Chapter 44: Level Up

He let out a relieved breath, his tense muscles relaxing and all the doubts and rage dissolving in the calm settling over the battlefield.

With a last thought to Shihan, he gestured for his subject to follow him outside.

He heard Ifrit's eager, fiery voice on the way.

"It was harsh but worth it! Power courses through my veins like never before!"

He sighed at how fast the djinn overcame her death. But he couldn't let depression encroach on his heart nor hamper his joy after the terrible battle.

Once outside, he raised his short sword, its blade dripping insect blood, and faced the eight demons.

"I want to praise you for today's victory. Despite the long and arduous battle, you kept the line iron-tight and fought together."

His lips curled into a smile as he observed their joyous expression, then frowned at Bart's downcast expression and bitten lips.

'Her death struck him as hard as me.'

He stepped to the tall demon and patted his arm.

"We lost someone today, and I realised a few things. So I won't yap and only say five words. We'll bring Shihan back. In the meantime, continue developing your teamwork."

As he summoned more demons, he planned to exempt this team from menial labor and make them focus on fighting and evolving.

Noticing the fierce light dancing in their eyes, he used a charred carcass as a chair and concluded.

"We'll rest for ten minutes before killing the queen and retrieving the treasure chests. Familiarise yourself with your improved strength during that time."

Some sat like he did, enjoying the fresh air, while others punched carcasses with a broad grin.

On his side, his heart drummed in his chest as he summoned his notifications.

[You and your subjects have defeated 1632 Lvl11 reinforced ants. You have gained 122 400 experience points.]

[Congratulations on levelling up. Please check your interface and decide how to distribute your points.]

"A nice haul. I hope I'll reach level twenty-five and receive the promotion quest."

Hope sparkled in his eyes, even if he knew the chances were low.

Name: Adam

Race: Drake Imp

Affinity: chaotic, demonic energy

Talent: E grade (Upgradable): I'm a gamer!

Job: /

Class: Chaos Druid

LVL: 21

Exp: 26346/29000

HP: 910/910

Vitality: 55->91

Strength: 55->91 (+23)

Agility: 55->91 (+32)

Chaotic demonic essence: 35

Free attribute points: 108->0 Sёarch* The Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Items: Beginner legionnaire's short sword +15

'As expected.'

The experience requirement indeed increased from two to four thousand when he reached level twenty. Even if it didn't, he wouldn't have reached his goal, anyway.

Still, he grinned as he clenched his fists in joy and felt his overall stats increase by fifty percent

[Congratulations on being the first lord to reach level 20! Awarding the special building:...]

[Tiamat's interference detected, warning, warning.]

[Appep, Izanagi, Loki, Njord, Chaos, Eris, and Set sided with Tiamat.]

[Belial and Zagan apply pressure, asking you to open a gate to hell and tell Baal to fuck off.]

[Baal is arming his demonic legions and will start a war against the two idiots if they don't shut up.]

"..."

'Can't I just receive my reward and be happy like a regular person?'

His face distorted into a horrible grimace, and dread's icy fingers wrapped around his heart.

He didn't know all these big shots' names but was sure about one thing: most were evil!

Even worse. It felt like a gathering of the most hated deities and demons.

Truthfully? He felt like Tiamat was against him and turned a splendid opportunity into a disaster... because after seeing those names, most pantheons would label him as public enemy number one, not only the Sumerian.

His hand trembled, and as if to confirm his thoughts, another wave of notification flooded his vision.

[Zeus, Odin, Marduk, Amaterasu, and Horus declared you their enemy. Be careful about their contractors and affiliated realms.]

'Shit... Why me?! I should have refused her contract!'

[The nine demon kings are laughing at your desperate situation. They offer you demonic legions in exchange for a passage.]

'No! Stay away from me, crazy demonic bastards!'

[Hestia says that her deal still stands. She won't go against you as long as you follow the rules.]

'ARGH! Wait... really?'

A spark of relief flashed in his eyes, and he exhaled a mouthful of turbid air at the last message.

Of course, he suspected she was afraid to force him into a corner and the potential summoning of those demonic horrors. Still, he offered a nod of gratitude at the floating notification.

He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache approaching.

'When do I get my reward, though?'

As the thought flashed in his mind, a new notification appeared.

[The other gods rejected Tiamat's demand for The Dragon's Maw Citadel as a reward.]

[Tiamat: I reject all your existences, bunch of foolish usurpers. Restore my body fast so I can swallow them.]

'Leave me out of this!'

His face crisped at the sudden message. Why did she contact him? Tell them directly!

[The other gods rejected Appep's tower serpent.]

[The other gods rejected Loki's Shrine of Broken Stars.]

[The other gods rejected Chaos' Sunken City of Atlantis.]

"..."

'Are they trolling? I'm just level twenty! How do you want to reward me with a legendary city? Of course, the others will refuse meta-breaking rewards.'

He gritted his teeth, anticipation corroding his racing heart and disbelief whitening his face.

[The other gods approved Izanagi's Chaos Forge.]

[Awarding the special building for your achievement: The Chaos Forge!]

Introduction:

A copy of Muramasas' old forge, tweaked by Izanagi to reflect Tiamat's authority. Unpredictable, chaotic energy imbues the items forged inside.

Note: Increase your tier to level this special building up. The higher it is, the more chaotic energies the crafted items will carry.

He jumped to his feet and danced with joy, uncaring about the weird glances his subjects threw at him. That's what he needed at this stage!

With it, Muramasa would shine like never before, especially since he was already familiar with it! Truly a master stroke by Izanagi.

'I want to see it now!'

However, he shook his head. He had to kill the queen and retrieve the ant colony's chests.