Tower of Avarice: A LitRPG story

Chapter 112 – Floor 9: Part 33

Sarin gripped the hilt of his sword until his knuckles were white in an effort to still the shaking in his hands. His stomach was in knots as the thought of the coming encounter filled him with nervousness and trepidation.

As he led his party forward, the people of Reesh watched him mutely from where they lined both sides of the road. He and his allies were here to liberate the land from the Demon Lord that oppressed them, but why did it feel like these people were indifferent to him?!

His name had spread far and wide; their righteous journey to free their world from evil and corruption had won them much goodwill. Sarin had faced monsters and fiends, malignant creatures from the bowels of hell, since the Lineages had departed.

But this was a Demon Lord, one of the strongest beings in existence and one that had plagued their world for years.

Worse, this was the leader of them all. Demon Lord Mathew the Enduring. The Terror Lord of Reesh.

Behind him, Sasha was pale in her white robes and her ivory staff seemed dimmer than he remembered. He had seen the mage hurl balls of fire and crush monsters beneath the weight of her conjured magics, but this foe was beyond any they had ever faced.

The pair had been born in the same village. Once under the protection of the Lightmore Lineage, their departure meant goblins from the hills could invade them, and the local guards were unable to hold them back.

But Sarin and Sasha had risen to the challenge, unlocking skills and abilities they didn’t know they had possessed.

Joining them were Tarin and Feldt, a ranger from the northern wilds and a thief from the backstreets of the Capital. They had formed a party over a year ago and, since that time, had grown as close as siblings as they faced every sort of danger their world could offer.

“Peace, Sasha. We’re ready for this.” Sarin assured her, resting his metal gauntleted hand on her shoulder gently. The beautiful woman nodded in response, the unease fading slightly at his reassurance.

“The gods have blessed our quest. We will be victorious.” Feldt offered, her black clothing seemingly made out of shadows as she drifted along behind them noiselessly.

“This will be a glorious hunt.” Tarin affirmed. His bow already had a silver arrow knocked and ready.

“Of course.”

They came to the center of Reesh, and still, they were unmolested. The city guards, all wearing the symbol of the Demon Lord Mathew, did nothing to stop them. They had issued their challenge at dawn at the city gates, commanding the Demon Lord to face them in combat.

Filled with arrogance, the Demon Lord had agreed and ordered his people not to hinder their passage to his palace.

Standing before the mansion that housed The Enduring, Sarin couldn’t help but feel they had perhaps rushed things too much. Maybe they should have trained and adventured for a while longer to prepare.

But it was too late now. The large, wooden doors, with their intricate engravings, opened silently to allow them entry. A woman emerged wearing an expensive black dress. She assessed them carefully before nodding her head.

Mayor Goodwin.

Sarin had heard the woman was one of the Demon Lord's first followers and his most devout. Sarin didn't know how she could serve a Demon. Perhaps she was under some sort of spell-like the people of Reesh obviously were.

“Demon Lord Mathew invites you to enter and face him in the Grand Hall, Heroes.” Mayor Goodwin said, gesturing to the open door behind her before leading the way. Sarin took a look at his allies before nodding encouragingly and stepping forward.

The inside was as extravagant and opulent as Sarin had expected from the exterior. Priceless works of art, statues and vases on plinths all spoke of the great wealth the Demon Lord had accumulated. Even here, inside a palace dedicated to a figure of evil, servants watched the heroes walk through the halls in silence.

He had expected cheers or smiles, but none seemed happy to see them. The four brave men and women made a sombre quartet as they walked the halls. Leading them, Mayor Goodwin didn’t offer another word before bringing them to another set of large doors.

Opening them with a push of her hand, The Heroes arrived at the Grand Hall containing the Demon Lord.

Sarin was struck by how cold and quiet it was inside. The hall was massive, far larger than he would have expected, even given the size of the structure on the outside. It was empty, save for a large throne on the far end where the Demon Lord sat.

Mathew the Enduring was an imposing figure. Younger than Sarin would have thought, his face was expressionless and cast in shadow. An aura of darkness and malice surrounded him, and a feeling of terror pervaded everything in his presence.

Dressed in a black suit of foreign design, the only colour on the Demon Lord was a crimson scarf draped around his neck. He was weaponless, and if Sarin were a fool, he would take him as defenceless.

But Sarin knew better. The Demon Lord may have looked relaxed, but he knew that violence could be unleashed at any moment.

Standing to the side of Mathew and slightly behind him was a young woman wearing the white robes of a Scholar of the Cathedral of Knowledge. Impartial and neutral in all things, Sarin had heard the Chroniclers accompany all the Demon Lords to record their every move and spoken word.

“Welcome, Heroes. I am the Demon Lord Mathew, known as ‘The Enduring.’ Have you finally found the courage to face me?” Mathew spoke, and with each word he uttered, the terror within the Heroes rose. The air of violence that surrounded the Demon Lord grew stronger until Sarin swore he could see Mathew grow larger.

Sarin drew in a steadying breath and, with a single movement, drew and readied his sword. The magical blade that he had found in the depths of a dungeon glowed with white light.

“I am Sarin, leader of our party! We have come to liberate these lands from your evil!” Sarin shouted. Behind the Demon Lord, the young Chronicler was furiously writing everything they said in a small notebook.

Mathew seemed to delay his response until she had finished her notes. Sarin saw that he was watching her out of the corner of his eye. Satisfied that she was done, the Demon Lord responded.

“Very well! Prepare yourselves!”

Page Break

A few minutes before the Heroes Arrival.

Mathew sat on his throne and impatiently rapped his fingers against the wood. He had been waiting for the heroes to arrive for months, and soon, he would be able to leave this floor.

He had received a notification through his silver wristband that morning, just after the Heroes had announced their challenge.

Floor 9 – The Final Objective!

A Performance of a Lifetime!

A story must have a satisfying ending. You have played the role of a Demon Lord perfectly, but it is time to taste defeat. Allow the Heroes to drive you away, freeing their world from the grip of evil.

Objective: ‘Lose’ to the heroes.

Bonus Objective: Bonus Aether will be awarded based on your acting ability. It’s time to perform!

Mathew let out a deep sigh. Not only did he have to lose to these Heroes, he had to convince them that they won. The Bonus meant he needed to pretend to be defeated in such a manner that no one would suspect that he let them win.

When he had his first look at the ‘Heroes,’ he knew it would be a challenge.

The Heroes were weak. The ‘Buzz’ didn’t even flicker at the sight of them. There was no way they could hurt him, let alone defeat him, if he fought them seriously. Their levels were far below his, their equipment barely magical.

Overall, this fight would be like bullying children.

When they declared their challenge, Mathew barely listened to what they were saying. His thoughts turned to how he could fight them without killing them outright! His Blessings would be too powerful; even ‘Fear’ would drive them away.

Sarin and his allies may have been a force to defeat goblins and the monsters of this world, but against the Players of the Tower, they wouldn’t even survive the first floor!

Worried about his performance, Mathew defaulted to his instincts as a ‘Villain.’ Standing, he gave the bare minimum of mana to his ‘Fear,’ and already the Heroes began to waver. Stretching and taking his place in front of them, Mathew shouted.

“Very well! Prepare yourselves!”

He just hoped he didn’t overdo it.