[CH598+ Continued] Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster's Power

I enter the canyon of dungeons and make my way down to the labyrinth.

There are hundreds of hunters farming in the dungeons all around, and dozens of Crimson Army hunters training on the mid-level floors of the labyrinth.

I dungeon walk all the way to the top, to the 99th floor, materializing with all of my mana and divine energy suppressed when I arrive in the final boss room.

I see a [Lv. 6908] Arch Demon, and a dark maroon-colored earth dragon sharing the same level, guarding this final floor.

Before they can even sense my presence, I send a wave of telepathy into the demon's psyche.

"Pluto, that was your name, wasn't it...? I've returned to renegotiate our deal, as the outside world is changing far faster than expected."

The three-meter-tall demon with red skin, curving black horns, and sharp white eyes turns its head to meet mine.

"The Flame Emperor, you've returned... I must admit, I didn't believe this labyrinth would grow so quickly. It usually takes decades, sometimes even centuries, for a labyrinth to mature."

Its eyes sharpen.

"But don't think your swiftness has changed the terms of our deal. I have a higher power I must obey in the Demonic Realm. Even if you are a peak-tier Arch Demon, I cannot swear my loyalty to you."

I step forward and take a look toward the earth dragon as Pluto jumps on top of it, and they both fly over to stand right before me.

I think back to our meeting long before I knew the true powers of this world. I, too, had no reason to believe I'd be reaching the upper floors of this labyrinth so fast when I first made a deal with this demon.

My eyes trail upward to read the system text in the boss room.

[Floors Available: 99/100]

[Mana Necessary to create next Floor: [0.0 Quintillion / 14.9 Quintillion]]

When I first made the deal, it took days for my doubles to farm just a few trillion MP. Now, the staggering amount necessary to level up the final floor from 99 to 100 could be completed by my double in just a few hours, considering all of the excess mana available in the artificial mountains.

I respond to the demon as he jumps off his dragon and meets me eye to eye less than five meters away.

"Our deal... It was that I'd let you return to the Demonic Realm to deliver the mana I've worked so hard to farm... and in return, once you have your freedom, you'd make a link of loyalty with me... and also, I'd give you a skill of your choosing. Was that it?"

I look up at the ceiling, rolling my eyes, not seeing much upside in this deal anymore.

The Arch Demon replies.

"You also assured me I would one day meet a Demon Lord in person, one that claims the throne of this world years down the line when that time comes."

I smirk.

"Well, as I said, times have changed. That throne is awakening in the next few days... and in order for this world to not be claimed by my adversaries, I'm going to need to change the terms of our deal."

I look up at the system text, then back down at the demon.

"There's a way to continue growing the floors, correct? Capping at level 7000 isn't going to cut it. I'm going to need a far stronger army than that. And..."

The demon's eyes widen as he responds.

"Already? The throne is awakening now? How is this possible? And—no—we cannot risk creating an extended labyrinth. We would have to grow it another 100 floors before I'd have the chance to return to my—"