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Chapter 245: Ballroom (6)
While direct bloodshed between demon lords became significantly less frequent after the establishment of the ranking system, the fluctuation of ranks itself became much more frequent than in the past.
This was only natural.
In the past, the struggle for ranks was a matter of life and death between demon lords.
To rise in rank required a gamble where everything was at stake.
The timing was periodically set, and the use of representatives meant that luck played a significant role.
If the representative performed well, it was essentially a free ride to the top.
Thanks to this, it wasn't uncommon to see lower-ranking demon lords jump several levels to the mid-lower ranks.
However, some things remained unchanged, and that included the top-ranking demon lords.
The highest-level ranking events in the Group 1 were incredibly diverse, requiring versatile and competent representatives to prepare for them.
This meant having a wide network of contacts.
It also meant being able to offer high rewards.
They secured the most capable and versatile representatives with the best possible terms and had been working with them for a long time. This was especially true for the demon lords within the top 10.
This was how they had maintained their ranks for so long.
The name "Vulcan" was very familiar to the top-ranking demon lords who had been around for a long time.
This was especially true for the seven Great Demon Lords ranked from 1st to 7th.
The reason was that they had once personally participated in the campaign to subjugate Vulcan.
While Baal had taken the Demon God's Stone, the other demon lords had received ample compensation.
And now that Vulcan...
'Is here in the banquet hall...'
Paimon, ranked 7th, stroked his chin as he sat in the seat of honor.
The most insignificant seat.
The lowest seat, occupied by Vulcan.
But he felt no disdain. It was still the seat of a demon lord, even if it was the lowest.
Would Andromalius, who had defended that seat for so long, have given it up for no reason?
He must have been promised something, and it must have been significant enough to satisfy Andromalius.
'Anyway, what an unusual combination.'
He saw the two figures on either side of Vulcan. One was the very familiar Andromalius, now reduced to an ordinary demon, no longer a demon lord.
And the other one was...
He smelled a familiar scent emanating from him, the pungent odor of death that clung to those who walked the path of death.
It seemed he wasn't the only one intrigued by this peculiar combination.
All 71 demon lords were glancing at Vulcan.
—Cough! Vulcan. It's been a while. I never dreamed you'd return.
Marbas, the 5th ranked great demon lord, growled. Although his words were laced with mockery, his eyes were filled with wariness.
Vulcan was no pushover.
During his prime, he led a mercenary group so powerful that all seven Great Demon Lords had to join forces to subjugate him. While they coveted the Demon God's Stone he possessed, the fundamental reason for attacking Vulcan and his Balrogs was that they were a formidable force.
Now that Vulcan had returned in an unimaginable way, it was only natural to be wary.
"Marbas. Your howls are still as vulgar as your face."
—Cough! Is that any worse than your face?
"We shared our insights, but it seems we're a bit lacking to manage this vast Demon Realm."
— ...And you're sufficient?
"Of course, we'll prove it. Isn't that the purpose of the Ranking Battles? To determine whether one is qualified to rule the Demon Realm or not."
— Chuckle. Baal, Your Majesty. This human is quite audacious.
— ...Indeed. Truly audacious.
Baal replied slowly, catching his breath. The Great Demon Lords' eyes gleamed cunningly at this sight.
What kind of being was Baal?
He had maintained the position of supreme ruler for over a thousand years. He was colder than ice and more composed than steel.
There was no reason for him to be so enraged by the provocation of a mere human.
He would have simply brushed it off.
Yet, the current Baal was clearly furious, as if this human had stolen something precious from him.
'Something's going on.'
While the Great Demon Lords watched the two with interest, Kim Minwoo was also observing the demon lords gathered at the banquet one by one.
He couldn't see Baal's information, but the other demon lords were different.
'The lowest one here starts at level 5,000.'
And this 5,000 wasn't even on the human scale.
Because the stats per level for monsters and humans were vastly different.
The power of a level 300 ogre far surpassed that of a level 300 human.
It was a kind of racial bonus.
And for a demon lord, at the very top of the demons, that bonus was surely off the charts.
'Vulcan was the same.'
As soon as he took the lowest seat, all his stats skyrocketed. These demon lords would be no different.
However, like Andromalius, all information except their level and name was locked. He needed to consume mana to check, but doing so here was problematic.
Since they were high-ranking opponents, checking their information would consume a lot of mana, and he might even get dizzy if he was unlucky.
Dizziness in the presence of the 71 demon lords?
He didn't want to test that.
Just then, a dark blue light began to gather above the banquet hall.
With Baal's words, the demon lords' gazes turned to the sky.
What would the event be this time?
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It was a matter of utmost interest.
The type of event would determine whether their representatives could shine or not.
Especially for the lower-ranking demon lords with limited talent pools, the choice of event was directly linked to their luck.
Their desire for higher ranks was more intense than anyone else's, so everyone's nerves were focused on the empty space above.
〈I shall determine the event for the Ranking Battles.〉
A somber voice echoed.
It sounded both female and male, both young and old.
A voice that couldn't be easily identified simply by sound.
It seemed to be the voice of the Demon God.
〈I shall determine the event for the lower-ranking battles.〉
〈Everything only has meaning if you survive.〉
〈A stage will be provided.〉
〈It will be the coldest, the hottest, with scarce food, and constant mental strain.〉
〈The given environment will lead you to death, but... 〉
〈Nevertheless, survive. The longest. The most enduring.〉
〈Thus, I set the theme: 'Survival.'〉
"Master. A message has appeared before my eyes."
"It's asking how many to participate. The maximum is five."
He immediately looked at Andromalius.
— Among the talents I know, there are some suitable for this theme. I can think of about two. However...
— Yes. In that kind of environment, Vulcan's power will be very useful. At least it will block some of the heat.
But if they sent in many participants?
The power would be dispersed.
It wouldn't help with survival at all.
Of course, with the knowledge of that survival expert, there might be some benefits...
'But that's uncertain.'
Who knows where the stage will be?
Survival relies on prior knowledge, but if the stage is some alien planet, wouldn't that knowledge be useless?
It might be better to simply focus on maximizing Vulcan's power rather than relying on the talent pool of a former bottom-ranked monarch.
'The word 'survival' is a bit ominous.'
Survive the longest, the most enduring. That could mean enduring the harsh environment and conserving food, but...
'Taking out competitors is also a way.'
How to survive the longest?
Kill all the competitors.
Then you automatically become the longest survivor, right? Of course, given the theme, such a simple method might not necessarily work...
But it wasn't completely ruled out either.
If the stage is a shared space, they might encounter other representatives.
The most advantageous strategy was to focus on one.
To concentrate everything on the strongest and most versatile individual.
That would be the key to survival.
"I'm a necromancer. So I have many summons. With diverse classes."
On the other hand, what about Mr. Andromalius?
Aside from these, he's a strong but empty shell.
'No, even calling him a strong shell is a bit much now.'
Because he was no longer a demon lord.
His powers had weakened, and his physical abilities had significantly deteriorated.
He could still crush most representatives, but that was only at the 'average' level.
"It might sound like self-praise, but I have a pretty strong mind."
— Then, I'll have to trust you. It seems I'll have a comfortable first trial. You'll give me a bus ride, right?
"It'll be very comfortable, probably."
It seemed like he could finally show Mr. Andromalius what a real 'bus ride' felt like.
He looked at the other demon lords.
Unlike the demon lords from the highest to middle ranks, who weren't part of the Group 3 and were observing with carefree smiles like immortals,
The lower-ranking demon lords belonging to the Group 3 were seen busily conversing with their representatives.
Among them, Vulcan was the first to raise his hand and speak.
"O Demon God. I, Vulcan, shall designate my representative. One person. A human, my master, and my chosen representative, Kim Minwoo. Will he be allowed to participate?"
〈The theme is survival. Vulcan's representative for the Ranking Battles has been determined at this moment.〉
〈The chosen one is Kim Minwoo.〉
At those words, Vulcan's face brightened considerably.
He was such an easy guy to read.
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