Alric stared at the System's notification window, feeling utterly exhausted.
[Ding! Congratulations on completing the first step toward becoming a Creator God. The System's "Self-Destruction" sequence will begin shortly.]
Alric: "…"
"Oy! Can you not explode for once?" he shouted mentally at the System.
[Ding! If you worked diligently, I wouldn't have to resort to such measures. But since you're far too lazy… I'm sorry, this is the only way.]
Alric held his forehead in despair. "Is being lazy a sin now?"
[Ding! Laziness itself is not a sin. However, since I'm now linked to you, your laziness directly affects me.]
"Then why don't you just find another host?"
[Ding! I would love to. But to do that, you'd need to die first.]
Alric fell silent.
[Ding! Please choose between developing your Territory or developing a Dungeon.]
"System, I choose neither. Can't you just leave me alone? I'm just an ordinary guy who wants to relax and enjoy life."
[Ding! Detected user unwilling to continue using the System.
Activating 'Self-Destruction' protocol.
All matter within a 100-kilometer radius centered on the Host will be reduced to ashes.
Countdown begins.
10…
9…
8…]
"Wait! Stop! Stop! Let me think! I'll choose!" Alric yelled in panic, commanding the System to halt.
[Ding! 'Self-Destruction' temporarily paused. You have five minutes to decide. Countdown resuming.
4:59…
4:58…]
Alric exhaled deeply. "System, show me the details of both development options."
[Territory Development: You must grow your town into the greatest Empire in the world—one that will make all kingdoms and factions kneel before you.
Upgrade Requirements: Population count, territorial expansion, racial diversity, economic power, and the number of vassal kingdoms.]
[Dungeon Development: You may create a Dungeon in any form you desire and nurture its growth. Dungeon development has no fixed goals—the System will issue dynamic missions based on real-time conditions.
Upgrade Requirements: Number of entrants, return rate of explorers, and the emotional impact your Dungeon leaves on them, among other factors.]
Alric studied the two translucent screens floating before him in silence.
After a long moment, he communicated mentally: "I choose Dungeon Development."
[Ding! Are you certain of your choice?
If you select Territory Development, your ultimate goal will be to create the greatest Empire in existence.
However, choosing Dungeon Development means there will be no limits.
The path ahead may take ten years… twenty… a hundred… or even longer.]
"I won't change my choice."
[Ding! System transformation in progress…]
[Ding! System transformation successful. Current configuration: 'Dungeon Construction System'.]
[Ding! You have unlocked new System features: Omniversal Sandbox, Universal Construction, Energy Tower, Monster Design, and more.]
Alric felt a headache coming on as countless new functions appeared before his eyes. He didn't even bother reading them—he simply closed the interface altogether.
He took off his crown and tossed it casually into a corner as if it were something worthless, then collapsed onto the long cushioned seat inside the carriage.
He didn't sleep. He just stared blankly at the ceiling, asking the System in his mind:
"Oy… why did you choose me? There are plenty of better people out there—so why me?"
[Ding! It was random. I didn't want to choose you either. I thought you'd be like the others—full of ambition after being Isekai'd.
Most people dream of becoming rulers of their new world, or gods, or heroes.
They all have grand dreams. But you? You just want to be lazy and enjoy life.]
Though the System's voice was mechanical and emotionless, Alric could still feel the disappointment behind it.
He sighed. "System, that is my dream. Try working 12 to 16 hours a day, barely eating or sleeping. Then you'll understand how realistic my dream actually is."
[Ding! But you were Isekai'd—and you're the youngest son of the Demon King. Don't tell me all you want is to lie around and turn into a useless lump of flesh?]
"Your missions are too hard," Alric grumbled. "Whether it's building a Dungeon or developing a Territory, both are a pain in the ass."
[Ding! Stop whining. I've already provided plenty of assistance. If you fail to complete missions on time, I'll just reactivate the 'Self-Destruction' mode.
Even if I lose several core functions after you die, at least I'll get to find a more competent host.]
Alric: "…"
[Ding! Main Quest: Within one year, construct a Dungeon and achieve 100 'Check-Ins' from Adventurers, Heroes, or Awakened Ones.
Note: If the System detects any form of cheating, punishment will be enforced.
Reward: Based on your completion progress, appropriate rewards will be distributed.
Penalty: Failure will result in immediate activation of 'Self-Destruction'.]
Alric: "…"
Then, once again, the mechanical chime sounded.
[Ding! Would you like to reconsider your choice?]
Alric shook his head inwardly. "No need. Developing a territory sounds far too troublesome. Besides, managing one means dealing with all sorts of dangers—especially war."
"I can barely take care of myself. How the hell am I supposed to take care of an entire population?"
"Exactly," Alric said, nodding lazily. "That's why I think building a Dungeon is better. It's like running an amusement park—people pay if they want to come in and play."
System: […]
[Ding! I've determined that you are the laziest Isekai protagonist in recorded history.]
"Hehehe…" Alric chuckled softly, then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The System let out what sounded like a mechanical sigh before fading away, leaving only silence behind.
Ravenna, sitting opposite him, watched as Alric sprawled out across the carriage seat, breathing evenly in his sleep, and sighed quietly.
She walked over to him, gently straightening his wrinkled clothes before pulling her cloak over his body to keep him warm.
Her movements were tender—like a devoted wife caring for her husband—filled with quiet affection and restraint.
When she was done, she raised her gloved hand, as if to brush his face… but upon noticing the black gloves that hid her skin, she stopped midway.
After a brief pause, Ravenna lowered her hand again, a faint sadness flickering across her eyes.
…
The carriage traveled for an entire day.
By late afternoon, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, they finally arrived at the town Alric had purchased—Blackleaf Town.
Ravenna gently woke Alric, whose face showed the same lazy fatigue as always.
She stepped down from the carriage first, then extended her hand toward him. "Careful—the road here is muddy. You'll ruin your shoes."
The way Ravenna fussed over him, anyone would think he was the delicate noblewoman and she the dignified nobleman.
Alric, of course, made no effort to protest. Being chivalrous sounded like too much work.
Besides, ever since they'd left the Demon Realm and come to the Human World, Ravenna had always treated him this way. He was long used to it.
As Alric stepped down, his foot never actually touched the muddy ground—because a faint gust of wind lifted him about five inches above it.
"Hm?" Alric raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ravenna in mild confusion.
Ravenna explained softly, "You are a Demon King, after all. I can't allow the mud to stain your shoes."
He didn't reply. His eyes drifted down to her boots—already covered in mud—and even a few splatters had reached her cloak.
Noticing his gaze, Ravenna quickly said, "It's fine. I'm already ugly. A little more won't make a difference."
Alric could only let her do as she pleased. This wasn't the first time.
He had tried to stop her before, but her stubbornness always won—and honestly, he was too lazy to argue with her about it anymore.
"You're not using magic on yourself?" Alric asked curiously.
Ravenna shook her head. "No need. If I used this spell for both of us, it would consume too much energy."
Alric fell silent again.
"You should be more concerned about yourself," Ravenna continued. "You need to think about how to make use of this broken-down town."
As she spoke, she glanced around.
The word broken-down didn't even begin to describe it.
The place looked like… a dump.