Chapter 371: Hunch
<strong>371. Hunch</strong>
<strong><em>Advancement Complete!</em></strong>
<em>[Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] -> [Draconic Apprentice]</em>
<em>Gained 30 Stat Points!</em>
<em>[Vitality] +20</em>
<em>[Strength] +20</em>
<em>[Endurance] +20</em>
<em>[Wisdom] +20</em>
<em>[Agility] +20</em>
<em>Gained 3 Secondary Skill Slots!</em>
<em>Gained 9 Secondary Skill Points!</em>
<em>General Skill [Lesser Enhanced Wisdom] bes [Wisdom of the Old Gods]!</em>
<em>General Skill [Corruption Resistance] gained!</em>
<em>Avable Secondary Skill [Partial Phasing] bes [Full Phase]!</em>
<em>Secondary Skill [Dimensional Pocket] and Avable Secondary Skill [Cube of Istion] consolidates and bes [Fragmented Pocket Dimension]!</em>
<em>Secondary Skills [Mass Particte Modification], [Mystical Projection], [nar Navigation], and [Scattering Discement] consolidates and bes [Passive - Master of Material Maniption]!</em>
<em>Secondary Skill [Long Range Teleportation] bes [Greater Teleportation]!</em>
<em>Secondary Skill [Draconic Fury] is now avable!</em>
<em>Secondary Skill [Manifestation of the Old Gods] is now avable!</em>
<em>Secondary Skill [Truth Divination] is now avable!</em>
<em>Secondary Skill [Passive - Dragon Scales] is now avable!</em>
<em>Secondary Skill [Passive - Weaker Regeneration] is now avable!</em>
<em>Salvos (Secelys Sentinel) (The Devils Daughter)</em>
<em>Species: [Archdemon of Pride] </em>
<em>Subspecies: [Daeva Cambion] - Lvl. 137</em>
<em>ss: [Draconic Apprentice] - Lvl. 102</em>
<em>General Skills:</em>
<em>[Advanced Mana Maniption] - Lvl. 8</em>
<em>[Corruption Resistance] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Identification] - Lvl. 6</em>
<em>[Racial Skill: Universal Language Comprehension] - Lvl. 2</em>
<em>[Rest] - Lvl. 5</em>
<em>[Wisdom of the Old Gods] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Title Skill: General Status Effect Resistance] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Ttle Skill: Invoke Wrath] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Title Skill: Protection of the Sentinel] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Title Skill: The Devils Grace] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)</em>
<strong><em>[Racial Skill: Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)</em></strong>
<em>Stats:</em>
<em>[Avable Stat Points: 0]</em>
<em>[Vitality]: 175 (</em><em>+100</em><em>) (+30) (+10) </em>
<em>[Strength]: 175 (</em><em>+100</em><em>) (+30) (+10) </em>
<em>[Endurance]: 175 (</em><em>+100</em><em>) (+30) (+10) (+3)</em>
<em>[Wisdom]: 290 (</em><em>+100</em><em>) (+30) (+10) (+20) </em>
<em>[Agility]: 350 (</em><em>+100</em><em>)(+30) (+10) (+5)</em>
<em>Skills:</em>
<em>[Avable Skill Points: 18]</em>
<em>[Barrage of Cinders] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Demons Mark] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Haste] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Intimidation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Faux Limbs] - Lvl. 10</em>
<em>[Nebr Construct] - Lvl. 10</em>
<em>[Radiant sh] - Lvl. 15 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Salvo of Vanity] - Lvl. 25 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[The Primordial Spark] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Wings of the Netherworld] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Passive - A Hunters Sense] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Passive - Blue mes] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Passive - Weapon Mastery] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)</em>
<strong><em>[My me Shall Burn Until Eternity Ends] - Lvl. 1 (Maxed)</em></strong>
<em>Secondary Skills: </em>
<em>[Avable Secondary Skill Points: 30]</em>
<em>[Draconic Fury] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Fragmented Pocket Dimension] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Full Phase] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Greater Teleportation] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Manifestation of the Old Gods] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Truth Divination] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Warped Time] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)</em>
<em>[Passive - Dragon Scales] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Passive - Master of Material Maniption] - Lvl. 1</em>
<em>[Passive - Weaker Regeneration] - Lvl.1</em>
Huh. Are you saying you can see my full ss?
I cocked my head, and Edithe nodded. The red-haired woman stood before me as I slowly picked myself up. She gave me a hand, still blinking in confusion.
Howd you get out of there, anyway? What happened while you were gone?
Her eyes drifted towards the pattern that ran down my forearms. Where my hand was ck charred-like.
Oh, this? Its just my new Skill. [Passive - Dragon Scales]. I got it from my ss advancement.
ss advancement? Are you saying you killed the [Hebomination]?!
Edithe gaped. I shook my head.
Nope. I managed to escape the [Hebomination] while falling through the portal, but I ended up trapped in the fold between nes. Luckily, I had a few ss advancement options avable. I chose this one [Draconic Apprentice] and got a bunch of new Skills!
I managed to prevent myself from being ripped apart with [Fragmented Pocket Dimension]. It created space around me where there was none. A far inferior version of the pocket dimension my dad had shown me as his home. Then with [Full Phase], [Greater Teleportation], and [Master of Material Maniption], I brute forced my way back to the Mortal Realm.
They helped me get back to you! Im not going to lie, I think theyre very good!
I flexed an arm. My body had been cut and torn from forcing my way through the fabric of reality. Shards of broken space had sliced through all my protection, and blood leaked from the wounds on my skin when I first got out. But as Edithe got a closer look, I showed her that most of the blood had dried up and the cuts were gone.
See? I can even naturally heal faster now thanks to [Passive - Weaker Regeneration]!
Thats amazing.
She stared as I finished recovering, before [Rest] even took effect. But these were superficial wounds. I highly doubted that my Skill would regrow a lost limb or a more grievous injury. Regardless, it would really help me in battle. I no longer had to quickly down a healing potion if I was hurt.
I beamed, happy to see Edithe praising me. I puffed my chest up and looked around the destendscape. My brows furrowed, and I turned back to the Human woman.
Anyway, wheres everyone else? Did something happen while I was gone?
Its been over twelve hours since you disappeared, Salvos. They all left a while ago. They thought you were
Edithe pursed her lips. She nced between me and where the portal had been. Shrugging helplessly, she sighed.
They thought you were gone.
Oh.
Well, that made sense. I didnt have any means of traveling between the nes, so the only conclusion they could draw was that I was trapped in the Netherworld or even worse, dead by the [Hebomination]. And it had been twelve hours, huh? It didnt feel like that much time had passed since I was dragged through the portal. However, I experienced no sense of time while there. A hundred years couldve passed while I was gone, or a single instant, but I wouldnt know any better.
Edithe shook her head.
Dont me them for leaving. I knew you wereing back. I think [Patron of the Skills] was what clued me in that you were still trying to make it here. And Daniel thought you wouldnt even try to return since thats your goal
She started, but paused. I hugged her and smiled.
Thanks. For waiting for me.
Edithe slowly hugged me back. Once we were finished hugging, I drew back and gave her a reassuring look.
Well, I always keep my promises. And I told you guys, didnt I? Id help you get super strong before the end of the month!
She smiled back at me.
I guess my faith in you wasnt misced.
I took her by the hand as a mischievous grin crossed through my face.
That Daniel, though I bet he still thinks Im in the Netherworld. Lets surprise him, shall we?
Uh, what?
My body shifted as I took back on my Human form. I could hide my scales with my shapeshifting abilities, so having that wasnt really a problem unless I was in mypletely natural form. Even then, it was mostly subtle. It was only really visible on my forearms to my ws where my skin was charred-like.
I took a hold of Edithe, andughed.
Hold on tight [Greater Teleportation]!
And with a pop, we vanished.
Daniel Song felt bad. He left Edithe all on her own to wait for Salvos. He had wanted to stay with her wait with her but he didnt think Salvos was going to return. It had been the Demon girls dream to get to the Netherworld since he met her.
He remembered so vividly, the first time he met her. It was a chance encounter. A [Hero] meeting a Demon in a cave. She asked him for his help told him she was searching for a way back to her home. But just because she was a Demon, he didnt believe her. They fought, and of course, he lost.
That was just how Salvos was. She was and he knew this would stroke her ego quite special. He was a [Hero], they were the same level, yet she beat him. Sure, he had basically no experience in fighting. But the fact was [Heroes] were amazing.
Even the way Helena Warshade reacted to finding out Daniel was a [Hero] proved this. The Archmage was in utter disbelief. Shed interrogated him for an hour before letting him go. Whether or not she revealed the fact that he was a [Hero] to others was entirely her discretion, but Daniel no longer cared about keeping it a secret.
Anyway, if Salvos had been dragged to the Spirit Realm, Daniel was sure she would find a way back to the Mortal Realm. But it was the Netherworld, and he knew that was her goal. She had no reason to return after. She just had to escape the [Hebomination], which he was sure she could, and shed find her otherpanion she always talked about. Haec.
Daniel turned in his bed, ufortable at the thought. It wasnt that he was jealous of this Haec. It only made sense. They were both Demons. And Daniel was a Human. But still, the feelings he knew he felt was
He closed his eyes. Whatever it was, he just hoped Salvos was happy
<em>Hey Daniel, did you miss me?</em>
Salvos appeared before him, holding onto Edithe.
Holy fuck
He swore in English, falling out of his bed.
Is that a yes?
I exined what happened to Daniel once he got back up and recovered himself. He was in disbelief for a moment, then relieved to hear that Ide back for him and Edithe.
Thank you, Salvos. I shouldnt have doubted you.
He apologized even though I didnt think he needed to. He brought me to Helena Warshade, and we exined what happened minus all the parts rted to what my second ss actually was and the fact that I was a Demon.
Fortunately, Orgaf remained silent about that fact, although when I saw him again, he did look a little bit ufortable. I felt annoyed by that change of attitude of his, but it was at least good that he didnt seem to scorn me over it. Maybe we could talk it out as unnecessary as I thought it was.
Its good to hear that you survived. Well need your help in defeating the second Primeval Demon in Inoria. Just because the first is dead, doesnt mean the threat is eliminated.
Helena Warshade spoke bluntly as I stood in her office. I raised a brow.
Wait, is Belzu really dead?
Indeed. Orgaf confirmed it with a kill notification. You did get one, right?
The leader of the Rising Veterans Company peered curiously into me. I frowned, cing a hand on my chin. I didnt really pay attention in the midst of battle, but now that I thought about it, i did get one.
<em>Defeated [Hellprince of the Destion - Lvl 165]!</em>
<em>More experience is awarded for defeating an enemy at least 30 levels above you!</em>
<em>Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!</em>
Huh. He really is dead.
It was why I had leveled up so much. In addition to taking on all those Demons, I had been partly responsible for killing Belzu. I just stared nkly at Helena Warshade. She gave the smallest hint of a smile as she looked approvingly my way.
It is good that we have at least taken care of that threat, but
Her words faded into the background as I just stood there. It didnt feel right to me. Belzu was dead? Just like that? Wasnt he the Lord of Lies? A [Hellprince] of illusions? My dad had spoken of Belzu.
It wasnt high praise, but Sal didnt praise anyone. The fact that he even talked about Belzu spoke enough. For a simple [Hebomination] to be how he met his end it didnt feel right to me.
But how else would the notification be exined?
To think Id have to use my other Grand Skill to escape
Belzus single wing buzzed as hey against a cold stone wall. <em>[To Fool Reality With My Lies]</em>. It was his second Grand Skill. One that temporarily distorted reality. He had died to a certain extent, that was true.
Reality believed it was a fact. It even awarded experience to those whod so-called killed him. But he survived. It was an illusion so powerful that it was true. Just like his first Grand Skill, except on a scale that distorted this world, not his own.
What died up there couldve been considered a clone. But it had been him until the veryst moment. Until the [Hebomination] lowered its ws on him. He reacted just in time, activating his Grand Skill, creating a doppelganger that perished.
He didnt like it the fact that he got a version of himself killed. But it was necessary.
Now I shall simply have to bide my time again.
His voice echoed in the tunnel as his mandibles clicked together. Failing here was but a learning experience. He had formed an army once before, he would do it again, but this time, he would be even stronger. Not even Levithus or the greatest [Hellprince] in Regnorexs army would be able to best him.
Going for the Treasures of Alexander had been a foolish n. All Belzu had to do was to wait. Wait for the ritual to beplete. Wait for Regnorexs kingdom toe.
Then I will kill Regnorex himself with my own two hands.
The Primeval Demon got up, feeling his lips curl up in a smile.
<em>Huh. Thats not really a n, you know?</em>
He spun around, rmed at the sudden voice. A figure emerged from the darkness. A Demon with silver hair. Scale-like skin on her forearms. A burning eye. Two pairs of wings. <em>Salvos. </em>She smirked as Belzu drew back.
What are you doing here? How did you know where I would hide?
He winced as he backed up against the wall. He was still injured. [Rest] could only heal so much, and the missing limbs and damaged wings was not something that would even heal with that General Skill.
I thought youd be here. Well, I had a hunch youd survive. And theres nowhere else to hide around the Brilsum Ruins. But to think youd really hide at the ce where youd killed Lilys friends
Salvos nced dismissively towards a mound in the center of the cave chamber. A former Fairy Mound. She shook her head and approached him. With each step she took, there was a sh of a different colored me. Her Grand Skill was still active. And Belzu could barely fight in his state.
<em>He would die.</em>
Dont worry, I know what youre thinking, and Im not going to kill you. Not yet, at least.
Belzu blinked. He stared at Salvos as she came to a stop before him, narrowing his bulbous eyes.
What are you talking about?
Its nothing. I just remembered a question you asked me. Whether Im ashamed to be a Demon. Well, I wanted to give you a proper answer. I wanted toe here and tell you that Im not ashamed to be a Demon. In fact, I am proud of it. Of who and what I am.
She gestured at herself, and Belzu tried to edge around her. But she didnt let him. She brought a w up to stop him, leaning against the wall at his back. He shrank back, asking in a quivering voice.
What do you want from me?
Me? Well, as a Demon, I want to make a deal with you, Belzu.
Salvos bared her teeth at him. And he listened.