Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Then, he thought about opening it and whistled when it did. However, after a glance, his lips quivered at the complex drawings, unknown images, and the number of pages.

'The first book is four hundred pages?! Am I really back to college?'

"Are you aiming for mastery or to get the average? Trust me, that's a condensed version already. Any less, and someone will pick you up with a spoon when you reach the application steps." Surtr waved his hand, soft flames engulfing Adam in response as he continued. "Your body is reaching its limits, so let's end our first meeting. I have one last advice, though. Keep one of the library's books on you at all times. It'll allow us to interact, even if you're not in the library."

Adam tried to answer, in vain. He faded in the roaring flames the next second, only to reopen his eyes in the library, unaware of Surtr's great service by allowing him entry through a mere book rather than the library.

The first thing he felt was an intense thirst and his parched throat. Then, the stench of sweat overwhelmed his nostrils as he slipped on the puddles covering the ground.

He could have delved into the feeling, thinking it was worse than traversing a desert without water. But he was too thirsty to think about anything but the precious liquid.

He pushed himself off the ground and stumbled to the kitchens. Each step was torture, and swallowing only worsened it.

But that was nothing compared to Lilia's terrified expression when he entered her domain. The last thing she could have expected when she woke up in the middle of the night to cook the day's meals, as usual, was to see her lord stumble like a beggar, his hair stuck to a layer of sweat and his tongue dangling down his opened mouth.

"W-What in the realm happened?!" Eyes widening, she reeled back and grabbed a bucket of water and a tea towel.

Her chef's dress fluttered as she rushed toward Adam and helped him down.

"W-wa..." Adam's voice cracked as his hand reached for the bucket.

However, she gripped his hand, stopping him from snatching the bucket and shoving his head inside. Instead, she scooped water in her cupped hands and brought the sparkling liquid to his lips.

"I know it's hard to resist, but your condition will only deteriorate if you drink too fast."

Despite the desire tearing him inside out, he listened and brought his dry lips to her hands. The liquid slowly passed through, each drop a deliverance from a torment he would never wish for anyone—even for his worst enemy.

A soothing coldness flooded his mouth and seeped down his throat, cleaning it from the horror of thirst. Yet, his eyes narrowed when no water remained. It was too little. More, he needed more. Liters, dozens of liters. That would be the bare minimum.

Meanwhile, Lilia dipped and wrung the tea towel above the bucket before she placed it on his forehead. The sensation was divine but couldn't match drinking.

Fortunately, she retrieved a large wooden spoon and offered him more water with a chuckle.

"Today's surprises are popping one after another. I almost lost myself on my way to the kitchen with how... different your house became, and now this." Her eyes sparkled as she watched him drink. "Give me a moment. It's been a while since I cooked for you with all the conquests and wars." She turned, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she raised a finger. "Use the spoon to continue drinking, though."

Adam's eyes trembled, and a warm sensation engulfed his chest.

"Don't tell me you continued to cook every day during my absence." His voice cracked, not from the thirst alone, but from emotion this time.

A brief silence followed, only broken by the soft crackles of the fireplace's burning wood.

She nodded without turning back. How could she when her face burned?

"It's not what you're thinking," she muttered, her tone heavy with gratitude and loyalty. "I'll never repay you enough for saving us, let alone this safe and bright life. Sometimes, I even come to question it." A muffled whisper escaped her lips. "Is it a dream? Oh, Hestia, please don't let me wake up."

She finally turned, her smile so broad that it reached her eyes and illuminated the room.

"But everything is real. I finally found my haven and will do everything to protect it. So, yes, I've been cooking for you every day and gave the meals to your army during your absence."

Heart pounding, his hand froze, and he forgot to drink for a second. Such loyalty, such gentleness—he didn't feel he deserved them. Yet here she was, carrying duties he had never asked her for.

"Thank you..."

What could he say except thank you when her declarations took him off-guard in a rare moment of weakness? No, there was more to it. He had never faced this situation before. How could he, with his gamer background from Earth? Still, he had to find something. Perhaps what he wanted for her would be enough?

"I hope you'll remain happy and find a caring partner whose heart is as warm as yours." No, it wasn't enough. "I know you didn't do this for rewards or I would have heard about it. But that makes it even more valuable. I can trust you. That's all I need to name you the palace's supervisor. Take this opportunity to recruit your staff and have the rest you deserve."

He saw her bring her hand over her trembling lips and her eyes enlarge, but he continued. "You deserve it. This palace is your home as much as it is mine."

"I-I don't know what to say."

A jolt rushed through Lilia's shoulders as she hesitated before a steely glint flashed in her eyes, and she offered him a military salute.

"I'll work harder to prove worthy of your trust."

'Wasn't the point to make you work less?' Adam's lips twisted before he gave up and focused on the water. 'If she's happy, it's all that matters.'

Nursed by the sound of chopping and the delicious scent of cooking meat, herbs, and vegetables, he felt strength return with each sip of water.

Once he felt better, he enquired about Lilia's and her sisters' lives around a hearty breakfast. Devouring the delicious vegetable soup and savoring the perfect meat, he discovered the existence of the woman's club that Luna had inadvertently set in motion.

Powerful bonds were forming among his citizens, creating a cohesive population that walked hand in hand as he had envisioned on his first day. And hearing it happen made him smile.

In a good mood after this much-needed interaction, he bid Lilia goodbye and went to the palace's second spire.

A burning gale met his entry as he scanned the molten shackles, their faint glow dispersing the darkness shrouding a suspended arena. No, he heard the numerous rattles and gazed up, noticing more arenas, each filled with different training devices. From the classic dummies to more intricate molten golems that seemed to move like robots, they had anything he could have dreamed of to push his training to the next level.

Itching to start, he stepped onto the first platform. However, a familiar notification rang in his ears, forcing him to set his excitement aside.

DING

[Talent's daily use available. Use: Yes/No]

He pressed yes, the memories of the past two weeks flops twisting his lips.

"Land on the empty prizes and be done with it."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He rolled his eyes as the red wheel condensed and spun before him. Even the rattle of the needle procured him no excitement. But who knew? He'd maybe break the bad luck curse today. So, he observed powerful armor, blades, and magic staves flash by, one after another.

The needle slowed, leaving only two blank spaces, a long coat, and a magic bag.

Any item would be fine, but his eyes narrowed on the bag. Though he didn't know how it would work in this realm, its glowing runes served as a simple yet helpful enchantment: it extended its inner space or, in short, an expanded inventory.

However, the needle mercilessly passed it by the next second, dousing his hopes of obtaining it. Instead, it proceeded with its usual shenanigans by hovering between the coat and the empty space.

"We both know you're not giving me anything today either."

With a sigh and clenching his fists, he approached the dummies to

However, another notification cleaved through his focus. Disbelief coloring his face white, he scrutinised the hovering text and raised his fist.

"Finally got something!"

[Congratulations on obtaining the legendary item: Vampire's Predator Long coat]

Almost jumping in delight, he summoned this new item.

The coat's dark leather absorbed the chain's light as it flapped in his hands. His fingers ran on the thick straps, following their descent down the shoulders to the chest in a stylish design.

"It's a good one." He shook his head. "Depending on the location, it can even be exceptional!"

With a wide grin, he checked its stat panel. Read new adventures at empire

Vampire's Predator Long coat

Introduction:

Designed from the hide and fangs of vampires to kill more vampires, a terrible player killer once wore it. With the night and darkness as his allies, he eviscerated players like sheep until they associated his name with doom... or just buried it with curses.

Level Requirement: 65

Stats:

Vitality +235

Strength +235

Agility +235

Set Pieces:

Long coat, gloves, boots, belt.

Set Effects:

4 Pieces:

Vitality +1.000, Strength +1.000, Agility +1.000

Vampiric Resurgence

Vampiric Resurgence: Awaken a vampiric essence within the long coat to enhance combat prowess when in darkness.

Effect: Increases all stats by 2% for every 5% of health missing and increases all stats by 10% when fighting in areas with no direct light source.

"Sweet!" He removed his leather armor and put it on without hesitation. "But I never eviscerated players... I just made them cry..." His cheeks flushed. "It was someone else, ok?"

Anyway, the coat's addition brightened his already excellent mood. Although the increased stats in darkness wouldn't find regular uses, he appreciated the stat boost per percentage of missing health. Even if it was slightly weaker than his previous armor set effect, that was the trick: he didn't need the entire set for it to apply.

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AN: Another long chapter.