Lilith stepped away from the balcony, twirling a lock of her curly black hair. She came to a halt before the group that had just entered the throne room. Her eyes immediately flared as she activated Analysis, scanning the figure standing beside Lysandra.
What? She's already reached Level 2? Lilith thought, raising an eyebrow in genuine surprise.
She knew the system favored Heroes, but she hadn't expected that killing one unimpressive Demon King would provide such a massive power surge. Although Elina still seemed weak compared to Lilith or her Succubi - her stats likely hovered around those of an elite skeleton - the progress was undeniable.
"Good profits?" Lilith asked in a velvety voice, though she had already seen the system notifications regarding the nest's destruction. Her gaze shifted from Kala to the chest the succubus held under her arm.
Elina, still wearing the ice collar around her neck, clasped her hands with enthusiasm, her rabbit ears twitching joyfully.
"Hn! I gained a ton of training points!" she cried, excitement shining in her eyes. "That Demon King wasn't so weak, so it was enough for me to level up. Thank you for the support, Boss!"
At that moment, Elina felt a strange shift. The powerful Monarch standing before her, who only this morning had seemed like the embodiment of a nightmare, was suddenly no longer so terrifying. In the rabbit's eyes, Lilith had become something of a stern but generous mentor.
Kala snorted loudly, rolling her eyes.
"'Boss'? Really?" the succubus mocked, winking at Lysandra. "Careful, little one, you've still got blue bruises on your neck from that 'support'."
Elina tripped over her own feet hearing Kala's comment but quickly regained her composure. She pointed to the copper trunk that Kala had just slammed onto the floor with a thud.
"This is a Demon King Treasure Chest! I got it after destroying the altar. This... this is my gift to you."
Lilith nodded, maintaining a cool distance.
The system rewards Heroes differently. Demon Kings received chests for conquering zones - full of gold and building blueprints. Heroes, however, received a chest only for the final destruction of a Nest, making their loot much rarer, but incomparably more valuable. The chance for rare skill stones or unique equipment was manifold higher for a Hero.
"Open it," Lilith commanded. She didn't want to risk the system "calibrating" the reward downward if she, as a Demon King, touched the lid.
Elina approached the chest and slowly lifted the heavy cover. A bloody and green light filled the hall, and a loot list appeared before Lilith's eyes:
[You have gained: "Blood Contract" x1, "Skill Stone: Toad Blood" x1, "Short Toad Sword" x1, "Transmission Bat-Toad Egg" x2, "Toad Demon Badge" x1!]
Lilith reached out for the levitating items that appeared where the chest had been. She examined them carefully, then caught the simple greenish sword and the shining badge. With an expression of indifference, she tossed them toward Elina.
"You may have these two items as a reward for a job well done," Lilith said.
Elina practically jumped, catching the items mid-air. Her face lit up with the widest smile Lilith had ever seen on her. "Really?! Thank you, Mistress! Thank you so much!"
Kala and Lysandra exchanged looks. Lilith, meanwhile, looked at the remaining items - especially the Blood Contract and the skill stone.
Lilith watched with satisfaction as the remaining three items levitated before her. Each pulsed with a specific energy, carrying a potential she had no intention of wasting.
First was the [Blood Contract]. The sheet of parchment appeared to be made of human skin, and the letters inscribed upon it glowed with a sickly, crimson light. It was a powerful tool of forced diplomacy - a contract signed in fresh blood that could not be cheated. Anyone who dared break its terms would face a devastating system penalty: permanent loss of 50 HP and a permanent reduction of all stats by 5 points.
Next, her gaze rested on the [Skill Stone: Toad Blood (D)]. This was a D-rank skill, significantly more powerful than anything her current minions possessed.
[Skill Stone: Toad Blood (D)]
Description: Your body gains the incredible flexibility and regenerative abilities of amphibians. When wounded, your blood thickens and becomes sticky, immediately staunching hemorrhage. Additionally, you gain triple jump strength and the ability to adhere to vertical surfaces for 30 seconds.
The final loot was two [Transmission Bat-Toad Eggs]. These strange, slime-and-membrane-covered eggs pulsed to the rhythm of a heartbeat. They were low-level pets but had unique utility. They hatched slowly, absorbing the fresh blood of the owner, though the process could be instantly accelerated by sacrificing a precious life gem.
Lilith was analyzing the recovered treasures when she heard Elina's voice. The bunny girl, still clutching her new sword, looked at her with a face full of childish expectation.
"Does the Boss plan to destroy more Demon Kings?" she asked hopefully. "We can continue our cooperation, you know! I can handle finding them! I'm really fast at it!"
Lilith slowly turned her head and looked at the girl with undisguised contempt, causing Elina's ears to drop instantly.
"Are you really trying to make me public enemy number one for all Demon Kings?" Lilith asked coldly. "Other Kings in the area haven't threatened me, nor have we had a conflict of interest. Why would I waste time and resources killing them without a clear reason?"
There were certainly many other players lurking nearby, but Lilith had no intention of organizing a mindless crusade. While the rewards for killing "kin" with a Hero's help were tempting, the Forest of Chaos was full of villages, independent tribes, and powerful factions whose conquest brought equally tangible benefits without building a reputation as a fratricide.
Elina looked sincerely disappointed, though deep down she had expected such an answer. She knew Lilith could probably crush any Demon King within a few hundred kilometers, but doing so would leave the Great Valley of Darkness exposed. Too much activity would attract not only the strongest Heroes but would cause other Demon Lords to unite against her out of fear.
Lilith stopped paying attention to the disappointed rabbit and shifted her gaze to Lysandra.
"By the way... where has Mina gone?" she asked curiously. "Did she not return to the castle with you?"
Instead of the ice succubus, Kala answered, snorting loudly and wiping the remnants of toad blood from her arm.
"Once she finished the task, she decided it was time for some entertainment. She went to 'play' with Lulu," she replied, shrugging with a slight look of irritation on her face.
Lilith nodded, smiling crookedly. Mina's energy was sometimes overwhelming, but her loyalty was unquestionable.
However, the sudden peace was interrupted by a knocking on the throne room doors. One of the rabbit maids ran inside, immediately falling to her knees.
"My Lady! I am so sorry for the intrusion," the girl gasped, clearly out of breath. "But Varg has arrived. He says it is a matter of the utmost urgency and he must speak with you immediately!"
Lilith straightened up, her eyes flaring red.
"Let him in," she commanded, feeling that the peace following the successful transaction had just come to an end. "Let's see what has ruffled our wolf chieftain's fur this time."