The Abomination still lusted after the dead Beastmen, but it didn’t consume them. That would go against Percy’s command, but the Abomination chose to obey—to collaborate.

“My Ego tells me all Mutants have been inflicted by Devil’s Touch,” Percy told the others after quickly consuming all bodies, earning him more than ten million Prosperity. His Tier surged, but he wasn’t close to advancing yet.

“The Devil is getting more active,” Fiona mumbled. She was still pale from healing everyone in need of healing, but tending to her injured summoned Monster had been the hardest on her. Fiona had used her Ego too much in a short period, pushing her over the edge. She surpassed her limit and faced the consequences.

“Sent Fiona and everyone injured or scared witless back to the entrance. They can tend to the injured or the unconscious demonized Beastman or leave to spread the word of the Demons’ appearance. There might not be another Beast Legion nearby, but you never know who you might find. Every bit of support can transform into a deciding factor between victory and defeat.”

They studied Percy with arched eyebrows, but Fiona nodded slowly. She recognized how inefficient Demonic Essence surrounded her Ego. Healing Star may be powerful, but Fiona couldn’t unleash its full potential underground and surrounded by Demonic Essence. The Holy Triceratops was also injured, mostly due to her order and the narrow space in the cavern tunnel. She was more baggage than support at this point.

“We’ll create a small camp outside the lair, far enough to use Healing Star’s full potential and flee in case you fail, which you won’t, but close enough to care for everyone.”

Percy nodded and turned around, his ears perking up as the Demons in the tunnels roared. Oddly enough, the widest tunnel was the loudest. The walls weren’t trembling anymore, but the heat of the Beast King’s Purgatory Fire had reached them by now.

“There seem to be a bunch of Demons waiting for us,” Percy smiled, heading for the widest tunnel with the most Demonic Essence.

He didn’t wait for anyone as he stepped inside.

The widest cavern tunnel was illuminated by fiercely burning torches flickering in the darkness.

They burned violet and altered the surrounding mana, transforming it into something heavier. The torches tainted mana, changing it into something impure and gloomy. Absorbing it was possible, but it would be a foolish idea as the altered mana would spread through the energy paths, releasing traces of the torches’ properties in the paths before they would reach the mana reservoir.

Percy couldn’t tell everything about the torches from a mere glance, but he was certain the mana would also taint his pure mana reservoir.

That was bad, but Percy didn’t have a problem with it. He’d prepared enough Ego-enhanced potions to consume. Many would replenish their used-up mana quickly.

“Nobody is to absorb mana in this place. Use potions if you’re out of mana!” He ordered, yet nobody responded. However, Percy didn’t look back. He sensed the tension in the air and understood how worried everyone must be. The situation was dangerous, to say the least. Enemies, Mutated Elite Demons, or a few more Devil’s Touched Greater Demons could appear out of nowhere. It didn’t surprise Percy that no one responded. After all, he could still hear footsteps, metal boots clinking on the cold stone behind him.

Even if I were to use up all potions, I can produce new Ego-enhanced potions. Melissa and the others have enough potions to enhance, whereas I have more than enough Prosperity to go wild with Ego-enhancing.

Percy had been descending the wide tunnel for a while now. He didn’t know how many demon corpses he had consumed, but it had to be many. He used his mana reserves sparingly to avoid consuming too many potions before they encountered truly dangerous enemies. Still, he – after summoning the Gnoll Warlord – encountered several groups of Lesser Demons and Elite Demons.

There were more elites than lesser demons, which surprised him because he expected the Beast King to lose his sanity after facing a cruel reality. His people, the youngest of his land, had been kidnapped, their Essence torn apart and sacrificed to the Devil, and all that remained was their shell, filled with the remains of incorporeal Demons. Ghost-like Demons existed.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

They were rare, but Percy read about them taking possession of corpses after their Essence had left their bodies. That was what must have happened. Percy wasn’t certain, of course, but he didn’t believe in fortune.

After a battle with more than a dozen Elite Demons, nobody from the envoy or the Beast Legion had joined him in the battle, and Percy was fed up. He heard their chattering behind him, and their footsteps were even closer than before, yet nobody helped him for the last few battles.

“Guys, we cannot go on like this. It’s not like I don’t like fighting, but this is nonsense. I am supposed to save my mana to fight the Greater Demons. How about you give me a helping hand or two?” Percy asked the others. This time, he expected an answer from the others. At least Melissa should have answered. No, she would have answered for sure.

That’s odd. No, in the first place…why would Melissa not use her Ego to kill the Lesser Demons? She has always attacked them.

Something was wrong, and Percy noticed it only now. The chattering voices remained the same, and the footsteps sounded too…similar. It was almost like the others had been making the same sounds for… Percy didn’t know for how long.

How did I not notice that?

Percy’s eyes narrowed, and [Hawk Eyes] activated again. He didn’t remember when he’d turned off the Augmentation, but what unfolded before him surprised him greatly.

The density of Demonic Essence around him was incredibly thick. But there was also something else. An aroma he didn’t know. It overwhelmed the filth, blood, and gore that had filled his nostrils the whole time.

Percy spun around, a bad premonition creeping up on him.

There was nobody behind him. Did they leave him behind to fend for himself? No. The envoy members would have followed him. That was part of their mission. At least Melissa and those brave enough to descend into the depths of the Demon Lair would have come with him.

How much time has passed since I left? I have been absorbing the corpses left behind by the Beast King. The trails of gore, the path of death…I absorbed the corpses…but what happened then?

There were no corpses around him besides the Elite Demons he had just slain. The cavern tunnel was also wider than before. No, Percy was at the end of the cavern tunnel. It spread open, revealing a massive underground hall.

A hall filled with Demons, led by a mature Demoness. A powerful Greater Demon with human-like looks if it weren’t for her leathery wings and a few more intriguing feathers. Her appearance resembled one of the most beautiful women Percy had ever seen. She had long, dark violet hair that cascaded down her back, vibrant purple eyes, and a slender body. Her chestnut tan looked natural, like her violet, almost dark lips. She pressed a hand, soft and slender like she’d never done any hard labor, pressed into her wide hips as she looked at him. She smiled at him, revealing perfectly arranged, white teeth, except two slightly longer fangs.

“Vampire?” Percy mumbled in confusion as his brain shut off. Looking at her was enough to overwhelm him, to take advantage of his emotions…and alter them as she pleased. Only now did Percy realize what was going on.

“A Vampire? I am much more than a mere Vampire, youngling,” The Demoness said, her ripe voice ringing in Percy’s ears like chimes on a warm evening in the summer, “I am everything you desire. My name is Beth, the love of your life, and you… You are mine now!”

Percy’s blood was boiling, and his cheeks flushed red. Not because he was overwhelmed with excitement and happiness like the Demoness thought, but mostly because the Azure Dragon’s Essence overwhelmed Percy.

Why does it feel like you are blaming me for falling victim to a Succubus? It’s not my fault…well, not really. Whatever! Even if it is my fault, it is your fault as well. You are my Essence, you know?! Stop acting like we are separate individuals!

He was certain the Azure Dragon’s Essence rebelled, but not because of the Succubus’ trap anymore. It felt like the Essence was enraged because it was not at fault. After all, it was awakened in the body of someone who had yet to accept his bloodline!

“Didn’t you hear me, love?” Beth, the Demoness, asked, her voice like honey, “You are mine now! Come here and let me–...”

“Can you shut your mouth now?” Percy thundered, his eyes narrowed to tiny slits, “I’m having an important discussion with my Essence. We are at odds and have to clear the air first.”

The Succubus stared at Percy, her eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

“Did it not work? No, I am sure he fell victim to my spell. I focused everything on him because he told me to. There is no way I failed,” She mumbled, but her voice was loud enough to resound throughout the hall. Percy clicked his tongue and stared dagger at her.

“Sorry, but you are not my type,” Percy waved his hand dismissively. More importantly, where did you bring me, and where are my friends?”