Chapter 4: The Command of the Demon Lord

KARMA: Kill Me or Love Me

Chapter 4: The Command of the Demon Lord

In the heart of the shadowed forest, where the twin suns of Lunira cast faint rays through the dense canopy, I felt the crushing weight of the mysterious mage’s presence. Her dark aura, a living shadow that coiled around us, tightened the knot of dread in my chest. Magical chains, summoned from the earth, bound my body with an unyielding grip, and no matter how fiercely I struggled, I couldn’t break free. Her power was undeniable—a force unlike anything I’d encountered in my five years in this world.

“You don’t seem hurt by my little trick, do you, tiny creature?” she said, her voice cold yet tinged with amusement, as if I were a mere pawn in her game.

Her words startled me, not for their meaning but for the language she used—a tongue from Earth, one I hadn’t heard or spoken in ages. As a dwarf, I’d grown accustomed to the language of my kind, and in my long solitude, the sounds of Earth’s words had faded from my memory. Her ability to speak them was a puzzle, and the shock sent my thoughts spiraling.

“What did you say? You can speak a language from Earth?” I asked, my voice thick with disbelief. Who was this woman? How had she learned the speech of a world I’d left behind? And most pressingly, what did she want with me? Was she here to kill me, or did she have some other purpose?

She smiled, a enigmatic curve of her lips, and leaned casually on her staff. “Of course I can speak Earth’s language,” she replied, her tone almost patronizing, as if explaining something obvious to a child. “I lived there once, before I ended up in this place. And since you’re asking, I’m certain you’re one of those sent by the goddess, aren’t you?”

Her words struck me like lightning. Sent by the goddess? Like me? The revelation raised more questions than answers, but before I could process it, she raised her staff and cast another spell. A glowing magic circle materialized beneath my feet, and from it, chains of dark energy surged, wrapping tighter around me. These weren’t ordinary chains—they pulsed with a life of their own, and no matter how much strength I summoned, I couldn’t shatter them.

“What—? Why are these chains so strong?” I muttered under my breath, thrashing against my bonds. My magic, which usually flowed freely, felt trapped within me, as if her spell had locked it away, anticipating my every move.

“So, you’re like me, sent here?” I asked, my voice laced with uncertainty. “Who are you, really? Your presence is different from any human I’ve met.”

I hadn’t expected her to capture me so effortlessly. In my mind, I tried to cast a counter-spell to break her chains, but nothing happened. Her face showed no trace of weakness or intent to release me. Instead, she smiled—a smile that sent a bead of cold sweat down my brow. The dark aura enveloping her intensified, and only now did I sense its true weight. This wasn’t the presence of a human, but of a monster.

“You’re human, yet your aura feels like a beast’s. Who are you, really?” I pressed, as fear began to gnaw at me.

Her smile widened, predatory, like a hunter poised to devour its prey. She stepped closer, circling me slowly, her eyes scanning me from head to toe as if appraising a captive. The dark chains tightened further, a stark reminder of her dominance. There was no doubt—she was far stronger than me, and that truth sparked a rare fear in my heart.

“No need to be afraid,” she said, her voice softening but still carrying an edge of menace. “I just wanted to ensure you wouldn’t attack this frail body, so I bound you.” She paused in front of me and sat on the ground, her staff resting across her lap. “Since you’re a monster, we’re on the same side, aren’t we? Let me introduce myself.”

As she spoke, she reached out and touched my cheek. Her cold fingers, paired with the chilling aura radiating from her, sent a shiver through me. Her presence was a storm, ready to consume everything in its path. “I am Tiera Urahica Freya the Fifth, the current Demon Lord of the Tower of Doom,” she declared, her voice brimming with confidence and authority.

Her words exploded in my mind. Demon Lord? Tiera Urahica Freya, the most powerful being in the Tower of Doom? The dark aura cloaking her was unmistakable—a hallmark of a creature far beyond ordinary. Yet, I didn’t try to resist or struggle further. What chance did a dwarf like me have against a Demon Lord? My powers, formidable thanks to Lunaria’s blessing, were nothing compared to a being who commanded the shadows.

“A Demon Lord?” I said, my voice trembling. “If that’s true, I surrender. I won’t fight. So, please, just let me go.”

She smiled again, but shook her head. “No,” she replied, her tone resolute. “You’re a dwarf, with a knack for slipping away. I need you to hear me out first.”

“Fine, I did think about escaping,” I admitted, then quickly added, “but I’m sure you wouldn’t let me get away that easily. And if you caught me, I’d have no chance to beg for my life.”

She laughed, a sound both charming and unnerving. “What does a grand being like you want with a lowly dwarf like me?” I asked, curiosity mingling with my growing apprehension.

She began to speak, her tone shifting from cold intimidation to a regal formality, as if issuing a royal decree. “I don’t need to explain why I’m using this body,” she started, her voice commanding. “I want you to listen carefully and understand what I need you to do.”

I had no choice but to listen. Truth be told, I doubted I could refuse her, not when my life was in her hands. According to Tiera, she had journeyed for three months from the pinnacle of the Tower of Doom, traversing each perilous floor and facing countless dangers, all to find a unique being. Naturally, she mentioned Lunaria, the goddess who had shaped her fate, and it was clear this was tied to me as well.

“Nice story,” I said, trying to keep my sarcastic edge despite my predicament. “More thrilling than lounging in my tree. But I don’t get why, out of all the creatures in this forest and beyond the tower, you chose to talk to me.”

“I don’t know,” she replied, her tone suddenly casual. “We just happened to cross paths while I was looking for food.”

“Wait, aren’t you the Demon Lord?” I asked, incredulous. “Why not just order your billions of minions to do the searching for you?”

Her eyes narrowed, turning serious. “Some things can’t be known by others, especially when they concern the will of the heavens,” she said. Before I could interrupt again, she added, “And can you let me finish before you complain? I’m the Demon Lord, so you have no right to act smug or protest.”

I fell silent. I knew I was outmatched, and her determined expression showed she was desperate to see her plan through. “What do you want me to do?” I asked, bracing for whatever insane request she might have.

“It’s simple,” she began, her voice radiating confidence. “First, steal the Divine Sword from this world’s hero. Second, climb the Tower of Doom, defeat my generals, and reach the Sky Tower. Third, fight me and kill me.”

“Huh?” Her words hit me like a thunderbolt. My mind couldn’t process them, and for a few seconds, I just stared, waiting for her to say more. When she didn’t, I burst out laughing. “Hahaha, nice one! Hahaha!” I said, convinced she was joking.

“Why are you laughing?” she demanded, her tone turning sharp.

We fell silent for a moment, and I waited for her to admit it was a prank. “Sorry, great Demon Lord, but I thought you were kidding,” I said, trying to stifle my laughter.

“I’m serious,” she retorted, her eyes blazing. “What’s so funny about what I said?”

The silence grew heavy. “Hold on,” I said, repeating her words to ensure I’d heard correctly. “You’re saying you want me to steal the Divine Sword from this world’s hero, defeat the Alpha Class monsters in the Tower of Doom, climb to the Sky Tower, and then fight and kill you?”

“Exactly,” she confirmed, her voice unwavering. “That’s precisely what I said. So why are you laughing?”

“Because it’s ridiculous, and I can’t wrap my head around it!” I shot back. Was she serious, or was this some cruel game? Of all the beings in Lunira, why pick me for an impossible mission? The Divine Sword was wielded by the mightiest hero, the Tower of Doom’s generals were undefeated monsters, and she—the Demon Lord—wanted me to kill her? Was this a twisted joke from the heavens?

“It’s perfectly simple,” she said, yanking my long ear, making me yelp in pain. “What don’t you understand?”

“Everything!” I shouted, my frustration boiling over. “Do you really think this tiny body and meager abilities can take on the kings of each floor? In Lunira’s history, no adventurer has ever defeated the ten generals, and you’re telling me to do it?”

“Ma, Pa,” she replied, hands on hips, acting like a spoiled brat.

“Ma, Pa?” I echoed, baffled. “What’s that?”

“Who cares, I don’t,” she said, her tone mischievous. “I’m ordering you to help me with this, and I expect you to do it.”

I was at a loss for words. Her demands were lunacy, and the desperation in her eyes showed she was dead serious. Yet she had the gall to act entitled, as if her impossible tasks were as easy as plucking fruit from my tree. Beneath her brattiness, though, there was a weight to her words—a burden tied to the fate decreed by the goddess.

This was a mess. If I agreed, my quiet life would be shattered. The path ahead would be fraught with danger, and the peace I’d clung to for years would vanish like mist. “Is the heavens really toying with me, with this fate it’s handed me?” I whispered to the wind, the magical chains still binding me, as the Demon Lord awaited my answer.

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