I Died and Became a Noble's Heir-Chapter 385: Dreknar’s Favor Part 4

Jack’s consciousness abruptly returned, akin to a sudden awakening from a vivid dream.

One moment, he’d been kneeling in Dreknar’s shrine, wind howling, chains thrashing violently. Next, he stood in the throne room itself.

The black stone walls stretched overhead, swallowing light. Red drapes hung between massive chains, their deep color almost a shade of purple in the dim illumination. Lanterns flickered with black flames that cast dancing shadows across the floor.

And there, sitting upon his throne of bones and dark metal, was Dreknar the Black Flame.

The demon god’s jet-black skin seemed to absorb the scant light that existed in the chamber. Green veins pulsed across his massive frame, bright against the darkness.

His horns curved back from his skull like a crown, and his eyes, burning with green fire, observed Jack’s arrival with keen interest.

"Back already?" Dreknar’s voice rumbled through the chamber, making Jack’s chest vibrate. "I pulled your soul here seconds ago, and you’re already bothering me with your presence."

Jack met those burning green eyes without flinching. "Do you have a fourth task for me?"

Dreknar leaned back in his throne, the bone structure creaking beneath his weight. His massive arms crossed over his scarred chest as that sharp grin spread across his face.

"Presumptuous little lamb," the demon god said, amusement was evident in his tone.

"What makes you think I have another task ready? Maybe I was planning to let you stew for a few months. Build some anticipation. Make you wonder if I’d forgotten about you entirely."

"Because you don’t waste time," Jack replied. "And you wouldn’t pull my soul here just to tell me to wait."

Dreknar’s laugh boomed through the throne room, loud enough to make the black flames flicker violently.

"Smart," the demon god acknowledged, his grin widening. "You’re learning. Good. I hate explaining obvious things to mortals who can’t think past their next meal."

He shifted forward slightly, those green flames intensifying as they studied Jack.

Jack thought internally for a moment.

Last time Jack was here, Dreknar gave something to Jack for free. It puzzled Jack profusely because God’s don’t give things out for free without having some type of motive.

Jack received the Demon Arts. A fighting style Dreknar had shared without demanding anything in return. Two techniques that Jack had used against Rhys during their duel.

The Demon Arts were unlike any fighting style Jack had seen. It was aggressive, with no fear of being hurt. Pure aggression that only worked when pushing through with brute strength.

"Last time you gave me information for free," Jack shouted.

"Because watching you fumble around with that spear like some untrained conscript was painful. You have power, little lamb, but you fight like a human. The Demon Arts focus on what actually matters. "Unadulterated power, decisive force, and assertive control over your adversary."

The demon god’s clawed finger tapped against his throne’s armrest.

"Those two techniques were just the beginning. A taste of what a proper demon in combat looks like. You used them well against that elf prince, I’ll give you that. But there’s so much more to learn." His grin became sharp. "Which brings us to your fourth task."

Jack waited, his gaze fixed on Dreknar’s face.

"This one is different," Dreknar said, his voice carrying weight that made the air feel heavier. "Three parts instead of one. Each part tests something specific. Complete all three, and you’ll earn a reward that will make your previous gains look like table scraps."

He raised one massive hand, extending three clawed fingers.

"Part one," Dreknar began, lowering one finger. "Consume enough demon hearts to reach your next threshold of demonic essence. When you hit that next level, I’ll know."

Jack’s mind immediately went to his current status. 100 demonic essence. Maxed out at his current threshold. But what was the next one? How many hearts would he need to consume to reach it?

’System,’ Jack thought. ’What’s the next threshold?’

[Current Demonic Essence: 100/100]

[Next Threshold: 1,000]

[Hearts Required: Unknown. Depends on the strength of the hearts you eat.]

Jack kept his expression neutral despite the staggering number. The number was staggering. He could eat 10 powerful hearts and get there, or he could have to eat 500 hearts to reach the threshold.

"Part two," Dreknar continued, lowering another finger. "Kill at least two demons holding the rank of Infernal Baron or higher."

The demon god’s grin widened, revealing those perfect white teeth.

"The demon hierarchy annoys me," Dreknar said flatly. "All these self-important titles and political games. Barons, Viscounts, Counts, Dukes, all of them thinking their rank means something to a god." He leaned forward, green flames burning brighter.

"I want you to kill at least two of them. Show the Demon King that his precious hierarchy means nothing when someone strong enough decides to ignore it."

Jack’s mind swirled as he processed what Dreknar was asking. The demon hierarchy mirrored European nobility structures, just with "Infernal" tagged onto each title because they were demons. Baron was the lowest noble rank, sitting just below Viscount, but still above common demons.

The power level of an Infernal Baron varied wildly depending on the individual demon. Some might be comparable to Disaster-class threats. Others could be significantly stronger. Jack wouldn’t know until he actually found one and fought it.

"What do I do with them after killing them? Are they mine to use as I see fit?" Jack asked.

"Entirely," Dreknar confirmed. "Consume their hearts. Bind their souls. Mount their heads on spikes. I don’t care. Just make sure they’re dead and that their deaths piss off the right people."

"And part three?" Jack prompted.

Dreknar’s expression shifted to something that looked almost contemplative. He lowered his final finger, his massive hand settling back onto the throne’s armrest.

"Become a contractor," the demon god said simply.

Jack’s eyebrows rose slightly. "A contractor?"

"Yes, little lamb. A contractor." Dreknar’s tone conveyed the gravity of someone conveying an important concept. "You’ve been binding souls to your army, forcing them into servitude through your Soul Magic. That’s useful, but it’s not the same as forming an actual contract."

The demon god gestured broadly with one hand.

"Find a beast in this tower. Something powerful. Something worthy. And form a contract with it, not as master and slave, but as a contractor and contractee. The beast shares its power with you. You gain its power and become stronger. A partnership."

Jack’s mind immediately went to Alaric and Drakon. His father had a contract with the ancient dragon. Jack had sensed and seen the dragon when he was fighting Rhys. It wasn’t soul-binding or servitude. It was a mutual agreement. Partnership born from respect and shared benefit.

"Any beast in the tower works?" Jack asked.

"Any beast," Dreknar confirmed. "Though I’d recommend choosing something actually powerful. Contracting with a rabbit would be pathetic, and I’d probably kill you just for wasting my time."

The demon god settled back into his throne, those green flames studying Jack with satisfaction.

"Complete all three parts, reach your next essence threshold, kill two Infernal Barons or higher, and form a contract with a beast, and you’ll earn your reward."

[DING!]

[New Quest: Dreknar’s Favor Part 4]

[Objective 1: Reach 1,000 Demonic Essence (Current: 100/1,000)]

[Objective 2: Kill 2+ demons ranked Infernal Baron or higher (Current: 0/2)]

[Objective 3: Form a contract with a beast in Tartarus Spire (Current: 0/1)]

[Reward: Demon Arts Compendium Vol I, Demon Arts Compendium Vol II, Demon Arts Compendium Vol III, Demon Arts Compendium Vol IV, Demon Arts Compendium Vol V, ???, ???]

[Time Limit: None]

[Accept Quest?]