Anton slept deeper than he expected.
There were no dreams of roaring crowds, no echoes of splashing water or the sharp scent of chlorine from Olympic pools. Instead, his consciousness drifted in a calm, heavy darkness, as if the world itself had wrapped him in silence. His body felt light, almost unreal, yet incomparably comfortable. When he finally opened his eyes, he did not wake with confusion or panic. He woke with clarity.
The bedroom was vast, far larger than any room he had owned on Earth. Black stone walls reflected faint light emitted by glowing runes embedded in the ceiling, illuminating the space with a soft, crimson hue. The bed beneath him was firm yet warm, and the sheets felt strangely alive, adjusting subtly to his movements. Anton sat up slowly and exhaled.
"So this is really my reality now…"
He looked down at his hands. Pale skin, long fingers, no scars from training, no calluses from years of pushing his body beyond its limits. Yet beneath that calm exterior, he could feel it—something immense and unfathomable flowing quietly within him. Mana. An ocean so vast it felt bottomless. Just existing caused the surrounding air to tremble faintly.
Anton stood up and walked toward the tall mirror mounted against the wall. His reflection stared back at him with crimson eyes far too calm for someone who had died and been reborn less than a day ago. He looked human, almost fragile, yet he knew now how deceptive that appearance was.
"Demon Lord…" he muttered, tasting the words.
He didn't feel evil. He didn't feel bloodthirsty or cruel. If anything, he felt… detached. As if the world was something he observed rather than belonged to. That realization unsettled him more than fear ever could.
A sudden knock echoed through the massive door.
"Master," a deep voice called from outside. "The preparations are complete."
Anton paused, then answered, "Come in."
The door opened, and one of the Demon Goblins entered, lowering its massive body into a respectful kneel. Its presence alone radiated pressure far beyond ordinary monsters. Anton noticed it immediately—his slaves were different now. Not just stronger, but sharper, more aware.
"What is it?" Anton asked.
"Master, the tribe has finished constructing residences around the mansion. Hunting teams have returned with food, and a feast is being prepared in your honor. We also detected movement at the edge of the forest. Other monsters."
Anton frowned slightly. "Hostile?"
"Not yet. They are observing."
Anton closed his eyes for a moment. Monsters observing the Demon Lord's mansion. Word was already spreading, it seemed.
"Let them be for now," he said. "No unnecessary bloodshed."
The Demon Goblin stiffened, clearly surprised, but did not question his command. "As you wish, Master."
Anton stepped outside shortly after.
The once-empty clearing around the mansion had transformed completely. Crude but sturdy structures had been erected in neat clusters, goblins moving busily between them. Fires crackled, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air. When Anton appeared, every Demon Goblin immediately froze, then knelt in unison.
The sight made his chest tighten.
"Enough," Anton said. "You don't need to kneel every time."
They obeyed, though their reverence did not lessen in the slightest.
Anton walked among them, observing quietly. No fear. No hostility. Only absolute loyalty. These creatures, once weak and hunted, now looked at him as if he were their god.
As he moved, translucent text flickered briefly at the edge of his vision.
[Demon Lord Authority — Active]
[Territory Influence Detected]
[Current Controlled Area: Demon Lord's Mansion and Surrounding Forest (Limited)]
Anton stopped.
"…Authority?"
The information felt instinctive, as if it had always been part of him. He realized then that the mansion, the forest, even the mana flowing through the land responded subtly to his presence. This place was becoming his domain.
"So this is how Demon Lords rule," he murmured.
He didn't need to command through words alone. The world itself acknowledged him.
As night fell, the feast began. Massive quantities of roasted beasts were laid out before him, enough to feed an army. Anton sat at the head of the gathering, watching the Demon Goblins celebrate cautiously, careful not to offend him. He picked up a piece of meat and took a bite.
It was… good. Far better than he expected.
For a brief moment, he allowed himself to relax.
But deep within the forest, far beyond the reach of firelight, something stirred.
A pair of glowing eyes watched the mansion in silence, sensing the sudden shift in the world's balance. Somewhere else, far away, the World's Will had already taken notice.
The Demon Lord had awakened.
And the cycle had begun once more.
****
The night deepened, and silence slowly reclaimed the forest.
After the feast ended, the Demon Goblins returned to their duties, some standing guard around the mansion, others retreating to their newly built dwellings. Torches flickered softly, their flames bending subtly toward the mansion as if drawn by an unseen force. Anton remained seated alone for a while longer, gazing into the dark canopy above. The stars were unfamiliar, their constellations alien, yet beautiful in a quiet, distant way.
He stood and returned inside the mansion.
As he crossed the threshold, he felt it again—an invisible boundary, thin yet absolute. The moment he entered, the outside world seemed to dull, while the mana within the mansion surged gently, welcoming him home. The doors closed on their own behind him.
Anton walked through the main hall and stopped in front of the throne once more. He hesitated briefly before sitting down. The instant his body touched the black stone, something within him stirred.
A flood of information poured into his mind.
He did not scream. He did not resist. He simply endured.
Visions surfaced one after another—ancient Demon Lords cloaked in calamity, continents reduced to ash, oceans boiling under unleashed mana. He felt their power, their arrogance, their rage. He felt the hatred of countless races, the despair of Heroes marching toward impossible battles, and the cold, indifferent gaze of the World's Will observing it all like a farmer tending crops.
Anton clenched his fists.
"So that's how it's always been…"
The visions faded, leaving behind fragments of knowledge. Instinctive understanding of magic. Authority over demons. The ability to shape mana without incantations or rituals. He finally understood why Demon Lords were feared—not merely because of strength, but because the world itself bent around them.
A translucent screen appeared before him.
[Demon Lord Core — Stabilized]
[Current Mana Output: Suppressed]
[Recommendation: Gradual Expansion of Territory]
[Warning: Excessive Mana Release Will Alert the World's Will and Hero Candidates]
Anton's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So even now, it's watching."
He leaned back against the throne, exhaling slowly. The World's Will needed him, yet also sought his death. An existence born to be slain. A walking calamity meant to nourish the world with his corpse.
"I don't like that arrangement," he muttered.
If the world wanted his mana, then it would have to wait. He had no intention of dying just to fulfill some ancient cycle.
Outside the mansion, the forest shifted.
Deep within the shadows, monsters gathered. Wolves with blackened fur, reptilian beasts clinging to trees, creatures that had lived for decades avoiding stronger predators. They all felt it—the pressure, the overwhelming presence that made their instincts scream. Some trembled and fled. Others remained, drawn by fear and reverence intertwined.
One by one, they lowered their heads.
Within Anton's perception, faint signals appeared. Submission. Recognition. Fear.
"…They're responding to me."
He closed his eyes and allowed his authority to flow naturally, not forcefully. The pressure eased, becoming a gentle tide rather than a crushing wave. The monsters outside relaxed, their panic replaced by instinctive obedience.
Anton opened his eyes.
"So even monsters that aren't enslaved feel it."
That realization made him wary. The more he existed, the more he influenced the world. Even without trying, he was changing the balance.
Far away, beyond forests and mountains, a young boy woke up screaming in a small human village. Light shimmered briefly around his body before fading. Elsewhere, a girl collapsed during training, her eyes glowing gold for a split second. In a distant kingdom, ancient artifacts long thought dormant began to hum faintly.
The World's Will had begun its preparations.
Back in the mansion, Anton rose from the throne and walked toward the window. He looked out at the dark forest and the quiet settlement of Demon Goblins surrounding his home.
"I don't want a world soaked in blood," he said softly. "But if they force my hand…"
His crimson eyes reflected faint light, calm yet resolute.
"Then I'll survive this cycle."
Outside, the wind carried his words into the forest, and the land listened.
****
Morning arrived quietly.
Sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the mansion, casting long shadows across the hall. Anton slowly opened his eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for a few seconds before reality caught up with him.
"…Right. Demon Lord."
He sat up and stretched, half-expecting the stiffness of an athlete who had trained too hard the day before. Instead, his body felt absurdly refreshed, as if sleep itself had been perfected. No soreness, no fatigue, no lingering heaviness.
"Okay, that's a little unfair," he muttered.
Anton got out of bed and wandered toward the bathroom, curious. The moment he stepped inside, the lights activated on their own, glowing stones embedded in the walls illuminating the space. The mirror reflected his crimson eyes and calm expression, and for a moment he poked his cheek experimentally.
"…Yep. Still solid. Not a dream."
After freshening up, Anton followed the scent of food drifting through the mansion. As he entered the dining hall, he froze.
A long table had been set—no, overloaded—with food. Roasted meat, fruits piled into towers, soups bubbling in massive bowls, and things he couldn't even identify arranged neatly like offerings to a deity.
Standing beside the table were several Demon Goblins, stiff as statues.
"Good morning, Master!" they shouted in unison.
Anton nearly jumped.
"Good morning… you don't need to shout," he said, rubbing his ears.
One of the Demon Goblins leaned forward eagerly. "Master, we prepared breakfast. We hunted all night to find the best ingredients!"
"…All night?" Anton glanced at the ridiculous amount of food. "You know I'm just one person, right?"
The goblins exchanged confused looks.
"…Master eats alone?" one asked cautiously.
"Yes?"
"…Impossible," another whispered.
Anton sighed and sat down anyway. He grabbed a piece of fruit and took a bite. Sweet, crisp, and packed with mana. His eyes widened slightly.
"Okay… this is really good."
The goblins immediately looked as if they had just received the highest praise imaginable.
After breakfast—during which Anton repeatedly told them he was full while they continued adding food anyway—he stepped outside to inspect the surroundings. The goblin settlement was more organized than he expected. Crude roads, designated storage areas, training zones, and even something that looked suspiciously like a marketplace.
"Did you guys plan all this?" Anton asked.
"Yes, Master. We discussed it last night," a Demon Goblin replied proudly. "A Demon Lord needs a proper domain."
Anton scratched his cheek. "I didn't say I wanted an empire."
The goblin tilted its head. "But you are the Demon Lord."
"…Fair point."
As they walked, Anton noticed several goblins attempting to spar with one another. Each clash shook the ground slightly, their movements far too powerful for creatures that were once considered weak monsters.
"Careful," Anton called out. "You'll break something."
The goblins immediately stopped and bowed.
"…I really need to stop that," Anton murmured.
Suddenly, a Demon Goblin hurried toward him.
"Master! We found something strange near the forest edge!"
"What kind of strange?" Anton asked.
"…A human."
Anton stopped walking.
"A human?" His tone sharpened slightly. "Alive?"
"Yes, Master. Unarmed and unconscious."
Anton exhaled slowly. "Alright. Take me to them."
They reached a clearing near the edge of his territory, where a young man lay sprawled on the ground, clothes torn and breathing shallowly. No weapons, no armor, no visible magic items.
"He looks more lost than dangerous," Anton said.
As Anton crouched down, a familiar hologram appeared.
[Human]
Strength: 2.3Agility: 2.0Vitality: 2.1Intelligence: 2.8
Note: Not EnslavableNote: Hero Potential Detected (Dormant)
"…Hero potential?" Anton stared at the text, then at the unconscious human.
He stood up immediately.
"Okay. New rule," Anton said. "No hurting humans unless they attack first. And definitely don't eat them."
The goblins stiffened. "Understood, Master!"
Anton looked back at the unconscious man and sighed.
"Looks like trouble comes looking for me even when I'm trying to have a peaceful morning."
He glanced at the mansion in the distance and shook his head.
"So much for a quiet Demon Lord life."