Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 354: Little Mouse and the Red-Haired Goddess

As Achilles evolved in the Styx’s source, Adam bolted out of the mountain like a dark meteor.

Beneath him, a fiery orange glowed from the cracked obsidian that replaced the somber soil. Gone were the dark myrtle groves and twisted cypress. Even if they were somewhat unsettling, they at least brought a wind of life to the fields of mourning. But here?

Nothing survived amidst the roiling river of fire sneaking toward the horizon or the toxic fumes that swirled out of it. Yet, the sulfuric stench was nothing to him—to anyone facing the appalling sight unfurling as far as the eye could see.

Garduck, perched between his fingers, sweated and cursed under his breath. "Damn it! Did we return to Muspelheim, or what’s wrong with this river?"

Adam answered with a chuckle. "I only know it’s the Phlegeton." He pointed through the fumes obscuring the horizon in a gray haze.

Not that far in the distance, a wall of pure darkness separated the underworld like the twisted moats of the most dangerous prison that ever was. "The Phlegeton should allow us to pass through Erebus and into Tartarus. We’re almost at the end of our journey, Garduck."

"An end I’m not as eager to see as you are..." Garduck wiped his forehead, his heart drumming in his ears. "Why don’t we wait for Achilles before confronting Titans, ancient gods, and whatnot?"

Adam shook his head. "What if he needs months, or even years, to absorb the source’s powers? I’m not waiting and don’t need him, anyway." He clenched his fists. "We must still evolve, too. Time has become a luxury we can’t afford to squander—not if we want to support Shihan before the war ends."

Garduck sighed but remained silent, his eyes locked on the fiery glow beneath. Adam knew about his general’s confusion and worry. But what could he say that would sound fake? That the chained Titans would lower their necks for him to strike?

’Yeah, not happening.’ He rolled his eyes as he split the sky towards the wall of darkness coiling around Tartarus.

However, the moment he folded space and passed through it, his heart boomed in his chest. Like a hammer striking against his ribs, the shockwave spread to his trembling limbs. His eyes widened, dread’s icy fingers clutching him by the guts.

Simultaneously, Garduck’s voice thundered, his finger pointed downwards. "Shit! Something’s coming for us!"

His face snapped down, only for a torrent of curses to burst into his mind. ’What is a Furi waiting here for? Damn it!’

He tried folding space to cross the last few kilometers separating him from the darkness. Yet, gales roared before his chaotic water. Dark feathers rustled around a skin-tight leather armor that emphasised the gorgeous red-haired goddess’ forms.

He cursed louder as Garduck trembled in his palm. They weren’t ready to fight deities, not yet. But if push came to shove, he’d give her a spin for her money by ripping her wings off!

As if to mock his determination, Megaera clapped and smiled. "Finally found you after a month, little mouse. You hid well, but you seem to have run out of luck. Hahaha! Who would have thought it’d happen during my pause?" ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

She raised her clawed hand.

"Wait!" He roared, but she already blurred, most likely a split second away from beheading him. "RAAAH!"

Plasma roiled out of his scales in dark and scarlet torrents. His throat swelled, scales glowing white hot as his maw split open to pour hell on the Fury. But he knew it wouldn’t suffice. He had to shift to his devil form and grip his weapons. Only then would he have a chance to wound her and escape.

Without wasting a second, he turned into an incandescent dragon, condensed plasma beaming out of his mouth in a thick pillar. He hoped he had blown the Fury away, but didn’t even take time to check! Dancing runes condensed his muscles and bones while his magic cube spewed his armor, hammer and blade even before his scales faded.

Garduck yelped in surprise as Adam’s hand vanished. But his eyes narrowed into determined slits. A backflip restored his balance, then a roll broke his falling momentum as he landed on solid ground.

Meanwhile, Adam controlled his fall to slide right into his armor with so much style that he would have patted his back in self-respect if the situation was not so dire.

Plasma erupted from his god slayer in a sizzling blade, and lightning arcs crackled on his hammer as he scanned the sky for the Fury.

And there he saw her. Armed crossed in a guard and smoke swirling around spotless armor, she frowned at him. "Not bad. Didn’t expect you to master a primordial form of energy." Her eyes widened as chaotic water burst before her prey. "Hey! Let me finish my piece before you try to escape!"

She dashed before him so fast that his pupils constricted, and he almost swore she had teleported. ’Tsk. Got to be ready to lose a limb or two if I want to escape.’

Before his thought could even conclude, she smirked, and his hand moved.

WHOOSH

A burst of wind and five sharp fingers caused his hair to part. But his instinct had roared, and his blade flashed upward to meet them.

The impact sent a tremor through his groaning bones. His legs bent, the dark rocks caving beneath his feet. He grimaced, but the hammer boosted him enough to hold on momentarily.

More importantly, the Fury’s fingers twitched, her arm throbbed, and she frowned even more than he did. After all, no matter which god attacked him while he held the god slayer, it would return twenty percent of the damage straight back to their pompous faces.

"We have no business together, Fury. Let me pass, and we shall all return home peacefully tonight." He smirked, asserting dominance with an unwavering tone. "Or wound yourself during this pointless battle."

However, things didn’t go as he had hoped... at all. Even worse, she shattered his confidence in the worst possible way: ridicule based on facts.

"Wound myself?" She smirked back, her red eyes sparkling. "You lack imagination, my little mouse. Immobilising or tying you should suffice to bypass your ability. That is if I finish you before my sisters return." She pointed at Garduck, a chuckle and words so emotionless that they froze his soul escaping her lips. "I can also take him hostage. No, better. I can twist his mind, make him my puppet, and set him against you in blind fury. Wouldn’t that be a sight? Watching your comrade rip at your throat, for my amusement? There is no escape nor hope, mortal. Surrender."

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AN: I’ll put the god slayer’s description here to remind you of its effects before the battle. It’s not necessary to read it since I’ll explain briefly how he will use the enchantments, but it can help.

Name: God Slayer

Introduction:

An aberration created by Adam with the sole purpose of killing gods and devils alike.

Rarity: Infernal-??? (upgradable)

Level Requirement: Bound to Adam’s energy signature.

Stats:

Strength: +35% of base strength

Agility: +35% of base agility

Essence Efficiency: +50%

Essence Regeneration: +20% per second

Attributes:

Sanctified Executioner: +100% damage to celestial beings, holy wards, and divine creatures.

Harmony Breaker: Weakens divine shields and blessings by 50% upon contact.

Essence Weaver: Increases the potency of energy-based attacks and skills by 150%.

Energy Stabiliser: Grants immunity to energy-draining effects, absorption, or loss of control.

Enhancements:

Evolving Blade: Absorbs the life force of gods to grow stronger. (Current progress: 0/10)

Embodiment of Six Sins:

Gluttony’s Maw: Steals 5% of divine energy from gods with every strike.

Wrath’s Onslaught: Increases damage dealt by 5% for every 10 seconds spent in combat, stacking infinitely until the fight ends.

Lust’s Allure: Creates an aura that disrupts enemies’ focus, lowering their resistance and causing minor infighting among weaker foes.

Envy’s Retribution: Reflects 20% of incoming damage back to attackers.

Greed’s Grasp: Gods hit by the blade become marked, reducing their defenses by 10% for each strike, stacking up to 50%.

Sloth’s Torpor: Weakens the movement and attack speed of gods by 10%.