I Became the 1st Floor Boss of the Tower

'I, Zephyr, had been waiting for this day since the moment I was abandoned by Lee Shin.’

Zephyr clutched the magical devices in his arms and recalled the hardships of those days past.

‘What an irresponsible person…!’

Ever since Lee Shin had left Zephyr behind in the third district and moved on to the fourth, Zephyr's suffering began. The Demon World was all about the survival of the fittest. The weak perished, and the strong survived. Thanks to Lee Shin, Zephyr had quickly grown stronger by consuming the demon power of the commanding class devils, but ironically, that became a problem.

The third district was essentially a place for selecting devils who would serve as subordinates to the Great Devils in the fourth district. The Great Devils had no interest in the weak devils; but for the strong ones, it was inevitable for them to choose a master. They could not just wander around trying to avoid the Great Devils because there were direct subordinates of the Great Devils all over the third district.

These direct subordinates tried to scout the stronger devils whenever they met one, but if their offers were rejected, they would attempt to kill them. Therefore, to live independently, without choosing a faction, was impossible in this district.

‘But! But! But! Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t do it!’

Because of the contract he had made with Lee Shin, the damned human wizard, Zephyr could not make any contracts with any of the devils. Therefore, Zephyr had to reject all the offers he had received, thus becoming the target of every devil, who all feared that Zephyr might join another faction.

‘I won't let these damn devil brats get away with it. Why won’t they believe the words of their own kind?’

Even though Zephyr had clearly stated that he was incapable of making any contracts due to this wicked human who had deceived him, they did not believe him at all. Zephyr was frustrated to the point of despair, but there was nothing he could do. In the end, he became a fugitive in the third district, desperately fighting for his life.

Even though he had grown stronger by consuming the demon power, it was all meaningless because his strength was insignificant compared to the power of the Great Devils. Therefore, Zephyr lived every day with resentment toward Lee Shin and dreamed of the day when he could take revenge.

‘Using these magical devices with the curse of a devil…!’

Zephyr thought that the magical devices made by humans might not work on that monstrous human Lee Shin, but if they were made by the hands of the eccentric hextech mage of the Demon World, they would definitely work.

‘Do you even know how much I've suffered to obtain this! With this, I’ll beat up Lee Shin and break the contract with him!’

As he thought of breaking the contract and living the high life by making a new contract with a high-ranking devil, Zephyr’s trembling body began to calm down.

"You arrogant human! How dare you bring only one pet crocodile and one human slave!" Zephyr shouted, provoking them.

"What? Did you just call me a pet?" Jack shouted back as if he got offended.

"...And you called me a slave?" Laurent shouted back too.

Jack and Laurent frowned at Zephyr. Ignoring their reactions, Zephyr took out a magical device shaped like beads.

"I'm not the same as before, Lee Shin!" Zephyr shouted at Lee Shin.

The next moment, Zephyr simply threw the magical device toward where Lee Shin was standing.

"Hahahaha! If I were to describe this curse, it completely erases any moving energy, whether it's demon power, mana, or divine power—" Zephyr seemed thrilled to show off his new magical device.

Click! Bang—!

However, before Zephyr could even finish his sentence, there was suddenly a sound of a gunshot. The magical device that was flying through the air burst into pieces. Reflected in Zephyr's eyes, which were staring blankly at the scene, were fragments of beads that fell like beautiful jewels.

‘...Oh no, what was I thinking? M-my magical device!’

Staring at the shattered pieces of the beads, Zephyr dropped his head in despair.

"But how did this even happen…?” Zephyr muttered, as if he could not believe what was going on.

He looked toward the location where the sound of the gunshot came from. He saw, next to Lee Shin, a guy with sunglasses and a ponytail, holding a handgun.

"How dare that slave manage to destroy my magical device with such a low-grade weapon...?" Zephyr muttered.

If he knew it was so fragile, Zephyr would not have been so confident. Little did he expect that the magical device would shatter so easily, leaving him now with nothing but immense frustration.

"..." Zephyr's gaze shifted toward Lee Shin, who was standing next to Laurent.

He noticed that Lee Shin was smiling.

"Ughhh..." Zephyr gasped because he was sure that he had seen that demon-like smile in the past.

His body began to tremble uncontrollably as he saw Lee Shin’s smile. It felt like he was reliving his trauma.

"Come down over here," Lee Shin ordered.

When Lee Shin’s voice reached him, Zephyr’s wings started to move on their own. When he snapped back to reality, he suddenly realized that he was kneeling in front of Lee Shin.

***

"Who’s this guy?” Laurent chuckled as he looked at Zephyr, who was sprawled on the ground.

"He's the one I've been looking for," Lee Shin replied.

Lee Shin was wondering how impressive Zephyr’s preparations had been that he would come at them like this, but he had prepared such a shoddy magical device. Or, it could have been that Lee Shin had simply grown too strong recently.

"Oh, my dear Mr. Lee Shin! I have been waiting for you!" Zephyr changed his attitude toward Lee Shin immediately.

"Hmm… I thought I heard something like ‘a damn human wizard,’ didn’t I?” Lee Shin replied.

"Oh my! What a lunatic he must be! That definitely was not me. I didn't say that. Probably one of the demonic beasts was babbling such nonsense. I promise I'll teach them a lesson!" Zephyr said, trying to escape from the situation.

Judging by how shameless the devil in front of him was, Lee Shin was sure that he was Zephyr.

"Get up," Lee Shin ordered.

"Yes, yes, sir!" Zephyr replied.

"What’s up with those demonic beasts?" Lee Shin asked.

"Oh, those were the guys who used to follow the Behemoths. But after those Behemoths disappeared through the gate, I took advantage of the opportunity and snatched them," Zephyr explained. 𝘣𝑒𝑑𝑛𝘰𝑣𝘦𝘭.𝘤𝑜𝑚

As always, Zephyr had a sharp mind. Besides, that was probably why he was still alive in the third district.

"But I also heard that you were desperately looking for me..." Lee Shin muttered, looking at Zephyr.

"Oh… W-who spread such baseless rumors...?" Zephyr started to tremble in nervousness as if he was caught red-handed.

“Hmm… How come your name keeps coming up among the devil summoners…?” Lee Shin asked.

"Oh, oh I see! I was just reminiscing about the time when I served you Mr. Lee Shin! I longed to go back to those days… I mean…" Zephyr, who had been fervently making excuses, seemed to realize his mistake and clamped his mouth shut.

Then, he shivered visibly, perhaps after noticing Lee Shin’s smile.

"Oh, is that so? If that's what you've been wanting to do, things will work out nicely, because we actually needed a guide,” Lee Shin said.

"A guide? Is this guy even capable of that?" Jack, who had somehow slipped through the demonic beasts, asked.

"Yeah. Since he had been in the third district for a long time, he should know this place quite well," Lee Shin replied.

"O-okay! I will do that!” Zephyr replied.

Laurent flashed a glance at Zephyr and gripped his collar.

"You know Astaroth? Tell me where his commanding class devil is located!” Laurent shouted.

"He's in the east..." Zephyr replied.

"Lead the way," Laurent ordered.

"Y-yes, sir!" Zephyr replied.

Laurent, who did not manage to properly defeat the devil in Mayotte last time, glared at the back of Zephyr's head so hard he could burn a hole through it with his gaze. It seemed he was quite angry about letting the devil escape.

"Astaroth is mine," Lee Shin said.

"Do whatever you want. I only need to kill the one I didn’t manage to," Laurent replied.

"What should I do?" Jack asked.

"Jack, you stay in front and take care of any opponents coming our way," Lee Shin replied.

"So, you basically want me to be a shield up front. I got it," Jack replied.

Jack accepted Lee Shin’s request without a single complaint. He said that he was willing to fulfill any favor that Lee Shin asked, and he was keeping his promises.

***

Lee Shin and the group quickly moved to the east. Fortunately, the location where the gate had appeared was not far, and they could get there within a day.

“Mr. Gerek! The demonic beast corps is approaching!"

"What? Why are those bastards coming here?" Gerek, one of Astaroth’s subordinates, frowned as he looked at the group of demonic beasts that was sweeping through the city and approaching from a distance.

"Isn’t that... Zephyr over there?"

“What? Zephyr is here?" Gerek replied.

Gerek, who had taken away the binoculars from his subordinate, chuckled at the mention of Zephyr.

"Zephyr must have gone mad. After the Behemoths disappeared into the gate, that guy stole their underlings," Gerek said.

"What should we do now?"

"We need to capture and eliminate that lunatic Zephyr for real this time," Gerek replied.

Gerek's subordinates raised their weapons to face the approaching demonic beast corps. They had no intention of conceding defeat.

"Kahaha! Gerek, I've come for revenge this time!" Zephyr, who had broken through the city, laughed provocatively, taunting Gerek.

"I know you are crazy, but you are crazier than I thought. Do you seriously think you can beat us with these demonic beasts who used to act as the Behemoths’ lackeys? Hahaha.” Gerek started laughing at Zephyr.

"Kahaha! Gerek, you're foolish as always," Zephyr said.

"What did you just say?" Gerek shouted back.

"Do you think I would have come with just these guys to fight you?” Zephyr said.

Gerek furrowed his eyebrows at Zephyr's words and looked around. Soon, he could spot a few unfamiliar faces.

"...Please don't tell me you trust those humans…" Gerek muttered.

"How dare you say that! Watch your mouth! You scum!" Zephyr shouted.

"He's completely out of mind. Belu, kill those humans!" Gerek shouted.

"Yes sir!" Belu replied.

Belu, who had been standing beside Gerek, dashed toward the humans upon his command. However, the alligator human, who was standing close by, also charged forward, colliding with Belu.

"Get lost... Ugh!" Belu shouted.

Baam—!

Thud!

“Keugh…!” Belu groaned in pain.

Belu, who got punched by Jack, was sent flying and crashed into a wall, spitting blood. Gerek was surprised by the sight; he stared at Jack and then at Zephyr.

"So was it him who you were counting on?” Gerek asked Zephyr.

"What are you talking about?" Zephyr replied.

"I'll deal with him." Gerek cracked his neck and got ready to charge toward Jack.

Clang!

Bang!

Suddenly, a bullet came out of nowhere, hitting Gerek in the head. He fell backward in an instant.

"He’s quite loud and annoying," Laurent muttered.

The next moment, Laurent disassembled the sniper rifle and turned it into a pair of handguns. He then casually gunned down the dumbfounded devils who were standing near him.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

With every shot, a devil’s head fell backward. Jack followed Lee Shin’s orders and charged ahead, slaughtering every devil who came into his view. Meanwhile, Lee Shin simply walked behind him, without needing to use his mana because the enemies collapsed left and right.

"What... in the world… is up with you guys…" Gerek, who was bleeding profusely, struggled to get up.

When he finally got up, Zephyr, who had been floating in the air, smashed Gerek's head.

"Hey, he said you’re too noisy! Kehehe..." Unable to contain his laughter, Zephyr started consuming the surrounding demon power with all his might. "This feeling... It's so good, no matter when I experience it."

Swoosh—!

Lee Shin, annoyed by Zephyr's laughter, smacked him on the back of the head.

"Ouch! W-what was that for?” Zephyr asked.

"Don’t ask. Also, since you absorbed this guy’s power, you can do it, right? Connect to Astaroth’s domain," Lee Shin ordered.

"Alright, sir,” Zephyr replied.

When Zephyr mustered his concentration and extracted his demon power, a black gate appeared in front of them. Lee Shin instructed his group to enter the gate first, then he grabbed Zephyr.

"W-why are you doing this to me?" Zephyr asked Lee Shin, terrified.

"You need to come with us," Lee Shin said.

"Huh…?" Zephyr, who was under Lee Shin’s psychokinetic grip, looked confused.

Tossing Zephyr through the gate first, Lee Shin entered.

***

The landscape changed dramatically and became dark. The atmosphere was considerably heavier and more ominous; this sense of oppression could be felt most vividly in the appearance of the castle. Noticing the dense demon power in the environment, Lee Shin was certain that they had indeed arrived in the fourth district.

"This is the castle of Astaroth," Zephyr said.

When Lee Shin directed his mana toward the castle, it was clear that this belonged to a Great Devil because a powerful force emanated from within.

Click!

Loading his gun, Laurent’s combat preparations were complete. His eyes gleamed.

"Do you know Ronaz?" Laurent asked Zephyr.

"I don't know sir," Zephyr shook his head in response to Laurent's question.

"Tsk." Laurent clicked his tongue in disappointment.

The next moment, Jack, locking eyes with Laurent, stormed through the castle gate. The devils inside stared at them in surprise.

"Intruders!"

"Kill them all!"

It did not take that long to deal with the devils who were blocking the entrance.

"Kahaha, it's truly the castle of a Great Devil, isn't it? The demon powers of the gatekeepers are quite strong as well!" Zephyr was busy devouring the demon power of the devils they had just defeated.

Thud, thud, thud!

The next moment, the ground trembled as a colossal figure, heavily muscled, appeared behind the castle.

Laurent adjusted his sunglasses with his index finger. "Haha. You came here on your own," he said, and immediately infused mana into the bullets.

Keuoooo—

At the same time, a deafening roar echoed as a gigantic winged dragon landed on the spire of the castle, flapping its wings.

"How dare you cause trouble in my domain…!” Astaroth said after looking at what was going on.

Covered in snake-like scales, his left hand held the dragon's reins, while his right hand gripped a long spear. His face was grotesque, most certainly universally unattractive, and three pairs of black wings flapping on his back.

"Human! You dare to intrude into Astaroth’s domain? I'll give you some credit for your audacity alone!" Astaroth shouted at Lee Shin.

The yellow eyes of Astaroth stared squarely at Lee Shin.

‘The Great Devil of Negligence, Astaroth...'

Astaroth was the Great Devil who sat on the twenty-ninth throne. He was undoubtedly on a different level compared to the other devils they had encountered, like Sayr and Dantalion.

"Astaroth, I think you’re mistaken..." Lee Shin said.

All Astaroth would ever be was a devil stronger than those others.

"I’m mistaken?" Astaroth replied.

"Yes, because I did not come here for the sake of meeting someone like you,” Lee Shin replied.

[Summoning of the Grand Spirit]

Seven kinds of elemental energies swirled around, and the expressions of the surrounding devils began to stiffen.

"You're just a stepping stone for me to reach the fifth district." Lee Shin smirked.