Chapter 236
‘If I recall correctly, there were seven stages.’
Minor Demon: These were the weakest demons, often useless or naturally occurring in areas with low dark espera. They possess minimal power and are easily dispatched by even partially skilled exorcists.
These were the demons used in the clan’s demon hunt event.
Low-Level Demon: Low-level demons are slightly stronger than minor demons and may possess more specialized abilities. They’re still considered relatively weak and often serve as foot soldiers for higher-ranking demons.
For reference, the demoness was a low-level demon.
Mid-Level Demon: Mid-level demons are more formidable, possessing greater strength, speed, and intelligence compared to lower-ranked demons. They often have more complex abilities and serve as commanders or enforcers in demon hierarchies.
The city lord was supposedly at this level, while the inquisitors were more or less close.
High-Level Demon: High-level demons are among the most powerful entities encountered by exorcists. They possess immense strength, supernatural abilities, and definitely require advanced tactics and teamwork to defeat. High-level demons often serve as leaders or generals in demonic armies.
Catastrophic Demon: Catastrophic demons are extremely rare and possess power on a catastrophic scale. They are capable of causing widespread destruction and chaos, posing a significant threat to both humans and other demons.
These demons are typically ancient beings or entities of immense malevolence and power, requiring the combined efforts of multiple powerful exorcists to confront and defeat. Or a special Rank-5 exorcist.
Two more classes of demons were yet to be revealed until the very late stages of the novel, known as the Apocalyptic and Primordial Demons. The rulers of the entire demon lands, these beings started it all from the beginning.
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Seeing that the cloaked figure fell silent and didn’t reply, the demoness couldn’t help but grin tensely and say, “I can make you an offer.”
“It’s not too late. If you let me leave, this matter will be considered settled, and no one will bother you in the entire city. I can guarantee that for you.”
“Leave?” Oliver finally spoke after a long silence, making the demoness pause. She realized that the voice was unmistakably childish and could not have belonged to an adult demon. Did this mean the figure was really a child and not a grown demon with a small body?
However, she quickly brushed it off and said, “Y-Yes, if you let me leave, I can give you wealth, slaves, and resources. I will even ask the city lord to grant you an official pos—”
“Why?”
“…What?” The demoness was stunned. She hastily said, “Did you not hear me!? The City Lord is a Mid-Level demon, a commander with countless soldiers serving under him. With your powers, he would definitely not treat you any worse than his closest subordinates. You can gain anything you want—”
“And I asked why?” Oliver tilted his head. “Why would I care about any of that? Why should I serve under him?”
“W-What…? A-Are you crazy? He’s the lord of the city. As a demon, do you not wish to rise in rank!? Do you not have ambition?”
“A demon?” Oliver chuckled darkly, his voice laced with disdain. “Who said I am a demon?”
The demoness looked up, confused. Slowly, he removed the hood covering his head, and the light from the candles illuminated his face. The demoness’s expression shifted from utter confusion to shock.
“HUMAN!?” she screamed, her eyes bloodshot with shock and fury.
“HUMAN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!? WHY COULDN’T I DETECT YOUR SCENT!?”
She screamed, her fear now replaced by a tide of anger and fierceness, resembling a wounded beast.
Oliver’s eyes gleamed coldly.
The demoness felt a chill in her heart as she looked at his ominous expression, his hair black as night, his eyes deeper than the bluest ink, and a face devoid of emotion.
“No… the city lord, the inquisitors, it all makes sense now… you are going to be dead soon… you will be murdered brutally…” she mumbled with a crazed look, her brows damp with sweat, her hands shaking.
Oliver looked down at her as if viewing a disgusting bug. The absolute lack of empathy in his gaze sent shivers down her spine. Her instincts screamed at her to run, to hide, to get as far as possible from the boy before her.
She growled, “Bastard, I will kill yo—”
A streak of cold light flashed between them.
“Strong words from a weak person.”
Oliver spoke in an emotionless tone as he sheathed his sword back in its scabbard, the demoness’s head sliced cleanly in two.
He didn’t even glance at her fallen body, stepping past her as if she were nothing but trash in his path. He paid no heed to her threats; whether it was the city lord or the inquisitors, he already had plans prepared for them all.
‘Her territory should cover the western side of the city, which means…’ Oliver’s eyes flashed with a cruel glint.
He looked at the demons laying around him. Moving to the demoness’s corpse, he performed a basic exorcism and banished her soul to the void.
Next, his hand blurred and pierced her chest, extracting a blue, heart-shaped organ.
Oliver closed his eyes and took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the inner disgust and nausea as he brought the blue heart close to his face.
‘It’s a lamb’s heart, it’s a lamb’s heart, it’s a lamb’s heart…’ he chanted internally, trying to stave off the revulsion building within him.
Blood dripped continuously from the freshly extracted demon heart. He gave it a shake to dislodge the excess blood.
“Ugh!” He placed his palm over his mouth to stop himself from puking.
His stomach churned, but he forced himself to remember the stakes. He thought he had mentally prepared himself, but when it came to the act itself, the reality was overwhelming.
It gave him an extremely immoral and trashy feeling, as if he was about to commit a taboo. Perhaps the Path of Abyss was made for people who embraced taboos and became sinners to this world.
Another detail worsened it—the heart’s shape. If it had resembled a chimera’s heart, like a small bead, he might have been able to eat it, pretending it was a pill.
“No, if I want to survive in this cruel place full of demons who wouldn’t hesitate to slaughter humans, I must accomplish this no matter how revolting it feels.”
With a heavy stomach, he brought the dark blue heart closer to his lips.
‘I can’t afford weakness now,’ he thought, steeling himself for what he had to do.
‘Damn it, should I cook this first or eat it raw?’