Lucian charged again.
His boots crushed the dirt as he swung his massive sword downward.
"DON'T RUN NOW!"
Rai didn't run.
He stepped forward.
The sword crashed into the ground—
BOOM!
Dust exploded everywhere.
But Rai had already moved.
Shadow Step.
FLASH.
He appeared beside Lucian.
Lucian barely reacted in time, turning his shoulder to block.
THUD.
Rai's punch landed.
Lucian slid back several meters, leaving a long mark in the dirt.
But instead of falling—
He laughed.
A loud, wild laugh.
"Hahaha!"
"Now THIS is a fight!"
The watching demons gasped.
Most people would have been unconscious after that hit.
Lucian rolled his shoulders and lifted his sword again.
"Alright, boss."
His grin widened.
"Let's get serious."
---
Lucian rushed forward again.
This time his movements changed.
Less reckless.
More controlled.
Rai noticed immediately.
He was testing me earlier.
Lucian swung horizontally.
Rai ducked.
Then Lucian kicked.
Rai blocked.
THUD!
The impact shook Rai's arm slightly.
Lucian's strength was monstrous.
Grik whistled.
"Wow… that guy's actually pushing Rai."
Ruun crossed his arms.
"But not enough."
---
Lucian attacked again.
But Rai stepped forward.
Not backward.
His hand shot out.
He grabbed Lucian's wrist mid-swing.
Lucian's eyes widened.
Then—
CRACK!
Rai twisted his arm and slammed him into the ground.
The earth shattered beneath Lucian's body.
Dust rose into the air.
Silence filled the battlefield.
A few seconds passed.
Then Lucian groaned.
"…ow."
He lay on his back staring at the sky.
Then he burst into laughter again.
"Hahaha!"
"Alright! I lose!"
The crowd of demons blinked in confusion.
Lucian sat up, rubbing his head.
"You win, boss."
He stood and stretched.
"That was fun."
Grik walked closer.
"Fun?! You got slammed into the ground!"
Lucian shrugged.
"Yeah, but it was worth it."
He looked at Rai.
His expression changed.
More serious now.
"I wanted to see if the rumors were true."
"That a human was strong enough to lead demons."
He crossed his arms.
"Well…"
"You passed."
Ruun sighed.
"That's not really how leadership works."
Lucian ignored him.
Instead he walked toward Rai.
Then suddenly—
He dropped to one knee.
The entire settlement froze.
Lucian spoke calmly.
"You beat me."
"That means you're stronger."
"And I only follow strong leaders."
He looked up.
"So from today…"
"…I'll fight for you."
The demons watching erupted into whispers.
"Another human joined him…"
"This settlement keeps getting stronger…"
Grik grinned widely.
"I like this guy."
Ruun nodded slowly.
"…He might actually be useful."
---
The system appeared before Rai.
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
New Follower Acquired
Lucian — Human Warrior
Rank: D-Class Combatant
Trait: Berserker Spirit
Effect: Increases combat effectiveness when facing stronger enemies.
Settlement Strength Increased
---
Rai closed the screen.
Lucian stood up and stretched again.
"So, boss."
"What's the plan now?"
Rai looked toward the distant wasteland.
His eyes were calm.
But something dangerous flickered behind them.
"Expansion."
Grik raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Rai pointed toward the far mountains.
"Bandit camps."
"Monster nests."
"More outcasts."
Lucian grinned.
"Sounds like war."
Rai nodded.
"Yes."
But far away…
Deep within the Demon Realm…
A massive demon sat on a throne of bone.
Its red eyes glowed as it watched a floating vision of Rai's settlement.
The demon lord slowly smiled.
"So…"
"The vessel has begun gathering followers."
The air trembled with its power.
"Interesting."
The Demon Lords had finally started paying attention.
And that meant one thing.
The real danger…
Was coming.