As soon as I am away from the burning soldiers I pick up the scent I have been looking for, giving me a solid trail to follow. Now there should be nothing between me and my people but distance, and at the speed I am going it should only take me a day to catch up to them. As I run I leave a part of my mind tuned to my surroundings and turn the rest towards questioning Drog.

'Drog, why does it seem like shadow demons are so much weaker than normal demons?'

Drog 'They aren't weaker.'

'But when I've fought shadow demons it has been very easy to kill them.'

Drog 'You are comparing them to fighting me right?'

'Well, yeah. You are the only demon I have fought.'

Drog 'You forget that I was a rank five demon. If you were to fight a rank five shadow demon it would be just as strong as I was.'

'Oh, I guess I didn't think of that. So if I fought a rank three demon it would be just as easy as that last fight?'

Drog 'Yes, probably. Keep in mind you fought and defeated me a long time ago. You are much stronger than you were back then.'

'So if you were to rate me on my strength what rank would you put me as?'

Drog 'You would be either a very strong rank five or a weak rank six.'

'When I beat you, you were a weak rank five right?'

Drog 'Yes, or maybe a strong rank four. It is hard to judge, I didn't get much chance to measure my strength once I was free.'

'So if you were as you were when I freed you and you fought me as I am now?'

Drog 'You would defeat me fairly easily. Even if you were all alone.'

'So anything below rank five I shouldn't even be worried about?'

Drog 'Unless it is a noble, yes.'

'Alright, got it. By the way, can a normal rank three demon control that many human soldiers?'

Drog 'Yes, if given enough time to take control of them a few at a time.'

'Hm, so we will probably be seeing more units of soldiers controlled by shadow demons.'

Drog 'It seems that way.'

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'Well, from the perspective of increasing my rank I would have to say that is a good thing.'

Drog 'For us maybe, but what about the kingdom's other enemies?'

'That's true, if they aren't expecting it that would be a problem for them to deal with. Once we reach the rebels we will try and spread the news to the other kingdoms.'

A few hours pass and I have covered about sixty miles, when I hear the faint sounds of combat off to the north. It is too soon for me to be anywhere near where the girls were attacked, but I can't help but be curious as to who is fighting out here. So I slow down and quietly move north to take a look and see what is going on.

As I move the sounds of combat lessen, it seems like the battle is coming to an end. I crouch lower and move slower to make sure I am not noticed. As I come across the first corpse the sound of combat ends and I hear voices.

Isabella says "Damn you, Miguel! How could you kill my soldiers? We both serve the king!"

Miguel says "You serve the king, I however serve a different master."

A few more steps brings me to the edge of a trampled area and I can finally see what is going on. There are about one hundred and fifty dead soldiers scattered about. There are fifty soldiers still alive but they look like the soldiers from before, controlled and emotionless.

Other than the soldiers there are three men and a woman, the woman must be the one under attack while the man facing her would be Miguel. The two standing behind him are both possessed by rank two shadow demons. I stay where I am and listen to see if I can learn anything before deciding to attack.

Isabella says "What master? What are you even talking about? Have you gone insane?!"

Miguel says "I serve the shadow demon, the true master of this nation! And he has ordered that you be brought to him alive so he can use your ability. Unfortunately for you he also said I could do whatever I want as long as you are alive."

Before the woman can respond Miguel steps up to her, rips her top open, and throws her to the ground. She lets out a small scream as she is thrown down. I can tell what Miguel plans to do and I can feel my rage boiling up at the thought.

Drog 'Wow! Would you look at that rack! You have to save her, master!'

'Shut up, Drog, I was already planning to save her. And it has nothing to do with her rack!'

Drog 'Must. Save. The. Rack!'

'Enough! Damn perverted demon. Summon Bones!'

"Bones, I need you to kill the fifty soldiers."

Bones gives me a nod and quickly moves off through the grass. As I turn back to face Miguel I see him unbuckling his pants. I stand up and step out into the open where everyone can see me.

Miguel says "Oh, look it's the beast we are hunting. You two, kill him!"

The two shadow demons draw their swords and come charging at me. I wait until they are upon me and swinging their swords before I dodge between them. As I do I grab them both by the face and slam them into the ground hard enough to leave small craters.

'Summon Soulscape! Bones, stay here.'

As the soulscape forms around me the two shadow demons instantly take off running in different directions. I can feel them trying to escape but their wills are no match for mine. I draw Blitz and take a stance, then I imagine the first demon appearing before me as I execute the slash form.

The demon is cut into pieces with no chance to fight back, so I crouch down and proceed to eat the pieces. Once I am done I stand back up and ready myself again before teleporting the second demon to me. Again it dies before it can do anything and I happily eat it before returning to deal with the hero.

'End Soulscape!'

Core Upgrade Progress: 70% +10 DP

Core Upgrade Progress: 80% +10 DP

Core Upgrade Progress: 90% +10 DP

Core Upgrade Progress: 97%

'Damn so close! Why couldn't there have been just one more shadow demon!'

Miguel says "Wow, they were absolutely useless! Guess I have to deal with you myself. Isabella, stay right there! I will be right back!"