This is probability manipulation.
It’s 100%. The game company should be fined.
They dangle the sweet bait of a shop owner.
Then, behind the scenes, they tweak the probability, trying to plunge me into despair.
My shop… I could even bet on a random item lying around in it.
My hands and feet were trembling, and I felt like crying.
My dignity had already hit rock bottom.
It was time to show some manly composure to win back the people’s hearts.
“Phew… It’s okay. Soulstones are extremely precious and valuable materials…”
…I couldn’t help but sigh.
All the 4-star items were duplicates.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t made a contract yet.
At least they didn’t turn into rocks right away.
Even the NEW items were mostly just stronger versions of what I already had.
It’s frustrating, but…
I’m a real man.
A positive mindset.
Turn crisis into opportunity.
I need soulstones anyway.
They’re necessary for buying 5-star character skins or crafting exclusive equipment…!!
Swallowing my rising tears,
I turned to look at Saha.
“Saha… Isn’t the armor uncomfortable?”
“…? I’m fine.”
No.
I’m not fine.
I’ll free you from that armor soon.
That might soothe this aching heart.
While I was psyching myself up like this,
“Conqueror~ Your concubine is waiting for you~ Your concubine will become your rainbow~”
“…Since when were you here?”
Ellis spoke so naturally.
And she was holding Tina in her arms, her ample breast pressing against Tina’s head.
“Eek! Noara!”
Flailing.
Dangling.
“Hostage situation…?”
A demon…
Using a demon as a hostage?
…Well, it didn’t seem like she was attacking, just holding Tina warmly.
“Grrrr…”
“Saha! Get the hammer ready!”
Our heroes reflexively prepared for battle.
“Wait a minute.”
Now that I think about it,
there’s a 5-star right in front of me.
And she’s being quite cooperative.
…Well, she’s a free 5-star, so she might not have any special skills.
“Ellis, do you know alchemy?”
Hearing my question, Ellis smiled seductively.
“Oh my~ Of course~ I’m the alchemist of the demon world, after all~”
“You’re hired!”
Congratulations!
You’ve passed the open recruitment for an alchemist!
“Kyaa~”
She let go of Tina, whom she was holding like a stuffed toy, and immediately clapped her hands to her cheeks, delighted like a child.
The heroes’ reactions were…
“…It’s a bit unsettling, but Tina was the same.”
“We’re almost at the 10th zone anyway.”
“Arururu…!”
“Eek, eek…! Treating me like a doll! Just because you have big breasts!”
Saha quietly nodded in agreement, making it three votes in favor.
Rumi and Tina, now best friends, voiced their opposition.
Tina…
Having big breasts is a plus, you know.
Anyway, the decision was made democratically.
“She’s been through enough, so she must have reformed, right? Ellis?”
“Hehe~”
…She doesn’t seem reformed.
“…Anyway, see you tomorrow in the 10th zone.”
“Your concubine will be waiting, purified and ready~ Ohohoh…!”
With a dazzling smile that made my heart skip a beat,
Ellis tore through space and disappeared.
***
The next day.
10th floor, 10th zone.
“Welcome, Conqueror. Or should I call you Master? Or maybe Ark, for a more friendly touch?”
“…Just call me by my name.”
Instead of entering a battle phase, I met Ellis, who was kneeling politely and holding out a contract.
But…
For someone surrendering, she’s lacking sincerity.
“Do you have anything else? Equipment, cards…? Just a contract?”
“Oh my~ Do you want to strip me of even my underwear now~?”
I almost nodded without thinking, but at that moment, I saw a future where Johanna’s scripture stabbed me, Rumi bit me, and Tina punched me repeatedly.
Saha?
If Saha hits me, it’s game over, so no need to imagine that.
“Haaa… How wicked of you~ Hoho. I’ve gathered all my assets, though they may be modest.”
Ellis pulled out a rather thick breast and gently placed it in front of me.
It’s not a mimic, right?
She’s the Deceptive Demon, so I can’t let my guard down.
“Shopkeeper?”
“Kyahaha! The shopkeeper will verify it, nya~!”
Her speech is getting weird from hanging out with Rumi.
Anyway, Tina bravely stepped forward and opened the breast wide.
Inside were all sorts of treasures.
“Is this all? If there’s more hidden, it’s one hit per gold, nya~!”
Hey, hey!
Watch your speech!
I’ll have to ask Johanna for re-education later.
“Hmm.”
Upon closer inspection, it was a bit underwhelming, to be honest.
Mostly stuff you could buy in the shop with a click.
“Huh…?”
But even among junk, treasures can be found.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a black cloth.
I glanced at Tina.
Luckily, she didn’t seem to notice.
I quickly pulled out my smartphone and stored it in my inventory!
“You’re hired.”
“Kyahoo~”
Truly the ace of the demon world.
A genius beauty with both brains and looks.
With a bribe like this, how could I refuse…!
Thus, I accepted her defection contract.
Why is this a bit damp?
Anyway.
The contract is sealed!
Let’s see.
Shall we take a look at Ellis’s specs?
With great anticipation, I checked the app.
If she’s a demon realm alchemist, her level must be high, right?
……?
What I saw was.
Alchemy Level 1………… Plma-dan…?
Well, she does know how to do it.
She does………….
“You said you were a demon realm alchemist……………?”
“I was an aspirant, you see? Hehe, but I’ve learned the basics.”
“Y-you, you, fraud…….!”
“My, such high praise. I might just fall for you again.”
Wink!
I clutched the back of my neck.
Even the things she secretly hid in my inventory weren’t what I had hoped for…………!
My pure heart! My dreams! My collection!
Deceitful………… demon…………!
***
“Hehe, so this is Ark-nim’s humble abode.”
Though she smiled on the outside.
Ellis swallowed the words ‘how shabby’ inside.
It was only natural.
The master she serves is destined for great achievements.
To conquer the tower, subjugate the demon king, and rule the world.
Such a humble abode?
“It needs some tidying up.”
The first thing Ellis did upon entering the guild house was.
Cleaning.
“Phew~ It feels good to move my body after a while. But, why are you watching me so intently, Saintess?”
“W-well, you’re a deceitful demon, aren’t you? It’s only natural not to trust you, right? You must have some ulterior motive?”
While her eyes subtly scanned Johanna’s breast.
Ellis swallowed the words ‘how lacking’ inside.
But.
From what she had observed so far.
This petite and cute Saintess was the real power in this hero party.
There was no benefit in making her an enemy.
The (self-proclaimed) greatest intellect of the demon realm quickly processed the situation.
“To earn the Saintess’s trust, shall I share a secret with you?”
Humans are usually obsessed with the word ‘secret.’
Approaching the slightly rounded Saintess.
“A method to melt a man’s heart.”
She whispered in a low voice.
Tremble.
Feeling the Saintess’s body stiffen slightly, Ellis smiled triumphantly.
“I have a lot of experience, so I can teach you very well, you know?”
Under the sweet temptation of the demon.
“N-no, I don’t need it…………! It’s blasphemous…………!”
Watching the Saintess hit her head with a holy book and run away.
“Hehehe.”
Ellis smiled, realizing Johanna had fallen into her trap.
Now, the Saintess wouldn’t be able to treat her too harshly.
Of course, Ellis.
Had no idea about methods to melt a man’s heart.
Naturally, she had no experience either.
The only knowledge in Ellis’s brain was based on romance novels she had read day and night in the demon realm.
Truly a deceitful demon.
From the very first day, she shook the Saintess’s heart with her silver tongue.
The terribly wicked and fearsome deceitful demon next sought out her former colleague.
“What is it? What do you want, junior?”
“Aigoo, senior. Don’t be so cold.”
Although she had once been filled with betrayal and criticized her as a ‘traitor’ and ‘shameless woman.’
But as they say, you can curse even the demon king behind their back.
Having rationalized it to herself, Ellis was fine with it.
“Hmph! I-I don’t trust you, you know……………!”
It was only natural not to trust her.
The two had been quite close since their days in the demon realm.
Mainly with Ellis unilaterally doting on Tina and teasing her.
But.
Ellis knew Tina’s weakness all too well.
“Senior. I’ve officially become an alchemist now, right?”
“Uh-huh? That’s right?”
“There’s a lot you can make with alchemy, right? We learned that together at school, didn’t we?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Have you heard of the Breast Enlargement Pill?”
“……!”
Tina’s eyes widened, then rounded.
Observing her expression, Ellis smiled triumphantly.
“Hehehe…….. I’m still inexperienced now, but if you help me out and I work hard, we might be able to make it with alchemy, right?”
“Hehe, hehehehe………!”
“Our master, Arc-nim, has a lot of rare materials, right? If we use those well…. Hehe.”
“Hehehehehek…………!”
And so.
With dreams of enlarging her breast, Tina’s heart swelled, and she immediately declared her adoration for Ellis.
Of course, Ellis.
Didn’t bother to tell Tina that a demon’s appearance is determined at birth and can never be changed.
……….In fact, it was something they had already learned in school, so she alleviated her guilt by blaming Tina’s own ignorance.
Truly a deceitful demon!
Not only the Saintess but even a former demon was melted by her silver tongue.
Absolutely Lucifer!
It was a debut so spectacular, she could be called that.
***
[10th floor, 10th area has been breached.]
[Prepare for the invader’s assault.]
“……”
Arachne, who had been feasting heartily on the Minotaur’s corpse.
Lifted her head and stared blankly at the status window that appeared before her.
“I knew it……..those fools……………”
Tina and Ellis, was it?
They were always treated as half-wits among demons, being so close to human form.
It was only natural they wouldn’t last long, Arachne had expected.
“Hehehe………… How sweet………… will the invader’s flesh be……………?”
At least.
It would be much sweeter than this tasteless thing she’s eating now.
Although.
They seem to be coming up faster than expected.
The devouring demon. Arachne.
The fantastical trap she had crafted herself.
‘Labyrinth’ would not be breached.
“Delicious………… I can’t wait…………… hehe……………”
To fully savor the upcoming feast.
Arachne raised her front leg high.
And crushed the Minotaur’s corpse lying before her.