Chapter 1 : My workplace collapsed 10 minutes after I got a job (1)

The Leprechaun Empire. A vast nation teeming with diverse beastkin and demons, peacefully ruled by its absolute monarch, the so-called Demon King, Beelzebub XII. A realm renowned throughout the worlds, and, not so proudly, the place of my birth.

Hey, what can I say? It’s all I’ve got to brag about.

Creak

A young boy with a youthful appearance emerged from a small cabin nestled within a lush forest. He stretched, basking in the warm sunlight.

“Hooo… Today’s the day…!”

Dante, a boy with white hair and golden eyes. Just Dante, no fancy titles. As previously mentioned, utterly average, with nothing to boast about—a quintessential commoner of the demon realm.

Well, if I had to pick one strength, though I’m not sure it qualifies as such…

“Keeeooo… I’m finally a contributing member of society…! Watch over me, Mom…!!”

Striking a dramatically pious Y-pose towards the heavens, Dante sniffled, remembering his deceased mother.

──Once his mental fortitude crumbled, he became utterly fearless.

A little, no, a lot.

First day on the job.

Today marked Dante’s first day as a handyman at the Demon King’s castle, a position he’d landed a week prior. The joy he felt upon receiving the acceptance letter was immeasurable.

Tap tap tap!

“Hee-hung ♪ Now I’m a big man ♫ Earning money ♫ No longer a jobless bum ♫”

“Yahoo!”

Leaping like a frog to the rhythm, Dante bounded down the winding mountain path. A mop strapped to his back, buckets and towels in each hand, cleaning potions and various brushes at his waist.

With swift and nimble steps, he arrived at the gates of the magnificent, jet-black castle. Grinning, he greeted the guards.

Minotaurs. One of the demon realm’s races, possessing the head of a bull and the body of a man. Known for their strength and endurance, they were a common sight in labor-intensive jobs. Like the guards standing before him.

“Hello, Mr. Gatekeeper!”

“Oh! You’re the one who came by a week ago…”

“Yes! I’m Dante. Starting work here today. Hehe…”

“Good for you! Come on in. Can’t be late on your first day!”

“Excuse me~”

Rumble.

The guards, with their powerful arms, swung open the grand castle gates. Dante bowed his head in thanks and dashed inside.

A smile stretched across his face, his heart pounding. Working at the Demon King’s castle was an honor for any demon realm resident. Even a handyman position was a source of pride for a commoner like Dante. After all, excluding slaves, commoners rarely had the chance to see the castle’s interior. Dante had dreamed of working here since he was a child.

‘Alright, my rosy handyman life begins now! Oh, Mom, I’ve finally achieved my dream! I’m so happy… I could die now without regrets!!’

“Kyaaaaaaaaak!!!!”

“Uwaaaaaaaaak!!!!!!”

“R-Run!!!?”

“We have to get out of here!!!”

“Run if you want to live!!!!”

Eardrum-shattering screams echoed from all directions. The castle’s inhabitants, consumed by despair and terror, fled in a chaotic scramble. The once vibrant and beautiful gardens were engulfed in flames, turning to black ash. Half of the magnificent and seemingly impenetrable Demon King’s castle lay in ruins, debris scattered everywhere. A scene of utter chaos, like the end of the world, unfolded before Dante’s eyes.

──All in the blink of an eye.

Clang! Crack…!

The buckets in his hands slipped, clattering to the ground. He’d said he’d die happy, but he hadn’t meant it literally.

“…….”

Dante stared blankly, eyes hollow, at the culprit behind this catastrophe—a colossal black dragon, its long body and tail coiled around the castle’s highest spire, crimson eyes gleaming menacingly.

Ten minutes into his new job, and he was already unemployed. He’d finally landed a job, the job he’d always dreamed of, and today had been perfect until the very place he was employed at decided to burn down.

‘What kind of messed-up situation is this?’

Standing there, dumbfounded, like a broken marionette, Dante finally snapped.

[──Family Ability Activated]

“…….Hoo…!”

Taking a deep breath, puffing out his chest, Dante bellowed, his voice loud enough to grab the dragon’s attention.

“Aaaaaaaaagh!!!!! Give me back my job, you damn lizard!!!!!!!!”

Dante’s mental state shattered into a million pieces.