Creating A Succubus Army In A Fantasy World!-Chapter 79: Rift Exploration! (9) [Bonus]

[Part 1/10 Of Castle Mass Release! Shout out to the Darkone33 for the amazing gift!]

The moment the ruthless stage 5 awakened’s words reached Creed, a strange chill ran down his spine, a feeling so distinct that he almost physically recoiled.

He felt a threat to his life!

It wasn’t a tangible threat, not yet, but something deep within him was screaming that he was in trouble. Serious trouble.

And then he noticed it.

The glances.

At first, it was subtle. A few looks here and there, a slight hesitation before someone spoke, the way some members of the group shifted uncomfortably.

But soon, it became more obvious. The way people were avoiding his gaze, the way a few of them were staring directly at him, the unspoken words passing between them as if a decision had already been made.

Wait.

Creed’s heart skipped a beat.

No way!

Were they seriously—?

’Oh, hell no,’ he thought, his blood running cold. ’Don’t tell me... I’m the one they’re planning to sacrifice?’

As much as he wanted to brush off the idea as paranoia, the more he thought about it, the more it made perfect sense.

First, there was the fact that he was one of the weakest here.

He wasn’t a Stage 5 monster like the leaders of this group, nor was he someone with powerful connections.

If a sacrifice had to be made, why not pick someone disposable?

Second, he had no real allies here. Not really.

He had used this group to get further into the rift, took advantage of the stronger members to gain benefits, and even gathered far more Yellow Snake Vines than most of them.

While he had earned those treasures fair and square, that didn’t mean jealousy and resentment weren’t building up.

Third—and perhaps most damning of all—he had been reckless.

Creed wasn’t the smartest, but he didn’t believe he was stupid. He was quite clever, cunning, and opportunistic, but if he really thought about it... he had been way too reckless in this rift.

He came in here without a solid plan, surrounded himself with people who weren’t his allies, and acted without considering the long-term consequences.

If he survived this, he needed to change. He needed to be smarter. He needed to think ahead.

And most importantly... he needed to beg the gods for another chance.

But before he could fully process everything, a sharp voice shattered his thoughts.

"You."

The voice was calm but absolute. Creed snapped his head up. It was the dark-haired Stage 5 Awakened. His cold, ruthless eyes were fixed directly on him.

And then, he pointed. "You will stay behind."

For a single, horrifying second, Creed’s mind went blank.

Then, rejection. Instant, overwhelming rejection.

"What?!" Creed’s voice cracked, and he instinctively took a step back. "No. No, no, no, hell no! I refuse!"

But it didn’t matter. The others weren’t listening.

Even the silver-haired leader, the man who had seemed somewhat reasonable, let out a long sigh and shook his head.

"We have no choice," he said heavily. "For the greater good."

For the greater good?!

Creed almost laughed.

That was the excuse people always used when they wanted to justify screwing someone else over!

His hands tightened into fists. His mind raced. He could argue, he could fight, he could—

"Wait!"

A voice cut through the tension like a knife. Creed’s eyes widened. It was Trent.

The Stage 1 archer stepped forward, his face set in an expression of defiance.

"We can’t just throw people away like this!" Trent said, glaring at the group.

"What if the next door asks for another sacrifice? Then another? Are we just going to keep throwing people away until there’s no one left?!"

Creed felt a strange warmth in his chest. Of all people... Trent was standing up for him?

But before he could even process that, the dark-haired Stage 5 scoffed.

"And what other options do we have?" he said, his voice like ice. His gaze locked onto Trent, sharp and deadly. "If you care so much, why don’t you stay behind in his place?"

Trent flinched. Creed’s heart sank. He knew that look. It was the look of someone who wanted to be a hero... but wasn’t ready to die.

And then, before Trent could even think about replying, Kent grabbed him.

The crimson-haired twin yanked his brother back, his expression fierce and cold.

"Shut up, Trent," Kent muttered. "Don’t be stupid."

And just like that, it was over. The decision had been made.

The moment the others moved towards the massive door at the end of the cavern, the door rumbled and slowly creaked open.

And then, they ran.

Like a flood of desperate rats escaping a sinking ship, the group rushed through the open doorway, pushing and shoving, each one desperate to get through before something went wrong.

Creed tried to follow as well. He ran towards the entrance like a desperate maniac.

WHAM!

An invisible force slammed into him, throwing him back so hard that he nearly fell to the ground.

His heart dropped.

No.

No, no, no...

Creed reached out again, trying to push forward with all his might.

WHAM!

The same unseen force blocked him again like an iron wall. It was an unbreakable rule.

Creed froze. His body turned ice cold. He wasn’t just being left behind. He was trapped.

Screech!

A horrific screech echoed through the cavern. Creed slowly turned around and his blood went cold.

From the darkness, the bats were coming!

Thud!

The door also sealed shut at this moment.

The moment the door sealed shut and the others disappeared, Creed felt an overwhelming sense of dread settle in his chest like a lead weight.

He was truly alone.

Well, not completely alone.

His grip on his spear tightened, his knuckles turning white as he sucked in a sharp breath, his mind racing through the thousands of possible ways he could die in the next few minutes.

None of them were pretty.

He hesitated for only a moment before summoning Lilith and Tierra.

The air around him shimmered, and in an instant, his summons appeared.

Lilith, with her dark purple wings and piercing violet eyes, landed gracefully beside him, her wings crackling with purple lightning.

Tierra, his calm assassin, materialized at his other side, her daggers flashing in the dim light, her presence as sharp and deadly as ever.

Creed turned to them, his throat dry. He opened his mouth, hesitated, then spoke. "I’m sorry."

Lilith and Tierra both looked at him.

"This is my fault," he continued, his voice unusually soft. "I’ve been reckless. I’ve dragged you both into this—into my stupidity. And now... I’ve led us straight to our deaths."

Lilith blinked. Then, she smiled. It wasn’t a sad smile. Nor a bitter one. It was a genuine smile.

"Master," she said, tilting her head slightly. "What are you talking about?"

Tierra, normally silent, gave a small smirk.

Lilith stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. The warmth of her touch surprised him.

"We don’t mind dying with you," she said softly. "We are yours, after all. We have always been. And no matter what happens... we love you all the same."

Creed felt something tighten painfully in his chest.

Damn it. He didn’t deserve that at all. Not from them. But he couldn’t let that stop him now.

The screeches of the incoming bats grew louder. The magma behind him crept closer.

He clenched his jaw, and activated every power he had.

Primordial Link!

Purple Lightning!

Stage 1 Lightning Intent!

Stage 1 Spear Intent!

Stage 1 Force!

Stage 1 Aura!

Power surged through his veins, crackling like a raging storm. Purple lightning snapped around his body, filling the cavern with an eerie glow.

Lilith spread her wings, and the air around her exploded with Stage 2 Lightning Intent, turning her into a living storm.

Tierra crouched low, her daggers gleaming, her stance radiating deadly precision. Creed gritted his teeth and set his stance.

He could barely hear his own heartbeat over the sound of thousands of bats closing in.

This was it. No more running, no more chances. They would fight to the death.

And then, the bats came.

A wave of horror descended upon them, a swarm of monstrous, shrieking creatures, their eyes glowing with that cursed, invisible power.

Creed struck first.

Boom!

His spear blurred, and he pierced through three bats in one movement.

Thunderclap Orbs flew from his hands, erupting in the swarm, sending crimson blood spraying everywhere.

Triple Pounce let him move like a phantom, weaving between them, striking, dodging, reaping lives.

Lilith became a lightning storm.

Her sickle sliced through the bats like death itself, and every strike sent bolts of violet electricity ripping through the swarm.

Tierra was a shadow.

She moved around with unnatural speed, her daggers carving through bat after bat after bat.

The air reeked of burnt flesh and sizzling lightning.

For a brief moment, it felt like they could win. But then, a pair of glowing red eyes flashed.

And, pain!

A searing, white-hot pain tore across Creed’s back. He staggered, gasping as blood sprayed from his back!

NO!

It was happening!

The blood was falling!

But before it could hit the ground, Lilith moved. In a flash of purple, she was behind him.

Her wings snapped shut around the falling blood, catching every last drop.

Creed choked back a gasp as Lilith’s violet’s eyes met his. She smiled. "Keep fighting, Master."

And so he did.

Creed let out a roar, pushing through the pain, his spear moving like a storm, his Lightning Intent crackling, his Thunderclap Orbs detonating in the swarm, reaping more and more lives.

His muscles screamed. His vision blurred. His entire body felt like it was being torn apart.

But he kept fighting. He fought like a madman. He fought like a demon. He fought like a man with nothing left to lose!

But then, the crimson light behind him grew brighter. The heat became unbearable. Creed’s breathing hitched.

The magma was here!

A tide of crimson molten madness rushed forward, swallowing everything in its path. Creed turned, his body battered, his energy nearly drained.

He saw the waves of liquid fire, saw the bats shrieking as they too were consumed, saw the death that was about to take him whole.

And for a single, brief second, Creed laughed.

"So this is how I go, huh?" he muttered, half-delirious. "Burned insane in a hellhole? That’s just great."

He barely had time to finish that sentence before the magma swallowed him whole.