Chapter 10: Bust Size Isn’t a Measure of Combat Power

This was my first time stepping outside the castle since entering the game. 

Contrary to what most might expect, the World’s Backside wasn’t the apocalyptic wasteland depicted in movies or novels. 

It wasn’t all that different from the bright world—just shrouded in near-perpetual night, with only fleeting glimpses of dawn’s light.

I wasn’t surprised. 

I’d learned about this place in my past life through dark faction players’ forum posts. 

But compared to their screenshots of grand city walls and bustling architecture, the current dark world was a barren plain under a heavy night sky, exuding a true end-of-days vibe. 

The only notable structure in sight was my so-called Demon King’s castle—though, honestly, it was more like a modest manor with a castle and a handful of buildings.

Shaking off stray thoughts, I recalled around 200 Dark Bats from the monster nest. 

A Demon King couldn’t charge into battle alone—that’d be utterly lacking in majesty. 

But I didn’t dare bring too many. 

Without knowing the enemy’s strength, reckless moves could lead to heavy losses, and unlike grinding zone deaths, these wouldn’t recycle into energy.

The skeleton warrior mob cluster was close to the castle, and with Syl’s guidance, I soon arrived with my makeshift Dark Bat army. 

The map pinpointed their location: a sprawling open-pit mine, its entrance patrolled by dozens of skeletal frames.

“Your Majesty, this may be difficult,” Syl cautioned.

She wasn’t wrong. With so many skeleton warriors guarding the entrance, who knew how many more lurked inside? 

But I wasn’t here to wipe them out—just to probe their strength. 

Even if I wanted a full assault, my meager forces wouldn’t dent them. 

After a moment’s thought, I ordered a detachment of about 80 Dark Bats to attack the entrance.

The bats swooped in, catching the skeletons off guard. 

Their low intelligence couldn’t react in time, and the patrol’s formation crumbled under the sudden assault. 

Many skeletons’ health bars dipped, their clattering bones thrown into disarray.

But that was the extent of it.

While my Dark Bats’ attack power outstripped typical mobs, that edge only held against same-level foes. 

Against level 5 skeleton warriors, a bat’s strike barely dealt a dozen points of damage. 

Meanwhile, the skeletons’ attacks tore through the bats’ fragile defenses like paper, felling them in two or three hits. 

The bats’ only advantage—agility—did little to turn the tide.

As the skeletons rallied, half of my 80 bats were wiped out in moments, while only a dozen or so skeletons fell. 

I ordered the survivors to retreat. 

My goal was achieved.

From deep within the mine, a commotion stirred. 

Several elite skeleton warriors emerged, flanking a central figure whose eyes burned with red flames. 

Its jaw clacked, and a raspy voice echoed.

“Intruder, who are you? Why do you trespass here?”

A boss with some intelligence—classic Epoch. 

Unlike other MMOs, many bosses here had a degree of autonomy. 

Players could even befriend them through quests or chance encounters.

I wasn’t here to make friends, but a little courtesy couldn’t hurt.

“Good evening, Mr. Skele—”

I paused, my gaze dipping to its bony frame. 

The term felt off—skeletons didn’t exactly have genders, and I’d never heard of one with an extra bone in the middle. 

Struggling for a better address, I decided to cut the pleasantries. 

No need to play nice with a low-intellect boss.

“Anyway, I’m here for my sprites. You kidnapped them. Hand them over.”

“Arrogant fool. Why should we obey you?” the skeleton rasped.

I smirked, time to pull rank. 

“Because I’m the current Demon King of the dark faction!”

As my words rang out, an invisible pressure blanketed the area. 

A debuff appeared over every skeleton’s head: All Attributes -5%. 

My Demon King’s Intimidation, a passive aura skill—one of my few abilities—proved my title beyond doubt.

“Impossible… that oppressive force… you really are…” 

The skeleton’s fiery eyes shrank, its frame stumbling back in fear.

I couldn’t help but feel smug. 

But before I could savor the moment, I noticed its gaze shift downward, landing on my chest with a puzzled look.

“But why doesn’t your combat power match the legends?”

“…”

Before I could retort about what my chest had to do with combat power, Syl chimed in helpfully. 

“Because Her Majesty hasn’t fully developed yet.”

“There’s no need to explain that kind of nonsense!”

For some reason, the skeleton grew enraged. 

“With such a flat-chested minion, you must be the Demon King!”

Why would you confirm my identity like that? 

And what the heck is “flat-chested” supposed to mean?!