Chapter 3

Chapter 3
## Chapter 3: The Criterion of the Criterion

Even in this present moment, not much had shifted, but prior to my return in time, I was overflowing with a sense of superiority.

I was overconfident, to put it mildly.

If one wanted to be blunt, I was insufferable.

A combination of racial elitism, flowery accolades like being the most distinguished graduate in history, and the relentless adulation of those around me had sculpted me into that man.

It wasn’t merely a matter of empty ego, either. Among the other students, there wasn’t a single individual who could hold a candle to my abilities.

Even within the walls of the Demon King Academy, a place where only the most elite of our kind are permitted, I remained without an equal.

My entry into the institution was marked by brilliance, and my departure was nothing short of legendary.

Because of that, I viewed Aren—the most notorious and difficult dimension of them all—as nothing more than a shiny prize meant to validate my own greatness.

In fact, I convinced myself that Aren was the only destination worthy of my presence.

The realm assigned to someone as magnificent as I was had to be Aren; it was only logical.

Ignoring the cautious advice of a select few, I stubbornly made my descent into that world regardless. And, contrary to what many predicted, I actually managed to secure some early victories.

I surpassed the Demon Kings who were already stationed there, those who spent their days lurking in the shadows. That initial triumph solidified my conviction that I could subdue Aren and ascend to even greater heights.

That was until the reality set in: that cursed framework known as the Standard of the Demon King was designed to benefit the heroes, not the ones who ruled from the dark.

‘Just revisiting those memories makes me want to spit fire.’

Regardless, my past self had already navigated the complexities of Aren once before. That previous lifetime of experience served as an invaluable tool.

It was an advantage that ensured I wouldn’t blindly adhere to the established protocols this time around.

Equipped with that knowledge, I felt certain I could bring Aren to its knees.

However, it was clear that Gordon didn’t share my confidence.

“Aren?! Why on earth would you choose Aren?!”

Gordon clutched at his head in despair. Strands of hair, as elegant and fine as silk—the pride of any elf—fell to the ground in a tragic display.

“We have absolutely nothing! We are in a position where even the simplest assignment would be a struggle, and you pick the worst dimension in existence?!”

His distraught, watery eyes were a perfect mirror of how he looked in the past.

‘It will be a grueling path, but we have your lordship and myself. It is a challenge worth taking! No, Aren is the only place that truly ignites my passion!’

I recalled him being quite enthusiastic back then.

“I’m not going! Absolutely not! If you have a death wish, go find it on your own!”

What exactly had changed between then and now?

Quite a bit, actually.

To start, in the previous timeline, I was the golden boy. The star pupil whom everyone respected. Now? I was viewed as a radical delinquent who spat on traditional demon values.

Because of the ripples I’d caused, the perks I once enjoyed and the followers who used to scramble to join me had evaporated.

‘It makes sense that his reaction is different.’

Since I couldn’t exactly explain the concept of time regression to him, I had no choice but to rely on my authority.

“Perhaps you should stop pulling your hair out? It’s a pity to waste it like that.”

“Do you honestly think my hair is the priority right now?!”

My attempt at humor failed. Even more silver strands fluttered to the floor.

If I pushed him again and he continued to resist, would he end up entirely bald before we even started?

—

Despite Gordon’s vocal protests, the hour of our departure arrived.

The enraged Alcaine had effectively exiled me to Aren permanently, issuing a stern warning to everyone else to offer us zero assistance.

It was only natural that Gordon lost even more of his mane trying to plead with fellow demons to grant me a less lethal assignment.

The days bled into one another until the fated moment came. Standing before the swirling gateway were only Gordon and myself—perhaps the most pathetic departure ceremony in the history of the demon realm.

The sole bit of solace was that the Archduke himself, Alcaine, appeared to see us off. Though, his motivations were far from benevolent.

“Do not bother weeping or pleading for mercy now; there are no do-overs. You can spend eternity rotting in that wretched world.”

“I appreciate the warm sentiment. I’ll make sure to turn it into a thriving province before I return.”

“You certainly have the arrogance of a top-tier graduate. If you actually manage to achieve that, I will grant you any single favor you desire.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

I offered a smirk as Alcaine’s face grew increasingly twisted with irritation.

Grabbing the limp, defeated Gordon by his collar, I hauled him toward the portal.

And so, for the first time in our history, a Demon King accompanied by a solitary subordinate…

Stepped through the threshold between worlds.

—

Our arrival was signaled by a sudden onslaught of pristine white snow.

A biting chill began to seep into our skin, made worse by the dimension’s natural dampening of our power.

I let out a breath that turned to mist and shook the snowflakes from my hair.

“We landed exactly where I intended.”

“This location…?”

“The northern territories, nestled within the Erjest Mountains.”

It was a fortress created by nature, a place where humans dared not tread.

Creatures of all kinds swarmed the area, and the brutal climate was enough to keep the weak at bay.

That was the reason for this choice…

“We are going to construct the tower here.”

In a place where no one would think to look.

And even if they stumbled upon it, they wouldn’t have the courage to get close.

“That is a direct violation of the standard,” Gordon argued.

The primary directive: A Demon King must establish a tower within their designated territory.

The rule itself simply mandates the construction of a tower, but over the centuries, demons had added their own unofficial requirements.

Custom dictated choosing a location that was rugged and imposing—but still accessible enough for humans to eventually find.

“And your point is?”

“The standard is the sacred law of our people.”

“I’m the guy who turned the graduation ceremony into a riot. Do you honestly believe I care about following the rules?”

“…Have you truly discarded every ounce of your dignity as a Demon King?”

I made a dismissive sound at his growing look of horror.

I understood his perspective. A belief that runs that deep isn’t easily abandoned unless one experiences death—or something just as life-altering.

I chose not to respond.

Scanning the jagged peaks of the mountain range, I identified a hidden valley. Tucked away between towering summits, it was a spot that remained invisible unless one knew exactly where to search.

It was the ideal site for a stronghold.

“This is the place.”

“So, you’re not only building it in the middle of nowhere, but you intend to keep it hidden from the world?”

Gordon, who had been tracking my movements, spoke up once more.

“Is there a problem?”

“I have to stop you. It is my responsibility to correct a Demon King’s errors and provide proper guidance.”

“It is also your responsibility to follow the directives of your superior.”

I brushed his concerns aside and began digging into the frozen earth. I placed the tower seed that Alcaine had provided into the ground.

After covering it with dirt, I sliced my palm and allowed the blood to fall. As the thirsty soil drank the offering, I flooded the spot with my demonic energy.

A low, rhythmic pulse began to throb beneath us.

⚙ **SYSTEM NOTIFICATION** ⚙

[The tower acknowledges the master.] [Bloodline: Black Flame Demon Dragon Clan.] [Identity: Berge Dayas.]

The tower’s internal logic registered my presence. The seed, fueled by the blood and energy of its master, released its pent-up power in a violent surge.

*Ku-gu-gu-gu—*

The mountain itself seemed to groan. The atmosphere vibrated from the sheer weight of the demonic aura being released.

A massive, five-story monolith rose from the earth.

Its design was brutal and unrefined. It looked like a solid hunk of dark metal carved into a single, seamless block, devoid of any aesthetic flair.

It was a far cry from the twenty-story spire it had become by the end of my previous life, but looking at it now, I felt a strange sense of affection for its humble beginnings.

*Kiiiek—*

The heavy doors swung open. I walked inside, stepping onto the crimson carpet that unrolled to greet me.

I surveyed the vast, echoing silence of the interior.

In my past life, this hall was crowded with summoned monsters—perks of my academic success—and ambitious demons who wanted to ride my coattails. This time, there was only Gordon.

“Look around. This is the domain you will be overseeing from this point forward.”

“Is there actually anything here that requires overseeing?”

His tone was sharp and disrespectful. His constant complaining was starting to test my patience.

If he weren’t such a talented administrator who would handle the logistics of the tower—and if he hadn’t been the one loyal soul who stood by me until the very end in my last life—I probably would have knocked his teeth out by now.

“Calm down. Don’t elves value their ears more than anything else?”

“……”

Gordon went rigid, a slight tremor running through him. Regardless of my current reputation, I was still a Demon King—a peak predator of the demon realm.

Gordon looked up at me, still shaking.

“…I will remember that. And in my capacity as your temporary second-in-command, I will offer a piece of advice.”

“I’m listening.”

“Abduct a princess.”

“Give me a reason.”

“Kidnap a member of royalty and leave clear evidence of your identity. By doing so, you ensure that the fury and sorrow of an entire nation are directed at you. Those concentrated emotions will transform into high-quality demonic energy, accelerating your growth.”

Even in the grip of fear, he was determined to drag me back to the ‘correct’ path.

That stubbornness was Gordon’s greatest asset, but this time, his logic was flawed.

“Request denied.”

“The standard exists for a reason! It is the most efficient path! It has survived for ten millennia because it works!”

“That might be true for other worlds, but Aren is a different beast entirely.”

“What could possibly make Aren different from every other dimension we’ve conquered?”

“The fact that it hasn’t been conquered in a thousand years should be a clue.”

“But the First Demon Emperor established the standard to maximize energy collection!”

“That’s only half the story.”

After being manipulated by heroes and meeting my end, I had plenty of time to think.

Was I the outlier? Or was the system itself broken?

Had the standard evolved into a mechanism that served the heroes instead of us?

From the moment I graduated to the day I was sent here, I had spent my time digging through every obscure text in the demon archives.

The keepers of those records looked at me with pure disdain because of my reputation, but I forced my way through anyway.

And I found the truth.

I discovered the original intent of the First Demon Emperor when he created the standard.

And I realized why it had become a trap specifically within Aren.

“To understand the logic of the First Demon Emperor, you have to understand how we truly gather power.”

Demons thrive on the life force and the dark emotions of humans and other races.

The better the source and the higher the volume, the stronger we become.

“Every demon knows the basics.”

“Then tell me, what is the most effective way for an invading Demon King to obtain the highest quality of that energy?”

“Reputation.”

Whether it’s demons or humans, prestige comes from deeds.

For a Demon King, prestige is built by toppling empires and crushing their greatest enemies: the heroes.

The grander the kingdom.

The mightier the hero.

Annihilating the former and executing the latter is the fastest way to build a name.

“Killing a hundred mediocre heroes won’t impact the human psyche much. Destroying weaklings doesn’t prove a Demon King’s power.”

But what happens when you strike down a hero who is considered invincible?

“A truly powerful hero is more than just a person. They are a symbol of hope.”

“Which is exactly why we should stick to the standard! We need to cultivate those symbols.”

To build a legendary reputation, a Demon King needs a worthy adversary—but such figures are rare.

So the First Demon Emperor decided: If a hero doesn’t exist, we will make one. We will nurture them until they are ripe, and then we will consume them.

That was the origin of the rule that mandates aiding a hero’s journey.

It wasn’t just about the symbolism; the absolute despair felt when a ‘perfect’ hero is defeated provides an unmatched surge of energy. It was a perfect system.

“The strategy wasn’t flawed.”

The best of the best graduate from our Academy. Only a few are ever chosen to lead an invasion.

Those Demon Kings are inherently superior to humans. Even with the limitations imposed by the portal, the power gap is immense.

“Many worlds have fallen using that exact method. In most cases, the standard is correct.”

“Then why change it now?”

“Because Aren is an anomaly.”

There is one fundamental difference between Aren and every other world we’ve faced.

“Yes. Just one.”

It’s a minor detail on the surface, but it changes everything.

“Aren has an overabundance of heroes.”

In fact, ‘overabundance’ is an understatement.

“The place is crawling with them.”

That is why the dynamic had flipped.

When the environment shifts, the rules must shift with it—but to demons, the standard isn’t a rule; it’s a religion.

Because the Demon King’s standard became common knowledge, the heroes of this world began to exploit it.

The heroes created their own standard based on how they knew the Demon Kings would behave.

“So, I am going to turn their own expectations against them.”

I am going to play with those arrogant, ‘trash’ heroes who think they can easily manipulate a Demon King who follows the old ways.