique.”

“I see. That’s somewhat reassuring.”

“Quiet.”

Karos frowned at the murmurs and gestured to Lillis.

“Do it quickly.”

“Are you sure? It’s five thousand points.”

“What if I’m not okay? It’s important to increase the options, so we have to do it.”

“Understood. Then.”

Lillis closed her eyes and muttered something. The rainbow-colored space vibrated, and a new box appeared next to the existing ones.

“This time it’s a wooden box.”

“It costs five hundred points. What will you do?”

“You don’t know until you open it, right? Buy eight. We should save some.”

Points were earned by performing tasks as a Demon King. In other words, they couldn’t be easily earned. It was better to keep some in reserve for emergencies.

“Okay. Got it? Then…”

Karos pressed his forehead.

“…Let’s get out of here. My head hurts.”

Everyone except Soccu nodded.

*** ***

After a brief rest, they gathered again. Eight wooden boxes were laid out in front of Karos.

“This feels uneasy.”

Karos touched the boxes with an uneasy face. The shock from Bryon was too strong, so he felt averse to it.

“But you have to do it.”

“You guys are lucky. You can just watch.”

Bathesia and Soccu were waiting with curious eyes. Sinclair, experiencing this for the first time, also watched with bright eyes.

“Damn it.”

Karos closed his eyes tightly and opened a box. A yellow light burst out.

“…What is this?”

A small piece of paper was in Karos’s hand.

“Paper?”

“Is it an artifact?”

“There’s no magical aura, so it’s not that.”

It looked like an ordinary piece of paper, and they were all bewildered. Karos muttered as he looked at the paper.

“…A voucher to receive a hug from a passing demon?”

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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