Re:Crafting in Another World
Chapter 135: Djinn of Darkness

Chapter 135: Djinn of Darkness

Shennong stood still, the pieces of the puzzle finally aligning in his mind. His gaze settled on Romina, and a faint, knowing smile crept onto his lips. "So... you are the princess," he murmured, the image of the king’s face flashing in his memory. It all made sense now.

Romina flinched, her lips quivering. Tears welled in her eyes. "I... I didn’t mean to lie."

Shennong stepped forward, voice gentle but firm. "Well, you didn’t tell me the full story either."

Romina clenched her fists. "Because I was afraid! If anyone knew I survived—!"

Mandira exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "This is more than problematic. She was supposed to be dead. Everyone believed she died in that fire at the royal mansion because of her...contract with a spirit."

"It wasn’t a fire!" Romina snapped, her voice cracking. "It was an assassination! They made it look like an accident!"

Her voice echoed in the chamber. Everyone froze.

Mandira’s brows furrowed. "What?"

Romina trembled. "It wasn’t an accident... They set that fire to kill us. I saw them. They even smiled as they walked away."

Silence stretched thick in the room. Even the ever-cheerful Velara was quiet.

"Enough," Shennong said, voice steady. "Now’s not the time for this. We’ll talk later."

He turned to Mandira. "Check Yenissa’s wound first."

Mandira nodded reluctantly. As she approached the bed where Yenissa lay resting, her gaze passed over the orc woman and the succubi still standing like eerie statues around them. She muttered under her breath, "I can’t believe you have that kind of creature with you."

Yenissa’s eyes opened slowly, and despite her weakness, she met Mandira’s eyes with quiet power.

"She could be my equal in battle," Mandira said grudgingly. "If I wasn’t holding back."

Shennong chuckled dryly. "Mandira, you wouldn’t survive a battle with her."

Mandira turned her head sharply. "Oh? And why is that?"

"Because I’d be supporting her," he said simply.

Mandira stared at him. "...Is she that important to you?"

Shennong shook his head. "No. She’s more than that."

Mandira fell silent.

Shenong slowly pulled away part of the bandage from her shoulder. The wound was still oozing—a thick, black liquid pulsing like it was alive. Mandira grimaced at the sight.

Mandira studied the wound closely. Her golden eyes narrowed. "This... I’ve seen this before."

Shennong raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Mandira’s voice dropped. "Our father. Before he went insane... black liquid oozed from his eyes."

Everyone went still.

Shennong frowned. "Yenissa got this wound from Juno’s sword."

Mandira’s eyes widened. She stepped back, stunned. "So... the same thing that caused this wound might have driven the late king my father mad."

"Probably," Shennong nodded. "And whatever it is... it might be the same thing controlling the second floor of my dungeon."

Mandira’s expression grew grave. "Then... I think I know what it is."

Everyone turned to her.

"It might be the Djinn of Darkness," she whispered. "A being humans call... Malek."

At the name, both Rilith and Velara shuddered violently. Their wings twitched, and their eyes flicked to the corners of the room like shadows might leap out any second.

Shennong caught it. "You two... you’ve heard of it?"

Rilith nodded slowly, voice trembling. "That... That’s not just any entity."

Velara added, "Even the Succubus Queen wouldn’t dare approach it."

Shennong narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"Because it’s immortal," Rilith said. "And its essence is not physical—it exists in the realm of souls and desires. It only interacts with mortals through their wishes... and their souls."

Shennong crossed his arms. "So... it’s a wish granter."

Mandira spoke next, her tone grim. "Not quite. Djinns are often believed to be gods who grant wishes. But in exchange... they always take something. A soul. And they twist the wish."

"They twist it?" Shennong asked.

Mandira nodded. "They grant what you ask... but not in the way you want. They enjoy pushing the boundary of their promises. And often, that ends in tragedy."

Shennong looked between them all. "So... if the previous king made a wish... and Juno made one too..."

"Yes.. it is a secret among us royal family, but he died doing some questionable things, my father. That explains why the Djinn is here now," Mandira said quietly. "Two souls. Two pacts. And both gone terribly wrong."

There was a long pause.

Shennong looked back at Yenissa, who was wincing in pain. His jaw clenched. "Then... I should make a deal with it. To save Yenissa."

Everyone gasped.

"No!" Mandira shouted, stepping forward. "Absolutely not! Look at what happened to the last two men who made contact with it!"

Rilith added, "You’re missing something important. The Djinns don’t just grant wishes—they test you. They enjoy watching their promises unravel."

Velara nodded solemnly. "Their magic is like a mirror maze. You think you’re going forward, but you’re only walking deeper into madness."

Shennong met their stares. "If there’s even a chance I can heal her, I’ll do it."

Yenissa tried to lift her hand. "Shennong... don’t..."

He stepped beside her and gently held her hand. "You saved me. You stood by me when I was left to die. I won’t let this thing take you without a fight."

Mandira turned away, rubbing her temples again. "You’re insane..."

"Maybe," he muttered. "But I’d rather be insane with purpose than sane with regret."

Cassandra, who was listening all along bit her lip. "Isn’t there any other way?"

Velara shook her head. "Not if the curse is bound by a soul contract with Malek. Only the Djinn can undo what it has done."

Mandira muttered, "And it only undoes if there’s something to gain."

Rilith frowned. "There’s... one thing. It’s said that Djinns sometimes offer a challenge. A game. If you win, you get what you want. If you lose..."

"You lose your soul," Velara finished.

Shennong looked at each of them, burning their warnings into memory. "Then I’ll challenge it."

Mandira spun around. "Do you even know how?!"

He smiled faintly. "No. But I’ll figure it out."

Romina said, voice barely above a whisper, "Don’t die."

He looked at her. "I won’t. I’ve almost died too many times."

For a long moment, no one spoke. Then Mandira finally said, "Then let’s do it properly. We need a summoning circle, dark mana, and a vessel of soul-energy."

Velara added, "And absolute silence. Djinns don’t like noise."

Shennong chuckled. "Then this is going to be hard for you, Rilith."

She pouted. "Hey!"

Yenissa’s grip tightened weakly around his fingers. "Don’t do this, Shennong."

He looked down at her, eyes full of fire. "Not a chance."

And so, with the torches dimming and shadows swirling, they began to prepare for a meeting with a being that even demons feared—a Djinn that answered only to desires, and that wove wishes like spider silk to trap the soul.

The Djinn of Darkness.

Malek.

***

Princess Maria Alexandria stood like a porcelain statue of nobility. Her long silver-blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her sharp eyes, usually warm and full of wonder, now gleamed with tension.

Before her, two of her royal guards knelt with their heads bowed, their armor dusted from travel. She paced slowly in front of them, heels clicking softly against the marble.

"Well?" Maria asked, her voice calm but commanding. "What did you find?"

One of the guards, a woman named Serah, lifted her head. "Your Highness, we did everything we could. Paid bribes, scoured old records, questioned informants, even visited private libraries. But..."

"But what?" Maria narrowed her eyes.

The second guard, Daven, continued. "There are no records of anyone named Shennong in Sturgon. Not in the royal archive, not in the guilds, not in the churches. It’s like he didn’t exist before a few months ago."

Maria frowned, crossing her arms. "You mean to say he simply... appeared?"

Serah nodded. "The only trace we found was that he showed up some months back in the Barony of Lady Cassandra Percival. He worked briefly in her territory. Then, the Baron took him under his service. That’s the only official record we found—after that, it’s just... shadows."

Maria turned away, walking to the large window overlooking the capital’s towers. She looked out at the moonlit city, silent for a moment. Then she whispered, "Just as I expected... This is no ordinary matter."

She tapped her lip thoughtfully. "Someone like him—mysterious, powerful, knowledgeable about dungeons, curses, and gods—doesn’t simply appear without reason."

Daven looked up. "Should we keep digging?"

Maria shook her head. "No. You’ve done well. This is no longer just a matter of curiosity—it’s become a matter of state. And the only person who could possibly answer my questions..." Her voice trailed off.

Serah cautiously asked, "You mean... Archmage Mandira?"

Maria nodded solemnly. "Yes. But she’s vanished."

The room went quiet. Even the wind outside seemed to hesitate.

"They say she went missing just after the recent incident with the dungeon in Sturgon," Maria added. "There are rumors. Whispers. And yet, no one dares speak the truth."

Serah glanced at Daven, then spoke carefully. "Your Highness... there’s more."

Maria turned to them again.

"The Empire has received word from the Mage Sanctuary," Serah said. "They’ve warned of... a great disaster. A calamity of darkness approaching."

Maria’s eyes narrowed. "The Mage Sanctuary rarely contacts the Empire directly. And when they do, it’s never without purpose."

Daven added, "Apparently, the warning was tied to this land specifically. Sturgon."

Maria’s heart skipped a beat. "So it is connected to Shennong... and the dungeon."

She began pacing again, thoughts racing. "And now Mandira’s gone. Shennong has disappeared. Juno has fallen. The royal court is in chaos. And yet—Father... he’s sending officials to retrieve me?"

Serah hesitated. "Yes, Your Highness. They’re on their way. Your refusal to return has caused tension. They believe... you may have been manipulated."

Maria gave a bitter laugh. "Manipulated? As if I’m some child being tricked by a handsome rogue?"

She turned back to them, her tone sharp now. "No. I’m here because I chose to be. Because I know something is wrong. And my father... he knows too. That’s why he’s acting differently."

Daven frowned. "Do you believe His Majesty is hiding something?"

Maria’s gaze turned distant. "I’ve never seen him this afraid before. He’s never been a man to act rashly—but this fear? It’s not just about me. It’s as if he senses something... something stirring."

Serah whispered, "Do you think it’s real? The darkness? Your highness?"

Maria looked up at the sky. The moon was half-shadowed, like a warning. "I do."

She clenched her hands.

"I hope it’s not what I think it is,"