"Ughhhh…!"
A deep groan escapes my mouth as my consciousness drags itself back from the abyss. My eyelids peel open like rusty doors, revealing...
An enormous, pin, ancient room.
Everything aches. My neck, my back, even my eyeshes feel sore. It’s like my body hasn’t moved for… years.
"Hmm…?" My right hand brushes against something cold and rough... stone?
Wait...
Why does my hand feel… bigger?
I turn my head and immediately jolt upright.
I am lying inside a giant stone coffin.
A coffin.
MY coffin.
Before I can scream, a loud chime echoes through the chamber.
[Announcement: Awaken! The Demon Lord has finally awakened!]
Then...
PAAAA-PAPAPAPAAA!!
A trumpet fanfare bsts through the hall, but the tune is painfully off-key, like a dying goose trying its best.
[Announcement: Opening Ceremony. Welcoming the 7th Generation of the Demon Lord!]
“What opening?! Who’s opening WHAT?!” I shout.
D—Demon…
Lord…?!
Before I can panic further...
"Opening the door!" someone yells outside.
The ancient doors sm open and a chaotic mob of demons marches in, complete with a mismatched marching band:
– a drum twice the size of its pyer
– a trumpet demon wheezing
– some demon children in mismatched uniforms
Every species imaginable crowds the room, horned demons, fluffy demons, lizard ones and all of them completely unorganized.
"W-wha…?!" I gasp.
"Demon Lord!!"
"You’re finally awake!"
"We've been waiting for you!"
"Move over, I can’t see the new Demon Lord!"
They swarm like excited fans at a concert… except I am NOT the idol here.
"E-Excuse me…? What is this?” I manage to ask.
The room explodes again.
“Looks less charming than the 6th Demon Lord…”
“No, no, maybe it’s the lighting.”
“Or maybe he hasn’t fully awakened his demonic aura yet!”
Then someone gracefully steps forward.
She is beautiful, curvy, long pink curls, sparkly eyes, dressed like a fantasy magazine model. She kneels dramatically.
“Greetings, my Lord. I am Charmie! The Demon Lord's PR and Consultant...”
[System Loading…]
[Initializing Vassals…]
[Acquired New Vassal: Charmie, Vassal of Lust]
[Charmie Affection +1]
Vassal...?
Of... Lust...?
What...?
“Wait...!”
My nose tingles.
Ah…
Ah…
ACHOOOO!!
[System Loading…]
[Initializing Skills…]
[Acquired New Demon Lord Skill!]
[Skill Name: ACHOOOO!!]
[ACHOOOO!! Skill Activated!]
My body started shining...
No...!
Glowing!
I was sparkling so brightly it felt like I was accidentally auditioning for a magical girl demon transformation sequence.
“Huh?!” I blink.
Every demon stares at me like they just witnessed a miracle. A magical scene.
Children eyes start sparkling. Adults gasp. Someone faints.
Then...
[Transforming...]
[Announcement: Demon Lord successfully transformed into a female!]
“What—WHAT?!” I scream.
My voice is higher. Softer.
I turn to a nearby mirror…
A young female demon stares back.
Long white hair…
Red eyes...
Pretty face…
Two tiny red horns perched on my head like cute fashion accessories, except they were very real, and apparently the universe’s way of saying, 'Congrats, you’re a demon now!'
Even my clothes instantly changed into a dress, like the world had already decided I was committing to this.
The demons burst into cheers.
“So BEAUTIFUL!”
“Behold the divine form!”
“Truly the chosen one of prophecy!”
“HELLO?! EXCUSE ME? EXPLAIN??” I shout, raising my hand.
They all instantly shut up.
Like touching a mute button.
“Are we… in some kind of Halloween event?” I smile nervously.
They murmur,
“What’s a Halloween?”
“The new Demon Lord is funny…”
“Maybe humans invented it… they invent everything…”
My nose tingles again.
Oh no.
AH...
ACHOOOO!!
[ACHOOOO!! Skill Activated!]
My body started shining brightly again... Great, here comes the discount magical-girl transformation.
[Transforming...]
[Announcement: Demon Lord successfully transformed into a male!]
Huh?! MALE?!!
I whip my head to the mirror,
AND I’M A MALE... AGAIN...
“What is happening in this world?!” I shout.
The demons celebrate as if this is a festival.
“That’s the 7th Demon Lord’s legendary ability!”
“Magical!”
“Rumored to bring peace between demons and humans!”
They all nod solemnly.
“As expected of the Demon Lord,” Charmie said proudly, “to master one of your legendary skills so quickly.”
…I stared at her, seriously questioning whether that was sarcasm, because all I did was sneeze.
Charmie steps forward again with a proud smile. “My Lord… the humans are advanced and cruel… we demons are poor and suffering… so we prayed your legendary skill would save and protect us.”
“…By switching my gender every time I sneeze?!”
...
She nods.
…
I stare at her.
She sparkles proudly.
I am doomed...
...
God… I want to sneeze again.
ACHOOOO!!
