The Greedy Frog
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HP: DnD Chapter 30
🕑 Added 2024-11-27 19:35:50 +0000 UTCChapter 30: Fruit of Kindness
He looked young—far younger than the three demons Damien had encountered before. His appearance was strikingly human, devoid of any traits that might hint at his true nature.
Refined, noble, and pure—his visage radiated an elegance that felt utterly out of place.
Damien, who had faced three demons already, found it almost impossible to label the man before him as one of their kind. Were it not for the unmistakable aura of power that surrounded him, Damien would never have even considered the possibility.
But that power.
It was indescribable.
“How did you…” Damien stammered, his mind struggling to grasp the situation. “The book said—”
“Open the book again,” Seere interrupted gently, his hand brushing over the mane of his horse, which now bore wings as radiant and majestic as a Pegasus. “Read it once more, and you will find your answer.”
Damien fumbled with the book, flipping frantically through its pages until he found the section detailing his quest. He scanned the familiar text, his fingers tracing the lines.
But then, to his disbelief, the words began to shift. Right before his eyes, the text rearranged itself, forming an entirely new message.
[Make the choice, find the horse, and you shall find the prince.]
“These…” Damien’s voice faltered. “These weren’t the words.”
Seere smiled faintly, his voice more angelic than demonic as he replied, “Weren’t they?”
Damien nodded, his confusion deepening. How could Seere have changed the text of the book?
“Damien Butler,” Seere said, stepping closer, his tone calm yet commanding. “Tell me, have Andromalius, Dantalion, or Paimon ever explained to you the extent of a demon’s influence over their dungeon and its trials?”
Damien nodded hesitantly. “They did. But they were clear—demons cannot alter the book or its rules.” He paused, eyes widening with surprise. “Then how did you—”
“You already know the answer, don’t you?” Seere’s chuckle was soft, almost kind. “If no one can control the book or its rules, how do you suppose the words changed?”
Damien’s mind raced, but no explanation came to him. Seere’s question gnawed at him, defying everything he thought he knew about the dungeons.
Seeing the boy’s struggle, Seere spoke again, his tone patient. “I know it’s difficult. But let go of the book and its rules for a moment. Think instead of the dungeon itself, the trial you face, and the environment around you.”
“The surroundings?” Damien echoed, furrowing his brow. ‘What does that—’
Then, suddenly, it clicked.
If not the rules, then the surroundings. If not the book, then the sight. And if not the words, then the trickery.
“Illusion,” Damien muttered, staring at the demon. “You tricked my eyes and my mind.”
Seere hadn’t tampered with the book or the rules; he had simply manipulated Damien’s perception, making him see only what Seere wanted him to see.
It wasn’t mind manipulation that the [Duke’s Mind] could stop, it was simply vision manipulation.
“But how?” Damien asked again. “How did the book allow it?”
The previous demons had made one thing abundantly clear: none of them could interfere with the preset trial. Though they designed the trials, once they began, interference was forbidden.
“Unless…” Damien’s eyes widened as the truth settled in. He looked at Seere’s smug grin, and his suspicions solidified into certainty. “This was the trial all along. You designed it this way.”
It wasn’t something Seere had changed at the last moment. It wasn’t even a breach of the rules.
“From the beginning, you knew exactly how it would play out,” Damien said.
At first, he hadn’t believed it, but the realization made perfect sense. Seere hadn’t broken the rules; he had played within them, just not in a way anyone else might have imagined.
“Do you know what most people associate me with?” Seere asked, his voice calm, his expression patient. “What aspect, what elements they use to define me?”
Damien recalled his earlier conversation with Dantalion. “Nature and benevolence,” he answered without hesitation.
Seere smiled at that.
“Nature,” he echoed, turning his back to Damien. “We are surrounded by nature, whether in the mortal realm or the dungeon. Be it heaven or hell, everything and everyone exists within nature and works in harmony with it.”
Noticing Damien’s confusion, Seere elaborated. “Nature is not limited to the plants and animals around you. It encompasses everything you can see and feel—everything that isn’t artificial.”
“But isn’t our environment artificial?” Damien asked, his curiosity piqued.
Seere shook his head. “That’s where you’re mistaken. What you see here isn’t created by me.”
Damien frowned but listened intently.
“The environment you see is a manifestation of the dungeon, shaped by my vision. But I neither lifted a hand nor directly crafted any of it.”
“That still sounds artificial,” Damien countered. “It’s not natural if it’s made that way.”
Seere chuckled, his laughter deep and resonant. “I can see why Andromalius and Dantalion enjoy your company. You’re inquisitive and skeptical, and I find that admirable.”
He stepped closer, towering over Damien. For the first time, Damien grasped just how massive Seere truly was, despite his otherwise human-like appearance.
“The dungeon is like the earth itself,” Seere explained patiently. “It is nature. And everything it creates, everything it grows, is natural. I might envision what I want, but the dungeon will only manifest it if it’s sustainable and aligns with its essence.”
He paused, his voice steady. “The illusion you experienced was no exception. It was natural because the dungeon created it.”
This revelation left Damien speechless. The dungeon wasn’t merely a construct—it was alive, a force of nature.
“And you used nature to understand me,” Damien murmured, his voice tinged with realization.
Seere nodded. “Indeed. Not all demons are inherently evil, Damien. Most are, yes, but not all.”
A flicker of sadness passed across Seere’s face as he continued, “Some of us became demons due to mistakes—errors that might be forgiven in humans, but are condemned in us.”
Damien opened his mouth to ask more, but something in Seere’s expression told him it wasn’t the right time.
“What matters,” Seere said, “is whether you are a good person. My fate was sealed long ago, but yours is still unwritten.”
Damien hesitated, unsure. “Does that mean… I’m not a good person?”
Seere chuckled softly. “You’re no saint, Damien. Saints are relics of the past—dreams more than realities. But to me, you are a good person—good enough not to share my fate.”
Damien didn’t fully understand, but there was a comfort in Seere’s words, a reassurance he hadn’t expected.
“My trial was a test of selflessness,” Seere explained. “To put others before your desires—their happiness, their safety.”
Seere’s tone softened, a rare gentleness in his voice. “And you made that choice. You risked your safety, your trial, for a helpless stranger.”
Damien knew his decision had been reckless, even foolish. But hearing Seere’s approval gave him a sense of relief.
It had been the right choice. And for now, that was enough.
“You have passed the trial, Damien Butler,” Seere said. “You have proven your kindness.”
Damien’s relief deepened. It was an unusual trial for a demon to create, yet he had passed.
“Extend your hand, and I shall grant you my rewards.”
At Seere’s command, Damien moved forward, but not before offering what he had gathered.
“Lord Seere, please allow me to present these offerings,” Damien said, pulling out the Ars Goetia and flipping to the page with the offerings. He revealed a collection of flowers, candles, incense, and garlands. “Please accept them.”
“I require no sacrifice nor offerings,” Seere replied, his voice warm yet firm. “But no demon ever declines gifts.” He gazed at the flowers with genuine appreciation. “I shall accept them—they are beautiful.”
The flowers danced in the air, forming a crown before flying toward Seere and resting upon his head. The garland wrapped itself around him, and the other gifts disappeared into a space Seere controlled.
“I appreciate the gifts, Damien Butler,” Seere said, his voice pleased. “They are lovely.”
Damien was happy to see the offerings well-received. With a sense of satisfaction, he stepped closer and extended his hand, just as Seere had instructed.
Seere mirrored the gesture. His index finger elongated into a sharp point, pressing against Damien’s palm, drawing blood to create a sigil—a unique, winged symbol larger and more intricate than any Damien had seen before. The green glow it emitted was soothing, calming Damien’s mind and body.
As Seere chanted, the air around them seemed to hum with power:
“Seere Natura Invoco, Elementorum Dominus, Vitae Cursus Aperi. Dona Harmoniam, Voluntatem Roboro, Pacem et Veritatem Manifesto! Naturae Mysteria, Revela Meo Spiritu, Sic Animi et Vitae Nexus Floret, Seere, Benedicat!”
When the chant ended, Seere spoke again. “There. You can check the book now.”
Damien quickly flipped through the pages of the Ars Goetia. His heart raced as he saw Seere’s name added to the list of patrons.
[Name: Damien Butler]
[Class: Warlock]
[Race: Human]
[Charisma: 18 (17+1)]
[Constitution: 15 (14+1)]
[Dexterity: 16 (15+1)]
[Wisdom: 16 (15+1)]
[Intelligence: 15 (14+1)]
[Strength: 10 (9+1)]
[Points: 10]
[Patrons(+): 9th Demon: King Paimon, 72nd Demon: Earl Andromalius, 71st Demon: Duke Dantalion, 70th Demon: Prince Seere]
[Abilities:(+)]
[Description: Warlock with exceptional potential, blessed by 4 Demons.]
Damien was thrilled by the large number of points he had received.
“May I?” he asked, glancing at Seere for permission.
“Of course,” Seere replied. “Though the higher points are only a compensation for the magic and abilities I’ll grant you. As my alignments are with nature and elements—and you already possess magic in those domains—don’t expect anything extraordinary.”
Damien felt a brief pang of disappointment, but knowing that he would gain abilities with point allocation, he was still satisfied.
“I am grateful for what you’ve given me, Lord Seere.”
With those words, Damien allocated his points, starting with Charisma.
[Charisma: 22 (21+1)]
[2nd Charisma Threshold Surpassed: Ability Acquired: Eros’ Arrow]
[Eros’ Arrow: Anyone affected by Eros’ Arrow has a high probability of following you. The longer a conversation goes, the more likely the target will support your decisions.]
[Eros’ Arrow and Silver Tongue work in perfect sync to increase your leadership and oratory skills by 200%]
[Abilities: Fallen’s Grace, Iron Clad, Feline’s Escape, Sage’s Thoughts, Mind’s Dictionary, Eros’ Arrow]
Next, he allocated points to Constitution and Dexterity.
[Constitution: 19 (18+1)]
[Dexterity: 19 (18+1)]
‘Just one more point in each, and these stats will surpass their thresholds,’ he thought.
Seeing that Damien was content with his choices, Seere decided to bless him further with additional rewards.
“While I cannot grant you any grand ability or magic, I can still offer something valuable,” the demon said with a thoughtful pause. “Give me your hand once more.”
Damien complied, extending his hand, his heart pounding in anticipation.
"I, Prince Seere, the 70th Demon Lord, swift herald of truth and secrets, commander of 26 legions of infernal spirits, and sovereign of time and speed, bestow upon you, my Contractor, Damien Butler, the Gift of My Nature Field!"
[Ability Acquired: Nature’s Field]
[Nature’s Field: Allows you to regain strength and energy from your natural surroundings. As long as flora and fauna exist within a ten-meter radius around you, you can draw strength and vitality from their presence.]
Damien felt a subtle shift in the air around him, as if the earth itself had acknowledged the gift. He marveled at the power coursing through him, a deep connection to nature itself.
Seere's smile widened as he prepared his second gift.
"I, Prince Seere, the 70th Demon Lord, swift herald of truth and secrets, commander of 26 legions of infernal spirits, and sovereign of nature, time, and speed, bestow upon you, Damien Butler, the Gift of My Scowling Clock!"
[Ability Acquired: Scowling Clock]
[Scowling Clock: Allows you to age any non-living object by a hundred years—both forward and backward—irrespective of the magic surrounding it. However, the item can only be aged in one direction, either older or newer, and cannot be reverted once changed.]
Damien's pulse quickened at the thought of such a powerful ability. The potential for destruction was immense if mishandled, and it filled him with a deep unease.
[Patron’s Skills: Silver Tongue, Eye of Worth, Ears of Truth, Serpent’s Intuition, Serpent's Drain, Duke’s Mind, Scholar’s Last Cry, Nature’s Field, Scowling Clock.]
“That is all for abilities I can provide,” Seere added, his tone settling into something more reflective. “I believe they won't clash with your existing powers.”
Damien, despite the overwhelming nature of the gifts, felt a rush of gratitude. He didn't complain. It was more than he could have ever hoped for.
“As for magic,” Seere continued, his voice rich with authority, “I shall bestow one final gift.” With a deep, resonant chant, he invoked the power. "I, Prince Seere, the 70th Demon Lord, swift herald of truth and secrets, commander of 26 legions of infernal spirits, and sovereign of nature, time and speed, bestow upon you, Damien Butler, the Magic of my Time and Space!"
[Magic Acquired: Space-Time Magic]
[Space-Time Magic: All spells involving space and time greatly increased in power. Your affinity with teleportation and time dilation spells is enhanced.]
Damien felt the fabric of time itself stretch as the magic settled within him, his connection to space and time now inextricable.
Seere’s eyes gleamed as he offered a final gesture. "And finally, take these."
[Item Acquired: Gold Bricks: 10 Kilograms]
Damien's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the weighty bricks of gold. Ten kilograms. It was an unimaginable sum—more wealth than he'd ever encountered.
[Patron’s Items: Dantalion’s Monocle, Escape Talisman ×1, Gold Bricks: 10 Kilograms.]
For a moment, Damien was speechless, the weight of the gold almost too much to fathom. He had never considered himself a man of wealth, but this… this was beyond even his most ambitious dreams. He could do anything with this kind of fortune. Land, influence, power.
"I—" Damien hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I cannot thank you enough, Lord Seere."
The demon laughed softly, a sound full of ancient wisdom. "You need not thank me, Damien. You have completed the trial, and this is your reward."
Damien nodded, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t just the abilities or the wealth—it was the recognition, the approval. He had passed the trial, and that alone felt like an achievement worth more than gold.
A flicker of excitement stirred within him. The gold. He couldn’t wait to visit the bank, perhaps even Zillion wouldn't be able to carry such a fortune.
But that could wait. For now, class awaited him. And the world beyond, filled with both danger and opportunity, was ready for him to claim his place.
