Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Determination shining in his eyes, he stepped into Luna's shaky hut.

Noticing his head held high and his straight back, the succubus queen adjusted her seating and nodded.

"I thought you'd need a few days to recover from Shihan's premature departure. I guess you're still a demon in the end."

"I don't have time to waste lamenting."

He bit his lips, the weight of his mistake reappearing to burden his heart.

Yet, he didn't continue on the matter. Luna made her stance clear about her revival: she didn't believe he could do it. Talking about it wouldn't make things progress in the correct direction, either. Therefore, he kept this goal close to his heart and decided not to speak about it anymore.

Instead, he focused on progressing and moved to her.

"Please, teach me today."

She crossed her long legs, her lips curling into a smirk.

"You already felt the rush of power the first method grants us. It'll take you a few days of focus to make it permanent, so I'll show you the basics and how to use it temporarily. Train on your side until it becomes as easy as breathing."

She rose to her feet, her elegant movements and the subtle curves of her neck commanding his attention despite his efforts to look away.

'Look at her eyes, fool!'

The thought rumbled as he raised his head, meeting her glistening green eyes and noticing the satisfied smile stretching her parting lips.

He didn't know what she thought, but he felt she approved of the restraint he tried to show every time they met.

'The quest indeed hinted that other demons lusted for her body.'

Remembering this line of text, he scrutinised her beautiful face as her words resounded in his ears.

"We're better equipped than humans, elves and dwarves with our claws and fangs, but our advantage isn't that glaring, especially compared to the beast kins. So, why do you think they all fear us, even if they can use mana, aura, and other forms of energy to boost themselves?"

His brows creased into a deep furrow as he pondered the question.

'How should I know? We don't have those energies on earth.'

Of course, he could speculate, but why would he tire his mind after this tough day when she would deliver the answer in a second?

Luna shook her head at his silent shrug and continued.

"Because demonic essence boosts all our parameters equally. No energy comes even close to it. However, we also suffer from its drawbacks."

His eyes narrowed into fiery slits as his earlier suspicions resurfaced.

"It seems you thought about it."

She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists as she continued.

"The power we have also battles our sanities in a complex dance that can break at any moment. It numbs our moral values, making killing as effortless as drinking water and genuine bonding hard."

"In short, the more essence we have, the more prone to violence and massacre we'll become?"

He bit his thumb's nail, icy dread gripping his heart and worry twisting his lips at the potential consequences.

However, the tension tightening his muscles eased as her light chuckles echoed through the house.

"Yes, and no. The demon kings are half-mad because they want power over everything else. But us? We start from the bottom of the ladder and push upwards with every passing day. As ironic as it may sound, your emphasis on teamwork and emotional control is the key."

His finger taping on his cheek, he pondered as the realisation settled.

"Since our progress is slow and with our relationship as an anchor, we have time to assimilate it without letting it overwhelm our minds?"

"Correct! Never absorb too much at once and stop the instant you feel your mind slip into darkness."

As her words hung in the air, she closed her eyes, the smiling face of her teacher resurfacing and her teeth cracking in rage.

He noticed her turmoil yet didn't know what to do despite the relief he felt after her explanation.

Among the many types of gamers, he was the kind who skipped dialogues and cut scenes in MMORPGs to focus on the competitive aspect. That's why he hadn't inquired about his subjects' stories until now.

But he wasn't in a game. They were real living beings who suffered and experienced much more than he did.

Still, he couldn't force them to reveal a past they didn't want to remember, especially for demons like Bart and Garduck, who seemed to adapt well.

But Luna?

'I don't know. I feel like her past is haunting her.'

He massaged his forehead as an awkward silence settled.

Then, he gathered his courage and offered his support.

"I don't want to overstep your privacy or make you uncomfortable, but if you ever need an ear to listen to your problems without judging you, I'll be there for you."

"Humph. What will it change?"

She snorted, her lips curling down and fiery green flames wafting from her eyes.

He heard her foot meet the wooden floor as she stepped back and saw the hesitation causing her shoulders to tremble as she turned.

"But if you build my castle before the month ends and become a demon baron in the future, I'll consider revealing a part of my story to you."

Despite the tense atmosphere, his eyes lit up, and a smile crept on his lips.

'That's a start. I should speak with Muramasa and the others, too. I doubt Tiamat will waste her time recounting her story, though.'

Resolute to foster individual relationships with his important subjects during dinner, he sat on the creaking planks on the floor.

"Let's focus on the present task."

Luna turned back, her previous anger dissolving and a gentle smile stretching her lips.

Her pleasant smell filled his nostrils, and her soft touch sent a rush of adrenalin through his body as she sat behind him.

"Remember your essence's movements when I stimulate it."

Eyes closed, he nodded, focusing on his body's subtle operation.

His heartbeats filled his ears, and the silent energy coursing through his veins appeared in a mental image.

Then, he noticed how Luna awakened it from its torpor.

Like a raging river, it flooded his cells. His veins protruded on his swelling muscles as a sensation of power made them tremble.