Preview: Lords..? Same thoughts appeared in all of their minds at the same time as they imagined terrifying legends about such creatures. For a moment, their hearts wavered and they didn’t know how to react.
The Tikbalangs were humanoid and this allowed them to develop superior intelligence compared to beast-like demons. They were aware that provoking and continuing to fight with existences at the level of Lords would be foolish.
But they were put in a dilemma as they didn’t want to surrender and leave the forest. This was where they were born and raised. They rarely ever go out and do not know how to survive outside.
Just as their anxiety and confusion left them standing there foolishly, a voice suddenly echoed.
“Everyone, I know you’re all anxious to suddenly receive the news that you have to pledge allegiance and leave your homes. But there is good news! And that is, you are protected! Once you become a member or troop under SPY, then you need not worry about transportation costs and reinforcements. You could travel to places you’ve never been to before and taste all kinds of prey. And you could also form teams with other races under us or ask for reinforcements. Just these two benefits alone would make your race soar, but that’s not all! We also plan on bringing some of you guys with us to descend. As long as they’re capable and their bodies can endure the transportation, then you will have the chance to descend and advance as a demon!”
His words were enticing like the devil’s tongue speaking beside their ears, tempting them to eat the evil fruit.
“But of course, if you don’t surrender then we only have one choice left. And that is - to annihilate you!”
His last sentence was domineering, completely different from the initial part as his figure appeared amongst flames and spear.
The Soleis Spear played in his fingertips as flames entwined along and danced in the air. His figure resembled those dancers who play with fire but his calm and threatening words gave his entire persona a fierce and unrestrained vibe.
The flames that danced in the air flew in trajectories hard to predict and see as Yhaele stopped in the middle and coldly stared at them.
“So, how is it?”
Under the coercion of both Benefit and Threat, the Tikbalangs were forced to make a decision while pressured.
The gaze locked onto them made them tremble in fear as they knew that if they chose the wrong decision, they would no doubt be annihilated.
Their horse-like legs bent with the right knee outward forward. Both of their arms were on the ground as their heads bowed low.
Yhaele need not hear words to determine what their actions signify. He knew he succeeded yet again in scamming a powerful race. A race that had dominated this forest for years until now and only encountered defeat at their hands.
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He was feeling smug at the thought and amiably looked at their troops.
Magma Golems, Ketus, Tikbalangs…
Physical defense and offense, Restriction and resilient, enduring and recovers swiftly…
Unknowingly, they had managed to absorb three types of demon races under them with unique traits and peculiar abilities, forming a strange synergy.
Together with the three of them, he knew it was only a matter of time before they descended another floor.
They just needed to finish absorbing their gains and completely enhance themselves and they’d be ready.
The only thing they are lacking now are the whereabouts of the 3rd Gate and the Cockroach King.
But the incubation and hatching of the Cockroach King is already underway and they’ve made great progress. It isn’t as troublesome as it was in the beginning as they conquered one race after another.
A thick dark root carrying an aura of evil came flying from the sky and pierced the ground easily. And came with it are groups of roots with the same feel and color as they pierced the area similarly and then brought a sunflower over.
“Is it over?” She asked with a bright and curious tone as she observed the Tikbalangs in front of them.
They were kneeling, a gesture she couldn’t be more familiar with. She was filled with satisfaction and immediately ordered out.
“Who is the leader? Come over and get marked” Like usual, she called for the leader of the race as the representative to not waste mana and mental strength.
The Tikbalangs landed their gazes on a particular figure in the middle of them as they awaited his reaction.
The so-called leader moved and got up, then started walking towards Sunirae.
Its body was strange as it had an additional pair of spherical objects on its chest and its buttocks more defined and bigger than others.
Sunirae stared at the two bouncing objects as she asked what kind of weapons they could be.
“What are those things on your chest? Are those your weapons as the chief?”
The chief of the Tikbalangs was momentarily stunned and did not know what to say. Her words of submission and following actions got stuck in her throat as she just stared dumbfoundedly at Sunirae.
Fortunately, she quickly gathered her composure back, a necessary skill for a leader that even demons need.
“Ah, these are parts of my body that came with my gender. In our race, females are usually superior due to their larger waists and lower bodies. We also have these body parts that are used to nurture the future generations and can also be used during copulation.”
Although she was embarrassed, she still confessed the truth directly. She’d rather be honest than not as she - the strongest warrior and leader in their tribe - could sense the immense danger and threat from Sunirae.
Although she also met Yhaele before, the amount of threat he unleashed could not even compare to this Underworld Plant Demon.
Being born in an environment with Underworld Pants, they were knowledgeable regarding plants, herbs and other lifeforms that thrive in Underworld Forests.
She was aware how difficult it was for demonic plants to develop sentience and become a demon, even more so to gain strength to hunt for prey.
Therefore, most demonic plants take a very long time to advance.
But once they advance, they are usually very difficult to kill completely and manage to survive in one way or another. They are even more tenacious than Tikbalangs as they could leave roots underground to survive or scatter seeds.
Their unorthodox life-saving methods are very strange and rarely known to their enemies. Therefore, they won’t even know what happened and just think they managed to kill their enemy successfully.
And the one in front of it currently is not only a demonic plant with sentience, but also a Lord.
This bewildered and shook her greatly as she was vaguely aware of how troublesome it would be to face such an existence.
She bent her knees when she got closer to the Lord and bowed her head, solemnly swearing her faith.
“We Tikbalangs pledge allegiance. What instructions do you have for me, master?” she asks in a slightly nervous tone. Being called in front out of nowhere made her scared of the uncertain future.
“Open your mind and do not resist.” Sunirae didn’t say much this time and wasted time. As usual, she did what she had to do and enslaved the chief of the Tikbalangs.