Chapter 2: The Human Knight and the Demon Lord
The wind whispered through the Forest of Eternity a place most travelers never returned from.
Hidden within its mist was Velren's Kingdom, the city of monsters ruled by the slime who carried a dragon's heart.
The monsters bowed as their king drifted past a black-and-blue core pulsing with energy, surrounded by a humanoid aura of swirling light and shadow.
"Status," Velren murmured.
Name: Velren (Ren Kaido)
Race: Abyssal Slime (Dragon-Fused)
Level: 207
Titles: Monster King, Dragon Vessel, World Anomaly
Skills: Devour, Evolve, Ice Dominion, Shadow Construct, Contract Master
He smiled or at least, his humanoid form did. "Not bad for a slime."
A Visitor from the Human Kingdom
At the border of the forest, a group of armored knights approached. Their leader, a woman with silver hair and emerald eyes, raised her sword.
"Stay sharp. Reports say a monster army lives here."
Her name was Seraphine Valehart, captain of the Holy Knights of Veridion.
But when the mist cleared, she froze.
Thousands of monsters stood still not attacking, not roaring just watching.
Then, a single figure stepped forward. A man made of swirling energy, his eyes glowing like galaxies.
"Welcome, human knight," Velren said. "You've entered my domain."
"You… can speak human tongue?" Seraphine asked cautiously.
"I was once human," he replied. "Now I'm something more."
She raised her sword. "We seek the demon that's controlling these monsters!"
Velren chuckled, his voice echoing through the trees. "You misunderstand. I am their ruler. But I do not control them I lead them."
Before she could reply, the ground trembled.
The Arrival of the Demon Lord
Dark fire erupted in the sky.
A gate of crimson opened above them, and from it descended a man with curved horns and crimson wings.
"So this is the one they call the Abyssal Slime," the demon lord said, smirking. "I've come to see if the rumors were true."
Velren narrowed his glowing eyes. "And who are you?"
"I am Azrael, Demon Lord of Wrath. I rule the southern helllands. You're expanding too fast, slime. You're drawing attention."
Seraphine's knights scattered, terrified. "A demon lord and a monster king?! What kind of nightmare is this world?"
Velren sighed. "Relax. I have no interest in war."
Azrael grinned. "Good. Then let's make a deal."
The Contract of Two Kings
Velren extended his hand a swirling form of liquid light. "State your terms."
Azrael snapped his fingers, and a contract of fire appeared between them.
"I'll recognize your monster kingdom," Azrael said. "In return, you'll help me stabilize the border between our realms. Humans and demons are preparing for war again."
Velren's eyes glowed brighter. "War, huh? Maybe it's time someone balanced both sides."
He reached out and pressed his hand against the demon's fiery sigil.
[New Contract Formed]
Partner: Demon Lord Azrael
Effect: Shared Domain, Demon-kin Recruitment Unlocked
Flames and ice intertwined and the forest trembled.
A pact between slime and demon lord had been forged.
Seraphine stared in disbelief. "You… you're allying with demons?!"
Velren turned toward her. "No. I'm allying with anyone who wants a world without meaningless war."
She hesitated. "Then… prove it. Come to Veridion. Meet our king."
Velren smirked. "Very well. The Monster King will visit your world of humans."
The Dawn of a New Era
As night fell, the monsters cheered.
The Slime King had forged his first alliances one with a demon lord, one with a human knight.
But beyond the horizon, divine eyes watched.
Gods whispered his name a slime who defied the natural order.
And in the distance, something ancient stirred within the world's core…
"So," Velren murmured, staring into the stars, "the real story begins now."