Lysandra smiled crookedly upon hearing Lilith's words, crossing her arms over her chest. "It's simple. From the very beginning, the Heroes were thrown into this world as beings possessing 'souls,' which gives them a gargantuan social advantage. They don't have to build everything from scratch in caves. If a Hero-player was lucky enough, they could take over the body of someone who already held a position: a general, a powerful mage, or even a member of a royal family. From the first second, they could command armies and authority."
Kala nodded, adding to the explanation: "Currently, the native inhabitants of this world do not know that skill stones can be obtained from Heroes. They see them only as saviors. It is only natural, then, that the human kingdoms immediately establish cooperation with them to join forces and wipe us out - the greatest threat - before we grow in power."
Mina, still hovering close to Lilith, added quietly: "And let's not forget that a Hero can hide. They can take over the body of an ordinary townsman, and no one will ever know who they truly are until they drive a knife into our backs."
Lilith let out a trembling breath. She felt that this world was infinitely more complicated and ruthless than she had initially assumed. She thought it would be a simple strategy game, a battle of good versus evil, but the truth was far darker.
So this isn't some cliché little demon game... she thought, clenching her fists.
With trembling fingers, Lilith summoned the translucent global chat window. The stream of messages raced at a dizzying speed, each subsequent line of text dripping with pure desperation or disbelief.
"Fuck! They tracked me down in less than an hour. How is it possible they appeared so fast?! I haven't even had a chance to put up a decent wall yet. This game's design is unfair!!"
"Shocking! My neighboring territory just fell. It turns out the captain of a famous mercenary company stationed nearby was actually a Hero and was just waiting for the protection to lift!"
"The situation is hopeless. They are in a much better position. Do not draw attention to yourselves under any circumstances until you develop your armies and factions! We must stay quiet!"
"What's there to fear? I just killed three losers who thought I was easy prey! The drop was epic!"
Lilith closed the window, feeling the weight of those words. The contrast between the two factions was drastic and brutal.
Demon Kings were intruders - beings that physically materialized in this world "out of nowhere." They had to start from level one, building their territory from the raw roots, often in inhospitable wilderness. At the start of the game, if their bloodline wasn't exceptionally strong, their faction's strength was pathetic. They had to keep a low profile, accumulating power in the shadows and staying out of sight until they became capable of challenging the entire world.
Heroes, on the other hand, were the ultimate parasites - souls that took over existing vessels. Because of this, from the first second, they enjoyed a network of social connections, resources, and the trust of the native population. They could immediately integrate into cities, command knights, and utilize infrastructure that had been built over centuries.
"This isn't a fair start," Lilith whispered, looking at her three succubi. "We have to tear every inch of land from nature, while they simply inherit kingdoms."
Lysandra, seeing the gravity on her Lady's face, added: "That is exactly why the fact that we defeated this group is so significant. They had the starting advantage, but we have something they will never understand: pure, primal determination to survive and infinite potential."
Lilith nodded. She understood that this game was not about honorable combat, but a ruthless arms race. If she didn't want to become another statistic in the morning death report, she had to stop thinking like a victim and start building a power that would make even the princes of empires feel fear at the mere sound of her name.
It was no wonder the chat window was ablaze with insults and complaints. For many Demon Kings who landed in the middle of hostile territories, this world seemed like one giant, unfair trap. However, Lilith, analyzing the situation coldly, began to see the other side of the coin.
Though the Heroes had the advantage at the start, the Demon Kings possessed something far more valuable: unlimited potential.
Unlike humans, whose development was limited by social frameworks and natural racial barriers, a Demon King was an evolutionary entity. If given enough time and resources, they could single-handedly become a cataclysm capable of challenging the entire world. Their power had no ceiling - every soul harvested, every building erected, and every new skill acquired made them the foundation of a new era.
Looking at today's statistics, the number of Heroes still drastically outnumbered the Demon Kings, but those "privileged" ones, like princes or generals, constituted only a fraction of the whole.
The vast majority of Heroes were figures like Korgath - ambitious, but starting in the bodies of weak monsters or ordinary peasants. They, much like Lilith, had no choice: they had to kill and risk their lives to gain even a shred of experience. They weren't protected by castle walls or royal guards.
Moreover, the game system, while brutal, was not entirely devoid of logic. Most Demon Kings - including Lilith - had been "dropped" into extremely remote, wild, and uninhabited areas. Within a radius of hundreds of kilometers from their altars, there were no traces of human civilization, only impenetrable forests, swamps, or mountains.
"Aside from those unfortunates who had the bad luck to materialize next to an imperial capital..." Lilith muttered, closing the interface, "most of us are safe for now."
The Valley of Eternal Darkness was her fortress. Though today's attack by the five goblin-Heroes was a painful lesson, it also showed one thing: if even the weakest race could produce such "champions," then she - possessing the blood of a Primordial Succubus - had a path before her that led straight to the top.
"Let them enjoy their titles and castles," she said quietly to Lysandra, looking at the dying embers of the fight. "We are building something here that will outlast them all."
The battle for the Valley had come to an end, but the great war for the survival of the species was only just gaining momentum. Lilith felt that with every passing second, she was becoming a part of this world - not as a victim, but as a player who had just won her first, crucial match.
Lysandra slowly nodded, and her face, until now focused and analytical, contorted into an icy, predatory smile. The glow of the dying fires reflected in her eyes, giving them an almost blood-red hue.
"Lilith," she began softly, her voice cutting through the night silence like sharpened steel. "I think the time has come for our move. Since those pathetic heroes thought they could violate the borders of your domain with impunity, we should show them how deeply they were mistaken."
The succubus squared her shoulders proudly, gesturing toward the thicket of the Darkness Woods, behind which lay the trails leading to the goblin settlements.
"It is time to visit that wretched village," she continued with undisguised satisfaction. "They must understand what the wrath of a Mighty Demon King means. Let them learn that their 'heroes' were not saviors, but merely the first victims to feed your throne with their souls."
Lilith, listening to these words, felt the remnants of human hesitation finally dissolve in her veins, giving way to cold, demonic determination. She looked at her talons, still shimmering with Korgath's blood, and then shifted her gaze to Lysandra.
Her lips curved into an identical, cold smile. There was no longer any fear of this world in her; there was only a desire for retribution and a need to manifest her new power.
"You're right," Lilith replied, her voice now ringing with an authority that brooked no dissent. "Let them see their new Mistress."