That day started like any other, as if nothing unusual had happened at all.
So sleepy... But when you're living in a group, you can't afford to laze around in bed. With barely an hour or two of sleep under my belt, I sat there listening to the Orcs' report.
"The cleaning and salt transport have been completed smoothly, as per Kiasu-sama's request. Accordingly, if you would permit us to establish farmland in the area, those who are free could work the fields and we'd be able to grow vegetables. What do you think?"
"Huh? Mm... Sounds good, I guess."
"Then we shall proceed accordingly."
Meeting with the Orcs went smoothly, just like that. Of course, I was so sleepy I just nodded along to whatever they said.
After taking care of a few other small tasks, I returned to what I'd been doing yesterday.
I went to the forge and made eleven spears—weapons for the Orcs. Those guys had only been equipped with cheap stuff before, after all. The ones I made are just simple spears, but I want to try adding some variations down the line.
And then the peace was abruptly shattered.
Andre was the first to notice.
"—Master!! Intruders!!"
At Andre's sudden, panicked voice, I checked the smartphone screen. And what I saw on it was—
—Two Demon Lords.
——I was speechless.
The first actual intruders into the dungeon, and it's Demon Lords of all things! There's an order to these things!! First it should be trash mobs serving the lieutenants, or the weakest of the Four Heavenly Kings! Why Demon Lords of all things?! And TWO of them!!
"Andre, where are they now?"
"They're in the Great Wall Labyrinth. But their breakthrough speed is clearly abnormal!!"
Damn! That labyrinth is useless if we can't slow them down!
"Hurry—build the next floor after Labyrinth of Trust. How long until they break through!?" I rushed out of the forge, shouting back at Andre while explaining to Paimon and the Orcs.
"Until they break through the Great Wall Labyrinth, it's—"
But before Andre could finish, a huge cloud of dust erupted across the ground, and I stopped in my tracks.
"Well well, so you're the new Demon Lord?"
Despite being in midair, they hovered perfectly still, looking down at me. I could tell at a glance these things were not normal. Purple skin, twin golden horns, silver hair streaming, clad in jet-black garments—a beautiful woman. The other—boy or girl, I couldn't tell—wore a man's shirt and vest with half-pants, and four pitch-black wings sprouted from their back.
But their strangeness wasn't in their appearance. Just by standing there, they radiated such crushing pressure that I could barely breathe.
It wasn't like when I thought Paimon was "strong." This was "strength" itself. Like a human trying to fight an elephant bare-handed—that's how hopeless it felt. I couldn't help thinking that way.
"Fufufu. No need to be so guarded. We only came all this way because we wanted to see you."
The one with black wings descended slowly, smiling warmly at me.
What do I do?
My opponents are two Demon Lords. The blessings I got from God are certainly powerful, but would they even work against beings like these? And it's two against one.
No—but they don't seem to have come for a fight, and I'd rather avoid combat if possible.
But can I trust them? They're Demon Lords, after all—I am too, but still.
More than anything, I absolutely have to ask why they came here and how they made it this far. The former to understand the situation. The latter to ensure this never happens again.
"I'm Tile Jaref Alpactico, the Second Demon Lord."
The one with black wings, Tile, landed gracefully and introduced themselves with a friendly smile.
"And this is Elefan Asad Rinoceros. A real beauty, isn't she? Nice to meet you, Thirteenth Demon Lord."
"I'm Amduskias. I'm new—I was born as the Thirteenth Demon Lord just the other day. Likewise... nice to meet you."
I said that and shook hands with Tile. Elefan just stared at me with a blank expression, showing no emotion.
And so, I came face to face with the strongest beings in the world.
Summary:
The chapter opens with a mundane morning routine, quickly disrupted when Andre detects intruders in the dungeon. Two Demon Lords appear, overwhelming the protagonist with their sheer presence, and Tile introduces themselves and Elefan as friendly visitors.
Trivia:
The protagonist only slept one to two hours before the day's events.
"Kiasu-sama" is the name the Orcs use to address the protagonist.
The Orcs are unusually formal and organized for their race.
The protagonist made eleven spears specifically for the Orcs.
Andre is the first to detect the intruders and reports through telepathic communication.
The protagonist views the Demon Lords as animals initially ("2匹" in the original).
The Four Heavenly Kings are referenced as a known trope.
Great Wall Labyrinth was the first line of defense.
Labyrinth of Trust is the next layer the protagonist tries to build.
Tile is the Second Demon Lord, and Elefan is a silent companion.
Elefan has purple skin, golden horns, silver hair, and black garments.
Tile has four black wings and an androgynous appearance.
The protagonist received blessings from God but doubts their effectiveness.
The encounter ends with the protagonist shaking hands with Tile.
Elefan shows no emotion throughout the entire exchange.
Notes:
• Kiasu - Job: Dungeon Master; Relationship: Master to Paimon; Item/Magic: Smartphone with Creation ability; Note: Zero years old, self-deprecating, clings to civilized lifestyle.
• Andre - A demon of the sixty-fifth rank in Solomon's seventy-two demons, appearing in the form of a peacock. Acts as a conductor of sophistry and a support interface for the dungeon master. Bestows knowledge of surveying, astronomy, and geometry. Displays a formal, refined demeanor with hidden warmth and genuine concern for her master's safety, though she expresses frustration through sharp lecturing. Colleague of the narrator. Speaks to the Demon Lord without fear. Blunt and sarcastic. Uses insults casually but reveals underlying care through actions. Functions as the straight-man tsukkomi character. The protagonist's smartphone companion who serves as both advisor and voice of reason. Speaks with polite, respectful deference while occasionally expressing exasperation at the master's priorities. Questions the safety of dungeon designs and serves as a grounding presence to the protagonist's whims.
• Master - The dungeon master and protagonist of the story. A self-aware individual who acknowledges his own laziness and tendency to prioritize comfort over dungeon management. Possesses absurdly high stats and a vast array of skills despite being Level 1. Maintains a casual, modern internal monologue with self-deprecating humor.
• Paimon - An orphaned, shy ogre companion serving Amduskias with deep deference. Appearing as a 190cm tall, handsome female with an ash-gray body, a single jet-black horn, golden eyes, and a voluptuous yet muscular build, she mimics the protagonist's posture. Knowledgeable and polite, she acts as a guide on local threats and monsters, often stammering nervously while providing essential supplies and information.
• God - An ancient, divine benefactor and guide to the protagonist, this deity oversees departed souls with a paternalistic yet playfully childish personality. Speaking with casual, modern exasperation, they act as a protector who grants power while maintaining a rational, persuasive demeanor. Though appearing only as a voice, they frequently apologize for their intimidating presence while seeking favors in return.
• Tile Jaref Alpactico - The Second Demon Lord. Possesses black wings and a friendly, disarming demeanor. Arrives alongside Elefan to meet the Thirteenth Demon Lord. Appears confident and curious rather than hostile.
• Tile - A Demon Lord acquaintance of Amduskias, appearing as an androgynous figure with fluffy, unruly hair and a perpetual smile. Has a pleasant, easygoing demeanor and speaks in a casual, somewhat gender-ambiguous tone. Travels alongside Elephan and appears curious about Amduskias. Initially described as a "pretty boy" who becomes a "pretty girl." Boyish cowlick, jet-black wings, youthful frame with developing curves. Acts cheerful and curious about Amduskias's behavior. Claims to be older than him. Voice carries youthful energy with occasional flustered reactions.
• Elefan Asad Rinoceros - A Demon Lord accompanying Tile. Described as a beautiful woman with purple skin, golden horns, silver hair, and black garments. Remains silent and expressionless throughout the encounter.
• Elefan - Silver long hair, violet skin, perfect proportions. Mysterious and usually quiet. Described as having gathered the essence of beauty. Enjoys bath products. Gentle demeanor with occasional playful moments. The First Demon Lord and considered the strongest being in existence. Has an appearance of a tall, beautiful woman with long silver hair but speaks and acts in a blunt, childlike manner. Able to perceive Amduskias's lack of power without him demonstrating it. Has a history of destroying nations five hundred years ago.
• Amduskias - A newly reborn Demon Lord and Dungeon Master, he appears as a slender, boyish figure in a gakuran and sneakers. Pragmatic, self-deprecating, and prone to procrastination, he designs complex traps and bathhouses while seeking allies. Accompanied by his smartphone advisor Andras, this modern isekai figure values sincerity, dreams of companionship, and warmly welcomes the protagonist to his new dungeon.