The ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM
Chapter 55: DEMON KING’S DAUGHTER

Chapter 55: DEMON KING’S DAUGHTER

Chen Yu stood before the towering Demon King, gaze steady despite the oppressive aura weighing down on him like a mountain.

Then, he took a deep breath and spoke.

"I believe there’s someone—or something—manipulating all of us. Humans, demons, and spiritual beasts. They want us to fight... to tear each other apart. And they’re waiting for the moment when all three realms are thrown into chaos."

The Demon King leaned forward, interest flickering in his molten eyes. His deep voice echoed in the throne room. "Kid, do you remember what I said earlier? About killing a human a hundred years ago?"

Chen Yu gave a small nod.

"That man... he came here, just like you. To convince me. To warn me. And yes, you’re thinking correctly." The king’s voice grew colder, heavier. "Every hundred years, Earth merges with our realm and that of the beasts. This will be the tenth time it’s happened in my lifetime. I’ve lived for nearly a thousand years... and seen this cycle repeat nine times before."

Chen Yu’s eyes narrowed. "You’ve seen the same pattern, again and again."

"Exactly. But here’s what makes you different."

The Demon King rose from his throne, his shadow stretching long across the chamber.

"The last human who came... he arrived after the walls between worlds had already collapsed. The damage had been done. Chaos was already spreading. But you... you’ve come before the walls fall."

He pointed a clawed finger toward Chen Yu, a faint smirk forming on his lips.

"That means fate is moving differently this time. That means you are different."

Chen Yu stayed silent, absorbing the weight of those words.

The Demon King nodded once. "You have my attention, human. I’ll listen. If your plan holds merit... I’ll support you."

Chen Yu inhaled deeply, then stepped forward, his tone calm and composed. "What I need isn’t a full-scale alliance yet. Not now. I want to gather key individuals—humans, demons, and beasts alike—who are willing to resist the coming chaos. Small groups, operating outside the system. Quietly. Efficiently."

The Demon King narrowed his eyes slightly. "You seek balance... before war erupts."

"Yes. If we prepare early, we’ll be ready when the barrier falls. I’ll shoulder the risk of uniting the others. But I’ll need a few strong allies in the shadows—ones no one expects."

The throne room fell silent for a long moment.

Then came the Demon King’s deep chuckle.

"Very well, Chen Yu. You’ve piqued my interest. Speak your plan in full."

Chen Yu stepped forward, his expression grave. "Demon King... there’s something else. Something you need to know before we go any further."

The Demon King tilted his head, curious. "Speak."

"I have a special class. And this—this isn’t my first time living this life."

For a moment, silence gripped the throne room like a noose.

Chen Yu continued, voice steady. "This is my second life. I retained all my memories from the previous timeline. And in that life... the Demon Race won."

The Demon King’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.

"I was one of the last surviving humans," Chen Yu said. "Barely made it out alive. Most of my people... were wiped out. The demons ruled. But then something strange happened."

The Demon King didn’t speak. His killing intent had subtly risen—but not enough to act.

"You, Demon King... after winning, you began talking about ascending. Not once, but repeatedly. You said your victory here was only the beginning—that you could sense a higher realm waiting. And then, the very next day... you were found dead. No signs of a struggle. No battle. You just—died."

The Demon King’s expression twisted. "Huh. Human, do you think you can toss such stories into my court and walk out alive?"

A cold wind swept across the throne room.

But then, the Demon King’s voice softened. "Still... I can see through lies. You’re not deceiving me. Which means... there is something strange behind all this."

His gaze turned thoughtful, almost pained.

"If what you say is true, then this cycle—these convergences—they are being manipulated from a place far beyond our current understanding."

"I believe so," Chen Yu said. "And I need help to stop it before it happens again."

The Demon King was silent for a moment, then finally spoke.

"I will support you. But under one condition."

Chen Yu straightened. "Name it."

"Find my daughter."

Chen Yu blinked. "Your daughter?"

The Demon King’s gaze turned distant. "A year ago, I temporarily stepped down from the throne. There were powerful enemies moving in the shadows, and I left the planet to confront them. In my absence... she took the throne in my place. But when I returned... she had vanished."

He clenched his fist tightly, crimson energy sparking between his claws.

"She was the Demon Queen. Young, but powerful. I fear she didn’t disappear on her own. If you find her—if you bring her back to me—then I will grant you my full support."

Chen Yu nodded solemnly. "Can you tell me more about her? Anything that might help me find her."

"She’s short," the Demon King said, a faint shadow of warmth entering his voice. "Still an infant by our standards, but already a ranked SR. Her most distinct trait—her crimson-red eyes. As brilliant and terrifying as blood on fire."

Crimson-red eyes...

Chen Yu’s expression shifted.

A figure came to mind—small, fierce, and cold. The one who had attacked him during the challenges... the one trapped in the System’s trials...

The one he’d made a contract with.

His heart raced. Slowly, he raised his palm and activated a stream of familiar energy—dark, violent, and tinged with royal demonic authority.

The throne room trembled as the power radiated out. And the Demon King’s eyes widened.

"That energy...!"

Chen Yu nodded. "Is this her aura?"

The Demon King shot to his feet, fury and desperation in his voice. "Yes! That’s hers! You bastard human—where is she?!"

The temperature in the room dropped. Infernal fire lit behind the Demon King’s eyes as he prepared to strike.

"Calm down!" Chen Yu shouted, holding his ground. "She’s alive!"

The words cut through the tension like a blade.

"She was trapped inside one of the System’s challenges. Bound in an endless loop of combat and pain. But I defeated her, not to destroy her—but to save her. I formed a contract with her, freed her from the system’s grasp. She’s been living in my mansion, under protection, in the human realm."

The Demon King’s breath came in ragged growls.

"...She’s safe?" he whispered. "You’re certain?"

"I give you my word," Chen Yu said. "She’s safe. She’s recovering. And she’s not alone. I treated her as an equal, not a prisoner. She chose to fight by my side—willingly."

The silence that followed was suffocating. The Demon King slowly sat back down, his hands trembling.

"Then... she’s alive," he muttered. "All this time..."

He looked up at Chen Yu, his voice softer than it had ever been.

"Human... no, Chen Yu. You’ve done something I could never repay. You’ve saved my daughter."

A moment passed.

"Then from this moment forward... I, King Ash’tar of the Demon Realm, vow to stand behind you. When the walls fall, and the true enemy rises... you shall not fight alone."

Chen Yu looked the Demon King in the eyes, unwavering. "I trust that you will keep your people in check. I don’t want senseless slaughter—whether it’s humans, demons, or beasts. We’ve all suffered enough. If the real enemy wants war, then the best way to fight back is by uniting."

The Demon King nodded slowly. "You have my word. The demon race will not raise their blades unless provoked. I will keep them in line."

"I’m heading to the Beast Continent next," Chen Yu continued. "If I can convince them too... if the three realms stand together, we can break this cycle. I want to see what the one behind the System does when we don’t dance to his tune. Will he attack us directly? Or will he be forced to reveal himself?"

"Hmph." The Demon King grunted, a dark glimmer in his eyes. "Interesting strategy. Unpredictable. I like that."

Chen Yu gave a nod. "When I return, I’ll bring your daughter with me. You have my word. You deserve to meet her again."

The Demon King’s expression softened ever so slightly. "Good. I’ll be waiting."

Chen Yu turned and began walking toward the massive obsidian doors of the throne room. The demonic guards along the path didn’t move. Not a single one dared to block his way now.

As the doors opened and the light from outside poured in, the Demon King spoke again, his deep voice echoing behind him.

"Go, Chen Yu. And know this—if you are sincere in your path, the Demon Race will stand with you."

Chen Yu nodded without looking back. "Then I’ll see you soon—with your daughter by my side."

And with that, he stepped into the crimson-hued skies of the Demon Realm and vanished into the distance.

Inside the throne room, after Chen Yu’s departure...

The Demon King sat in silence, staring at the space Chen Yu had just walked through.

He tapped his fingers on the stone armrest, a rare look of contemplation on his face.

"...Ambitious. Clever. Strong," he muttered to himself.

He leaned back on his throne, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"If he’s really the one to break this cycle... if I can ascend because of him... then it’ll be worth every gamble."

A small smirk played on his lips.

"And if he truly continues to grow, dares to stand against the System itself, and proves himself worthy—then I won’t hesitate..."

His voice lowered, almost amused.

"...I’ll gladly make him my son-in-law."