Chapter 321

Red… so much red…

Let me take everything over again. I can handle these long moments.

No! I need to push through! I need…

Max didn’t have to even think about what he was doing anymore. All he needed to do was swing his weapon, and something died.

Four days had passed, and not for a moment had his berserker rage ended.

Everything was running full-tilt, and Bob had mastered the art of casting all the abilities and spells. Mana and health were not an issue as the two of them worked together to cut down a never-ending line of monsters.

These are tougher, but still not a single stat has been gained… what is this place? The tide hasn’t changed at all.

It is a never-ending horde. There are only two options. Fight your way to the end, and defeat whatever lies beyond or die. Eventually, you will fall.

But will the monsters ever get so strong we cannot defeat them?

That is something I’m still not able to answer. Do you not remember you asked this two days ago?

Max’s mind hurt as he tried to remember if he had. His weapon slashed and thrusted, moving so fast the monsters and creatures he killed never knew they were dead until cut in half or missing a head.

What if I summon that demon? Would that give us any break?

You are getting low on demon essence. Without that, eventually you’ll find yourself unable to use those abilities at all. Would a break be worth it?

I could drink and eat. We can talk. It would buy us two hours, and you must have gained enough power that resetting the skill wouldn’t be an issue, correct?

It would not… I see the logic in that decision and think you may be in need of sustenance. No matter how much health and mana you recover, there is a point where food is beneficial.

Hundreds of monsters fell all around him as another bolt of lightning came from his hand while two different storms raged before and behind him, each one killing with impunity.

Pressed upon from every side, Max simply pushed forward, slaughtering everything that came in reach with his weapon, while Bob sent spell after spell that reaped countless lives as flames washed from around him, incinerating everything in their path.

Perhaps he can answer some questions when he comes. That may give us answers to what may help us escape this place.

Bob didn’t reply, but Max felt the acknowledgment at his thought.

It took just a fraction of a second, his dagger yanked free, a small cut on his arm, the only place he bled while blood was everywhere else.

Had one followed the scene from afar, the number of bodies that stretched for over twenty miles would have made most kings turn back in fear from what was carving a path of destruction. �

[ Demonic Summoning ]

Blood flowed from his arm like a river, and the same runes formed again, this time thicker and brighter, igniting as always.

The rainbowed crystal wall formed, and a red section of portal was barely visible. As all the times before claws began to appear, except this time they were much smaller than before. Max watched as the portal opened up, catching a glimpse of other demons and creatures who stood away from the portal: red, black, yellow and other colored eyes staring at him through it.

Stepping through was a humanoid figure, eight feet tall, covered in black skin that moved like flesh, a smaller set of red horns that radiated with an aura on its head. Two red eyes were fixed upon him, and a smile was set upon the demon’s face. Yellow teeth that looked sharper than daggers made a perfect smile, one that would look normal if not for tips that looked ready to rip away flesh.

Every bit of its body was covered in hard muscle, veins exposed against the skin as it moved, an eight pack of muscle across its core—a perfect body many would consider for a man to hope to obtain.

“Max… you are different. Tell me, what can I do for you?”

The voice was the same, yet Max couldn’t help but cock his head slightly.

It has evolved…

“You have changed. An evolution?”

Laughter of amusement came from its mouth as it laughed, nodding before turning back at the portal and shaking its head. Every demon behind that had stood close by gave a quick bow and moved away instantly. As they did, the portal began to close.

“I have. You have been a boon for me, and judging from what I see and sense around us, I shall only become greater because of you.”

“Your name. What is it?”

The smile disappeared, and the demon stood there a moment, silent as it lifted a clawed hand and tapped the red nail against its chin.

“I did discuss that last time, didn’t I? Very well. Just know that my name is between you and I only. To share it would bring great problems for me if the wrong being came in possession of it. Do you swear to not share it?”

“I do.”

Stolen story; please report.

“Very well. My name is Sog’thollech, and because of you I have risen to the Demon Lord rank. While I doubt I shall ever challenge the Overlord, there are a few Archons that might be within my grasp if our relationship continues to blossom.”

He is growing stronger as you grow stronger. No doubt a byproduct of your blood and the souls he reaps. To think he has grown that strong…

“Tell me, Sog’thollech, would you agree to keep any future dealings between yourself and I friendly until a time we both agree to break that pact?”

Both eyes narrowed, and the demon crossed its arms, studying Max for a moment.

“You would wish to form a pact with me? Beyond what this spell already has created? Why?”

“In a fight between us, who would win?”

Max’s question made the demon take a step back, almost as if unconsciously, and it crouched slightly.

“That would not be a fight I believe either of us would prefer to have.”

“Exactly. I would rather not have to worry about you, and I wonder if the other might betray each other at some point. I ask that because there is something else I need to ask, and you might find that question… isn’t good for your kind.”

Sog’thollech snorted, and then his grin appeared again.

“You need more essence… I can sense how little you have. So a pact to keep from fighting each other, so I don’t have to worry about you slaying me for mine and I would assume a request on how to acquire more.”

Nodding, Max shrugged. “Two birds with one stone.”

“I’m not familiar with that statement, but I can see the logic behind it. Very well. I shall enter a pact with you.”

“Do we need to swap blood or anything?” Max asked.

Sog’thollech roared with laughter, holding his side as he chuckled a bit longer.

“Silly ideas you people have. Here in this space and with your spell you have summoned me with, our words are what binds us. We simply state the same thing, and it will take place. I will go first. I, Demon Lord Sog’thollech, desire to form a pact of peace with Max Hoste, being unwilling to directly or indirectly attack him until both of us agree to end this pact.”

Max was surprised at the words that had been chosen but began to understand what Bob had said.

He believes that we would win in a fight…

He knows that we would win in a fight.

“I, Max Hoste, desire to form a pact of peace with Demon Lord Sog’thollech, being unwilling to directly or indirectly attack him until both of us agrees to end this pact.”

Pain set upon his chest, and Max watched as the demon winced, a flaming rune appearing on its chest for a moment before disappearing.

[ Pact formed with Sog’thollech ]

Taking a few breaths, Max felt his bare chest, finding no lasting mark.

“Now then, we are bonded even tighter. I should warn you. Do not align yourselves with those who might seek to fight me. Our pact would prevent you from attacking me as such.”

Filing that warning away, Max nodded and watched as the walls were starting to slowly vanish.

“It’s lasted longer than before. Because we have both grown?”

“Yes. If we desired, we could stay here, but I have things I must attend to in my realm. Those underneath me were not expecting my departure, and I may face a fight when I return, from a foolish demon who does not realize who she is attacking.”

A wide grin came, and Sog’thollech shook a little more.

“She will find it worse for her upon my return, of course.”

Nodding, Max motioned to the sea of monsters around him.

“I need a break. For four days I have fought and slain so many I cannot keep count. I need you to press on that way, slaying everything you can to create for me a path to follow behind. Speed is more important than quantity for me. However, I realize you most likely want to maximize the number of souls you can claim, so I am willing to sacrifice a little speed for your growth. To make that deal, I would need a few essences to provide me enough that I would feel comfortable in being able to summon you again.”

Sog’thollech smiled, and Max felt it wasn’t filled with malice or greed but something else.

“You are becoming smarter, Max Hoste. I will agree to that bargain. Do you plan on following me, or can I have a lead so that I can use some abilities without concern of accidentally striking you.”

“That will be fine.”

“Then we are in agreement. I shall swiftly fight until I must depart, at which point I shall grant you some of my essence so that you can summon me at a later date.”

As soon as Max nodded, the walls shattered, the prismatic area they had been in gone.

Max almost flinched when a wave of power washed out from around Sog’thollech, and every creature in the Sonar skill range fell dead.

His eyes went wide as those even further away died, a wave of bodies falling to the floor for almost a quarter of a mile.

A moan that left Max feeling a little dirty escaped Sog’thollech’s mouth as his black tongue began to lick his yellow teeth.

“Oh, Max, you have no idea how amazing that first taste was… Count to ten, and then you can follow.”

With that the demon was gone, one moment there and the next at the edge of where its ability had been, a new bringer of death had just entered the tower.

Tell me… could we really have defeated him?

Yes… it would have been painful and cost us both dearly, but his strength comes from you. While that deal wasn’t a bad idea, it may hurt us far into the future if we survive.

If we make it home and there is a time that does happen, I will gladly pay the price required. For now, all that matters is getting out of this tower and getting revenge. There are now three who I must kill on this world.

Max took the backpack he had been wearing off and opened it up, seeing the food and water inside, and waited for Bob to verify it was safe. After hearing that it was, he guzzled down a single waterskin and then slung the pack over while chewing on the dried hunk of meat.

I guess we should catch up with him.

Yes, and you’re going to need to run to do so.

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