Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

He clutched his chest, golden and orange flames seeping through the crevices as he digested his gains.

If he could master plasma manipulation in eight centuries, the knowledge of the flame of avarice reduced that time by a century and a half. The smaller improvement didn't disappoint him since many parts overlapped.

But the thing of interest was the passive ability he had inherited.

Like Ploutiel, his body could absorb flames, heat, and photons weaker than him to restore essence. Better, it might even work with demonic essence, meaning his progress toward the seventh evolution would skyrocket.

Yet, his lips twisted. There was no heat to try in the abyss, only this annoying icy wind and the growls of abyssal spawns.

Adam scratched his head. He was putting the cart before the horses there. The sixth evolution came first and, unlike last time, he wouldn't pray to remain safe.

A steely glint flashed in his eye, the crevices on his right side bursting to life. With a wide swipe of his palm, a crackling inferno wrapped around the casino. Unextinguishable and over fifteen thousand degrees, it would vaporise any foolish beast drawn by his scent.

At peace with the safety measures, he leaned comfortably against the empty brazier, opened his evolution notification, and pressed yes without hesitation. After all, he could have wandered the abyss for years already for all he knew since he had no notion of time.

A sensation of drowsiness instantly caused his head to sag and his eyelids to flutter close. Inside, his essence stirred like a whirlpool that washed and rearranged his cells.

Forks poked his lower back as a thin, devilish tail sprouted. His lost wings regrew. But instead of draconic grandeur, thick bones split into four long fingers, before uneven, leathery membranes filled the gaps.

His crevices deepened and multiplied on his right side until they reached his sharp jawline. Above, his eye glowed, scarlet replacing the chaotic dark.

Finally, the longest part began. Month after month, his demonic core broke its shackles, the color shifting from pure dark to a somber scarlet.

As his evolution progressed, rivers of blood drowned the realms and war drums resounded daily. The main actors of those conflicts? Adam's army.

After his banishment and the death of the griffin, his town's Gate changed slightly, allowing his people to cross over realms. And with Syllas' right to summon demons, it grew to a terrifying a hundred thousand.

However, the once united territory had faced its share of dissension in its lord's absence.

Under Luna's lead, the generals abandoned Harmony to the traitorous, mythical figures and moved to Mimi's territory six months later. They helped the girl conquer the realm and butcher its behemoth guardian, unlocking the invasion function for her.

Full of hope and determination sparkling in their eyes, they conquered their fourth realm while Adam killed Baal Peor a year later. After two, they ruled over ten and unearthed three of Tiamat's body parts while Adam absorbed the flame of avarice. But their gazes began to dull.

And now, the third year has ended. Yet, they still had no news of him and despair encroached on their hearts.

Even now, seated around a war table, Garduck, Ifrit, and Luna glanced at each other before Ifrit sighed.

"I agreed to follow Adam to see where his dream would lead us, not to wage endless wars in his absence."

The others glared at him, but how could they refute his claim? Adam was more than their lord; he was a symbol, a source that unified them all. Things just weren't the same without him.

Garduck massaged his temples, a deep frown creasing his brows.

"He'll return soon, so believe in him." Honestly, he didn't totally believe his own words.

Seated on a wooden throne, Luna frowned before she shook her head.

"Do you know why everyone fears the abyss, yet no one knows what it looks like?"

Everyone stared at her, their faces etched with confusion. They'd never considered that question.

A tense silence lingered before she continued.

"Because no one ever returned alive. Water is poison, rain melts your skin, and endless hordes hunt you down without rest. But that's nothing. The wind is your worst enemy. It infiltrates your body, corrupts your core, and transforms your soul into something... else."

She watched them pale and heard their foot drum nervously under the table before Garduck clenched his jaw and spoke.
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"He'll still find a way to return!" His eyes narrowed. "Or did you lose faith in him, Luna?"

She lowered her gaze, her eyes dulling and a heavy sigh escaping her lips. More than any of them, she had believed Adam would turn the tables and emerge through the Gate. Even more so when the territory's facilities continued to work, testifying of his resistance against all odds. But what if he became one of them? The cycle of doubts, hope, and disappointment crushed her a little more each day. She couldn't continue like this.

"Listen, everyone." She started, her voice cracking and her eyes blurring slightly. "I'll leave the army today. He will know where to find me when the time comes..." A tear trailed down her cheek as she whispered. "If he ever returns."

She pushed herself off the throne and gazed at the two oldest generals for a second before she left for the Gate and disappeared into its vortex.

Meanwhile, Ifrit scrutinised Garduck.

"I'll do the same. He'll also know where to find me if he survives."

However, Garduck gripped his fiery shoulder and rolled his eyes.

"Did I miss the moment when you became his girlfriend? Tell me where you go. I'll pass him the message!"

"What? I told him I'd claim a volcano for myself. Just search for the hottest in Muspelheim."

Garduck nodded, watched him leave, and then sank into his seat.

Bart and Shihan had also left the army six months ago to care for their twins in a verdant forest. With Ondine's death last year and now this, he was the last one from Adam's original team—and the weakest.

"You're the only one who believed in my crazy dream, Adam." He gazed at the bright blue sky through the window, whispering. "Take the time you need to return. I won't let you down."

Meanwhile, a powerful roar pierced the abyss' dark sky as Adam rose to his feet, after a year of evolution.