Rebirth-Transcending All Beings-Chapter 48: Return [1]
Vergil sprinted across a plain of devastation — the land once filled with hollow trees now had nothing but scars to record what had happened.
The sky above rumbled blue lightning as Eleanor was slumped against his back, arms draping weakly around his shoulders.
Yet Vergil only gritted his teeth. Her weight was light, but the weight of the situation and what he had done was crushing.
Sliding down a steep incline of mud, his sword vanished into his inventory along with his shield.
He needed both hands free, and every ounce of speed he could muster. "Hang on," Vergil breathed.
"I am," Eleanor gasped, voice trembling. "But you’re running like a madman."
"Stop complaining," Vergil snapped. "I don’t have time for this."
She didn’t answer, her grip tightening slightly around his neck as the wind howled in their direction.
Vergil’s eyes scanned the terrain ahead, smoke curling from burnt, hollow trees — faint roars echoing like a storm of beasts climbing from hell itself.
The overwhelming stench of black blood lingered in both the air and ground.
[Primal Awareness has been activated.]
"We’ve got company." Vergil clicked his tongue.
A few miles behind them, the sky above the temple had turned red as the screams of demons tore once more through the air.
"We’re not stopping," Vergil shouted. "Get a spell ready?"
The air thickened once more with fog as mana surged through Vergil’s legs — each step crashing against the terrain.
His body strained under the pressure, veins pulsing with a faint blue light that flowed with adrenaline, yet a small pulse of crimson light countered it.
"Fucking demonic energy, it’s weakening the effect of Mana Affinity.’
His body shuddered, feeling the gaze of not dozens but hundreds of demons closing in from the trees that still stood — their howls split the air like a cacophony of hunger and madness.
"You know what, fuck it — let’s try it."
"Authority of Transformation."
Demonic energy erupted from his skin —Eleanor’s arms tightened instinctively as his body morphed — bones snapping, and flesh expanding.
His muscles began expanding grotesquely, his frame growing to nearly two metres tall and his skin shifted to a deep black.
Six arms burst from his sides along with six eyes on his abyssal mask.
long obsidian claws shimmered in the pale light, as a thin tail lashed behind him.
He had now become his own version of Morvax’s snarling visage. ’So the more complex the form, the more demonic energy it takes,’ Vergil thought before adjusting his breathing. ’Good to know.’
Eleanor blinked in shock, steadying herself on his now expanded back. "You could’ve warned me!"
"No time for warnings." Vergil growled. "Is Volt Lance ready?"
"Always."
Demons lunged from the shade ahead of them. Each one different in size and shape yet bore a similar resemblance.
Clawed, horned and each with maws that dripped saliva at the sight of the demon carrying Eleanor.
"Volt Lance." Her hand thrusted forward, as the searing bolt of lightning speared two demons blocking their path — exploding into a pile of cinders.
Vergil had used Analysis, realising that all the demons were a lot weaker than Morvax. Either no stronger demons came through or they had already passed through the area.
And Vergil wasn’t going to take any chances.
Vergil slammed his shoulder into a third demon, snapping its ribs before swinging a clawed arm — decapitating another.
His lower two arms grabbed two more demons by the throat, crushing them like rotten fruit.
"More are coming," Eleanor shouted before firing another lance. "There’s no end."
"Then we’ll just have to make our own path."
Mana pulsed with every heartbeat but he didn’t care, he would burn it all to reach his goal.
More demons appeared from his flank, moving to block his path with a snarling glee.
"I have no time for this," Vergil snarled. "Authority of Transformation."
A sickening echoed once more through his body as two legs erupted from his torso, turning him into a beast. His stance widened as his claws dug into the ashy-dirt.
"Hold me tighter," Vergil warned. Eleanor barely had any time to respond as Vergil surged forward. Shadow Dash.
A black blur shot forward, the demons lunged but failed to grab him — the earth cracked beneath as his new legs thundered against the ground.
Trees and boulders became nothing more than passing colours to their vision, the howling of the horde faded behind as Eleanor buried her face in his back.
"Are you trying to tear my face off?
Vergil didn’t respond only moving forward, yet he felt a tug inside. Something was watching.
The remaining trees that lay in the are began to thin out. After an hour of non-stop sprinting, Vergil had pushed himself to his limit. His demon legs burned, muscles twitching.
In his peripheral vision, the outline of Vaelmont’s walls came into view — smoke curling faintly in the air.
Eleanor, still clinging to his back, lifted her head weakly.
"Vergil... I see it," she whispered.
"Yeah," he panted, slowing down his speed. "We’re almost there."
He took one last powerful leap, landing with a heavy thud on the worn trail leading into the village outskirts. His claws dug into the earth.
Then.
His form convulsed. The monstrous frame shrank rapidly. Extra limbs folded into his body with sickening cracks.
Blackened skin dulled, tightening until his original form emerged. Muscles tensed and leaking sweat.
Eleanor slid down, her legs wobbling as
Vergil staggered once before straightening..
"The pain from transforming is no joke. I think my spine broke."
[Joke noted.]
"You think?" Eleanor said, brushing her hair back. "You seem alright to me."
Vergil nodded grimly, eyes turning toward the village.
There was no guards at the gate, the walls were destroyed.
All Vergil could do was hope they were still alive.
A faint wind stirred, carrying with it the scent of smoke—and blood.
Vergil’s eyes narrowed. "Let’s move. Carefully."
---
Crunch.
Vergil’s senses flared as Primal Awareness detected something.
He turned toward a narrow alley just beyond the gates.
There, hunched over a blood-slicked corpse, a demon feasted. Jagged claws tearing into the lifeless body of a small child. Flesh hung from its twisted jaws. Its eyes glowed with perverse delight.
Vergil didn’t speak.
He just moved.
SHADOW DASH.
In a blink, he was behind it. His hand slammed into the back of the demon’s skull, grinding it into the dirt. Fangs cracked against stone.
It shrieked, flailing.
Vergil hoisted it by the neck, eyes gleaming with a burning flame.
"You like the taste of humans, huh?" he whispered, smiling—and the smile was all teeth.
"Y-you—!"
Even though it talked like a human, Vergil didn’t give a damn.
CHOMP.
Vergil bit into the demon’s head, tearing away flesh in a single, horrifying bite. Black blood splattered across his lips.
"NO—STOP—"
But he kept going.
He took another bite. Then another.
He devoured the creature alive as it wailed, clawing at him to escape.
But Vergil held firm.
He ate until only its skull remained.
Dark shadows hissed from his palm as Authority of Predation activated, devouring the corpse.
’It’s only fair,’ Vergil thought, licking the blood from his lips.
[User has gained: Ravenous Flesh (E), Devour (D)]
Vergil licked his fingers clean.
Behind him, Eleanor stood silent and still.
Disturbed.
"...You didn’t have to eat it," she said quietly.
"Not your problem," Vergil replied, voice flat.
He turned toward the deeper part of the village. "We’re heading to Elvira."
