Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Without sustaining a single wound, his territory crushed wave after wave, obliterating cocatrixs, cinder hounds, and demonic bears.

His essence leapt up to sixty-three points. Even better. Ifrit had asked him for a pause to proceed with his evolution.

After asking the imps and confirming that his took longer than usual, probably because of the comprehensive modifications of his body, he agreed.

With the third wave complete, the lesser djinn emerged in all his glory, causing him to gawk at his new form.

More than a fiery demon, Ifrit became a towering minor embodiment of fire, with bright flames constantly licking and draping his limbs. Two fiery ambers burned in his eyes with the ambition to continue on his path and bring honor to the name given by his lord.

After congratulating Ifrit and authorising Bart to evolve next, he gawked at the djinn's lethal efficiency.

Unlike his earlier melee fighting style, the demon spewed a torrent of flames before the walls, giving a new definition to the cinder hound's name by turning them into swirling ash and charred bones.

With such a powerful demon ensuring the territory's security, he sent Garduck and the satyr to evolve next and observed Bart's incredible physique after he returned.

Bulkier than ever, the demonic herder's muscles seemed about to burst through his scarlet skin. Two broad horns protruded from his forehead, and his lips let two sharp fangs glint under the sun.

At this time, he couldn't help but chuckle, remembering Earth's body-building competitions and how Bart would have won them all without the shadow of a doubt.

However, unlike culturists focusing on muscle mass and explosive power, Bart became an oni! Endurance, strength and speed, he had everything balanced in inhuman proportions, turning him into a demonic bulldozer who crushed the bears like chickens.

He ripped their terrifying jaws apart and shattered their throat in a strange competition of strength that left the others gawking.

Adding Ifrit's exhilarated laugh into the scene as the wind blew the scent of burned flesh into his nose, his brows twitch in trepidation and frustration.

"I told you to save your strength for the last waves! Return to your position and recover before the next one starts!"

As if doused by an icy rain, the two eager demons recovered from their frenzy and jumped back on the walls.

Meanwhile, he sighed and focused on Garduck and the Satyr's approaching figures.

"I became a Shadow Stalker, my lord. I can now hide in shadows and have basic control over them. I'm also much faster."

He nodded at his scout, satisfied by the shadowy aura dancing around his slender body.

Then, he frowned at Garduck's wry smile.

"I refused the evolution."

Noticing his lord's frown deepen, Garduck continued.

"During my younger years as an underground match rigger, I heard a legend that still makes me tremble."

Garduck struck his trembling palm to stop the tremors yet failed in his excitement.

"There once was a colossal race of demons. Each stronger than minor deities, they terrorised the lands, seas, hells, and realms of gods alike until the latter decided that enough was enough. Zeus and his brothers enslaved and forced them into cosmic wars against the Titans before killing all the surviving specimens once they secured victory.
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However, as demons, they had to come from somewhere, right?"

"Don't tell me..."

His eyes enlarged at the familiar description as the word thundered out of Garduck's mouth.

"The Hecatonchires! To become one, I have to forsake all evolution while still climbing my way to the ninth tier. That's what this forgotten legend says and what I'll do even if I don't have guarantees."

He saw Garduck raise his head and peered into his sparkling eyes, seeing hope, hesitation, and yearning.

"Please, understand me. This is my dream!"

The corner of his lips rose into a grin in response as his heart drummed in his ears.

"You'll be weaker than the others until then, but if you can endure seeing them surpass you and are genuine in your pursuit, I won't oppose your decision! Go for it and revive that demonic race. Make demon kings and gods tremble under your arms and show everyone you were correct!"

"Thank you, my lord. I won't disappoint you."

A steely glint flashed in the demon's eyes as he took determined steps to his section of the wall and gripped the bear carcasses they had set aside for him.

Meanwhile, Adam gazed at the horizon, clenching his fists as Garduck's goal resonated with him.

'He wants to become the number one even if he has to take risks and gamble his future. I like that kind of mindset.'

DING

The sound of a sudden notification shattered his train of thought as messages appeared before his eyes.

[Congratulations on beating the fifth wave! Lords remaining: 150.223.002]

[One special summoning coupon and a thousand units of each basic material awarded.]

[You have ten minutes to decide if you want to proceed with the sixth wave.]

With little thought, he pressed on proceed, summoned the coupon and scrutinised it in intrigue.

[special summoning coupon: allows you to summon a random specialist at the Gate. Rates: novice artisan: 80%, beginner artisan: 15%, intermediate artisan: 4%, advanced artisan: 1%]

He blurred to the Gate after reading the description, eager to use it without delay.

A broad smile splitting his face, he threw the coupon in the construct and waited for his new subject to appear.

A moment later, a woman wearing beautiful robes stepped out of the fiery vortex.

Her milky white hair fluttered behind her as the fresh scent of nature engulfed the place. She adjusted her round glasses on her nose and squinted at him.

"Ahhh! A demon!"

Echoing her terrified scream, a notification appeared before his confused eyes.

[Congratulations on summoning the tier-two beginner architect of the sun elf race.]

"Why is it not a demon? No, no. I don't care! Welcome to my territory, my dear architect."

He blurred and gripped her slender hands, not noticing the terror etched on her face and her trembling body as his smile broadened to reach his eyes and revealed his sharp teeth.

"Follow me! I'll guide you to the other specialists. You can learn to know each other while I complete the event. By the way, what's your name?"

"I-I'm Alice. P-Please don't eat me, my lord."

She stuttered, forced to follow behind him and endure his iron-like grip until they reached the nearby lord's hut.

Then, he turned to her and grinned in joy. After all, Alice's role would shine after the event concluded.

"Why would I eat you? You're now our territory's head architect. I count on you to supervise our construction. Ask Dimitris for the blueprints and work with him."

He nuzzled her inside, noticing her 'I don't understand anything' expression with a chuckle before he returned to the wall to face the sixth wave.

Sitting on the edge, he pondered her stats.

'I'm sure her loyalty will increase after she interacts with the others.'

Despite the low value of twenty, he rationalised it, knowing the demons' reputation was that terrible. But she would have to adapt or leave like the others.

A dark veil diminished his joy as he sighed.

"Man, it's so hard to be a demon. Even if we're stronger, everyone hates us by default."

Fortunately, a notification distracted him from the depressing thoughts.