Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

Whoosh.

"Damn it!"

Before the purple smoke had fully dispersed, a string of curses erupted from within. Moments later, the familiar sneering face of an imp emerged from the smoke, its features twisted in irritation.

"What is it this time, you lousy master?"

"You're not even pretending to hide your attitude anymore," Justin noted dryly.

"Why should I? You planning to let me live if I do? Pah!" The imp spat on the ground, folding its arms across its chest. It seemed that after being summoned so many times, the imp had grown reckless, resigned to whatever cruel fate awaited it.

"This is getting ridiculous... I mean, seriously, I know you're my summoner, but you've got to ease up. What do you want this time? Don't tell me it's another one of those 'sacrifices.'"

"Well... actually, I did summon you to use as a sacrifice," Justin said matter-of-factly.

"You bastard!"

The imp's already reddish face flared even more with rage. If it weren't bound by the summoning contract, the creature looked ready to strangle Justin on the spot. Seeing the impending outburst, Justin quickly cut in.

"But it's not up to me alone this time. There are rules, and we need to follow them."

"What?" The imp blinked in confusion.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Let's start by checking. Hey, what do you think about this one?" Justin turned to the Dark Elf, pointing at the imp. The Dark Elf blinked, clearly surprised, as if this situation was not what she expected.

"A s-summoned creature? That doesn't seem right."

"Well, there wasn't any rule specifically saying it had to be a pioneer, was there?"

"I suppose, but usually low-ranking demons aren't counted as people—they're measured in 'numbers' rather than as beings," the Dark Elf replied, her expression growing troubled.

"What? You pointed-eared..." The imp glared furiously at the Dark Elf. "That's just what demon-hating fools say to degrade us! Those who seek contracts with us address us with the utmost respect, one by one, with proper titles!"

"Well, there you have it," Justin said with a shrug.

"...You realize you're digging your own grave, don't you?" the Dark Elf said coldly, her eyes narrowing.

"What are you talking about?" the imp asked, tilting its head in confusion.

The Dark Elf let out a long sigh and nodded in resignation. "Fine. Since the creature acknowledges it, I'll accept. I'll recognize this imp as an intelligent being under your command. It qualifies as a valid sacrifice."

"There you go. Be happy," Justin said, a small smirk on his lips.

"...!"

The imp's face fell into utter shock. It finally began to grasp the seriousness of the situation. Just as it opened its mouth to protest, the Dark Elf spoke again.

"However, don't forget the final condition. If the sacrifice refuses, the decision must be unanimous from the rest of the group."

"Of course. Hey, guys!" Justin called to his team, turning back with a grin.

"Should we offer up this imp as a sacrifice, or let it live?"

"...!"

The eyes of his fellow pioneers widened, each of them fully understanding the implication of Justin's words.

"W-Wait a minute!" The imp leaped forward, panic flooding its face as it dropped to its knees, tears brimming in its eyes.

"O great pioneers! Please, have mercy! I feel pain just as you do! How can you so coldly cast me aside just because I was summoned? Have I not served faithfully?"

The imp's voice was full of desperation, and its expression was a picture of pitifulness. It was the kind of performance that would invoke guilt and sympathy in anyone with a heart.

It might have worked—if the imp hadn't spat at Justin earlier.

"Wow, he's really laying it on thick, huh?" Rachel commented with amusement.

"Can you believe the nerve? The same guy who spat at us the moment he was summoned is now groveling like this," Grayson said, shaking his head.

"Well, he is a demon, after all," Derek chuckled.

The pioneers murmured amongst themselves, their eyes coldly regarding the imp. The creature's pale face grew even more ashen. Justin leaned in, whispering to the imp.

"You see? You should've kept your attitude in check. Maybe if you'd groveled from the start, you'd have had a chance."

"P-Please! Just one more chance... I beg you!" the imp pleaded.

"Sorry, no more chances." Justin turned away, ignoring the imp's desperate plea, and glanced at the Dark Elf.

Seeing his signal, the Dark Elf sighed and snapped her fingers. "I accept the sacrifice."

"Damn it! Why is it always me...!"

Puff.

With one final curse, the imp burst into a spray of blood. The pioneers flinched for a moment, but the blood quickly evaporated into the air, leaving no trace behind. One advantage of summoned creatures—no need to deal with the mess afterward.

"So, does this mean we passed the first trial?" Justin asked.

"...Yes, you've passed," the Dark Elf confirmed.

"Your face says otherwise. Something wrong?"

"No... not exactly," she responded, her expression clearly conflicted. It seemed that Justin's method hadn't been what she expected, but there was something else bothering her. Sensing an opportunity, Justin decided to probe a little further.

"Don't tell me... you weren't planning on anyone passing, were you? Was the whole purpose of this trial just to show how tough your challenges are?"

"Th-That's ridiculous!" the Dark Elf snapped, her eyes darting away from his.

Ah, so I was right, Justin thought, narrowing his eyes.

"Attention! The first trial is over, and the first person has successfully passed! Is there anyone else willing to step forward?" the Dark Elf shouted, quickly shifting the focus of the moment.

No one moved. As expected, Justin was the only one who had passed. After all, if any of the leaders had a person they were willing to sacrifice, they wouldn't have brought them along in the first place. These pioneers were too valuable, especially in such dangerous circumstances.

"The first trial only has one successful candidate."

"And what does that mean?" one of the other leaders asked hesitantly, looking at the Dark Elf.

"It simply means that he starts with more points than the rest of you. As I said earlier, this is only the first of several trials."

Several of the leaders let out a sigh of relief. Even though the rules had been explained earlier, many had feared that this trial would be the final one. The Dark Elf, as if to dispel such worries, moved on to the next trial.