I’m Telling You, I’m Not the Boss Monster!

I thought I had mentally prepared myself, but now that it was actually happening, I was freaking out.
I, of all people, was about to walk into a den filled with 72 monsters.
Six of them could kill me without so much as blinking—world-class apex predators.
And now, I had to stand shoulder to shoulder with those monsters. The reality of my situation hit me all over again.
The demon merchant, oblivious to my inner turmoil, kept running his mouth.
"Congratulations are overdue! Kiya, the Faithful Mausoleum, ranked seventh! Truly, I tremble at the sheer magnitude of your achievements, my lord. Who would have thought you’d repel two heroes in less than a month since your emergence?"
The merchant’s face lit up like he’d just downed a refreshing soda. His clenched fist trembled with emotion.
"Even Wilhelm, armed with the Awakened Sunblade! Most humans rely on faith to challenge the Demon King, but you, my lord, are the very embodiment of a Demon King!"
"...."
"The Empire is trembling at the revival of a new Abyssal Palace. Your feats have caused an uproar even in the Demon Realm. They're calling it the end of humanity, surpassing the Seven Abyssal Palaces themselves—"
"Enough."
Having my ego stroked this much was downright uncomfortable.
A little flattery is fine, but this was embarrassing. “The end of humanity”? Really?
"My apologies, my lord. I got carried away."
"Explain the assembly in detail."
I may be a veteran gamer with 30,000 hours logged, but this was my first time as a dungeon boss.
A summons letter alone wasn’t enough information, and I figured the merchant was here to double as a deliveryman and an explainer.
"As it’s your first assembly, allow me to elaborate."
As if waiting for my cue, the demon merchant launched into a smooth explanation.
In essence, the 72 Dungeons would gather for a grand banquet, participate in an auction hosted by the merchant guild, and conclude with a roundtable conference presided over by the Seven Abyssal Lords.
The meeting agenda typically included humanity’s eradication, resolving disputes between Lords, and fostering unity within the dungeons.
"But this time, things will be different. After all, you, the new Abyssal Lord, will be there."
I waited silently for him to clarify.
The merchant, bowing slightly as if apologetic, continued.
"Many Lords see this assembly as a debut and welcome ceremony for the new Abyssal Lord. Your remarkable achievements have sparked great curiosity, and your presence has drawn the attention of the Demon Realm and the 72 Dungeons alike. Everyone is eager to see you in person."
So, basically, the assembly’s purpose wasn’t the meeting itself—it was to scrutinize me.
The pressure was crushing. I had been planning to keep a low profile, but now it felt impossible.
If I didn’t show up, it’d only raise more suspicion.
My absence might attract more attention than my presence, and it could even provoke hostility from the other bosses.
Given the circumstances, everyone would leave the meeting with a concrete impression of me.
If that impression was something like,
it would stick like gum on a shoe.
I had no choice but to steel myself and play the part convincingly. I had to ensure I looked every bit the Abyssal Lord I was supposed to be.
"...But who will guard the dungeon if its key forces are absent?"
I tried to use this as an excuse to skip the assembly.
"Indeed, your dungeon’s main forces will be exposed, my lord. However, rest assured. The Merchant Guild and the Seven Dukes of the Demon Realm will handle the security of all 72 Dungeons during the assembly—free of charge, of course."
Damn it. They’d thought of everything.
If I refused to attend now, it’d be like declaring I didn’t trust them, effectively cutting ties with the Merchant Guild.
The fact that both the Merchant Guild and the Seven Dukes would personally oversee the defenses should’ve been comforting, but…
‘What’s in it for them?’
The word "free" made me suspicious.
The Seven Dukes might do it for prestige, but the Merchant Guild never engaged in charity. I wanted to ask but decided against it. Whatever their motive, they clearly had one.
"Lord of the Seventh Rank, we implore you to attend. As I said, you are the star of this assembly."
Not attending would have had far worse repercussions.
My mind was already made up.
The merchant seemed to recall something suddenly and spoke up.
"Each attending Lord may bring two subordinates as companions. Typically, they choose their lieutenant and a mid-boss to accompany them..."
He trailed off, sneaking glances at me.
It was obvious what was on his mind.
"My lieutenant is human. That’s what’s bothering you, isn’t it?"
"I beg your pardon, but yes, my lord."
Charlotte and Balutak were the obvious choices for companions. I had already decided.
I summoned them both and explained the situation.
Charlotte seemed to grasp the gravity of the summons immediately. Balutak, as usual, appeared blissfully clueless.
"I intend to bring you two as my companions."
"My lord? Are you serious?"
The merchant looked aghast, stammering.
"Of course, your lieutenant is exceptional, but this is the 72 Lords’ Assembly!"
"Exactly."
Charlotte spoke up.
"This is a sacred gathering of the 72 Lords. A mere human like me has no place there."
"There’s no rule barring humans from attending, is there?"
"That’s true, but it’s an unspoken taboo."
The merchant interjected eagerly.
"In a previous assembly, a half-demon was permitted to attend as a guard. The uproar it caused tarnished the assembly’s honor. That half-demon was socially destroyed and eventually took his own life."
"...."
"If even a half-demon faced such backlash, what about a human? There has never been a precedent for a human attending. My lord, for your lieutenant’s sake, please reconsider."
The merchant’s argument was sound.
Still, for various reasons, I needed Charlotte to accompany me.
The assembly would already be nerve-wracking. Having a competent subordinate at my side would provide invaluable support.
And in a hierarchy where strength was everything, bringing a weak subordinate would only undermine my status as an Abyssal Lord.
"Charlotte."
She met my gaze, her expression solemn.
"I value your abilities as my lieutenant. So, tell me—what do you want to do?"
"...To be honest, I’m afraid. As a human, my mere presence might provoke hostility."
Her face darkened visibly.
"I believe it would be best to avoid causing unnecessary conflict at a meeting meant to foster camaraderie. I also fear the repercussions I might face afterward."
Despite her fears, she continued.
"But if you’re by my side, I won’t be afraid. I trust your judgment, my lord, and will follow whatever decision you make."
As expected of my loyal lieutenant.
"Then it’s decided. You’ll accompany me."
The merchant gasped, pale as a sheet. I fixed him with a steady gaze.
"Charlotte and Balutak will accompany me. I’ll hear no further objections."
"But my lord...!"
The merchant’s protests were cut off by my final word.
"My authority as an Abyssal Lord is not to be questioned. If anyone dares challenge my choice, they can do so directly. Whether they’re one of the 72 Lords or even another Abyssal Lord, I’ll deal with them myself."
Charlotte’s eyes glistened with emotion, her voice steady.
"My lord..."
Her level bar shifted in color, growing brighter.
‘Sorry, but honestly, I’m the one most terrified here.’
I’m only doing this because I have no other choice.