Wailing Forest, one of the fixed teleportation points along the Crimson Vein, stretched before him.
This was a beginner's area for newly born demons. Most inhabitants were Lesser Demons—cannon fodder, livestock, or walking meals for stronger beings in the Abyss.
The mightiest demons here were still only Lesser Demons. Any who exceeded that rank risked expulsion into the true Abyss, where survival was no longer guaranteed.
A halo of light flashed, and Azaroth… Orsaga appeared in the forest. Immediately, a putrid stench of rotting flesh and blood filled the air. Even with his demonic sense of smell, it was overwhelming; a human would have collapsed instantly.
Steadying himself, Azaroth recalled the inherited knowledge of demons: he needed to leave this place quickly. The teleportation halo he had just used acted as a signal to the forest's predators. Newly hatched demons were at the very bottom of the food chain here.
The period just after leaving the Crimson Vein was the deadliest for young demons.
Host: Azaroth… OrsagaRace/Level: Demon / Young Demon (Evolvable)Strength: 25 (5)Speed: 25 (5)Physique: 25 (5)Magic Power: 25 (5)Soul: 25 (5)Talents: Soul Feast Evolution (evolves by devouring souls), Carnage Growth (evolves through slaughter), Combat Instinct (innate martial aptitude), Flesh Absorption – Finger/Tail (absorbs flesh and extracts essence), Magic Trait – Corrosive (more corrosive than ordinary magic), Elemental Talent – Bloodflame (burns flesh and life energy)Skills: NoneEvolution Points: 6755
Note: Values in parentheses indicate the baseline for newly born young demons. Each point above baseline increases attributes by one-fifth.
All of Azaroth's stats had already reached the maximum for a young demon.
Looking around, the forest differed greatly from the rocky riverbanks of the Crimson Vein. Mud squelched beneath his feet, and thick, magic-infused plants crowded every path.
Ordinary plants couldn't survive in the Abyss. Here, every plant absorbed ambient energy and converted it to nutrients. Many were carnivorous; some could hunt, others could digest flesh if opportunity arose. All were nourished by demonic blood, inheriting the same bloodthirsty instincts as their progenitors. Even the smallest weeds could corrupt and consume flesh.
Azaroth advanced cautiously. The moment he stepped into the tall grass, swarms of bloodthirsty flies and insects, drawn by the scent of countless victims from the riverbank, swarmed him. They circled hungrily, eager to lick the blood still wet on his scales—or better yet, tear off a piece of flesh.
He frowned, suppressing the urge to incinerate them all. It was futile—these insects were endless, as numerous as microorganisms.
Instead, he activated his bloodflame, a subtle layer around his body that burned away the lingering bloodstains. The flies dispersed, leaving only the strong scent of blood behind.
Moving on, he passed several demons fighting each other. None were worth his attention. A young demon like him would attract too much notice here; the forest was no place for distraction.
After some time, he discovered a cave nestled between rocks. Its location was perfect for his needs.
Azaroth's enhanced senses, heightened by his awakened bloodline and strong soul, detected a demon hiding inside—its strength roughly equivalent to a Lesser Demon.
The rank difference didn't worry him. With his physical stats averaging 15 points, he could advance at any time but had held off due to the lack of a safe location. The demon inside was weak, far below the danger threshold he considered threatening.
As he approached, he saw the creature: an ape-like Lesser Demon with a scorpion tail, peering warily from the cave entrance.
Azaroth wasn't surprised. He had no intention of ambushing, and the terrain offered no cover. Unlike young demons, Lesser Demons had intelligence and skill. Their knowledge came from both their heritage and countless battles. Even without structured society, demons could grow stronger and accumulate knowledge through slaughter and destruction.
This ape demon had killed and consumed its predecessor to achieve its current rank. Its demonic nature made it lazy in strategy—it fought on sight. Win, and it devoured; lose, and it became prey.
Despite sensing that Azaroth was only a young demon, it felt immense pressure from his superior physique. The faintest ripple of danger whispered through its instincts.
Normally, intelligent demons could retreat if necessary—but the rich scent of fresh blood and Azaroth's overwhelming vitality made the risk worthwhile. The potential reward of devouring him was irresistible.
Azaroth didn't wait. Magic power enveloped him. His legs recoiled from the ground, leaving a crater, and he lunged forward.
The ape demon responded, igniting red flames over its body, charging on all fours with elephantine force.
Bang!
The collision sent dust swirling. Azaroth felt his corrosive magic piercing its defenses. The demon's shoulder scales cracked, seeping fresh blood.
With a sneer, Azaroth swung his arm like a hammer. The ape demon's eyes bled, paralyzing it momentarily.
Seizing the chance, he extended his claws, now sharper from magic enhancement, and raked them across its wound. Bloodflame surged inside, burning its life energy.
The ape demon struggled, roaring in terror, attempting to unleash its fire elemental talent to counter. But Azaroth's Bloodflame overpowered it, rendering its resistance useless.
Retreating slightly, Azaroth blocked escape routes, circling like a wolf watching its prey bleed dry. Soon, the ape demon's magic depleted completely. Its body was consumed by bloodflame, life extinguished.
Azaroth approached the charred corpse, ignoring the ground torn apart in the demon's death throes. He grabbed its struggling soul, swallowing it with satisfaction.
Hmm…
Chewier, sweeter than a young demon.
System Panel: Evolution Points +127. Factoring in automatic enhancement of physical stats and soul, this Lesser Demon gave him 254 Evolution Points—equivalent to more than ten young demons.