A system window appeared in front of Allen's face.
> SYSTEM WARNING: RACE CHANGE DETECTED
TARGET RACE: NPC → DEMON LORD
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Use Demon Eye three times (Currently used: 2/3)
2. Strong desire for revenge (Currently: Inconclusive)
3. Reactive Evaluation Level 3 (Unlocked)
Allen stared at the system window while lying on his bed.
"What does that goddess even want from me?"
All Allen ever wanted was a peaceful life in another world—free from burdens, free from stories.
He thought… maybe being an NPC was enough.
At least, that's what he believed.
Allen closed his eyes.
FLASHBACK ON
The peaceful village of Qouvar.
Allen was shopping in the town market when a familiar voice called out to him.
"Allen!!"
"Oh, hey Kakamiya. What's up?"
"Have you seen Clara lately?"
"Nope, not at all."
"She hasn't left her house since the Knull Dungeon incident. Wanna visit her together?"
They made their way to Clara's house. But something felt off.
"Hey, Kakamiya… do you feel anything strange about this place?"
"I just smell something really foul..."
Kakamiya knocked on the door.
> SYSTEM WARNING: GET AWAY IMMEDIATELY OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES
Allen ignored the warning.
The door creaked open—but instead of a warm welcome, a black iron spike burst out and impaled Kakamiya, dropping him to the ground.
A woman stepped out.
> SYSTEM UPDATE
NEW JOB: QUEEN DEMON LORD
NAME: CLARA
LEVEL: UNKNOWN
GENDER: FEMALE
THREAT LEVEL: EXTREME - SHE INTENDS TO KILL YOU
Clara glared at Allen with a twisted smile.
"One left... the root of this cursed story begins with you."
Allen froze in shock.
"Die."
A flash—and Allen collapsed.
> REACTIVE EVALUATION: DEATH DETECTED
NEW SKILL ACQUIRED: DEATH IMMUNITY
Allen suddenly stood up, completely unharmed.
"You really are the dumbest Demon Lord I've ever seen."
Clara narrowed her eyes. "What did you just say?"
"You used death manipulation… on someone who also has death manipulation? Really?"
"...Is that so."
Clara lunged at him, attacking with full force.
Allen dodged swiftly. "Whew, almost turned into a donut there."
Clara went berserk, striking blindly, but Allen parried everything with just two fingers. Then, with the Sword of Shinigami, he slashed Clara cleanly.
Blood poured from her mouth.
Clara growled, "You think I'm weak or something?!"
She opened her palm, summoning elemental magic.
Then—a massive meteor formed above them.
It was enormous, so much that Allen was left speechless.
But his hero's heart burned bright.
He charged at the meteor and slashed through it.
The meteor shattered into pieces... and those pieces turned into mini slimes.
The slimes scattered toward Qouvar Village.
"Hahahaha—"
"What's so funny?" Allen asked.
"You really are Allen, huh?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Allen is just an NPC in a game. He was supposed to die... not Jin."
Allen's eyes widened. Clara knew the truth about the game.
"You... bastard!"
He punched Clara repeatedly, drawing his sword to finish her.
But physical attacks didn't work.
Clara caught him, conjured Yin-Yang energy, and slammed him into the ground.
She stood over Allen's limp body. Knowing he would reincarnate if killed, she walked away, leaving him there unconscious.
When Allen came to, he saw only the ruins of Qouvar Village.
It wasn't fire—it was destruction by a slime.
> SYSTEM WARNING: THREAT DETECTED BEHIND YOU
Allen turned.
> SYSTEM STATUS
NAME: KING SLIME
LEVEL: 5,000,000,000,000
(BUGGED due to Clara's interference)
"You've got to be kidding me…"
Allen regenerated.
He stepped toward the slime, his eyes glowing purple.
> SYSTEM: REACTIVE EVALUATION LEVEL 2.5 ACTIVATED
The slime attacked—but Allen erased it with a single strike.
> SYSTEM NOTICE: ENTITY ERASED FROM EXISTENCE
FLASHBACK OFF
Next Day - At School
"So you finally came back to school, Stella."
Stella smirked. "Missed me that much?"
"Yeah, I barely got to kiss you, y'know."
"Pfft. Pervert NPC."
"So, who's your teammate for the tournament?"
"Rika."
Suddenly, Rika burst into the classroom.
"○"○"○, I need your help!"
"Okay, I'm coming!"
"○♤○"●♤●♡●♡●♡●♤|♤\"
Allen froze.
Something was off.
Stella's name should be censored by the world's law—but now his was too.
> SYSTEM TESTING 1 2 3
YO, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
Allen blinked.
"Who the hell is that?"
> "Hi, I'm The System... or just call me Pandora."
"Pandora?"
> "Yeah, you're probably wondering why you're affected by the world law too."
"Exactly."
> "Same, bro. No clue."
"...You're an idiot."
> "Kidding. Anyway, you haven't noticed yet?"
Allen looked around. "Time... has stopped?"
> "Yup. Let's cut to the chase."
"Go ahead."
> "Your 2D existence evolved into a 4D one. So, you have to accept the Demon Lord role. No excuses."
"You think I'm cheap or something?"
> "Why not, sweetheart?"
"I just want a normal life."
> "Too bad. You have to take the role. It's how the story progresses."
"Huh?"
> "Only the readers and Fujimiya Hanemia will understand this joke."
"Fujimiya and the readers...? Who are they?"
> "YTTA."
"Still not taking it."
> "Let me explain something. If you refuse, you'll regret it."
"Why?"
> "Because your 2D body can't handle a 4D soul. You need a new job and role."
"And if I still say no?"
> "One word. You die."
"...Bruh."
> "Also, Demon Lords in this world aren't completely evil."
"So what now?"
> "Why do you think you had Demon Eyes as an NPC? The goddess might have lied to you. Just take the offer."
Suddenly, a pale hand emerged from a portal—offering an orb.
TO BE CONTINUED