Chapter 60: Chapter No.60 Princess Of The Demon Race (1)
[Samael Ashwood's POV]
Did I take the wrong turn?
I thought as I looked around me seeing nothing but towering trees and groves. The dense foliage and the eerie silence of the forest sent a shiver down my spine. This part of the forest was uncharted territory for me, and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe.
I checked my surroundings, trying to recall the path I had taken. The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, but it seemed oddly deserted. No sign of life, human or otherwise.
As for what I am doing in this forest, Then the answer would be this stupid system of mine that gave me a mandatory mission-
[Ding! A Mandatory Mission!]
[Name: Demon Princess]
[Description: Raven Duskbringer, The Princess of the demon race, is in grave danger. She has narrowly escaped an ambush and is currently being hunted by both demons and humans. Find and protect her, ensuring her safety until she can recover her strength.]
[Reward: Unique Skill – Infernal Pact, 10000 Destiny Points, ???]
[Failure: System shutdown for 2 Years]
As I read the mission description, my heart sank. Two years without the system would be devastating. My eyes scanned the dense forest, searching for any sign of the Demon Princess, Raven Duskbringer.
If I recall my memory of the original novel, then this princess is meant to die and the protagonist saves her mother from the cult of the infernal eye or something like that and ultimately adds her to his ever-growing harem and becomes the King of the Demon race.
But as the protagonist has already died, the fate of this mother and daughter is quite pitiful, leaving me no choice but to intervene.
I took a deep breath and steeled myself for what lay ahead. Following the faint traces of demonic energy, I moved swiftly through the forest, every step bringing me closer to my target.
But as I was swiftly maneuvering through the forest, the hair on my neck stood up. My instincts screamed that I was being watched. I halted and scanned my surroundings, senses heightened. The forest was unnervingly still, but I could feel the presence of something—or someone—hidden in the shadows.
"Show yourself!" I called out, my voice firm and unwavering.
Kekekekekeke~
"Look, boys, what did I find?" a raspy voice echoed through the trees, followed by sinister laughter. My eyes darted around, searching for the source. Out of the shadows emerged a group of figures, their eyes glinting with malevolence. Demons, dark-skinned with a pair of horns and jagged teeth, advanced slowly, their predatory gazes fixed on me.
They were armed with crude weapons, each more menacing than the last.
"I thought I smelled something interesting," the leader, a tall demon with a scar running down his face, sneered. "A human wandering in the forest? and that too alone? What a treat."
"Boss, something's wrong... he is not a... human?!" Another demon said looking at a device-like thing in his hands.
"Not human, you say?" The leader's eyes narrowed as he took a step closer, scrutinizing me. "Then what exactly are you?"
I couldn't afford to reveal my true identity or intentions. I needed to think fast.
"I'm just a traveler," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "Lost my way in this cursed forest."
The leader laughed, a cruel sound that sent chills down my spine. "Lost, you say? How unfortunate for you. But I think we'll find some use for you."
Before I could react, the demons lunged at me. I summoned my magic, ready to defend myself. With a flick of my wrist, I unleashed a wave of starlight energy, illuminating the forest and forcing the demons to recoil.
"Impressive," the leader growled, wiping blood from a cut on his cheek. "But it'll take more than that to scare us off."
"Don't worry, I have much more to show." My other personality started to surface as an almost maniacal smile stretched on my mouth.
This side of mine, I always try to suppress as much as possible, because of the darkness it harbors. But in situations like this, it proves useful. Channeling the power within me, I felt a surge of energy course through my veins. I embraced the shift, letting the shadows within me intertwine with the starlight.
The demons hesitated, sensing the change. Their leader's eyes widened, and he took a cautious step back. "What... what are you?"
I grinned, feeling the power ripple through me. "I'm your worst nightmare."
"Lightning Dash!!!"
With a burst of lightning, my figure flickered all over the forest, striking at the demons with blinding speed. Each movement left trails of electrified air, and the scent of ozone mixed with the forest's damp earth. The leader tried to follow my movements, but I was already behind him, delivering a powerful kick that sent him crashing into a tree.
The other demons roared in anger and fear, but their attacks were clumsy and slow. I ducked and weaved through their assaults, using a combination of starlight bursts and shadow strikes to incapacitate them one by one. The clearing was soon littered with fallen demons, groaning in pain and unable to rise.
The leader staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth. His eyes burned with hatred as he summoned a dark, swirling energy around his fists. "You'll pay for this," he snarled, charging at me with reckless fury.
I stood my ground, focusing my energy. "Nature's Embrace!" Vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the leader and immobilizing him. He struggled against the bindings, but they only tightened, draining his strength.
"Tell me," I said, stepping closer, "who sent you after Raven Duskbringer?"
The leader spat at my feet. "I'll never tell you, scum."
I sighed, tightening the vines further. "I don't have time for games. Either you tell me, or I'll leave you here for the forest to devour."
His eyes flickered with fear, and he finally relented. "It was the Infernal Eye. They want her dead, to prevent her from uniting the demon clans."
I already knew this, I just wanted to create an alibi. So people don't suspect me for knowing things out of nowhere.
"Good-"
"I gave what you wanted, Now please spare me." Demons have one shameful weakness they bend to the stronger person easily, especially low-class demons.
"Spare you?" I mused, considering my options. Leaving him alive could mean trouble later, but killing him might draw more attention. A swift decision was necessary.
"Yes, please!" he pleaded, his earlier bravado entirely gone. "I won't trouble you again."
"Very well," I said, loosening the vines slightly. "But if I ever see you again, you won't get another chance." I released him from Nature's Embrace, and he fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
"Thank you, thank you," he stammered, scrambling to his feet and retreating into the forest with his remaining comrades.
"On second thoughts, you all can die~" My dark side again took over, and I flickered towards them and swiftly unsheathed my sword hanging by my hip.
Cling~
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Bodies collapsed on the ground as their head flew in the air, The stillness that followed was deafening, the forest once again silent, save for the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. I sheathed my sword, the dark satisfaction of my other self lingering in my mind. I had no time for regrets, only for the mission ahead.
The encounter with the demons made it clear how dangerous this forest was and how perilous my mission had become. Raven's pursuers were relentless, and if I didn't act quickly, they would eventually find her.
Pressing onward, I retraced my steps to where I last sensed Raven's presence. The energy trails were faint but discernible to someone with my abilities. Following the traces, I moved deeper into the forest, alert for any signs of danger.
After what felt like an eternity, I came upon hidden ruins that had strong residual ancient mana as if an extremely powerful spell had been cast there recently. The energy emanating from the ruins was unlike anything I had felt before, a mix of ancient magic and something darker. This had to be where Raven was hiding.
I cautiously approached the entrance, the remnants of protective wards tingling against my skin as I crossed the threshold. The interior was dimly lit by the eerie glow of runes etched into the stone walls, casting long shadows that seemed to shift and move of their own accord.
I slowly walked towards the fallen giant gates but before I could do anything, a blurring punch went through my guts, behind me the air compressed from the force alone as I flew like a broken kite and crashed against the wall. The impact sent a jolt of pain through my body, struggling to even breathe.
"You are alive, impressive~," a voice echoed through the ruins. The owner of the voice stepped forward, revealing a towering figure cloaked in dark armor, his eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Behind him, several other demons, all equally menacing, advanced slowly, their gazes fixed on me with a mix of curiosity and malice.
I struggled to stand, my body protesting with each movement. The pain was intense, but I couldn't afford to show weakness. Not here, not now.
"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice steady despite the agony.
The leader chuckled, his laughter reverberating through the ruins. "My name is Azazel, Sixth team captain of the Infernal Eye. And you- ah! A little dhampir here in the human continent, quite unusual," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "What business do you have meddling in demon affairs?"
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[To Be Continued]
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