The modification to the new soul-sealing runic formation failed to grant a full point of advancement which was why Vlad barely felt any difference. Luckily, thanks to the A.I. Chip, he was able to detect and quantify the improvement.
’It will take dozens or maybe hundreds of more experiments to reach the 70% mark, and that is the bare minimum I will need for the next phase.’ Vlad could not help but release a small sigh as he thought of the immense task ahead, but his eyes soon glowed with resolution. This project would grant a massive boost to the soldiers of the Xaos Kingdom and might be the difference between losing dozens of people and thousands during the war against the Azarin Empire.
With focus and determination, Vlad led Freya and Jormungandr on a voyage through Sunshine City. They split the entire city into quadrants, ensuring they would visit every single inch of the city so no demon would escape their sight.
Horde after horde was located by the trio, and the viking princess took all of them down. Freya was always the one in charge of the battles, and with every single alien she killed, the young viking princess felt herself a little closer to gaining the goodwill of the Plane Will.
Freya knew the process would normally take several years as the Plane Will would most likely not even notice her at first, but since she was next to a World King Candidate, it would be much faster.
Freya killed every single demonic beast, making sure to cripple those that reached the Champion Tier, so Vlad could use them to improve his soul-sealing runic formation. The duo did not stop moving and fighting, resting only as they flew from one quadrant to the other on top of the demon summon.
After ten days, dozens of thousands of demons dead, and nearly thirty more experiments, Jormungandr finally woke up from his long slumber. The small yellow cat managed to recover exceptionally fast thanks to the Depravita Racial Abilities that constantly nurtured his soul and spirit.
With the addition of the Depravita of Gluttony’s spells, it became much easier to paralyze the demon Champions, and the trio carried on their quest. More and more demonic beasts were killed, their bodies scorched, and the souls of those above Level 5 sealed in parchments made of demonic skin.
After three weeks, Vlad, Freya, and Jormungandr had cleaned over 80% of Sunshine City from the infestation of demons. However, as they were heading north, they could not help but frown at the small number of demons in the area.
The trio thought there might be other hunters like them in the area taking down the demons, but it all became clear as they reached the farthest northern area of Sunshine City and saw a horde gathered there. It was ten thousand strong—not so large—but the demons were all extremely fierce and much more powerful than the normal demonic beasts.
Vlad’s eyes could not help but narrow as he gazed at the demonic figure at the center of the horde. The demon had a towering figure exuding immense physical power, with a height that neared three and a half meters, and a heavily muscled skeletal frame covered in dark, twisted armor adorned with infernal symbols.
The demon’s skull had large, curved horns, and his eyes glowed with a malevolent red light, casting an eerie glow. The rib cage was prominently visible, glowing with an ominous red hue that suggested a dark energy within. The bony hands gripped a massive, sinister bastard sword that was almost as large as Vlad’s body.
All of a sudden, the red light in the massive demon’s eyes glowed fiercely as he looked at the sky as if searching for someone.
Vlad could not help but clench his fist as he saw that. It was night, so the demon summon perfectly blended with the sky. Not to mention, they were also using the clouds to hide their figures, yet the demon seemed to still be able to perceive them.
"There is no doubt. To have physical power like that and such supernatural perception, this demon must be a member of the Abyssal Race," Vlad spoke in a solemn voice, and the moment Jormungandr and Freya heard it, they also adopted serious expressions.
The Abyssal in the horde in Sunshine City could not be more different than Arasbus, but Vlad did not find that odd. Abyssals can transform the world’s energy into Abyssal Energy before impregnating it with their flesh and blood. That is a similar path to that of the Monster Race. Still, unlike them, the Abyssals use this Abyssal Energy to temper and modify their bodies, obtaining all sorts of unique physical and energy abilities and constantly evolving.
The physical form of the Abyssal only reflects the path they are taking, and it was clear that the one on the ground took one that focused on massive physical power and let go of the weakness of vital organs.
’I am too far for the A.I. Chip to analyze him, but by the feeling of danger that my instincts warn me, I doubt he is not a High Champion.’ Vlad stared at the horde for a moment before guiding the demon summon away, descending several thousand kilometers into the distance.
The trio looked at each other for a few seconds before all silently nodded. They would take down the demonic horde and face the Abyssal High Champion. However, while they had come to a decision, they did not move immediately as they needed a plan.
Just the Abyssal High Champion would be incredibly hard to face. Not only was he immensely strong, but the martial and battle skills of an Abyssal were better than almost any other race in the universe as they trained to harness the power of their bodies from the moment they were born. Fighting one of them while distracted by a horde of demons was suicidal.