kscans

Chapter 189 - Demon King's Army

To be honest, I wasn't that into it at first. It just seemed like a pain. If all I had to do was obliterate the enemy, that'd be one thing, but that's not what this was, right? I had to hold back while also calibrating my attacks so they'd serve as nourishment for the Society members. It was beyond tedious. But if the kids were going to participate in a Halloween subjugation event, then I couldn't exactly ignore it. A battle on the scale of several hundred people would be a valuable experience for them. So, I agreed to be the raid boss.

And then, while I was thinking about this and that, I started having fun.

At first, I was just mechanically thinking up gimmicks. But gradually, the little boy's heart inside me started to stir, and before I knew it, I was completely absorbed. How about this? This is good! No, no, what if I do this instead? It was that kind of thing.

"Alright everyone, don't look so glum."

I spoke to the Society members while still seated on the throne of Magic Castle Sugar the Great. I get how you feel, you know? You've been working so hard up to now, and then you're told there's an overtime round. Of course you'd groan. And even if I say it's to strengthen your fighting power, you're just thinking that's my problem, not yours. But this isn't such a bad deal for them either.

"It's not like participation is mandatory. If you want to back out after the explanation, just take off your badge and you can leave."

So listen to the end, I told them, and began my explanation.

"Okay everyone, take a look next to your faces. See the meter floating there?"

It was a gauge that showed their contribution level in the raid battle. The Mutual Aid Society was set up to give out rewards based on that contribution level. As I rattled off some specific monetary amounts, the look in their eyes gradually began to change.

"It goes without saying, but support actions are properly counted toward your contribution, so don't worry."

Also, it's important not to get the wrong idea. What matters in a raid battle is cooperation. Trying to grandstand to earn points won't actually increase your contribution much. Despite that, if you keep showboating and trying to earn points bit by bit, it'll start going into the negative, so be careful. The objective this time is to fight an enemy you see no chance of beating and to gain experience. But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. There might be situations where you're forced to fight by yourself, but this time you have allies. I want you to bundle your individual strengths and maneuver skillfully.

"If you want to earn contribution points efficiently, you need to work in sync. If a team move makes us go, 'Ooh, not bad,' you might even get a special bonus to your contribution."

Incidentally, that judgment call is handled by staff from the Mutual Aid Society. The very same sensory-type staff who were so active during this Halloween event. The system works with me buffing them so they can track everyone's actions in real time and add to their contribution scores.

"And this is just an event, after all. You're not gonna die in this battle."

Even if you take what would be a fatal level of damage, you won't die. You'll just be unable to move on the spot. Continues are also possible. That said, if you guys just use zombie tactics, it'll defeat the purpose for the Mutual Aid Society.

"The respawn time is five minutes. During that time, you won't be able to move a single finger, and you'll have to experience all the pain that a fatal wound brings."

Still, it would be pointless if your spirit was completely broken here. I am accepting give-ups. If you just think it in your head, you'll be ejected outside.

"Just be aware that in that case, your contribution reward will be cut by more than half."

<...Um, may I ask a question?>

One of the members raised their hand. How polite. I gestured for them to go ahead, and they spoke, their face twitching slightly.

<...Why can't we see you anywhere nearby, Satou-san, the raid boss?>

"Well, duh. It wouldn't be any fun if the Demon King showed up right at the start, would it?"

I have to be sitting majestically on my castle throne.



"I mean you have to get through the super Satou village, where countless trials lie in wait, and make your way to Magic Castle Sugar the Great."

Of course, you can earn contribution points from the battles along the way too.

"But don't get complacent just because you've entered the castle, okay? The adventure isn't over until you reach the throne room."

Naturally, I've prepared all sorts of things inside the castle as well.

"I'll give you a little sneak peek."

Pan pan! I clapped my hands, and a cheerful-looking transvestite and three people with fed-up expressions entered the throne room. Since I'm the Demon King, I'm just a silhouette, but I suppose it's fine to let them see these guys' faces directly.



<...And who are the dandy guy and the transvestite over there?>



Fuffuffu, what a great reaction. Yanagi and Onisaki have returned to the public stage, but it's not like it's widely known. Unless you're constantly keeping tabs on my movements, you probably wouldn't know. Or even if you did, you wouldn't know what they look like now.

"Allow me to introduce them. These are the Four Heavenly Kings."

"Good evening~♪"

"..." ""...""

Hey now, you're no fun! And you call yourselves the Four Heavenly Kings.

"Come on, introduce yourselves."

"...Yanagi Seiichi."

"Onisaki Ranmaru. My professional name is Ranko, so I'd be happy if you called me that."

"...Takahashi."

"...Suzuki."

Not an ounce of amiability in them. You should learn from Onisaki.



"Yep. Making your old rivals your underlings is pretty Demon King-like, don't you think?"




I'm not planning on having them go all out, and the same goes for me. The only people participating in this subjugation event are the low to mid-tier members, after all.

"Let's move on to the next character intro. It's the helper character, Saint Chikarin!!"

I snapped my fingers, and Chika-san, with her disguise removed, appeared before the members. I had her wear a saint-like costume. I bought it at a discount shop on the way here.

"She won't join the battle, but she'll give you hints on how to clear it."





"Alright then, I'll wait three minutes, so anyone who wants to retire, please do so now."

I started the stopwatch on my phone and waited for three minutes. No one left. Some were after the money, others wanted the experience. For various reasons, they must have figured it wasn't such a bad deal.

"OK. In that case, let the raid battle begin!!"

The moment I declared it, countless tombstones went flying as a horde of skeletons emerged from the ground. They may look like small fry monsters, but I've added a fair bit of ingenuity to them.



Now then, let's see what you've got.