Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Eyes narrowed, he observed as light particles gathered around his hand. He felt a cold metal first... no, was it hot? He frowned, unable to determine it as the light extended upward.

Sparks danced before the light drizzled, revealing a blade.

Crimson, azure, dark, and golden energies danced around the dark and red hilt.

Astonished and dying of curiosity, he brought it closer and scanned the curved guard and the gold extending above into flame-like flourishes. Lifelike, they seemed to sway with the wind. Eager to try, he ran his thumb on them, feeling their smooth and hard texture.

"Looks gorgeous." He whistled, his heart hastening as his thumb reached the scarlet blade.

Intricate engravings pulsed upon contact, making him nod in admiration before he noticed the divine glow encasing the infernal edges. He could feel the humongous power hidden in the weapon just by gripping it, yet a pensive frown creased his brows.

'I don't remember ever possessing such a fine blade.'

He scratched his cheek as the information panel appeared in an inferno of different yet harmonious energies.

Name: Chaosbringer

Introduction:

An aberration forged and infused with Muramasa's demonic essence, Sun Wukong's Qi, Merlin's mana, Tiamat's chaos, the fragment's infernal energy, and Heracles' divine essence. It is the culmination of craftsmanship, an unparalleled weapon even Hephaestus couldn't have forged and embodies the best these energies can offer. Unsellable, untradable, indestructible, and soul-bound to Adam.

Rarity: Legendary-??? (upgradable)

Level requirement: 50/100

Stats:

Strength: +400

Agility: +400

Energy Resistance: +50%

Innate attributes:

Divine Blade:

+50% damage to undead, demons, and infernal entities.

Infernal Edge:

+50% damage to celestial beings, holy wards, and divine creatures.

Chaos Mediator:

Grants immunity to energy disruption.

Enhancements:

Evolving Blade:

Absorbs the life force of bosses to grow stronger. (Current Level: 0/50)

Chaotic Resonance:

The weapon amplifies all energy-based skills by 125% and randomly infuses them with an additional divine or infernal effect.

Devil's Mark:

reduce healing by 50% for 5 seconds.

Demonic Binding:

Chains of hellfire occasionally erupt from the blade, immobilising enemies for 2 seconds.

Aura of Dread and Reverence:

Enemies within 10 meters suffer -20% attack and defense; allies gain +10% attack speed and morale.

Impossible Presence:

The weapon's true nature is incomprehensible. Its stats appear as "???" when inspected by anyone but Adam.

Unique Ability:

Devil's Dominion:

Summon the power of the devil's fragment, unleashing a destructive slash infused with arcane, divine, demonic, and chaotic energy.

His jaw dropped, opening and closing, yet words failed to form for a minute.

"What did my crazy subjects create?!"

He massaged his brows, unable to believe his eyes. Once the shock passed, his fists trembled as he jumped and laughed.

"I can upgrade it! I'm sure I'll never find a better weapon since it can grow!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Smiling from ear to ear, he reluctantly put it aside to focus on the system's note and his hand's mysterious origin—though, he could already guess it after the crazy blade.

[Note: Your body has become more chaotic after assimilating a second divine being: you inherited a divine trait.]

[Trait: your body gains an unshakable will, allowing you to resist fear and mental manipulation to mirror Tyr's legendary bravery in sacrificing his hand to bind Fenrir.]

His eyes rolled back, his lips parting to let a low hiss out.

"Those fools really did it. Hahaha." He tightened his left fist. "But I like it. No, more than that, I can now inherit traits from divine beings!"

Though it came after the fragment's disappearance, he still welcomed the ability to resist mind control. After all, demon kings and gods would probably try to play with his mind again.

With a firm grasp on the fragment's disappearance and his hand, he unsummoned the blade and returned to Mimi and Luna.

They discussed the war and their feelings, laughing in relief or sighing in regret.

He reassured them in this heartwarming atmosphere before the army returned.

Maven stepped toward him first, throwing a middle-aged man at his feet.

"The last surviving lord of the enemy alliance."

Maven explained what happened to the others as he nodded. Then, he turned to War Machine and shook his head.

"I remember trading the oika blueprint with you. A pity you chose the wrong side."

War Machine shuddered at his words and even more at his terrifying appearance. Yet he had to defend himself.

"I-I apologise," he stuttered, his eyes trembling. "I'll give you everything I own: blueprints, artisans, Hephaestus' secrets. They're all yours if you promise to let me live."

As he lowered his face, clenched his jaw, and shut his eyes, trepidation engulfing him, Adam smiled.

"A smart man, I like it." He pushed War Machine's chin up, peering into his eyes. "I don't need to remind you what would happen if you renege on your promise?"

"N-No! I'm done being a lord. I don't want to die!" War Machine's eyes watered as he shook his head and remembered Kael's fate. "The battlefield, the stench of death, the screams, the betrayals. They're not for me. I-I just wanted to discover this world's science. That's why I sought alliances and proposed my crafts for protection."

Adam raised his hand to cut him off and stretched his palm towards him.

"I see. You know what? I need a passionate individual to develop new products. How about becoming my research and development minister... I'll think about another name later?"

War Machine trembled, the despair gnawing at his heart parting to let a bright ray of hope filter through the darkness.

With a nod and a bright smile, his voice echoed his excitement.

"I'd give you a handshake if I could."

Adam gazed at his bindings and exploded into laughter.

With a wave of his hand, he turned the ropes into cinders and patted his new subject's shoulders.

"Welcome to Harmony, brother earthling. By the way, what's your name? I'm not continuing with that annoying alias. Also, where is your city located?"

"I'm Theo, my lord! I established my city by a mineral-rich mountain in Ares' realm." He pointed at Mimi. "Her territory is in the opposite direction, but... man, who would have thought the terror who conquered half the realm was a little girl."

Mimi stuck out her tongue while Adam shrugged

"Wait for me to organise my ranks and assess my losses. I'll send you back by then."

Without bothering with Theo anymore, he turned to Garduck, who carried Heracles' bow, belt, and the ominous sword, Balmung.

"The artifacts, my lord."

He took them and smirked at Mimi.

"Take them." He threw her the belt and bow. "Ares offered you Hippolyta's magical belt during the first event? That's my thanks for your support and my apology for your losses."

Mimi's eyes widened as she caught them. She wanted to refuse, to say it was too much, but Adam's firm stance deterred her. Instead, a grateful smile curved her lips as she rushed and hugged him in front of Luna's narrowing eyes.

"Thank you, big brother. I'll use them well to help you again in the future!"

As he ruffled her hair, Luna hissed in suppressed anger. But her eyes softened the next second. She, too, saw Mimi as a little sister after caring for her during the war.

"I'll let it slide, but just this once." With a smile, she left with the other generals to reorganise the army.

They returned after a moment, their eyes dim and faces downcast.

Bart shook his head and stepped forward, speaking what everyone dreaded.

"Of the five thousand soldiers on the left wing, one thousand survived. Four thousand did on the right... Besides the elven archers, djinn division, and jotuns, everyone died at the center... 18.680 deaths. The siege weapons are gone, too."

Adam's lips twisted, but he foresaw it.

"This bastard Heracles."

His fists tightened as he stomped the ground, dust rising from the cracks.

"How many soldiers do we have left for the second event?"

Bart inhaled and shook his head again, the carnage weighing on his mind.

"Strictly counting our demons, we're left with 2.000 soldiers. Karna is out, Wukong unsealed his powers already, and Achilles' heel is a mess. We'd better give up."

"We can't..." Adam muttered, biting his lip in sadness. "Trust me, Bart, we have to win this event's prize, or more darkness will await us."

He exhaled and turned to Theo, throwing him his return scroll.

"You can escape by ripping it. Wait for Mimi to reach your territory and submit your lord badge to her."

Theo nodded and ripped the scroll without hesitation. His body blurred the next second, his grateful voice echoing as he disappeared.

"I'll support and give her everything until we meet again. Good luck for the next event."