Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 374: A General’s Metamorphosis

Adam crossed his arms over his chest, his lips curling into a smirk. "Manifest as a fire deity?"

Before his words faded, dark flames burst from his skin in chaotic crackles. They engulfed him, the room’s temperature spiking and the air becoming unbreathable, filled with sulfur as even the obsidian ground whitened.

Eyes wide, he moved his fiery fingers, the sensation weirding him out. He couldn’t feel bones or muscles anymore—he was pure fire, potent enough to scorch gods to ashes.

Even better, he grew and shrank freely before his eyes narrowed, and the flames flickered as if they would fade the next second. The authority was taxing, even to him.

’Limited to around five seconds without using Mammon’s authority. How long with it?’ He began to absorb his palace’s heat.

Magma stirred from the channels and decorative device, almost spilling onto the obsidian. All the heat vanished, causing surprised yelps to reverberate from the kitchen as surprised cooks watched their stations grow inexplicably cold.

Everything pooled around Adam for another second before his kimono flapped around his muscles, and he bent over his knees, panting like a horse after a mad run.

It was the first time he felt limited by his essence, a show that divine powers came with a cost. But his mind was already racing for ways to improve the limit.

’Quantity alone isn’t enough—except if I reach outrageous levels. I need higher energy regeneration to sustain it. Mhh. My blade and hammer give me 40% together. It would be nice to increase the number to 200% at the very least if I want to use the god slayer in this form.’

Unfortunately, none of his other items focused on energy, but he wasn’t without solutions. Between Muramasa and Durgrim, he had a stable source of equipment without mentioning his ability to choose a daily item from his talent.

Thinking about his two craftsmen, they should have produced a few pieces during his evolution. He would be disappointed if not with all the materials he left with them.

’I’ll check later. Aside from equipment.’ His eyes darted to the window, to the dark spire rising. ’Taking Surtr’s training is long overdue. I remember him telling me that the higher floor dummies were no weaker than gods, with the last ones almost replicating Thor’s power.’

He picked up noise from the corridor, his thought shifting. ’Later. First, I need to understand how long I was out.’ His breathing caught in his throat. ’Last time was five years... I hope it wasn’t ten this time.’

The door slammed against the wall, almost flying off its hinge. However, it wasn’t the person he had expected.

Instead of the kind Lilia and her savorous foot cart, a handsome white-haired demon lunged at him. Winds snapped with the movement, his silvery long coat whipping behind him.

Surprised, he raised his knee reflexively to shatter the fool’s chin. Yet, a palm blurred to meet it, the force behind sending an icy shudder down his spine.

BAM

It shoved his foot back down to the ground with nothing but brute strength before he watched the man open his arms wide in horror.

’A god?! How? What? Shit! I’m still out of energy.’ He reached for his god slayer, cursing.

As a weak plasma blade darker than night erupted from his weapon, the arms closed on him. Yet the terrifying force didn’t come, just a warm... hug?

"Finally awake, Adam!" The demon grinned, his fiery emerald eyes sparkling with joy.

"That voice... Garduck?!" His pupils constricted as he observed the two familiar horns poking from the demon’s head.

Now it made sense! His general had evolved already, but... Where were the fifty heads and one hundred arms? With his fair skin, sharp jawline, and the demonic veins pulsing on his torso, he looked... great?

Noticing his frown, Garduck pulled back with a chuckle. "Not what you expected, right? I was quite surprised too, after waking up last week." He pointed at his face, replicating Adam’s narcissistic smirk. "Powerful and handsome. Couldn’t have asked for more. More seriously, I think you’ve influenced my evolution somehow."

Adam threw him a playful jab, the feedback on his fist as if he had struck a wall rather than flesh. Seeing such a great result was delightful news he enjoyed as much as his own evolution. "Ha! I’m still more handsome, but you’re not far behind. I’m intrigued by this influence. Is it just a gut feeling, or do you know more?"

A pensive frown creased Garduck’s brows for a second before he shook his head.

The answer came from the next room, though. "His loyalty runs deep enough for the universe to consider you his chief deity. As such, it allowed your chaos to synchronise with him since you evolved at the same time. Not something often seen, but not unheard of."

Adam nodded, satisfied that his desire for handsomeness had altered his friend’s evolution by removing the ugly heads and arms while keeping the Hecatonchires’ formidable strength. And what strength...

’His physique surpasses mine.’ He rolled his eyes, a little disappointed.

Tiamat sighed, her voice trembling slightly. "I’m the most shocked here. I expect a thorough explanation of why you didn’t become an Apocalyptic Dragon Tyrant and what this new species is."

"You heard her." Adam tapped Garduck’s shoulder with a soft smile. "We’ll talk later. I’m glad your dream came true, but you kept your handsomeness."

He moved out before he paused by the doorsill. "By the way, how long have we been sleeping?"

Garduck grinned. "You won’t believe me." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

An icy shudder ran down Adam’s spine. It couldn’t be more than ten years, right? "Out with it!"

"Three hundred..." Garduck watched Adam’s face collapse and breath hasten. Then, he exploded into laughter, breaking the suspense. "Hahaha! Days. Three hundred days! Cottus’ arm had enough energy to expedite the process."

"I don’t really like this kind of joke. Almost gave me a heart attack." Adam grumbled, yet his lips curved.

His evolutionary materials had also sufficed to reduce the time to a little less than a year! So, he hadn’t missed much, and the war in Mab’s realm should still be ongoing.

’I’d better ask Tiamat about it.’ Relieved, he waved Garduck goodbye and moved to Tiamat’s room.