Salvos (A Monster Evolution LitRPG)

580. Crestfallen

Haec stared at the creature standing before him. It was a Primeval Demon— a wild one. It stood on four legs, and it was barely as long as Haec was tall. Its skin was dark like obsidian. There were white ivory protrusions that jutted out of its body like a second skin.

But it was only a partial layer of protection. Like a shell of sorts. It brought one of its claws forward as it hissed, eyeing the four Archdemons with glinting purple eyes.

[Hellreaper - Lvl. 164]

Haec stared at it. Its gaze didn’t break away. It drew even closer as he backed away. It was evident that this wild Primeval Demon was set on tearing the four Archdemons apart.

Taburas braced herself as she created a spear of ash. Aemula’s eyes grew wide, but she was too hurt to even fight back. Betrugil just pointed a clawed finger at the [Hellreaper].

Haec clenched his fists— but he paused. He realized he only had a single fist to even clench. His right hand was gone. He had sliced it off mere moments ago. To remove the metal ring that was tracking his every movement.

He clicked his tongue as he looked back up at the [Hellreaper]. It was far higher-leveled than him. Haec wasn’t even sure if he could beat it. Not in his current state.

Haec had fought Primeval Demons before. He had slain that [Uroboros] that had attacked the four Archdemons right after they had fallen into these crevices for the first time. It took his Grand Skill, but he was able to defeat it with a single strike.

Not only that, but he had been forced to spar and train with Demons far stronger than him. He had only been a newly-evolved Archdemon when Regnorex had ordered him to fight alongside Primeval Demons. But he had proven his tenacity and strength despite the clear power differential between them at the time.

And when he had been chosen as the Heir of the Netherworld, he had been placed in charge of many different duties. He had been a leader to Lesser Demons, and he had also been the protector of Greater Demons.

In fact, he had even mentored many different Archdemons— showing them how to learn a Grand Skill just like him. In the process, many of them died. Some of them failed to even learn a single Grand Skill But the survivors came to be known as the Dukes and Duchesses of the Netherworld.

And at one point, he had been sent alongside a group of the Deathsquad Hunters, hence how he knew how dangerous they could be.

According to Regnorex, those who seemed to stick around Haec would change somehow. Many of them grew stronger after interacting with the Heir of the Netherworld. Just like Taburas. Just like the Dukes and the Duchesses.

Haec never paid any attention to it. To him, he was just working towards his ultimate goal of finding Salvos. And now, once again, he had another obstacle in his way.

He eyed the [Hellreaper] as it took another step forward. He needed to end this battle quickly. He could tell by the way it was moving that it was slightly apprehensive about attacking him. For whatever reason, it didn’t just charge at him right away as most wild Demons would.

Haec frowned as he saw the drop of blood dripping down its side. It was hurt— that was probably why the wild Primeval Demon hadn’t pounced on him just yet. Its body was cut and bruised from the powerful shockwave that had ripped through the landscape.

Perhaps that was why the [Hellreaper] hadn’t yet just unleashed an onslaught of attack on the four Archdemons. Because it was injured. Because it was afraid if could lose.

Haec took a step back as he nodded at Taburas.

“We can still run.”

He spoke softly, and the [Succubus] blinked. She glanced towards him, then looked at Aemula. The [Fiend] was still injured.

“I don’t know if we can escape like this…”

Taburas shook her head. Haec spoke through gritted teeth.

“But we have to try.”

It was their only option— not unless they wanted to risk death by this [Hellreaper]. After all, Haec didn’t know if he could win this battle like he did against the [Uroboros]. Especially in his current state.

Betrugil lowered his clawed hand, before shrugging.

“Whatever you say, boss.”

He started to back away from the [Hellreaper], followed by both Taburas and Aemula. Haec was the last to move as he stood at the front of the group, carefully watching the wild Primeval Demon’s every movements.

The [Hellreaper] continued to circle around them and draw closer. They finally found themselves on level ground, carefully walking away from the pit they’d been buried under. Haec waited for the wild Primeval Demon to strike. He watched as it opened its mouth, and he winced.

But instead of a blast of flames shooting out of its open maw, it spoke.

“You.”

Haec blinked. He paused as Betrugil raised his head. Taburas and Aemula exchanged a glance. The group of four Archdemons stared at the [Hellreaper] with wide eyes. And it snarled.

“Kill.”

The wild Primeval Demon whispered. But it wasn’t wild. Haec had thought it was wild, except it was intelligent. It could speak. It— no, she— took another step forward as he stared on.

“You’re… you’re not wild?”

“W…wild?”

The [Hellreaper] asked, tilting her head back at him. She sounded confused. Even as she spoke in her husky, grating voice. And Haec shook his head slowly.

“What do you want from us? We mean you no harm.”

He posed the question to the Primeval Demon. He stood his ground as Aemula nodded in agreement.

“We’re just trying to survive— like you!”

“We don’t want to fight. But we will if we must.”

Taburas added as she glared at the [Hellreaper]. Betrugil raised his hands placatingly.

“Not me. If it comes to it, I’ll just run. So… target them, alright?”

The [Hellreaper] stared at him quizzically, before Haec sighed.

“Please, let us go.”

“No.”

The Primeval Demon spoke simply, taking another step forward. She growled at the four Archdemons. Her words weren’t properly enunciated. BUt she was speaking. And Haec raised his only fist.

“Why not?”

He asked the question as he gestured at Taburas, Betrugil, and Aemula.

“We have done nothing to you. You are hurt. But that is not our fault. We did not cause this destruction. Look at us. We are Archdemons. This is the work of a Primordial.”

It was the truth. There was no lie to Haec’s words. And yet, the [Hellreaper] narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“Kill.”

She replied simply. Her gaze landed on the glinting collars wrapped around the necks of Taburas, Betrugil, and Aemula. The three Archdemons looked at each other as the [Hellreaper] spoke softly— angrily.

“You… you killed my people. You hurt me.”

“We did not hurt you. We have never even seen a Demon like you before!”

Taburas protested. But the [Hellreaper] shook her head. She pointed at their collars as she explained.

“Not you. People like you.”

“Huh.”

Haec blinked. He looked at the glinting metal rings, before looking back at the [Hellreaper]. The realization settled in. He understood what she meant. She wasn’t talking about them. In fact, she didn’t care that she was hurt right now.

She was upset because at some point in time, someone who had been under the Demon King had harmed her— killed her people. Haec’s eyes flickered as he remembered Lucerna. As he he recalled his first encounter with Taburas.

And he brought his one hand forward.

“I understand what you mean— we have been hurt just like you. But we’re not the ones responsible for this.”

“Then who?”

The [Hellreaper] asked as she peered curiously at him. He gestured vaguely in the direction he had come from.

“His name is Regnorex, and he is called the Demon King. He is the one who has hurty ou and your people. Not us.”

Taburas pursed her lips, and Aemula coughed as she stumbled back from her injuries. Betrugil frowned.

“I don’t know if she believes us, Haec.”

“She has to— because we’re telling the truth.”

Haec nodded reassuringly at the [Hellreaper]. She lowered her head slightly as she considered his words. He did not look away. He believed his words would be enough to convince her. It had to.

And after a long moment of silence, she raised her head. The aggression on her face faded slightly as she spoke in a soft voice.

“You can go.”

Haec brightened as Betrugil let out a heavy sigh. Taburas and Aemula blinked, before they looked at each other in relief. The former Heir of the Netherworld nodded at his friends.

“Let’s—”

But the [Hellreaper] cut him off.

“Not them.”

Haec blinked. Taburas paused. Aemula’s eyes grew wide as she saw the Primeval Demon’s gaze turn their way. Betrugil just smacked his forehead.

“Of course not.”

The [Abraxas] murmured. Haec’s lips drew into a thin line. He did not move. He did not budge. He stood steadfast before Taburas.

“I will not go. Not without them.”

The [Hellreaper] lowered her head. Then she shrugged.

“Die.”

And with that, she leapt out at the four Archdemons.

“I think I’m safe…”

I looked back one last time as [The Great Agarus] disappeared behind me. It didn’t give chase— it didn’t pursue me like it did before. Instead, it ravaged its surroundings. It unleashed its black lightning bolts down onto the corruption pervading the landscape around it.

Whether it was actually targeting the corruption, or it thought I was hiding within the veils of distorted space… I didn’t know. Either way, I was in the clear now.

I sighed in relief as I looked back up. I was reaching the other side of the ocean of lava now. I could see a devastated mountain range up ahead. A blanket of smoke rose up to the sky, blanketing the horizon. I tilted my head at this sight.

“Primordial Demons sure are strong…”

And yet, I wanted to fight the strongest of them all— the Beast. I wondered how I was going to do that. I didn’t actually know.

I just shrugged.

“Oh well. I’ll figure that out after I find Haec.”

And I flew on, heading towards the blanket of smoke in the distance.