Africa Leveling

So far, it's been exactly two months, twenty-six days, twelve hours, and fifty-one minutes since I was summoned to this lovely inferno. And I must say... I love it.

I chuckle, rubbing my hands together as I examine the latest specimen, a writhing combination of demon and what once might have been... I'm not really sure. Does it matter? The creature is perfection, an unholy fusion of teeth, horns, and claws. Though, it would be better if it actually survived the transition.

"Just a minor issue of compatibility," I mutter, adjusting my spectacles. "After all, who's ever been able to understand demon genetics completely? Certainly not the locals." I let out a laugh that echoes in the damp, dark stone chamber.

This world, oh, what a beautiful playground it's become! My mind is unshackled, free to explore every dark impulse, every experiment I've only dreamed of. And the demon lord? He encourages it! Not like those spineless cowards back on Earth who would've locked me up for half of what I've accomplished here.

For the briefest moment, I almost feel nostalgia—almost. But that feeling is quickly dismissed as I glance at my scalpel, glinting in the torchlight. It's been through so much with me in this world. I stroke it like an old friend.

"Did you miss me, my dear?" I coo to the blade. "I missed you too. But don't worry, we're about to work on something delicious."

First experiment here? Oh, what a catastrophe. The demon subjects weren't prepared for Earth's genetic splicing techniques. Imagine their flesh practically dissolving as I introduced the serum—still, it was a magnificent sight!

"It's all about trial and error, after all," I whisper to myself. "The errors make it fascinating."

The demons that assist me, if I can call them that, aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. Brutes, really. They grunt, they growl, they rarely understand what I'm doing. But they obey, and that's all that matters.

Today, I have a fresh specimen before me: a demon brute named Gorash. He's big, muscular, and blessed with an extraordinarily low intelligence. Perfect for what I need.

Oh, the things I'm about to do to you, Gorash.

I find myself laughing again, maniacal and uncontrollable. My assistants glance at me with unease, but I ignore them. They're already questioning my methods, but none would dare to stop me. I am, after all, under the protection of the demon lord himself.

"Bring me the bone saw," I instruct one of my assistants. They hesitate, and I feel my patience wearing thin. "Did you not hear me?"

With a nervous nod, the assistant scrambles to obey. Good. They're finally learning that hesitation only makes things worse.

Now, the demon lord... He's a curious one, isn't he? Allows me absolute freedom but watches from the shadows, always calculating. I wonder, does he trust me? Or does he see me as his pawn? But what he doesn't realize...

"Oh, you poor fools." My voice echoes as I continue my work. "I am no one's pawn. I am the scientist, the creator, the architect of monstrosities!"

The thought thrills me, fills me with purpose. I lean closer to my latest creation, a vial of green liquid pulsing with energy. I grin. This serum will either make Gorash indestructible... or melt his insides into a puddle of sludge.

"Drink up, Gorash," I say softly. "It's time to test your resilience."

The serum hits his system, and his body convulses, twitching and contorting. His veins bulge, skin turning a sickly shade of green, eyes rolling back into his head. He's fighting it—admirable. But will he survive?

Unlikely, I think. But then again, that's what makes this entertaining.

These demons, they have no imagination. They see only power, destruction, and conquest. They don't understand the true beauty of merging species, blending strengths, of taking a creature's essence and transforming it. But one day, oh yes, one day, they will see. And they will know that I was right.

I let my fingers trace over the spines of my test tubes, filled with swirling liquids and grotesque substances. Each one is a triumph, a step toward something greater.

The demon lord expects obedience, loyalty. But he doesn't realize that I'm using his resources, his people, his very empire to pursue my own ends. Does that make me a traitor? Hardly.

"Oh, and let's not forget the failures!" I exclaim, gesturing to the misshapen creatures kept in cages along the walls. Failed experiments, all of them. They hiss, snarl, and scratch at the bars, some with extra limbs, others with warped, malformed faces. Beautiful little nightmares.

"Such an ungrateful bunch, aren't they?" I sneer. "Do you not see? You are my masterpieces, my art! And you would be nothing without me."

I step closer to one cage, peering in at a creature with three glowing eyes and horns spiraling from its head. "You should be thanking me, you wretch. I gave you life beyond your limited, useless existence. And what do I get in return? Spite?"

Oh, but they will understand one day. One day, I'll perfect the process, and I'll have an army of creatures so loyal, so terrifying that even the demon lord will have no choice but to bow to me.

Two months in this world and I've already made progress they could only dream of on Earth. Why was I limited back there? Why did they fear my genius? But here…here, I am finally free! Free to test, to splice, to create chaos incarnate!

I take out a small notebook, flipping through sketches of new hybrid creatures. Tentacles, wings, claws—it's all there. My brain is alight with possibilities, and I struggle to keep my thoughts in order.

Of course, Liko, the demon lord's right hand, is growing suspicious. I see him watching me, his eyes narrow, his gaze calculating. He doesn't trust me—he thinks I'm dangerous. And he's right.

A grin spreads across my face as I consider Liko's fear. If only he knew what I have in store.

"Now, where was I? Ah yes, today's experiment," I say to myself. "A fusion of demon and serpent. Imagine the horror in the eyes of the humans when this thing slithers across the battlefield. Imagine the glory!"

I turn to my assistant, who holds the writhing serpent with barely concealed terror. "Hand it to me," I command.

With trembling hands, the assistant obeys. I smirk, holding the serpent up to the light, marveling at its sleek scales and venomous fangs. "Let's see how you handle demon blood, shall we?"

Two months, and I've barely scratched the surface of what's possible here. But that will change. Soon, the demon lord will see what true power looks like. And when that day comes... when I stand atop the pile of corpses, triumphant and laughing, he will know that he has been my pawn all along.

"Here's to science!" I toast, raising a vial to the air. I can feel my laughter bubbling up, unstoppable, maniacal, gleeful.

After all, what is life without a little madness?

Ah, the wonders of magic in this world... so unrefined, yet so full of potential, I muse to myself. The most recent experiments I conducted opened up entirely new possibilities, especially once I unlocked this delightful ability—a skill no one back on Earth would have dared to imagine.

Cloning! Yes, the ability to create copies of myself, each with half my original power but still potent enough to be... useful. Of course, the demon lord has no idea about this development. I've kept it hidden, a little ace up my sleeve for when the time comes.

I snap my fingers, and with a shimmer, two exact replicas of myself appear by my side. They're flawless—down to the sharp glint in their eyes and that charming smirk I've perfected. My clones give a slight bow, awaiting my command, and I can't help but revel in the thought of what they could accomplish.

"Welcome, gentlemen," I say to my copies, each of them smirking back at me in a manner that would be unsettling to anyone else. "You and I, we're going to do great things together. Imagine... we could be running multiple experiments simultaneously, overseeing entire labs of demon creations. Perhaps even staging a little rebellion, should the demon lord grow tiresome."

One of the clones chuckles—a sound that's eerily identical to my own. "They say genius is best when multiplied," he says, voice laced with pride.

True enough, I think, thrilled at the prospect. With these duplicates, I can bypass the limitations of time, effort, and resources. Each clone can conduct its own research, sabotage the rival factions, or even act as a spy within the demon lord's ranks.

"Now," I say, addressing them, "you will each report back to me with your findings and... discoveries. Keep a low profile for now. I don't want Liko or any of the other sycophants growing suspicious."

The clones nod, fading into the shadows of the chamber, off to enact my will across the demon lord's realm. My experiments can now continue on an entirely new scale.

What is it they say? Power corrupts, but absolute power... oh, it's just so much fun.