The Underworld's Seventh Layer, known among demons as the Crimson Bazaar, was a swirling storm of obsidian spires, lava rivers that sang opera in forgotten tongues, and floating auction platforms where ancient devils bartered souls like trading cards. The air reeked of sulfur, ambition, and the faint metallic tang of freshly signed blood contracts. Diablo stepped through the gate with the poise of a butler entering a slightly untidy drawing room. The orb of infinite pure destruction-and-creation energy pulsed gently in his gloved hand, casting a soft golden glow that made nearby lesser demons hiss and retreat as if it were holy water.
"My, my," Diablo murmured, adjusting his white gloves with perfect elegance. "The Underworld has not changed. Still so… dramatically unkempt. Lord Rimuru would disapprove of the décor."
Takumi's voice pinged cheerfully across the mental link, courtesy of Veldora's Skill Storage and live-feed monitoring. "Butler Bro! We've got eyes on you—Otaku Art Creation Techniques rendering a crystal-clear hologram back in the sanctum. Dragon Bro's calling it 'Underworld Watch Party.' Infinite energy feed is stable at 300%. Try not to recruit any edgelords who'd ruin the group chat vibe."
From the tenth-floor manga fortress, Veldora's deep, scholarly rumble followed, laced with wise amusement and the faint crinkle of turning pages. "Probability of Diablo securing three or more ancient demons of unyielding loyalty: 94.2%. Proceed with grace, loyal shadow. I remain here supplying the nation's infinite energy while conducting critical research on proper isekai power scaling. Takumi insists the next episode cannot be interrupted."
Ramiris, who had absolutely not been invited but had piggybacked through a tiny fairy-sized rift she'd secretly opened with her new [Ramiris Protocol], popped into existence on Diablo's shoulder like a glittery parrot. "Master Veldora! Your disciple Ramiris is here to assist! The Great Ramiris shall announce your infinite energy like a proper hype fairy! Look at this place—it's like a gacha hell but with more lava! Master, you should see this!"
Diablo didn't even flinch. He simply raised one finger and gently flicked her off his shoulder with a courteous energy barrier. Ramiris bounced away, giggling, then zipped back to hover at a respectful three-meter distance. "Fancy butler! You're no fun! But fine—I'll be your official commentator! Master Veldora is watching, so make it dramatic!"
Diablo's crimson eyes narrowed in polite calculation. The infinite energy orb hummed warmer in his palm, its creative force already threading subtle recruitment beacons into the surrounding ether. Demons of all ranks turned their heads, drawn like moths to a flame that promised true purpose instead of the usual power-grabs.
The first candidate approached on a throne of writhing shadows: a towering demoness with six obsidian wings and eyes like burning rubies. Lady Vespera, Duchess of Eternal Night, known for toppling three Demon Lord candidates in the last millennium. She regarded Diablo with a predator's smile. "A mere servant of the Slime Lord dares enter our realm with such… radiant trinkets? Speak your offer before I claim that pretty orb for myself."
Diablo bowed exactly fifteen degrees—the precise angle of respectful challenge. "Duchess Vespera. Your reputation precedes you like a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Lord Rimuru Tempest seeks not conquest, but family. Loyal subordinates who will protect his vision of monsters and humans coexisting in peace. With Master Veldora's infinite supply—" he lifted the orb, and golden threads of pure creation energy unfurled like silk ribbons "—I offer you not mere power, but purpose. A Skill Gift tailored to your essence."
Before she could retort, Veldora's voice boomed through the shared link for all to hear. "Hah! The duchess hesitates. Probability she joins within thirty seconds: 87%. Takumi, prepare the contract template with appropriate anime flair."
"On it, Dragon Bro. Adding glowing holographic signature lines and a 'Serve Rimuru or Regret It' watermark. Peak otaku contract design."
Ramiris zipped between them, striking a dramatic pose mid-air. "Master Veldora has spoken! Duchess lady, accept the gift or face the wrath of infinite ramen-fueled judgment! The Great Ramiris declares this a limited-time offer—first come, first served with fairy hype!"
Vespera's wings flared, but her eyes softened with genuine intrigue as the energy thread sank into her core. New data bloomed: [Vespera Covenant – Shadow Veil of Loyalty]. She tested it with a flick of her wrist—shadows coalesced into elegant defensive barriers that somehow smelled faintly of Tempest's cherry blossoms.
"…Intriguing," she murmured, a rare smile cracking her regal features. "A master who offers family instead of chains? Very well, servant. I accept. But only if this 'Rimuru' provides decent tea service."
Diablo's smile never wavered. "It shall be arranged. Welcome to the family, Lady Vespera."
The second recruit emerged from a lava fissure: a hulking brute named Gorgon the Unyielding, an ancient demon whose fists had once shattered mountain ranges. He slammed a fist into his palm, eyes gleaming with battle-lust. "Pretty words! I serve only strength! Show me this infinite power or I'll crush you where you stand, butler!"
Ramiris clapped her hands. "Ooh, big guy! Master Veldora, watch this! Your energy is about to make him a proper Tempest subordinate! Do the thing, Diablo!"
Diablo remained motionless, the picture of butler calm. "Strength without direction is merely noise, Lord Gorgon. Observe." He extended the orb. A focused beam of infinite destruction-and-creation energy lanced into the demon's chest, courtesy of Skill Duplication and Gifting. Gorgon roared as [Gorgon Protocol – Unbreakable Guardian] manifested—his body now reinforced with creation energy that healed faster than any wound, plus the ability to gift minor protective skills to allies.
Gorgon flexed, accidentally cracking the auction platform beneath him. "Hah! This power… it feels like serving something worth smashing for! The slime lord has my fists! But if he ever serves weak tea, I reserve the right to complain loudly."
From the sanctum, Veldora chuckled wisely. "Excellent. Probability of him becoming Shion's new sparring partner: 99%. Takumi, note the comedic potential—giant demon versus pink chef."
"Already saving the clip. 'When the tank class discovers onigiri.' Classic."
Ramiris zipped around Gorgon's head like an annoying mosquito with a microphone. "Master Veldora approves! You're now part of the family! Try not to step on the goblins—they're cute and zoomy!"
The third and final major recruit was the trickiest: a sly, silver-haired incubus named Lucian, master of illusions and information brokering, who lounged on a floating divan watching the proceedings with bored amusement. "Three recruits already? How quaint. But I deal in secrets, not loyalty. What could your slime possibly offer a demon who knows everything?"
Diablo's eyes gleamed with that rare, terrifying sincerity. He stepped closer, voice dropping to a velvet whisper. "Knowledge without heart is hollow, Lord Lucian. Master Veldora's infinite supply grants not just power, but connection. Join us, and you will never be alone in the shadows again."
The orb flared. Golden energy enveloped Lucian, weaving [Lucian Covenant – Veil of Eternal Truths]. Illusions sharpened into perfect reconnaissance tools; Skill Storage allowed him to archive and duplicate secrets for Tempest's benefit. His bored expression cracked into genuine surprise—and something softer.
"…Heh. A master worth spying for. Very well, butler. I'm in. But I expect front-row seats to whatever ridiculous festivals you people throw."
Ramiris cheered so loudly she created a small echo that made nearby auctioneers drop their gavels. "Yay! Master Veldora, your disciple helped recruit three super strong demons! The Great Ramiris demands a special thank-you floor when we get back—infinite cotton candy and mecha parades!"
Veldora's response was warm, rumbling with big-brother pride beneath the otaku layer. "Well done, all. The infinite energy flows true. Diablo, return swiftly. Your lord awaits his new family. Takumi and I shall prepare the welcome… after the episode concludes, naturally. Probability of successful integration: 100%."
"Hell yeah. I've already sketched their character portraits in anime style. Lucian gets the mysterious bishounen filter. Welcome aboard, new party members!"
Diablo bowed once more to his fresh recruits. "You three shall serve Lord Rimuru with the same devotion I do. No schemes. No betrayals. Only family." He opened the return gate, the infinite energy orb now dimmer but still humming steadily—its power shared freely across the new bonds.
Vespera, Gorgon, and Lucian stepped through without hesitation, the golden threads linking them back to Tempest like invisible lifelines. Ramiris zipped through last, blowing a raspberry at the closing portal. "Underworld sucks! Too much lava, not enough gacha! Master Veldora, we're home—prepare the hype!"
Back in the Beta Floor 101, the group emerged to a waiting Rimuru, Shion, Benimaru, and Milim. The new demons knelt in perfect unison, voices ringing with newfound loyalty.
"Duchess Vespera, at your service, Lord Rimuru."
"Gorgon the Unyielding—your shield and fist!"
"Lucian, your eyes in the dark. Secrets included."
Rimuru's slime form wobbled with quiet emotion, the brotherly link with Veldora pulsing stronger than ever. "Welcome to Tempest. You're home now."
Diablo stood at his side, posture impeccable, a faint satisfied smile on his lips. The recruitment had been elegant, efficient, and—thanks to Ramiris's uninvited commentary—hilariously memorable. The nation's shadows had just grown deeper, warmer, and infinitely more loyal.
From the sanctum, Veldora's final transmission carried scholarly warmth and shut-in satisfaction. "Another successful supply run. The shut-in dragon rests easy knowing his little brother's family expands. Takumi, next episode. The world can wait ten more minutes."
"You got it, Master Dragon Bro. Credits rolling on another epic chapter."
The Dungeon hummed with new energy—three powerful demons now woven into the fold, infinite creation flowing freely, and one very loud fairy queen already planning the "Welcome New Subordinates Gacha Extravaganza."
Tempest grew stronger, one refined, comedic, heartfelt step at a time.