492. Sub-ritual Subverted
Finally!
It had been so long. I had waited for this moment for such a long time. After what felt like forever, I was going to evolve.
The last time I had undergone an evolution was after I killed the Lich of the Plaguelands. I had been waiting for this moment for ages. Before my Level 100 evolution, I would evolve rather regularly. It had only been a few months between killing Stephen and killing Lucerna. But it was to be expected that this was the longest evolution yet since the gap was the greatest too. Well, longest evolution except for maybe when I first became an [Imp].
I honestly didn’t know how much time I spent in the Netherworld with Haec. I could throw out a few guesses— make some estimates based on what I remembered. But that was pointless. The Netherworld didn’t have a sun, nor did it have a moon. There was no day-night cycle, and we Demons didn’t age either. So none of it mattered.
undefinedAll I knew was that it was a long time. We spent every passing moment together. No matter what we did, we’d do it together. And then we evolved. And then we separated.
I had decided upon arriving at the Mortal Realm that I would find a way back to him. That I would do whatever it took to get back to him. That was the promise I had made to myself. He was my companion. My first companion.
Haec was there from the very beginning. He was there with the others. He survived, and as did I. Even if I had made so many more companions since I last saw him, he was still important to me. Because he was Haec. No one else could be Haec but him. Just like how I was Salvos— only me.
I closed my eyes, hearing the words resound in my head.
[Evolution Available]
I was happy. I was pleased with myself. Now that I was Level 150, I could finally evolve. And just maybe, I would finally have the power to get back to him just fine once this war was over. I was going to do everything I could to hasten its end. Even if I had to find Levithus myself and kill him.
I shook my head, focusing on the task at hand.
“I wonder what Subspecies options there will be?”
I wondered aloud to myself. I was tempted to just explore my options there and then, but I knew I would pass out. Also, I might revert out of my Human form— probably not, honestly. But that was a worry I had.
However, what was more worrying was the danger at hand. I opened my eyes, facing the crimson pillar in the distance. The renewed sub-ritual in Lunaris was still raging on, pouring forth an innumerable number of Demons into the Mortal Realm.
My second Grand Skill ended. The period of invincibility gone. If I was attacked by a strong enough Archdemon while I was unconscious for long enough, I probably wouldn’t be able to survive. Even though I still had my first Grand Skill— my Divine Essence— active.
I was strong, not unkillable as I was right now. I raised my head and sighed.
“I still have to deal with those Demons…”
Last I saw, Jaakko, Helen, Zack, and the other adventurers and soldiers gathered outside of Lunaris were still in grave danger. It wasn’t just that there was the occasional Level 100 Archdemon emerging from the sub-ritual, it was also that they were trying to protect the injured and the remaining refugees of the city.
I had to help them. They couldn’t handle these Demons alone. But there was a problem.
“I… am too tired.”
I lay sprawled there, refusing to get up. It wasn’t like when I used [Manifestation of the Old Gods] without my Grand Skill active. My body didn’t ache, nor did I want to throw up. I was just exhausted. That battle with Ira took everything I had left. Perhaps it was those flurry of divine attacks— my modified Skills that drew from my Divine Essence— but I was so tired, I could just pass out right now.
I probably could have just lain there for the next six hours, but a loud thudding noise attracted my attention. Blinking, I looked up to see a hulking creature landing before me. A Demon that stood over ten feet in height— a wall of flesh and bones. It had a pair of tusk-like horns that protruded from its skull-like face, and tendrils that writhed out next to its arms.
Its body shifted, and its golden eyes glimmered. I stared with wide eyes as it hissed at me.
[Changeling - Lvl. 145]
“That’s—”
My eyes grew wide. I tried to get to my feet, but it lashed out with its tendril. The tip of the tentacle-like protrusion morphed, becoming a claw as I braced myself.
And a blast of iridescent energy shot out past me. A voice screamed out— one that I recognized well and clear.
“[Heroic Champion’s Slash]!”
The wild [Changeling] shrieked in pain as it was blasted through the rubbles of the walls of Lunaris. I glanced back at Daniel who leapt down from the sky, rolling forward.
“Salvos!”
“Daniel?”
I blinked at him as he came to a halt next to me. I stared at him, utterly befuddled.
“How did you get here?”
“I—”
“I brought him here.”
Another familiar voice snorted. I spun around, narrowing my eyes as I took in the cloaked man standing next to me. Orgaf, the Thief of the Golden Scales, had somehow snuck up on me before I even realized it.
“Wait, Orgaf— when did you…?”
“Five seconds before the [Hero] blasted that damn Archdemon from afar. I was already hiding in your shadows, ready to kill it with a [Dark Backstab].”
He crossed his arms, grunting. He looked almost jealous of Daniel, and I smiled.
“Thanks, you guys. But I probably could have handled myself.”
“It is a dangerous Demon. Even I would struggle taking it in battle at full strength.”
A gruff voice spoke. I blinked, spinning around once again. Laux Lionfist walked past me, heading towards where the wild [Changeling] had been.
“It’s still alive. I will finish it off then head to the encampment to rally the forces there.”
“Got it.”
Orgaf nodded in response to the burly man. I watched Laux Lionfist leap forward, crashing into the [Changeling] as it picked itself up from the rubble. The wild Archdemon was already hurt quite badly from Daniel’s attack, but it still put up a good fight. I looked on as the Elite Ranked [Warrior] clashed in combat with it for a moment, before shaking my head.
“You guys arrived a little bit too late.”
I glanced towards Daniel and Orgaf. They both exchanged a confused look, and I laughed.
“You haven’t realized it yet, haven’t you?”
“Realized… what, Salvos?”
Daniel blinked, and Orgaf scoffed.
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