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 23: The Merchant's Lie
In the distance, a small village named Dril Village was visible, located right on the border of the Human Continent. The village looked simple, surrounded by a pointed wooden fence that was weathered in several parts. Several plumes of smoke rose from stone chimneys, indicating life within.The footpath they had taken from the Green Forest now turned into a hardened, muddy dirt road, clearly often used by carts. The inspection process at the border of the Human Continent was very strict to avoid undesirable things by the kingdom.The two guards standing at the simple wooden gate stopped Elvar and Carmilla. Their leather armor looked worn and scratched in many places, and their spears were held with a weary vigilance.At the same time, Elvar was told to show his human identification and show the face behind his mask.Regarding the face, I don't really mind, because my real face is still human.But what about identification?Perhaps I'll use my real name? And in the Demon Kingdom, I'll u
Chapter 22: The Merchant's Disguise
The atmosphere in the dining hall, previously warm from the fireplace, had become extremely tense. The fire in the large hearth seemed to dim, and the air felt heavy.An aura of anger was visible from the two demon women arguing about Elvar's departure to the human world.The conflict began with Carmilla wanting to come with Elvar to the human continent no matter what. It was then worsened by Valeria, who did not accept Carmilla's action of refusing the King's order, which was disrespectful.This is really troublesome for me. But I don't want any commotion in this palace, especially over something trivial like this.So now I have to find a solution to this problem.First, I have to ask Carmilla what she will do if she comes with me. And ask Valeria if she will allow Carmilla to come with me.Elvar, sitting on his throne at the end of the table, finally spoke up. His calm voice (thanks to the mask) cut through the tension."If you come with me to the human world, what will you do? Can y
Chapter 21: A Delayed Departure
After training Grakthos, Elvar returned to his room to rest.That night, the pain in his regenerated arm had subsided, replaced by a satisfying weariness. In his large, silent chamber, he felt immensely relieved knowing the mask he wore could assist his every move in combat.Elvar could use combat skills. Every movement was the result of his own body adapting to the mask's power.He realized the "Mask" didn't just give him the role of a King, but also the instincts of a fighter. His human body only needed to follow where the mask guided it.Furthermore, Elvar was someone who easily understood anything logical to him. Every obstacle and problem he faced, he could easily find a solution for and resolve with a cool head.And it was clear, day after day he lived, he received pain from the backlash of the mask's skills, as well as the pain from training.That "Burden of Pain" now felt like an annoying old friend. Elvar was no longer a crybaby who would call for his mother whenever he felt p
Chapter 20: Observe and Predict
On the vast training field, a blazing red aura was visible within Grakthos's body. He unleashed all his aura of anger at Elvar for not defeating him outright. He challenged Elvar to use his 100% power.At the same time, Grakthos rethought and dismissed his anger towards Elvar. "Why should I be angry when I can't defeat him even when he's only using 20% power?". He then muttered again, "If I have to fight him at 100% power, it would be impossible for me to win. And the real purpose of this is to train me so I can defeat him, not to ask him to use his full power and humiliate me. The king's mind is truly great."Elvar stood calmly on the other side of the arena, his robe fluttering gently."I don't need to unleash my full abilities if you can't even defeat me at 20% of my power," Elvar replied to Grakthos's challenge to unleash his 100% power."You're right, Lord. That is why I will unleash my full abilities!" Grakthos said. He stomped his foot, making the stone floor tremble. "So forgiv
Chapter 19: A (Serious) Practice
At the perfect moment, Elvar's human body was truly discovered, but from a different perspective by Nyx.Nyx would remain obedient to Elvar and wanted Elvar to remain king. As long as Elvar's performance was good and had a positive impact on the kingdom, Nyx would always be on his side.It was an advantage for Elvar to have someone who knew about his current life, even if it was with a different viewpoint.However, the thing Elvar needed to be wary of was that he truly had to devote himself to the kingdom and bring prosperity to his people. Elvar was no longer just a randomly chosen king, but a king that Nyx wanted, even after his human form was known.You know, I was actually in a complete panic when Nyx found me without the mask, helpless and covered in blood.I don't know what happened, but luck always seems to be on my side.But I know I can't always rely on luck to survive here.By now, Nyx has already taken her leave to continue her patrol, a daily routine she often does to maint
Chapter 18: The Assassin's Misunderstanding
A few moments before Elvar collapsed, bleeding out on his chamber floor, Nyx was in her element. She was a shadow within shadows, gliding silently along the dim corridor outside the King's room on her routine patrol.Suddenly, from nothingness, a black-red aura materialized right in front of her. Elvar appeared, his body enveloped in the 20% Aura of Destruction from his 10-meter Shadow Step test.The King, clearly unaware of Nyx's presence in her shadow form, just stood silently for a moment before turning and re-entering his room, assuming the corridor was empty.Nyx's suspicion, which had existed since the incident in the dining hall where Elvar refused to remove his mask, now peaked. She slipped into Elvar's room, merging with the thick shadows in the dark corners of the room's ceiling.She watched Elvar lock the door and remove the mask. As she had suspected, the face behind it was indeed human-shaped. However, what happened next made Nyx, the Head Assassin, truly shocked.Elvar, i
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