Chapter 9: Dungeons and Invasions

Kentaro sat behind the obsidian desk, his fingers drumming against its smooth surface.

The blackstone throne behind him loomed ominously, but it was starting to feel a little too comfortable.

After all, he had already survived one war council meeting, dealt with goblin complaints, and wrestled with dragon egos.

But today was different.

Today, he had to face the task of understanding how the dungeons worked—and more importantly, how the invasions were supposed to run.

The door to his office creaked open, and in walked Balthazar, his wings folding in slightly to avoid brushing the sides of the doorway.

“Ah, good.”

Kentaro said, rubbing his eyes.

“I’ve got a whole stack of paperwork to get through, but first, I need a crash course on dungeons and invasions. You’re the expert here, right?”

Balthazar smirked.

“I suppose you could say that. Not many people would understand the intricacies of dungeon management as well as I do… but lucky for you, I’m here to explain it all.”

Kentaro leaned back in his chair, trying to look interested, though the thought of more corporate nonsense was starting to feel like too much.

Balthazar didn’t seem to care.

He simply hovered beside Kentaro’s desk, his bat-like eyes glimmering with that smug look he always wore.

“So.”

Balthazar began, casually twirling his elongated claw.

“Dungeons are essentially the front lines of Hell’s operations. They’re businesses, really—tied directly to our brand as the Dungeon Conglomerate. We set up these dungeons in different worlds to do what we do best: cause chaos, fight adventurer and generally be evil.”

Kentaro frowned.

“You’re saying the dungeons are… business ventures?”

“Exactly.”

Balthazar said, as though this was common knowledge.

“Each dungeon is like its own little… franchise, I suppose. It has its own theme, its own atmosphere, and its own little specialized workforce—you know, demons, monsters, and traps. We build them, manage them, and occasionally, invade a world to create some stir.”

Kentaro wasn’t quite following.

“Wait, I thought the dungeons were just… places where adventurers came to die?”

“Oh, they are.”

Balthazar replied nonchalantly.

“But it’s not just that. Dungeons are a resource. They’re a highly profitable one, at that. Every time a adventure or adventurer defeats a demon or takes down a boss, we earn something valuable: souls. It’s our currency, our product, our bread and butter. Adventurer buy our product when they kill monsters, and we collect the soul residue left behind. That’s how we keep Hell running.”

Kentaro raised an eyebrow.

“So… you’re telling me that every time a dungeon is invaded by adventurer, they’re actually participating in Hell’s economy?”

“That’s the gist of it!”

Balthazar said with a grin, enjoying the moment of revelation.

“Every adventurer’s victory adds value to Hell’s corporate bottom line. You see, the dungeon is a system. It’s like a… a service offered by the Dungeon Conglomerate. Our monsters are the employees. The adventurers are the consumers. And the souls… well, they’re the product.”

Kentaro pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to process this.

“So the whole thing is just… a giant profit machine?”

“Yep!”

Balthazar said, his wings flapping slightly with excitement.

“The more chaos we cause, the more souls we rake in. And the more souls we collect, the more power Hell gets. Simple, right?”

Kentaro was beginning to see the connection.

The dungeons were resources, and the invasions were ways to maximize profits through the constant cycle of death, destruction, and soul harvesting.

Still, something bothered him.

“But what about the invasions?”

Kentaro asked.

“You said something about invading worlds.”

“Ah, yes, the invasions.”

Balthazar said, his grin turning devious.

“That’s where the real fun begins, Baalgron.”

Kentaro raised an eyebrow, already dreading where this was going.

“Every time a hero is born in a world, it’s like a signal for Hell.”

Balthazar explained, his voice lowering in intensity.

“The gods have sent their champion to tip the scales in their favor, and that’s when we step in.”

Kentaro’s frown deepened.

“So, what? Every time a hero is born, Hell sends in a Demon King to invade?”

“Precisely.”

Balthazar’s eyes gleamed with dark amusement.

“But it’s not just about causing destruction for the sake of it. We don’t send a Demon King into just any world. It’s a carefully calculated move. When a hero emerges, that’s the moment we know we must counterbalance the scales.”

Kentaro blinked, still not entirely clear.

“So you’re telling me this whole invasion thing is tied to the gods’ decision to send heroes into the world?”

Balthazar nodded.

“Exactly. The gods’ champions—heroes—start collecting souls to gain power. And souls, as we both know, are the most valuable currency in Hell. The gods want them, and they take them by sending their heroes to the front lines. Our job is to ensure Hell isn’t left in the dust.”

Kentaro leaned forward, intrigued despite himself.

“So a Demon King rises every time a hero is born, to fight for the souls before the hero can claim them?”

“Correct.”

Balthazar said, his voice full of dark satisfaction.

“The Demon Kings are specifically chosen to combat the hero’s rise. We don’t want the gods to hoard all the souls, so we send in our most powerful, destructive entities to create chaos and break the hero’s momentum.”

Kentaro tilted his head.

“So the Demon King isn’t just causing random destruction. They’re there to collect souls before the hero can?”

“Exactly.” Balthazar confirmed.

“Each Demon King leads an army, setting up dungeons and creating high-stakes conflicts. These aren’t just random monster invasions; they are strategic incursions designed to drain the world of souls, making sure that when the hero faces the Demon King, it’s not just a battle for glory. It’s a fight for the souls that will determine who has power over the world.”

Kentaro frowned, his thoughts racing.

“So it’s more than just ‘chaos.’ It’s a game between Hell and the gods, with the souls of the world at stake.”

“Yes.”

Balthazar said, a gleam of malice in his eyes.

“The Demon King’s rise isn’t just for war—it’s a battle of economics. The Demon King creates dungeons, opens portals to Hell, and harvests souls. The heroes may kill monsters, but they don’t know that every kill feeds into our system, enriching Hell’s influence.”

Kentaro thought for a moment, then asked.

“What happens if the hero wins?”

Balthazar’s grin faltered, though only slightly.

“If the hero wins… they gain control of the world’s souls. The hero’s victory seals our defeat. The world then enters the gods’ domain, and the soul harvest shifts entirely to their control. Our Demon King is vanquished, and the dungeons close.”

Kentaro raised his hands in a gesture of exasperation.

“So it’s all a big bet on whether the Demon King can keep the hero from winning long enough to gather enough souls for Hell?”

“That’s right.”

Balthazar said, his voice taking on an even more sinister tone.

“The goal is simple: keep the hero from reaching their full potential. Cause enough disruption, delay their progress, and drown them in challenges. If the Demon King wins and can defeat the hero, the world’s souls are ours. If not… then Hell loses its influence, and the gods win.”

Kentaro ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the situation settle over him.

“So the invasions aren’t just about throwing demons at worlds. They’re part of a strategic plan to control the soul market between Hell and the gods. And the Demon King has to do all this… while fighting off a hero?”

“Exactly.”

Balthazar said with a wicked chuckle.

“And that’s where you come in, Baalgron. As CEO of the Dungeon Conglomerate, you’ll be overseeing the operations of the Demon Kings—ensuring that the invasion runs smoothly, the dungeons remain profitable, and most importantly, that the hero doesn’t become too powerful too quickly.”

Kentaro’s expression darkened.

“Right, because if the hero becomes too strong, Hell loses. If the Demon King loses… Hell loses.”

Balthazar nodded solemnly, though the glint in his eyes betrayed his excitement.

“It’s a delicate balance, one that requires careful management. The invasions are designed not just to conquer, but to outlast the hero. That’s why we need someone who knows how to handle bureaucracy, logistics, and soul quotas. You’re perfect for this.”

Kentaro’s eyes narrowed as he leaned back in his chair, trying to process it all.

“And if I do this well, I keep Hell’s resources flowing, and we win?”

Balthazar’s grin widened, sharp and eager.

“Exactly. You make sure Hell doesn’t lose its grip on the soul economy. You manage the dungeons, supervise the Demon Kings, and make sure every hero’s victory is followed by more destruction in the right places. It’s corporate strategy at its finest… with a little demonic flair.”

Kentaro sighed deeply.

“So, just another day at the office, huh?”

Balthazar laughed darkly.

“Exactly. But don’t worry, Baalgron—I’ll be here to help you with all the fine print.“

Kentaro gave him a deadpan look.

“Lucky me.”