[Volume 1: Campione]
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"I was sealed into a bottle and sunk to the ocean floor."
"In the first century, I swore that if anyone saved me, I would grant them a lifetime of wealth and glory."
"In the second century, I swore that if anyone saved me, I would give them all the treasures beneath the earth."
"In the third century, I swore that whoever saved me, I would grant them three wishes."
"Until the fourth century... I grew angry. Why wouldn't anyone set me free? Why must I bear sins that don't exist?"
"And so, I cursed madly—"
"And so, I swore—"
"If anyone sets me free..."
"Then I will surely kill them!"
"Mere mortal who dares to release me."
"You shall become my meal!"
Then, the terrifying and grotesque demon transformed into a cute loli with two delicate little horns on her head, baring her fangs and claws.
"Devour you~"
"Awoo~ Super fierce!"
"What a strange dream." Lucius rubbed his eyes, rolled over, and prepared to drift back into sleep.
He had dreamed of picking up a peculiar bottle, opening it, and releasing a demon from within.
That demon was just like the genie in The Fisherman and the Jinni, sealed in a bottle. At first, she hoped to be freed and repay her savior upon regaining her liberty.
But as time dragged on with no one coming to her rescue, her mindset gradually shifted.
In the end, she harbored resentment and wanted to devour the one who set her free!
Yes, "she"—that demon was an adorably cute little loli. But no matter how cute she appeared, Lucius had no desire to be eaten, as digestion would feel the same regardless.
Fortunately, perhaps due to spending too long in the seal, the demon's wits had dulled, and he had managed to trick her back into the bottle!
The dream ended there.
At that moment, a weak and listless voice came from the table beside the bed.
"Hey, are you ever going to let me out of this lousy bottle?"
On the table sat a yellowish-brown bottle with an antique design.
Its surface was etched with crude yet horrifying patterns in a simple, ancient style.
A storm demon with hundreds of dragon heads roared, its hundred arms raising divine thunder, causing the gods to flee in terror, transforming into various birds and beasts.
A three-headed demonic dragon howled to the heavens, battling a sword-wielding celestial god.
A seven-headed "beast" with ten horns on its head, crowned with an otherworldly diadem...
In the corners of the bottle, tiny, faded inscriptions resembled tightly bound iron chains at first glance.
The tin lid bore wedge-shaped script of uncertain age and origin, vaguely resembling early Hebrew letters he had once glanced at on a whim.
Though he couldn't read it, for some reason, a single glance stirred a feeling in his heart, as if he could guess its meaning.
[Remember this: Do not open this bottle.]
Without doubt, it was a warning.
But yesterday, what on earth had possessed him to try opening the bottle anyway?
Curiosity had played a part, perhaps.
But more than that, it stemmed from an inner pursuit of certain things.
Especially after realizing he was in what seemed like a dangerous otherworld.
In Lucius's mind, clinging to life was paramount.
Yet upon discovering he had arrived in another world—one with a high level of peril—he doubted he could survive without actively seeking power.
After all, he had seen a man dressed as a knight, claiming to belong to the "Copper-Black Cross."
That meant this was the world from the story he had once read, the world of Campione?
Heretic Gods descending to wreak havoc, Campione ravaging the land...
Rather than living like an ordinary person in this world—ignorant and oblivious, only to perish in some "accidental" disaster like a falling meteor or a sudden typhoon—he preferred to die on the path to pursuing power.
Thus, he naturally turned his attention to the bottle that had appeared in his hand after crossing into this otherworld. After all, it was the first "anomaly" He had encountered.
Moreover, he suspected the bottle wasn't native to this world but something that had traveled with him during the crossing.
The demon inside, when speaking of this world's Heretic Gods, always carried a tone of mockery.
So, even with the warning inscribed on the bottle, he resolved to try.
Release the demon in the bottle and hope to gain power from her.
Unfortunately, it had failed.
Good thing the demon, fresh out of the bottle, was in a witless state; otherwise, he would probably have been digested by now.
"I said, let me out already." A pitiful voice came from the side, once again from the bottle sealing the demon. "Being stuck in this bottle is really uncomfortable."
"Oh, I know." Lucius nodded lightly.
"Whimper, whimper, the bottle is so scary, not a single ray of light."
"Let me out, please. I've been trapped in this bottle for who knows how many years, with no one to talk to. I'm so lonely."
"Let me out..."
"If you let me out, I'll ensure you enjoy wealth and glory for life." The demon's voice carried a sob, and just from the sound, Lucius could picture the loli demon huddled in a corner, hugging her knees, tears streaming down her face, begging pitifully.
"That was my oath in the first century of being trapped in the bottle. If you let me out now, I'll definitely make it happen! Trust me!"
"Oh, I trust you." Lucius glanced at the bottle sealing the demon, blinked, and showed a tempted expression.
"In that case, hurry and let me ou—" The loli demon's voice rose in delighted surprise.
Lucius reached out and grabbed the bottle in his hand.
Then, he showed a hint of hesitation.
"Trust me! I'll keep my promise! Whimper, whimper~"
"I do trust you, of course." Lucius tossed the bottle lightly in his hand, his expression somewhat conflicted.
"But..."
"I seem to prefer the terms you offered in your third century."
Lucius said, revealing a slightly shy smile.
"A lifetime of wealth and glory is nice, but it pales compared to three wishes from a great demon like you."
"So, I'll wait until you've been sealed back in the bottle for another third century before letting you out."
"Thus, to gain your freedom..."
"Be patient and wait another two centuries!"
The activity in the bottle stilled for a moment.
The next instant.
"FUCK YOU BASTARD BITCH ASS!"
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