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Conqueror of the Verse
By ColdLink Writer
CHAPTER XXIV
The Demon Who Walks
Arc 2 – The Shadow Conspiracy
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The forest had gone completely silent.
Not the calm silence of night.
But the suffocating silence that appears when something dangerous enters a place where it does not belong.
Even the wind had stopped moving.
Kashihero stood still in the clearing, his katana already drawn.
The faint glow of moonlight reflected along the blade.
Across from him, the armored figure stepped forward slowly.
Each step was heavy.
Measured.
Controlled.
The ground beneath his boots cracked slightly with every movement.
Lucas leaned casually against a tree, though his crimson eyes were sharp and alert.
"Well," he muttered quietly, "that's definitely not a normal visitor."
The stranger stopped at the edge of the clearing.
Dark crimson energy swirled faintly around his body like a living aura.
It was subtle.
But powerful.
Kashihero could feel it clearly.
This was not ordinary demonic energy.
It was something deeper.
Older.
Abyssal.
The armored figure tilted his head slightly.
"So you are the one they call the Devourer."
His voice echoed strangely through the forest.
It was calm.
But there was something unnatural within it.
Lucas straightened slightly.
"Devourer?"
He chuckled.
"Interesting title."
The armored figure ignored him completely.
His burning crimson gaze remained fixed on Kashihero.
"You smell of death."
Kashihero's expression remained unchanged.
The stranger continued speaking.
"Not the death of fear…"
"…but the death of predators."
Lucas whistled softly.
"That's a poetic way of saying someone's dangerous."
The armored figure slowly removed his helmet.
What appeared beneath it was not fully human.
His skin was pale gray.
Two faint black markings ran across his face like cracks in stone.
And his eyes…
They glowed with a deep crimson light.
Lucas's smile faded slightly.
"Well… that confirms it."
He crossed his arms.
"A demon."
The stranger finally introduced himself.
"My name is Veythar."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds important."
Veythar didn't react.
"I am one of the generals who serve Demon King Xarge."
The forest seemed to grow colder when that name was spoken.
Lucas let out a quiet breath.
"So it begins."
Kashihero's grip on his katana tightened slightly.
The system mission flashed briefly in his mind.
MISSION: Seal or Destroy Demon King Xarge
The first piece of that mission now stood directly in front of him.
Veythar studied Kashihero carefully.
"You carry the scent of the Abyss."
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"And yet… you walk among humans."
Lucas chuckled.
"That's the part you find strange?"
Veythar ignored him again.
"You devour power."
The demon's voice became quieter.
Almost curious.
"Tell me…"
"…what do you plan to become?"
Kashihero finally spoke.
"Stronger."
The answer was simple.
Cold.
Lucas grinned slightly.
"Direct as always."
Veythar stared at Kashihero for several seconds.
Then slowly…
He began to laugh.
It was not a loud laugh.
But it carried a dark amusement that echoed between the trees.
"How fascinating."
The demon extended one hand slightly.
Dark energy gathered around his fingers.
"I know many things about you."
Lucas's expression changed slightly.
"Oh?"
Veythar's crimson gaze remained locked on Kashihero.
"More than you might expect."
Lucas folded his arms.
"Well that sounds suspicious."
The forest air suddenly grew heavier.
Because Veythar's aura expanded.
Dark energy poured outward like a spreading shadow.
Leaves trembled.
Branches cracked.
Lucas pushed himself away from the tree.
"Well…"
"…that escalated quickly."
Kashihero stepped forward.
The blade of his katana reflected the crimson glow of the demon's aura.
The wind shifted slightly.
Veythar watched him with interest.
"So you intend to fight."
Kashihero's voice remained calm.
"You came here for that."
Veythar didn't deny it.
"Yes."
The demon's smile slowly returned.
"I wanted to see the Devourer with my own eyes."
Lucas cracked his neck.
"And now that you've seen him?"
Veythar's crimson gaze burned brighter.
"Now…"
"…I want to see how dangerous he truly is."
The ground beneath the demon suddenly shattered.
Veythar vanished.
Lucas's eyes widened slightly.
"Fast."
The next moment—
A violent shockwave exploded across the clearing.
Kashihero's katana blocked the incoming strike.
Metal collided with something far heavier than steel.
The impact shattered the ground beneath his feet.
Lucas whistled.
"Alright."
"Now that's impressive."
Kashihero slid backward several meters before stopping.
Veythar stood calmly in front of him.
One hand extended.
A black demonic blade had formed from pure energy.
The demon studied him again.
"Your reaction speed is acceptable."
Lucas burst out laughing.
"He's reviewing your performance!"
Kashihero said nothing.
But his eyes had become colder.
Because something inside him had responded to the attack.
The Carnivorous skill stirred.
The faint sensation of hunger spread through his chest.
Lucas noticed it immediately.
"Oh…"
He muttered quietly.
"That's not good."
Because he had seen that expression before.
Kashihero lifted his blade again.
The faint connection of blood energy appeared between his hand and the katana.
Veythar's eyes gleamed with interest.
"The soul-bound weapon."
Lucas smirked.
"His father would be proud."
The demon slowly raised his own weapon.
Dark energy surged violently around him.
The forest trembled.
"You wish to devour power?"
Veythar's voice echoed through the clearing.
"Then come."
Kashihero moved.
Faster than before.
The blade cut through the air with terrifying precision.
Wind exploded outward as the strike descended.
Veythar blocked it instantly.
The collision created a shockwave that ripped leaves from the surrounding trees.
Lucas jumped back slightly.
"Okay."
"Now it's getting fun."
The two figures clashed again.
Steel and demonic energy collided repeatedly.
Every strike shook the clearing.
But something strange was happening.
Veythar wasn't fighting seriously.
He was observing.
Testing.
Lucas noticed it quickly.
"That demon…"
"…he's measuring you."
Kashihero understood as well.
Which meant one thing.
This was not a battle meant to end tonight.
And Veythar confirmed that thought moments later.
He suddenly jumped backward.
The demonic blade dissolved into shadows.
Lucas frowned.
"Leaving already?"
Veythar looked at Kashihero one final time.
"You are not ready yet."
The demon's voice carried quiet certainty.
"But you will be."
Dark energy began gathering around his body again.
"Grow stronger, Devourer."
His crimson eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"Because when the Demon King awakens…"
"…I will return."
The shadows swallowed him.
Then he was gone.
The forest slowly returned to silence.
Lucas let out a long breath.
"Well…"
"That was unpleasant."
Kashihero sheathed his katana.
But his gaze remained fixed on the dark trees where the demon had disappeared.
Lucas glanced at him.
"You're thinking something."
Kashihero nodded slightly.
"Yes."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"What?"
Kashihero's voice was quiet.
"Why did he come alone?"
Lucas blinked.
Then his expression slowly changed.
"…That's a good question."
Because if a Demon General had already appeared in the forest…
Then one terrifying possibility remained.
Was Veythar truly the only demon watching them tonight…
or had the Abyss already begun surrounding the Devourer?
---End of chapter XXIV---