In the Demonic Empire… Inside a level two purple-colored dimension.
Four years ago, a masked higher demon made his appearance in this dimension, and ever since then, things had never been the same. Though the hunting event continued unhindered, the demons felt uneasy and always watched their backs, as if afraid that someone or something would attack them from behind.
"Dammit, how long will this continue?" A frustrated three-eyed and armed demon kicked the carcass of a crab-like beast to the side.
"Hey, he's close by. You might want to keep your mouth shut," another demon warned, looking around fearfully, as if afraid that someone would hear his impulsive partner.
"But how long will it continue?!" the demon shouted. "Since he came out, it's getting harder to find beasts, and the dimensional boss has come outside twice now! Two fucking times."
"I know, it's frustrating because we can't climb the rankings, and he's just hoarding everything for himself. But we just have to endure; maybe when he finally gets bored, everything will return to normal."
Just like the two demons, all the other demons were silently complaining about the lack of monsters.
"It's mine! That beast is mine! I saw it first!"
"Hmpf, until you kill it, it's not yours!"
On another side, a group of demons were chasing a large beast with several spikes jutting out of its back. The beast had a single glowing purple eye and would occasionally unleash a powerful blast. The blast tore through the group, killing a good number, but the demons were still relentless.
"It's mine!" a demon shouted, eyes glowing with greed. For weeks now, he had not encountered even a single beast; now that he had found this one, he was determined not to let it escape or fall into the hands of others.
"No, it's mine!" another sneered.
In the past, the demons would have worked together to take down the beast, but now they were too busy fighting over the limited resources.
The beast unleashed another blast, killing a few more demons, but they kept coming. The demon who had shouted first managed to grab onto the beast's leg, holding on for dear life as the beast tried to shake him off.
"Mine!" he shouted again, his eyes glowing with otherworldly energy.
Just as he was about to deliver the final blow, a figure appeared out of nowhere, striking the demon with a swift kick that sent him flying.
The figure was that of a towering demon with an imposing presence. He had deep red skin and sharp features accentuated by curved horns protruding from his forehead. His eyes were piercing red and gleamed with intensity, while his messy black hair framed his face.
"The second ranker!" All the demons hesitated and flinched back when they saw the demon radiating a fierce aura.
Four years ago, a higher demon had appeared, and the Lord of Blight Castle stepped out; the second ranker, Goliath, had perished. Ever since then, the third-ranked demon had taken his place.
Yet, even after four years, he was still far behind the Lord of Blight Castle.
In the past, the prideful second-ranked demon would never kill or steal from lower-ranked demons. For even someone like him to come out, one could only imagine how terrible the situation was.
"Leave it," the second ranker said, his voice low and menacing. "This one is mine."
Knowing better than to cross this demon, the others backed off, disappearing into the forest.
"When will this end?" the third-ranked demon sighed, looking up at the top of Blight Castle, which was enveloped by eternal flames.
At the gateway that led to the outside world, a group of demons were searching others and their belongings before letting them in or out. Though the demons were angered because of the invasion of privacy, they couldn't really complain, as this was an order passed down by the Lord of Blight Castle himself.
In a clearing, a giant beast stood over 2 meters tall. It was a giant ape with a massive body covered in thick, scaly skin ranging in color from dark grey to brown. The beast's eyes glowed with a fierce inner light, and its sharp teeth seemed capable of tearing through steel. Its arms were long and powerful, ending in razor-sharp claws that could tear apart concrete.
This beast was the boss/Gatekeeper of this dimension and was supposed to be one of the most powerful creatures. Yet currently, it cowered terrified before the demon standing before it.
The demon was tall and beautiful, with two different eye colors—blue and red.
Because of the death of the other beasts in the dimension, the giant ape had been triggered and came out to get rid of the threat. But Amos had brutally beaten it both times they clashed, leaving it on the verge of death.
The only reason the demon had not killed the gatekeeper was that he didn't want the dimension to close down, and even the ape knew this. Hence, it didn't outrightly attack, even if Amos had his back against it.
"When will you return, my liege?" Amos muttered with wistfulness in his eyes. He had been waiting for years and had even come out to hunt beasts; maybe by a stroke of luck, he could encounter the legendary hound again.
But so far, it had been fruitless.
"That woman… is she his bodyguard?" Amos's thoughts drifted to the red-haired woman who had sent him flying through the portal with one attack. Although he couldn't see her level, he felt the power behind her attack and knew she could easily get rid of him if they ever clashed.
Someone with such power could only be the legendary Hound's bodyguard.
'I thought if I hunted beasts, time would pass faster, but even killing these vermin is starting to get boring.' Amos looked at the ape, and it flinched back. Four years ago, after being slammed through the portal, he had sent a description to his close acquaintance who was also part of the same organization he was from.
The acquaintance was known for traveling a lot… Amos was hoping he could give him a lead, but even that had yielded no result.
'Maybe I'm just wasting my time… Why would he return to a mid-level dimension when someone like him could enter higher dimensional rifts?'
Just then, a faint rustling sound came from the underbrush. Amos's head snapped back to attention, his eyes narrowing as he watched a figure emerge from the shadows.
It was another higher demon, just like Amos.
But this was no ordinary higher demon; it was Amos's acquaintance, the one he had been waiting for all these years.
Thanks to all those who support this book with their Golden Ticket, I'm back home so I'll start uploading the bonus Chapters for the power Stone and Golden Ticket from tomorrow.