Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

While Achilles roared his revenge against Zeus, Appolo, Aphrodite, and the Fates, Adam cursed Zeus' shameless counter.

"What a mighty god you are! Sending Heracles now?" He flicked a middle finger towards the sky. "Guess what? He won't stop us either! And once we defeat him, you'll have no one else to send!" He smirked vindictively. "How do you feel up your mountain?

Are you angry that a mortal disrespects your grandeur? Are you enraged? Good, because after Baal, you're the next on the list!"

Huffing, he kicked the desolate ground and muttered a few more threats before he exhaled deeply to calm his raging heart.

After a minute, he walked to Karna, smiled, and raised his thumb.

"You surpassed my expectations. I didn't know you possessed such terrific weapons." A shiver ran down his spine as he remembered the nuke. "But please, be careful with the last one."

Karna nodded, a humble smile playing on his lips.

"Your words are too much. Achilles didn't go all out, yet his speed and strength forced me to use one of the most powerful divine weapons." He shook his head. "If he had known about it, I would have had no chance to hit him, and even less if he used his chariot since the start..." His voice lingered for a second before he smiled warmly. Chapter Experience:

"I could have vaporised him, but I'm keeping that one for a deity."

Adam's eyes enlarged at the revelation of another divine weapon.

However, Karna placed a finger over his lips, silently telling him he wouldn't share its details.

Meanwhile, Achilles calmed down and joined them before Karna could inquire about Adam's horrible state.

"I'll repeat what I told the clown when he summoned me." He raised a finger to emphasise his words. "I hate receiving orders. I joined you only because I never really cared about gods or demons. They're the same to me. The balance tilted in your favor because of the promise of glory and revenge."

He clicked his tongue and sighed.

"Still, I guess your contract binds me to follow your orders. So, what do you want me to do?"

Adam clapped his hands and smiled.

"Whatever you want. The only rule in my territory is for my subjects to live meaningful lives in peace and happiness." He pointed at the mountain south and grinned. "You already met Wukong a week ago. Like you, he dislikes orders, and it doesn't bother me. You're welcome to join our raids and conquest if you want. If you'd rather spend time exploring and having fun like him, I'm also fine with it."

He really meant his words and even more now than ever.

After witnessing their duel and with the urgency gone, his mind raced as a simple realisation rumbled in it.

'We're too weak compared to mythical figures, much less the gods.'

He could have distorted the truth, veiling his face by saying that his mythical figures were at the pinnacle of humanity, that their life rating was much higher, or that their divine weaponry widened the gap separating them. But he shook his head instead, a steely glint flashing in his eyes.

'We started at the bottom, but we'll rise to match, even surpass them, in the future.' His arms tensed as he clenched his fists. 'After all, my goal never changed. I'll become the uncontested number one!'

Acting on his idea, he turned to Karna and Achilles, his right fist on his chest in a respectful gesture. He bowed like a disciple would do to his masters, shattering his lord's image. But he didn't care. Ego and misplaced pride wouldn't help him.

"I'd like to request you to train me in your free time. I can't continue to lag behind and want to fight on the frontline, too."

Achilles' eyes darted to take in his mangled figure. He saw the slowly healing holes littering his blood-covered skin and his missing right cheek. From it, his sharp teeth were on full display.

He crossed his arms over his chest, his hand resting on his cheek and a furrow creasing his brows.

Then, a low chuckle escaped his lips.

"You're fascinating for a demon and much different from that foolish lord." He tapped his fingers on his cheek, his blue eyes sparkling with interest. "I can train you to wield blades, spears, and shields. Consider it my thanks for not restraining my freedom."

Then, he pointed at Karna with his thumb.

"For magic or special abilities, you can ask him. I'm a pure and untainted warrior."

Karna nodded, a warm sensation spreading around his chest as tender memories resurfaced. A dreamy smile spread on his face as he patted Adam's shoulder.

"Your humility honors you. I'll teach you archery like I taught my son. I'll also help you manipulate your flames better." He raised his head in pride. "By the end of my training, you'll be the most versatile demon that has ever existed."

Achilles chimed in, holding Karna's shoulder like he did with his brothers in arms.

"I'm curious to see the kind of warrior our surreal cooperation will create. Perhaps he'll even surpass us one day."

Meanwhile, drops of sweat formed on Adam's forehead and his eyes slipped to the side.

'Don't pressure me before we even started, brothers.' Yet, his knuckle whitened over his drumming chest. 'Anyway, why can't Achilles use mana like the others?'

After informing Achilles, he scrutinised his proud figure to make his stat panel appear.

Name: Achilles

Race: Stygianborn Human (Mythical figure)

Affinity: Water (Styx)

Job: /

Class: Phthian Windrider

Loyalty: 60

LVL: 1

Exp: 0/20

HP: 30000/30000

Vitality: 3000 (+130.000)

Strength: 3000 (+130.000)

Agility: 3000 (+130.000)

Mana: 0

Stygian Essence: 100.000

Note: Achilles progression reseted after he joined another lord.

Complementary information: The Styx's essence replaced Achilles' mana and divine energy, making him unable to gather or use spells. Instead, his unique energy boosts his stats with a ratio of 1:1.3. To increase it, he must journey through the underworld and bathe in the river of the dead once more.

His lips quivered, and his pupils constricted at the ridiculous panel.

'What am I reading?!