The ground of the Outcast Demon Land trembled under the approaching footsteps of the massive demon group.
Rai stood on a jagged rock, surveying the horizon. His body was still covered in dried blood from the Elite Demon, but his muscles felt sharper, stronger. Pain had become nothing more than a teacher, and he had learned well.
Three massive silhouettes led the group. Their skin was darker than coal, eyes glowing red. The one in the center towered above them all—its horns curved backward, longer and sharper than any Rai had seen.
The system window blinked again.
---
SYSTEM
User: Rai
Rank: D
New Task: Hunt 5 demons in the Outcast Land
Reward: Rank Experience and Skill Points
---
Rai smirked faintly.
"Finally… some challenge."
The demons stopped a few dozen meters away. Their eyes scanned the wasteland, resting on him.
"You again…" the largest growled. "You killed my subordinate. I'll make sure you regret it."
Rai tilted his head. Calm. Calculating.
"Funny… I was thinking the same thing."
The three demons lunged at once. Their speed was terrifying. The ground cracked under the force of their impact.
Rai's body moved instinctively. He dodged the first strike by sliding under a swinging claw. He rolled forward, the impact of the second strike throwing up dust around him.
The third demon was already lunging from behind. Rai pivoted, grabbed a jagged stone, and slashed it at the creature's arm. It let out a shriek as the makeshift weapon drew blood.
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Damage Dealt: Minor
Skill Unlocked: Combat Reflexes Lv.2
---
Rai smiled faintly. "Better."
The largest demon roared, swinging its massive horns downward. The force shattered rocks beneath Rai's feet.
Pain flashed as one horn grazed his shoulder. But Rai ignored it. His Immortal Body had become second nature.
He grabbed another broken horn from the ground and drove it into the center demon's thigh. CRUNCH. The demon stumbled and screamed.
The other two faltered for a split second. That was all Rai needed.
He leapt onto the largest demon's back, using its own momentum to stab at its neck repeatedly. Its roars echoed across the wasteland, loud enough to rattle nearby cliffs.
---
Minutes passed, though it felt like hours. Rai's body moved with terrifying precision. Every strike, every dodge, every twist of his body had been rehearsed through countless deaths.
Finally, one by one, the demons fell. The largest one toppled to the ground with a deafening crash. The others followed soon after.
Rai stood among the corpses, chest heaving, horn weapon in hand. Blood covered his body, but the thrill of victory coursed through him.
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Demons Eliminated: 5/5
Reward Granted: Rank Experience + Skill Points
Skill Upgraded: Fear Aura Lv.2
New Skill Unlocked: Regeneration Lv.2
---
Rai surveyed the wasteland. The sun, barely a red disk in the sky, cast long shadows across the jagged terrain.
"This…" he murmured, "this is just the beginning."
From the horizon, he spotted movement. Something far larger and faster than even the Elite Demon.
The system flashed a warning.
---
SYSTEM ALERT
Rare Demon Detected: Likely S-Rank
Caution Recommended
---
Rai's eyes narrowed. His smile grew cold.
"Looks like the game just got serious," he said, gripping his weapon tighter.
And somewhere in the shadows, watching from a distance, a massive figure's eyes glowed with interest. The Demon King Vessel was growing stronger—and the world would soon start to notice.