Liquidation: From Big Boss to Bloody Demon Sauce Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Building Excitement

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As we finally approached the rocky, jagged foot of North Mountain, it became immediately evident that while this was no Everest or Kilimanjaro, it was quite imposing. It towered high above the tree line of the Dark Glade like a massive, dormant titan. Dark, oozing green moss covered most of the massive boulders strewn around the base haphazardly, giving the distinct impression that they had been violently discarded by a giant during a tantrum. A low, terrifying rumbling could be felt through the ground, similar to the sound of tectonic plates grinding against each other, followed by an occasional, massive whooshing sound from high above. "Is that the main entrance up there?" I asked Grimora, extending a tendril to point towards a massive, dark cavity that plunged deep into the face of the mountain. The troll named Snarl had nervously pointed it out earlier when we had interrogated him about the exact location of the high-yield treasure. "Yes. That is the vault. We should get moving, master,” she suggested, her deep, instinctual trepidation actively seeping into our magical connection. She didn't want to go in there. "We can call for a fifteen-minute break," I offered, knowing the uphill hike must have been magically exhausting for her to maintain her levitation. It wasn't exactly an easy journey for me either, but my fluid, Ether-based form didn't physically tire or build up lactic acid in the same biological sense as a body made of flesh and blood. I had no idea what it was like for a succubus. "No need. We must appear completely strong and unfazed in front of the local labor," she stated firmly, her corporate determination highly effective at stifling her obvious discomfort. "Very well," I agreed, deeply appreciating her administrative logic. It was still early in the fiscal day, and we had to cover quite some distance underground before sundown. If we wanted to maintain our monopoly on power, we could not afford to be seen as weak or hesitant in front of our newly acquired allies. "Just one more logistical question before we enter the cave system. Can they actually understand us when we speak?" I asked, suddenly wondering exactly how much of our private strategic conversation the trolls had been privy to over the last few hours. "They understand a highly rudimentary, broken version of the demonic tongue. It is very similar to our language, but even then, they comprehend it with extreme difficulty," Grimora responded after a moment’s careful consideration. "They understand tone and intent more than actual vocabulary." "Very well," I agreed, processing the massive wave of cowardly relief bleeding out of the trolls as they stared at the dark, terrifying cave entrance. They were hoping we would turn back. "Let's move out, then. The capital awaits." Despite her obvious fatigue, Grimora marched confidently towards the jagged mouth of the cave, the massive trolls following reluctantly at her heels like beaten dogs. The gaping black hole in the middle of the mountain loomed ahead, a dark promise of hidden assets and deadly mysteries. The air around us thickened with a sense of grim, heavy anticipation as we officially ventured into the absolute shadow of the mountain, leaving the vibrant, bloody red sky of the Dark Glade behind us. Standing directly in front of the monstrous cave entrance, it struck me how drastically, and absurdly my life had changed. Here I was, a literal blob of demonic fluids, acting as CEO, leading a gang of violent trolls into an unexplored, highly lethal cave, actively searching for treasure to pay rent to a dragon. All the while knowing with absolute mathematical certainty that violent death lurked at every single corner. I couldn't die permanently—or at least I didn't think I could based on demon biology—but that didn't mean that I couldn't suffer a hostile liquidation. Gnash had warned us. There were ancient creatures in the Dark Glade that were capable of mentally affecting someone. Hacking their operati