Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Despite his joy, his lips twisted with each step forward.

He left shaky footsteps in his wake as a dazzling pain assaulted his bones and disgusting blood seeped from his wounds. Yet, his eyes remained fixed on the sandstorms and the chaotic noise of battle.

As he fought against the pain, Leraje's constant curses ceased, and the rage clouding his eyes receded. Instead, he scrutinised the shadow piercing the red sky, his lips curling into a vicious grin.

"I don't know what you planned when you kept me alive, but it's your last mistake!" He clenched his jaw, his voice cracking as he gave up all pride. "Let's strike a new deal, Baal! Give me enough power to crush this ant, and my services are yours for a thousand years!"

Adam grunted, raising Leraje's limbless body to eye level.

"Can't you just give up?" His arm moved, Chaosbringer glinting under the marquis' neck. "You could have enjoyed the demon realm's shitty air a little longer. A shame."

As his arm moved to behead the bastard, the shadow rumbled, its deafening laughter reverberating through the battlefield.

An invisible pressure pressed down on his shoulders, making his arm tremble and his blade halt.

"Leraje, my dear Leraje. We already established our deal's terms." Baal's voice chilled the ever-burning air, his oppressive presence seemingly warping reality. "You had a mission but failed. I do not need weak pawns."

Leraje's blood drained from his face, and his smugness vanished in an ocean of dread.

"No! I merely underestimated him. You know no one can reach me on a battlefield." He gritted his teeth, his eyes darting to the hateful blade. "It's this blade. You've seen it! Help me, and I'll deliver it to your hands!"

A tense silence lingered before Adam's eyes widened at Baal's answer.

"Infernal and divine energy coexisting and not repelling a demon. A fine weapon you have there, Adam."

He leaned forward, his shadow engulfing the sky before a sparkling divine barrier pushed him back. With a snort, he shrugged and ignored Leraje.

"Chaos is fascinating and serves as an anchor here. Not bad!" He shook his head. "What will you do with those wounds? The city is still far, but you're wavering."

Adam rolled his eyes as he recovered after seeing the barrier.

"Wow! You still find ways to pester me even after I blocked your shameless spying."

He clapped, showing a strong front, yet gritted his teeth because... Baal was right.

As he lowered his head, Leraje's face distorted into a terrifying grimace.

"Good, really good, Baal!" he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Everyone hates you for good reasons. I might have underestimated Adam, but you're the one who caused it!" His eyes narrowed into fiery slits as everything began to make sense. "You knew about the blade. You also knew about his strength. And you knew what poisonous words to whisper in my ears. You planned everything!"

He stirred in Adam's grip, peering into his eyes.

"Listen, weakling! We're not in the demon realm but in a hidden dimension shared by the demon kings." He jerked his head towards the mountain spewing demonic essence in unholy quantities. "Their greatest asset is hidden there: the purgatory's original flame. It's closer than the city, so rush in to recover."

'The purgatory's original flame! That's why Bart acted weird earlier. I can revive Shihan if I go there! But it feels... too convenient.'

Adam's eyes narrowed in suspicion—one dispelled by Baal's shuddering and thunderous outburst.

"Leraje, you lowly scum! How can you share confidential information with enemies, with your killer?! You're lucky I can't interfere, or I'd blow you myself!"

Convinced and pressed for time, Adam ignored Baal's curses and stumbled toward the mountain.

"You'd better not lie, Leraje. I can still let you live."

"Humph. I'm not doing it to help you. I just won't let Baal scam me without losing something!" His teeth sank into his gums, his eyes burning as he continued. "We should have fought in Baal's territory, but the other demon kings interfered, leaving only this shared place as a solution. They're also having fun watching us from their palaces."

Adam nodded, each step growing weaker as he used Leraje's voice to distract himself from his agony, not noticing the vicious glint flashing in the marquis' eyes.

"Listen, weakling. I won't beg for my life, but an ally in the demon realm will help you once you come to oppose Baal. Think about it and make the right choice."

Adam rolled his eyes but nodded nonetheless.

'Sure, I believe you. Do you think I'm twelve? If I can recover, you can, too...' A pensive frown creased his brows.

The event would end a few minutes after he killed Leraje, meaning he had to delay the act until he was close enough to the original flame.

A steely glint flashed in his eyes as he pushed himself to move faster.

Meanwhile, Wukong's knuckles whitened in Ozymandias' palace.

The engraved walls sparkled gold now, and the clean streets exuded antique grandeur with their colossal temples and obelisks.

"He has proven his unyielding spirit enough. Time to fetch him."

Ozymandias nodded, the corner of his lips curling into a smile.

"What a shameful spectacle... but I don't dislike his pugnacity." He slammed his hand on his throne's armrest, his voice thundering. "Escort him, monument two!"

The second statue rumbled, sand coalescing to restore its arms. Unlike the other monuments, they extended into broad falcon wings, each feather carved with lifelike precision.

Without wasting a second, it leapt to the sky, the sun illuminating a golden gem on its back. As if gulping the natural energy, it brightened as blinding veins glowed on the wings.

Like a headless angel, the statue flapped its wings, a shockwave spreading as it blurred with phenomenal speed through the sandstorm. It reached Adam in a heartbeat, snatching him despite his confusion before continuing towards the mountain.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Meanwhile, Wukong rolled his eyes.

"Your extravagance knows no limits. Wings? What's next?" He slapped his leg in amusement. "Don't tell me you replaced the head with a sun on the last one."

Ozymandias shrugged.

"The sky is the domain of gods. Of course, I developed countermeasures. As for the last one..." He gazed at its crumbling frame through the window, a smile tugging at his lips. "Let's not talk about it for now."