Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Despair filled his voice, and his eyes trembled as he hugged Luna's chilling body.

"You can't die, Luna. We still must build a peaceful territory for demons." His lips quivered, and warm tears began to trail down his cheeks.

Yet, she remained unresponsive despite his pleas and the physical contact.

He had seen how she always backed a step to protect herself and how angry she became whenever someone tried to touch her. He hoped her eyes would snap open and she would scold him for it, that she would call him a boor or even slap him.

However, the only thing he saw was her face palling further.

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As he lamented her deteriorating condition, Garduck bit his lips in sorrow and gestured for the other subjects to follow him out. Even if they were all sad, he knew her death would affect Adam the most. Their grief was nothing in comparison to his. Therefore, he wanted to give him space and let him wish her goodbye in peace.

Meanwhile, Adam held her tightly as if trying to share his body's warmth and vitality with her. Her silky green hair, sparkling eyes, and incredible forms didn't matter, nor did her strength. True, he had been intrigued, even attracted by them when he first saw her, but even if he hadn't noticed it, their relationship had changed along the way.

A subtle trust and mutual understanding had blossomed between them despite their opposite beliefs because, deep down, they were the same.

He gazed at her, tenderness and unwillingness melding in his blurring eyes.

"I know you're hiding your emotions because you're afraid that someone will betray you again. But you longed for a warm place you could call home, too." He sobbed, feeling a part of his heart shatter like a piece of glass. "Don't die, Luna, please. Nothing will be the same without you..."

All their interactions flashed in his mind in a second.

Their rough first meeting and her distrust. Then, their fights against the hobgoblin and her lessons about demonic essence. All the raids she had participated in and the event's last wave, during which she finally opened up and came to save him. Even the memories he held dear, like the outfit and dinner episodes, became scalding hot in his heart...

because the person he had shared them with would soon die. The worst part? She had warned him that some of them would inevitably lose their lives along the way.

But why her? Why did she use her powers so much that her state kept deteriorating? Was it to save them all? Was it because she hated high-tiered demons and everything they embodied? Or was there something more?

He didn't know, yet his eyes narrowed and firmed.

"No!" A defiant sob pierced the tower as he shook his head. His jaws bulged next as he roared in his mind. 'I won't let you die! Never! Not again and not because of me!' His burned fists trembled as his mind raced in every direction. 'Think, you fool!

Garduck's recommendation is not everything. There must be something you can use to save her, and I'm sure she's trusting you to find it!'

In a split second, he replayed every scene he had lived through.

From his awakening as an imp in the demon realm until his transformation into a draconic oni. Then, all the battles he had fought. And among them, one made his eyes sparkle.

'How could I forget! I used it myself last week, and she saw it. But it's not guaranteed to work. Please, please, let it be enough.'

Heart drumming in his chest and holding his breath, he opened his fiery interface and scrutinised the notifications.

[You and your subjects have defeated 2600 tier two level 20 cultists. You have gained 1.040.000 experience points.]

He gritted his teeth as he muttered a silent prayer. 'The xp has to be enough to propel us to level forty. With the tier-up quest, she can recover!'

He swiped his crooked fingers frantically to check the other notifications.

[Congratulations on being the first lord to reach level 40! Building awarding delayed.]

[Promotion quest unlocked: Beat a boss of the fourth tier with your subjects to enter the rank of nobility!]

[You and your subjects have defeated the tier six level 66 random Balor of Zepar's legion. Error Error.]

[The Balor weakened stated during its possession doesn't warrant him the sixth tier. Lowering it to reflect its strength at the moment of death.]

"Those cheaters are still trying to nerf my experience gain at the slightest anomaly." He roared, "But that's what I want! Reduce its tier to the fourth!"

[You and your subjects have defeated the tier four level 66 random Balor of Zepar's legion. You have gained 105.600 experience points.]

He closed his eyes, the despair that had shrouded his heart vanishing as he trembled in delight.

"COMPLETE THE QUEST!"

[Promotion quest accomplished. Channeling the gods' authority to break the tier barrier.]

[Congratulations on reaching the fourth tier. Stat points earned per level doubled. Reach level fifty for the next promotion quest.]

His smile reaching his eyes, he held Luna's limp figure before him.

"You'll recover now! We did it!"

As his delighted voice echoed, a soothing sensation engulfed his body. Dark flames blazing fiercely erupted from his skin and licked his wounds. Like a warm blanket, they worked together in a symphony of comforting crackling and life-filled energy to mend his body and raise his life's rating to a new level.

The melted chitin stuck to his charred arms clanged to the ground while his muscles stirred and mended themselves. The putrid smell of burnt flesh receded as a demonic fragrance replaced it. New skin sprouted next, soft yet extremely durable and shining a healthy hue.

But he didn't care. All his attention was on Luna's recovery and the similar scene happening to her, the only difference being the flame's colors.

Even if he couldn't see her demonic core's state, he watched with bated breath as colors returned to her pale face. He also felt her body heat up and her weak breathing become stronger.