Read Will I End Up As a Hero or a Demon King (WN) Chapter 335 online for free

Chapter 335

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Chapter 335 – New Item Arrivals and Monster Command

Hmmm.

This batch of purchases has three duds and maybe five good ones.

As I think this, I line up each book on the bookshelf in my secret base.

Ordering the books by the titles that catch my interest first is one way to do it, I suppose. But this unpredictable “book gacha” feeling is kind of like a game, and I don’t dislike it.

“Monster Encyclopedia, Volume 1”

Ril started reading this book enthusiastically, but got bored with it almost immediately.

Since it’s only volume 1, it mostly lists weak monsters, so I guess her reaction was understandable.

For me, though, just learning that F-rank monsters exist makes this a definite win.

The content feels closer to a Hunter Guild manual than to something pulled from the “Source Books.” It strongly gives the impression that the information was gathered by the creators themselves through direct observation and combat.

“What Are Rare Ores?”

This book simply selects ores with low production volumes based on their rarity.

It doesn’t consider whether they can be repurposed for equipment, so it’s more likely to be preferred by specialists in that field. Still, it wasn’t entirely useless; it contained some intriguing content.

“Levitating Stone” — This fantasy-like ore immediately catches the eye and apparently existed in ancient times. Dreamers are apparently still out there somewhere, attempting to excavate it.

Incidentally, the “too-dark ore” that absorbs light isn’t mentioned at all.

It’s not because of rarity; it’s probably because it’s been confirmed that this ore simply doesn’t exist in this world.

“Don’t Send Cute Kids on Journeys”

A dud.

It’s a book aimed at nobles that preaches the outside world is full of dangers and that children shouldn’t be sent out lightly.

But Feeril was staring at it intently. Creepy.

“The Great Achievements of the Philoines Family.”

Also a dud.

It looks like a book compiling some nobles’ accomplishments, but I bet they wrote it themselves. Are you Takuya, the hero?

“Skill Level Verification: Processing Edition.”

It’s probably a hit.

Similar to the “Agriculture Edition” I acquired before, this book verifies your abilities at each skill level.

However, since it’s job-related, the content is mundane.

It’s like a reference book for specialists, so it would probably be useful for people aiming for a specific profession.

The “Guide to Magic Chanting”

It covers the standardized chants that produce the same effects for everyone up to level five for the eight basic attributes. I think it could serve as a textbook if you join an organization like the Court Mages.

However, as I expected, the chants are ridiculously long.

I can’t imagine using them in combat, so the only useful parts are the effects that each elemental magic produces and the names of the key spells.

I’d like to borrow the cool-looking ones for inspiration.

“How to Style a Cool Beard”

I almost burned the first book I bought.

“The Mysteries of the Wooden People”

This book focuses on the “Wooden People,” one of the rare races that supposedly exist in this world.

It was an interesting read.

Though they are a long-lived species, only males can live out their lives within humanity’s framework.

Once a female conceives, she transforms from human into a great tree, breathing human life into the earth to protect it.

The book is written in such a way that it piqued my interest even more because it doesn’t fit any fantasy elements I know.

Apparently, there was a time when they coexisted with the elf race. The problem is that I have no idea if they still exist today.

As for the “Gemstone Encyclopedia” that I won at auction—not from the old lady—it was a real gemstone encyclopedia, which was fine.

Now, what to do?

I finished checking the books, and it was late at night.

I thought I’d leave the verification for tomorrow, but yeah, that won’t work.

There’s no way I can sleep like this.

(Just a little… just a little…)

I opened the status screen and checked the new “tab” that I had opened many times before.

Knowledge from books is important, but knowledge gained in the field is important too, so I flew to the hunting grounds in northern Lagreath for the first time in a long time.

▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

The location is in the depths of nostalgia, a place even relic hunters don’t venture.

I glanced at the mountains behind me, conscious of being someone’s pet, as I began the experiment.

“First, since it’s Level 5, I need to find a C-rank one.”

The skill I’m testing is the one I obtained from Barche, of course.

Monster Command Lv5: Allows domination of targets that meet specific conditions. Maximum possession cost: 500. Magic Power Consumption: 30 (only when actively used).

At first, I thought, “Is that all?” But then I noticed the word “cost.”

I nodded to myself when I noticed the tab and realized, “Ah, so it’s like a cousin to Slave Magic.”

However, since the description lacks the word “compulsory,” it isn’t as detailed.

You must select a target whose rank is equal to or below your skill level.

To command a single target, you must pay a cost corresponding to its rank.

To command them, you must weaken the target to a certain level and gain their consent.

With these three conditions met, touch the target, channel your magic power into them, and mentally recite “Command” to activate the skill.

Methods for cancellation are explained separately. This is all the tab contains regarding how to command them.

Beyond that, there is a table showing the relationship between cost and rank. While it was surprising to see G-rank animals included, the logic became clear upon looking at the table.

Skill Level 1: G・・・Cost 1

Skill Level 2: F・・・Cost 2

Skill Level 3: E・・・Cost 3

Skill Level 4: D・・・Cost 5

Skill Level 5: C・・・Cost 10

Since I’m currently at Skill Level 5, only this much is displayed. Beyond that, it’s about combining them within a limited cost.

“Oh, I found a good one!”

While flying around the forest, searching for C-rank monsters, I finally spotted a rare Goblin General.

As usual, it immediately charges toward me with intimidation upon seeing me, so I grab a nearby stick, jump, and lightly whack it on the head.

“Gwaah!”

But it just bares its fangs and gets angrier.

I still don’t quite understand the process described in the explanation: weaken the monster and gain its consent.

Barche just punched it barehanded, so maybe I need to hit harder.

I watched that guy punch Bayblizzard repeatedly from afar and get it to obey easily.

No matter how many times I hit it, though, its monster-specific rage mode didn’t change, and I was soon gasping for breath.

At this rate, one or two more punches would likely finish it off.

“G… Gah!”

In this battered state, there’s no point in dominating it. But I did get Level 1 Power Control from Barche, so maybe it has some meaning. Hm?”

No, no. I was fixated on this skill, but the important part is something else.

While looking at the skill announcements obtained from Barche, I noticed that the skill acquisition announcements started playing after Monster Command was unlocked, though I think that was coincidental.

Normally, it would just proceed to skill acquisition. That means the prerequisite for another skill acquisition was met just before.

(That skill was definitely—)

Besides this one, the only other skills I got from Barche were Animal Training and Beast Speech Comprehension.

Then it’s not such a difficult problem.

―Beast Speech Comprehension―

“I’ll absolutely, bloody kill you!”

“Whoa! The Goblin General spoke!”

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!

Come to think of it, I might have acquired this skill in Guinier, but I mistakenly thought it was always active and had completely forgotten about it.

Beast Speech Comprehension Lv5: Understand the speech of animals and monsters, enabling communication. Magic Power Consumption: 0

Looking closely at the skill details, I just realized the catch—unlike Different Language Comprehension, this isn’t a “permanently active” skill! But whatever, no big deal.

I’m about to become a monster tamer!

“So, I’m going to command you, okay?”

“Shut up and die!”

“Huh? No, I was just thinking about commanding you…”

“You bastard! After beating me this badly, you want to command me now?!

“Huh?”

An unexpected “beat it too much” problem erupts!

It’s not agreeing at all. Honestly, this skill is surprisingly tricky to gauge.

“Um, how do I get you to serve me, then?”

When I ask that, it clicks its tongue and answers me.

“Tch… Since you’re stronger than I am, I guess I have no choice but to become your servant. But first, give me food.”

“Huh?”

“Food, and then heal these wounds.”

“…”

Why is this guy acting so high and mighty?

Since this is my first time commanding a monster, though, I need to be polite and figure out how this works.

Maybe this is the “etiquette” for commanding a monster.

“H-here you go.”

I handed over some meat that I had stored to keep it from rotting. This was another first for me.

I tried using Healing Magic on the monster, a method that would be taboo in an RPG, and surprisingly, its blood-soaked face healed smoothly.

“Huh, it works on monsters, too? That’s surprising. I guess it makes sense, though, since even monsters can use healing magic.”

“Eh? Ah, no, well, I-I-I mean, I’m okay with just the magic stone.”

“Hmm? Oh, magic stone, magic stone, right?”

Ah, I see. So that’s how it is.

That explains why Hans-san was feeding something to the injured Lokish before. It must have been a magic stone, too.

Even non-advanced species that aren’t growing can heal their wounds by eating magic stones. Hmm, it’s a monster-specific rule. This is actually pretty educational.

“Well, I healed you and gave you meat, though you didn’t eat any of it. I gave it to you anyway. Will you serve me now?”

“That. Of course. Grateful… I’m grateful…”

“This suddenly feels kinda creepy… Oh well, whatever. Alright then, there we go.”

(I want you under my command!)

“…!”

“Whoa! So you can sense it worked? What is this weird feeling?”

I checked the Monster Command tab on my status screen, and sure enough, Goblin General was listed. Beside it was “Cost 10,” showing the current consumption cost.

But that was all. There was no HP bar or any indication of its location.

The game leans heavily into mechanics, so it’s not surprising that such details aren’t shown.

But then, how did Hans-san manage to rush to Lokish’s aid?

That question remains unanswered.

Could it be related to skill level?

Hans-san’s Monster Command is almost certainly level 10.

Since some skills unlock new functions when you level up, it’s possible that higher levels reveal more information.

Perhaps, like earlier, the user gains an indescribable sense that lets them understand “what’s happening.”

(If Zeo doesn’t know, maybe Feeril does. Asking Hans-san is probably the quickest way.)

He’d probably tell me if I asked.

That makes heading south even more compelling.

(Well, we’ll see.)

It’s not like I need that information urgently right now.

At some point in the future, when Quad-san and the others open a shop, it’d be nice to have a monster like this to guard the shop and them. For now, though, there’s no particular situation where I absolutely need this kind of monster.

Still, it feels weird to just “release” it here. Since it’s my first monster companion, I’ll bring it back with me.

“All right, let’s head home for now.”

“H-home!? That’s… Well. But first, there are two things I absolutely must ask.”

“Hm?”

“First, I need a name. I want a name.”

“Oh, a name. Hmm, ‘General’ would be easier to understand than ‘Goblin.’ All right, Gen! Let’s go with Gen!”

“What a blessing! Such happiness! Also, there’s something else that’s been bothering me terribly since earlier.”

“Yeah.”

“Master… could you possibly be… the Demon King?”

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