Beneath the Red Dragon

Boom,

Amidst the deafening clamor, the ground of the hills seemed to be pierced through by an immense force from underground, shattered into fragments, forming a circular crater over ten meters wide.

At the same time, strands resembling a spider silk net and fire line cracks extended further out, frightening the casters who hastily raised their magic barriers, retreating behind the strong arms of the warriors.

Within the pit, the dense abyssal aura pervaded, spontaneously eroding the Material Plane without being driven, corroding its environment and life.

In worlds invaded by many demon legions, scars hard to heal are left permanently, not only due to the demons’ destruction but also due to the Abyss’s proactive erosion.

”Your sacrifice is quite good, but I’m not entirely satisfied,”

Amidst the intense abyssal aura, a particularly strong abyssal creature slowly rose from the pit.

This little Demon Lord, summoned by the caster corps using specific spells and magic items recorded in The Book of Defile, The Aharm Dark Tome, and The Igverf Demon Records, should ideally adhere to the summoner’s will once summoned.

However, this little Demon Lord, though not out of control or rebellious, did not immediately attack the enemy trapped in its lair as per the summoners’ wish.

This surprised many casters, who looked at the tall abyssal creature.

The abyssal Demon Minor Lord before them clearly belongs to an ancient demon species in the abyss, a type among the Tanari Demons, known in demon lore as Soul Raider Demon or Soul-Binding Demon.

This Soul Raider Demon, standing over eight meters tall, covered in purple skin, and every feature of its body appeared unusually hefty. Two pairs of thick, blade-like bone horns grew backward from its ugly, fierce head.

Its feet had three toes like those of hoofed creatures, but its fingers were extremely short, replaced by very thick, blade-like bone claws.

Even on the upper side of its forearm, two pairs of bone blades and a pair of small bone spikes had grown.

The entirety of this demon exuded a fierce demeanor, except for the short, thick tail behind which seemed a bit humorous.

This Soul Raider Demon, known as ”The Long-horned Demon,” has always been considered a clumsy, muscular demon. In the Bottomless Abyss, they are widely dispersed as slaver masters, sometimes becoming captains of guard squads for powerful Demon Lords.

Their name originated from their ability to hunt and enslave souls, as slaver masters, they especially enjoyed selling captured spoils and sacrifices to any affluent creatures.

Yet, this demon before them did not seem to be the typically crude muscular oaf, particularly with its vibrant gaze from its tiny bean-sized eyes, looking down at the numerous casters.

”But considering your promise to offer me tributes in the future, the great Demon Lord Batos decides to respond to your call,”

This Soul Raider Demon Lord, named Batos, although surrounded by chaotic abyssal aura, had a mind not so chaotic. As a not-so-powerful Soul Raider Demon, surviving until now and becoming a little lord required some minor wisdom and luck.

”But if you want me to serve you, I have a not excessive request,” the voice of Batos carried the unique timbre of demons, as he turned to look at two creatures standing atop the hills.

One was the tall-statured, exceptionally strong yet unarmed Giant Demon Zu Jia, the other was the impressively dominating War Lizardman Reilly, with two long sabers strapped on his back.

Batos’ gaze eventually settled on Giant Demon Zu Jia, saying, ”Hey, little guy, you seem to be these people’s leader. If you agree to my terms, I’ll act for you once.”

The dragon traits of Dragon Descendant Giant Demon Zu Jia were not prominent; the scales on his body were covered by a suit of simple armor. He nodded slightly, glancing at the expressionless Reilly.

Then he loudly said, ”Mighty Demon Lord Batos, please state your request, if possible, we will do our utmost to fulfill it.”

”That Nine-headed Hydra-lizard has taken over our tribe’s large nest, demanding blood and souls from our tribe members as tribute, exploiting its strength to enslave us. Despite the high costs, we must eliminate it.”

Batos’ bean-sized eyes swirled once, then stepped out of the magic summoning array within the pit, walking toward Giant Demon Zu Jia.

Hundreds of warriors along the way hurriedly avoided the demon’s body, lest they be tainted by the abyssal aura around Batos.

”My demands are not many, you can promise to offer me souls, it can be halved, replaced with souls from other creatures too,”

”However, I require your tribe to establish a cult offering tributes to me, enshrine me as the supreme Divine Spirit within your cult, and dedicate your faith to me.”

Batos looked down at Giant Demon Zu Jia, his immense voice bearing the menacing aura of demons, making the expression on Giant Demon Zu Jia’s face change again and again with difficulty.

”If you can agree to this condition, not only will I slay that Nine-headed Hydra-lizard for you, throwing its head at your feet as a chamber pot, but also in future dangers, you may call upon my name for my power to descend.”