Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

"Wow."

Eyes wide, he tucked his fingers around his cheeks at the two eastern dragon statues coiling around the tall ceiling like guardians. Then, at their open maws and lifelike scales reflecting the sunlight in a myriad of bright colors.

His fingers inched to them in amazement as he wondered if they would move if he touched them.

Fortunately, they didn't. However, he felt their rugged textures with his palm and the chill they emanated.

With a satisfied nod, he observed the broad gate, the ancient Japanese kanjis plated in gold above it, and the thick stone walls.

A rush of adrenaline coursed through his veins next as he heard the rhythmic clangour of a hammer striking metal. The burning smell also registered, prompting his hands to push the door in excitement.

As it creaked open, he saw Muramasa's dark ponytail fluttering with each pounding sound echoing through the building.

A wave of heat struck him next as he scanned the surroundings.

Several anvils and fireplaces met his eyes. He also saw many tanks and other helpful devices to store oil and quench metals.

'It only lacks a hydraulic press. But with his strength, I don't doubt he can flatten metal faster.'

He chuckled at the idea, stepping closer to the working man and noticing the sweat glistening on his forehead and arms.

Muramasa's head rose with the sound of his steps on the obsidian-colored slabs, and he offered him a bright smile.

"Welcome to my smithy, my lord. I don't know how it suddenly appeared, but my heart trembled when I saw the familiar design emerge from the ground. Thank you for retrieving it."

"Don't mind it too much. It's only the special building I got for an achievement."

He placed a hand on his hips and the other under his chin. Lips stretching to reveal his short fangs, he continued.

"What can you do with it? I read that chaotic energy imbues the items forged here."

"Hahaha. It won't disappoint you! Everything I could do in the past, I can do it better now. Even if hard to control, the chaotic energy can raise an item's rarity, stats, or add a special effect."

Muramasa winked at him, showing his confidence as his heart drummed in his ears.

"It can also make the items more brittle, cursed, or common. But it's not relevant when I'm the one handling the forge. Anything I create has to reach perfection!"

He slammed his fist against his palm, failing to contain his excitement as he chuckled with the mythical smith.

Then, he outstretched the chitinous breastplate and boots blueprints.

"We have the entire series now. Can you ensure every fighter has a set? Can you also craft weapons for them?"

"No problem. Bring me the materials, and I'll guarantee the uncommon rank for all the parts. Also, please summon more subjects. The forge is large enough to house a dozen smiths working together, and we'll need apprentices or assistants to do the boring tasks."

Muramasa nodded, as eager as him now that he could hear the roaring flames and swing his hammer all day.

However, the smith still focused on the territory's priorities and added.

"I'll forge enough tools for our carpenter friend first. Arming your troops is critical, but you can't neglect your citizens' protection and comfort in life."

A pensive frown creased his brows as he answered.

"That's correct. I'll discuss the wall construction with Dimitris. Everyone will contribute to the effort tomorrow."

"I'll produce some more, then. It shouldn't take long, and don't forget they'll have exceptional qualities."

Muramasa winked before his eyes shifted to the cooling metal he had been working on.

"Dimitris is resting upstairs. He'll find you when I'm done."

He nodded, leaving a final sentence as he exited the forge.

"Thank you for your dedication. I'll try to find individuals to help you as soon as possible."

Whistling a game tune and feeling his heart lighten, he joined the imps in their demonic essence absorption.

The fresh afternoon air blew the scent of nature into his nostrils, ruffling his hair as he enjoyed the peace and quiet until Luna's exasperated voice resounded behind him.

"It's the last time I waste my time carrying carcasses for you!"

He noticed her twisted lips and clenched fists resting on her hips in an admonishing posture.

However, his eyes lit up as he leapt to his feet.

"I don't plan to raid anything before mastering my energy. We'll also build carts to transport everything in a few days. So, thank you for your contribution."

He bowed his head slightly before his legs stomped on the ground.

Like a gust, he left the wide-eyed Luna standing before the altar. The wind whipped his old clothes in a cacophony of noises as he passed by his returning subjects and reached the ethereal walls in the west.

And there he saw them: the car-sized carcasses piled up like a black chitinous wall that absorbed the bright sun's rays.

Eager to get his materials, he touched them one after another, making them explode in a rain of glistening sparks.

He grinned, and his eyes almost rolled in bliss when a flood of notifications resounded in his mind as materials entered his warehouse in a constant influx.

[Unit of food x6 528.]

[Unit of hard chitin x303.]

[Tier one beast core x491.]

[Tier two beast core x1.]

[Chitinous helmet x5, greaves x4, gauntlets x3, and boots x3 blueprints.]

His biceps trembled as he clenched his fist.

However, a slight frown graced his brows when he saw the blueprints.

'I expected the drop rate to be low... but how come I didn't get a single breastplate? Is it only obtainable through the colony's chest, or is my luck that rotten?'

He heard the sound of his dream to make a fortune selling the entire set shatter in his mind.

However, he shrugged a few seconds later.

"The items are powerful on their own. I'm sure some would buy them, anyway."

Acting on his idea, he opened the lord's chat box.

However, a red blinking button on the side attracted his attention first.

"Did I miss a notification during the battle?"

He massaged his cheeks as he checked, noticing it was a private message from Mimi.