Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

"I can't believe I got that level 10 short sword!"

Eyes trembling and a wistful smile stretching his lips, he scrutinised the blade on the wheel until the notification resounded.

[Congratulations on obtaining the rare weapon: Beginner legionnaire's short sword +15]

Introduction:

A short sword that once terrorised low-level players as his wielder mercilessly farmed them to get PvP points, causing them to invade the game's forums and accuse him of cheating.

Rarity: Rare

Level requirement: 10

Strength +8 (+15)

Agility +12 (+15)

Enhancements:

Igniting touch: The weapon's strikes deliver fire damage and have a 15% chance to ignite the target.

Lesser agility enchantment: Agility +5

"Hahaha!"

Loud chuckles pierced the territories, awakening the sleepy subjects as he observed the appearing glinting blade with sparkling eyes.

"Exactly how I remember it! My first Twink weapon!"

Indeed, he had invested a ridiculous amount of time on a level ten character to min-max its stats. The result? A PvP gear perfectly enchanted to the maximum and damage high enough to kill level twenty-five players!

He smirked at the memories, remembering how they called him the game's scourge and other insults, but trembled when faced with the energy-encased blade.

Tenderness fueling his thumb, he ran it on the smooth surface, feeling the hot waves released by the common metal and the stylistic power hue waving on any weapons enchanted to the maximum.

Passion flashing in his eyes, he imagined possessing his second weapon.

Since low-level characters lacked spells, he had invested everything in attack speed and crit rate. Meaning? Each item enhanced agility, making him strike so fast that even if higher-level characters dodged fifty percent of the hits, he could overwhelm them in two seconds.

Even worse! To gradually increase the game's difficulty, each stat point counted double on low-level characters.

'Ahhh. Their faces when they realised I had a hundred and thirteen percent chances to dodge and even max level characters couldn't kill me.'

A wistful smile split his lips as he sighed at the fun memories.

"Good morning, my lord."

Shihan's gentle voice pulled him out of his reverie, followed by the other subjects and cheerful imps.

"Morning everyone. Let's prepare breakfast. Report what happened yesterday in the meantime."

He nodded at them, leaning over the blade and realising he had been unconscious for almost the entire day.

However, he noticed how her eyes slipped to the side and her lips curled downwards before she answered.

"That kid carried you over her shoulder like a potato sack, so we tried to question her."

An icy shiver ran down his spine as she started. Did those fools use force against Tiamat?

"But she laughed and flicked our foreheads. I'm ashamed, my lord."

Her voice cracked as determined tears rolled down her cheeks.

"We are too weak to serve you properly. She almost shattered our skulls and said you would return tomorrow."

Guilt made everyone present tremble, forcing their eyes to the ground in shame.

However, he slapped his leg and chuckled.

"Don't interact with her. She is an ally for now, but we never know."

With a comforting smile, he shifted the subject. After all, what could they have done against a primordial goddess?

"What did you all do after?"

Bart stepped forward this time, his muscular flame glinting under the fountain's green flames.

"I took charge and assigned tasks. In the afternoon, we chopped wood before joining the tomte. We focused on the farm blueprint but tried our hands by building a rough barn for the rabbits first. We'll have enough understanding to build the other facilities and upturn to earth to sow grains in a few days."

"Well done! We'll build the first one on the river's other side."

With an approving nod, he checked his interface, noticing the extra five hundred units of wood and understanding they had painstakingly carried it to the warehouse.

Warmth spread in his chest, making his shoulders tremble. In short five days, he had demons he could rely on.

As he lingered, he satyr stepped up next.

"I observed the bandit camp and noted their number, movements, and visible weaponry. They have around three hundred men wearing rough leather armors and using blades, spears, and bows. They operate during the daytime but leave a few sentinels on their wooden walls in case of nocturnal assaults. Their leader is a strong man, probably a tier above us."

He understood the satyr's veiled opinion and shared it.

Even with sentinels, attacking in the dead of the night will force their slumbering fighters awake. They'll have no time to assume any intricate battle formation and will rush at them in chaotic waves.

He struck his fists against each other, excited to raid them and make everyone jump a tier.

"Focus on your tasks for now. We'll attack at night and scavenge all their resources."

Then he turned to the female demon he had summoned yesterday.

"Do you know how to build armors?"

However, she shook her head, a hesitant smile stretching her lips.

"I'm sorry, my lord."

"Don't worry and focus on the farm."

Without wasting time, he rose to his feet and walked to the Gate.

'Today, I must summon a specialist!'

[Proceed with daily summoning?]

The moment he touched it, the notification popped up before his eyes, and he pressed yes.

As always, a vortex of green flames engulfed the space between the towering door frame as two silhouettes emerged and walked toward him.

Soon, he discerned two men's features. Yet, one drew his attention much more than the other.

"Greetings, my lord. I'm Sam. I submit to your rule and offer my meagre skills as a farmer. If you allow this minor reasuest, I'll provide food for the territory for a portion of the yield to feed myself."

Hiding his disappointment, he observed the short demon's frame, yet thick muscles befitting his occupation.

Then, he checked his loyalty value, noticing a low forty-five.

"Work well under me, and I'll reward you. We aren't in the demon realm anymore, so forget any preconceptions you have. If you want a peaceful and honest life meet Bart. He'll explain everything to you."

He pointed at his trusted subject, a flicker of doubt gnawing at his heart.

The loyalty system's value was helpful but also a double-edged sword that forced him to suspect anyone under fifty. Still, he wanted to prove to them they could progress hand in hand towards a brighter future.

Meanwhile, the other subject introduced himself, showing a surprising degree of respect as he explained how he had been a demonic beast hunter.

However, he didn't listen after noticing a round zero by his loyalty.

'At least I won't have to doubt this one.'

Without a second thought, his short sword glinted as he beheaded the hypocrite and extracted his demonic essence under Sam's trembling eyes.

[2 Units of demonic essence assimilated.]

Before he could explain his actions, Sam beat him by a second, his excited voice reverberating through the dimming construct's frame.

"My lord is wise and knows how to avoid trouble. Demonic beast hunters are the worst. They gather in teams to shatter the shackles imposed on them and tier up. But they always end up murdering each other to reap more benefits and rewards. No one trusts them in the demon realm."

[Sam's loyalty increased by ten points.]

He noticed the man's hopeful glance and trembling shoulders.

'He must have suffered and given up on improving because of them.'