High-Rank Demon

The instant the whip cracked against Alexander's flesh, it was as though a lightning bolt of agony surged through him, a stark testament to the demon's formidable might.

But pain was a double-edged sword, for it ignited a fiery rage within Alexander. Even though he sensed the complexity of the demon before him, he knew he had to exude the fury befitting a demon at this moment.

With an earth-shattering roar, Alexander relinquished his grip on Leo, who thudded onto the ground, promptly barking in unison with his master's fury. Together, they charged toward the looming demon.

The demon had positioned itself at the outer fringes of the magic formation, but Alexander's onslaught bridged the gap in the blink of an eye. He extended his claws, aiming to seize the demon's throat and crush him into submission.

To Alexander's astonishment, the demon didn't evade; instead, he executed a swift backhanded strike, impacting the corner of Alexander's mouth with immense force. It was a blow that sent Alexander hurtling through the air. Simultaneously, Leo, attempting to sink his teeth into the demon's leg, suffered a swift kick, resulting in a mournful yelp mid-flight.

"Puh!" Spitting out purplish-red blood, Alexander staggered to his feet. The demon's punch had nearly dislodged his teeth, leaving him with a chilling realization—he was confronting a formidable adversary.

Was this demon merely of middling rank, or did he possess the formidable might of a high-ranking demon? Alexander couldn't be certain, but the aura emanating from the demon was suffocating, stifling his own abilities. It was a suppression only achievable by a demon of superior rank.

After assisting Leo to his feet, Alexander's loyal companion's three heads drooped, seemingly registering his grievances with his master.

"Eh?" The demon couldn't conceal his surprise as he observed the scene. "I thought you were transported while battling this hellhound... but it seems that's not the case!"

Alexander offered no reply. Instead, he unfurled his demon wings, launching himself into the air and descending upon the demon with the inexorable pull of gravity.

His decision to confront a mightier opponent wasn't a reckless impulse. Alexander was well aware that a demon summoner boded no good. This time, his choice wasn't to engage in a contract with a demon; it was to resist and deny the demon any opportunity to articulate his wishes.

Without the expression of wishes, there could be no demon contract, allowing Alexander to be expelled to the Abyss by the world's repulsive forces. Alexander's current advantage lay in his arrival through the Gate of the Abyss, which safeguarded his soul from obliteration. Even in death, he would awaken anew in the Abyss.

"Demon wings? Does he possess the bloodline of a high-ranking demon?" The demon's doubt lingered as he witnessed Alexander's wings. He had caught a glimpse of them when Alexander initially emerged within the magic formation, but they had been folded then, obscuring their true nature. Only now, as Alexander spread his wings wide, did the truth become evident.

Not every high-ranking demon possessed wings, but those who did were undeniably of high-ranking lineage—a fundamental law of the Abyss. The demon's sneer wavered, and he raised his whip, intending to wrest Alexander from the skies.

However, Alexander unleashed Bloodlust upon himself at that very moment. His form radiated a crimson glow, and a surge of strength and speed surged through him. Before the whip could connect, Alexander delivered a bone-rattling blow, sending the demon plummeting to the ground.

This was a newfound power, one that had previously eluded him. The combined forces of Bloodlust and his aerial assault left the demon incapable of maintaining his balance. As they crashed, a colossal pit was gouged into the earth below.

At the pit's depths, Alexander pressed his hand firmly against the demon's visage. The fingers of his other hand converged into a lethal point, aimed directly at the demon's heart.

The demon felt the impending danger and reached out to grab Alexander's claws. However, Alexander's steel-like nails still stabbed into his chest, and purplish-red blood instantly splattered out.

After being wounded, the demon under Alexander was not angered but smiled instead. He held Alexander's wrist tightly, preventing Alexander from stabbing any deeper. "Hahaha! Good job, let me guess. You're planning to kill me and return to the Abyss, right?"

Alexander maintained a frigid demeanor as he disregarded the demon's taunts. Though his hands remained restrained, he still possessed a formidable weapon in the form of his blade-shaped tail. It arched upward, poised to strike the demon's arm.

In a critical moment, the two pupils concealed beneath the demon's helmet ignited with an eerie brilliance.

"Weakness!"

The demon's voice resonated, and a faint light enveloped Alexander. It vanished in an instant, seemingly absorbed into his body. Suddenly, Alexander's entire being felt as though he had undergone exhaustive exertion, leaving him weak and sore all over. His tail barely grazed the demon's skin before it could progress no further.

The effects of his Bloodlust still lingered, but it was as if Alexander had lost all its enhancements. The demon below seized the opportunity and kicked him, knocking him over.

As he tumbled, Alexander's heart tightened. It was evident that the demon had used magic, and to nullify a 40% enhancement from Bloodlust with a Weakness spell was no small feat. What level of magic prowess did this demon possess?

Leo swiftly rushed to Alexander's side, guarding him with its three throats growling menacingly at the demon.

Upon regaining his footing, the demon extended his whip toward Leo and Alexander. Although he had momentarily incapacitated Alexander with magic, the wounds Alexander inflicted on his chest were a reminder of the danger. Had he cast the spell a moment later, he might have found Alexander's tail piercing through his chest, rendering him powerless to stop it. A gaping hole would have marred his chest...

Annoyed and frustrated, the demon lashed out at Alexander and Leo with his whip.

Alexander still retained some strength, but he understood that as long as the demon continued his magic, victory was unlikely. Therefore, he embraced Leo, shielding his head with one arm, enduring the whipping without uttering a sound. His eyes, hidden beneath his arm, remained coldly fixed on the demon.

He made a mental note to memorize the demon's appearance. He vowed to hunt him down and exact revenge in the future.

After a relentless barrage of lashes, the demon finally ceased. He appeared to sense Alexander's determination and sneered. "Hmph! Do you think you can escape?"

With a firm grip on the whip, he cracked it twice, creating sharp snaps in the air. "Let me enlighten you. The influence of Urgash, the Dragon of Chaos, has weakened the repulsive force in this world, making it easier for Abyssal demons to remain here for extended periods. Even without entering a demon contract, we demons can linger in this world. If you wish to return, you must activate the teleportation formation using your own magic or meet your demise!"

What?! Alexander was taken aback. Seriously?!

Seeing the astonishment on Alexander's face, the demon chuckled with satisfaction. "Indeed. Why else do you think demons like us have a foothold and embark on crusades in this world?"

He approached Alexander, kicked him over, and pressed his foot onto Alexander's chest. "You must remain in this world for at least a year before the weakened repulsive force will send you back. Don't even dream of escaping. I have plenty of time to catch you again. And don't even contemplate seeking death willingly. There exists something in this world that can obliterate a demon's existence. So, you better behave!"

A demon contract materialized beside Alexander suddenly. "However, consider it a gesture of goodwill on my part. Staying in this world has its perks. Given that we both possess superior lineage as high-rank demons, I offer you a proposition. Sign this contract and pledge your loyalty to me, Xeron. Fight under my banner, and this contract will grant you 10% of the spoils. This is the most generous offer you'll get!"

.....

Join my Pa*treon for more thrilling chapters! Help unlock a weekend bonus chapter by reaching 100 power stones. Let's make the story even more magical, together! 

Link : pa*treon.com/thebookaddict (Remove the *)