Preview: “What else? Of course, we’re exploring! And we need to find whoever came before us and teach them a lesson! Isn't that right, Yhaele? A lesson? By eating them!” Sunirae’s innocent and childish voice asked about the words she learned from Yhaele. But Yhaele also knew that this innocent and childish sounding monster is the real leader of the group, and her decision is the team’s decision. He forced back the words he was about to say and reluctantly nodded his head.

The trio resumed their journey and this time, Sunirae led the team. Yhaele unnoticeably slowed down his footsteps in order to fall behind the rest, in case things went awry. His intuition tells him that something is wrong and his experience is telling him to run. But he couldn’t, because he was aware how dangerous it would be for him to escape alone. If whatever was lurking was done dealing with his teammates, he would be the next. So, he decided to observe things and only run when the situation truly becomes hopeless.

Their footsteps were slowed and unhurried. And they did their best to observe their surroundings and find out what exactly happened from the leftover traces.

Hmm. I can smell.. Danger? Sunirae was not unfamiliar with danger and she is especially sensitive towards it. Most demons develop a sense for danger due to the environment they live in, especially her who had her fair share of experience.

Should we stop here and make a run for it? Her senses were warning her that there was great danger ahead. It was a strange type of danger. Her intuition was telling her the source of the danger was weak, but the danger was great.

Eventually, she succumbed to her curiosity and decided to check out the source of danger. It wasn't that she was stupid, but she was confident. And her senses were telling her the source of the danger was weak, she had some confidence in fending it off.

“We’re gonna go in that direction!” Sunirae pointed using her vines at the top of the volcano - the crater.

Smoke was rising from the center of the crater, and bubbling magma occasionally burst out. The heat was rising exponentially as the group came closer to the crater, and more carcasses of Flaming Salamanders with their chests empty came to view. Strewn across the now wasteland are headless and heartless Flaming Salamanders sprawled.

The lack of obstacles smoothened their journey while Sunirae even had the mood to snack on the carcasses spread on the ground. Pendra was jealous that he doesn't have roots that can extend and absorb things from afar as he could only watch his master hog all the food.

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“Everyonee! Be careful, I can sense something ahead!” Childish voices reverberated in Pendra’s and Yhaele’s mind. Instantly, they tensed up and upped their guard. Shortly after the warning, the two’s perceptions were blocked as the only thing they could sense was the intense bloodlust.

This… This reminds me of the Shadow Hound.. The same thought occurred in Sunirae and Pendra’s minds. They couldn't help but remember the first Mid-Rank Demon they ever faced.

That experience was unforgettable, they only won due to a fluke. If not for Sunirae absorbing the Light attribute mana from Fallen Angel’s Tomb, and discovering that she could absorb some mana from the Underworld, she would've been most likely dead by now.

And the pressure and danger currently lingering in the atmosphere tells her that her- no, their lives were in danger. But the realization came too late as though something was blocking her senses.

Before a thought to run formed in her mind, the figure of the creature who gave her this immense sense of danger appeared.

In the rocky and hot surface of the volcano, in front of the bubbling and smoking crater. A figure got up from the crater with magma falling from his reptilian body. His scales shone with luster unlike any other scaled demons. As though to distinguish that he is a paragon amongst all reptiles. His red and snake-like eyes stare at the party in front. While his long and thick snout extending from his face houses razor-sharp teeth that could tear any form of flesh and break all kinds of demons and defenses.

Its stocky figure gradually took a step forward and left the crater it was bathed in. The ground sizzled from the magma that dripped on its hard surface. While the scene inside the mouth of the volcano finally becomes clear!

It was a pool of magma and Flaming Salamanders’ hearts! Floating in it are gem-like pieces of hearts that crystallized from absorbing the heat from Soleis Volcano and Soleis Ore for years. The Dragonoid creature was actually bathing in flames and blood!

The stocky and tall figure of the demon occupied their eyesight as it stood towering before them. Looking down on them as though they were ants, and its horns that curve to the back of its head before pointing upwards make it look as though the creature was wearing a crown.

It had the disposition of a king, the aura of a tyrant, and the bearing of a conqueror. Just by standing there, the three little demons on their adventure felt overwhelming pressure and Yhaele almost bent his knees to kneel.

This aura.. I didn't feel it last time.. Did this bastard get stronger?? Yhaele knew it better than others as he encountered the creature once, and it was also the trauma he acquired shortly after reincarnating as a demon. What a sh*tty luck! To think I’d encounter him here again!

Yhaele tried his best to look up and noticed that although the creature’s wings were folded, they looked thicker and stronger than before. There was also a curved horn at its endpoint and its scales are no longer the same crimson red, but flaming and bright-red! His scales were releasing a sort of heat that could burn ordinary Underworld Plants to ashes and demons weak against flames.

I-is this a Lord?? A natural born Lord? Pendra remembered the rumors he'd heard about Lords. They were demons with providence incomparable to the masses. Lords are creatures destined to become just like what their name implies, Lords. They rule over their own species and keep on descending levels as though it is a natural thing for them. Their potential and mana affinity are top-tier and their physical bodies could be likened to a natural stronghold. And now, Pendra was doubting whether they are meeting one of the legendary Lords.

The creature only shot them a momentary glance before turning towards Yhaele. Opening its mouth, a rough and hoarse voice echoed loudly, pounding their hearts and minds.

“We meet again..”