Silent casting. Instant spell.
[Bloodline Spell: Painful Strike (Curse-type spell, invisible to normal vision. When it hits, the target's next attack inflicts extreme pain if it causes injury)] + [Bloodline Spell: Soul Shock (Condenses the user's soul power into an invisible attack that strikes the target's soul directly)] = a precise two-hit ambush.
Knowing the opponent still retained immense vitality, Ol'Sagha gave him no chance for recovery. He lunged forward, delivering a full-force kick to the skull, crushing the brain matter inside.
If not for the need to preserve the corpse and soul, Ol'Sagha wouldn't have approached so closely. He could have simply finished the opponent with a few fireballs from a distance, but that would have wasted precious resources.
Although the opponent had been lively enough to throw spears—a gesture of defiance—he was now merely sustenance. Ol'Sagha drained the essence of his flesh and blood, leaving the corpse behind for scavengers.
Only a quarter of his magic and a negligible amount of stamina had been expended. Strictly speaking, there was no vast power difference between them; in raw strength, speed, and physique, they were similar. In fact, judging by the destructive force of the spear, the opponent might have been slightly stronger.
Among all the enemies Ol'Sagha had faced, this one was probably the most formidable. Both had the capacity to kill each other, and the outcome depended largely on who acted more decisively.
He had thought to kite Ol'Sagha, using mobility to his advantage as he had with other beasts—but he had underestimated Ol'Sagha, now a walking magical weapon. His misjudgment cost him dearly.
Grabbing the soul, Ol'Sagha's tail pierced the chest directly, bypassing all defenses, extracting accumulated power. Within seconds, the body dried to a husk, the [Transformation Ritual] on its surface withered away.
[+1277 Evolution Points]—over two thousand in value. A rare and generous reward.
Over ten days later, in Abyss time, under a towering demonized tree, Ol'Sagha stood alert, casually discarding remains. His slightly pointed, elf-like ears twitched, sensing movement in the distance.
A sound approached from the sky.
Crossing his arms, Ol'Sagha lashed his tail into the demonized tree beside him. Using it as leverage, he thrust upwards, propelling himself toward the treetop. Each time his ascent slowed, his tail repeated the action, providing continuous acceleration.
Within seconds, he reached a branch at the top, gazing at the distant sky. A massive swarm of flying demonic creatures had gathered, shrieking and roaring in chaotic harmony. Their numbers and size blocked portions of the sky. Severed limbs and broken bodies rained down, spilling blood across the land.
Ground-based demons, sensing the fresh scent of blood, erupted into uncontrolled slaughter. Crimson rivers flowed; every creature unleashed its full brutality. This was a grand spectacle that occurred periodically—a feast of carnage and blood for the demons.
Ol'Sagha's eyes, already crimson, burned brighter. His instincts urged him to join, to personally tear heads from shoulders and claim the spoils. But he held back; his inherited memories warned him that the true reward would soon descend from the sky.
[Soul's Grace]
Crystals of condensed soul power would fall, capable of advancing a [Lesser Demon] to a [Lesser Devil]. This blessing came from the Bottomless Abyss, scattered across demonic regions like the Wailing Forest, Abyss of Dead Souls, and Gloomy Caverns.
One crystal alone could turn the battlefield into a frenzy. Absorption required the demon to grind the outer shell with internal magic, during which the crystal emitted a signal, attracting other demons eager to claim it.
This was pure survival-of-the-fittest—a deadly contest ensuring only the strongest could claim the reward.
Even now, the main event had not begun. The chaos below was merely prelude, spontaneous bloodlust driven by the inherent brutality of the Abyssal creatures. Tens of minutes of preparation remained before the Soul's Blessing descended.
The slaughter continued. Demonized plants were soaked red, streams of blood ran across the earth, and the air itself smelled of gore. Countless flies and insects consumed the blood.
Creatures died and arrived in waves. Hunters that normally hid now attacked openly, no longer concerned with stealth, only with killing.
A thick fog enveloped the forest, saturated with the scent of blood. Condensed mist dripped onto Ol'Sagha, but he remained focused on the sky. A vortex had formed above, radiating the power of the Soul's Blessing.
Millions of demonic creatures from hundreds of kilometers had gathered. The vortex's power had reached its peak; the blessing was imminent. Ol'Sagha felt anticipation stir through his body, as did others capable of sensing it.
Many [Lesser Demons], lacking Ol'Sagha's self-control, had already plunged into the massacre, forgetting the Soul's Blessing entirely, consumed by their own bloodlust.
Ol'Sagha, ever patient, chose to wait. He would intervene only after a portion had been slain or grievously injured—then, and only then, would he claim his share of the prize.