The Damned Demon

Skully gave a single, slow nod, his damned form emanating an eerie stillness, acknowledging Asher’s words silently.

But before Asher could even blink, Skully had already extended his charred hands, holding something small yet unmistakably familiar—Lori’s unconscious, weakened form.

Asher’s heart tightened painfully at the sight. Lori’s small, serpentine body, usually so lively and robust, now lay limply, scales dull and sickly.

Her breathing was faint, shallow breaths barely visible as her chest rose and fell weakly. To see the once massive, proud, and powerful serpent reduced to such a pitiable state clawed bitterly at Asher’s heart.

After all, she’d become like this trying to protect him, to save him from certain doom. Never had he imagined Lori, a creature of pride, wisdom, and cunning, would sacrifice herself so willingly—especially for someone like him.

Without a word, Skully slowly placed Lori into Asher’s outstretched hands.

His voice echoed gently through the cavernous hall, deep and hollow, yet somehow reassuring. “You now have the strength to save her yourself.”

Asher carefully cradled Lori’s delicate body, his hands steady yet gentle.

His gaze focused sharply, determination overriding the lingering pain in his chest. Remembering everything he had learned, he carefully channeled his evolved mana, allowing his senses to delve into Lori’s weakened body, probing the intricate network of her mana circuit.

Almost immediately, he sensed it—the faint, eerie yet divine mana that had infested Lori’s core, corroding her strength, devouring her vitality. It was subtle, cunning, persistent—but Asher’s newfound power made it easy to isolate.

Without hesitation, he summoned the dark green flames within himself, directing them with pinpoint precision to burn away the toxic mana corrupting her from within.

His flames acted like skilled surgeons, incinerating the harmful energies without harming Lori’s own life essence.

Within mere moments, Lori’s dull scales began to shimmer once again, gradually regaining their iridescent sheen of majestic purples and deep blacks. Color returned slowly to her serpentine face, her breathing deepening, growing steadier and more vigorous.

Asher quickly took out a health potion, carefully feeding it to Lori to accelerate her natural regeneration. Her body greedily absorbed the potion, her scales quivering slightly as they rejuvenated at a visible pace.

The next few minutes felt like an eternity. Asher watched, silent and anxious, until at last, Lori’s eyelids flickered, slowly opening to reveal the familiar dark purple glint of her sharp, mischievous gaze.

“Ssssss, brat…” she murmured groggily, confusion clouding her voice. She blinked repeatedly, eyes widening in disbelief, “You’re sssstill alive?? I wasss expecting to sssee you in the Sssseven Hells after Ssskully buried you alive!”

Asher felt the corners of his lips curl faintly, a warmth in his eyes despite his previously cold expression. “Shouldn’t you be surprised that you’re still alive?”

Before Lori could answer, her scales shuddered violently, a chill running down her serpentine spine. She whipped her head around instantly, her eyes narrowing to dangerous slits, a venomous hiss escaping her mouth at the sight of Skully standing calmly behind her.

“Ssssyou!!!” Lori hissed aggressively, baring her fangs in clear hostility, prepared to strike.

“Relax, Lori,” Asher quickly interjected, tightening his hold gently to keep her from lunging. “He’s the one who helped me save your life.”

Rebecca chuckled softly, watching the confrontation with a slight, amused smile. “She’s pretty feisty for her age,” she remarked lightly, enjoying the old serpent’s aggressive yet spirited demeanor.

Lori blinked rapidly, her hostility melting away into bewilderment. Slowly, she turned back around to look up at Asher, confusion evident in her eyes.

Asher calmly explained everything that had transpired—his training, his rise in power, how Skully had guided and tested him, and ultimately, how he gained the strength necessary to heal her. Lori listened, her eyes growing wider with every detail, the awe in her gaze increasing tenfold as Asher’s words unfolded.

When he finally finished speaking, Lori’s scales practically shimmered with excitement, her lips curling into an ecstatic grin. “Brat! I’m ssssso happy for you!” she exclaimed joyously, wiggling gleefully in his grasp.

“You not only sssaved my life, but you’re now ssstrong enough to be my man! And as congratulationssss, you dessserve a few kisssses from this great ssserpent!”

Before Asher could protest, Lori unleashed a furious barrage of tiny kisses across his face, her enthusiasm uncontainable. He chuckled softly, trying to gently calm her exuberance, though inwardly grateful for her affectionate outburst.

Rebecca’s lips curled downward in irritation, her dark red eyes glinting with disgust. “Ew, have some dignity, you slimy serpent!” she snapped irritably, clearly revolted by Lori’s overly affectionate gesture.

Lori only grew more animated, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she aimed her lips straight for Asher’s mouth. “Now, a big fat kiss on the lipsss!” she declared excitedly, puckering dramatically.

Yet before her lips could reach their target, a cold, firm hand swiftly wrapped around Lori’s face, stopping her mid-motion. Lori opened her eyes with suppressed anger, glaring furiously through Rebecca’s fingers.

“That’s enough from you,” Rebecca said icily, her expression cold and spiteful. “Only his women are allowed to kiss him, hmph!”

Lori swiftly shrugged off Rebecca’s hand, sneering mockingly, “And what are you doing here, you little ssslave? Last time I remember, you were nothing but his plaything—and it ssseems you ssstill are.”

“You dare to challenge me? Let me remind you that this little slave isn’t as weak as before,” Rebecca’s eyes flashed dangerously, her fangs bared aggressively as they locked gazes, both females radiating hostility toward each other.

Asher watched them with mild exasperation, realizing quickly he shouldn’t be surprised by their mutual antagonism. He exhaled sharply, stepping between them and raising his voice slightly, his tone stern yet measured.

“That’s enough from both of you,” he interjected firmly, silencing their petty squabble immediately. Lori and Rebecca reluctantly quieted, though their glares lingered.

Asher’s gaze hardened, a chill settling into his eyes as his voice lowered to a serious, commanding tone. “We don’t have time for foolish arguments. There’s no room left for petty squabbles or meaningless distractions.”

Both females paused, sensing the gravity in his voice. Asher continued coldly, “We have far bigger battles ahead of us—battles that will determine not only our survival but the fate of this entire world. I won’t tolerate anything that weakens our unity, especially when our enemies grow stronger every moment.”

“Of course, brat. Now that I got a ssssecond chance at life, no way I am letting some puny bastards take it from me or…you of course,” Lori said with a wide, coy grin.

Rebecca rolled her eyes but she crossed her arms and said, “It looks like the humans are going to be the most annoying ones we have to deal with. Derek…isn’t that the name of the human who wronged you the most and who plans to destroy our world?”

Asher slowly nodded, his eyes hardening into a cold glare as he spoke, his voice echoing firmly through the oppressive silence of the hall. “Derek Sterling. He’s busy creating an army of Hunters on another planet—a world where he’s busy building his empire, solely for the purpose of annihilating us. Maybe I should just activate the Last Judgment quest and finish him once and for all.”

“You will do no such thing. Not now.”

Skully’s deep, hollow voice echoed through the room, its resonant timbre holding no emotion but bearing undeniable weight. His skeletal figure drifted past Asher, dark-green magma flickering gently beneath his charred bones. Despite his calm demeanor, the words held an absolute finality—a command not to be questioned.

Asher’s brows furrowed, irritation bubbling within him as he turned sharply, his voice sharp with impatience. “What? Didn’t you hear me clearly? Derek is planning to destroy this world, and you still want to do nothing? What exactly are you even planning? What are you waiting for? I am now strong enough to deal with him without having to worry about failing.”

Skully turned slowly, the green glow in his eye sockets flaring ever so slightly as he met Asher’s gaze. “I told you to focus only on what I want you to do. If you truly seek to protect what you cherish, your only choice is obedience,” his voice darkened subtly, chilling the air even further, “Or I will make you. That choice is yours.”

The room fell into tense silence as Asher’s fists tightened instinctively, muscles straining beneath his cold skin. For a moment, his new strength flared defiantly within him.

As a peak Soul Tyrant, he’d never felt so powerful—not even in his wildest dreams. Yet, staring into Skully’s hollow eyes, a nagging sense of uncertainty lingered.

Could he truly defeat Skully if it came down to it? He felt immense strength surging within his veins, yet something in Skully’s stance, his overwhelming presence, whispered warnings Asher couldn’t ignore.

“Ssss, brat, calm down,” Lori whispered softly, gently nudging his shoulder with her serpentine head, her eyes cautious yet comforting.

“Maybe Skully here hassss a point. My papa alwaysss used to sssay to listen to eldersss, and perhapsss listening to a millionsss of yearsss-old being, for now, might not be so foolish.”

Rebecca scoffed softly, folding her arms, though she didn’t argue the serpent’s words. Even she had to admit there might be wisdom hidden behind Skully’s unsettling calm.

She could sense the turmoil inside Asher, knowing all too well the anxiety he felt—the desperate need to protect the few precious things left in his shattered world.

Asher’s jaw tightened further, his heart wrestling fiercely between instinctive defiance and bitter reason. Finally, he exhaled sharply, lowering his gaze momentarily as acceptance hardened within him.

“Fine… I’ll do as you say,” he spoke with clenched teeth, his tone reluctant yet resolved. Then he lifted his eyes sharply again, a fierce determination igniting their depths. “But the moment I see everything I care about in immediate danger, I’ll act as I see fit—no matter what the consequences are.”

Skully regarded him silently for a moment, before finally nodding slowly, accepting the condition with an unspoken agreement.

His voice resonated quietly once more, “Then continue to prove your strength by enduring and growing. It won’t be long before I will come to use you.”

Asher stood rigidly, wondering just what Skully was planning to use him for.

Rebecca and Lori exchanged quiet glances, sensing clearly the intensity behind Asher’s declaration.

They knew the path forward wouldn’t be easy, but at least now it was clear.