Debuff Master

Chapter 685

After the "meal tray incident" and the meeting with Orleius, Siegfried’s rise to power in Block F became unstoppable.

“Hello, boss! Have you eaten yet?”

“Greetings, boss!”

“Glad to see you, boss!”

He became the boss of the entire Block F of the Fortress of Hell overnight.

“Make sure you behave and play nice. I’ll chop off the hand of those trying to cheat—mark my words.”

“Yes, boss!”

There was little activity to do in prison, so Siegfried decided to spend his time playing the popular game Hardstone with the inmates. Hardstone was a traditional game on the Nurburg Continent, so it was just as popular inside the Fortress of Hell as it was in the outside world.

“I really think this life is more suited for you…” Ninetail muttered and shook her head upon seeing how well Siegfried was blending in and fooling around with the other inmates.

“The only way down to the twentieth basement floor is through the supply carts that bring food down there. They use the elevator to move the carts, so the only way to get into the elevator is by sneaking into one of the carts.”

“Ah, so that explains why I keep seeing the elevator going up and down without anyone on it. They will need an enormous amount of food to feed all five thousand inmates down there,” Siegfried replied with a nod while looking at the minimap provided by Inzaghi’s Clairvoyance.

“Precisely, Your Majesty.”

“But sneaking into a food cart should be impossible, right?”

“Yes, the security is too tight, so it is impossible to get on those carts without the cooperation of a high-ranking guard.”

“Really? Ah, leave that to me then.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve already reached an agreement to fight in the Warden Martial Competition with Orleius. I think he’s the top-ranking officer in Block F.”

“Wait, Orleius? He is one of this prison’s senior officers.”

“Exactly. I should be able to use him to manipulate the guards if I play my cards right.”

“What are you plotting this time, sire?” Ninetail asked, narrowing her eyes. Then, she asked with a hint of suspicion, “Are you planning to stab demons in the back now, too?”

“Why not? They’re demons,” Siegfried replied with a shrug.

“Fair point.”

“But what have you been up to?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. What have you been doing?”

Ninetail rummaged through her pockets before eventually pulling something out that jingled. It was a bunch of keys dangling from a large steel ring.

“Stealing keys, what else?”

“Oh?”

“And also securing our escape route by swapping out some of the locks along the way.”

“That’s really impressive.”

“Everything else is taken care of, so Your Majesty can leave our escape to me once we make it down there and rescue Quandt.”

“Sounds good. I’ll be focusing on getting close to Orleius during the competition then,” Siegfried said with a shrug.

“Understood,” Ninetail replied with a nod.

Siegfried went back to his bed and sprawled out on it, but curiosity washed over him. He could not help but wonder what was happening down in the twentieth basement floor and what kind of horrors or secrets were awaiting him down there.

***

Something else was brewing on the other side of the world while Siegfried and Ninetail were in the midst of their daring rescue mission to get Quandt out of the Fortress of Hell.

To be more precise, the incident was brewing in the real world…

South Korea’s Incheon International Airport had always been a busy airport, but it became even busier and more chaotic upon the arrival of a famous gamer. Reporters from various V-Sports media outlets flocked to the arrival gate and bombarded the gamer with various questions.

“A comment please!”

“What brings you to South Korea?”

“You mentioned you would be doing a pre-interview! Who and where will this take place?”

The gamer that arrived was not just any famous gamer, it was none other than Diesel. He was once known as the People’s Gamer, but he had recently revealed his true colors as a villain during the incident with the Mandate of Heaven Guild.

He had just arrived at Incheon International Airport, and he had attracted quite the attention. Some of the stubborn reporters managed to block Diesel’s path, and one of them asked him, “Why did you come to South Korea?”

Naturally, the question and answer took place in English.

“How long will you be staying?” another journalist interrupted.

“Well, I came with an official work visa, so I will probably be staying for a while. Don’t you think so?” Diesel replied nonchalantly.

Then, one of the more blunt reporters threw a question, “Does your decision to come here have anything to do with your recent struggles?!”

Diesel was without a doubt in a pinch ever since he lost to the Mandate of Heaven Guild. His once-loyal guildmates had abandoned him after he exposed his darker side, and the loss at the battle for the Geyser of Life had brought the Oberg Guild to the brink of collapse.

The once mighty Oberg Guild was now barely clinging to its status as one of the top ten Adventurer guilds on the continent.

“Yes, I won’t deny that. I came to South Korea to meet some friends,” Diesel replied, admitting to what the reporter said.

The reporters were puzzled by his response.

“Friends? Do you have friends in South Korea?” one reporter asked with a hint of skepticism.

Based on what they knew about him, he had never been close to any Korean gamer before.

Diesel raised a brow and grimaced, looking obviously irritated, before he curtly replied, “I wouldn’t have said I’m here to meet friends if I had no friends here, right? Can you at least think before asking such questions?”

The reporter hurriedly bowed and apologized, but Diesel didn't bother entertaining the apology. Instead, he looked at the crowd of reporters and said, “There will be an official announcement soon. Wait for it.”

“What do you mean—” another reporter tried to ask, but he was interrupted.

“Move,” Diesel said with obvious irritation in his voice. He pushed through the crowd and exited through the gate, forcing his way through the sea of people toward a shiny Mercedes Benz Maybach waiting outside.

“Why are you here in South Korea, Diesel?!” one reporter screamed at the top of his lungs out of desperation to get a scoop.

“Why? I’m here for revenge. Are you happy now?” Diesel snarked without even looking back. Then, he got into the expensive car that sped away from the airport and the multitude swarming him.

“Tsk… Reporters are all annoying whether they are Korean or American,” Diesel clicked his tongue and grumbled under his breath before pulling out his phone and dialing a number.

“Hello? Chae Hyung-Seok? Where are you right now? I’m heading to the hotel. Oh? You’re already with Palchuck? Good, let’s have dinner together later.”

Diesel sank to his comfortable cushioned leather seat and gaze outside the window.

“Who knew I’d come to South Korea? Hmm… Maybe I’ll run into that bastard, Han Tae-Sung?” Diesel muttered.

The thought of meeting the traitor made him smirk icily. He was itching to confront the Korean gamer who had dared to stab him in the back. He loved nothing more than to punch that smug little bastard’s face once the opportunity had presented itself.

***

Two days later, Siegfried was standing at the entrance of the Warden Martial Competition. He had spent most of his time pretending to be an inmate the past few days, and he had completely acclimatized to his temporary role.

However, this was where the real challenge began.

The competition was no small matter, as it was an important event within the prison. What was at stake were none other than Soul Coins, which were the currency used in the demon world that could be exchanged for human souls.

These coins were so valuable to demons that they considered it far more important than money or gold. The Warden Martial Competition was held every four years, and this was the time that the prison’s demon staffers could gamble away their Soul Coins, hoping to strike it big enough to change their lives.

For lower-ranking demons, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to climb up the ranks. In fact, there were some demons who became high-ranking officials in the demon world after winning big in the tournament and using the Soul Coins they won to turn their lives around.

Thus, the excitement was high in the Fortress of Hell.

Waaaaah!

The cheers from the prison’s main square were deafening as the event kicked off.

Surprisingly, the demons weren't the only ones excited about the event. Even the prisoners were excited by the event, as this was the highlight of their otherwise boring and mundane existences. Their lives lacked anything interesting, so the martial competition was something that provided them with the jolting excitement that their lives lacked.

“We will have a speech from our warden before the competition begins.”

The crowd instantly quieted down after the warden and the ruler of the prison, Belial, took the stage for a lengthy speech.

Belial was no ordinary warden, as he was a trusted servant of Demon LordDantalian, who was one of the thirteen demon lords ruling over the demon world.

In fact, the Fortress of Hell had been constructed after Dantalion had negotiated with the human rulers of the Nurburg Continent, so it was only natural that Belial, his loyal retainer, was the prison’s warden.

Siegfried shook his head and muttered, “How pathetic can they get? Well, I guess spectating a good fight is one of the best forms of entertainment out there.”

It was then.

Orleius approached him and asked, “How are you feeling today?”

“Me? I am always at my best, sir,” Siegfried replied confidently.

“Good. I have high hopes for you today.”

“Do you?”

“You’re one of the strongest prisoners I have seen in my one hundred twenty years working here. No, you’re far stronger than most humans I know even without relying on mana.”

“Well, I guess I am pretty strong? Hehe!”

Then, Orleius grew serious as he said in a low voice, “I’ve placed a huge bet on you in this competition. You could say it is quite a sizable bet.”

Siegfried raised a brow and asked in response, “Does that mean you will be in deep trouble if I lose?”

Orleius suddenly reached out and grabbed Siegfried by his throat and said icily, “I will make one thing clear. I will have no choice but to deal with you… if you disappoint me.”

“Argh! A-Alright! I got it!” Siegfried replied while flailing his arms wildly.

Cough! Cough!

Orleius finally released him, causing Siegfried to cough and gasp for breath on the ground.

“I’m not trying to threaten you. I want you to take this competition as seriously as possible,” Orleius said in a gentle tone that was the complete opposite of what he did just a second ago.

“I understand perfectly, sir,” Siegfried replied in a hoarse voice. Then, he cursed at the demon inwardly, ‘Not a threat? Even a donkey could lie better than you. You’re basically saying that you’d kill me if I lose.’

Siegfried was irritated by the demon’s act, but he feigned ignorance and said calmly, “Please do not worry, sir. I will win this competition for you.”

“I’ll be counting on you then,” Orleius replied with a nod.

Then, Siegfried smirked and proposed, “How about betting just half of your Soul Coins on the first match, sir?”

Orleius flinched and asked, “Half of my Soul Coins? Isn’t that a bit too much?”

“Eh? Do you not trust me, sir?” Siegfried asked, tilting his head in confusion.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you but… if you were to lose…” Orleius replied, his voice trailing off.

Siegfried’s eyes shone like a predator identifying its prey.

“How do you expect to grow stronger if you are always playing on the safe side?” Siegfried asked.

Orleius was completely oblivious to it, but Siegfried’s titles, which increased the chances of an NPC falling for his lies by five hundred percent and the success chance of flattering an NPC by twenty-five percent, had already kicked in.

Thus, Siegfried’s voice sounded so smooth and sweet just like honey.

Siegfried wove an intricate web of lies—no, half-truths and persuasive words for a few minutes, and convinced Orleius that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strike the jackpot.

Being the cunning human he was, he preyed on the demon guard’s greed and carefully coaxed him into making the right decision.

“The more I win, the lower the payout becomes. You need to go all-in early on to make the most out of your money!” Siegfried explained.

Orleius swallowed a hard lump stuck in his throat and caved in, “Gulp…! A-Alright…! I’ll do it! I’ll bet half of all my Soul Coins on you on your first match.”

“A wise choice, sir,” Siegfried said, smiling as charmingly as he possibly could.

Unfortunately, something sinister was brewing right behind the charming smile, ‘You will be having the shock of your life, demon. I’ll make sure this bet will be your demise.’

“Alright, I’ll be placing my trust in you,” Orleius said.

The senior demon guard was already grinning from ear to ear at the thought of doubling his Soul Coins while completely oblivious to the risk he would be exposed to.

On the other hand, Siegfried got ready to show Orleius just how dangerous it was to trust someone based on their words alone.