Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Adam's draconic horns glinted before the raging inferno charring the power-driven kobolds. With each strike he delivered, his short sword sparkled a fiery aura, and his flowing dark hair fluttered in a wild dance.

Manve watched the blade crisscross in brutal yet calculated arcs through the air, dicing the howling enemies into bloody pieces.

His heart couldn't help but race at the gory spectacle, trepidation and respect melding in an intricate dance that resonated with his thoughts.

'A lord like that is worth serving.'

Why? The question echoed as he pondered it a little more.

'Is it because he's powerful? No, powerful people often fight for themselves. There's something more to it. Mhh... Is it because he's willing to fight for his subjects instead of relaxing behind?'

A subtle smile curled on the corner of his lips as his chest tightened.

'I've never seen my father fight so bravely for our people. Each time he parries a strike for one of his subjects, my fists can't help but clench. Am I... inspired by their teamwork?'

Even if Hestia's realms were the warmest among the myriad existing, every species only considered kobolds as monsters. From his youth, he had tried to understand why. Even if not the brightest, they were an intelligent species and had their own beliefs and culture. So why were they considered mindless beasts? Would they remain abject creatures in everyone's eyes until the end of times?

The answer had eluded him for years.

But today, he finally found a solution.

'He said he'll welcome us, like elves, dwarves, and humans.'

His nails pierced his smooth skin, hot blood dripping along his fingers as a bright smile illuminated his face. His doubts were gone now, and his mind was clear of his misplaced hate and anger.

'I'll follow him, not only to avenge my dying people but because I believe in his actions.'

As he exhaled, Adam's short sword cut through a lunging, demonised kobold's skull.

With a crunching noise, he shattered it before a deadly silence settled in the area, one he broke with a sigh and a question.

"Is anyone wounded? If not, rest for five minutes before we continue."

With no wounded, he sat, feeling his chest rise erratically after the short but intense effort. After all, even if Luna's and Ifrit's flames culled half the kobolds, he still repelled a hundred with the others.

Once his breathing calmed and the heat of combat subsided, he summoned his kill notifications, ready to jump a few levels considering the abundant experience points the demonised kobolds yielded.

However, a deep furrow creased his brows as he saw the note below.

[You and your subjects have defeated 200 tier two level 15 demonised kobolds. You have gained 600000 experience points.]

[Note: Unusual amount of experience detected. Adjusting points to their previous value.]

'You can even do that, you bastards?!'

He gritted his teeth as a new notification appeared, his hope of shooting past level 35 in this battle shattering like glass in his mind. Experience new stories on m v|l e'm,p| y- r

[You and your subjects have defeated 200 tier two level 15 demonised kobolds. You have gained 30000 experience points.]

[Congratulations on levelling up. Please check your interface and decide how to distribute your points.]

"What?! That's the same I get from tier-one creatures! You-you... RAH!"

He didn't even get one level worth of Xp when he expected at least eight! How infuriating! How unfair!

'Is karma striking me after I mocked Baal and said he's only fueling my growth?'

He hissed through his teeth, his stomach churning as he distributed his stat points equally.

Then, he rose to his feet, his eyes twitching as he gazed at the tunnel.

'Even if it disgusts me, let's see the cup half filled instead of half empty. I can still get hundreds of thousands of experience points and the elemental gems...'

He inhaled, the sticky air and bloody scent invading his nostrils in a vain attempt to calm his furiously beating heart before his lips parted.

"We continue. Massacre everyone to make up for the experience points we lost!"

Luna and the other's eyes narrowed at the bizarre terminology he used again. Still, they followed him into the winding tunnel and its many branches.

Maven rushed to him, his eyes burning and his steps determined as he guided the demonic group into the mine.

Only the soft noise of the flickering torches lining the walls and the mischievous kids' shenanigans accompanied their long descent.

'It wouldn't surprise me to learn that ghosts inhabit the place.'

He thought half-jokingly, remembering a story about another Adam who woke up as a ghost in a magic world and embarked on an epic quest to get a body and discover who he was.

As a reminiscent smile curled onto his lips, Maven tugged at his arm, the soft movement forcing him to focus on the situation.

"My father is in the broad cave ahead. I saw most of the corrupted kobolds rush here... Are you sure we can win? Even if your group is powerful, it'll be seventeen versus three thousand."

"I'll isolate and duel your father while the others decimate his troops. Don't hold back and use everything you have."

He turned towards Luna, Ondine, and Ifrit, his face solemn and his voice deep.

"Prioritise densely packed areas to save energy. Ondine, you protect everyone from the rear with your water."

Finally, he gazed at Wukong's grin and nodded. Words weren't needed between them. The monkey king was a free spirit he didn't want to command. Still, he hoped he would lend them a hand to even the odds. After all, he had levelled up a few times in the mine.

He closed his eyes, his chest rising with the deep breath he took as the battle's pressure settled over his shoulders.

Despite his confident commands and posture, icy sweat rolled down his spine and incertitude gnawed at his heart.

Would they snuff the threat before it grew too big, or would they die trying?