CHAPTER 27: | HELLFIRE DEMON
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CRREEEAAAAK!
I gazed at the gate before me, which began to groan and scrape against the ancient stone, opening at the exact moment I finished studying this colossal monument of a door.
A blast of cold, damp air, smelling of forgotten earth and stagnant water, rushed out from within, and a heavy, crushing pressure, like the depths of the ocean weighing down on me, began to press down on my body.
"Huh? To think that a place like this has something noteworthy."
A voice echoed filled with evil.
Then, crimson blood gushed and stained the churning water in the cavern as I saw it, a hulking, obsidian-skinned demonic entity, its clawed hand dripping crimson, gripping the head of a whark.
Seems to be the one guarding this place, but so what?
"To think that a mere mongrel would release such a strong presence. But it doesn't matter."
Its voice was like chips of ice, sharp and cold, as its purple irises gazed at me with utter arrogance, as if I were some mere ant.
I quite hated that gaze, perhaps gouging out its eyeballs would serve as an unforgettable lesson.
My gaze locked onto the demonic entity before me.
A smirk played on my lips as magma surged through my veins, boiling, then flowed into my hand as 'Molten Gold Fist' activated.
Pointing my index finger at it, I gazed at the demon, then shouted.
"How dare a mere demon not bow before me?"
Liora gazed at me as if I'm crazy, whispering in my ear with genuine concern for my mental health.
"Hey... you know that guy is a Greater King, right?"
I glanced at Liora, then grabbed her by the neck and tossed her a few meters away.
"Stay away from this fight, Liora, for you are too weak."
Liora raised her hand in objection, but before she could speak, she shut her mouth forcefully as she met my gaze.
Then I cracked my neck, my gaze fixed on my prized opponent, a demon that would pretty much yield an interesting skill.
"Imp! Come!"
The demon's purple irises dilated into slits at the insult as it vanished and reappeared inches behind my back.
SPLASH!
"Alister!"
Liora shouted, seeing the demon's hand pierce Alister's insides.
Then, shock washed over her.
But the situation was reversed, It was Alister's hand protruding from the demon's back, his molten fist searing its insides.
SWISH!
I swept my hand out of the blood, my gaze locked onto the demon's eyes, which were wide with shock at the revelation before it.
Its purple irises gleamed with disbelief. How?
How could a mere mortal hurt him?
Him?
A King-class demon in the Matrion world?
A being of high standing, far above mere mongrels!
So how could he, Steven, lose to a mere whark still wet behind its ears?
"You damned whark! Have a taste of hellfire!"
Sizzle!
Purple flames crackled into existence, coalescing at his palm, and the water around him hissed and steamed violently from their intense heat.
But it wasn't enough to faze me at all.
"Is this all you've got?"
Steven staggered, hearing the arrogance of his opponent.
He questioned himself, was this all he got?
No, of course not!
He was Steven!
He trained for decades to master this one skill to its limit, and now it was nearing its Ascension.
So how could he... how could this be his all!
Steven clenched his fist harder this time, blood trickling from his mouth as he shouted in defiance.
"Suffer in hell! For I, Steven, the incarnate of hell, shall show you power greater than you could imagine!"
"...."
Silence ensued as the purple light flickered, then vanished before it could even be launched.
Boom!
My hands interconnected, then struck Steven's chest with a sickening crunch before he could launch it.
'The Heavenly Claw of the Mad Demon' third technique 'Bull Gang' had already impaled him.
In that brief moment, an orange light flashed beautifully, blindingly bright, on his chest as an ember of light, still carrying residual heat, flew across the cavern before dissipating.
"That's why talking too much could kill you... and please stop the melodrama. I am no fan of it."
Liora's mouth fell open, wide with disbelief, and she pointed at me, her hands equally splayed.
"Hey! That's no fun at all! Why didn't you let him finish his attack? And why did you attack so cowardly?!"
I snorted at her words.
I shook my head, then took my first bite of this imp, a low giggle rumbling in my chest.
"Bahahaha... did you really think that I provoked him to take his attack? No, I only provoked him to see his limit and nothing more."
A chill ran across Liora's spine.
She bit her lips, then looked at the imp carcass, licking her lips in anticipation.
"Could you perhaps give me some?"
I gazed at her with amusement, then ripped off one of Steven's limbs and threw it at her.
"Here, take this, and don't complain again, or I won't give you another bite."
Liora nodded, then opened her mouth and took a bite with delight, speaking while munching on Steven's leg.
"Hmmm, delicious!"
Liora was in delight.
The cooked leg of Steven was quite delicious, perfectly cooked by the intense heat I'd released using 'Molten Gold Fist' and 'Bull Gang.'
I wiped the crumbs from her mouth, licking my own fingers clean, then gazed at her messy way of eating with concern.
"Please, have some manners as a lady... and eat with grace."
Liora giggled as her face reddened from my compliment, then giggled as she pointed at me.
"Hehehe, take care of this ancestor of yours, and once I recover my strength, I will help you ascend!"
I sighed, then patted her head.
"Then have some manners first.
And about helping me... no need to do that, as it would only mess with my plan."
Liora nodded as I gazed at the hologram before me with delight.
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[You have slain.]
• S: 1 | T: 7 | Level 25 | Steven The Hellfire Tyrant [5★]
[You have gained.]
[5,000,000 - EXP.]
[You have gained a level.] x15
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[You have slain a King.]
[You've obtained.]
• [King Slayer]
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[You have devoured.]
• S: 1 | T: 7 | Level 25 | Steven The Hellfire Tyrant [5★]
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[Skills Devoured.]
• Demon Eye [Tier 6]
• Hellfire Incineration [Tier 10]
• Hellish Grasp [Tier 8]
• Demonic Shell [Tier 6]
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[Grotesque Physique would like to devour these skills.]
• Demon Eye [Tier 6]
• Hellfire Incineration [Tier 10]
• Hellish Grasp [Tier 8]
• Demonic Shell [Tier 6]
[Yes] / [No]
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Demon Eye [Passive | ▪︎]
Steven's purple irises possess an inherent power that instills profound arrogance in himself and paralyzing dread in his foes. This passive effect can cause lesser creatures to hesitate or become mentally intimidated, perceiving him as an insurmountable threat.
Demonic Carapace [Passive | ▪︎]
His demomic-like skin provides formidable natural armor, resisting physical trauma and elemental attacks with remarkable resilience. It can deflect or absorb significant damage, making him highly durable in combat.
Hellfire Incineration [Active | 100 - Mana | ▪︎]
Steven gathers intensely hot, crackling purple flames at his palm, capable of incinerating water into steam upon contact. This is his signature, highly polished skill, honed over decades to inflict extreme, searing burn damage. It can be unleashed as a focused blast or a wide wave of destruction, capable of turning flesh to ash and melting lesser materials.
Hellish Grasp [Active | 50 - Mana | ▪︎]
Steven extends a clawed hand, which glows with purple energy. If it connects, he can ensnare a target, draining their vitality briefly or holding them in place with immense demonic strength, leaving them vulnerable to other attacks.
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