Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

The original team joined them a few hours later, their eager smiles and trembling fists brightening the city gates.

A whistle escaped his lips as Ifrit approached, radiating a new fiery aura.

The orange flames that served as his hair and reached the greater djinn's broad shoulders flickered as he nodded and extended his molten hand. Adam observed the fire glowing under the ashen skin and the two bronze badges resting in the incandescent palm.

He picked up the two heavy bronze badges, his brows creasing in hesitation. Should he use them to increase his territory's rank or absorb the cities? He saw merit in both options, but after recalling his lord's mansion and requirements, he pocketed them and chose the first option.

Then, he turned to the gate soldiers and commanded.

"Move Asterionis' and Thalassara's resources to Harmony. Get a division to follow us and carry the loot."

After receiving their respectful nods, he unfurled his map and departed with his team.

Their assured footsteps echoed under the sun's rays as they sifted through plains and forests.

While they marked the smaller threats for recruit training, the higher-tier targets were their priority. Therefore, they invaded monstrous insect colonies and towering beasts' lairs. No creature had a fighting chance against their blazing flames and enchanted blades.

Soon, the blood of their vanquished foes empowered them while resources piled on the heavy carts, much to the horses' despair.

Amidst their frustrated neighing and while wiping his bloodied armor, Adam couldn't help but frown in front of the ruined castle.

A frown creasing his brows, he observed the carcasses piled on the carts and shook his head. Though a few were of the fourth tier, tier-five entities were a rarity, making him despair finding one on the sixth. Even worse, his veins pulsed on his forehead at the thought of leveling up further while down two tiers and evolutions.

"I'm losing thousands of stat points," he hissed, his gamer's mind almost collapsing at the terrible optimisation, especially with the million XP jump per level.

He did have a solution, but now was not the time to use it. Perhaps he would consider it after reaching the eighth evolution, even if his fingers twitched in impatience.

With a head shake and deep inhale, he cleared his mind and turned toward the ruins.

Thick dust flowed down the decrepit facade to pool on the gravel-laden ground. He picked a large one, dust swirling with the movement as he saw a clean white spot amidst the monotony of dark gray. However, his eyes sparkled when he felt the old engravings covering the damaged surface.

Luna squinted over his shoulder before her solemn voice echoed.

"Magical symbols. This castle housed mages." She took it from his hand and frowned. "Ancient and powerful ones at that."

Bart rolled his shoulders behind them, excitement flashing in his eyes.

"Isn't that what we were looking for? Let's storm in!"

However, Garduck's hand blurred before him as he unsheathed his blade.

"Let us understand what we'll fight first." Worry laced his words, and his fists tightened. "Anything thriving in this dead place can't be weak."

Everyone tensed as they observed the darkness wafting like tides inside the gaping doorframe before Adam summoned his Chaosbringer. Light particles condensed into his trusted blade as he gestured to step forward.

"We fight our way to the boss. I'll let you fight it if he's on our level. But be prepared. I have a bad feeling."

Following his command, they took formation with Luna, Ondine, Ifrit, the six teenagers, and Shihan at the back, while Bart, Garduck, Maven, and he took the front.

Though the unbalanced formation made him grit his teeth, he knew he couldn't blame them for focusing on range. As generals, they understood their roles would require strategic insight and range support rather than melee capabilities.

Flames flickered, and the noise of their careful steps echoed as they walked inside. The scent of decomposition caused his nose to scrunch and his stomach to churn. Trying to find its origin, he scanned the surroundings, noticing green patches of rot crawling along the hall's old walls.

Since he found nothing of interest aside from the ever-present dust, he guided the team to the stairs and entered the next rooms.

Most rooms were the same: rotten kitchens, collapsing ballrooms, and empty studies. He sighed when he saw the once grand library's decomposed state, regretting the loss of knowledge. But now, his muscles tensed as his flames seemed to lose ground with each step toward the basement.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Eyes narrowed, they halted at the stair's base and observed a faint glow in the distance. Dark purple, it pulsed from the ground, making him feel it was an ancient magic circle.

To his horror, the answer appeared in the form of disturbing crunching noises before they reached the circle.

Alerted, his fingers tightened around his blade as he roared.

"Shit! We're surrounded! Garduck, Bart, and Maven focus on the front. I'll obliterate the rear!"

"The only thing you'll obliterate are your hopes, weak demon." Discover stories at empire

An icy shiver ran down his spine as an insidious whisper reverberated in the room. Simultaneously, purple flames ignited ancient braziers hanging on the walls, revealing the room and its horrors.

They all gasped at skulls embedded into the walls and the bone pillars connecting the ceiling with the disgusting ground. He almost spat on it when he saw the channels carrying blood from rows of cells filled with dull-eyed magical beasts.

Yet, they didn't matter now, not when thousands of dark skeletons cackled, their Macuahuitls, Atlatl, and Tepoztopilli sparkling with horrifying sharpness and ready to strike. But he knew the real threat was the whisperer, not those cannon fodders.

Just as he thought about him, his ancient voice echoed again.

"Welcome to Mictlantecuhtli's temple."

However, this time, his eyes widened as he saw the speaker standing in the magic circle's center.

"The heck is that thing?!"

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AN: Macuahuitl= Obsidian-Edged Sword. Atlatl= Spear-Thrower. Tepoztopilli= Obsidian-Tipped Spear.