The shimmering purple threads continue to flow out from the crystal and bring reality into existence all around me as I think about her last question.
"What do you mean? The Demons are trying to take over our world? All they do is guard labyrinths. If anything they're growing the economy of large cities and helping our world thrive... no?"
All of the times I've conversed with demons in the past flash through my mind.
They've all been hostile and human-hating, but I just assumed that was because I was invading their fortresses and trying to kill them. It's only natural they'd try to kill me in return.
Even recently, with the labyrinth that I managed to create myself, the demon that spawned in was ready to make a deal with me. I whisper aloud as I remember our agreement.
"Well... he was adamant about bringing the captured mana back to the Demonic Realm.."
As I'm deep in thought, the purple energy form starts to walk around me again, and the familiar aura of curiosity spreads out as she interjects.
"So they're only on the initial farming phase? Dungeons and Labyrinths spawn, but they haven't taken control of enough of your world's mana to spark a stronghold yet, have they?"
I raise an eyebrow and turn my head to lock my eyes on her form as she continues to dance around.
Her words of a stronghold make the image of the abyss in the center of the Dark Continent flash in my mind. Ember's explanation of dungeons, labyrinths, and this phenomenon are similar; however, the fact that he's a dragon, and a divine beast may give him a strong bias on the matter.
"You mean a Demon Lord's Throne awakening? Is this what you mean by a stronghold? If so, there's definitely one forming..."
She nods slowly, and the emotions of shock, dread, and a small amount of hope trickle out of her.
"Yes, that is one of the names they go by. It's because they often only form in the Demonic Realm. Mostly used as a competition for worthy Arch Demons of the new generations to compete to become new Regional Lords..."
She pauses.
"Of course, they still expend lots of energy to create. Usually, the formation of a Demon Lord's throne will use a large amount of an entire world's energy. Demons are notorious for siphoning energy from young worlds to power their own throne awakenings, especially those that are newly connected to the system."
She gets very close to my face again.
"It is uncommon for them to trigger a throne awakening on other worlds. There is always a series of trials, once the throne is ready, anyone can challenge it. They're risking a lot of energy to spark one anywhere other than their realm or worlds they've already conquered, even if they're confident in their victory. There must be a reason why they want a stronghold on your human world rather than using this power to strengthen their own."
An aura of deep thought, distress, confusion, then boredom flood out of the woman before she turns away to start gracefully walking back toward the purple crystal.
To my surprise, the gem pulses and becomes a shade darker than it was moments ago.
She turns and speaks again.
"The fallen one granted me a wonderful gift, enough energy to converse with you here, but not nearly enough to say everything I want... It takes enough power for me to hold this construct together on autopilot, having intelligent conversation won't last much longer. I only wish I could stop history from repeating itself."
I take a step forward and she does the same, but her right arm dissolves into millions of tiny threads.
They collide with my forehead as she speaks again.
YOU ARE READING
[CH399+ Continued] Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster's Power
FantasyA story following a young hunter named Jay. He has grown up in a world where dungeons, monsters, and humans with leveling systems are a cultural norm. At the age of 20, he awakens a skill that allows him to steal the abilities of monsters. While oth...