In the game scenario, there was almost no information about the people surrounding the Demon King.
The ones labeled as the Demon King’s children were merely obstacles 1 and 2—nothing more than challenges for the Hero to overcome.
So, I had no idea how the Demon King’s castle was structured or who was stationed there.
To me, the true enemy was the Hero, and the Demon King and his minions were none of my concern.
At least, that was the case before I became the Demon King’s daughter.
“How could the mighty Demon King ever meet a human? Of course, we were created by the Demon King’s power! The Demon King’s immense magic, combined with the genius knowledge of Lord Lyat—the person I respect the most in this world—brought us into existence!”
“That’s right! That’s why we’re waaay stronger than regular humans!”
So, if I put their words together, these guys are all artificial beings created for the Demon King.
‘Then what about me?’
I get that these guys are homunculi (artificial humans), but what about me? Am I also an artificial human?
[SYSTEM]
Hint: You are human!
At the time of your insertion, the homunculus creation method was unknown, so you were set as a human.
“Shit.”
I let out a groan and ran my small hands down my face.
“Regular humans, you say?! Humans are anything but special! They’re lowly, pathetic, and worthless! Ugh! I can’t even stand breathing the same air as them!”
“Ah! Me too! Brother, I’m sorry. I misspoke just now. But please understand that I really despise humans. If I could, I’d kill every single one of them!”
“……….”
Ah.
So now I have to live as a human among a bunch of demon freaks who have severe human-phobia.
‘Should I just die?’
I seriously contemplated my options while staring off into the distance.
After playing hero games, I knew all too well just how cruel and ruthless demons could be.
If they find out I’m human, I’ll be brutally slaughtered—no exceptions.
“Anyway! So, we are super amazing beings, got it?”
“Mya…(Oh, fuck.)”
“That’s why the Demon King tests us once a year!”
A test? I widened my eyes and stared at the twins.
“If you get a good score, you can have anything you want! That means you could even have subordinates to protect you, Shekina!”
“But if you fail…….”
Pardes’ eyes glowed coldly.
“You die.”
“Yup. You’ll die.”
The twins beamed so brightly that their smiles almost lit up the room.
…I see.
So, to you guys, dying is just another fun activity.
“The test is tomorrow, Shekina.”
So, tomorrow is the day I die.
“Yeah, yeah! But I think you’ll do great! I believe in you, Shekina!”
Don’t believe in me, you bastard…
Feeling my consciousness fade, I closed my eyes.
***
Maybe it was too much for me to wander around right after reincarnating.
It felt like just a moment ago that I closed my eyes in despair at the mention of the test, but when I opened them again, it was already morning.
I sucked on the baby bottle lying near my feet and looked outside the window.
A blizzard was raging so wildly that I could barely see anything outside. The only thing vaguely visible was the silhouette of the spire.
Wow, what perfect weather to die in.
I let out a sigh, puffing out a small breath while drinking my formula.
If I put together everything I learned from talking to the twins yesterday:
1. The Demon King created homunculi (artificial humans) infused with his power to expand his influence in the human world.
2. These homunculi have pre-programmed knowledge—things like who they are and how they should act.
3. Therefore, homunculi must become stronger.
4. Weak homunculi die.
And the most important fact:
5. I am human.
‘@%^#^&@!#*!@!!!$#!!!’
Damn you, system!
If you couldn’t make me an artificial human, why the hell did you put me in as the Demon King’s daughter?!
Even if I had lived a remarkable life for 90 years, I was still just a human.
There’s no way I can keep up with artificially enhanced beings infused with demonic power.
‘What do I do?’
I could barely move my limbs properly, so how was I supposed to achieve anything in a test against elite artificial humans?
Forget a bad ending in the game—this was about to be my bad ending.
‘If I were in the human world, just showing mana would be impressive enough. But among these homunculi, that won’t be nearly enough to stand out.’
Then what else can I do?
I bit my lip anxiously, pressing my gums together in frustration as I tried to think.
And then—
[SYSTEM]
Oh, poor you, contemplating life and death! No matter how many times you die and reincarnate, dying is still scary, isn’t it? How pitiful…
Are you insane?!
I stared at the system window in shock.
It sounded like something a complete sociopath would say.
[SYSTEM]
But don’t worry! I am a merciful ▒▒▒, so I shall help you, my poor, unfortunate soul!
Ring!
Sub Mission: Pass the Test!
You must survive among terrifying demons and homunculi! At this rate, you’re going to end up buried in the lava of the Demon Realm!
But don’t worry—there’s always a way out!
If you can figure out what ability you possess, you might just make it through. Here’s a hint—use it to pass the test!
Objective: Survive the homunculi’s test.
Hint: A section from the Raising a Hero settings guide.
Rewards:
1. Survival
2. Favorability with demons
Failure:
Death
I take back what I said about the system being crazy.
No, it’s a smart kind of crazy.
As I skimmed through the settings guide of Raising a Hero that appeared in my mind, my eyes gleamed.
Most of it was information I didn’t know.
‘Well, yeah. I had all these minor details locked away.’
Still, there were some useful bits here and there. I flipped through the pages carefully, examining every detail.
‘Next, next…’
And then, when I reached the final page of the provided guide—
‘This is it.’
I found a loophole in the system.
“Myaaah!(You’re all screwed!)”
***
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Martin Jonasay, the commander of the Demon King’s First Legion, stomped down the corridor leading to the tribunal.
With each step he took, the demons filling the hallway hastily stepped aside, glancing at each other nervously.
It was inevitable.
Martin Jonasay was a towering figure with a face so fierce it sent shivers down spines at just a glance. Standing nearly three meters tall, with massive, muscular arms and thighs as thick as most people’s waists, he was a giant.
Most demons in the Demon King’s castle feared him. The moment they saw him coming, they scrambled to get out of his way.
Boom. Thud!
The corridor trembled under his heavy footsteps.
And then—
“Martin. Didn’t I explicitly tell you to walk lightly in the corridors?”
A loud smack landed on Martin’s broad waist.
The one who dared to strike him?
Lyat Noe, the Demon King’s advisor.
“Who do you think has to repair the broken floors?! Who has to fix the collapsed walls?! Me! I do all of that! Stop giving me more work—!”
Lyat Noe, an indispensable right-hand man of the Demon King, was half Martin’s height. His pale, sickly-looking face made him seem like he hadn’t eaten properly in weeks.
He looked so fragile that it seemed like Martin could crush him with a single hand.
So, for the newer demons who didn’t understand their relationship, this scene was shocking.
“Isn’t he going to get punched for that?”
“If he gets hit, he might get sent straight to the underworld.”
The murmurs spread through the crowd.
Perhaps because of that noise, Martin—who had been marching straight ahead—slowly lowered his gaze to meet Lyat’s.
“…….…”
Martin’s fierce red eyes flashed.
He’s going to hit him.
He’s definitely going to hit him!
The rookie demons, thinking they had to save Lyat, instinctively reached out toward him.
But then…
“I forgot. My bad.”
Martin apologized.
…What?
Did he really just let it slide this time?
“I’ve told you hundreds of times! You forget everything! You thick-headed idiot!”
Oh my god. He just called him an idiot! That’s way too harsh!
The rookie demons shut their eyes, fully expecting Lyat to get punched this time.
But…
“Lyat, smart. Me, dumb. That’s why Lyat needs to teach me. Every. Single. Day.”
Instead of getting angry, Martin was praising Lyat.
What the hell…?
The veteran demons simply shook their heads at the shocked rookies. They had once been just as bewildered.
“You being dumb isn’t exactly new. Have you ever thought about actually studying?”
“No. I, study, but no good. But Lyat, study, and best.”
“Well, of course, I’m the best… Wait. Are you using me?”
“Lyat, help me every day.”
“That’s only because it’s unbearable watching you struggle!”
Sighing, Lyat smacked his chest in frustration before grabbing Martin’s arm.
“Forget it. Just carry me.”
“Understood.”
Without hesitation, Martin picked Lyat up and placed him on his shoulder.
A nearly three-meter-tall Martin.
A barely one-meter-tall Lyat.
A completely mismatched pair with vastly different personalities.
And yet, neither of them seemed to mind.
Boom. Thud! Martin resumed walking forward.
“Did you check on the crows yesterday?”
The ‘crows’ were surveillance monsters that patrolled the Demon King’s castle. High-ranking demons like Lyat used them to monitor the stronghold.
“I was sleepy. Thought Lyat would check.”
“You annoying little—”
Despite grumbling and cursing, Lyat didn’t seem all that upset.
Instead, he shared something amusing he had seen the previous day.
“A homunculus barely six months old took down the twins’ dog.”
“Dog?”
“Yeah. Their Cerberus.”
Martin didn’t clearly remember the twins’ pet, but he knew enough to understand that a young homunculus defeating a Cerberus was impressive.
“Today is the homunculus’s test day. As their creator and father, I’m very curious to see what they will do.”
“Homunculi’s father is the Demon King. Not Lyat.”
“It’s just an expression!”
Lyat scoffed, snorting in amusement as he turned his gaze toward the doors of the tribunal, which slowly swung open.
“Let’s see what happens. I’m curious to find out.”
