2025-10-30 02:26:47The weather around the Blackfix Kingdom began to calm down, as if nature itself had settled after the new Demon King's coronation was complete. Some of the demons still gathered outside the altar thought that the King's anger had finally subsided.
Elvar was guided to his chambers to rest, escorted by several humanoid demon servants who walked silently through the dim stone corridors.
After arriving in front of a large double door made of solid black wood, the servants opened it and bowed respectfully. The room behind it was magnificent, incredibly spacious and dark, with thick velvet curtains hanging from the high ceiling, covering the large windows.
Elvar showed no signs of happiness. His form behind the mask remained calm, proud, and brave. He stepped with an erect and elegant posture into his room in front of the servants.
The door closed. After ensuring no other demons were watching and that he was completely alone, Elvar took off his mask. His face was now uncovered.
The next second, all the strength that had been supporting his body seemed to vanish. He fell onto the black silk-sheeted bed, showing just how mentally exhausted he was.
"This is crazy. This is really real," I muttered, looking at my own hands.Now that I've taken off this mask, look, my hands are shaking.
My legs feel so weak.
This is my real self, weak and cowardly.
Will I be able to sleep tonight?...
What will happen tomorrow?...
Whatever, let fate answer that. I need to rest my body. I'm really tired today.
Somehow, I actually managed to sleep that night. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
And you know what?...
When I slept, it wasn't a nightmare about demons that came, but a memory from my past.
The dream showed me at the campus library with my professor, Mr. Budi, who often gave me life advice.
He was a Business Management professor. Even though it wasn't directly related to my major, he was somewhat close to me.
In the dream, I was sitting next to him. He pointed towards the window, and outside, a skyscraper could be seen.
"If you were appointed to lead the company in that tall building, but its condition was deteriorating and it was about to go bankrupt, what would be the first thing you'd do?" my professor asked.
And honestly, back then, I had no idea what I should do. I couldn't answer his question because it was so far from my chosen major.
Of course, I answered, "I don't know."
"I don't care. It's impossible for me to lead a company that big," I muttered in the dream.
The professor's voice continued to echo. "Remember, if you inherit a company on the brink of collapse," Mr. Budi's voice said in my memory, "the first thing you must do is not panic. There are three steps: Analyze, evaluate, resolve."
"Who would leave me a bankrupt company? My parents are already gone," I grumbled again.
"Think of it this way, Elvar," his voice continued, as if he knew my exact situation. "'Analyze the problem' means gather information. Do market research! Information about your company's location, your competitors, and the office politics within your company."
"Then, 'evaluate your assets'. Know your company's resources. How many employees do you have? What are your fixed assets? What is your current financial situation?"
"Only after that, can you 'realize your solutions' and plan how to proceed. Or well, the other option… If you want to give up and let your company go bankrupt, just hide under your bed," the professor explained at length in the dream.
I woke up in a cold sweat.
The memory of a lecture I once considered useless suddenly felt incredibly relevant. What the professor said made sense.
…and if I could, I'd still want to choose to hide under my bed. But that's impossible here, or I'll die.
Okay, let's carefully examine what my professor explained in that dream.
Three steps: Analyze, evaluate, resolve.
'Analyze the problem', what does that mean?...
It means I need information. Information about what?...
Yes, about this kingdom and this world. You could say it's the 'market research' my professor mentioned.
So, what specific information should I look for?...
Information about the things that are making this kingdom fail.
...
Starting with… the Economy.
Let's make the questions first.
"Hmmm, what should I ask?...
Hold on, let me think…" I muttered to myself, pacing around the spacious room.
...
Not long after, I came up with some perfect questions.
...
Why is this kingdom poor?... What are our main sources of income?... Agriculture, mining, or is it just raiding?... Do we have any unique products or resources to sell?... Something that only the Blackfix Kingdom has?... What's our logistical situation?... Do we have safe trade routes, or does every merchant who leaves here immediately become a meal for Humans or other creatures?...Then what else besides the economy?...
The Military?...
Oh yeah, that's part of a kingdom's system. Let's come up with questions for that.
...
A while later… ...
They said this kingdom is considered the "weakest". Why?... What is the total number of combat-ready troops in this kingdom?... Hundreds? Thousands? Or is it just the Five Pillars?... Who was the main enemy that killed the previous Demon King?... How strong are they? What are their weaknesses?... What is the quality of our soldiers' weapons and training?... Do we have magic units, special forces, or is everyone just running on pure grit?...
...
Okay, what's next?...
A kingdom is like a country, right?...
Seems about the same... There must be politics... There are politics in manga too.
But a demon kingdom?...
It's probably the same, I'll think of the most fitting questions for this topic.
...
Are there other Demon Kings?... If so, what is our relationship with them?... Are we hostile, rivals, or just considered non-existent?... Why are demons in general treated cruelly by other races, especially humans?... What is the root cause of this "misunderstanding"?... Of course, I'm scared of demons myself... is it because we're scared of them?... But it doesn't seem like that here. Within this kingdom itself, besides the 5 Pillars who just swore their oaths, are there any other factions or noble families I need to be wary of?... Who is truly loyal, and who is just following along out of fear?... ...
Okay, okay, enough. My head feels like it's about to explode.
This is no longer market research for a college assignment; this is like managing a failed state from scratch. But at least now I have a clear list of questions.
The next step…
I can't find all this out by myself, I need someone who knows everything.
Someone who can be the "G****e" for this kingdom. I have to summon the one person who seems to have all the answers.
...
Valeria.
...
In the morning, I was already awake and couldn't sleep anymore.
Not because I couldn't sleep, but because I was afraid of the uncertain situation.
I'm a new king here, and I don't know who might not accept me. That thought kept running through my terrified mind.
Before leaving my room, I didn't forget to put on my mask. And right at the moment the Demon King's mask touched my face, a holographic notification panel appeared before me.
"Heh, what's this?" I muttered, startled. ... ... ... ...
-Notification -
Exclusive Mask...
User Skill Name: Mask Actor
Mask Type: Demon Lord...
Note: This mask has been used by its rightful owner for 1 day, with 270 years of the mask's soul experience. Power is derived from the legacy of the previous Demon King's body, absorbed as a vessel of experience, the absolute requirement for summoning a new Demon King.
...
- This notification will not appear again after you wear it for the second time. - ... ... ... ...
"Skill? Mask Actor? Demon Lord Mask Type?" I muttered, trying to process the information.
It's like in the comics, but what is this skill?...Mask Actor?...
So this is why I can imitate the nature of a Demon King and can't do things outside of a Demon King's true nature? Because I'm using this Demon King mask?...
I took off my mask, then put it back on. Just as it said, the notification didn't appear again.
I just realized, the first time I wore this mask, I was still on Earth. Maybe this is a world with high magic intensity.
Isekai?...
Wow, so this is really an isekai. ...
Okay guys, so now it's clear. My skill's name is Mask Actor. That means I can imitate the entire nature of the type of mask I use. I wonder, what other masks can I use?
Not long after Elvar tried to understand his skill's mechanics, a knock was heard on the door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Elvar opened the door. Valeria was standing there, and she immediately bowed respectfully before inviting him on a tour to introduce him to the kingdom's territory...
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Chapter 16: The Actor's Foundation
A goat with three horns was visible, similar to Elvar's horns. Only the shape of the other two horns, which were curled, differentiated Elvar's horns from the goat's.The goat leaped nimbly, crossing the molten lava river unaffected by its heat, and entered the forest towards the mountain peak, disappearing among the black rocks.I pointed towards the goat."Can that animal be eaten?" I asked Valeria."Of course it can, Lord. That is a Lava Goat Monster," Valeria answered. "It has thick skin and doesn't rely heavily on drinking a lot of water. That goat often eats leaves and grass."I frowned slightly behind my mask."Isn't there no grass on the mountain top?" I asked again, without diminishing my dignity."That's correct, Lord. The mountain peak is just a playground for those goats, and their habitat is on the border of the Human Continent," Valeria further explained. "They also often attack humans, so we don't hunt them very often in order to preserve them."So it's the same as thos
Chapter 25: The King's Blueprint
In the extreme realm, hot liquid flowed, forming a river path in the split of the volcano. The hot aura was palpable, but Elvar didn't feel it much due to the pain-dampening effect of his mask, making his body possess the same strength as the original Demon King's.On the long suspension bridge crossing that split, which connected to the castle, stood two Pillars and one esteemed being: Elvar the Demon King.Every explanation Elvar gave to Terrax was not understood by Terrax at all. Elvar felt he had to show the correct way and the correct technique in shaping a building so that it would proceed according to the plan.Now, what should I do so he can understand easily?Should I show him in the form of a drawing?Or show him directly at the site so he can immediately know how and what he needs to do later?... Okay, let's just do this, we'll go straight to the location.For the first time, Elvar went down himself to the settlement in those caves. Elvar asked for directions to get to the
Chapter 14: The Actor's Plan and the General's Short Circuit
A moment after Elvar finished trying on the mask, the looted mask from the dead merchant who had become food for his subordinates, Elvar immediately rested. He placed the new masks and books on the table beside his bed, then fell into a deep sleep.The morning atmosphere in the Blackfix Kingdom was no different from the night. The sky outside his large bedroom window remained a dark gray, shrouded in thick, sulfur-scented clouds. In the morning, Elvar woke up and began his routine: putting on the Demon King Mask, eating breakfast (wild boar meat again), and then continuing with the plan he would carry out today.Okay, breakfast is done. Now for an experiment.What would happen if I wore this merchant mask in front of them?... oh no no, that's very dangerous...Logically, my skill is Mask Actor. And if I use the merchant mask, then I'll just be myself and have good communication skills for trading.And most likely, the demonic aura from me will disappear 100% and I'll have no great pow
Chapter 13: Treasure and the Merchant's Mask
Inside the Green Forest, the atmosphere felt much different from the barren region around the palace. Here, on the border between the Human Continent and the Demon Continent, life felt more lush.There was a clear, though narrow, path, just wide enough for a single horse cart. Sunlight managed to pierce the dense canopy in some places, creating patches of light on the forest floor. The sound of birds chirping and a cool breeze blew, rustling the green leaves.In the middle of that path, the peaceful scene was ruined by a violent sight. A wooden cart was overturned, its contents spilled, and four human corpses lay scattered about."They all look dead," Elvar said calmly, gazing at the four lifeless humans.Two of them wore full armor, likely guards. One wore a mage's robe, and the other, who seemed to be a civilian, wore a simple leather mask."It's true, Lord," Grakthos explained as he approached the bodies. He sniffed the air. "This is where human bandits operate. They kill them crue
Chapter 12: Monsters, Magic, and a Mask
In the dense and dark forest, the silence shattered. The sounds of monster growls and the rustling of broken branches were clear. Heavy, rapid footsteps headed straight toward Elvar, Carmilla, and Grakthos.The environment around them felt increasingly oppressive. Giant black trees loomed like angry guards, and the thin mist hanging in the air limited their visibility.Carmilla reacted instantly, stepping forward to stand by Elvar's side. She prepared to cast a protection spell on Elvar and herself. In front of them, Grakthos was on alert, his large body a living shield. His sword remained on his back, but he was ready to attack.From Grakthos's direction, a two-headed wolf, up to two meters tall, leaped out from the shadows and roared. The eyes on both its heads glowed with a savage red.It was followed by a pack of other two-headed wolves with smaller bodies, but they looked extremely fast and agile.The howl from the larger wolf signaled that it was the leader, and it ordered its s
Chapter 11: Experiments & Expedition
In that magnificent room, the cold throne felt a bit more familiar now that I had sat on it for the second time. Valeria stood faithfully by Elvar side, ready to assist as Elvar personal assistant. After that rather tense meeting, I decided it was time to rest.I rose from my seat and excused myself to Valeria, saying I was returning to my room. I also told her to rest.After arriving back in my large, dark room, my mind immediately went back to work. I started thinking about how to control this skill of mine, Mask Actor. Especially, what triggers the activation of a skill inherited from this mask? Is it through a strong desire like earlier? A momentary wish? Or perhaps there's a specific command?"Alright," I muttered to myself, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Now I'll try activating my skills one by one."Let's try using a skill that seems less dangerous to my body first. The Aura of Destruction earlier was painful afterward, but at least it didn't instantly make me pass out like t
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