Salvos

Chapter 594: The Beast

594. The Beast

I had not lived a long life, but the life I lived had been bountiful of precious memories. From the amber-tinted past when I laid my eyes on the beauty of the Mortal Realm so long ago, to the catharsis of the present when I finally reunited with my first companion. While I had lost and I had grieved, with anguished determination, I soared on to a future that was jewel-bright.

Now, a darkness had been appended to my turbulent tale. A blotched sunset that cast its glaring shadows over my limpid sight. A terrible scene unfurled before my very eyes one I had only ever seen through the masking cracks in the walls of reality, or experienced through the fiery phantasms of anothers memory.

I wanted to run. I wanted to scream. But I was assailed by the pinprick of petrifying ants. Small, terrible presences that trawled my skin. I felt like I was staring at flowers made of flesh swimming in an ocean that spanned to eternity. T/his chapter is updated by nov(ê(l)biin.co/m

And a swelling silhouette stalked me deep beneath from where I couldnt see. Like a lurking eye that refused to leave, even after glancing over the shoulder. It nibbled at my feet. At first, just a touch. Then all at once, yanking me to the bottom of the sea where it waited for me.

There I saw it. A colossal creature, so bestial and large, it rose out of the sea. Having ten horns and seven heads. An amalgamation of all the most ferocious beasts of the earth. It was like a leopard and a lion and a bear and

It was the Beast.

Its blazing gaze evaporated the ocean around me, and I was brought back to reality. I stood atop a rocky mound, dumbly staring at the behemoth towering over the horizon. The highest-leveled being in all of the Nexeus.

Even older than the Devil; even more dangerous than the Demon King and his armies. Each of its seven heads was like that of the dragon, but its body was that of a wolf without fur. It had a single, thin tail that coiled out of its back, three spikes poking off the edge like it was a trident.

It stood as tall as a mountain, dwarfing over the undulating hills that were receding back into the earth from Reconstruction. And while it looked like it was lumbering over sluggishly, I could tell that my eyes deceived me. The Beasts size made its speed deceiving.

And I knew we needed to get out of here right now. Even if I couldnt use [Identification] on it not from this distance; not without using [Manifestation of the Old Gods] I knew it was going to kill us if we stood around here like idiots.

I turned to Haec. He was stricken with fear, standing stupidly in place just like Taburas, Bertrugil, and Aemula. I quickly poked each and every one of them one after another to break them out of the stupor.

Haec blinked as he turned to me. However, he didnt say a word. All around us, little black globules slowly rose to the sky. The Netherworld itself was shifting. We had all seen Reconstruction begin, but for whatever reason, the four Archdemons looked like they didnt know what was going on whatever primal fear they felt for the Beast was too overwhelming,

We need to get out of here or were going to die.

I spoke simply, holding Haecs gaze. He stared at me for a moment. His eyes flickered as comprehension seized him. He opened his mouth, then caught himself. He nodded slowly.

Right. We need to get moving. Make our way to safety. Hopefully the Beast ignores us. After all, we are not the only ones out here.

He glanced up towards the crimson sky. Sure enough, dark specks buzzed about in the distance. Winged Demons. They came in all shapes and sizes Many of them gave the Beast a wide berth, staying as far away from the Primordial Demon like some sort of primal fear was keeping them back.

But others were foolish enough to draw closer. And those that did paid the price for it. I watched as a [Hellabomination] flew up to the Beast. The wild Demon screeched, unleashing a brilliant streak of blue flames into the side of one of the serpent-like heads.

A powerful blast shot out. A pillar that stretched across the sky. I felt the impact of the attack even from here the intensity of the shaking ground, caused by a Primeval Demon.

And yet, it barely fazed the Beast. I watched as a cloud of smoke cleared, revealing an unscathed looming head right before the [Hellabomination]. From a distance, I couldnt quite gauge the size of the Beast, but now I could compare the Primordial Demons size with the Primeval Demons size. What I saw was

A single head of the Beast alone was as long as the [Hellabomination] was tall.

Even an [Ancient Centinel]s length couldnt match the length of the Beast. It was almost incomprehensible, I took a step back, looking on as the Beast simply snapped its jaw up at the [Hellabomination]. And in an instant, there was nothing there.

The [Hellabomination] was gone crushed within the maw of the Beast.

I gulped before turning to Haec.

Yep, we definitely dont want to end up like that. Come on, lets get going.

Bertrugil added grimly. Behind him, the Beasts head peeked over a mountain. For a brief moment, I thought it looked our way. My heart jumped in my chest. But the Primordial Demon turned away, continuing on.

Why isnt the Beast affected by Reconstruction?

I wondered aloud. Bertrugil shrugged.

Thats just how it always has been.

But why?

I pestered him. He gestured at Haec, shaking his head.

Dont ask me try asking your companion the Heir of the Netherworld himself. Im sure he has some secrets passed onto him by his King.

Regnorex is not my king.

Haec scowled, and I blinked. I stared at my first companion for a moment, before he took notice of what I was doing.

Is something wrong, Salvos?

Haec

I took a step towards him as he shifted back, perplexed. Taburas snapped her gaze up, narrowing her eyes at me. But she said nothing. Haec scratched the back of his head.

Yes?

Youre the Heir of the Netherworld? Is that really your Title?!

I gaped at Haec. He scratched his cheek as he murmured softly.

Well I was? But not anymore

And why is that?

A voice cut him off before he could finish. My brows snapped together as [Angelic Premonition] immediately blared in my head, and I raised my head. I looked up at the sky as I saw a figure hovering overhead.

A winged Demon with a grin plastered on his face. Haec took a step back with round eyes as he whispered.

Oh no

Who is that?

I frowned. And the winged Demon laughed as he spread his arms wide as I used [Identification] on him.

[Archfiend- Lvl. 188]

I am Venas. A Deathsquad Hunter. And now, you die.

With that, he pointed at us, unleashing a blast of purple flames.