La Kratos spoke first, his voice edged with displeasure:
"I hope you understand, Wildfire, that sacrificing our shamans will weaken our clans. We'll fall behind the others."
Wildfire flashed a mocking grin, his flames rising higher.
"With the sacrifice of only seven demons, we can destroy the strongest warriors of the human Kingdom.
Tell me — is there a better bargain than that?"
Na Gonos nodded.
"Indeed. Once the ritual is complete, the humans will be scattered. Picking them off one by one will be easy."
Ta Uris stepped forward, puffing out his chest.
"My warriors stand ready at your command, Wildfire."
"If we kill the Heroes and take the human Kingdom," Wildfire continued, "you will bring glory not only to Salamander, but to the Demon King himself.
He will reward you so greatly that you'll forget your shamans ever existed."
La Kratos snorted.
"As agreed: whoever encounters the Hero first gets to fight her."
"Of course," Wildfire nodded. "But don't forget — the humans have two Heroes."
Na Gonos rubbed his hands together with a wicked grin.
"Then two of us will have a lucky day."
Ta Uris added:
"And besides the two Heroes, there's a knight‑captain and a strong mage as well."
"Yes," Wildfire said. "The two Heroes are Eris Scarlett and Andrea Wolf.
The knight‑captain is the Hero's father, John Scarlett.
And the mage is Young Wolf."
La Kratos's eyes gleamed.
"Young Wolf? The offspring of that water‑blade she‑wolf?
It will be a pleasure to kill him."
Na Gonos cut in:
"What about Za Balog?"
"Dead," Wildfire replied indifferently. "He probably challenged Andrea Wolf and Young Wolf at the same time on their territory."
Ta Uris growled.
"The idiot! Then nothing remains of the Za clan."
La Kratos shrugged.
"There are four of us. Each of us will have a worthy opponent."
Na Gonos nodded with satisfaction.
"Then we strike when they're tired and hungry."
Ta Uris let out a cruel laugh.
"You want to rest, little humans?
You can rest in your graves."
Wildfire raised his flaming arm, and the demons around him fell silent at once.
"Prepare yourselves.
The hunt begins."
The Seven Demon Shamans — Wildfire's Trap
The seven Demon Shamans finally completed the ritual.
The ground trembled, the air began to hiss, and then the forbidden magic burst forth in a single shockwave.
The demonic energy burned the shamans from the inside out — all seven ignited at once, like torches flaring in the night.
By the time the light faded, nothing remained of them but ash.
The teleportation wave swept across the forest, scattering the humans to random locations throughout the vast wilderness.
The hundred Fire Demons and five hundred impspawn immediately surged forward, ready to hunt down the separated knights one by one.
The stronger opponents, however, were reserved for the three clan leaders.
Wildfire watched them from a distance, his flames flickering with satisfaction.
"Go on, you idiots," he muttered. "Kill each other. The glory will be mine alone.
Last time Za Balog survived… but this time I'll make sure not a single clan leader walks away alive."
In his hand he held a dark, pulsing magic crystal, radiating a dull, earthy energy.
"I brought my little pet," he continued. "It's sealed inside this crystal.
An Earth Demon Toad… a dangerous magical beast from the Harpy Islands.
Thanks to its earth element, it's resistant to blades and fire alike."
His flames rose higher as he described his plan with twisted delight.
"It doesn't matter who wins the fight — a Hero or a clan leader.
The victor will be wounded and exhausted.
And the Demon Toad devours anything in its path.
The acid in its mouth melts flesh from bone instantly… whether that flesh belongs to a Hero or to demons."
Wildfire let out a satisfied laugh.
"My plan is perfect."
Wildfire's Memory — Two Weeks Earlier, on Demon Island
The Hall of the Demonflame Throne blazed with heat.
Lava channels pulsed red along the walls, casting a hellish glow across the chamber, and the air reeked of burning sulfur and drifting ash.
At the center stood the Demonflame Throne itself, upon which sat Salamander, leader of the Fire Demons and one of the Demon Generals.
Beside him stood the other Demon General — Quelenna, the Succubus Princess — who was clearly suffering in the oppressive heat.
It was then that Wildfire, Salamander's loyal right hand, entered the hall.
Quelenna fanned herself with a look of disgust.
"This place is unbearably hot. Let's discuss the plan quickly so I can get out of here."
Salamander leaned back on his throne with a grin.
"If you're that hot, you can take off all your clothes for all I care."
Quelenna's eyes flashed.
"When the Demon King appears, your tongue won't be so sharp."
Wildfire bowed respectfully.
"We have conquered the Harpy Islands. Everything is ready for the attack on the human Kingdom."
Salamander nodded with satisfaction.
"Excellent work! I knew you were the right demon for the task."
Quelenna turned toward him with interest.
"And what became of the Harpy Queen?"
"She burned alive, of course," Wildfire replied indifferently. "But not before watching her hatchlings roast before her eyes."
Quelenna sighed in disappointment.
"I would have preferred if you had brought me at least one hatchling alive and unharmed."
Salamander burst into loud laughter.
"What, roasted chicken doesn't suit your taste? Hahaha!"
Quelenna's eyes narrowed.
"Harpies sing beautifully when kept in cages."
"Aren't those the sirens?" Salamander asked mockingly.
Wildfire cut in:
"If you prefer roasted fish over roasted chicken, we can attack the Siren Isles next."
Quelenna turned toward him, her voice dangerously soft.
"Watch your mouth, little Wildfire. Sirens are clever and obedient creatures. I forbid you from going anywhere near them."
Salamander rose to his feet, his flames flaring higher.
"Don't worry, my beauty. Wildfire's true moment has finally come.
This is the opportunity he has always desired.
He can kill the Hero with his own hands and prove to the Demon King that he deserves to become the third Demon General."
Wildfire's flames trembled with excitement.
"If I defeat the Hero… will you truly acknowledge me as a Demon General?"
"Of course," Salamander replied. "You've earned it.
In fact, you could defeat the Hero far more easily than either Quelenna or I."
Quelenna nodded.
"I agree. The Hero in this era is unfortunately a girl, so I stand no chance against her.
I'll have to content myself with the male members of the Hero's party."
Salamander smiled broadly.
"Exactly! But you, Wildfire… you are the Hero's natural enemy.
Her weakness.
The Hero is fire‑elemental — and you are fire itself.
As long as she doesn't know your trick, you can kill her with ease.
If you're clever enough, you can defeat her — or anyone among the humans' warriors.
Your time has finally come!
Burn brightly, my friend!"