217 Dekan’s Gentle and Modest
“Whaaat! How did Dekan become a little succubus prison guard?!”
“He’s just as impressive as his girl group wasn’t he! Actually…”
“Shh! Be careful what you say!”
Since in this Shadow World, Dekan and his team were temporarily filling in at the last minute, there was no initial announcement in the real world about the Beautiful Soul Squad’s Shadow World challenge.
It wasn’t until they successfully entered the Shadow World that the live broadcast of the Shadow World was hastily initiated.
However, those viewers who caught the opening scene in the first moment were all shocked.
Their expressions varied, wanting to discuss it but not daring to speak carelessly.
Flora, who had gone to the viewing hall out of curiosity to see the commotion, was left standing there with her mouth open, frozen in place.
“How did Tarta grow so much? Ah no! How could Tarta enter a seven-rank Shadow World?”
Flora shook her head, patting her delicate cheeks, then stared carefully at the screen again.
“Oh… it’s Dekan after all…”
Flora had gotten very familiar with Tarta during this period.
Tarta seemed to have some difficulty interacting with the Ice Snow Princess and was inexplicably afraid of Judith. Only kind and sincere Flora quickly won Tarta’s affection.
They got along intimately every day.
So when Flora saw Dekan in the succubus girl form, her first reaction was to mistakenly identify him as an older Tarta.
It took her a while to realize…
…
Inside the Demon Prison.
Dekan followed the guide demon through the gate, traversed the demonic hallway, and arrived at the river’s edge on the boundary of hell. Together, they boarded a pitch-black boat headed to the first underground level of the Demon Prison.
On the boat, Dekan, looking at the reflection on the water, finally became fully aware of his new form.
Not only had he been disguised as a demon, but he was also under a gender-reversal effect!
Looking at his current appearance, he had not only transformed into a little succubus but was already dressed in a prison guard uniform.
Fortunately, whether the prison guard cap or this guard attire was neatly worn, completely covering him, otherwise Dekan might truly find it hard to accept.
After rummaging through the pockets, he found a small handbook. It seemed that apart from magic cards, this was all the property he currently had on him.
After a brief self-assessment, Dekan discovered that the Shadow World had considerately marked out additional statuses for him as a “Special Challenger.”
[Blood Mimicry: Special disguise state for this Shadow World, can be dispelled.]
“One look and it’s all blood magic, everything has been stolen.”
Dekan sighed in his heart.
However, having been given such additional disguises in this Shadow World,
he wasn’t sure if it was deliberately done by the Shadow World or if it was truly necessary.
Dekan couldn’t confirm for now.
Unfortunately, the Shadow World’s backstory didn’t mention much about the exact intelligence regarding the identity he was currently portraying.
Dekan also couldn’t see the specific effects of the Blood Mimicry magic.
On the way, although Dekan had tried asking questions, the guide demon didn’t pay much attention to Dekan.
It was as if the guide demon, used to new demons dying quickly, didn’t bother talking to a soon-to-be corpse.
However, Dekan quickly skimmed through the little booklet in his pocket.
It neatly wrote in familiar demon language, recording some basic information about this prison.
After reading, Dekan roughly understood the situation of this demon-realm prison.
The prison resembled a funnel, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, divided into nine layers.
Apart from the first layer where one could return to the surface with the guide demon, there was no way to return to the previous layers from the others.
Even an eight-rank magic couldn’t break the prison’s barrier at all.
Therefore, prisoners imprisoned below the first level had absolutely no way to forcefully escape.
However, there was another special way to return to the surface from the demon realm.
That was by going through the ninth layer.
There is a special passage in the ninth layer leading directly back to the surface.
However, it needed the Warden’s approval.
The Warden was stationed in the ninth layer, guarding another exit of the prison.
Leaving the prison through this method would be difficult even for the prison guards.
Because the lower the prison went, the more perilous it became.
Many wouldn’t make it to the ninth layer, likely dying before reaching it.
Each level had troublesome Wardens and unique, demonic-style rules.
This part Dekan understood fairly well.
It was somewhat similar to Demon Academy.
After all, they have left school and entered the workforce.
The rules would obviously be stricter.
And the atmosphere was quite good.
His other companions were likely deeper in the lower levels, and the rescue target “Dark Saintess” was probably in the last two layers.
So Dekan’s task was clear: he had to descend, rescue his companions, and then escape with the Dark Saintess from the ninth layer.
The biggest problem would be dealing with the Warden.
For a seven-rank Shadow World, the final boss could theoretically reach nine-rank.
There was no normal way to win.
Along the way, he would have to try to gather intelligence on the Warden as much as possible.
The information recorded in the little booklet was very concise without any extra details.
It looked like a handbook for a new employee.
It contained nothing inappropriate.
Even if handed over to another demon, they wouldn’t suspect Dekan’s intention to descend layer by layer into the depths of hell.
However, the intelligence about this prison that could be obtained in the demon realm might not be much.
After all, according to the mechanism, a prison guard after joining could hardly leave the prison.
It had a highly confidential nature.
Thus, Dekan, alongside the guide demon, reached the first level of the demon realm’s underground prison.
At the entrance stood several large words ——
[Limbo]
Walking through the rows of cages, Dekan noticed most of those imprisoned here were humans and other intelligent beings.
But a common feature was that these prisoners seemed to have little combat ability.
They didn’t look like warriors, nor were they used as slaves for labor.
Instead, they had an air of scholars about them.
The guide demon led Dekan to a room with a classical decoration.
Only here did it slightly resemble the Demon Academy’s style.
It brought Dekan back memories of the warm principal’s office.
“Wear it well, once you lose it, you’ll have no difference from the prisoners.”
The guide demon handed Dekan a black bracelet, coldly saying.
Dekan didn’t say much.
He briefly checked and put the bracelet on his wrist.
Since his identity was a legitimate demon, for now, he could safely accept this initial guidance.
This bracelet was akin to a pass in the prison.
In the lower levels, it would likely be essential to prove his identity as a guard.
“Can you tell me how to use this bracelet?”
Dekan humbly asked.
Today, he was exceptionally mild-mannered.
“Infuse it with magic, and you’ll understand on your own.”
The guide demon replied. He didn’t bother much with Dekan after that and sat down at the desk reviewing documents as if he was extremely busy.
He was probably the Warden of this level.
After all, the authority to open the Gates of Hell wasn’t something a regular prison guard should possess.
Dekan, as instructed, infused magic into the bracelet.
Soon, he saw the digits on the bracelet ——
[100]
Simultaneously, Dekan perceived from the bracelet the rules of the first level prison and the map.
[In this level of the prison, you cannot attack other guards voluntarily; otherwise, each attack will deduct 50% of the existing Demon Points or 100 Demon Points, whichever is greater.]
[Demon Points turn negative and you will be regarded as a prisoner. Defeating guards with negative Demon Points will award corresponding numerical Demon Points.]
[Completing work can earn Demon Points, consuming Demon Points can trade for supplies.]
[In the first level of the prison, 100 Demon Points will be deducted automatically each day.]
[To go to the second level, you must pay 1000 Demon Points or possess the Warden’s authority of the first level.]
“Does this mean I must start working within today or tomorrow?”
Dekan felt like he had entered some shady company.
Of course, if the Demon Points compensation was good enough, it would be a decent company.
The number 100 shown on the bracelet indicated he initially owned 100 Demon Points.
These Demon Points were akin to wages.
If he didn’t hurry to work and earn wages, he would soon be deducted to have negative points, and his identity would change from [Guard] to [Prisoner].
Based on the demonic nature, once he lost his guard status, other guards would definitely find ways to kill him.
It would be even worse considering his current beauty.
It could be even more perilous.
“Right, get to work quickly.”
The guide demon coldly remarked, focusing on the documents on his desk, not even looking at Dekan again.
“Find Lars in the interrogation room; he will teach you how to work today.”
“Yes.”
Nodding, Dekan left the office.
He didn’t ask about other intelligence temporarily.
He felt this guide demon was already somewhat impatient.
There was no need to provoke a high-rank demon now.
Subsequently, while walking down the path of the first level prison towards the interrogation room, Dekan kept reminding himself of the matters he should pay attention to in this Shadow World.
“No matter what, my reputation is bad enough. I must absolutely not increase the chances of being suspected of being ‘the Lord of Disaster’ any further.”
Dekan secretly swore.
He was quite worried that his worsening reputation would unreasonably be linked to the Lord of Disaster.
This time, he must do good deeds and accumulate virtue.
And always remember to be modest, honest, humble, frugal, and yielding, to be benevolent, righteous, polite, wise, and trustworthy, and to be a good demon.
Ah no, a good person.
Spit.
He had to restrain himself regarding the things he used to do in Demon Academy.
All the reputation he lost in Demon Academy, this time he must regain in the Demon Prison!
…
“It seems this first level is pretty safe, quite suitable for a demon just entering the workplace.”
Dekan strolled along, looking around, muttering to himself.
He hadn’t found any of his companions or other challengers on this level.
After a thorough observation, Dekan could confirm that those on the first level were just some non-combatant clerical personnel.
However, their existence was undoubtedly significant to the demon realm.
The demons could use them to learn human knowledge and information.
Actually, the rules of this level were quite harmonious, directly prohibiting internal fighting among guards.
If one could complete the work successfully, the little days here might be pretty pleasant.
Dekan wandered around for quite a while and finally arrived at the interrogation room.
The moment Dekan pushed open the door of the interrogation room, he immediately saw the coworker the guide demon had instructed him to find, Lars.
This demon had a gruesome appearance; dressed in the same guard uniform, holding a blood-streaked chain, his hands stained with blood.
Apparently, he had just finished interrogating a poor prisoner.
Lars, with some impatience, looked at this newcomer.
However, when he noticed Dekan’s face, his furrowed brows quickly relaxed.
Evidently, he did not expect the new demon to be such a beautiful succubus.
And more.
This succubus, in terms of clothing style and even her own aura, lacked the feel of a regular succubus.
It was as if… she looked exceptionally chaste!
She had taken on an indescribable charm, unlike the usual succubi.
Lars, originally intending to deal with this new colleague casually, now found his thoughts altered.
“Mr. Lars, predecessor?”
Dekan’s voice was gentle and polite.
Today’s Dekan was extraordinarily kind.
“Hmm, that’s right.”
Lars’s attitude was clearly better than the guide demon, even with a hint of concealed smile on his lips.
Of course, Dekan wouldn’t believe it was a friendly smile.
When it came to demons, those who understood, really understood.
“Could you give me guidance on my work?”
Dekan asked.
In fact, the moment he entered the interrogation room, Dekan had perceived the rules of the room through the bracelet.
[Interrogating stubborn prisoners who refuse to give in, making them completely compliant.]
[Successful interrogations will be rewarded with Demon Points based on the target’s value and the difficulty of breaking them.]
[Failure within one hour will deduct half of the reward corresponding to the target.]
[If the target dies, double the reward of the target will be deducted.]
“There’s nothing to guide. Just start directly. How about handing you the next prisoner to interrogate?”
Lars put down the chain in his hand, grabbed a prisoner from the cage, and tossed it in front of Dekan.
This prisoner appeared to be an elderly scholar.
His face was covered with blood streaks, but his eyes remained resolutely firm.
[The current target reward is 210 points.]
Dekan was surprised at how easily Demon Points could be earned but sneered internally.
Lars seemed friendly.
But to assign such a difficult task that was hard to succeed and could easily lead to the prisoner’s death at the very beginning…
It was clear that he intended for Dekan’s Demon Points to quickly turn negative.
Once negative, with the restriction of guards not attacking each other lifted, Lars could do whatever he wanted with Dekan.
Reasonably speaking,
efficient interrogation without causing death was undoubtedly the most suitable work for Dekan.
Even for this challenging old scholar, if Dekan really wanted to interrogate, it would be effortless.
With the Pain Force under his control, it was no exaggeration to say that Dekan could quickly interrogate all high-difficulty prisoners and smoothly proceed to the next level.
Lars’ trap meant nothing to Dekan.
But.
Making Dekan torture and interrogate these prisoners with his strongest skills to achieve what even professional interrogation demons found difficult,
would undoubtedly signal to the audience watching the live stream – “I am the demon of demons”!
The Shadow World seemed to be mocking him!
Dekan looked at the bracelet on his wrist,
silently crossed out [Demon Points] in his heart, viewing them as [Merit Points], and added a negative sign before the numbers as a reminder.
If he gained 100 Demon Points by doing devilish things, that would equate to -100 Merit Points.
Dekan absolutely must defend his reputation!
He would pass this level by achieving boundless merit!
