## Chapter 397 – 397. God’S Atlantis
Ahmad, the leader of the Sandstorm Band and also Kasha’s older brother, knelt before me.
“Great Heavenly Demon. In order for the Sandstorm Band to grow, we need to change our main area of activity.”
The 14th District, the Sand Hell. It was the desert area where the Sandstorm Band was currently operating. The Sandstorm Band was robbing merchants and travelers passing through this area. In addition, they were honing their skills by hunting monsters that appeared throughout the desert.
“Why bother?”
“…As the Sandstorm Band’s skills have improved, we can easily hunt monsters. The efficiency of practical training has decreased. On top of that, it’s not easy to find new talent.”
To become stronger, one had to fight stronger opponents and gain experience. I could understand that.
“It’s not easy to find talent? The 2nd District is right nearby, so it should be easier to find talent, right? Am I mistaken?”
The 2nd District, the City of Today. It was the first city that new exiles arriving in Atlantis visited.
Just being close to the City of Today meant that they could continuously recruit new talent. Of course, the top-tier talents were taken away by the large legions first, and they wouldn’t try to join a bandit group, but there were always those who were at the end of their rope.
“That’s true, but at this rate, the Sandstorm Band will only develop too slowly!”
“Why?”
“…Because it takes time for the newbies who don’t know anything to grow. We need to train them properly for at least a year before they become useful. At this rate, it will take more than three years for the Sandstorm Band to rise to the level of a decent legion.”
Ahmad was right. At the current rate, it would take too long for the Sandstorm Band to become useful.
I hadn’t paid much attention to them, so I didn’t know the Sandstorm Band was in this situation.
“I understand. But do we really have to change our hideout?”
I didn’t want to leave this pyramid area. I had grown quite attached to it, and I would be able to use it well in the future.
“I want the Sandstorm Band to grow by absorbing other bandit groups. But in this area, there are only bandit groups smaller than us nearby. Most importantly, the biggest problem is that the City of Today won’t stay still.”
It was bound to be a burden if a large-scale bandit group suddenly emerged near the City of Today. To prevent any possible danger, they would try to subdue the Sandstorm Band using a legion before it turned into a large-scale bandit group.
“…You wouldn’t have told me this without a concrete plan. If we leave this area, where do you plan to operate?”
“The west of Atlantis. In the west, we can increase the size of the Sandstorm Band without interference from the large legions.”
The west of Atlantis was such a mess that it was said to be a lawless zone.
The west was one of the places where the influence of the Ucitia Empire did not reach, and most of it was desert. The large legions didn’t go to the west very often, and they had almost no influence there. From their point of view, the west didn’t seem to have much to gain.
It was the perfect place to grow stronger. But that also meant that the west of Atlantis was a dangerous place. If things went wrong, the Sandstorm Band could be disbanded or swallowed up by the existing forces.
I pondered deeply and then nodded. If they grew at this slow pace, I didn’t know when the Sandstorm Band would be of any help to me. Moreover, I had realized the power of a force while acting as an inspector this time. I wanted to have a decent force as well.
“Okay. Let’s go west.”
Ahmad’s face lit up. He seemed to have thought that there was a high chance I would refuse.
“I’ll prepare right away! It will take about three months to reach the western area.”
Three months was too long.
However, I couldn’t give space-movement scrolls to all the members of the Sandstorm Band. The current number of members in the Sandstorm Band was about 70, so space-movement scrolls were too precious.
I thought for a moment and then came up with a good idea.
“No. I’ll take care of the preparations to go west. More importantly, I saw you guys on the way here, and the Sandstorm Band’s skills are disappointing.”
“I’m sorry!”
Ahmad immediately lowered his head.
“There’s no need to apologize. I understand since most of them are newbies. But at this rate, it will take too long.”
“…I’ll try to find a way. If we find out how the large legions train their talents…!”
“It’s meaningless. The large legions take talented exiles and train them accordingly. They obviously don’t know how to teach the average Joe.”
“……”
Ahmad had no solution for this either.
I decided to help with this part. If I just left them alone, the Sandstorm Band would become worse than a white elephant.
“I will bestow martial arts upon the Sandstorm Band.”
Ahmad raised his head, his eyes shining.
“Thank you! Great Heavenly Demon! Uh, may I ask what kind of martial arts it is?”
I said without hesitation.
“The Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”
“Heok!”
Ahmad’s mouth fell open.
[The King of the Demonic Heavens is astonished!]
[The King of the Demonic Heavens sponsors 1,000 AP. “That’s… that’s a terrible joke.”]
“It’s not a joke. It’s the Heavenly Demon Divine Art that everyone and their dog learns anyway. It’s okay to teach it to my subordinates.”
Come to think of it, I didn’t really need the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, and this world was just one of the play worlds I could choose. It didn’t matter if the Heavenly Demon Divine Art became a basic martial art that everyone and their dog learned in this world.
[The King of the Demonic Heavens sponsors 1,000 AP. “The Heavenly Demon Divine Art is a special martial art. The average Joe cannot learn the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”]
The King of the Demonic Heavens’ reaction was unusual. I had a hunch. The King of the Demonic Heavens wasn’t usually this talkative.
As a rule, a long tongue means you’re nervous!
I saw it in a movie.
“One out of 100 people will learn it. If not, one out of 1,000 will learn it. And that guy will become a useful subordinate.”
[The King of the Demonic Heavens sponsors 100,000 AP. “The one who learns the Heavenly Demon Divine Art will try to take your position. Also, the specialness of the Heavenly Demon will fade. Is that really okay?”]
“Just because you learn the Heavenly Demon Divine Art doesn’t mean you’ll become the Heavenly Demon. And I have lightning besides the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”
My class itself was the Heavenly Demon. I also had the Heavenly Demon Physique trait. No matter how much a mediocre guy learned the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, he wouldn’t even be able to reach my toes.
[The Lord of the Sky nods.]
[Lightning is the best power.]
[The King of the Demonic Heavens’ hands and feet are trembling.]
I looked at Ahmad. He had noticed that I was talking to a divine seat, and he quietly lowered his eyes.
“I don’t want to say it twice, so listen carefully, Ahmad. The Heavenly Demon Divine Art is…”
[The King of the Demonic Heavens proposes to you.]
[I will give you 1 million AP. Don’t leak the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.]
“I don’t need money. I need a martial art that will make my subordinates strong quickly and easily.”
[The King of the Demonic Heavens nods heavily.]
[Okay. I will bestow a martial art to your subordinates. But you must never leak the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. That’s the condition.]
I stroked my chin and pretended to think.
‘This bastard… why is he so obsessed with the Heavenly Demon Divine Art? Did he pull another trick that I don’t know about? Shit. I’m suddenly getting anxious. I need to raise my mental resistance more.’
The King of the Demonic Heavens’ reaction was not that of a normal divine seat. The divine seats usually don’t change their position of watching whatever I do. That would be more fun for them. Even the Lord of the Sky was staying still.
“I refuse a normal martial art. It has to be a demonic art that can make them strong quickly.”
[The King of the Demonic Heavens sponsors 1,000 AP. “There is no power without a price.”]
“Side effects don’t matter. What’s important is that it’s fast and powerful.”
「The King of the Demonic Sky donates 1,000 AP.
“Wait a moment.”」
I frowned. She hadn’t been doing this lately, but suddenly she spoke in a coquettish woman’s voice.
As the King of the Demonic Sky said, I sat quietly and waited. About three minutes passed. A reaction came, but it wasn’t the reaction I expected.
「The system is restraining the King of the Demonic Sky. The maximum penalty can be imposed on the King of the Demonic Sky.」
「The King of the Demonic Sky is furious.」
「If you leave it like this, this Atlantis will turn into a complete mess! That guy is a doer! System! Do you really want to see all the humans of Atlantis become Heavenly Demons?!」
「…….」
「Or can you sanction him? On what grounds?」
「The penalty imposed on the King of the Demonic Sky is greatly reduced.」
「An additional 30 million AP fine is imposed on the King of the Demonic Sky.」
「The Lord of the Sky chuckles.」
“Ooh…. This is promising.”
I smiled contentedly and clasped my hands together. If the system is imposing a penalty, it seems like something huge is being prepared.
For the first time in a while, I liked the King of the Demonic Sky.
「The King of the Demonic Sky donates the ‘Demonic Wind Divine Art Transmission’ skill to you.」
「Demonic Wind Divine Art Transmission.
You can transmit the Demonic Wind Divine Art to a subject who has sworn loyalty.
Practicing the Demonic Wind Divine Art will make you stronger quickly, but there are side effects.
Transmission Target: 0/588
Type: Skill
Rank: SSS」
I immediately checked the skill. And then I tilted my head. Right now, I only know how to transmit the Demonic Wind Divine Art, but I have no idea what kind of martial art it is.
“King of the Demonic Sky. What are the side effects?”
「The system says: The King of the Demonic Sky cannot send messages due to the current penalty.」
「The system will explain the side effects of the Demonic Wind Divine Art.」
「Those who receive the Demonic Wind Divine Art cannot transmit the Demonic Wind Divine Art to others.」
This was more of a restriction than a side effect.
“If it’s possible to transmit to 588 people… what are the conditions for increasing the transmission target?”
「The maximum number of transmission targets is twice the sum of all your stats. If you increase your stats, the maximum number of transmission targets will increase.」
My current stats were Strength: 63, Agility: 61, Stamina: 60, Mana: 82, Luck: 28.
“What are the other side effects?”
「Practicing the Demonic Wind Divine Art will rapidly increase your stats, but your demonic nature will also become stronger. If your mind is consumed by demonic nature, you will become a demon.」
“That’s not much of a side effect.”
If they become demons, I’ll just kill them.
‘I shouldn’t transmit it to my sex toys.’
「Those who have mastered the Demonic Wind Divine Art will prioritize the Heavenly Demon’s orders. However, if those who have mastered the Demonic Wind Divine Art become stronger than the Heavenly Demon, they will refuse orders.」
“Oh.”
It was a side effect, but only for those who had mastered the Demonic Wind Divine Art. From my perspective, it was definitely not a side effect.
“Good.”
「The system warns: Do not forget. The condition is that you do not leak the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.」
“In this world, only I will master the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”
The system had no reply.
I turned my gaze and called out to Ahmad, who was kneeling.
“Ahmad. I will transmit the Demonic Wind Divine Art to you.”
“Thank you! But… is the Demonic Wind Divine Art a good thing?”
“Are you doubting me now?”
“No! That was a slip of the tongue!”
“Swear loyalty to me. That’s the condition.”
“I am already the Heavenly Demon’s loyal slave!”
「The conditions for transmitting the Demonic Wind Divine Art have been met.」
Black smoke flowed from my hand and seeped into Ahmad’s body.
“……!!”
Ahmad’s eyes widened. At the same time, black tattoos that looked like swirling winds appeared on both of his wrists.
“This is the Demonic Wind Divine Art…!”
“Ahmad. Do you understand what the Demonic Wind Divine Art is?”
“Yes! It is a very fierce and destructive power. At the same time, I can feel the greatness of the Heavenly Demon even more.”
“Show me the Demonic Wind Divine Art.”
“Yes!”
Ahmad got up from his seat and drew his sword from his waist. He swung his sword as if an enemy existed in the air.
‘…His stance is still awkward because he’s not used to it yet… but that’s swordsmanship.’
It was a swordsmanship that emphasized power and speed, and lacked technique. But it wasn’t like he had no technique at all.
Ahmad unleashed sword energy. The color of the sword energy had changed from blue to pitch black. Every time he swung his sword, a sharp and fierce black wind blew.
Ahmad was gradually falling into the Demonic Wind Divine Art.
“Stop.”
As soon as I spoke, Ahmad lowered his sword.
“I understand. I will give you a reward. I will release your subjugation.”
“Really?!”
Ahmad’s face lit up. Subjugated to me, he had a red ‘Subordinate’ mark on his forehead. It was the mark of subjugation.
“I trust you now.”
Ahmad had faithfully carried out my orders until now. And since he had received the Demonic Wind Divine Art, he would prioritize my orders. Plus, Ahmad’s younger sister, Kasha, was my sex toy.
“Oh…! Thank you! Heavenly Demon!”
His reaction was a bit intense.
