“Hyperion, what are you waiting for? Run for your life.”
The Seraphim clutched a sword of light in hand, its brilliance pulsing as it cleaved through the air, vaporizing a horde of lesser demons that emerged from the abyssal rift.
Though on the brink of falling, the angel’s attacks still dealt significant damage to demons.
But against the nearly endless swarm of lesser demons, the inflicted damage was negligible.
The dense mass of lesser demons pounced on every living creature within sight, their fierce appearances, dark purple skin, and menacing fangs, though only a meter tall, they were swift and ferocious.
Creatures that lurked in the red-light district.
Be it humans, orcs, or humanoid beings like elves, most were of low strength, and those of high status were rare.
Confronted by the oppressive swarm of lesser demons, the transcendent professionals mounted a resistance.
Whoosh!
A caster conjured a fireball, hurling it into the circling swarm of lesser demons.
The dazzling firelight burst forth, instantly tearing apart several demons at the epicenter, while a dozen more caught fire, flapping their wings in agony.
However, before the caster could take pride in his accomplishment.
More lesser demons descended upon him like a bat swarm, overwhelming him in the blink of an eye.
Similarly.
A warrior’s greatsword cleaved through several demons, only to be overrun by more, leaving not a bone behind as the ravenous demons devoured his flesh and bones.
Lesser demons were the lowest class of demons ubiquitous in the Abyssal Abyss.
Quick and savage by nature, their combat strength wasn’t high, but their sheer numbers were virtually infinite, easily bred as cannon fodder. Every great demon lord had countless lesser demons under their command.
“Ha ha, hahaha.”
“Fear, suffer, despair.”
“This will make the taste of your souls all the more exquisite.”
As more lesser demons poured from the abyssal rift, the Soul Harvester hovered amidst them, cackling loudly.
At the same time, its head, devoid of features save for eyes, twisted into a vortex-like void.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
Within the chaotic red-light district, streaks of green light arose.
Enveloping panicked, semi-translucent souls, they were sucked into the vortex on the Soul Harvester’s face.
These were the souls of those slain by the lesser demons.
To harvest as many souls as possible in the shortest time, the Soul Harvester joined the fray.
Its pale claws swiped through the air.
Invisible ripples tore through the souls of more prominent transcendent professionals, paralyzing them before they were devoured by the surrounding lesser demons.
“A dragonkin?”
“A dragonkin with a Golden Dragon bloodline, the quality of its soul must be high.”
“Heh, I’m quite lucky.”
The Soul Harvester noticed the conspicuous dragonkin youth.
Helpless, even though Saga had concealed most of his aura, his unique presence still shone like a star in the night, catching attention even amidst the chaos of the red-light district.
Lucky?
Hearing the Soul Harvester’s sinister laugh, Saga’s eyes lifted, a faint smile curving his lips.
“Hand over your soul to me.”
The Soul Harvester extended a pale claw, reaching for the seemingly harmless dragonkin youth, then clenched fiercely.
Soul Harvester’s Claw!
Buzz!
Around the dragonkin youth, a semi-transparent green claw large enough to cover most of his body materialized.
“Come here.”
Once the Soul Harvester’s Claw struck, if successful in a soul strength contest, it could rip the target’s soul directly from their body.
At that moment, the Seraphim chanted a spell.
Pointing at Saga, he invoked:
Angel’s Protection!
A holy white light sigil emerged beneath Saga, bursting with dazzling light, dispersing the Soul Harvester’s Claw.
“Hmph, angel, you’re nearly fallen.”
“Why not just give in and serve the great Lord of Locusts? My master would delight in transforming an angel into a powerful demon, a rare opportunity for you.”
The Soul Harvester’s attention was drawn by the angel, it spoke.
Banish Evil Slash!
The angel’s response was a sharp slash, like a crescent moon, aimed at the Soul Harvester’s head.
“Ungrateful.”
The Soul Harvester raised its arm, soul energy coalescing into a green scythe, snapping the angel’s Banish Evil Slash apart.
At the same time.
Swarms of lesser demons lunged at both the Seraphim and the dragonkin youth.
The sword of light swept in all directions, purging the lesser demons, and the Seraphim’s gaze sharpened, seeing the dragonkin youth engulfed by the swarm.
“Hyperion!”
Though they had known each other for only a few days, the Seraphim sank with the thought of losing a companion, turning to aid the dragonkin youth.
“Hey, still distracted.”
Accompanied by a ghostly whisper, the Soul Harvester emerged behind the angel, its green scythe slicing towards the angel’s head.
Forced to abandon his companion, the angel roared in anger, dodging the Soul Harvester’s attack and countering with his sword of light, his fierce assault tinged with uncontainable rage.
He feared the dragonkin youth was not strong and would have perished in mere seconds after being swallowed by the swarm.
“Such an emotional angel.”
“You’re cut out to be a demon.”
The Soul Harvester easily dodged the angel’s attack.
Extending its claw, it locked onto the angel’s neck.
Green light spread, gripping the angel’s soul, paralyzing him instantly.
“Let me taste an angel’s soul.”
At that moment, a flaming arrow imbued with magical energy pierced through several circling lesser demons, aimed at the vortex on the Soul Harvester’s face.
The Soul Harvester neither dodged nor flinched, its body turning semi-transparent as the arrow passed through without harm.
An elf in the distance drew her bow, continuing to shoot arrows that vibrated at high frequencies, capable of disturbing soul waves, forcing the Soul Harvester to take notice.
Unnoticed, a middle-aged adventurer had approached the Soul Harvester, suddenly lunging from the side.
His longsword unsheathed, carrying a sliver of ultimate sharpness, it slashed at the Soul Harvester’s head.
“Just some annoying bugs.”
The Soul Harvester turned sharply, its eyes glowing.
Human Paralysis Spell!
The middle-aged adventurer’s movements halted, frozen in mid-air.
With a swipe of its claw, a greenish massive claw swept towards the adventurer.
As the Soul Harvester moved to kill the middle-aged adventurer, taking advantage of the delay provided by his companions, the angel broke free from the Soul Harvester’s soul control with a determined will, twisting his wrist to slice through the Soul Harvester’s grasping claw and shot out like an arrow, saving the middle-aged adventurer.
These seemingly unreliable adventurers.
Unexpectedly, they were not weak.
However, they were no match for the Soul Harvester.
After several failed attempts to eliminate his targets, the Soul Harvester grew serious.
Its gaze swept over the adventurers, saying, “All fine souls, prepare to become offerings to my master.”
Pale claws waved repeatedly.
Green chains sprouted from thin air, entwining the three adventurers like serpents.
Soul Harvester Chains!
The chains moved as fast as lightning, and after a few dodges, the adventurers were still bound and rendered powerless.
At that moment.
The surroundings were filled with ruins and raging fires, the once bustling red-light district reduced to ashes.
Countless lesser demons circled above, and the crowd on the ground scattered in terror among the rubble, some falling and immediately being devoured by the demons.
The Soul Harvester watched the scene with satisfaction.
“You know nothing of the power of demons.”
It looked down upon the adventurers who had resisted for a minute, speaking.
Suddenly, as the Soul Harvester was about to finish them off.
The writhing mass of lesser demons roared impatiently, their voices filled with urgency.
“Hm? Not dead yet?”
The Soul Harvester was taken aback, looking in the direction of the dragonkin youth already engulfed by the lesser demons.
The demons’ reaction indicated they were struggling to consume the creature within.
“True to the bloodline of the Dragon Kind, such tenacious life force. The quality of this soul must be even higher than I anticipated. My luck is not bad.”
“Then let’s harvest your soul first.”
The Soul Harvester waved its hand, and several Soul Harvester Chains shot out like green lightning towards the dragonkin youth, now obscured by the swarm of lesser demons.
In an instant.
The chains pierced through the demons’ bodies, locking onto the target.
However, the Soul Harvester suddenly froze, its expression changing drastically.
Crack, crack!
The chains trembled violently as if tethered to a terrifying beast on the other end.
Crash!
Under the mighty vibration of the dragon soul, as tough as steel, the Soul Harvester Chains suddenly shattered.
The adventurers on the ground struggled to turn their heads to look, their eyes wide in shock.
In a flash, a resplendent golden light burst forth like a blazing sun.
The entire red-light district was bathed in blinding golden light, as if a golden sun had descended.
The dense swarm of lesser demons wailed, turning to ash.
At the same time, within the area flooded with golden light, accompanied by a deep breath, a colossal figure emerged, its wings stirring up gales that scattered the swarms of lesser demons and debris, almost instantly reaching the Soul Harvester.
“You…”
The Soul Harvester hadn’t reacted before feeling a tightness around its body.
When it came to its senses, it saw its own reflection in a pair of indifferent golden dragon eyes.
Its pupils contracted, and the Soul Harvester saw the massive creature before it.
Three pairs of majestic, winding horns and diamond-like scales entered its vision, and the scorching breath hit its face. This was no harmless dragonkin youth, but a magnificent Golden Dragon with terrifying dragon might!
“Not a dragonkin, but a True Dragon, a powerful one hiding among the weak.”
The Soul Harvester’s heart sank.
“First, break free from the grip.”
The body held by the dragon became transparent, shifting and disappearing.
At the same time, the Golden Dragon looked on calmly, flames igniting in its eyes.
Boom!
A simple and brutal psychic blast hit the Soul Harvester.
Like thunder piercing the brain, the Soul Harvester’s body trembled, reappearing on the other side of the air, oscillating between transparency and solidity, its aura weakened.
At this moment, the Golden Dragon watched the Soul Harvester with a calm gaze, its voice deep:
“Encountering me is your misfortune.”
The show was over, and now the true battle began.
Dragon Might swept across the red-light district like divine authority.
The bodies of the lesser demons trembled, falling like raindrops, unable to withstand Saga’s dragon might.
“Damn it.”
Watching this, the Soul Harvester seethed with rage.
But it knew well that it was likely no match for the Golden Dragon before it.
Heading towards the abyssal rift, the Soul Harvester decided to retreat.
However, how could Saga let it get away?
Several gravity blades flew in, interrupting the Soul Harvester’s action.
“Thinking of leaving in my presence?”
The dragon murmured, calm yet majestic.
Unable to fight or flee, the Soul Harvester showed annoyance, growling:
“You forced my hand; don’t regret it.”
Its head lifted, the vortex on its face paused for a moment, then spun rapidly, grinding the dimly visible soul lights into pure soul energy.
These souls, meant to be sacrificed to its demon lord, were now prematurely used to summon a stronger demon.
Crack, crack.
At the same time.
The ground’s abyssal rift suddenly widened.
No more lesser demons emerged, but a deep, evil, and terrifying aura reappeared.
Accompanied by the stench of rotting flesh and frenzied roars, a massive demon hand stretched out, gripping the rift’s edges, and in the next second, amidst the trembling earth, a colossal demon over ten meters tall leaped out.
A body covered in tumor-like layers, muscles as if forged from steel.
Arms so large they nearly touched the ground.
Eyes red as blood.
A back crisscrossed with spines.
These features combined to form the visage of a Berserk Demon.
When the Berserk Demon landed, its terrifying presence swept in all directions, revealing it as a legendary demon of great power.
Saga’s gaze narrowed, looking at the Berserk Demon.
At the same time, sensing the strongest presence other than himself, the Golden Dragon, the Berserk Demon roared, its voice thunderous.
“I will crush your bones!”
The ground collapsed, cracking.
The Berserk Demon leaped, barbarically pouncing towards the Golden Dragon.
Saga braced himself for the confrontation.
But before Saga could continue to deal with the Berserk Demon.
Suddenly, a spear like a comet streaked across the sky, wrapped in sharp radiance, instantly piercing its chest, the powerful impact halting the Berserk Demon’s motion and pressing it back to the ground.
The Berserk Demon roared, pulling the spear from its chest.
“Rampaging in my Lionheart Kingdom, you’re seeking death.”
At the same time, several legendary powerhouses arrived, swiftly ganging up on the legendary Berserk Demon.
The Soul Harvester’s illusionary magic had tried to conceal the situation in the red-light district, but as soon as the legendary demon appeared, the faint aura it released was captured by the Lionheart Kingdom’s legendary powerhouses, who struck directly.
The Berserk Demon was a type of demon with formidable combat capabilities.
However, under the suppression of the Lionheart Kingdom’s legendary powerhouses, it could no longer cause trouble.
Meanwhile.
The Golden Dragon looked at the Soul Harvester, exhaling a breath of Dragon Breath of fire.
The weakened Soul Harvester struggled to dodge, engulfed by the Dragon Breath.
“The great Lord of Locusts will avenge me!”
With a wail, the Soul Harvester was gradually burned to nothing.
Since the Lord of Locusts was not well-known from the inheritance records, Saga didn’t pay much attention.
Soon after, the dragon turned to the adventurers.
With the Soul Harvester Chains ineffective, they regained their ability to move.
Under the Golden Dragon’s gaze, the middle-aged adventurer was the first to come to his senses, running his hand through his disheveled hair, addressing the Golden Dragon, “Hyperion… no, I should address you as the King of the Near Seas.”
He paused, then smiled wryly, “Mighty King of the Near Seas, thank you for your assistance, and if there was any offense before, please forgive us.”
The elf added, “We can offer treasures.”
Watching the two adventurers quickly change their tune, Saga remained expressionless, calmly saying, “No need, your presence has brought a touch of novelty to my journey, and that will serve as my reward for saving you.”
The middle-aged adventurer and the elf hurriedly expressed their gratitude.
After shedding his disguise, an insurmountable barrier seemed to rise between man and dragon.
On the other side, the angel, of a higher order than ordinary dragons, didn’t feel much awe towards Saga.
“I didn’t expect you to be the King of the Near Seas they spoke of.” The angel exhaled, scanning the Golden Dragon, “Indeed, you are extraordinary.”
At the same time, with a terrible roar, the Berserk Demon’s large body fell, lifeless.
The human powerhouses had easily and swiftly dealt with the Berserk Demon.
Then, the leading legendary figure, known as the Spear that Splits the Sky in the Lionheart Kingdom, looked towards the Golden Dragon.
Saga’s gaze shifted, locking eyes with the other.
The Spear that Splits the Sky nodded slightly, showing no malice, and said, “King of the Near Seas, thank you for your assistance in this demonic invasion.”
He paused, then continued, “The Lionheart Kingdom treats friends with honey and enemies with swords.”
“King of the Near Seas, please accompany me to the palace, where the kingdom will prepare a gift of thanks and host a banquet in your honor.”
The Golden Dragon shook its head, declining the legendary human’s invitation, saying, “If you wish to thank me, send the gift to the Near Seas, and there’s no need for a banquet. I plan to leave this place and may return another time.”
The adventurer’s game was over.
Saga had no desire to stay any longer.
The Spear that Splits the Sky didn’t insist, watching the Golden Dragon intently, and said solemnly, “As long as you bear no ill will, the Lionheart Kingdom welcomes all races. There’s no need to disguise yourself; the gates of Laine City will open for you.”
Saga grinned, replying, “I hope so.”
He glanced once more at the adventurers, said nothing further, and withdrew his gaze, taking to the sky and departing from Laine City.
The middle-aged adventurer and his companions watched the Golden Dragon’s silhouette until it vanished completely.
Then the disheveled adventurer chuckled, slinging an arm around the elf, “The King of the Near Seas once joined our team; our group’s value is about to skyrocket.”
The elf mused, “To have traveled with the King of the Near Seas is a rare experience; I must include it in my autobiography.”
“Still, the King of the Near Seas is rumored to be fierce and brutal, but our time together made it seem… not an Evil Dragon.”
The middle-aged adventurer smiled, “Good or evil, can it be so clearly defined?”
“Indeed.” The elf nodded.
The angel surveyed the ruins of the red-light district.
“I wonder when this street will be rebuilt; it’s going to be boring for a while.”
The middle-aged adventurer, with a gleam in his eye, suggested, “In that case, why don’t we visit the Succubus Kingdom and experience the ‘Country of Customs’?”
The elf and angel were invigorated.
“Great idea.”
And so, under the faint morning light, the odd trio of human, elf, and angel set off on their next adventure.
Not long after, in Laine City, at the Third Prince’s residence.
Upon hearing of the demonic invasion, the Third Prince was slightly surprised.
“The King of the Near Seas appeared in Laine City? I wonder when that dragon left the Near Seas.”
“However, since it helped against the demons, this King of the Near Seas might not be as fierce as rumored, perhaps even quite amiable.”
Soon, the Third Prince’s thoughts shifted from the King of the Near Seas, sinking into worry.
“Ah, where is the Lionhead Scepter?”
“When will the envoy sent to the Skyrealm Empire return successfully?”
Meanwhile.
After the brief interlude in Laine City, Saga sped towards Tixil the Amethyst Dragon’s location, soaring high in the sky. As time passed, he gradually left the Lionheart Kingdom’s territory, drawing ever closer to his destination.