After Sasha left the kitchen and headed to her chamber, Zealot shivered, goosebumps prickling his skin. Having read her thoughts with his mind-reading skill, he discovered that she was attracted to him and even harbored plans to marry him in the future.
‘You have got to be kidding me! Me and that crazy woman as lovers?!’ he thought. ‘What's worse, I can't even reject her... If I did, she'd get angry and undoubtedly kill me.’
Sasha might be a stunningly beautiful woman, but her cruel nature disgusted Zealot. After all, who would want to date or marry such a malevolent woman, capable of killing you anytime she felt like it? This isn't love; it's essentially living in fear.
Feeling stressed by Sasha's interest in him, Zealot decided to alleviate his tension by visiting the bathhouse for a relaxing soak, hoping to ease his troubled thoughts.
While relaxing in the warm water and gazing at the night sky, he pondered, 'I hate to admit it, but Sasha is undeniably a beautiful demon. I'm certain many men would be captivated by her allure. It's a shame she harbors such malevolence.' He sighed, 'Truly, what a waste of beauty... If only she possessed a good heart, I would marry her without hesitation.’
After indulging in a refreshing bath, Zealot returned to his chamber and changed into more comfortable clothes. Thereafter, he eased himself onto his welcoming bed, surrendering to the embrace of sleep.
The next morning…
Zealot woke up early to prepare breakfast for Sasha. Like a devoted butler, he was always by her side, doing everything in his power to satisfy her. Despite her claim that she would treat him as a companion, their relationship seemed more akin to that of a master and servant.
Naturally, Zealot ensured that his mind-reading remained active at all times, recognizing its crucial role in discerning his enemy's thoughts and thereby enhancing his chances of survival.
EYES OF TRUTH!
While Sasha leisurely savored her morning meal, she gracefully extended an invitation for Zealot to join her. Knowing well the consequences of refusal, Zealot dared not decline, fearing it would sour her mood.
As they sat together and enjoyed their meal, Sasha's voice cut through the quiet of the room with unexpected warmth. "You know," she began, her eyes fixed on Zealot with a newfound appreciation, "upon closer inspection, I can't help but notice just how handsome you are. Your jet-black hair and those piercing red eyes of yours... they exude an air of mystery, reminiscent of a vampire."
Her words, though typically reserved, held a genuine sincerity as she continued, "It's not often that I find myself admiring someone's appearance, but in your case, it's hard not to notice. You truly possess a unique allure, Zealot."
Sasha's compliment, though subtle, carried a weight of authenticity, a rare moment of vulnerability slipping through her usual composed exterior.
Zealot chuckled nervously at Sasha's compliment, his cheeks flushing slightly at the unexpected praise. "Thank you, Sasha. I appreciate your kind words," he replied, trying to mask his discomfort.
Then, Sasha surprised him with an unexpected proposal, "So, how about marrying me and becoming my husband?"
Zealot's heart skipped a beat at Sasha's sudden proposal, his mind reeling with disbelief. The request caught him completely off guard as he wasn’t ready, and for a moment, he struggled to find the right words to respond.
"Sasha, I... I'm honored by your offer, but..." Zealot stammered, his mind racing as he searched for a way to navigate the delicate situation without arousing her anger.
Despite his internal turmoil, Zealot knew he had to tread carefully. Rejecting Sasha's proposal outright could have dire consequences, yet he couldn't bring himself to accept her offer, knowing the depths of her malevolence.
‘Ah! Why did she have to propose to me?! Shit! I’m not ready for this!’ Zealot thought.
"Sasha, I need some time to consider your proposal," Zealot finally replied, his voice carefully measured. "Marriage is a serious commitment, and I want to make sure I'm making the right decision for both of us."
Sasha regarded him with a curious expression, her eyes searching his face for any hint of hesitation or defiance. For a fleeting moment, Zealot feared she would see through his facade and discern his true feelings, but to his relief, she seemed satisfied with his response.
"Very well, Zealot," Sasha said, her tone tinged with a hint of disappointment. "Take all the time you need to think it over. Just know that my offer stands, should you choose to accept it."
With that, Sasha, blushing and feeling embarrassed, turned around and left the kitchen.
After Sasha left, Zealot stood there, frozen, the echoes of Sasha's words reverberating in his mind. The kitchen, once a place of routine and quiet servitude, now felt like the epicenter of a brewing storm. He had always known Sasha to be unpredictable, but this proposal introduced a level of complexity and danger he hadn't anticipated.
As he cleaned up the remnants of their breakfast, his thoughts raced. 'How can I navigate this situation without provoking her wrath?' he wondered. 'Rejecting her completely would be a death sentence, but accepting her would mean becoming her possession forever...'
The only hope Zealot had now was to ensure that Sasha entered the small world at all costs. This was his sole means of escape from her manipulation and cruelty. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that she would treat him well after marriage; who knows, she might even be abusive toward him in the long run.
In this precarious situation, Zealot knew he had to tread carefully and devise a plan to secure his freedom. The small world offered a glimmer of hope, a chance to break free from Sasha's grasp and carve out a future for himself where he wasn't bound by her malevolent influence.
With this goal in mind, he resolved to do whatever it took to ensure Sasha's entry into the small world, even if it meant playing along with her little love games for a little longer.
‘It seems like the small world is my only last hope for securing my freedom…’ Zealot thought.
After completing his task of cleaning up the kitchen, Zealot heard Sasha's enthusiastic call, "Hey, Zealot! It is time to go!" Her voice brimmed with excitement as she eagerly awaited the adventure of exploring the small world, hoping to find the Demon King’s treasures.
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Sasha had heard rumors about the existence of Demon Queen Terasia residing in the small world, yet she reasoned that there was no harm in venturing into it to verify the truth for herself.
She knew that as long as she avoided offending or doing anything foolish to upset Demon Queen Terasia, there shouldn't be any reason for Queen Terasia to want to harm her.
“Yes, I’m coming!” Zealot responded, his tone conveying both compliance and a hint of hesitation as he prepared to accompany Sasha.
***
As Sasha and Zealot stood at the entrance to the small world's portal, anticipation hung heavy in the air. But just as they were about to step through, Zealot's expression shifted, a mischievous glint in his eye. Without warning, he activated his Diarrhea skill on Sasha.
CURSE OF DIARRHEA!
Suddenly, Sasha's expression twisted in discomfort, her hand instinctively clutching her stomach. "Oh no," she gasped, her voice strained with discomfort. "What is happening to me suddenly? I feel unwell..."
As Zealot rushed to Sasha's side, his face etched with concern, his mind raced with the irony of his actions. Despite his feigned worry, he knew he had orchestrated Sasha's sudden discomfort. "Sasha, are you okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with faux concern, masking the deception lurking beneath.
Sasha knelt on the ground, her face contorted in pain as she gripped her stomach, feeling extreme discomfort. "I... I need a few minutes," she gasped, her voice strained.
Sasha felt a sudden urge but resisted, unwilling to face the embarrassment of relieving herself in front of Zealot. The effort to hold it in only worsened her discomfort.
Feigning concern, Zealot's eyes flashed with insincerity as he approached her. "Of course, Sasha. Let me help you up," he offered, extending a hand.
"T-Thank you… that’s kind of you…" Sasha murmured gratefully as she reached out to accept Zealot's assistance. But as she extended her hand, Zealot's expression shifted, his true intentions becoming evident. With a sudden motion, he seized Sasha and forcefully threw her into the swirling portal.
“Hahaha! Bye, bitch! See ya!” Zealot's mocking laughter echoed through the underground prison.
"Z-Zealot! What in the world are you doing—!?!" she cried out, her voice filled with shock and betrayal as she disappeared into the shimmering vortex.
“Yes, I have done it! Hahaha! Plan successful!” Zealot exclaimed, his triumph evident in his jubilant tone.
With Sasha now gone, Zealot finally felt liberated from the burden of constantly serving her. The weight that had anchored him down was lifted, and a sense of freedom washed over him. Wasting no time, he directed his focus toward the next dungeon raid. Anticipation swelled within him as he eagerly awaited the opportunity to test out his summoning skill: Skeleton Warriors. He was eager to unleash its power and explore its full potential.
A few hours later…
In the midst of a picturesque, lush green valley, Zealot found himself standing outside an E-Class Dungeon, its imposing portal entrance looming before him. Having reached Level 52, he no longer needed to grind through F-Class Dungeons; now, he could leap straight into the challenges of E-Class Dungeons to gain even more experience points.
[Dungeon: Kobold Valley Palace]
[Level: E-Class]
[Requirement Level: 40+]
‘So, I'll be facing Kobolds this time, huh?’ he thought.
[Skeleton Warriors: Can only summon one Skeleton Warrior to battle for now. All Skeleton Warriors are highly skilled and experienced in combat. Corpses are not required when summoning. This skill can be evolved, upgraded and become stronger over time.]
‘All Skeleton Warriors are highly skilled and experienced in combat? Moreover, they possess the capability to evolve, upgrade, and grow stronger over time? This means that they are not only formidable opponents now but have the potential to become even more powerful in the future? Interesting,’ he thought.
Ding!
[Summoning Tips: To accelerate the progress of your Skeleton Warriors, prioritize their involvement in battles and encourage them to secure kills. Upon reaching 100% progression, you can evolve or upgrade them.]
[Upgrade: Summon an additional Skeleton Warrior, allowing you to have a total of two Skeleton Warriors summoned simultaneously with your next upgrade.]
[Evolution: Skeleton Warrior >> Skeleton Bronze Warrior (The Skeleton Diamond Warrior stands as the highest rank among Skeleton Warriors, coming before the advancement to the next tier, Skeleton Soldier).]
[Current Skeleton’s Progression: 0%]
Zealot absorbed the information with keen interest, pondering the potential of his new summoning skill.
“Alright, let's begin the raid!” he declared, his voice laced with determination and anticipation. With a smirk, he stepped confidently into the portal, ready to embark on his latest dungeon conquest.
As Zealot emerged from the portal, he found himself in the grand entrance of the Kobold Valley Palace, greeted by a breathtaking scene of meticulously manicured gardens adorned with vibrant blooms and tranquil fountains glistening in the sunlight.
‘A grand, mighty palace in the middle of nowhere, nestled within a beautiful valley, huh?’ he mused to himself, marveling at the sight.
He took a moment to survey his surroundings, his senses heightened as he prepared to face whatever challenges awaited him within the Kobold Valley Palace. The air was thick with anticipation, and the tranquility of the gardens belied the dangers lurking within.
With a deep breath, Zealot steeled himself for the task ahead. His mind raced with strategies, his determination unwavering as he ventured forth into the palace.
As he made his way through the grand entrance, he was met with a sight that took him by surprise. The interior of the palace was unlike anything he had expected. Lavish tapestries adorned the walls, intricate designs etched into the marble floors.
‘To think these Kobolds possess the knowledge and skill to construct such a magnificent palace,’ Zealot marveled, his astonishment evident. He couldn't help but feel impressed by the craftsmanship and attention to detail displayed throughout the palace's interior.
Suddenly, four roughly six-feet tall kobolds emerged from the top of the grand stairs and approached Zealot. Dressed in butler uniforms, they appeared far more civilized than the savage, bloodthirsty creatures Zealot had envisioned.
"Welcome, adventurer!" spoke one of the Kobolds, its voice surprisingly articulate and welcoming.
"We've been waiting for you. Welcome!" chimed in another kobold.
"Indeed, welcome to our majestic kobold palace!" added a third kobold, its tone hospitable.
Zealot regarded them with a mixture of caution and intrigue, unsure of what to expect from these unexpected hosts. Nevertheless, he maintained his composure and remained vigilant.
EYES OF TRUTH!
Upon reading their minds, Zealot discovered that these four kobolds were assassins. They presented themselves as friendly and welcoming, creating a facade of civility in the hope that he would let his guard down. Their true intention was to take advantage of his lowered defenses and swiftly eliminate him.
'Heh, what a cunning lot these Kobolds are…' Zealot mused to himself, a smirk playing across his thoughts.
***
Several hours prior...
Inside the small world, Zealot Palace, in the grand throne room, Sasha found herself surrounded by the twelve Demon Knights as she faced Demon Queen Terasia, seated on the throne.
"I beg for your mercy, Your Majesty!" Sasha pleaded, both knees trembling on the ground before the throne, her voice laden with desperation.
“Of course, but only if you are willing to aid me with a task," replied Demon Queen Terasia, her tone commanding yet measured.
"Yes, Your Majesty! I pledge my unwavering allegiance to you, and I shall fulfill any task you set before me!" Sasha responded with determination, her voice filled with resolve.
“Very well. I will inform you of your duties in a few days,” Queen Terasia said with a commanding tone. “Alright, escort her away!” she added, her voice firm and authoritative as she ordered her twelve Demon Knights to take Sasha away promptly.
In the present time…
In the depths of the Zealot Palace, Sasha languished within the confines of the underground prison, her every movement restricted by the cold stone walls that surrounded her. She knew she would remain imprisoned until the Demon Queen Terasia called upon her to fulfill her duty.
When Zealot failed to uphold his promise and neglected to return to the small world with the blood key for Demon Queen Terasia, her fury knew no bounds. Determined to take matters into her own hands, she now schemes to enslave Sasha with a potent slave collar, compelling Sasha to undertake the task that Zealot had neglected.