The Successor to the Underworld Is a Cheat Player

“Demoras.”

It almost slipped Sein’s mind due to those gloomy-looking guys, but this was Demoras.

One of the places known as the Three Dark Territories.

“There’s no need to be uncomfortable with a little investigation, right? You can do as much as you want.”

“I’m not particularly interested.”

“I thought as much.” Sis shrugged.

“Anyway, what’s the plan?” What’s with the talk.

“We’ll be arriving soon.” The candidates crossed the area using a portal, boarded a large carriage, and were on the move.

Destination.

Towards Vice of Zone 7.

“What are you talking about?” “You’ll know once we arrive.”

Leaving a doubtful remark, Sis stood up.

*

*

*

The fact that almost got forgotten due to the immature appearance of the candidates.

“Welcoming the candidates of Demoras.”

The name Demoras.

It was confirmed upon arriving at Vice of Zone 7.

The situation was different from before.

“I am Ode Vice, the lord of Vice of this place.”

A man who looked to be in his forties approached, bowing and offering greetings.

The name Demoras that wasn’t allowed until reaching Rasiel.

Even if mentioned, it was a name that hadn’t easily gained recognition, but now things were different.

“Campeda of Rasiel.”

Despite being a guide for the candidates, a lower-ranking member of Rasiel spoke informally to the lord.

“Lord Campe. They are here.”

Rather than showing anger, Lord Youngju bowed respectfully towards Campe.

This is the true position that Demorus currently holds.

“The candidates of Demorus have arrived!”

Odé shouted.

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Attention! Vice’s guards raised their spears, standing at attention.

As if it were a procession of high nobility.

“Cough, cough.”

The candidates couldn’t help but smile, seeming quite pleased.

“Lodgings have been prepared for the candidates.”

Odé mentioned, still maintaining his respectful demeanor.

“No,” Campe firmly stated.

“The candidates will go to the family house.” “Ah, understood.”

An acquiescence that seemed natural.

The formalities upon arriving at Vice were not yet over.

First was Lord Youngju.

Then.

“Nice to meet the candidates.”

The alley behind Vice, carrying Demorus on his back.

That place was said to have been controlled for over a decade by a tough guy named Roland, who was the leader, with quite a thick skull.

“You are welcome to use everything here as you please.”

Someone who knew his position well.

“If there’s anything special you need, please feel free to let us know.”

A man who knew his worth.

Especially.

“Cough….”

In response to the candidates seeming to expect something, Roland smiled.

“A party has been arranged.”

Clap!

The door opened with applause.

“Welcome. Candidates!” “To think esteemed individuals like yourselves would come to such a humble place.”

Women filled with displeasure.

“We will take care of the candidates!”

Young men, muscular and dressed or not, it was hard to tell.

While most of the candidates blushed at the sudden situation, they couldn’t hide their smiles.

That’s all for now.

Swish.

And fitting for this mischief.

“Do you not enjoy the party?” Roland asked quietly, looking towards the gentleman slipping away.

Sein slowly smiled at him.

“If you don’t want to lose, then get lost.”

It was the kindest thing Roland could do for him.

*

*

*

It wasn’t just Sein.

Sis, Roberta.

Candidates over a dozen were sneaking out of the hedonistic party hall.

Sein stood atop the wall, watching over everything.

“The rest will soon be eliminated.”

The fellows in the party hall.

Their futures were predictable.

And.

“So that’s it.”

Sis and others were seen interacting with the other candidates.

– By the way, what should we do?

That must have been Sis’s question.

“Are we forming teams?”

This was a competition.

Each had to prove their worth by setting up their own piece.

While it would be nice to stand alone, Dark Oak’s candidates were formidable opponents, so it seemed like they were considering forming teams to tackle the challenge.

Sis hesitated.

He might be searching for himself, but it was unlikely at his level.

“We’ve confirmed Dark Oak’s position.”

Hmm.

The magic pulsating in his hand sent a signal.

Having pinpointed the whereabouts of Dark Oak through the magical waves.

“Hunting like this is the most convenient.”

Though he had intended to move earlier.

“Hmm.”

Sein still lingered in the vice.

“I’m curious.”

The other candidates.

Their abilities.

No, rather.

“Being able to utilize the blessing properly.”

The blessing of darkness they possessed.

The power to prove allegiance to Demorus.

Sein also possessed it, but it was still a mere trifle.

I have never failed to attempt utilizing the blessing, but for some reason, I couldn’t get a response and was unable to use it.

“What.”

Monsters.

Other organizations.

Different Lords.

Darklings.

A massive barrier erected to prevent all of that.

“Shall we take a look?”

Ta’at.

Sein leaped under that barrier without hesitation.

*

*

*

“Shall we move like this then?”

In no time, Sis was playing the role of the leader of the candidates.

Partly due to the competition but also naturally drawn to the leadership shown so far.

“I’ve confirmed the location of the Dark Orc stronghold.”

Also thanks to Sis’s abilities.

Being from the original family, receiving more support, and having his own power, Sis’s intelligence was on a different level compared to other candidates.

“We’re not taking the party members with us, are we?”

Someone asked.

Sis seemed friendly.

Although he appeared to be taking care of the candidates.

“We don’t need to bring those who are willing to be eliminated.”

His firm and cold voice silenced the other candidates.

“They’re the ones who loosen up even in the first mission. Do you think they are the talent needed for Demoras?” “No.”

“Well, anyway, what about Kindra…”

The one who lost his eyes to Sein.

Fortunately, he regained his sight through potions and healers in Rasial.

“Are you planning to move separately?”

Though he had skills worth noting, he was absent in leading the party despite seeing it.

“I saw them moving with the others earlier.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Sis cleanly gave up on Kindra.

Yet, he couldn’t easily leave his spot and wandered around as if searching for something.

And then.

“I have a question that I’m curious about.”

At the sound of the voice, Sis’s lips curled up.

“Why on earth do you hunt monsters in the Dark Domain?”

It was Sein’s voice.

There was still much about the world that he didn’t know.

Now, this place was no longer the familiar scenery he once knew.

The information available in the narrow Chichiron was limited, and his time spent in other cities was minimal.

– Plans for the future.

He was too preoccupied to engage in more substantial conversations with Arin.

Therefore,

“It took quite some time for the New Empire to establish itself after the fall of the Empire.”

Such time might have been necessary.

On a dark night, moving outside the city, Sis spoke in a quiet voice.

“The biggest problem is creatures like the Shadows, even seasoned mercenaries and knights of the lower regions shy away from facing them.”

They were revealing themselves amidst the chaos of the dark night.

And the lords of the dark night.

‘Saw an opportunity.’

Issues erupting all over the world.

They would take charge of that, and in return, the Empire would acknowledge them and promise privileges.

It was the moment when those who had been hiding in the shadows emerged into the light.

– Dark Pact.

That was precisely the Dark Pact.

And a part of that pact was hunting the Shadows.

“Well, it’s just business as usual.”

The starting point of the dark night was ultimately the alley.

And what the alley thugs did was surely not just receiving protection money.

In the end, hunting monsters was also part of the deal.

The only difference was that the scale had increased.

“Is that all you’re curious about?”

Sis said.

“Ask again when you’re curious.”

Sein’s gaze was like looking at a universal cat robot.

‘He seems like a decent guy for now.’

That was Sein’s assessment of Sis.

“Oh, one more thing.”

He became curious about something.

“You can ask me anything.”

At this moment, it was still pitch black.

There was a faint light created by magical lanterns and gray mist, but it was a time when one would never venture out for hunting.

Though it seemed to be driven by a sense of competition, the fact that it was so natural was perplexing.

“Why hunt at night?”

That reason.

“…?” All the candidates turned to Sein.

“…?” Similarly, the man tilted his head in confusion.

Was what seemed obvious to him not so for them?

Even considering events in Chichiron or elsewhere, his own common sense prevailed.

“…You haven’t awakened the blessing yet, have you?” “I thought it was due to the immense magical power being a blessing.”

Sein frowned at the voices of the candidates.

Soon after, silence descended.

“Whether you’re hiding something or not… Is it something even they haven’t disclosed to you?”

Sys spoke towards Sein.

“The blessing we possess.”

A spark.

Flames rose from Sys’s hand.

It emitted an even brighter light before vanishing with a crackling sound.

A moment of intense heat.

‘Hell Flare?’

It was a rare awakening skill that could only be obtained at the end of a magical life.

“Enhanced in darkness.”

“…” “So that’s why the Darklings are tasked with hunting in the shadows. We move during this night.”

There was a reason for that.

“Interesting.”

“….You truly remain an enigma even when you seem to know.”

All curiosity was satisfied.

‘I definitely need to delve further into the blessings.’

Especially since it was a characteristic exclusive to the direct descendants of the Darklings.

‘I’m curious about my own blessing too.’

But that’s a tale for another time.

After the exchange with Sys, after continuous movement.

“We’ve arrived.”

They had reached the Dark Orc Stronghold.

*

*

*

Huff, huff.

The exhales resembled the steam of a train.

Their size was nearly double that of a regular orc.

Normally, they would be treated as boss monsters.

Huff, huff.

They moved together as a group.

Dark Orc Stronghold.