Natsuki Subaru remembered that the experience required to level up from 60 to 61 in the System was more than the total amount he had needed to go from level 1 to 40.
However, the all-stat and skill boosts he gained after leveling up were certainly worthy of such a massive experience requirement.
"At this rate..." Natsuki Subaru continued to ponder, "perhaps level 200 or 300 won't be the end. Maybe, in the end, I can truly become an existence that transcends common sense."
This potential for growth was both exciting and filled his imagination with future possibilities.
"But it's too early to think about that now..." Natsuki Subaru shook his head, pulling his thoughts back to the present.
"I should focus on leveling up for now. After all, without strength, everything is just empty talk."
"Speaking of which, it's about time I went to a dungeon to raise my power level."
Natsuki Subaru focused his consciousness on his System's inventory, on the key that glowed with a faint red light.
It was the teleportation key he had previously obtained from a Blessed Random Box—the dungeon key to the Demon Castle.
As Natsuki Subaru's level increased, the experience gained from killing Magic Beasts in this other world had become minuscule, far less efficient than leveling up in dungeons where monsters were densely packed.
And the Key to the Demon Castle he had obtained was rated S-rank, with a recommended entry level of 70. This was enough to show that the strength of the monsters within far surpassed those of any previous instant dungeons.
"Hm? This presence is...?"
Just as Natsuki Subaru was thinking this, his ears suddenly twitched, sharply catching a trace of something unusual.
It wasn't a sound, but an extremely subtle vibration mixed with the faint scent of blood, approaching from several hundred meters away at an astonishing speed.
This presence was all too familiar to him.
Swish!
A beautiful figure flickered into existence like a phantom, the slight breeze from her movement stirring the black bangs on Natsuki Subaru's forehead. She came to a precise stop five steps in front of him.
The newcomer had long, jet-black hair—a great rarity in this other world—that was meticulously woven into a complex and exquisite braid, falling to her slender waist.
Her skin, under the faint daylight, appeared almost translucent, complementing a pair of eyes that drooped slightly at the corners, giving her a quiet and gentle appearance.
However, deep within those eyes lurked the sharpness and danger of a predator.
She had a voluptuous figure, her curves breathtakingly outlined by her form-fitting black attire. The morning light gently traced her silhouette but could not dissolve the almost tangible aura of bewitching charm and seduction she exuded.
The person who had arrived was none other than the Bowel Hunter, Elsa.
"Ara, good morning, little fella." Elsa's lips curved into a perfect arc as she greeted him with a lilting smile. "It seems you've been living quite leisurely without me around to bother you~"
"Is there something you need?"
Natsuki Subaru stopped, his gaze falling upon Elsa as he asked flatly.
Since the last time he had repeatedly killed Elsa dozens of times, nearly destroying her life force completely, and finally subdued her and Meili with absolute power, he had assigned the task of gathering intelligence on the Witch Cult and the Sin Archbishops to this master of stealth and assassination. They had not met face-to-face since.
Ultimately, in Natsuki Subaru's current perception, Elsa was merely a tool.
He also understood that Bowel Hunter Elsa's loyalty was built upon absolute fear and the suppression of power, not on any form of friendship or morality.
"Oh my, such a cold, business-like attitude right after we meet. It's truly heartbreaking," Elsa said, feigning a wounded sigh in the face of Natsuki Subaru's indifference.
"I came all this way specifically to deliver some very important intelligence to you. Aren't you the least bit curious about what I found?"
As she spoke, Elsa took a step forward, closing the distance between them and carefully studying Natsuki Subaru's face.
"But then again, every time I see you, little fella, it's like you've undergone a metamorphosis. You've become stronger, more unfathomable.
Right now, just by standing there quietly, the formless aura you radiate creates an almost suffocating sense of pressure. This feeling... it's so exciting."
"Cut the crap. Get to the point."
Natsuki Subaru looked at Elsa coldly and spoke bluntly.
"Little fella, you're no fun at all~ We haven't seen each other in so long, you should at least start with some pleasantries, ask me how I've been, don't you think?"
Elsa pouted her red lips in a feigned grievance, but facing Natsuki Subaru's icy gaze, her expression soon turned serious.
"Alright, alright, business it is. I've found the whereabouts of the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop of Greed—Regulus Corneas."
"Regulus?"
Natsuki Subaru's expression didn't change, but his mind instantly went on high alert.
Since the last time he had scared Regulus off, he finally had information on the man.
"That's right. On the outskirts of a small town called Kasta, below Grutte City, the Sin Archbishop of Greed, Regulus, is living openly with his dozens of wives in a rather large, old castle."
Now on topic, Elsa reported to Natsuki Subaru in great detail.
"I observed him in secret for three days and confirmed that it's his current base of operations, not a decoy or a temporary stop. What's interesting is that, for a Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult, he seems to be living quite a comfortable and leisurely life. He makes no attempt to hide his tracks in his daily routine."
"Is that so..."
Natsuki Subaru fell silent for a moment, his brain working at high speed to analyze the information Elsa had obtained.
If he remembered correctly, Grutte City was located to the west of the Royal Capital, about a two-day journey by express carriage. The surrounding area was filled with hills and dense forests, with complex terrain and crisscrossing ravines—indeed a suitable place to hide or establish a secret base.
But for someone with Regulus's extremely self-centered, sensitive, and suspicious personality to choose a location so easily exposed and relatively close to the Royal Capital's sphere of influence was somewhat beyond his expectations.
It seemed Regulus was overconfident in his Authority, to the point of blind arrogance.
As for the phenomenon of Regulus living with numerous women, Natsuki Subaru wasn't surprised.
After all, the core mechanism of Regulus's Authority, "Little King," allowed him to treat the hearts of women within a certain range as his own vessels. He could unilaterally declare them his wives without any formal marriage or their consent.
Combined with his other Authority, "Cor Leonis," which granted him an invincible defense akin to stopped time, Regulus was able to maintain his youth and forcibly control these women, constructing his own twisted family.
"Now that I have intelligence on Regulus, this situation is completely different from my last encounter with him."
Natsuki Subaru thought to himself.
Back then, he had just finished the battle against the White Whale and was only level 37. Although he knew the basic principles of Regulus's Authority from his memories of the original story, he couldn't pinpoint the exact locations of the wives who served as his heart-vessels.
Therefore, he had no way to break through Regulus's invincible Authority and could only rely on the System's Bloodlust skill to bluff and scare the man into retreating.
But now... he was a level 64 Shadow Monarch. Not only had his level and base stats taken a huge leap, but more importantly, he had gained the ability to summon and command a powerful Shadow Legion in coordinated battle.
Of course, the most decisive factor was that he now knew the exact location of Regulus's wives!
As long as he did what Emilia did in the original story—using ice magic or similar means to instantly freeze all of Regulus's wives and make their heartbeats temporarily cease—Regulus's "Little King" Authority would be nullified due to the loss of its heart-vessels.
"Dealing with a Regulus who has lost his invincible shield and isn't particularly skilled in combat himself will naturally be a piece of cake."
Natsuki Subaru calmly analyzed in his mind, a strategic framework quickly taking shape.
"You don't seem very surprised by this news, little fella." Elsa observed the pensive Natsuki Subaru carefully, a strange, unreadable light flashing in her eyes.
"Could it be... you already knew that the Sin Archbishop of Greed was holed up near Grutte City?"
"I just have some understanding of Regulus's methods and way of thinking, that's all," Natsuki Subaru answered faintly. "Continue. What are the castle's specific defensive arrangements? How many guards are there? What is their approximate skill level?"
Elsa seemed to see through Natsuki Subaru's reluctance to elaborate. With a light chuckle, she stopped pressing and began to describe the details:
"There aren't many guards on the surface, only about twenty or so. They all look like Witch Cultists, and their strength is nothing to worry about.
As for Regulus himself, from my observations, he spends most of his time in the inner chambers and rarely goes out. His movements are quite predictable."
"Understood." Natsuki Subaru nodded and gave Elsa his orders.
"You will continue your surveillance. Do not act rashly. I need more detailed intelligence: Regulus's daily routine, the guard shift times, and confirm the specific rooms where his wives are being kept, if possible."
"You're terrifyingly cautious, little fella," Elsa couldn't help but lick her luscious red lips as she spoke slowly.
"With the unfathomable power you've shown, couldn't you just launch a direct frontal assault and crush that castle? Or is it that... you're worried about some other variable?"
She had clearly misunderstood.
Natsuki Subaru's previous conflict with Regulus had ended with Regulus voluntarily retreating, which made Elsa assume that Subaru possessed the ability to kill the Sin Archbishop of Greed in a direct confrontation.
But she had no idea that last time, Natsuki Subaru had merely scared him away with the System's Bloodlust skill; it couldn't be considered a true defeat.
Without a way to break his 'Little King' Authority, none of Natsuki Subaru's attacks could harm Regulus in the slightest.
Even the Sword Saint Reinhard, the pinnacle of this world's combat power, would be unable to truly defeat Regulus if he couldn't overcome his Authority.
"Reckless actions only create more variables and risk tipping him off," Natsuki Subaru stated calmly, not bothering to correct Elsa's misunderstanding.
"Regulus is not an ordinary opponent who can be defeated with brute force. The rules of his ability are extremely peculiar and troublesome. I need to formulate a meticulous plan to ensure there is no room for error."
"Ara, that calmness and strategic mind of yours, little fella... you're showing more and more the air of a leader~"
A meaningful smile played on Elsa's lips, as if she greatly appreciated the composure and control he was displaying.
"Just do your part. That's enough." Natsuki Subaru glanced at Elsa, his tone still cold.
"Continue to monitor Regulus's every move. If there are any new developments or abnormalities, contact me immediately through the magic mirror... Remember, without my direct command, you are absolutely forbidden from taking any action on your own."
In truth, he wasn't worried about Elsa's betrayal. His Shadow Soldiers were already lying in wait within her and Meili's shadows.
No matter where they were, he could reach them instantly using his Shadow Exchange ability.
"So strict, little fella. Alright, alright, what can I say? I lost to you completely~" Elsa sighed with feigned reluctance, but her eyes, which usually concealed a vicious glint, now sparkled with an almost fanatical excitement.
"But, it's that side of you that makes you all the more fascinating. Do you know? Every time I see you grow stronger, I can't help but remember that day...
The way you killed me again and again without a moment's hesitation. That ultimate experience of infinitely approaching true death, of my consciousness constantly sinking only to be violently dragged back... It was truly intoxicating, you know."
Elsa narrowed her eyes slightly, as if savoring some exquisite delicacy.
"To finally die at the hands of a powerhouse like you, someone who is constantly transcending his limits... for me, that might be a kind of supreme happiness~"
It was worth mentioning that Elsa had an abnormally morbid fascination with death itself.
In particular, she would develop a twisted obsession and attachment to any powerhouse capable of truly killing her and giving her that fatal experience.
Ever since Natsuki Subaru had defeated her a dozen times in a row with overwhelming superiority, completely shattering her不死 characteristic, this twisted emotion had become firmly attached to him.
"That's enough of this pointless fantasizing and chatter!"
Natsuki Subaru cut Elsa off without a hint of politeness, though he couldn't help but complain internally again:
This perverted masochist...
Speaking of which, Elsa seemed utterly obsessed with the feeling of being dominated by absolute power and pushed to the brink of death. She even expressed a bizarre sense of anticipation for the possibility of being personally ended by Natsuki Subaru in the future.
A psychological structure so completely detached from the norm could probably only be nurtured in a world like this one.
"Ara... so cold, little fella. Very well, the intelligence has been delivered and the orders received. I'll be on my way, then."
Elsa seemed to pout with a hint of regret, then her figure flickered and vanished on the spot.
"What a hopelessly perverted woman."
Natsuki Subaru stood quietly where he was, his gaze sweeping over the empty space where Elsa had disappeared as he muttered to himself.
The Bowel Hunter, Elsa. Her personality was as twisted and unfathomable as ever.
However, then again, Elsa's loyalty was built upon an overwhelming difference in strength and continuous intimidation.
______
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