The Damned Demon - Chapter 849

Drakar stood proudly atop one of the many ruined towers that once belonged to the Bloodburn Kingdom, his immense jet-black wings unfurled majestically behind him, casting a shadow over the soldiers training rigorously below.

His eyes narrowed with cold satisfaction, a vicious smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he watched his forces practicing ruthless drills, readying themselves to annihilate the werewolves and the old Moon Guardian who protected them.

The rhythmic clash of steel against steel, the guttural battle cries, and the disciplined march of thousands of soldiers—all these sights and sounds filled Drakar with a sense of power and cruel satisfaction.

Yes, soon enough, he would shatter every enemy foolish enough to stand in his path.

He felt a presence approach, turning slowly as Zulgi arrived, bowing deeply before him.

"Your Majesty," Zulgi began respectfully, eyes lowered, "I bring you good news."

Drakar's smirk widened, revealing a row of dangerously sharp teeth. His voice dripped with dark amusement, "What perfect timing. Let me hear it."

Zulgi raised his head, a glint of triumph hidden deep within his stoic gaze. "We received a nameless message, Your Majesty—a message that revealed how to find Kira."

Instantly, Drakar's brow furrowed, irritation flickering in his cold eyes. "A nameless message? Who would dare send such nonsense? Were you unable to track this fool down?" Drakar knew it was nigh impossible to track down Kira this fast.

Zulgi shook his head solemnly, his expression unchanging. "I'm afraid whoever sent it was extremely cautious. They left behind no trace. However," he added quickly, seeing Drakar's expression darkening further, "we have confirmed that the message isn't useless. Far from it."

Drakar's eyebrows subtly rose, curiosity mixing with his irritation. Zulgi continued promptly, his voice lowered with cautious triumph, "We've managed to track down Kira and the vulpins she's hiding with. We only need to pinpoint their exact location now, which should take mere hours at most."

Drakar's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Interesting. So that scheming Caleumbra bitch isn't as elusive as she thought."

"What orders would you have me carry out once we find them, Your Majesty?" Zulgi asked with a serious look.

"I want to go there myself," Drakar scoffed, shaking his head with an air of disdainful regret. "But a pity indeed—I'm too occupied at the moment to personally oversee the destruction of those weaklings. I must continue preparations for our next campaign and await Orbos to bring me Rowena's newborn. It's the only way I can force that alien rat out of his hiding place and get my hands on them all."

He paused, eyes glittering cruelly, and then spoke again, his voice sinister, "Nonetheless, slaughter the vulpins or toy with them as you see fit—I leave that pleasure entirely up to your discretion. But..." His eyes narrowed sharply, voice dropping dangerously, "I want Kira alive. Do not scar her beautiful face or let any man touch her. That sly witch will serve me personally as my slave. Understood?"

Zulgi bowed deeply again, voice firm with obedience, "Of course, Your Majesty. Your wishes shall be respected without fail. I will return soon, bearing more good news."

Drakar watched Zulgi leave with quiet confidence, his lips curving into a cruel smile.

—

Thousands of miles away, tucked secretly in a dark corner of the Oseon Continent, anxiety had begun spreading rapidly among the vulpins. Their small community was normally peaceful, sheltered beneath Kira's protective leadership, but today fear gripped their hearts.

Whispers had reached them—dark tidings that thousands of Drakar's men were getting dangerously close.

Kira stood atop a small hill overlooking the village, emerald eyes filled with worry and frustration. Her hands clenched tightly, nails digging painfully into her palms.

Seeing her beloved people terrified and desperate tore at her heart. The fragile sense of safety and hope they had painstakingly built together was crumbling before their eyes.

Beside her stood Father Zu, the elderly vulpin leaning heavily on his walking stick, a grave expression deepening the lines of his wise face.

His voice was low and grim as he murmured, "Just as I feared. The one who knew how to find us must have revealed our hiding methods to Drakar. How else could they have found us so swiftly? Perhaps...perhaps we should run before it's too late."

Kira turned swiftly, frustration flashing in her eyes. "Run? Where, Father Zu?" she snapped, her voice trembling slightly with helplessness. "We have nowhere left to flee. Even if we tried, our people wouldn't make it far. The draconians would be upon us in no time."

Zu sighed heavily, avoiding her gaze as guilt crept into his voice. "If only..." he began, then hesitated, words dying in his throat.

Kira narrowed her eyes sharply. "If only what, Father Zu? Say what's on your mind—I want to hear it."

Zu finally raised his weary gaze, meeting Kira's piercing eyes with quiet sorrow. "If only the Bloodburn Kingdom still stood. Drakar wouldn't dare hold a blade over our heads as he does now. That kingdom—especially under the Immortal King—was the only force strong enough to keep Drakar in check."

Kira visibly recoiled, eyes widening in shock and disbelief. "How can you say that, Father Zu?" she demanded, hurt and frustration evident in her voice. "We all agreed—giving the Bloodburners a taste of their own cruelty was the only way we could ever rebuild, ever heal! If not the Draconians, it would've been the Bloodburners who'd finish what they started years ago. Or... are you suggesting all this suffering is my fault?"

Zu's expression softened, his voice gentle and remorseful. "Child, that wasn't what I meant. I know your heart—I know how deeply you care, how much you've sacrificed. But..." he turned his gaze toward the anxious vulpins below, their fearful expressions heavy on his heart. "Most of these poor souls have no idea how much blood you've spilled on their behalf. They revere you as a kind and benevolent queen. Isn't that why you chose to spare them the truth of what you had to do?"

Kira's chin quivered briefly, her eyes glistening for a moment with unshed tears. She quickly shook her head, her voice firm and resolute once more, "This isn't the time for regrets or doubts. Tell our people to prepare for the worst. In the meantime, I'll head to the Tomb of the Old City and retrieve a weapon—a relic—that might turn the tides, or at least buy us precious time."

Alarm flashed across Zu's features. He stepped forward urgently, his voice tense with worry, "Child, think carefully. The mana lingering there is dangerously corrosive and how we were reduced to this state. Last time, even after every precaution, you nearly died after mere minutes inside!"

Kira's face hardened with determination, voice resolute, "We have no choice. This time, I'm more prepared. I won't linger long—just enough to retrieve the relic and return before Drakar's men arrive."

Zu let out a defeated, heavy sigh, knowing nothing could dissuade her now. He rested a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice gentle but laden with worry. "Then may the Devils watch over you, my child."

Kira nodded silently, steeling herself as she knew she couldn't fail—not for herself, but for the frightened, innocent vulpins desperately holding onto hope. Even if it cost her life, she would shield her people from the darkness threatening to consume them.

And as Kira disappeared into the shadows, Zu stood silently watching, whispering a quiet, heartfelt prayer, knowing all their hopes rested now on her shoulders.

—

The blazing ring blade in Asher's grasp slowly disintegrated, scattering into sparks of dark green flame that flickered briefly before fading into oblivion.

His expression had grown cold and grim, a hardened mask devoid of the warmth he once held, sweat trickling silently down his cheeks, catching the dim green glow emanating from the hall's eerie surroundings.

Skully watched quietly, his half-charred, skeletal form standing motionless, the dark green magma dripping slowly from his empty eye sockets. His hollow voice reverberated with solemn authority through the hall.

"You are now ready to do what you have been waiting for."

Rebecca's eyes widened, flickering with anticipation, while Lori hissed softly, her serpentine eyes gleaming brightly with excitement. Both their gazes locked onto Asher, sensing the weight of Skully's words.

Asher raised his dark, hardened eyes, the coldness within them almost tangible, "And you won't stand in my way?" His tone carried a chilling edge, sharp enough to cut the heavy silence lingering in the hall.

Skully shook his skull-like head slowly, his voice echoing again, deep and unsettling, "No. But my only command is that you return to me after dealing with those who destroyed your kingdom. Don't try to retrieve the key... not yet."

Asher narrowed his gaze, suspicion flickering briefly, "You don't want me to face the Moon Guardian? He shouldn't be a problem to me... not anymore." His words dripped with dark confidence, a certainty born from unimaginable strength.

Skully inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the truth in Asher's statement, "The Moon Guardian has been weakening for a very long time. I know he poses no threat to you. Nevertheless, you will not face him until I permit it."

Asher's brows drew together, confusion briefly shadowing his cold determination. He couldn't fathom why Skully would want to delay such an encounter.

Still, he held his silence, understanding that Skully's reasons, cryptic as they might be, carried weight.

Suddenly, Skully tilted his head upward, sensing something beyond mortal perception. His hollow voice rumbled ominously, "You should get going. The last Caleumbra just left this place."

Asher's fists clenched instantly, his knuckles popping loudly, muscles taut beneath his skin. His dark yellow eyes blazed with a wrathful intensity that made the air around him seem to tremble.

Lori hissed sharply, her serpentine scales rattling angrily, "Ssssss, that vixen! How dare she intrude upon this place after what she did!"

Rebecca scoffed angrily, folding her arms defiantly, fangs bared slightly, "That bitch! I can't wait to get my hands on her and suck her body dry."

But before either of them could act further, Asher's chilling voice sliced through the air like ice, echoing coldly and clearly throughout the hall, "You will do no such thing. She is mine and mine alone."

His declaration sent shivers cascading down Rebecca's spine. The new intensity and cold authority radiating from Asher were overwhelming, a stark transformation from the man she once knew.

It was evident that Skully's rigorous training and the suffering Asher endured had carved a far more dangerous and relentless man from what he had been before.

"You two will stay here until I return," Asher ordered coldly, leaving no room for argument.

Without another word, he lifted from the ground, swiftly soaring upward through the gaping hole that marked the entrance to their subterranean hideout. The shadows seemed to ripple in his wake, dark mana trailing subtly behind him.

Rebecca gritted her teeth, frustration boiling within her as she muttered defiantly, preparing to follow, "Fuck this. I should probably follow him."

"Stay," Skully commanded, his voice calm yet carrying a power Rebecca couldn't ignore. Her feet halted immediately, frozen in place as she shot him an irritated glance.

Skully added evenly, the green magma dripping steadily from his empty sockets. "This isn't the time for you to intervene."

Rebecca exhaled sharply, fists trembling slightly in anger and impatience.

Yet, reluctantly, she understood. Asher had surpassed them, grown into a force she could scarcely fathom. With a defeated grunt, she resigned herself, leaning heavily against the cold stone wall, forcing herself to trust Skully's judgment for now.

Lori slithered slowly beside her, muttering softly, "Relax, drama queen. The brat has ssssurpassed us both. Let him deal with his prey. Ssssoon we shall sssee if the world is ready for the wrath of my man."

"Your man? Pffft," Rebecca scoffed with a piqued look.

But then she glanced toward the dark hole above, quietly muttering, "For everyone's sake, they better be."