The Demon King Who Draws

Chapter 62: The Cyclopean Wolf, Skala.

‘Why has that rascal popped up here?’

It’s like going from the frying pan into the fire.

If misfortune has a face, it might just be his.

Indeed, if it’s the powerhouse from Act 9, even Amon with his war magic weapon geared for duels wouldn’t stand a chance.

‘Why is he here now… and not at the Rotten Root…’

He’s the one who tracked me down from afar to avenge his disciples after I annihilated the expedition from Act 5.

‘So, he’s here now…’

I widened my view and surveyed the surroundings.

Scattered near the podium were adventurers with the guild’s emblem on their shoulders.

A good dozen of them.

‘…Romwell’s words were true.’

An expedition was dispatched for this punitive command.
Three parties, no less, have come here.

In the story, a single party was enough to shake the dungeon, and now there are three times as many.

In the original work, I had to flee the dungeon and go on the run after killing the dispatched expedition.

‘One of them must be Neil.’

The expedition from Act 5.

As their leader, he’s like a taste of Skala’s teachings.

It’s like waking up in the middle of the savannah, face-to-face with a pride of lions.

‘I can’t take on the expedition with my strength alone.’

Even if I fought with all the dungeon’s might in a state of full readiness, it was a close call with these guys…

“Report the troop formation before midnight. The assignments will be made at dawn, and by noon tomorrow, the punitive force will head to the Great Forest.”

“Isn’t this too hasty? I heard the scouts saw other giant beasts near Urea!”

Someone’s words made me stiffen.

‘Other giant beasts… could it be…’

The scouts might have exposed the monsters of the Rotten Root.

‘Damn it…’

I calmed my rising panic.

Just because I’ve heard the news doesn’t mean I can do anything right away.

“If you’re scared of that, don’t set foot in the Great Forest. We’ve been focusing our efforts here for so long that our control over other areas has weakened. The guild has to resolve this quickly. Well… I’d like to go home and stretch my legs in bed.”

“Oh…”

“No one’s forcing you to participate. Do you think we’re going to lay siege with this ragtag group? We’re just moving in large numbers as a precaution. You won’t go hungry, so if you’re willing, stay; if not, leave.”

The wandering mage who spoke up frowned.

“Ugh… better safe than sorry.”

“Hahaha! I understand your concern. But we’ll make sure those who join the hunt aren’t put in danger. It’s an annual task for the guild… and I have last year’s experience, so as long as you follow orders, there shouldn’t be any major accidents.”

Pop!

Someone raised their hand high.

A somewhat youthful-looking female warrior.

“But who will take on Urea, that monster tree? I heard it’s huge…”

“Don’t worry about that. Like last year, I and the expedition will handle it.”

There was resistance.

“What? Are you saying we’re just stand-ins for the guild? Don’t mess with us…”

“Of course, if there’s a party that wants to participate, we’ll consider it. But in that case, we can’t guarantee your life.”

“Hmm.”

“Any more questions?”

Swoosh…

This time, I raised my hand.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Can I choose my position in the battle?”

“Hmm? Position?”

“I’d rather not face Urea.”

“Ah! You want to be on the outer boundary. Hmm…”

My question drew scowls from those around me. No adventurer wants to be paired with a coward.

“If you’re going to act like that, you shouldn’t have joined the punitive command.”

“Where did such a person even crawl out from…”

Not just the adventurers, but the man who seemed to be the leader of the expedition whispered to Skala, frowning.

A man who looked to be just twenty. Skala’s expression soured at his words.

Then he gave a less than satisfactory answer to my question.

“I’ll consider it. But know that things might not go as you wish.”

Nod…

It seems the man who spoke to Skala expressed a negative opinion about my request.

‘Is that Neil?’

The one looking at me with open contempt.

“Alright, I’ll take my leave. Enjoy your time and see you in the morning.”

Not much time left until midnight to complete the party formation. At most, a few hours.

‘This is troublesome. I need to find one more member.’

To the adventurers, I’m not an attractive option. The adventurer named Balphus, with a forged identity, is a newbie with no notable features.

Especially after my earlier question, my first impression must be of a cowardly adventurer, always ready to flee. Who would want to join such a party?

‘Can I find a party member before midnight? …This is troublesome.’

The same difficulty seemed to have befallen most of the people here.

“Hey, everyone! There are two spots open here! Preferably someone to take the vanguard?”

“What? Trust our backs to someone we don’t know?”

“Can’t you be a little considerate? We’re all in a bind. We were planning to request the outer boundary anyway.”

Creak…

A man in full armor strode towards the one gathering the party.

“Hmm… If it’s not the Urea punitive team, how will the spoils be divided?”

“Come here, let’s talk details.”

With the situation as it was, chaos ensued in an instant.

“We need a mage!”

“Is there no priest? Anything’s fine, as long as they can support.”

“Any spots for two?”

Everyone was scrambling to find their match.

If left behind here, one couldn’t participate in the hunt, so everyone was doing their best.

‘The most perilous path indeed.’

One might think, “Just one more to find, right?” But joining a four-person party is something adventurers are reluctant to do.

Firstly, it’s the configuration where mishaps occur most frequently. There’s a saying, “The arm bends inward,” meaning betrayal from within is all too common. Most murders for loot happen in such groups.

Moreover, I’m looking for a party member with specific conditions…

Ruby, unable to contain her impatience, asked, “What do we do? Don’t we need to find one more?”

“I’m thinking,” I replied.

I had already sent away the ruffians from the village. Causing trouble here, where adventurers abound, would be irreversible, so I had dismissed them early.

‘What to do…’

Just then, a blade dropped before me.

Whoooom!

The atmosphere among Ruby and the others turned icy in an instant.

“Four members, right? Include me in your party.”

It was the guy known as Twin Blades or Twin Sticks.

“But I refuse to guard the outskirts. I’m here for Urea.”

When Twin Blades spoke, the surroundings fell silent. His stature among the adventurers was evident.

‘Such a headstrong fellow.’

There are sometimes such individuals.

Those who, despite being solo, wish to reign like kings.

If I were truly the man I’m pretending to be, Balphus, I would have bowed to Twin Blades.

But…

“I refuse.”

“…What?”

“We’re not compatible.”

“…That ‘compatibility’ is something you’ll have to adjust to, isn’t it?”

“It’s precisely this attitude that doesn’t fit.”

The worst kind of party member for the Urea punitive expedition is one who draws attention.

Even if they seem inconspicuous, their mere presence can eliminate the slim chance of escape.

The murmurs began around us.

“Did they just refuse Twin Blades?”

“Those fools, if they keep this up…”

“They’ve got some nerve.”

Twin Blades’ complexion changed rapidly.

Rejected once, he looked ready to kill on the spot. Ruby’s expression also turned fierce…

“Hey, let it be. Why force those who are unwilling?”

An older man with a seasoned look intervened.

“…Was it you, old-timer?”

Swoosh…

Whisk!

Twin Blades pulled his sword from the ground and slung it over his back again.

“…I never tolerate insults. We’ll see in the forest. Look forward to it.”

It’s one of those cases where trouble finds you even when you’re still.

The man who stopped the fight reassured me.

“He’s always like that. Try not to collide in the forest.”

This man, too, seemed well-known among the adventurers.

“Old Blenco steps in. Otherwise, we would’ve seen blood before even starting.”

“Twin Blades listens to Blenco, at least.”

It’s dizzying.

‘Sigh…’

It felt like the world had brought all its misfortune before my eyes.

“Huh? Is it really you?”

Just as I lamented the complication of finding a new party member with Twin Blades involved, someone recognized me.

Swoosh…

As the hood of the robe was lifted, I recognized the man who had greeted me.

“…Piyo?”

Call me Piyo. I’d appreciate it if you visit again!
A merchant who dared to sell tea in a place as dangerous as the black market.

It’s quite unsettling. The owner here doesn’t seem like an ordinary person.
He had given me a rather good assessment before.

“Are you here for the punitive command?”

“Yes, but I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Were you an adventurer?”

“Yes. That’s my main job, and what I did then was a side job. And let’s keep that a secret, shall we? It’s a private hobby…”

“Understood.”

“But… you seem troubled. Are you short on party members?”

“The conditions are tricky.”

“What are they?”

Piyo seemed interested, so I explained quietly, just to him.

“I want to move separately after being assigned in the forest. And I’m looking for someone willing to break away towards the outer boundary.”

“Hmm…”

Is it that difficult?

“Perfect for me.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. I only needed the achievement for participating in the punitive command. I have no particular interest in Urea… I joined solo anyway. I don’t mind being on the outer boundary.”

I exchanged glances with my companions.

Piyo was exactly the party member we needed.

“Good, let’s join forces.”

“Really? This is why it’s good to have acquaintances! Haha! I’m in a good mood, I’ll give you a discount on anything you buy from me in the future!”

“…The guy who knows about tea is far away right now.”

“Oh, is that so? Where is he?”

I wonder what happened to Lucifer?

As long as the news of the fallen dungeon doesn’t reach us, the anxiety won’t disappear.

Yes… I’ll find out everything soon enough.

So,

“I plan to visit him, soon.”