Demon Lord: Erotic Adventure in Another World

Ryuji and Yumiko grabbed each other and rushed into the room. They started grappling each other before reaching the golden chest. Across the front were strange sigils, however, if someone paid attention to the Lich tattoo on Ryuji's body.

They would have matched the shapes.

However, Ryuji and Yumiko's playful banter and flirtation made the others feel embarrassed. Even the mature Paul couldn't help but cough and turn away. The others stood near the entrance, waiting patiently for Ryuji to claim his prize and stop flirting.

"Hmmm, Yumi, what do you think is inside?" Ryuji asked while unfastening the hatch.

"Items, of course? Idiot."

Yumiko's lips curled into a cheeky smirk before slapping Ryuji's back with her tail. The thud echoed throughout the room before she clung to his back. Once the chest opened, she peeked over his shoulder to see inside.

"Ah? Is that a robe or tunic?"

Her tail swayed at the stylish black cloth and leather clothing with minimal armour. Ryuji also noted the large sack of coins, a strange relic and a ring.

'I can only take one item... what do the ring and armour do?'

[Ring of Quick Chanting]

—Reduces chanting time by 30%

—Reduces mana cost of all spells by 10%

—Increases the damage of all magic spells by 10%

'This ring is perfect for Paul. There is no way I could take it. Because my magic is strange, I don't feel my mana run out—instead, I just start casting with my vitality or something. That's why the strange knowledge in my head tells me anyway.'

Ryuji nodded, forgetting the ring because he also didn't chant, and if Yumiko ever learned magic, he would also teach her this way of casting.

Instead, he lifted the armour from the chest. It felt strange. The cloth parts seemed to be styled like a hooded robe and tunic. Yet, their style and sensation were cool and smooth. He also pulled the material, and even with his strength, it didn't tear and only stretched slightly.

'I like how cool it looks, a bit like a trench coat mixed with those old pirate captain jackets. But in cloak form.'

Ryuji wrapped the long, cloaked jacket around his shoulders after putting the tunic with leather features over his head.

"Ryuji, you look so handsome!" Yumiko sniffed at his body while he wrapped the cloak around his body, with only a single leather fastener near his neck to keep the cape tied shut.

"I feel like an assassin, not a berserker though, but the material feels so cool and comfortable." He spoke in a conflicted tone. Ryuji then threw several punches before swiping his necklace, grasping the black axe and swinging twice before returning it to the pendant.

"Okay... I'll take it!"

'Let's see what it actually does, then head to the others.'

"Hmm~ it's really good, the way it clings to your muscles and shows every curve of your chest."

[Cloaked Garment of the Dark One]

—Reduces all damage taken by 15% (Slashing, bludgeoning, piercing, magical)

—Agility Increased by 5

—Self Repairing

—Indestructible

**

The moment he fastened the leather neck strap, the sheen of the cloak seemed to flutter with a magical shimmer. Its sleek design hides the ferocity and Ryuji's muscular frame, creating the illusion of a much slimmer figure.

'It makes me look strange. What was that Chinese saying... pretend to be a pig to eat the tiger?'

"What are you muttering about? Let's go, Ryuji~ I want to hurry and finish this place and get an actual shower—my tail is all matted and dirty!"

"Yeah, yeah. Let's head back."

Ryuji grasped Yumiko's wrist and pulled her along as they entered the room with the stairs leading down. He felt they were more foreboding than previous floors because of the strange portal flickering across them.

"Paul! There's an awesome ring for you in that chest. Take it. Don't let someone steal it."

"Hmm? Nobody would steal in this group, you know?"

Paul could only smile bitterly when Ryuji started pushing him into the treasure room. However, the moment he used a talisman to identify the ring. His eyes widened. He actually jumped off the floor and shouted in delight. "Oh yeah! Come to Daddy!"

'I'm happy for you, brother.' Ryuji watched with a rare set of gentle eyes. Though he still needed to learn a lot. Paul helped him when he felt lost and clueless.

For Ryuji, Paul was someone he wouldn't abandon—even if they were to go their separate ways. He would keep checking in on him in the future to make sure nothing bad happened to him, especially because Paul might be travelling with that psycho woman in sheep's clothing.

Suddenly, a hand wrapped around Ryuji's shoulder. "Ah, he looks so happy. Thanks, Ryuji; if you didn't force him like this, he might have passed on that ring." Simon wore a strange pair of goggles that gave off a slight whirring sound. "To think his weakness could be fixed, maybe our party will be sent out of the castle in the future. Finally..."

It wasn't something Ryuji didn't realise, but this group of knights were mostly special cases, and if not for Alan, they would never have partied together.

'I bet Simon and Paul have deeper backgrounds. Otherwise, a Duke wouldn't mess around with such a low-level party. Wait... did that bastard use me to help them cross some kind of bottleneck or break their limits?'

Ryuji shook his head, honestly not really caring if Alan did that. Without people like Alan Ryuji, this world would be dull.

"I see. Does that mean I won't be your tank for much longer?" Ryuji pretended to be downcast while casting fleeting gazes at Simon, who looked awkward.

"Oi, you little shit, don't twist my words. Though I would love to keep one of the useful heroes forever... We all have our lots in life right? Don't forget you have to fight those morons serving the other nobles as chosen soon."

"Hahaha... If you ever need my help. Don't hesitate, Simon." A rare moment of seriousness came from Ryuji as he glared at Simon. The pair of them were silent while Paul put the ring on. Finally, his dance and celebration came to an end.

"Ryuji, look at my cool ring!"

"I know Paul, let's calm down and head downstairs, okay?"

"Tsk, you're just jealous of my cool aura." Paul acted like a child while chanting a simple barrier spell, the purple flicker of magic forming a small shield in the air in less than ten seconds. "Ten seconds... It takes me more than double sometimes!"

'Good for you old man, now you won't die somewhere I can't block shots for you.'

***

Ten minutes later, the trio left the treasure room and distributed the gold and other trinkets inside to everyone else. Ryuji liked his new hood because it also had a badass mask he could pull up and cover over his nose like a true assassin.

"Then shall we depart?" Yumiko asked, Erika nodding behind her. They had nearly reached the time limit, and if they didn't finish the punishment on the third day, Ryuji would face even more severe consequences.

"Let's go!" Alicia added, her shiny new bow in hand with a proud face, alongside Paul, who looked like he had rejuvenated ten years.

"Here goes nothing."

"Hmm, what are you nervous about, Ryuji? I'll be protecting you." Yumiko showed her lovely white teeth as she pulled him inside. The world deformed, and a strange mixture of colours and contorting shapes distorted Ryuji's senses before they landed in a new area.

'It's... huh?'

Ryuji and the party all stood in silence because in front of them, a noble carriage waited with Alan sitting on the driver's bench with a large flask, likely holding a sharp liquor.

The group was shocked because they thought there were five floors, not four. Confused, they approached the carriage on guard, believing it might be a trick or some kind of illusion.

"Alan? Why are you here? We still have a floor to conquer, right?" Ryuji couldn't help but ask because if they returned with an unfinished punishment.

Even the Duke might face heavy consequences, and after learning, the church seemed to be against his existence. Sheila's strange, twisted aggression was still tangible whenever they matched gazes.

"Huh? You'd only come here if you finished all five. Did something happen?" Alan, his usual calm self, shrugged his shoulders and stamped the parchment in his hands. "Ryuji, your crimes are forgotten! Now you are a free man, chosen by me! Hahaha!"

Alan burst into loud laughter while Ryuji stood in confusion.

Everyone in the party was tired, but hearing they had already completed their task the moment he signed Ryuji's punishment writ, a strange tremor and deflation of emotions broke out.

"Wait? I'm done? Then I can go visit the town with Yumiko and Erika?"

"Well then, let's board the carriage!" Paul was the least tired and ushered the team back into the carriage. Alicia, Simon and Erika all climbed onto the carriage, with Yumiko hopping inside last, her eyes sparkling at the idea of a shower and bath.

However, the moment Ryuji approached the carriage, Sheila lunged towards him, with her hand reaching for his throat. No longer unaware of her strange hatred, Ryuji grasped her wrist, twisting her body and slamming her into the carriage wall, his left hand grasping her throat, tightly gripping her soft neck.

"Argh... Release me, Devil!" Sheila felt terrified. Ryuji had touched on her deepest fears and the Church's strict rules regarding purity and contact with those without divinity.

"Sigh... where is the fierce you who made me taste her holy nectar from earlier today?" Ryuji's hands tightened, the colour of Sheila's face turning pale, the air she tried to breathe blocked by Ryuji's immense power.

"Goddess! Save me!"

"Haaa~" Ryuji's deep, exasperated sigh caused Sheila to feel terrified because of Ryuji's cruel, vicious demeanour. She also showed a strange reaction once his body pushed her against the carriage, not the reaction of a sane woman. "You are really fucked up. Why are you getting wet from being choked by the existence you are supposed to despise?"

She couldn't respond because of the tight grip around her throat. Now turning blue, Ryuji lifted a hand covered in a sticky white goo before he pressed it against her nose, crushing it with his thumb and making her look like a pig.

"Now remember, little piggy priestess, if you mess with me or Yumiko... forget that anyone I deem important. I'll make sure to defile your purity for eternity by shoving my axe into your cunt!"

"!!!!"

His threat was more effective, as the moment he spoke, he pulled the axe out and pushed the blade against her neck, leaving a thin, bloody line across her fair neck—pulling away as she gasped for breath.

Ryuji boarded the carriage, ignoring her hateful glare.

Instead, he seemed to be amused and hummed a pleasant tune.