Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1416: Demon

Back on the small chunk of street in the middle of the desert inside the city, Colonel Norrett and Major General Arngan remained in their position, facing the calm and unbothered Scarlet Eyes’ King.

Of course, George’s swift retreat had spread some tension in the area, but the two human soldiers relaxed when they realized that their opponent had no interest in their weaker allies.

Still, as welcome as the event was, that didn’t promise anything good. The King’s seemingly careless and slightly intrigued stance even deepened that feeling. Unfounded arrogance could be at play there, but neither Colonel Norrett nor Major General Arngan was inclined to believe that.

All things considered, both men were new evolved warriors. They only had one fight against a similar existence under their belts, and that was when they were still in the fifth level.

That first actual fight would even feature an existence that stood several levels above ordinary evolved warriors. The Scarlet Eyes’ King couldn’t possibly be weak, and that was quite easy to confirm.

Despite the mutagen and the matching evolved status, Colonel Norrett couldn’t see through the two-horned alien at all. That vast, profound, and thick existence was simply impenetrable, vouching for how outclassed he was in that superior realm.

Still, Colonel Norrett had never bet on himself when it came to enemy profiling. Baoway only had the time to replicate small quantities of the experimental fuel General Semmut had sent to the planet, so technology was also limited there, but Major General Arngan wasn’t.

The General was a peculiar existence. His element gave him access to an energy only he could sense and wield, adding a unique sixth sense to his ordinary perception.

Despite sharing the Colonel’s issues, Major General Arngan wasn’t completely blind to the King’s existence. He could somewhat see and gauge it, but that didn’t do him any good.

The General’s initial statement had considered that exact point. The true nature of the situation had been clear to him at the mere smell of the King’s bloodlust. Even if he and the Colonel had joined that battle after gaining more experience, the result wouldn’t have changed.

Of course, Colonel Norrett had instantly understood the meaning behind Major General Arngan’s statement, but had also hoped for a silver lining. Yet, the General didn’t add anything, reaffirming his previous evaluation.

"How much of your charge do you want to use, General?" Colonel Norrett asked.

"I don’t think I have much of a choice," Major General Arngan commented. "All of it."

"What if you go completely wild?" Colonel Norrett wondered.

"Same protocol as always," Major General Arngan exclaimed. "Just put me down."

"I’m not sure the little shit would agree," Colonel Norrett pointed out. "Our leader is quite caring."

"Then, he’d better hurry down here," Major General Arngan snickered. "But not until I’ve had my fun."

The conversation ended there since Major General Arngan crossed his arms and lowered his head behind them, setting his existence aflame. Dark red light surrounded his figure and brightened, eventually rising past him to head for the sky.

A pillar of ominous light took form, and Major General Arngan transformed inside it. His nails stretched, becoming dark claws. His skin reddened, gaining a metallic luster. That color also invaded his sclera, and more followed.

Somehow, the artificial arm transformed with Major General Arngan, changing far more than the previous prototypes ever did. Its color lightened to match his skin’s, and its fingers stretched, gaining pointy tips that imitated the sharp nails on his left hand.

Major General Arngan exhaled slowly as the transformation stabilized, his voice becoming a deep growl that seeped past his now-sharper teeth. Curved, black horns had also grown from the sides of his forehead, being far bigger than what the King donned.

The horns kept growing as the General lowered his crossed arms. The dark red pillar also receded, fusing with him to deepen his transformation. Soon, Major General Arngan looked nothing like a human. Only the word "demon" could describe his existence.

Once the transformation ended, Major General Arngan straightened himself and threw his head backward, releasing a monstrous battle cry. A broad grin had appeared on his face by the time he lowered it, but pointing it at the Scarlet Eyes’ King marked the end of the pleasantries.

Major General Arngan shot forward, being far faster than a man of his size should ever be, lowering his head to point his curved horns at the King.

That was nothing short of a bull’s charge. Except Major General Arngan was stronger than any animal, and the sand split open as his advancing figure built momentum.

Nevertheless, the King didn’t move. He tilted his head in curiosity before Major General Arngan’s horns slammed on his head, inflicting no damage at all.

The sand at the crash zone’s sides blew away, falling prey to violent gales, but the King remained utterly still, and the same went for the desert behind him. The alien didn’t falter at all before that violent charge, protecting the other areas in the attack’s path in the process.

Major General Arngan was far nimbler than his huge body would make people believe. His head snapped up, accompanied by his arms, which almost immediately delivered two joint uppercuts at the King’s chin.

A roar cut through the area, sending more sand flying, clearing the desert under the General’s feet, only for more of that white surface to appear. His physical strength was terrifying, but the King remained still and unaffected once again.

Major General Arngan’s grin only broadened at that sight. A dark red halo enveloped his figure, empowering his every function. He was ready to headbutt the alien, only to find himself lying in the desert, a torrent of white sand filling his vision.

The event had been too sudden to allow any inspection. Major General Arngan could only understand that he was struggling to breathe while the sand fell back on him. His back also hurt, almost hiding the firm pressure on his neck.

As the sand settled, the King became visible. He was standing before the lying General with one foot on his throat, ready to crush it, but delaying that attack to ask a question.

"[Does this planet have a King]?" The Scarlet Eyes’ King asked through a whisper that both the General and the Colonel instantly translated.