The corpse of the Abyss Horn Behemoth lay motionless inside the shattered crater.
The once unstoppable monster was now nothing more than a mountain of lifeless stone flesh.
Rai stood on top of it quietly.
The system energy from the broken core was still flowing through his body.
His muscles felt lighter.
His senses sharper.
The power of an E-Rank demon now lived inside him.
Grik climbed up the side of the massive corpse, breathing heavily.
"I swear…"
He wiped sweat from his face.
"If anyone told me we would kill that thing today…"
"I would have laughed in their face."
Ruun followed behind him, examining the Behemoth's shattered chest.
"The core is completely destroyed."
He looked at Rai.
"That means no other monster can claim this territory now."
Rai nodded slightly.
"That's good."
Grik tilted his head.
"Good?"
"That monster ruled the northern wasteland."
"Now every predator in this region will come looking for the new ruler."
Ruun added quietly,
"And that ruler… is you."
For a moment, silence filled the crater.
Then Rai turned toward the distant horizon.
"Then we should return."
Grik jumped down from the corpse.
"Yes please."
"I need food."
"And sleep."
"Preferably both at the same time."
Ruun shook his head slightly.
"You're unbelievable."
The three of them began their journey back toward the Outcast Settlement.
Hours later…
The wooden barricades of the settlement appeared in the distance.
Several demons standing guard immediately noticed them.
"GRIK!"
"RUUN!"
The guards ran toward the gate.
Then they saw Rai walking behind them.
And the blood covering his clothes.
Grik raised both arms dramatically.
"GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!"
The demons gathered around.
"What happened?"
"Did you find the monster?"
Grik grinned proudly.
"We didn't just find it."
He pointed his thumb toward Rai.
"HE KILLED IT."
The entire crowd froze.
Ruun spoke calmly.
"The Abyss Horn Behemoth is dead."
Shock spread through the settlement.
One demon dropped the basket he was carrying.
"Impossible…"
"That monster has killed hundreds of demons!"
Another whispered,
"And Rai… defeated it?"
Rai walked through the gate quietly.
The demons parted for him automatically.
Something about him had changed.
His presence felt… heavier.
Stronger.
Grik shouted proudly.
"OUR BOSS IS NOW E-RANK!"
The settlement exploded into cheers.
For the outcasts, this meant everything.
Their leader was growing stronger.
Which meant their territory was safer.
Rai walked toward the center of the settlement.
The system appeared again.
---
SETTLEMENT UPDATE
Ruler Rank Increased: E-Rank
Settlement Bonus Activated
Population: 41 → 56
New Demons Approaching Territory
Reputation Increasing
---
Rai raised an eyebrow slightly.
"More demons?"
Ruun looked toward the wasteland horizon.
"That's normal."
"Outcasts always move toward strong leaders."
Grik laughed loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"Looks like our little settlement is becoming popular!"
But Rai knew something else.
Power didn't only attract followers.
It also attracted enemies.
And far away…
Inside a dark volcanic fortress…
A powerful demon was already receiving the news.
Demon Lord Varkesh sat on his throne as a messenger knelt before him.
"My lord…"
"The Abyss Horn Behemoth…"
"…has been slain."
Varkesh leaned forward slowly.
"By who?"
The messenger swallowed.
"…The human."
For a moment…
The throne room went silent.
Then Varkesh smiled.
A slow, dangerous smile.
"Interesting."
His red eyes glowed brightly.
"Very interesting."
The rise of the Demon King Vessel was accelerating.
And soon…
The entire Demon Realm would begin paying attention.