Salvos (A Monster Evolution LitRPG)

547. Forced to Fight

It was Haec’s one and only chance.

He had no other opportunity to split himself up from the group. If he stayed with them, he wouldn’t be able to flee from the Demon King’s Domain. The Deathsquad Hunters would find him— he’d endanger not just his life, but the lives of the three other Archdemons with him.

And he was certain that if they knew what he was planning, they wouldn’t want to follow him. They had no reason to do that. It would only result in their deaths. So he took his chance. Before it was too late like with the [Cerberus of Hell], Haec moved to act.

“I’ll hold the [Uroboros] off.”

He spoke simply as he strode forward. The ground shook as the wild Primeval Demon drew closer. He heard the gasp of Taburas. She could only stare at his back as he continued walking forward to meet the [Uroboros]. There were no words she could muster up.

It was Aemula who opened her mouth to protest. But Betrugil interrupted her, instead flicking a wrist as both the [Fiend] and the [Succubus] flew into the air. He ran forward as they floated after him because of his magic.

“Well, you heard the man! He’s the one in charge, so let’s get going!”

“Wait—”

Aemula shouted. Taburas blinked, looking back between Betrugil and Haec. The [Succubus] opened her mouth as she raised a hand. Her gaze was fixed on Haec’s back. 

“Haec…”

Taburas opened her mouth, but Haec strode forward. He took in a deep breath and steeled himself. Once again, he felt a pang of guilt deep in his chest. But he knew this was the right decision. He was doing this to protect her.

And he needed to do this to get back to his leader.

So Haec turned his back on Taburas. Even as she tried to process what was happening. He nodded at her one last time, giving her a small smile.

“I am sorry, Taburas. But I promise, we will meet again.”

“What…?”

She blinked. Haec knew he just had to say it. And then he faced the [Uroboros]. He heard its shriek. He saw its terrible maw open wide. Rows and rows of sharp teeth waited for him as the wild Primeval Demon opened its mouth.

Haec roared a challenge and stepped to the side. At the very last moment, he swung up with his fist. A powerful impact knocked the [Uroboros] back, redirecting its attack as it crashed back into the ground. 

When the dust and debris settled, Haec raised his head. Betrugil, Taburas, and Aemula were gone. Now it was just him and the wild Primeval Demon. He shook his head as he took on a defensive stance. 

The [Uroboros] had vanished. But it was still hunting him. Haec felt the ground rumbling as his eyes darted from the rock wall to the river of lava. He knew that he could be attacked from anywhere at any point in time. But he was still incredibly calm. Even though he had to face a wild Primeval Demon alone.

It was nearly 10 levels above him. And it was an entire evolution stronger than him. It should have been a massive threat to him. He should have been worried about this situation he was trapped in.

But even though Haec was alone, he wasn’t afraid. He didn’t think he would die. Not even for a moment. 

The [Uroboros] exploded from the ground beneath him, and he leapt into the air. It gave chase as its long undulating body rose from the ground, and he landed a hard kick to the side of its face. Its skin tore open. Black blood splattered to the ground as it hissed. 

Haec landed next to the wild Primeval Demon’s tail. He grabbed it, before smashing it against the edge of the crevice. The [Uroboros] screeched in pain before wiggling out of his grip. His eyes narrowed as it tried to whip the lower half of its body down at him, but he raised his arms.

A bright white light flashed around him, creating a barrier that withstood the attack. He gritted his teeth and stood his ground. The [Uroboros] spun back around, digging into the cliffside as the barrier dissipated.

Haec’s [Dangersense] never stopped blaring. He knew the wild Primeval Demon was after him and only him. So he waited. And when it attacked, he countered with his own Skills. 

This was why Haec had apologized to Taburas. Even more so than for leaving her, he was apologizing for lying to her. Because he didn’t need to hold off the [Uroboros]. He had realized this was his chance to escape long ago. And he pretended that he couldn’t defeat the wild Primeval Demon.

When he knew very well that he was capable of killing such a beast.

He looked down at the palm of his hand as he waited. He felt the ground shaking, and he saw the river of lava swaying. But his gaze simply landed on the metallic band on his wrist. 

This was his chance to escape. That was why he had lied to Taburas. That was why he lied to Aemula and Betrugil. He pretended that there was nothing he could employ that would be able to defeat the [Uroboros].

And that was not true. Ignoring his Grand Skills, he knew he had plenty of abilities in his repertoire that would enable him to bring down this [Uroboros]. After all, that was how he had been given the Title of the Heir of the Netherworld.

His eyes flickered as the [Uroboros] emerged from the river of lava. Its body was burning. It shrieked in pain as its open wound was lit ablaze. Haec’s constant attacks had broken through its rough skin, and he knew he could continue to whittle it down. All he had to do was keep avoiding its attacks and unleash his own strikes at its side. 

Was he really going to do this? For a moment, Haec hesitated.

He had thought this true. He had made his decision when he had approached Regnorex. And he knew this was what he wanted. But he was getting some second thoughts. If he did this, the Deathsquad Hunters would come after him. He might not even see Salvos ever again before he was killed in the ensuing chaos that was Revelation. 

But if he didn’t, he was never going to see Salvos ever again anyway. And that was why— he believed that it was worth it.

Haec planted a foot forward as his fist wisped with a black aura. He clenched his jaw, readying himself for the [Uroboros]. The wild Primeval Demon charged at him. The embers flaking off its body flared as its eyes shimmered.

Was that a Skill? Haec didn’t know. He was just ready for the attack. The [Uroboros] approached as he took another step forward—

And a voice screamed.

“No!”

He blinked as he saw an azure-skinned figure sprinting down the crevice.

“Taburas?”

Haec stared at her as she unleashed a volley of ashen lances at the [Uroboros], drawing its attention.

Something was wrong. Haec had been acting… rather oddly, ever since the invasion of the Mortal Realm was delayed. It made no sense why he was doing this. Taburas knew he could use a Grand Skill if needed— so why the sacrifice?

The same thing happened when the [Cerberus of Hell] showed up. It was almost like he was trying to get away from her. And she didn’t get it. She didn’t understand why he was doing this. She couldn’t allow it to happen.

So Taburas ran back. She broke free from Betrugil’s magic and made a break for it straight for Haec. She couldn’t leave him. Not like this. 

Betrugil shouted at her. He called her a moron as she left him behind. Aemula cried out as well, but Taburas ignored the both of them. She didn’t need them. She only needed one person— she only needed Haec.

The [Succubus] heard the rumbling in the distance. She felt the ground quake each time the [Uroboros] burrowed into the earth. It was a wild Primeval Demon. It was far stronger than she was. And yet, she was running straight at it.

She turned the corner, watching as the towering figure loomed over Haec with a burning body.

For a moment, she hesitated. Taburas let her fear take hold of her. But she steeled herself. 

Why did she do this? 

The thought crossed her mind as she remembered— she recalled what it was like to be trapped and alone. 

Taburas did not understand. 

She had wandered the world aimlessly— her birth was not accompanied by any others. She saw rocks and black pools forming, and understood not how the rocks were made or why the dark rain fell. 

That was, until she saw the large Demon. At first, she had been surprised. When the Level 3 Demon was squished, she did not know what to do. It was out of the ordinary. Such a thing had never occurred before. 

But after fleeing and running into more Demons. More of her kind. Now she understood.

After she had escaped certain death from that large Demon, she was forced to fight to survive. And at first, she had succumbed to her primal instincts. She had nearly become wild.

Then she was captured. A pair of Lesser Demons had caught her, enslaving her under Regnorex’s banner. She hated every moment of it. Having that collar on her neck, restraining her every movement— being ordered around like she was nothing? 

It had upsetted her. But she couldn’t do anything about it. She thought it was better to be a slave than to be dead— than to end up like the others she had been born with who were killed in that senseless slaughter. 

It was only when she met Haec, did she find a chance to escape. It was only when she met him, did she learn that there were many things more important than simply being alive.

Taburas watched as the red-skinned [Tank Fiend] slice down at the [Incubus]. She had been brought here to Lucerna’s Lair— Asin, Blutah, and herself had been sent to investigate the GReater Demon’s disappearance. And all they found was… a single [Tank Fiend].

Even though he was outnumbered and out-leveled, he still stood his ground against being made into a slave. She paused, staring with wide eyes as the Asin— a [Fiend] as well— struck him from the side with a [Fire Strike].

It made no sense to her. He had no reason to fight back. He was going to die. And yet, he still fought. For a reason she couldn’t comprehend.

“I will not abandon her!”

He exclaimed as he fought back. 

Who was this ‘her’? Why did ‘she’ matter? Taburas didn’t know. She just saw the ferocity at which he fought, and she realized that this reason was more important to him than his life. 

What could it be? What could be more important than living? If he died, then what did it matter? Taburas had only ever prioritized her own life, but she realized… she hated living as a slave. She realized that there were things more important than her own survival. 

So even though she was still collared, she broke free from her shackles. 

She had seen something in him. Something she didn’t understand. And she wanted to learn what that could be.

Taburas unleashed a volley of ashen lances at the [Uroboros]. The attack drew its attention as it turned to face her. Haec blinked, before he exclaimed.

“Taburas! What are you doing back here? Get away! It’s dangerous!”

But she ignored his words. Instead, the [Succubus] ran forward. She dashed for Haec— her savior. And he clicked his tongue.

The [Uroboros] charged her way, and she sent another volley of ashen lances its way. Each attack barely grazed the wild Primeval Demon’s skin. All she did was anger it. But she had to help Haec. 

Haec leapt past it in one fell swoop, grabbing her out of the way in time as the [Uroboros] crashed into the earth. He looked down at the [Succubus] with a worried look as the wild Primeval Demon slowly drew back.

“I told you to run.”

“I can’t leave you, Haec.”

Taburas shook her head as he laid her down. She got to her feet, holding tightly onto his hand even as the [Uroboros] turned its gaze back towards them. But a large rock struck its side, then there was a flicker in the air.

“Taburas! Haec! We’re here to help!”

“You idiots! Why are we back here?”

Aemula and Betrugil ran back into this section of the ravine. They tossed their attacks at the [Uroboros], distracting it for a moment as Haec blinked. He glanced between the three other Archdemons, and Taburas smiled.

“[I Am Your Sword And Your Shield]. I cannot leave your side, Haec. I don’t know what you’re planning. I don’t know why you’ve been acting this way lately.  I don’t know why you’re trying to leave me behind. But please, let me fight with you.”

Taburas closed her eyes. And she felt her magic leaving her body. Haec blinked as the black aura wisping off his right hand surged with power. She gave him her magic as the [Uroboros] swung down at Betrugil.

The [Abraxas] managed to leap out of the way as Haec pursed his lips. Taburas held Haec’s gaze, and he sighed.

“Taburas. If I take you with me, you could die.”

“I don’t care.” 

She replied without missing a beat.

“I only care about you, Haec. If we’re going to do this, let’s do it together.”

“Even if I told you that the Deathsquad Hunters will come after us?”

Haec asked. And Taburas just nodded.

“Yes.”

He closed his eyes. The Heir of the Netherworld drew back. He slowly turned to face the [Uroboros]. It watched as Aemula and Betrugil ran past Haec and Taburas. 

“This damn [Uroboros] is too strong! You three are a bunch of suicidal—”

“Haec, Taburas, we need your help—”

Betrugil and Aemula spoke, but Taburas paid them no mind. Even as the four Archdemons regrouped, and the wild Primeval Demon approached them once more, the [Succubus] only paid attention to one person.

“I see now.”

Haec strode forward as he whispered. She watched him go. She clung onto his every words. Because he was her leader.

“I understand your resolve, Taburas. I hear you, and I apologize for dismissing you.”

His black aura engulfed his entire right arm, and he stepped forward. The [Uroboros] swooped down at him as he glanced back at Taburas one last time.

“What are you doing—”

“You’re going to get yourself killed—” 

Aemula stared in horror, and Betrugil cried out. But Haec continued to speak softly, ignoring their words as he faced the [Succubus].

“Then let us leave the Demon King—”

And he leapt into the air. Without even looking, he struck the charging [Uroboros] with a single powerful blow. 

“—together!”   

The wild Primeval Demon exploded. Its face was smashed open in that attack, and its black blood rained over the ravine. Betrugil paused. Aemula blinked a few times, before her eyes went wide. 

“How…?”

She was at a loss for words. So was Betrugil who just bobbed his mouth open and close, no words leaving his lips as Haec landed back down with a thud.

Meanwhile, Taburas just smiled, watching as the black rain of blood poured around her. Betrugil and Aemula exchanged a confused glance, and Haec turned back to face the [Succubus]. He proffered her a hand as he smiled.

“Let us go, Taburas.”

And she nodded.

“Yes!”