Zoren: "Thank you, Master… I shall serve you faithfully and gather any information you require."
Aeth nodded thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing in curiosity.Aeth: "From your answers, I just got a new question. What is the difference between a Demon King and a High Demon King?"
Zoren raised his gaze slightly.Zoren: "Demon Kings rule over high demons and a number of lower demons. Each commands several Demon Generals. But a High Demon King… rules over Demon Kings themselves. Every High Demon King is powerful enough to destroy an entire Demon King's army alone. They are chosen only by the Devil Gods themselves, and they alone bear true names. How they are chosen… only the Devil Gods and the High Demon Kings know."
Aeth (murmuring): "Interesting. I might have to ask Ortho about this later — he might know from his anime logic."
He turned his attention back to Zoren.Aeth: "Who was your Demon King before you became my slave? And how powerful is he?"
Zoren: "it was Demon King, Velzard, he is strong — about as powerful as Master Ortho when he enters berserk mode."
Aeth: "so we have power gap like whole sea and what was your role there?"
Zoren: "I was an information gatherer. There are many high demons stronger than me, but after receiving your name, I now possess strength equal to a warrior-class high demon."
Aeth gave a faint smile. "Good. I'll need that strength soon."
Moments Later
The forest wind shifted — faint tremors crawled through the air.Aeth's eyes sharpened.
Aeth (telepathically to Raika and Ors): "Be on guard. Someone powerful is approaching. Ors, protect Ortho at all cost."
Zoren's pupils narrowed. "Master, I sense it too… that's—"
Before he could finish, the trees exploded in a burst of crimson mana.
A massive figure stepped out from the shadows — a towering warrior demon, his armor cracked with glowing veins of magma.
Warrior Demon (snarling): "So here you are hiding, Information gatherer! What information led you to this filthy place, huh? You missed our meeting — Demon King Velzard was furious! Now tell me, how will you pay the price?"
His gaze shifted — and froze. "A human… and a legendary beast? No — two humans and two beasts? Heh… rare prey."
Zoren stepped forward, unflinching.Zoren: "I no longer serve Demon King Velzard."
A hush fell. The warrior demon blinked — then laughed darkly.
Warrior Demon: "What did you just say? Do you want to die?"
He activated his Demon Eye, peering into Zoren's soul — but his vision distorted. No status, no trace.
Then his gaze turned to the human beside Zoren — Aeth. He saw something strange: normal human … yet mana density and Strength are equal to a high demon's. It didn't make sense.
Zoren: You may call me Zoren.
Warrior Demon: "So… you've grown stronger, huh? That's why you dare to talk back becaus you have a name now Let me guess — that human gave it to you?"
Zoren: "You can think what you want. But I can't let you get out of this place atleast not alive."
The air cracked — and the battle began.
Battle — Shadow vs. Blood Flame
The warrior demon charged with a roar, his sword leaving streaks of molten red as it cleaved the ground.Warrior Demon: Bloodthirst Slash!The impact shattered rocks, but Zoren had already vanished — his form a blur.
Zoren: Shadow Dash.
He reappeared behind his opponent and struck with Nightfall Cleave — twin arcs of darkness slicing through the air. Sparks erupted as their blades met, shockwaves tearing through the forest floor.
Warrior Demon: Flame Chain!Flaming chains erupted from his gauntlets, snapping toward Zoren like serpents. Zoren moved, using Shadow Edges to slice through each chain, his movements fluid and precise.
The warrior demon slammed his palm into the ground — Rending Shockwave! — the explosion sent Zoren flying into a ring of shattered trees.
But before the dust cleared, Zoren's mana spiked.
Zoren: Abyssal Bind.Black tendrils erupted from the earth, gripping the demon's legs tight.
The warrior demon roared, tearing them apart, but too late — Zoren was already upon him.
Zoren: Soul Rend!
A burst of dark mana slammed into the demon's chest, forcing him back several steps. Blood spilled. His breathing grew ragged.
Warrior Demon (panting): "No… I can't lose… I need power!"
His eyes flicked toward the distance — where Ortho's faint mana pulsed from the treehouse.
Warrior Demon (growling): "If I devour a strong creature, I can evolve… that's it!"
He turned, sprinting toward the house.
But before he could take another step—a cold, chilling voice froze the world.
Aeth (calm, deadly): "Don't even try to go there. If I see you near that house… I'll make you suffer so much you'll beg for death."
The warrior demon stopped instantly. His body trembled. He turned — and what he saw made him step back.
The human beside Zoren was radiating pressure — an aura that wasn't about strength, but about terror. It was as if death itself stood behind those calm eyes.
Warrior Demon (thinking): "What is this…? His mana… it's devouring mine…"
Then, before he could move — Zoren's voice whispered behind him.
Zoren: "I warned you."
In an instant, Zoren vanished and reappeared, his blade humming with dark speed.
Zoren: Speed Boost — Shadow Edge!
Two slashes — silent, clean, final. The warrior demon froze — then screamed as both his arms were severed at the shoulders. Blood hissed into black smoke as Zoren's shadow energy cauterized the wounds.
Warrior Demon (screaming): "MY HANDS!! YOU—"
Zoren stood before him, eyes cold, voice low.
Zoren: do not speak without pemission.
Zoren: Master Aeth You may start he won't be able to fight bak anymore.
Aeth steps towards Warrior demon and put his hands on head of Warrior demon, and in cold voice Aeth asks
Aeth: now if you don't want to die tell me about location of demon kings and others who are also after Zoren.
Warrior demon: I am Loyal to my demon king i may prefer to die rather than betryle.
Aeth without hasitation told Zoren to cut both legs of warrior demon
Zoren cuts the legs of Warrior demon without flinch
Aeth again asked in same cold way but with more mana pressure
Aeth: Next time it will be your head.