Demon Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 39: Trials 5

At this moment, the group reassembled and continued forward, stepping past the bodies Alex had severed only minutes ago. The scent of blood lingered in the damp air, and each step echoed softly against the cold stone walls.

Just before following Alexia and Ezra, Alex paused for a moment. He decided to tame the creatures, quietly adding them into his supposed ’army,’ binding them with an unseen force that left no visible trace.

He didn’t want to show that skill yet. Alex chose to keep it hidden from most people he didn’t trust, especially with the ’scouts’ supposedly nearby.

Even if there were scouts, Alex couldn’t sense them for some reason. He kept trying, cycling through his sensing abilities, but none of them helped him grasp even a hint of their presence.

It almost felt like they were playing hide and seek.

However, if the scouts were really there, Alex believed Alexia would be thrown out of the academy soon because of the lie she told her own teammates.

But then again, Alex didn’t know the criteria. The principal never explained it, keeping everything vague, as if the idea of ’criteria’ itself was part of the test.

As they continued forward, the dungeon only grew more unsettling. Most of the time, they passed crooked, dust-covered stone, while the steady sound of dripping water echoed around them.

To Alex’s surprise, everything felt easy. A little too easy.

’Is this all?’ Alex thought, glancing ahead. ’...Never mind.’

After a short but tiring walk, Alex, Ezra, and Alexia stopped in front of a large gate. It stood tall and heavy, its surface worn with age yet untouched by time.

"Where does this lead to...?" Ezra asked, confused.

’Is this guy stupid?’ Alex thought. ’Never mind, just act normal.’

Alexia stepped forward. "I’ve read a lot about these!" she said, her voice light but loud, "This leads to the supposed ’final boss.’ The place where we finally take over the territory." She smiled.

Ezra looked away, blushing slightly. "O-okay!"

Just like Cassie, Alexia showed that same two-faced nature. It was nothing new to Alex.

With little effort, Alex pushed the dungeon doors open, immediately feeling the heavy aura leaking from inside. It pressed against his senses, thick and unnatural.

He stepped into the room. "This has been pretty easy so far... almost too easy," Alex muttered, glancing back. "What are you guys doing? Standing there won’t help. Get in."

He waited for Alexia and Ezra to follow before moving further inside with them.

Alexia had blonde hair and matching eyes, with a striking figure and a height of about five feet nine, making her presence hard to ignore even here.

Unlike her, Ezra was much shorter. Around five foot five, easily one of the shortest people Alex had met, which made him stand out in a completely different way.

As they walked deeper inside—

Bam.

The door slammed shut behind them, the sound echoing across the entire chamber.

"What the—" Alex paused, then shrugged slightly. "Seems normal in horror-type stories, I guess."

Both Alexia and Ezra moved closer to him, their tension obvious as they stayed near his side.

Alexia still trusted Alex’s strength, at least enough to rely on him in a situation like this.

Drip.

Drip.

Nothing happened. They waited, listening carefully, but no new sound followed.

The area resembled a wide arena, like a cage with no exits and nowhere to run.

But an arena should have an opponent.

And here, there was no one.

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[Dungeon Boss Room]

└ A-Rank

[Creature]

└ Upper-Shell

[Status]

└ Dead

[Rewards]

└ None

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Someone had already come here before them. That was the only explanation.

How else would the boss already be dead? Alex thought carefully, his eyes scanning the rigid stone floor. ’The scouts? No. Alexia? Not a chance.’

He kept thinking, but every conclusion led nowhere. Nothing made sense.

Then something appeared.

It wasn’t armor. It wasn’t anything that fit the structure of a dungeon created by The Armor Deity.

Step. Step. Step.

The figure slowly approached, each step echoing through the empty arena. Alex narrowed his eyes, unable to fully make sense of it yet.

Munch. Munch. Munch.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Blood fell from its mouth onto the stone floor as it chewed, holding what looked like two human bodies with ease. The sound alone made the silence feel unbearable.

Alex slowly raised his gaze and spoke. "Appraisal."

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[Appraisal Active]

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He focused on the figure, spotting the title above its head while it continued eating the bodies dressed in royal uniforms.

That’s when all three of them realized it at once.

"Those were the scouts."

Alex lifted his head fully now, staring directly at the creature.

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[Name]

└ Igris

[Race]

└ Demon

[Rank]

└ A-Rank

└ Demon Lord

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A dark, purplish aura surrounded the creature, the same kind Alex had seen from other demons, but far denser and more oppressive. It distorted the space around it slightly, making the air feel heavy.

He didn’t care much about the name.

The rank mattered more.

Victoria was only an Arch Demon and already insanely powerful, so Alex couldn’t begin to imagine how strong a Demon Lord truly was.

Even so, his blood started to boil with excitement.

The creature stepped forward again, and the pressure alone made Alexia and Ezra freeze in place. Their bodies refused to move.

But Alex didn’t feel the same.

"Give me strength... I want the strong." The Demon’s voice echoed, distant yet heavy. "Are you strong?"

Alex smiled faintly. He didn’t answer right away; instead, he calmed his breathing and steadied himself.

This would be his first real fight against a Demon.

And somehow, the moment felt perfect.

The two scouts who were meant to protect everyone had been killed effortlessly by the Demon Lord standing before them.

Alex tightened his grip on the [Abyss Blade].

The Demon remained still.

But Alex didn’t.

He moved side to side, loosening his body, preparing himself for what was coming.

"Human... foolish."

Alex frowned slightly. He thought all demons understood their language, like Victor and Victoria, but maybe that wasn’t always the case.

"Foolish?" Alex repeated with a small smile.

"Yes. Foolish."

"Quick-Step."