Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Trapped between two formidable foes, William felt a surge of despair. He couldn't possibly subdue both lizards for the taming ritual. He needed to escape, regroup, and formulate a new plan.

Just as he considered his options, two figures appeared at the cave entrance – Xavier and another student.

"William?" Xavier called out, feigning surprise. "What's going on here? Look at those lizards!"

Despite his misgivings about Xavier, William clung to a sliver of hope. "Can you handle one of them?" he shouted back. "I'm pinned down here!"

Xavier reacted swiftly, but not in the way William expected. He raised his scepter, casting an Earth element spell that conjured a solid barrier, sealing the cave entrance shut.

William's heart sank. Xavier had betrayed him, deliberately trapping him with the enraged lizards. A wave of confusion and anger washed over him. What possible motive could Xavier have for such a treacherous act?

But there was no time to dwell on Xavier's betrayal. He was now faced with a desperate fight for survival. With his escape route blocked, he had no choice but to confront the two Infant Winged Lizards head-on.

Uncertainty gnawed at William. Should he focus on the wounded lizard or attempt to break through Xavier's barrier? Time was of the essence, as both lizards advanced, their roars echoing ominously through the cavern.

It was a fight for his life. He lunged towards the wounded lizard, his sword raised.

"Use me," the demonic sword urged. "I will amplify your power and aid in the taming."

William obeyed, discarding his steel sword and unsheathing the demonic blade. He felt the familiar drain on his energy, but the surge of power was undeniable. A dark aura enveloped him, pulsating with malevolent energy.

[Demonic Transformation Stage 1 Active]

[Demonic Energy and Mana will diminish with time]

A new transformation. Unlike the crazed hunter he had encountered, William retained his clarity and control. His senses sharpened, his attributes surged with demonic power. But like Hero's Limit, this power came at a cost.

He couldn't afford to waste time. He attacked the wounded lizard with a ferocity fueled by desperation and demonic energy. The creature was overwhelmed, unable to defend against his relentless assault.

William's sword found its mark, tearing into the lizard's flesh. The beast retaliated, its claws raking across William's chest, leaving deep, bloody gashes.

"You are gravely wounded," the sword warned. "Press the attack. Once I tame this one, the other will submit."

William gritted his teeth, ignoring the searing pain. He moved with a speed and agility he had never experienced before, his attacks a blur of motion. He struck the lizard repeatedly, weakening it with each blow.

Finally, he aimed for the kill. His demonic sword plunged into the creature's right wing, initiating the taming process. Dark energy pulsed through the lizard's body, its eyes turning an inky black. In seconds, it was subdued.

The other lizard, sensing the shift in power, halted its advance. A silent communication passed between the two creatures, an acknowledgment of William's dominance.

"A fragment of my essence now resides within the tamed lizard," the demonic sword explained. "I control its actions."

"Incredible!" William exclaimed, marveling at the power he now wielded. He had faced death and emerged victorious, gaining a formidable ally in the process.

"I require rest to recuperate," the demonic sword said, its voice echoing in William's mind.

William, pleased with the successful taming, decided to bestow a name upon his demonic sword. "How about Asura?" he suggested. "Do you like it?"

"Asura," the lizard repeated, the name resonating with a newfound sentience. "It is a good name."

Asura needed time to heal from the wounds sustained in battle. The other lizard, now docile, remained by their side. But the cave, with its oppressive stench and lingering tension, was no place to recover.

They exited the cavern, working together to dismantle Xavier's earthen barrier. There was no sign of Xavier or his companion.

"What will you do about him?" Asura inquired, a hint of anger in his voice.

"For now, nothing," William replied, his mind racing. "I need to understand his motives."

He couldn't allow his anger to distract him from the mission. Besides, confronting Xavier now would be unwise. He needed to regain his strength and assess the situation.

With Asura at his side, William sought a safe haven for the night. Returning to the village with a tamed lizard in tow seemed imprudent, especially after Xavier's betrayal. Fortunately, the wilderness offered ample refuge. Asura's presence alone would deter most creatures.

They found a clearing near a small cliff, a natural barrier providing an added layer of security.

"This will do," William declared. "No monsters will approach from the cliff, and we can always jump if necessary."

He lacked a tent, but the blankets in his backpack would suffice. He spread them on the ground and settled down to rest. The wounds on his chest were deep, but the bandages stemmed the bleeding. The pain had subsided, and the healing process was underway, but he knew it would take time to fully recover.

William spent the day recuperating, his body slowly mending. He had ample food and water, and Asura's presence provided a sense of security. Sleep came fitfully that night, the hard ground offering little comfort. But exhaustion eventually claimed him.

The next morning, he ventured to the river to cleanse his wounds and change the bandages. The gash on his chest, though still unsightly, was healing steadily.

Asura, his wounds also mending rapidly, followed close behind. "This lizard's regenerative abilities are remarkable," he observed. "I find this form quite agreeable. Far preferable to being an inert blade."

"I can imagine," William chuckled. "But what about that transformation I underwent?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

"Ah, that was the demonic energy within you manifesting," Asura explained. "The more you accumulate, the more potent the transformation will become."

A new power was always welcome, but William knew he needed to exercise caution. He had much to learn about this demonic energy and its potential consequences.

Refreshed and reinvigorated, William and Asura set off towards the goblin encampment. As they approached, they noticed a figure lurking in the shadows, observing the goblins from behind a bush.

It was Xavier. His eyes widened in disbelief when he saw William, accompanied by the tamed lizard. He had assumed William would perish in the cave.

"William!" he exclaimed, feigning relief. "I knew you were alive!"

William fought the urge to punch the conniving student. Instead, he played along, feigning ignorance. "Of course, I am. I know you were just trying to help and miscast the spell, right? You'd never intentionally trap me." He offered Xavier a disarming smile.

Xavier, to William's astonishment, readily accepted the charade. "Yes, yes, indeed. I'm still learning that spell. My apologies."

William seethed inwardly. "Are you planning to attack the goblin camp?" he asked, his voice deceptively casual. "We could join forces."

Xavier opened his mouth to reply, but his eyes fell upon the imposing lizard at William's side. He froze, fear replacing his feigned concern. He instinctively reached for his scepter, but William quickly interjected. "I tamed it," he explained. "It's my companion now."

"You... tamed it?" Xavier stammered, his voice laced with disbelief.