After emerging victorious from the dungeon, Zealot wasted no time in making his way back to the castle. Despite his triumphant mood, the toll of battle weighed heavily on him, and he longed for the comfort of his home and a hearty meal.

Upon arriving back at his castle and reaching his chambers, Zealot wasted no time in shedding his battle-worn armor and slipping into something more comfortable. With a sigh of relief, he collapsed onto the plush sofa by the fireplace, letting the warmth wash over him.

"Ah, home sweet home," Zealot murmured to himself, a tired but content smile gracing his lips. "Nothing beats the feeling of returning to my own castle after a hard-fought victory."

After a brief rest, he rose and made his way to the grand Roman-style bathhouse, craving the soothing warmth of a relaxing bath to cleanse his body and ease his tired muscles. Once refreshed, he changed into fresh clothes and proceeded to the kitchen.

As he entered the kitchen, Zealot's gaze immediately fell upon the well-organized storage room adjacent to the cooking area. With purposeful strides, he made his way towards it, his mind already set on the ingredients he needed for tonight's meal: mashed potatoes and steak.

Opening the door to the storage room, Zealot surveyed the neatly arranged shelves and cabinets, each one stocked with a bounty of fresh produce and culinary essentials. With practiced efficiency, he began to gather the necessary ingredients, selecting the finest potatoes, herbs, and spices with care.

Once he had gathered everything he needed, Zealot returned to the kitchen, his arms laden with the makings of a delicious dinner. With a sense of satisfaction, he set to work, his movements precise and methodical as he began to prepare the ingredients for his meal.

First, he washed and peeled the potatoes, their earthy aroma filling the air as he worked. With expert hands, he chopped them into uniform pieces, ready to be boiled until tender. Meanwhile, he seasoned the steak with a blend of herbs and spices, ensuring that each cut would be infused with flavor.

As the potatoes simmered on the stove, Zealot turned his attention to the steak, searing it to perfection in a hot skillet. The sizzle of meat meeting metal filled the kitchen, mingling with the tantalizing scent of herbs and spices.

"Hehe, I could already tell this is going to taste absolutely wonderful."

With each flip of the steak and stir of the potatoes, Zealot's anticipation grew. He knew that soon, his efforts would be rewarded with a meal fit for a king. And as he plated the mashed potatoes and steak with a flourish, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his culinary prowess.

Finally, with dinner prepared and laid out before him, Zealot took a moment to savor the sight of his creation. The golden-brown steak glistened enticingly, while the mashed potatoes exuded a comforting warmth.

"Ah, this is perfection," Zealot murmured to himself, a satisfied smile gracing his lips as he prepared to dine on the fruits of his labor. "There's nothing quite like a home-cooked meal after a long day of battle."

And so, alone in his kitchen, seated at the dining table, Zealot enjoyed his dinner, finding solace and satisfaction in the simple pleasure of cooking for himself.

MUNCH! MUNCH! MUNCH! NOM! NOM! NOM!

"Mhm! This is delicious!" he exclaimed, relishing every flavorful bite.

After savoring every last bite of his delicious meal, Zealot felt a wave of contentment wash over him. With his hunger satisfied and his body replenished, he knew it was time to rest and recuperate from the day's exertions.

Stretching his limbs with a satisfied sigh, Zealot made his way to his bedroom, the warmth of the fire still lingering in the air. He undressed and slipped beneath the covers of his luxurious bed, relishing the feel of the soft sheets against his skin.

As he settled into bed, a contented smile graced his lips. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift off into a peaceful slumber. In the quiet solitude of his chamber, surrounded by the comforts of home, he found himself enveloped in a sense of tranquility and serenity.

SNORE~!

***

The next morning, Zealot awoke feeling refreshed and invigorated, ready to face whatever challenges the day might bring. With a stretch and a yawn, he rose from his bed and made his way to the window, drawing back the curtains to let in the morning sunlight.

"What a splendid day," he remarked, his admiration apparent.

As he gazed out beyond his castle walls, he couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty that enveloped him. From the grandeur of his castle to the charm of the city and the serenity of the surrounding nature, every aspect left him in awe.

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‘Alright, let's aim to reach Level 40 today. I'm intrigued to discover what random skill the system will reward me with this time.’

After setting his goal for today, he wasted no time and headed straight to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. With skillful hands, he cooked up a delightful meal of scrambled eggs and fresh vegetables. Satisfied, he savored each bite, knowing that these calories would power him through his upcoming dungeon raid.

Once breakfast was done, the time had come to depart the castle in search of another nearby dungeon. As he made his way to the castle’s front door, just as he was about to open it, a sudden movement caught his eye. Peering through the small glass window on the door, he saw a party of nine adventurers approaching the castle's front gate.

However, as he gazed intently, he began to discern that those adventurers weren’t humans; instead, they had horns just like him. It was only then that he realized they were demon adventurers, not humans.

‘D-Demons?!’ he thought, taken aback. ‘Since all the demons in this kingdom, except for me, Demon Queen Terasia, and her knights, had perished, those demons must hail from another neighboring kingdom. But what brought them here? Wait... could it be they're here for the Demon King Zealot’s treasure?’

At this pivotal moment, Zealot found himself in a quandary, uncertain whether to engage with them or to steer clear altogether. While they shared the same race as him, there was no assurance that they wouldn't pose a threat to him. As history has shown, humans, despite their commonality, are not immune to harming one another, indicating that similar dynamics could transpire among demons.

‘Hmm, I'm not entirely sure who they are, so it seems too risky for me to engage with them. I think it's safer for me to exit through the castle's back gate instead.’

Having made his decision, Zealot swiftly turned and made his way toward the castle’s back gate. However, after taking just ten to fifteen steps, the castle’s front door suddenly exploded and blasted open.

BAAAMMM!!!

Before Zealot could react to what was happening, he found himself surrounded by nine demon adventurers.

‘This can’t be possible! How the hell did they notice my presence?!’ Zealot's mind raced. ‘To be able to sense me from such a distance, they're definitely not ordinary demons. Their level must be at least B-Class or higher!’

Surrounded by the unexpected arrival of nine demon adventurers, Zealot quickly assessed the situation, his mind racing with possibilities. Despite the shared race, he couldn't let his guard down, knowing that demons could be just as unpredictable and dangerous as humans, if not more so.

Zealot immediately activated his mind-reading skill using his thoughts.

EYES OF TRUTH!

With a calm demeanor masking his inner turmoil, Zealot addressed the party of demon adventurers, his voice steady and composed. "Greetings, fellow demons. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

The leader of the demon adventurers, a formidable figure with horns protruding from her head, stepped forward, her gaze sharp and assessing. "We've come seeking the legendary treasure of Demon King Zealot," she declared, her voice resolute.

Maintaining his composure, Zealot met her gaze with a neutral expression. “I'm sorry, but you're asking the wrong person. I'm just an ordinary demon adventurer passing by here, so I do not know anything regarding the whereabouts of the Demon King’s treasure.”

Sasha Everwood, the beautiful leader of the demon adventurers with her blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, regarded Zealot with a blend of skepticism and determination. "Forgive me if I find that hard to believe," she replied, her voice tinged with suspicion. "You may claim to be an ordinary demon, but why does your appearance resemble that of Demon King Zealot?”

The other demons, surprised to see Zealot's resemblance to the Demon King, exchanged bewildered glances. One of them spoke up nervously, "Could it be possible that... he's related to the Demon King in some way?"

Another demon, a burly figure with a deep voice, chimed in, "Or maybe he's just another imposter trying to exploit the legend of the Demon King for his own gain."

A third demon, a young female with curious eyes, added, "Regardless, we must proceed with caution until we know more about him."

Zealot, meeting their gazes with calm assurance, finally spoke. "You may doubt me, but I assure you, my intentions are sincere. As for my resemblance to the Demon King, it is merely a coincidence. Additionally, while you sense my aura, it may seem weak, certainly not as potent as that of a Demon King. Furthermore, I'm not as muscular as the real Demon King Zealot."

The real Demon King Zealot possessed an imposing physique reminiscent of a bodybuilder, whereas Zealot leaned more towards a muscular yet lean build. Though still notably muscular, Zealot fell short of matching the sheer bulk of the original Demon King. This contrast stemmed from Demon King Zealot's higher level (S-Class), naturally endowing him with superior strength stats compared to Zealot.

Sasha's skepticism softened slightly as she considered Zealot's words. "That's true…" she admitted, her tone less accusatory. "But appearances can be deceiving. We'll keep a watchful eye on you nonetheless. Alright, I don’t know who you are, but we find ourselves in need of someone to carry our belongings. Henceforth, you shall accompany us from now on. Refusal is not an option. Otherwise, don’t blame us for what we might do to you."

Having read their thoughts, Zealot knew that if he refused, he would be killed instantly without mercy. Furthermore, faced with a significant power gap between himself and his adversaries, he recognized he had no choice but to comply for now. Not even his potent Diarrhea skill could bridge the power gap and save him from their overwhelming strength.

"Understood," Zealot replied, his tone neutral yet tinged with a hint of submission. "I will accompany you as requested."

Sasha nodded in satisfaction, her expression unreadable. “Good, wise choice! Excellent, now let us proceed to find the Demon King’s treasure room.”

Zealot found it hard to believe that he was experiencing bullying again, especially considering the last time it happened was back when he was in elementary school. He never imagined he'd have to go through the same thing twice.

‘Seriously, are there truly no good people in this world? Whether humans or demons, it seems everyone is bent on bullying and taking advantage of me... It's as if, much like in the novel, it's truly a dog-eat-dog world, where only the strong survive,’ Zealot thought.