◈ Everyone Else is a Regressor (12)

Chapter 3. Partying with the Demon Lord (2)

―You have leveled up to level 98 using the experience points gained from hunting powerful enemies! Strength (Uc), Endurance (Uc), Mana Power (R) have increased by 1.

―Shield Mastery (Uc), Dual Wielding (Uc), Rapid Regeneration (U) skill levels have increased by 1.

Overwhelming experience points that allowed me to level up with just five successful hunts. A combination of Shield Mastery and Dual Wielding that could be advanced by providing practical combat experience that could not be satisfied with just a showdown with the Demon Lord.

Darkness attribute, perfect for improving Light Spirit Magic.

The Lesser Demon was an excellent resource, but there was one problem.

Actually, it was a fatal problem.

―With excellent craftsmanship, you managed to butcher enemies who were far superior to you. The quality of the results did not deteriorate. Butchery skill level has increased by 2, reaching level 87.

"These guys are superior…?"

Looking down at the corpse of the Lesser Demon with an incredulous expression, I muttered.

Since it was quite futile for warriors with inventories to butcher after every kill, I put all the bodies in my inventory. I had planned to butcher them later while resting to celebrate the growth of the Indomitable Will skill to the No Rest for the Wicked skill. However...

Surprisingly, there was nothing worthwhile from them.

As soon as their tough skin was peeled off, it lost its strength. Sharp claws and exoskeletons were the same.

Even the horn on their heads, which I thought might be special, I couldn't examine because I didn't get to butcher it.

As soon as the Lesser Demon died, its horn turned into dust and scattered.

The Demon Lord shrugged her shoulders as if she expected this.

"They're an evolved species of demons. If you had learned dark magic, you might have been able to use their bodies reasonably."

―Get rid of them. Contractor, I don't even want to see these filthy things.

Lucy, who had always behaved so affectionately towards me since our contract, recoiled in disgust at the sight of me covered in demon blood. Maybe it was because she was inherently a Light Spirit, she felt repulsed by demonic by-products. Anyway, there was no point in doing this if Lucy reacted like this.

"Okay, I get it. I'll just butcher them. I want to raise my skill level anyway."

―If that's the case, I understand. I'm an understanding spirit after all.

When Lucy stepped back, I was relieved.

"Hmm... You should probably extract the heart carefully."

―Ugh, you finally revealed your true intentions, demon!

With a sudden suggestion from the Demon Lord, Lucy exclaimed, her eyes widening, but I carefully processed the heart of the Lesser Demon as she suggested. I put it in my inventory and washed my hands with water, then asked the Demon Lord.

"Can you just tell me this kind of thing?"

"That's just because it's a shame to throw it away. If your eyes for mana improve a little more, you'll be able to pick up things like this on your own."

Hearing that, I recalled my past memories.

During the tutorial phase, when I was in a party, either I or the other warrior would usually butcher monsters. When a new monster had to be butchered, the mage, JiHye, would always insist, stuttering, that this part had to be preserved. It always seemed useless at first, but strangely, it became useful later. Maybe it was because she had excellent eyes for mana?

...But there seemed to be another reason she hesitated.

Waving my hand in remembrance of my comrades, the task of butchering the five demons was quickly completed.

My Butchery skill also reached level 92.

"Okay, five hearts for now. Let's rest for a bit and then go back in."

"Warrior, you may have noticed, but this is just the beginning of the entrance."

"Hmm."

What's that? I turned around, and the Demon Lord spoke in a somewhat stern voice.

"But the fact is, if you spend five hours hunting each, it's... Honestly, it will be impossible to clear this dungeon. How about doing it moderately and leaving?"

I could sense that she was exaggerating a bit to gauge my reaction, but it wasn't a lie.

Even if I observed from behind, the dungeon I thought was at the tutorial level was far beyond that level.

It would be understandable if I felt overwhelmed and lost my confidence, right?

It wouldn't be a very pleasant experience.

So, for now, it would be better to retreat and practice my skills and stats, and come back when I was more confident.

"Four hours."

"Hmm?"

But I said something a little different from the Demon Lord's thoughts.

"The last one took four hours."

"Oh."

The Demon Lord widened her eyes a bit.

Since it felt long no matter what, I didn't pay much attention to it, but to check the exact time it took to hunt a monster, I was noting it down.

Even though my skills had grown, my fundamental abilities hadn't changed much. To be honest, a 20% reduction in hunting time was definitely a significant achievement.

"I'm getting used to it. I can hunt faster now. It's not like when I fought you, but my stats are also growing."

Still, in terms of fundamental abilities, I couldn't keep up with the Demon Lord, so I should mix in fights with her properly.

I smiled a little, trying to persuade her, taking into account that she might get upset.

"Anyway, trust me and watch."

"Hero... If you say so."

"Good, then I'll rest for a bit. You can... wat...ch... over...me..."

"Gah?!"

―Contractor!

THUD

I collapsed to the ground.

The Demon Lord and Lucy both jumped in surprise and rushed towards me, but soon, they were reassured by the regular sound of my breathing.

"It must be the side effect of the No Rest for the Wicked skill. He seems to have stayed up for a whole day as if it were nothing," the Demon Lord said with some concern.

―Yes, our contractor always adheres strictly to the time.

Lucy, who was worriedly examining her fallen contractor, explained.

The Demon Lord set up a simple barrier around her and approached me, sitting down right in front of me.

"This is also a side effect of the skill."

―Huh?

"The Unbreakable Internal Clock. Didn't you know?"

―Ah.

I, the hero, always woke up at 6 a.m. sharp, no matter what had happened.

It was not so much a regular lifestyle habit as it was... more like some kind of compulsion.

The face of my contracted spirit, who was worriedly observing the fallen contractor, froze, but the uninspired Demon Lord couldn't possibly recognize her expression.

Rather than speaking to thin air, the Demon Lord, floating in the air, spoke towards a floating cluster of light.

"You can't just gain a unique skill out of nowhere. It's an ordeal. A tremendously heavy ordeal... How pitiful."

To ensure he could endure for a long time, the Demon Lord stretched out her legs and lifted KiJun's head, placing it on her knees.

Although Lucy grimaced and made sounds of disgust, she couldn't use her physical strength while her contractor was sleeping, so she could only grumble helplessly.

"It would have been nice if he could sleep comfortably. Thanks to gaining this useless skill, he'll have a harder time from now on."

The Demon Lord gently stroked KiJun's hair with her hand, muttering quietly.

Does KiJun really not know?

Compared to when they first met, his impression had changed remarkably.

It didn't feel like an unnatural change, but rather, all the components of his face naturally fell into place, maximizing his charm.

Large, soft-looking pupils, slightly stubborn thick eyebrows, and thick lips that appeared determined.

‘Yes... Now, I could confidently call him handsome without hesitation.’

‘Of course, that doesn't mean I've fallen for him or anything.’

"Just in three months, he changed so much. The spirit contract must be truly remarkable. It seems there aren't many handsome men and women among the summoners..."

‘Although I miss his previous face a bit.’

While the Demon Lord chuckled, the cluster of light shimmered beside him.

— Look at him, turning away like that. This is why demons...

"Mm..."

Feeling something approaching through the barrier, the Demon Lord raised her hand and gestured in the air.

The disrupted Lesser Demon spun around and disappeared into the darkness. Lucy stuck out her tongue while watching it vanish.

–- Their magic resistance is seriously high.

"My magic is seriously strong too."

–- Why didn't you kill it? Because they're kin?

"Kin? What a joke. Don't you know? Once a monster dies in a place like this, it can't be resurrected. We can't afford to reduce the experience points given to the hero by letting me kill it."

–-...Fine, but still, your attitude is very unpleasant. I think about my contractor the most!

"Sure."

Although they had both mentally prepared for a showdown, Lucy seemed to be somewhat satisfied, but the Demon Lord smiled mysteriously and nodded her head.

"In the future, take good care of him. After all, I'm the Demon Lord in the tutorial."

–- System...

"Perhaps you were in a situation similar to me, but it seems that someone who confined you to the tutorial didn't anticipate the possibility of you meeting a new contractor here."

The Demon Lord grinned triumphantly, as if he had given someone a taste of their own medicine.

"So, when you go to Leta, give it your all in my place. Take care of your contractor... and..."

- Sure, but you too.

"No, don't misunderstand. I don't mean that I wanted to take care of my hero until the end. It's just that I've invested so much time and effort in him that I would feel empty if he died carelessly. Do you understand what I mean?"

–- Yes, I understand it very well. You're human, after all.

"...Are you really going to fight me?"

–- Not right now. I'll fight if you follow me to Leta.

"Demons like these kinds of nights... I'm tempted."

"This spirit is really a temptation..."

KiJun woke up three hours later.

Although the Demon Lord and Lucy didn't notice, it was precisely 6 AM, even though it was very dark around them.

- [Unbreakable Internal Clock] has overcome the penalty of the [No Rest for the Wicked] skill. The level of the [No Rest for the Wicked] skill has increased by 2, reaching level 3.

- You, who were once an ordinary wildflower, have now become a beautiful flower that people want to look at continuously, bringing happiness and sadness to people. Your Charisma (Uc) has increased by 2, reaching 27.

"Oh."

When the penalty for [No Rest for the Wicked] attacked suddenly, he had thought that he was done for, but after checking the message, he realized that there was no need to worry.

However, a bigger problem was that he was lying with his head on the Demon Lord's lap.

What? How did I end up in this situation?

He considered pretending not to know anything and enjoying this delightful sensation a bit more, but unable to endure the Demon Lord, who was staring down at him, he finally couldn't help himself and asked.

"What is this...?"

"The love of a senior for her junior."

"I'm so happy, tears are streaming down my face."

Since it seemed like his eyes might be poked out if he stayed there, he quickly rolled away from the Demon Lord.

The Demon Lord flicked her knee nonchalantly and brushed off her own lap.

"Let's go now."

"Wait a moment. Let's wash up and eat breakfast."

To stabilize the Demon Lord's unpredictable behavior and replenish his energy, which he couldn't do because of the No Rest for the Wicked skill, KiJun suggested.

Fortunately, it was quite effective.

"Did you do this even in your old party?"

"I couldn't afford to miss a meal, so I started cooking in my party. That's how I started my cooking skill."

"Who could have created such a hybrid..."

However, the Demon Lord, who had continued to grumble, soon stopped and blankly stared as KiJun wiped out five pieces of kimchi pancakes he had made with oil smeared on his shield.

This time, the skill level of Shield Mastery increased as well, but in order to protect the Demon Lord's happiness, he decided to keep this a secret.

Three days later, KiJun reached level 99.