Chapter 92: Lower Realms 1
After things wrapped up one way or another… well, honestly, I spent my time idly.
Sohi disappeared somewhere with the other undead girls for a while, and during that time, I gave Oriana a simple report and shared what had happened in the satellite city Zain.
“Oh my, if it’s Sohi…”
“Do you know Sohi, the guild master? I heard she was a former First-Class Overseer—are you two acquainted?”
“I do know her… hmm, but this isn’t my story to tell. If you’re curious, you can ask Guild Master Sohi directly when she returns. She’s likely to be very kind to you.”
“Why would she be kind to me?”
“She has a fondness for young children.”
“Oriana, do I look like a child to you? I’m plenty grown, don’t you think?”
I stretched out my limbs proudly to emphasize my growth, but Oriana shook her head.
“Well…? From my perspective, you still look young, so you’ll probably seem even younger in Guild Master Sohi’s eyes.”
“Ugh, how long do I have to keep being treated like a kid…”
With Guild Master Sohi absent and Oriana busy reviewing the various accusations, reports, and assessments for incorporating demons into humanity, she had her hands full.
Compared to that, my days were leisurely and unhurried for a while.
For about a week now, I had been lazing around, eating, plugging into any available outlet to zap myself with electricity and recharge.
Sometimes, like now, I lounged in the yard with the dolls, basking under the sun while staring blankly at the sky.
“Ahhh, so relaxing.”
The sky over Zain was unusually clear and blue today.
I heard there had been quite a few changes in the city while I was away at the northern front.
Earnest Rail had been executed, along with all the executives of Zain’s branch and headquarters, charged with the taboos of doll manufacturing and rebellion against Ark.
Though dolls were inherently impure creations born from orphans and human trafficking, Earnest Rail had been mass-producing them in Zain to plot a rebellion against Ark.
Honestly, I merely tattled directly to Oriana because the thought of creating such corporate weapons didn’t sit well with me. But it unexpectedly led to the dismantling of a major megacorp.
Still, it was a good outcome overall.
The higher-ups—specifically Oriana and Administrator Rilstia Frostia, who backed me—showered me with praise for nipping Ark’s rebellion in the bud.
Administrator Rilstia, in particular, was overjoyed, claiming the day I’d be adorned in blue wasn’t far off. Her elation was evident even through the screen, where her bear-fur slippers practically flew to the ceiling.
Anyway, this turn of events left me with some unexpected free time, and I decided to make the most of this luxurious break.
With about a week left before my return to Ark, I spent my time at the Saya Guild’s mansion, consuming their electricity and food, waiting for Sohi to return.
I also played hunting games with the 20 undead girls who had accompanied me, using the opportunity to gauge the extent of my abilities.
The undead girls were stronger than I expected, and I didn’t even need to hold back. It was an ideal way for both the girls and me to assess our combat prowess and capabilities.
But aside from the undead girls, there was another new addition to my family.
After playing at the shelter, I’d often find myself wandering the Saya Guild’s luxurious halls late at night.
That’s when I’d stumble upon dolls—either in the spacious mansion’s yard or in tidy, empty rooms.
These were Earnest Rail’s masterpieces and evidence of his rebellion, dolls whose very existence was taboo within Ark.
However, because these dolls had been confiscated and had assisted in my mission, the higher-ups decided to delay their disposal.
“Executive Director, awaiting orders.”
One of the dolls, lounging with me under the sunlight, spoke as soon as our eyes met.
For the record, the dolls still referred to me as “Executive Director Alice.”
With Earnest Rail’s entire staff executed for treason and no one left to reprogram their processes or command systems, the dolls’ basic command structure remained unchanged. As a result, their perception of me as their executive director had essentially become semi-permanent, granting me ownership over them.
“Executive Director, awaiting orders.”
“Orders, huh…”
Though its tone was purely mechanical, its glowing eyes carried the innocence of a child, making me chuckle.
I didn’t have any orders to give at the moment.
“Oh, uh, well, just stand by for now.”
“Combat standby mode?”
“No, no. Just relax casually, like a person—rest or play. If something comes up, I’ll issue a call.”
“Understood. Entering standby mode, resting, ensuring continuous readiness.”
“Resting.”
“Entering energy-saving mode to optimize body condition.”
“The sunlight feels nice.”
“I will follow.”
“Let’s play together!”
“Let’s hunt!”
“Agreed. I will follow.”
The other dolls must have overheard, as they each began wandering around the mansion, seeking their own ways to ‘rest.’
Interestingly, traces of their human ‘unconsciousness’ seemed to linger within them.
It was evident that they preferred me—someone who offered rest and a degree of autonomy—over Earnest Rail, who issued daily orders for combat and assassination.
Though the dolls could recharge using sunlight or their own mana circulation systems, some sat idly, watching butterflies flutter by, while others actively played with the undead girls.
By the time everything settled, I realized I had gained quite a lot.
One notable gain was the 0.3% permanent share I’d secured with the Saya Guild.
The reward for securing evidence of Earnest Rail’s treason, separate from the Saya Guild’s compensation, was deposited into my bank account.
Additionally, I achieved a union with Gaia, drastically enhancing my physical capabilities, internal neural network, and implants.
I also established a connection with the demons.
Ownership of fifty dolls, which should have been retrieved and disposed of by Ark, was transferred to me.
Naturally, I didn’t want the dolls to be destroyed as evidence of treason.
According to Oriana, “Alice, who uncovered the lead to the rebellion and played a decisive role in Earnest Rail’s execution, has had her requests granted to the fullest extent by Administrator Rilstia.”
Fighting Gaia to the point of breaking my body still chills me, but in the end, I only gained favorable outcomes.
However, there was one thing.
Something not so pleasant.
【Human, it is time.】
“Ugh… Can’t I skip it…?”
【Endure it, Human. You are the one who agreed to this.】
Theresa’s indifferent voice forced me to clench my fists and concentrate all my nerves to avoid biting my tongue.
I am not in pain.
I am not in pain.
I am the Demon King.
No amount of pain or suffering could break me down, and I would not yield to it.
Even if my muscles were torn horizontally and vertically, or if the pain sensors fused entirely with my skin, making On/Off toggling impossible.
Even if I had to endure the agony and pain of my bones and flesh being interwoven and reassembled as I reattached the Mantis Blades.
No matter how much I might currently be a feeble, hollow android stripped of memories and experiences, any trial or pain that couldn’t defeat me would merely serve as a chance for renewal!
【Now connecting the Holy Sword fragment to the neural system of your left fingernail.】
“W-What? Why connect it? Didn’t you link it to the wrist nerves yesterday?!”
【To simplify for the Human who dislikes complexity: we are burning and reassembling the nerves connected to your left fingernail to allow the Holy Sword fragment-imbued Mantis Blade to deploy in emergencies. A concise summary: ‘Just endure it, Human.’】
“Wait, hold on…!”
-BZZZT!
At that moment, electricity surged through my arm and hand, and the metal parts of my body began slicing into the flesh.
“….!”
When pain is overwhelming, people don’t scream.
I never thought I’d experience that again.
-CRACKLE!
Soon, something filled the torn flesh.
I understood it as a process of healing and reconstruction, but the pain sensors couldn’t be turned off, and it felt like my eyes were about to roll back.
Did it last about ten minutes?
As I crouched on the floor, trembling, the pain emanating from the neural connections starting from my fingernail began to subside.
But the relief of subsiding pain only meant I now had the luxury to scream.
“Aaaahhh! It hurts, it hurts, it huuurts!!”
【You won’t die, Human. Didn’t you say all trials that fail to defeat you are opportunities for transformation?】
“It feels like my fingernails are being ripped off and the nerves are being seared with fire! How can I endure—Aaaahh! Wait, time out. Gahh…!”
[“Oh, Alice, even your cries of anguish sound like a canary in the mine~ Won’t you let me hear more of it?”]
“You damn—!!! Shut up, gaaaahhh!”
[“Ah, haha… Alice’s moans…”]
Though I described it as having my fingernails burned off, the reality was far worse.
The sensation of nails being folded backward, nerves running through my fingers and wrist being unraveled, and the horrifying creaking sounds from inside made it all unbearable.
In the post-apocalyptic cyberpunk world, the Mantis Blades were a romantic ideal, but as my body became more human-like, the pain also became vividly real.
【Well done, Human.】
“Huff, huff, huff…”
[“Ah, our Alice, you look so lovely with that crying face…”]
【Gaia, do not activate without permission. This body cannot afford to waste energy on the unnecessary activation of your consciousness.】
[“Thanks to me, you can function longer, can’t you? Using your terms, don’t I have a right to at least this level of involvement?”]
【Nonsense.】
What do you mean, “our Alice,” you damn psycho?
Ignoring the ridiculous voices in my head, I noticed Theresa joining the argument, making the commotion even louder.
If someone saw me now, they’d probably think it was an extremely bizarre sight.
I was talking creepily to myself, and if they got close enough, they’d hear faint arguments from two additional voices, likely mistaking me for someone with dissociative identity disorder.
‘Still, it’s better than being alone.’
[“See? Even Alice agrees with me!”]
【This is as far as I’ll tolerate your absurdity. Human, I recommend shutting down all activation elements related to the Gaia entity.】
‘Ah, stop it. Stop… My head hurts…’
For the record, the reason I endure this pain isn’t just because of the cyberpunk romanticism embodied by the Mantis Blades, but also because my body has become closer to being “human” through my union with Gaia.
The body itself could still be considered android-like.
Magic-engineered screws and springs continuously reconstructed the damaged parts of my body, and the mechanical portions still vastly outweighed the flesh.
However, artificial blood vessels, once filled solely with oil and lubricants, now circulated blood that conveyed warmth.
The regeneration rate of flesh on my arms, legs, and feet outpaced the rebuilding speed of metallic parts.
Half machine, half human.
That was my approximate state.
Yet, the strength and capability of my body had improved dramatically compared to before.
I clenched my fist, then thrust it forward in a straight punch.
With a faint sound of air bursting, my fist moved so fast that even my eyes struggled to keep up.
‘Now, there’s no delay in my body’s nerve responses. My speed and strength have increased, and most importantly, my body has started to properly sense mana.’
【Entity Name: Alice】
【Level: 21】
【Energy (Health Stat Integrated): 74.8%】
【Strength: 45 > 71】
【Intelligence: 12 > 22】
【Speed: 54 > 84】
【Mana: 10 > 30】
【Swordsmanship – Mantis Blade LV 4】
【Authority – Fusion (Imitation) LV 2】
【Multi-Casting – Consumes mana to activate multiple spells simultaneously.】
【Gaia – The Earth Mother who loves you bestows the [Twisted Blessing].】
【Blessing – Twisted vitality can now be used as energy.】
【Twisted Vitality – Untamed, unrefined wild vitality can replace internal electrical currents.】
【Multi-Purpose Mechanical Tendrils – Can now be coated with twisted vitality.】
【Absorption – All life belongs to the Mother. Absorb what belongs to her.】
When I displayed the status window on the corner of my vision, I saw not only a dramatic increase in stats but also the emergence of several new abilities I had never seen before.
These must have been the powers and skills newly acquired from my union with Gaia.
-Thump, thump.
I suddenly heard something stomping through the grass in the yard.
“Ha! Alice! There you are!”
“Hm?”
-Thump, thump, thump-thump!
With the sound of hurried footsteps, a familiar-looking girl appeared in my sight.
“Huh? Rilstia…?”
“Ha-ha, you remember me! It’s me! Your favorite admin! No, I mean, your Administrator Rilstia Frostia!”
Rilstia Frostia, the highest-ranking superior officer to both Oriana and me, had come here in person.