Night fell over the Outcast Settlement.
Fires burned along the newly built wooden barricade.
Demons who had once lived in fear were now laughing, eating, and resting for the first time in years.
The victory over the Ashbone Raiders had changed everything.
Word was spreading.
Fast.
Grik sat beside one of the fires, tearing apart a roasted wasteland beast.
"Hahaha!"
He raised the meat in the air.
"Today we beat another gang!"
Several demons cheered loudly.
Ruun sat nearby sharpening a dagger.
"We shouldn't celebrate too much."
Grik rolled his eyes.
"You worry too much."
But Ruun's sharp eyes scanned the dark horizon.
"Power attracts attention."
"Soon… stronger demons will come."
On top of the newly built barricade stood Rai.
He watched the settlement silently.
The system window floated in front of him.
---
SETTLEMENT STATUS
Territory: Outcast Settlement
Ruler: Rai
Population: 37 → 41
Defense: Wooden Barricade
Food Supply: Stable
Loyalty: 74%
New Skill Acquired: Shadow Step
---
Rai studied the new skill.
Shadow Step allowed him to move instantly across short distances using shadows.
It was perfect for combat.
Or assassination.
But Rai wasn't smiling.
His instincts told him something.
Something bigger was coming.
Far away…
Deep inside the Demon Realm.
A massive fortress towered above a dark volcanic valley.
Black lightning flashed across the sky.
Inside the fortress throne room…
A powerful demon sat upon a massive throne.
His horns curved like blades.
Dark flames burned in his crimson eyes.
This was one of the rulers of the Demon Realm.
Demon Lord Varkesh.
A smaller demon knelt before him.
"My lord… reports from the wasteland."
Varkesh rested his chin on one hand.
"Speak."
The messenger swallowed nervously.
"Two demon gangs have been wiped out."
Varkesh looked slightly interested.
"That happens every day."
"But… this time…"
The messenger hesitated.
"It was done by a human."
The throne room became silent.
Several elite demons standing nearby turned their heads.
Varkesh slowly leaned forward.
"A human?"
"Yes… my lord."
"The rumors say he commands outcast demons."
"And… he killed the Ashbone Raider Chief himself."
Varkesh's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That fool was B-Rank."
The messenger nodded.
"Yes."
"And the human…"
"…is said to be F-Rank."
For the first time—
Varkesh laughed.
A deep, dangerous laugh that echoed through the throne room.
"Interesting."
His claws tapped the throne arm.
"An F-Rank killing B-Rank demons?"
"That sounds like something unusual."
One of the elite demons stepped forward.
"My lord, should we eliminate him?"
Varkesh waved his hand.
"Not yet."
His eyes glowed faintly.
"I want to see him first."
He turned to one of his shadow soldiers.
A tall demon wearing black armor.
"Kael."
The demon stepped forward immediately.
"Yes, my lord."
"Go to the wasteland."
"Observe this… human."
The demon bowed.
"And if he becomes troublesome?"
Varkesh smiled darkly.
"Then kill him."
The shadow soldier vanished instantly.
Back at the Outcast Settlement…
Rai suddenly looked toward the dark sky.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Like a predator had just begun watching him.
The rise of the F-Rank Demon King Vessel had finally reached the ears of a Demon Lord.
And the next visitor…
Would not be weak.