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89.56% Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster’s Power / Chapter 644: Chapter 644

章節 644: Chapter 644

The Arch Demon looks at me, filled with curiosity once again.

"You really know nothing of the inner workings of the Demonic Realm? How far away from the capital were you born?"

I don't react to the question, and lift the red shimmering fragment of divine energy in front of the demon's face.

It stares into the beautiful glowing crystal full of vibrating divine threads, but judging by its expression, it has no idea what it is.

Eventually, the Demon responds.

"What... is that?"

My gaze tightens, and I let the fragment fall back into my item storage, but I notice the silent earth dragon behind the demon, its eyes widening, and a spike of surprise and quickened heartbeat make me believe it knows exactly what I just showed.

"Never mind. Just tell me about these Red Core Demonic Knights."

After a moment of silence, as I don't feel the need to respond, the demon continues to speak.

"Well... if you don't know about the knights, then you're truly a demon lost from society. You must have been raised far out in the Rift Lands..."

The Demon scratches his head in confusion, then looks up at the ceiling, as if trying to structure his thoughts.

"Well... I guess we can just start at the beginning. If you're a demon born in the capital, the only way to survive, grow, and earn your keep is by joining the army, diving into rifts that lead to mana-rich worlds. Sure, you could challenge the native demonic monsters of the realm to grow stronger, but they won't level up your mana-based system, which is more valuable for demons that want to apply for Labyrinth contracts."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Labyrinth contracts?"

The Demon smiles.

"Yes, just like the contract we made when you summoned me here. I had to train and level up for quite a long time before coming to this world. If I'd accepted a contract as a level one demon, the first human to challenge this construct would have killed me before I had a chance to fight back... It's an unspoken law that demons should at least rise from Fledgling to Greater before even considering applying for Labyrinth contracts. Many wait until they become Arch Demons even..."

A word sticks out to me, so I ask another question.

"You said construct... The Labyrinth is a construct?"

"Of course. It's merely another function of the system. They cost mana and activation stones to create, in the same proportions as a dungeon would. They are mana-based pocket worlds created for energy collection. All of the monsters inside are nothing more than rented avatars. Demons and dragons are the only ones truly putting their lives on the line here. Though, we get the highest potential reward at the end of it."

I open my mouth, but no words come out while I process his words.

The Demon continues.

"Like I said before, once a demon manages to pass the first test, growing a labyrinth to its mature state, they're able to bring the siphoned mana back to the demonic realm and offer it to one of the five great families of their choosing. That, or they can roam the world they've completed their contract in as a free and powerful Arch Demon..."

He pauses, then smiles.

"There is no greater height an Arch Demon can climb than joining the personal army of one of the five Great Families... This is why I'm continuously confused by your claim that you're not a part of any of them... The prestige that comes with even joining the outer ranks as subordinates of the Red Core Demonic Knights is enough to live like a king and set up your family with generational wealth and power."

I nod, as the Demonic Realms hierarchy is beginning to make sense in my mind.

"How many Red Core Knights are there, and what do they do exactly? Are the families at war? Are there forces in the demonic realm that attack often? Or...?"

Pluto thinks to himself.

"In the capital, there hasn't been conflict for thousands of years. The demonic beasts that roam our realm are no match for the Red Core Demonic Knights. Ascended Arch Demons are truly on another level than all other demons and beasts... I—"

He looks at me timidly for a moment.

"—I'm sure you already knew this, being one yourself... I've never actually met one in person, other than a few glances at the Vermillion Family's public ceremonies when I was a Fledgling. I did get a glimpse of their 116th Red Core squad. It was led by a single Orange Core Commander, truly a magnificent sight. I could feel the demonic realm bending to their will with every step they took, even dozens of kilometers away."

These words seal the deal in my mind. The 'Ascended Demons' he speaks of are definitely divine core holders. By the sound of it, considering a single family has squads of these red cores that are numbered into the hundreds, there are truly an unfathomable amount of them in the demonic realm.

It makes me both uneasy and excited in the same breath.

Pluto continues to speak.

"Above the Orange Core Commanders, there are Yellow Generals, but I've never seen one with my own eyes. My family is not well-connected to any of the five Great Families, so this is really the true extent of my knowledge..."

I reply with another question.

"What about the family leaders? Who leads these Yellow Generals? You said there are other Demon Lords once when we first met... Where are they? Will they be coming to claim this throne too?"

The Demon shakes his head.

"I already told you I don't know much more... The families keep many things secret other than sprinkling hints among the public on how to join their ranks, giving us the tools to farm mana for the family of our choosing. More will be explained the higher we climb."

I become rather disappointed by his response, but it does make sense. Considering the day I met him, he only had a few hundred levels and was a very newly awakened Arch Demon. It's rather absurd for me to believe he knows everything about his home kingdom's inner workings.

It would be like asking a random new dungeon farmer in the Crimson City about the powers of the inner circle or how The Flame Emperor got so strong. Many of them don't even know I exist; they're merely linked through a small thread of loyalty they subconsciously gave into, allowing them to enter through the Crimson Dome.

I click my tongue and nod.

"Understandable... What you've provided is already a great help—"

To my surprise, the earth dragon speaks up through a three-way telepathy link, allowing me to hear its slow, deep voice for the first time.

"You will not have to worry about other Demon Lords challenging the throne. Once an Ascended Arch Demon claims a world of their own, they never return to this realm. Many call them Green Core Lords. They are able to give orders through the five noble houses' thrones, but not even the Yellow Generals have seen the other Lords in the flesh."

My eyes widen at the dragon's words, as even more pieces of this massive puzzle fit together. I reply with another question.

"Where do dragons fit into all of this...? How do you know this knowledge? Last time I visited, you were still in your egg."

My gaze tightens as I search for a divine core hiding within this creature to make sense of its knowledge, but there is nothing—it is made purely of mana.

The slow reply through the telepathy link reaches my ears a few moments later.

"It is a complicated explanation. For context you must understand that Demons and dragons have always been intertwined within the system; dragons being the transcendent force of nature that is a catalyst for events to occur. Think of us as the final building block that holds the very fabric of these large system-based structures together. Without mana, we would not exist. Without bonding with a dragon, demons could not create labyrinths. The same goes for claiming the throne. One could have all of the building blocks to create a masterpiece, but without the glue, it is merely worthless material."

I try to understand his words, but it is a bit too abstract. I reply with a questioning gaze.

"How does that give you the knowledge of the past, if you were born here and never left this boss room...?"

I see the earth dragon grin for the first time as he responds.

"Dragons are all born with innate knowledge and shared memories of their ancestors... We are a collective, forever bonded with our Demonic Energy wielding counterparts. The amount of knowledge from other dragon's past lives that is shared is unlocked and sent into our conscious minds more as we grow and become strong enough to add to the pool. We all share and grow the knowledge of the system together. That is, except for the Fallen One..."

____________________________

Author's Note:

If you're enjoying Dungeon Diver and want to follow Jay on his journey 20+ chapters ahead of schedule, check out the Patreon link in my profile bio.

There's custom chapter art for every new daily upload too!

Thanks for reading:)

____________________________


next chapter

章節 645: Chapter 645

I immediately reply, as I've heard many monsters in the past refer to Ember using this name, but none have given me a clear answer.

"The Fallen One... Who are they..?—or what—have they done?"

The earth dragon's dark black eyes stare into mine, holding many secrets behind them, yet full of curiosity still.

"It sounds like you have heard of the legend too. There are only fractured memories from the pool of this being. A dragon that came before us all... Or at least far enough back before the collective was created. It is said that this one reached the heights above every dragon that has ever lived. Beyond the status of a mere green-cored lord, even beyond what some call the immortal core. The Fallen One made it to the source... Or at least, that is the only reasonable explanation."

The dragon pauses for a moment, and I feel its heartbeat speed up again, even faster.

"Well—We do not know this for sure. I am speculating from old legends traveling by word of mouth through generations of dragons. Maybe those of a higher rank than myself have personal experiences with the Fallen One. All collective memories of that being have been eroded from our minds. I can feel the presence of where they used to be, but if I try to look too deep, all that is in its place is a blinding golden light."

I let out a sigh, as yet again, I've learned a bit more but still hit another dead end right before learning of this secret that is dangled before me time and time again.

However, the knowledge they have shared has been more than satisfying.

I now know how demons are linked to this world, as a means of siphoning mana back to their home realm.

The fact that no one in the Order, or humans that study Originator relics, have heard of or seen any green core beings now makes far more sense as well.

These thrones must be part of the process in which a True Core ascends... which is why Demon Lords never return back to this world. As I've found in all of the beings in Celia's construct, the physical body fades away once one ascends.

Then again, it makes me wonder... What if my experiences with green divine energy twice before, mutating my cells, makes me different?

I mentally sift through my storage, finding the minuscule single-digit amount of green fruits left, and decide now is not the time to test anything dangerous. If I really want to do so, I need far more time and more green divine energy.

Right now, I come up with a different plan, as memories of the outside world from my body doubles tell me the sun is starting to set on the horizon.

I can't help but grin while I look the demon and dragon in the eyes.

"Would both of you like to become Red Core Demonic Knights in my army?"

Pluto's eyes widen as he replies.

"W-What do you mean? You have the ability to conduct an ascension ceremony?"

The earth dragon grins, and I just nod.

"Yes, I have the means to turn you both into red-cored ascended. I just want a few things in return."

Pluto takes a step forward and nods.

"What is it?"

I let a small amount of my divine essence out from my barrier again, enough to make them know I'm serious, but not enough to actually injure them this time.

"I want you both to swear loyalty to me, The Flame Emperor. Once you've ascended yourselves, I want you to bring me to the capital of the Demonic Realm."

My eyes glimmer, and the pure emotion of excitement and anticipation permeates off me while both the Demon and Dragon bow their heads.

The Dragon speaks first.

"A fair trade. If my second half agrees, I will be happy to serve you until the day I die. It would be an honor to follow the will of a True Core Ascended."

The Demon follows up.

"This was my dream all along, to even join an ascended rank. I cannot pass up the offer to become one. I, Pluto, swear my undying loyalty to the Flame Emperor. Your will is mine."

Two new links of loyalty form in my rising emperor's domain interface, and in return, I pull out a large pile of red divine fragments from my storage, and let them fall in front of both of their heads as they slowly raise them.

I share my self-regeneration skill with both of them and spend the next few minutes explaining the process of awakening their divine cores.

With my arms crossed, standing a good distance away, I watch both of them consume their first fragment and erupt with red threads of reality-bending divine power.

It takes a few minutes to die down to a manageable level, and for their bodies to begin the healing process. But once they do, both realize that with my assistance, this path is not a figment of their imaginations anymore; it is an inevitable outcome if they follow my instructions.

At the same time, one of my body doubles drops off a large amount of mana in the form of pure pink concentrated crystals on the floor below us, and the system counter on the ceiling of the boss room moves up by about 5%, signifying a few hundred quadrillion MP have been added.

I speak up proudly through our strengthened telepathy link now.

"Very good. We shall be in contact through this link from now on. Continue your awakening process; I have more business to attend to."

Both of them reply with nods as they're deep in concentration while gathering red threads at the back of the boss room.

I dungeon-walk away to join the Crimson Army members training on floors 50–55 of the labyrinth, facing monsters between levels 2000 and 2500, and share my absorption skill with each of them.

While they are all making great progress on their own, using my skill to gain much-needed MCP after every kill will strengthen them even faster.

A few hours pass as I help the army climb the floors of the labyrinth with a small percentage of my own mana control to boost their strength, surpassing floor 70, making months' worth of progress in a single afternoon.

The dozens of brave hunters that fought by my side in the battle against the Lich King months ago, and just recently protected the Crimson Dome and citizens from the Association's attacks, have multiplied their strength once again. Each and every one of them surpasses level 5000, and gain hundreds of billions of MCP.

Both making the power of my allies far stronger, but also creating an even larger pool of stats and mana control I can pull from using my rising emperor's domain in the future.

While watching them train, the live memories of my body doubles pass by and I periodically check on the demon and dragon at the top of the labyrinth. Eventually, two very impactful events occur.

The first being that the double collecting the mana from the artificial mountains finally farms enough mana to complete the final 100th floor. I sacrifice another 100 fragments of luminite, and there is a three-way agreement forged within the inner workings of the labyrinth's interface to not collapse it and make room for 100 more floors.

Now when I stare up at the ceiling, a new text box appears.

[Floors Available: 100/200]

[Mana Necessary to create next Floor: [0.0 Quintillion / 30.2 Quintillion]]

My double goes back to work siphoning mana from the immense supply in the mountains to the west.

At the current rate it's working, it will still take many hours per floor to grow it further, and the process will only get longer, but the second event that is fresh in my mind takes precedence over my immediate brainpower and main body's attention.

I activate my stealth skill, and use my mythic-grade body double's perk to switch places with the double many thousands of kilometers away.

It is the dead of night on the island of Palmyra, and I find myself standing in the center of the largest of the Finger Islands.

My double has finished its surveillance duties and now knows exactly how this society runs. Their facilities and working cycles have all been logged, and the daily routines of the divine cores and higher ups are noted as well.

There is no reason to hold back anymore.

I slowly walk toward the mansion that houses two Yellow Cored Order members. It is time to begin the next stage of the plan I devised with Raven. There is not much time left, and I must become strong enough to face the Big Three.

____________________________

Author's Note:

If you're enjoying Dungeon Diver and want to follow Jay on his journey 20+ chapters ahead of schedule, check out the Patreon link in my profile bio.

There's custom chapter art for every new daily upload too!

Thanks for reading:)

____________________________


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