Act Like a Boss, Mr. Swallow

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[Translator – Jjescus]

[Proofreader – Zain]

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“Please come again next time!”

With a loud clatter, the paper hanging on the wooden door rang. Finally, the last stumbling customer disappeared from sight. It was well into midnight, the clouds obscured the moon, yet it seemed that the day’s work hadn’t ended as swiftly as expected.

“Ha, finally…”

Closing up was always an ordeal. Given the nature of the tavern, where even the sober turned into stumbling figures, it was even more laborious. Nevertheless, after remodeling, the interior ambiance had somewhat improved, resulting in a decrease in the rowdier customers. Not that it became tidy, though.

Chaos remained chaos.

Tables and the kitchen would be cleared by the waitstaff and cooks. That’s why they were employed. The owner’s gaze, watching them intently, shifted toward the end of the corridor. The sight of the disorder at the moment froze the owner’s expression.

“If you’ve seen it, tidy up before leaving. They act like it’s not their responsibility to clean up… tsk.”

The owner’s brows furrowed as he looked at the cluttered notice board. The mercenaries were the problem. After living nomadically, their manners had clearly fallen.

Thus, further solidifying the negative image of mercenaries, the owner slowly organized the notice board. Beer stains on the white paper looked as if urine had been smeared on it. Touching the damp paper brought an inexplicable disgust, akin to someone touching a snot-stained tissue.

What’s more amusing is that the mercenaries who don’t have the skills to venture into the lower dungeons roam around creating chaos.

“What? This one’s soaked in alcohol too.”

With an annoyed tone, the owner held up a red paper.

“The Seven Great Evil Dungeons paper is expensive… The material is completely different from the others. Why is it in this state again? I really don’t understand why these need to be posted. Don’t you think so? They should be posted on the Imperial walls. Isn’t that right?”

“The law states that if you’re going to post, post everything. Haha…”

The other staff chuckled, murmuring, as the owner, filled with irritation, grabbed the offered paper. It’s a usual occurrence. They make plenty of money, but when there’s an extra expense, they shine like that, and by now, it’s become familiar.

“Was the discarded paper the request to subdue the Primordial Core?”

Amidst the grumbling, a staff member’s question rang out. The owner, seemingly not remembering, glanced back at the board before responding.

“Yeah, looking at the missing spot, it’s the Primordial Core.”

“If it’s that, then it’s fortunate. There was a new one that came in about yesterday, and I forgot to replace it. We should switch it out.”

“What? You left it as it was? Call that a notice… If we’re caught by the Imperial Inspectors, it’s a fine, a fine!”

Despite the complaints, the owner, with a face full of laughter, seized the red paper handed over by the staff. After replacing it with a new paper, the tavern fell silent once again. The workday was coming to an end.

The Seven Great Evil Dungeons, the ‘Primordial Core.’

Inside the Grapenia Forest, near Hastin in the western empire.

Composed of limestone, the hexagonal cave (standard 3─16 type)

※Warning─ A dungeon involving the dangers of The Seven Great Evil Dungeons, admission granted to Imperial-certified S-grade subjugation units or equivalent capability acknowledged by influential powers.

Recommended personnel for this dungeon─

Detailed descriptions below that, miscellaneous comments.

And finally─

────Raid Force List────

Under the command of Paimour Du Bellay, the ‘Paimour Raid Force.’

Comprising a total of 31 members led by Raid Force Leader Niphrim.

─Raid Scheduled Date─

Within 72 hours from the issuance date of this request.

The newly replaced paper exuded an unpleasant reddish hue.

Phase 3

“Warm feels nice, it really does.”

Dipping into the tub, emitting warmth, Devourer muttered to himself. The human body feeling comfortable in such low temperatures was a pleasure even a fiery storm of flames that high-ranking sorcerers easily cast couldn’t provide. No way water at this temperature would feel warm in a circular pool.

Leaning back with his neck submerged, he stared at the ceiling. In a hexagonal tube made of transparent synthetic mineral, a mana stone imbued with luminescent magic faintly glowed. The light swinging from the ceiling swayed like a precarious chandelier. Devourer, who followed the movement with his eyes like he was hypnotized…

…had no thoughts at all.

‘Renee… I need to find her…’

Even if he was desperate, he knew it was pointless, yet the words slipped out of habit. Despite saying that, no concrete plan came to mind. Just a vague idea of taking the ‘Teleportation Hub’ to Hastin somehow.

What’s Renee doing now? Is she resenting me? Why did it happen?

Perhaps we’ll meet as the enemy next time.

‘As Patrick says, if I just bow down and kiss her shoes, somehow that might work.’

Mulling it over doesn’t yield any solutions. Right now, it’s a situation where actions matter more than thoughts.

Deciding so, Devourer rose from his seat. He felt that closing his eyes for the remaining time would be the wisest choice. As he picked up the discarded clothes, the room seemed filled with vapor, making them damp. Letting out a deep sigh at his own foolishness, he hastily put on his upper garments. It felt odd, as if something was amiss with his clothes.

—He wore them inside out.

“Oh, this is the worst.”

With a tone of complete resignation, Devourer quickly put on the remaining clothes and flung open the bathroom door.

Like a grand spectacle one might see in a human play, Devourer emerged from the bathroom amidst a massive cloud of steam. The sight of the vapor made it feel more like an escape than just stepping out. As the mist gradually cleared, her vision returned. The first thing that caught her eye was Melje. And the next thing she saw was also Melje.

Melje was there.

There was nothing but Melje.

Melje was right in front of him.

“Sir Devde, Sirrrr!!”

“AAAGH!”

Startled, Devourer reflexively screamed, simultaneously stepping back. His foot slipped, almost causing him to fall backward, but after a few wobbly moments, he managed to regain his balance.

He let her guard down. Tremendously. What’s going on?

In a combat situation, that would have allowed for a fatal strike. The unexpectedness of the situation was so certain that Devourer’s voice, which was originally going to say, ‘Oh, you’re up,’ rose several octaves.

“Why—Why are you so surprised? Sir Devde? Is there—Is there a reason I shouldn’t wake up?”

“No, I was surprised! You should’ve given some kind of sign! Anyone would be startled!”

“Were you startled? Hm? Were you?”

“Yes, it was an incredible skill! I couldn’t even hear your breath! With that level, not even Devourer, whom you like, would have noticed!”

“Such sacrilegious words! Mr Devourer would notice such things!”

Oh dear, I’m sorry! I didn’t notice in real-time!

Suppressing the urge to shout loudly at Melje’s puzzled expression, Devourer barely managed to hold back the words that had just reached his throat.

He has to hold back. He has to. The reason for doing this is to find Renee.

Just then, there was a knocking sound from beyond the wall. A complaint to keep it quiet from the neighboring room. Finally calming down, Devourer also took a deep breath.

After somewhat calming her excitement, Devourer looked at Melje again. The reason was simple. Melje was staring directly at Devourer, so Devourer was only looking back at Melje.

And then, she got excited again.

No, it turned inversely subdued.

“Are you in heat?”

—As he became too calm, his thoughts spilled out into words.

Melje in front of Devourer, to put it simply, was different.

It seemed like the simple transformation magic pretending to be human had been undone, revealing horns extending sideways from the forehead. Wings were visible too. And, most importantly, she was nude.

If Devourer lowered his gaze slightly, a slender neck came into view. The gentle curves of the collarbones, the adequately full chest.

‘Where is it?’

It was gone. Disappeared. Where did the chest run off to?

For a moment, Devourer’s mind went blank. What he saw in front of her was a fairly underdeveloped figure. Even if it was Melje, the owner of a modest figure, this body looked immature compared to what Devourer had seen so far.

Did his vision blur? He rubbed his eyes. Still, there was no change. Lowering his gaze again, to the collarbones, then the face. Slowly raising his gaze, for some reason, Melje’s face seemed off, the dewy cheeks seeming closer to the nose than usual.

Lowering his gaze again—too low, he realized it was becoming dangerous and quickly brought it back up. No, even before all of this.

“You a little one?”

Her height had reduced. Equivalent to that of a 10-year-old human girl.

“N-No, not a little one!”

A rather rough denial was heard. The tone of the voice was higher than before, but the distinct fluctuating tone, the unique horns, the wings—all remained. In front of Devourer was Melje, undoubtedly.

“Is this rejuvenation?”

“It seems like a very rude term! Sir Devde!”

“Your Charms got lost on the way here.”

“Stop treating me like a kid!”

“Tee-hee.”

“I won’t… forgive you…”

“…Why did you suddenly become younger?”

“Ha, ha! I didn’t become younger! It’s just… um… I was originally like this! What you saw until now was, um, to avoid looking ridiculous to pitiful humans, it was ‘Version 2’—to not be laughed at—”

“So, your true form is this?”

Ultimately, it seems to be a confession of disguising through transformation magic.

“Indeed. Ah, no, that’s not it! This is ‘Version 1’! Moreover, the thing about transformation magic is that it reflects the user’s future form! It means that I’ll eventually have a splendid figure when I age! Do you understand, Sir Devde!”

“Well, I mean…”

Watching Melje particularly exaggerate her response, Devourer became convinced. So, in the end, that kid’s body was the real deal.

It’s not like he wanted anything, but something feels off. Unable to hide his awkward expression, Devourer instinctively scratched the back of his neck.

With a body disguised by transformation magic, was she boasting, “It was like this, that’s how I was all along…?” Oh my. Now he can’t really trust those demons who claim to be kings.

Watching her wobble on her shortened limbs was a sight to behold, albeit pitiful.

“Even if you say that, I know everything you like! These days, even younger ones like me are more popular among the demon crowd! How about that! Do you acknowledge that, Sir Devde!”

“Those demons, I don’t know who they are or where they live, but they all should be thrown into underground dungeons.”

“You’re noisy! Always blabbering! Anyway, I’m serious! I revealed this truthful form to have a genuine conversation with you!”

A genuine form.

Lowering his gaze once again…

“You, you’re staring too much, Sir Devde!”

He got caught.

Melje blushed, conscious of Devourer’s gaze. Yet, it felt somewhat different from the innocent face of a girl in love. Compared to Renee’s expression when she confessed to Devourer, there seemed to be an additional purpose in that expression.

Yes, in heat. If his knowledge was correct, that expression was that of being in heat.

Furthermore, the clothes—where did she even get them from? They were neatly laid out on the wooden bed. It wasn’t just thrown carelessly, but meticulously placed. Even though it might seem insignificant, it held a significant meaning.

In short, she wasn’t doing this intoxicated.

“Perhaps even the Demon King has a mating season…”

“Th-That’s absurd! And it’s not a mating season! Using such an expression is too vulgar! Call me an opportunist! No, I’m just… in a critical situation! I merely chose to be the assailant rather than the one being assaulted. Yes, I am the aggressor! For a Demon King to be an aggressor, not a victim! Besides!”

From her diminutive stature, a voice resounded enough to apologize to the neighboring room.

“I’m! Succecor of Asmodeus, the Great Demon in charge of lust! This is proof that the body holds the blood of a Great Demon! Yes, Sir Devde, you and that, yes! It’s mating!”

With that declaration, Melje’s wide-open arms aimed at Devourer. With fingers raised like a beast’s claws, Melje, in front of Devourer, tried to pull him close as if to overwhelm him.

It was sudden and desperate.

Devourer grabbed Melje’s hands, using strength to thwart Melje’s actions.

“Why, why are you resisting! Could it be that I lack the allure of a female to you! Am I not enough!”

“Wait, hold on. Calm down. Look, you have Mr Devourer, whom you respect. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing for him to see this!”

“Devourer is too busy to have time for this!”

‘He’s watching in real-time!’

“Moreover, if I wait for him and age in the process, would you take responsibility?! If you were really willing to take responsibility, take it now! First, bear a child with strong genes! Devourer will go through my ‘Plan C’ strategy. Do you understand!”

“Don’t pass on weird dreams to your child!”

“It’s too late!”

There was no time to ask what Plans A and B were. Thinking so, Devourer urgently shook his head. Think for one second. Ding. Unable to arrive at an answer. Perhaps forcing it with strength might work. But waiting for Melje to tire out would only waste their energies.

More importantly, he didn’t know where to look, and besides, Melje—

—Melje was preparing some wicked magic.

“Amazing power! As expected of Sir Devde! You’re qualified to be my companion! However, if you refuse, I’ll break you with my magic—”

“I’m sorry!”

With a ‘crack!’ sound, Melje’s words ceased. Devourer quickly brought down Melje, judging it to be too dangerous. With a thud, Melje collapsed into Devourer’s arms. The mana gathered in both hands dispersed into thin air in an instant.

“Go to sleep.”

Supporting the fallen Melje, Devourer murmured to her. Of course, the unconscious Melje wouldn’t hear. He didn’t want her to hear. It’s embarrassing.

What kind of reaction should she show when Melje wakes up? Now that he’s done it, he feels lost. It was an unexpected turn of events. Even if he comforts himself, the deed has been done.

As if to mock Devourer’s emotions, the sun, signaling the end of a grand battle, was rising.

“We messed up.”

With a sentence containing so much, Devourer closed him eyes.

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[Translator – Jjescus]

[Proofreader – Zain]

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