[CH598+ Continued] Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster's Power

Chapter 644

The Arch Demon looks at me, filled with curiosity once again.

"You really know nothing of the inner workings of the Demonic Realm? How far away from the capital were you born?"

I don't react to the question, and lift the red shimmering fragment of divine energy in front of the demon's face.

It stares into the beautiful glowing crystal full of vibrating divine threads, but judging by its expression, it has no idea what it is.

Eventually, the Demon responds.

"What... is that?"

My gaze tightens, and I let the fragment fall back into my item storage, but I notice the silent earth dragon behind the demon, its eyes widening, and a spike of surprise and quickened heartbeat make me believe it knows exactly what I just showed.

"Never mind. Just tell me about these Red Core Demonic Knights."

After a moment of silence, as I don't feel the need to respond, the demon continues to speak.

"Well... if you don't know about the knights, then you're truly a demon lost from society. You must have been raised far out in the Rift Lands..."

The Demon scratches his head in confusion, then looks up at the ceiling, as if trying to structure his thoughts.

"Well... I guess we can just start at the beginning. If you're a demon born in the capital, the only way to survive, grow, and earn your keep is by joining the army, diving into rifts that lead to mana-rich worlds. Sure, you could challenge the native demonic monsters of the realm to grow stronger, but they won't level up your mana-based system, which is more valuable for demons that want to apply for Labyrinth contracts."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Labyrinth contracts?"

The Demon smiles.

"Yes, just like the contract we made when you summoned me here. I had to train and level up for quite a long time before coming to this world. If I'd accepted a contract as a level one demon, the first human to challenge this construct would have killed me before I had a chance to fight back... It's an unspoken law that demons should at least rise from Fledgling to Greater before even considering applying for Labyrinth contracts. Many wait until they become Arch Demons even..."

A word sticks out to me, so I ask another question.

"You said construct... The Labyrinth is a construct?"

"Of course. It's merely another function of the system. They cost mana and activation stones to create, in the same proportions as a dungeon would. They are mana-based pocket worlds created for energy collection. All of the monsters inside are nothing more than rented avatars. Demons and dragons are the only ones truly putting their lives on the line here. Though, we get the highest potential reward at the end of it."

I open my mouth, but no words come out while I process his words.

The Demon continues.

"Like I said before, once a demon manages to pass the first test, growing a labyrinth to its mature state, they're able to bring the siphoned mana back to the demonic realm and offer it to one of the five great families of their choosing. That, or they can roam the world they've completed their contract in as a free and powerful Arch Demon..."

He pauses, then smiles.

"There is no greater height an Arch Demon can climb than joining the personal army of one of the five Great Families... This is why I'm continuously confused by your claim that you're not a part of any of them... The prestige that comes with even joining the outer ranks as subordinates of the Red Core Demonic Knights is enough to live like a king and set up your family with generational wealth and power."