Ryan was ecstatic. This was an extremely strong Soul Beast that would make his journey in the Nether Realm much easier and help him rise to power much quicker. An Abyssal Rhino had a massive growth potential because, like all Abyssal creatures, it was a part of a species created by a higher being. Only the seven Devil Sins are able to create Abyssal creatures due to them being the strongest of the Devil race and they are the only ones who have access to the Godly Abyssal Stone. Now he had the prospect of having such a powerful beast by his side, all he had to do was get about ten levels before going to the Nether Realm and hatch his beast.
"Unfortunately sir the kingdom law requires I take this beast off you. It is an Abyssal Beast that if in the wrong hands will bring destruction to the great Kingdom. If you do not hand it over I will be required to alert the Royal guards situated in the city." The attendant said with his hands outstretched.
"You don't have to worry about that, I'm a very nice person. Look at my face, do you really think someone with this face would be evil?" Ryan said with a grin on his face.
"Yes"
"You weren't supposed to answer" Ryan's smile was wiped from his face and he started to inch slowly away from the attendant.
"Sir give me the egg…sir…Sir…SIR!"
Ryan sprinted out of the Beast Taming Store with the egg in hand, not even bothering to see whether or not Ezekiel was following him. Like a little gremlin, Ryan giggled with glee as he fled from the store, it probably wasn't the best idea to piss off the kingdom this early on but this beast was way more important.
He sprinted through the streets, evading every person that stood in his way; the egg was safely back in his inventory so his maneauverability was unhindered by the weight. Every now and again he would check behind him to make sure Ezekiel was fine, the truth was that Ryan felt some responsibility for his subordinate. Now that he was under Ryan's command, Ryan felt an obligation to protect him despite Ezekiel being a lot stronger than him.
Ezekiel being faster than Ryan, had managed to catch up quite quickly and they were now running side by side through the streets. It wasn't too hard to evade people blocking there way as they were few and hard to find, at that time everyone was in their homes sleeping through their siesta.
As they were running through the streets, Ryan felt an uncomfortable presence. Almost as if there was something that went against his very nature. It shook him to his core, his body was covered with an other worldly itch and his senses went into overdrive. Blood lust leaked from his body and it congealed around his skin like armour. Even in his previous life this had never occurred, he hadn't heard of this happening to others either.
"Well, animals will be animals. Even if they are in human form they cannot help but revert to their savage ways upon setting eyes upon the majesty that the Creator has bestowed upon us."
A massive burly fellow dressed in a glorious golden robe landed with a crash in front of Ryan and Ezekiel. He was about 60 metres away from them and his voice was coated with a thick Scottish accent that made it quite difficult to understand the more eloquent parts of his vocabulary. His bald head reflected the sun causing Ryan to have to avert his gaze slightly which made the man feel more powerful.
"I know not how you foul High Devil have broken free of the Nether Realm and entered the city I have been tasked with protecting, but I shall not allow for you to exist any further. Before you broke the law of this kingdom I decided to permit you to stay in this meagre city due to my kindness and mercy bestowed upon me by the Creator, but no longer shall you be permitted to exist. I will send your soul into the Creator's grace and they will decide your fate."
His thick orangey red beard muffled a few of his words, but Ryan got the gist of it. Basically he wanted Ryan's head.
[Perceus Eldragon Lv:???]
There was zero possibility that Ryan had even a fraction of a chance at beating this man. But the bloodlust inside him raged at the thought of letting this man live, his very being ached with killing intent as he stared at the massive red headed man in front of him. His eyes began to turned black and the colour of his skin began to turn progressively purple. The bloodlust covering every inch of his body began to turn him, altering him physically and mentally.
"I have no idea what you are talking about! Never have I been accused of being a devil, I am a hum-" Ryan began to shout through gritted teeth. The man took one look at Ryan and shouted back.
"Do not try to alter my mind with your words full of deception, you are more attuned with the Aether than any normal devil or demon can achieve. I can feel this due to my holy sense that tells me you are black of heart. I will end you today!"
"First of all, racist. Why is black bad? Second, Ezekiel run to Latavia don't worry for me I will live. Thirdly, suck your mum"
"You have proven my words, only a devil would think of insulting a blessed man such as I" In less than a moment the man had travelled the distance between them, his massive hand held onto a wooden staff that came crashing down towards Ryan.
Somehow, Ryan felt that he would do this, his heighten senses allowing him a sort of future sight. Knowing he would strike, Ryan dodged to the right as fast as he could, just barely missing being struck by the massive staff. The bottom of the staff had gone through 13 inches of solid stone where Ryan had just been standing and a small crater had formed around it. A single strike from this staff would end his life, he couldn't allow that.
Unfortunately, the person before him likely was able to choose the item Ryan dropped upon his death due to the special nature of Ryan's illegal behaviour. Because the Kingdom wanted the egg from his inventory, if Ryan died then the egg would be dropped instead of other things. This stopped people from just robbing the Royal castle and stashing it in their inventory without care, usually it was really good. But for Ryan right now, it was a major pain in the ass.
"Get out of here Ezekiel! I don't want you to die and I can resurrect if I do so just fucking RUN!"
Ryan didn't want Ezekiel to die, he had to protect his subordinates if he didn't want to become a cold hearted man like those who appeared after the world went to shit.
Finally, Ezekiel sprinted off towards the Training Halls and Ryan was finally able to do what he wanted. If Ryan had left before Ezekiel, then Ezekiel would have been killed in his place. But thankfully, as he was no longer in the close vicinity, if Ryan disappeared then the giant beast of a man would have to return to his station and wouldn't be permitted to kill Ezekiel.
"Well bye bye, where I'm going your red beard would fit right in" Ryan waved as the ground collapsed beneath him, swallowing him in stone and dirt.
The bearded man's bald head turned red and he erupted in a fit of rage. He slammed his fists into the ground, tearing the loose earth from the ground trying to find Ryan.
Ryan's body slammed into the ground with a crunch and his HP took a massive hit. He felt extreme heat attack his body from every angle once he touched the ground and he felt his skin begin to sizzle. Screaming in agony, he opened his eyes to see a blue notification cover his vision.
[Welcome to the Nether Realm!]