Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Rage had already clouded his mind as he repeatedly cursed his incompetent subordinates.

"I cannot die here'¦ I am the man who will become one of the seven swords" as he frantically moved his tattered body away from the demon, he saw the demon landing right in front of him.

Panic and afraid to die, Laris tried to move away from the demon. However, his body was too battered to allow such movements. When he saw the hands of the demon clawing at his neck he squealed like a pig about to be butchered

"Ahhhhhhhhh'¦ don't kill me, don't kill me'¦ if you kill me you will make the entire Seven Swords guild your enemy".

Simon's hand which was just about to grab laris's neck paused for a moment, intrigued.

"Hmm? Seven Swords Guild?" he inquired trying to get as much information from Laris.

Thinking that the demon was cowered by the name of their guild, Laris further explained like his life depended on it.

"That's right, the Seven Sword guild is the strongest guild that sits on top amongst all the guilds in the nearby cities and also the ruler of the city of Morgress. We have seven warriors so powerful that they can instantly defeat the likes of you, not to mention our guild master who has undergone four classes changes and reached level 500 [Thunder Striker]... Even the duke of the entire northwestern region of the Kingdom of Ellesmere has to show us some respect".

"How is it demon do you now know how great of an enemy you would offend by killing me?"

Simon quietly listened to the bullshit that Laris was spouting before making an annoyed face and asking "I don't want to hear all this nonsense'¦ what I want to know is whether the Seven Sword guild was behind all this?"

Simon did not care how big or powerful their guild was or not. What he wanted to know was whether the Seven Swords guild was the one behind the operation of subjugating the village of Forest spring Spirits.

If they were, then Simon couldn't leave them alone since they know the existence of the Forest spring spirits inside the Ghastly Winding Forest. Even if they are defeated here, the allure of a priceless treasure such as the spirit orbs would make them send more manpower to subjugate them.

Simon wasn't afraid of the powerful enemy that was the Seven Swords as he knew that with time, he could easily surpass them and at that time they would be no threat to him. He had the [Main Menu] with him, although it got bugged after merging with his dungeon menu, it worked all the same.

Simon did not have to worry about his impure bloodline or the limitation of his growth and with luck, using the summon function he might even be able to call forth strong subordinates to defend his dungeon.

That was how much of an edge his innate skill [Main Menu] gave him. So does he still have to worry about Seven Swords guild who was just a small tyrant in this remote corner of a region?

Not getting the expected reaction from the demon, Laris became gobsmacked and couldn't help but wonder how his brain was wired. Instead of cowering in front of an enemy that was so powerful that even a Demon Viscount had to think twice before offending them, the demon in front of him was asking whether the Seven Swords guild was behind all of this.

Though he was internally frustrated, he did not dare show it on his face since his life hanging on the hands of the demon... Knowing that he can't get around the question, Laris decided to answer it truthfully.

"Yes'¦ yes it was the guild who ordered me to subjugate the village of Forest Spring Spirits and plunder their spirit orbs". Suddenly an idea flashed inside his head and he made a sly smile as he stared at Simon.

"So what of it? These forest spring spirits orbs are incredibly precious treasures of the world that can purify one's bloodline and make them ascend to a whole new realm. They are so valuable that you cannot even imagine how much they are worth. What's wrong with the strong enjoying these treasures?"

"From what I can see, your bloodline seems to be quite impure and your current rank should be your limit. Even if you reach the peak level of your rank, you wouldn't be able to go up any higher than that. However, with the help of those treasures inside the ring, you can even reach a higher realm than what was previously possible".

Seeing that he got the attention of the demon, Laris inwardly sneered thinking that Simon got hooked.

"How about it? Don't tell me you are not interested. If you let me go, I'll let you keep all the treasure in that ring and won't pursue this matter any further. You also have my word that the Seven Swords guild will not make it difficult for you and will each mind our own business" Laris explained grandly as he tried to convince Simon.

Pretending that he was very interested in the deal, Simon repeatedly nodded his head before suddenly arching his brow and asking "Didn't you just say these orbs are incredibly precious? And you are giving all of this to me'¦ wouldn't this make the guild unable to digest it?".

Simon asked as if finding the flaw in the arrangement.

"Hahaha, what are you saying. Of course, the guild would be depressed after losing all those treasures but given that strength of yours, even the guild wouldn't want to make an enemy out of you. I'm very sure the guild would be willing to gift them to you to soothe our relationship" Laris gave him a bootlicking smile

Of course, whatever he said was bullshit and filled with lies. The guild would never allow such incredulous treasure to fall into the hands of a demon.

They might even assemble their whole force to snatch the spirit orbs back from the demon. He cooked up all the nonsense just to preserve his life and once he returns, he would come back with an even stronger force to exact his revenge. There was no way he won't pursue the matter, Laris was a man who settles all his grudges and believed in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Laris couldn't have imagined that Simon was just pretending to play into his hands, nor could he have guessed about the existence of [Main Menu] whose one of the functions allowed Simon to increase his rank without the help of treasures such as the spirit orbs.

However, there was no need for Simon to tell him that as the [Main Menu] was his deeply guarded secret and also the most important skill he had in his arsenal. All this while Simon was testing Laris. He didn't have any plans of sparing the man much less soothe his relationship with their guild.

From what Simon heard, the Seven Swords guild seemed like a tyrant that was flaunting its powers and suppressing others unrestrainedly. There was no way such a guild would let Simon be in peace. Even if he did not start a fight with them, the Seven Swords guild would inevitably start one since he was holding onto the items that their guild took great endeavours to get.

In the same way, Simon couldn't forgive the Seven Swords guild as he deeply abhorred their actions and now that he had taken Cecilia and the other under his wing, he had a duty to protect them.

If the guild wanted to come then let them, all debts must be settled one day.

"Hey'¦ Hey what are you thinking? Isn't it a good deal! You get to rank up and I get to keep my life. It's a win-win situation" seeing that the demon was lost in his thoughts, Laris couldn't help but snap him out of it, lest he changes his mind.

Simon nodded and looked like he was satisfied with their arrangement "I can forgive all the offence against me'¦" suddenly he locked his brows before saying "However, I cannot forgive you for all the offence you committed against the forest spring spirits and Cecilia".

Just as his voice sounded, crimson flames with a tinge of gold erupted from his hands and engulfed Laris

".... aaarrgghh".