Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 338: Adam Airlines

Adam observed the desolate bank of the Acheron until his eyes locked on a wooden pier. The gray mold covering the cracked planks and the water splashing between their loose openings made him exhale in a mix of awe and dread. After all, it was the mythical river leading to the Greek underworld’s gates and its guardian, Cerberus.

He tucked his fingers around his chin and gazed at the wide-jawed Achilles. "Want to take a swim?"

Instantly, his words awakened the legendary figure from his stupor. He coughed, his face reddening in barely suppressed anger. "After the lava in Muspelheim, the Acheron? What’s wrong with this question?!"

With a deep inhale and patting his chest, he calmed his raging heart and continued. "This is the river of woe and pain. Dipping your toe alone will taint your soul—but that’s just the beginning. The water will devour your life force like a relentless beast. Only dried bones scattering into ashes will remain of us after a minute."

Adam clicked his tongue. "How do we cross, then? It should be possible since Heracles defeated Cerberus during his twelve labors."

"That’s... a good question. Usually, Charon transports the deceased souls. Heracles, like Odysseus, Aeneas, and Psyche, had the favors of the gods. He carried them without questions at their commands. But us?" He shook his head and sighed. "I wouldn’t be surprised if he drowns us."

Garduck, still panting, raised his hand to draw their attention. "Can’t we threaten or break a few of his limbs to make him comply if he’s not a god?"

An icy shudder ran down Achilles’ spine. "I want to return already..." He glared at Garduck. "He’s not a god in the typical sense. But that’s what makes him more terrifying."

Adam nodded. "His parents are Nyx and Erebus, two primordials. I don’t know about his strength, but he should be close to invincible on his river." A sly grin split his face. "So what? We can fly above the bank."

"Souls who can’t pay Charon’s obol take a hundred years for that. You can also forget about my chariot. I can’t feel Balius and Xanthus, much less call them to the underworld."

A heavy sigh escaped Achille’s lips. He admired Adam’s decisiveness, but that was just too much. They were stranded—condemned to five years of aimless roaming, even with their speed. All because he charged without any plan.

As he brooded, ten claws gouged the decayed soil behind him. Dark and gray scales glinted like steel plate before a colossal weight caused the soil to sink beneath his feet.

Alarmed, he snapped his head on Adam’s position, only for his jaw to drop.

Two muscular arms as thick as an eldjötnar and ending in five clawed hands met his constricted pupils. Underneath the scales, scarlet plasma shone all the way down to the spiked tail in a horrifying spectacle of raw destruction.

The fierce head made him grip his weapons subconsciously, especially the horns and razor-sharp triangular teeth hiding a glowing mouth.

"W-What is this?" He stuttered, finding the creature more imposing than the terrible Hydra. After all, intelligence sparkled in its scarlet and Azur eyes.

Wait! Those eyes! "Adam?! When did you learn how to transform into a dragon?"

He saw the giant eyes roll in a visceral yet comedic manner as the abyssal mouth parted. "Why would I learn to transform into a dragon? I learned to transform back into my previous appearance. I’m a bit too big and... ugly."

"I find you stylish!" Garduck’s fists cut over his head, his face flushed. "Wow! You’re taller than the territory’s obelisk."

Adam scratched his head, confused by his general’s excitement, yet the corner of his lips curled in satisfaction.

"Alright, gentlemen. Welcome to Adam Airlines." He gripped them in a palm each and unfurled his wings. "Ensure you remain comfortably seated during the journey..."

A frown creased his brows. He didn’t know when they’d arrive, and living beings had a shared problem he didn’t want to deal with during the trip. Surely, they wouldn’t be as inconsiderate, right?

He shook his head, deciding to warn them in doubt. "Please, don’t pee or shit in my palms. I’ll hit you if you do—I’m serious."

"PFFT." Garduck, who eagerly sat, almost choked on his saliva before he exploded into laughter.

Meanwhile, Achilles snorted. Did Adam take this dangerous journey to Tartus as a funny excursion? So infuriating—but also so fresh. Somehow, the terror that had gripped his heart a few minutes ago had already faded.

Simultaneously, Adam flapped his wings, dust blasting backwards as his figure bolted in the distance like a dark meteor.

His claws protected his two passengers, offering them a comfortable journey as the wind whipped against his face and the surroundings blurred in his eyes.

It was the first time he used his true form to fly, and the sensation of sending giant squalls to crash behind him was amazing. He was much faster and felt like each body part worked like intricate gear designed to make flying as natural as breathing.

Enjoying the sensation, he cleaved through the sky for five days before towering walls appeared in the distance.

Dark and burgundy waved on their sharp crystalline frame in an elegant display that made him nod in awe. By the broad gates, souls pooled in a seemingly endless river trying to reach the sea.

And on the side, a colossal three-headed hound overlooked their march toward ultimate judgment. Its dark fur absorbed light like a black hole and its maws glowed fiery orange as its terrifying growls rocked the sky each time a soul passed the gates.

As he wondered if it had demonic beast origins, Achilles’ voice cracked.

"Cerberus... How do we fool him into letting us pass?"

"Why don’t you try to guess? I mean, it’s guarding the gates to stop the dead from leaving and the living from entering. We don’t have thirty-six options." Adam landed with a shrug and placed Achilles and Garduck on the ground.

Then, nordic runes danced around him in a blinding dance as his body shrunk back to his handsome appearance. When the light dissipated, he smirked at Achilles. "We beat it up until it can’t distinguish north from south, of course!"

"..." Achilles’ mouth opened and closed a few times before a wide smirk split his face, and his grip tightened around his shield. "Hahaha! Let’s do it! Heracles stole the spotlight by killing most mythical creatures before my birth."