Chapter 38: The Executioner of the Room’s Gallows (2)

I loosen my grip slightly to hear how far the imp’s scheming goes. I’m gonna kill it anyway, but if it tries more tricks, I’ll have no qualms grinding its corpse.

[Urk, fine. Kill me. But I’m tasked with delivering the Queen’s words, so hear me out. We’re not close enough to exchange letters, are we?]

“Why the informal speech?”

Fair point. At least it’s sincere.

“Fine. What’s the Queen say?”

[The Queen proposes a marriage alliance.]

???? What’s that supposed to mean?

“Hm? Marriage alliance? Isn’t that just her barging in, charming me, and game over?”

[The Queen is pitiable. Know why our demon elites avoid this place?]

“Roughly. From triple-digit levels, they live large over there, so they don’t bother coming. That’s why weaklings like you get sent to clean up.”

Since the imp saw my level, the “peace talks” started, and invasions dropped off.

Before, my low level made monsters recklessly trash my place despite my size. Now, their strategy feels different—negotiations, persuasion.

[The Queen’s at a crossroads, forced to offer herself to rally those elites.]

“What’s that mean?”

[She’s debating declaring she’ll marry whoever brings your head.]

My memorials don’t cover demon ecology. They get married too, huh?

“I don’t get it. Marrying someone who’d take my head—how’s that a marriage alliance?”

[She’d rather ally with the dungeon giant than marry them.]

“What’s with her baseless confidence? Thinks she can seduce me?”

Even if the Succubus Queen’s prettier than the imp—probably just a finger taller—she’s likely got top-tier charm.

I don’t want marriage, but her seduction could be overwhelming. With skills like size amplification and polymorph, as seen with the dragon, who knows?

Still, no reason to show fear in front of a demon lackey.

[Only the impotent or those uninterested in women resist her.]

Forcedprotean Getting forced into marriage by a tiny monster girl?

“I’ll figure that out myself.”

[If you’re open to it, I’ll handle her gifts and arrangements.]

The marshmallows were a hit, it seems.

“No need. If she comes, I’ll show her your head and make her submit.”

[You reject this ultimatum?]

“Kill you, and she’ll get the message. Send all the triple- and quadruple-digit demons who want to marry her for my head.”

Sounds like the Queen can’t come herself. So, triple- or quadruple-digit demon suitors will come instead.

They won’t use charm, so I’ll crush them, level up, and prepare for when she can’t resist coming herself.

[Fine, kill me, you oversized beast! As a messenger, I’m prepared for death!]

Oh? The imp, resigned, hurls insults. Asking for it? Its righteous rant feels like a classic East Asian tale of loyalty.

Sneaky, but loyal—there’s room to relate. In an era where loyalty and duty fade, it’s stirring…

[You’ll die alone in pain here!]

Bullshit. This vermin’s talking nonsense.

“If you trick the Queen like you did me and the dragon to get more treasures, I might let you live. How’s that?”

[I deceived you for Her Majesty. Betray her for you? Kill me!]

“Loyal one, huh? I’ll chop your head toward her gate as a courtesy.”

Gotta respect the imp’s conviction. Instead of brutal killing, I’ll make it quick. A fly swatter would splatter it, ruining the corpse.

What to use for execution? Then I spot it. Perfect for a dignified death, like a guillotine for Lilliputians.

[Urk.]

I secure the imp to it.

“Last words? I’ll pass them to your Queen. Or swear to be my pet, and I’ll spare you with honors.”

[Gods, protect my Queen.]

What a guy. Believing in gods while wiping out humans? I almost feel pity, which makes me judge it harsher to steel myself.

“I’ll remember your name. One last time—what is it?”

[Kekwekwukaklukka!]

Sounds like gibberish that changes every time.

“Alright, Kekwekwank. Farewell.”

As I press the nail clipper for execution—

[W-what’s this?]

The imp thrashes, head stuck, unable to escape.

“What?”

[Tch, this isn’t—my Intelligence is too low—urk!]

“What, dude?”

No clue why it’s freaking out. Its low Intelligence remark makes me press the clipper. It shoved its head in so dramatically—what’s with the panic?

<Level increased to 157>

<skill acquired: mimicry lv5>

Imitate the language and skills of others. Higher Dexterity allows temporary replication of their techniques.

<skill acquired: bewitch lv10>

Your persuasion carries weight, making others empathize. Escape crises by making others relate to your situation. Less effective on those with low empathy.

Two skills, but why do they feel like insults? Was it acting dramatic with Bewitch, thinking I’d let it go? Should’ve just offered treasure.

“Give me back my emotions.”

I was almost moved by its grand exit. Skill trick, huh?

<charm necklace>

Amplifies the succubus’s allure. Men can’t look away from its presence. Charm +200.

The Queen’s gift is acquired. My stats auto-add Charm. These tiny items stack effects, a plus.

“Hold on.”

Men staring at it? Kinda creepy.

***

The day before tutoring. Aiming for a bonus with max Intelligence buffs, I’m brewing sikhye in RiceCookerMan, now a synthesis cauldron.

[LV5 Heat melts sugar better.]

[Intelligence boost enhanced.]

This sikhye absorbs sugar like crazy.

“Can it get sweeter?”

The more sugar and malt I add, the more—

[Intelligence effect increases.]

The message keeps popping. Cooling the sikhye, I pour it into a bottle.

<+20 Stamina, +80 Intelligence for ~8 hours>

“Total of 100? Level 50 buffs are insane. How far can this go?”

I memorized Choi Choong-hun’s titles with +40 Intelligence sikhye.

“…”

I’m not drinking this. My pancreas might strike, and insulin could quit. What happens with +80 Intelligence?

First time, so I can’t guess. With +40, I memorized those titles easily.

“Hey, CatMan, get off the laptop. Want something warm? I’ll get hot water.”

[Tainting clear water blackens the soul. My fur would darken it.]

This jerk. Cleaning the laptop’s bottom plate, I found clumps of his fur.

“Shut up and try a sip.”

Need a guinea pig for the sikhye test, and CatMan’s it.

[Make Churu with that iron pot.]

“Quiet. What’s 10,000 + 1,000?”

[11,000 won.]

CatMan can add. But sees numbers as money.

“Then 10,000 × 1,000?”

[Meow.]

Can’t multiply. Pretends to be a clueless cat when stumped. Not knowing multiplication’s fine, though.

Means he won’t demand 10,000 won daily. No clue when I can afford a new car.

“Try a lick. Think of it as milk.”

Maybe he’ll crack multiplication.

[Fine. Refusing the master’s food isn’t our way.]

He licks it. Intelligence buff appears above his head.

“Again, 10,000 × 1,000?”

[Meow.]

“Intelligence boosted, and all you say is meow?”

[You ask me for life’s answers? Why burden a beast?]

Seems wiser, but maybe it’s his usual act.

“Tell me. I’m curious.”

[Buy a car.]

“Not that.”

[Want more? Show some sincerity. Wisdom ain’t free.]

Paws up, demanding payment.

“Bring it, punk.”

[Meow.]

Useless, so I shoo him. He earns his own food, so it’s fine. Stuck at 10,000 won in binary, his income’s low. RiceCookerMan’s useless for this…

Sikhye guinea pig… Room 202. Heard her complain about pizza weight gain, but she’s skinny, eating once a day.

“Ahem, Room 203.”

[…Yes? What?]

Sleepy voice. Even sloths wake up by now. Few live lazier than her.

“I made more sikhye. Want some?”

[Really? I’m coming!]

Ding.

Groggy voice, but she’s out quick. Must be tasty.

“Hey, try this new batch—”

[A million won?]

“Uh, yeah, but it’s free—”

Words catch in my throat.

“She’s not looking at me?”

I stare at the ceiling, awkward. I get she’s in comfy clothes and just woke up, but… couldn’t she wear a bra? Embarrassing.

Her whole body screams high praise for the sikhye. She grabs the bottle, sleepy but smiling, then notices the texture.

[Oh… uh, uh, uh!]

Looking down, her face turns red, stammering, about to scream. A scream in this hallway? I’m screwed. In my panic, a skill pops up.

<bewitch lv10>

This works in daily life?