On a scorching hill, under the unforgiving sun, two supernatural beings engaged in a fierce battle. The arid landscape provided a stark backdrop to their conflict.
One of them possessed an imposing, oversized cranium adorned with menacing demon horns that jutted out with razor-sharp precision. This demon excelled at delivering devastating attacks through head-on collisions. The other demon boasted robust hind legs, granting it exceptional leaping prowess. Both creatures were locked in a brutal contest for dominance, their eyes aflame with a relentless thirst for victory. The once serene surroundings now lay in disarray, bearing witness to their destructive duel.
The battle's conclusion arrived swiftly, as the agile demon, master of acrobatic leaps, seized a moment of vulnerability and drove its fangs into the neck of its big-headed adversary, dealing a fatal blow. A vivid purple hue emanated as life ebbed away, and the triumphant demon triumphantly stood atop its vanquished foe, unleashing a triumphant howl into the unforgiving expanse.
However, as the victorious demon lowered its guard to savor the spoils of its conquest, a shadowy figure lunged from behind with lightning speed. The leaping demon recoiled in shock, attempting to evade the threat, but the dark entity descended upon it, clamping its jaws onto the hind legs with relentless tenacity.
In a desperate bid to identify its assailant, the leaping demon cast a frightened glance backward. What it beheld was a three-headed hellhound, still in its infancy but undeniably fearsome. The hellhound's three sets of jaws clamped down, each bite sending shockwaves of agony through the leaping demon's body. Despite the demon's frantic attempts to dislodge the hellhound by vigorously kicking its hind legs, the relentless canine maintained its vice-like grip, swaying in the air but never yielding.
Resorting to a makeshift weapon, the beleaguered demon seized a stone from the scorched earth and hurled it at the hellhound.
Yet, the cunning canine seized the moment to loosen its grip just enough, causing the demon's own projectile to strike its own leg, inflicting a painful injury.
With a thunderous roar of frustration, the demon lunged once more at the hellhound, intent on tearing it asunder. In response, one of the hellhound's heads exhaled an icy breath, nearly freezing the demon's outstretched hand.
The agile hellhound capitalized on this momentary distraction, leaping to the demon's other side and sinking all three sets of teeth into its flesh. Agonized cries filled the air as the demon desperately sought to flee the battlefield. Yet, a creeping paralysis overcame its first bitten leg, rendering it stiff and unresponsive, causing the demon to collapse to the scorched ground.
Observing the fallen demon, the hellhound approached with excitement, but this time it was less cautious. The demon, using the last of its strength, rolled and delivered a powerful blow to the approaching hellhound, sending it flying through the air with a mournful yelp.
Though uninjured, the hellhound whined plaintively as it rose to its feet. A voice from above soon reassured the distressed creature, "Alright, alright. Well done, Leo!"
The wounded demon's gaze ascended, revealing a larger demon descending from the heavens, his wings unfurled majestically. Realization dawned upon the injured demon that escape was now impossible.
The figure that had descended was Alexander. Leo wagged his tail joyfully upon Alexander's arrival, rubbing affectionately against his legs.
In recent days, Alexander had undertaken the task of honing Leo's combat abilities through hunting expeditions. Leo, despite his tender age, exhibited unyielding courage, fearlessly charging into battle against foes larger and more menacing. While he often required Alexander's assistance to secure kills, his exceptional auxiliary combat skills marked him as a promising hound.
Alexander knelt and tenderly stroked Leo's head, offering praise for the young hellhound's efforts. He then approached the injured demon, seized its hind legs, and ruthlessly pounded it into the ground twice, ending its suffering swiftly.
Thus, Alexander claimed two fallen souls – one stored for himself and the other bestowed upon Leo.
During these training sessions, Alexander had uncovered an intriguing facet of Leo's nature. While not a demon, Leo possessed a unique ability, possibly attributed to the soul from which he originated. Much like demons, he could consume souls, and with each consumption, he grew in size and strength.
No longer a mere puppy-sized creature, Leo now measured approximately forty centimeters in length, with muscles that belied his rotund appearance. His speed and combat prowess were on the rise, but he retained his endearing cutness, a testament to his unique origins.
As Leo devoured the unfortunate soul, Alexander busied himself collecting some charred black wood. He gathered the pieces and beckoned to his loyal companion.
Leo, with its three heads, responded promptly. One of its mouths unleashed a fiery breath onto the stacked wood, igniting a blazing fire in an instant. Alexander skillfully used this newfound flame to begin roasting the freshly acquired demon meat.
Ever since he hadLeo by his side, Alexander had enjoyed the luxury of cooked meals whenever he desired. It was an unexpected boon in his life. In the past, he had to venture to the treacherous magma river to obtain a spark for cooking, but now, with Leo, he had a portable lighter at his beck and call.
Alexander generously shared some of the succulent roasted demon meat with Leo. The three heads of the beast turned toward Alexander, and in perfect harmony, they emitted three distinct sounds—aw, woo, and woof—all expressing their gratitude before they dug into their meal.
Alexander couldn't help but marvel at how quickly Leo was growing. He realized that if his faithful companion continued to feast on both food and souls as he did now, it wouldn't be long before Leo reached the formidable size Alexander had envisioned.
Alexander's ultimate goal for Leo was to have a formidable fighting pet. He had even entertained the thought of having Leo fight alongside him once the creature mastered some combat skills. Such a partnership between a demon and a dog was a rarity in the upper echelons of the Abyss.
Demons typically operated solo, harboring a deep distrust for their own kind. It was almost certain that the demons Alexander and Leo would encounter in the future were in for an exceptionally unfortunate fate.
In the days that had passed, Alexander had diligently trained Leo while simultaneously continuing his explorations. He had left behind the nest he had previously discovered and ventured far from it. The upper Abyss was a vast realm, and Alexander's approach to exploration differed significantly from that of other low-rank demons. More powerful demons typically staked out territories, hunting and preying within their designated domains, rarely straying unless confronted by mightier adversaries.
Alexander's explorations often led him into the territories of other demons, resulting in confrontations and skirmishes. However, Alexander's concerns had diminished significantly since he had acquired the Bloodlust skill and enlisted Leo as his companion. During his journey, he had vanquished all demons that dared to challenge him, including some top-tier low-rank adversaries. Among low-rank demons, Alexander had become virtually peerless.
He now ventured onward, encountering no obstacles unless faced with exceptionally formidable opponents. His unyielding exploration and progress were rewarded with valuable discoveries. He had stumbled upon three locations housing altars related to the Gate of the Abyss magic formation. Contrary to his initial assumptions, these altars were not exclusively situated within dormant volcanoes; some were positioned in open fields.
The three altars Alexander had uncovered possessed a significant influence over the surrounding area. Demons and monsters in the vicinity frequently congregated at these altars, utilizing the Gate of the Abyss to access other realms. Though Alexander remained uncertain about the origins of these altars, he suspected their primary purpose extended beyond interdimensional travel.
It was likely that they played a pivotal role in battles, serving as signal towers of sorts. Whenever they emitted a signal, nearby demons would heed the call.
Despite these discoveries, one puzzling aspect continued to baffle Alexander.
Throughout his extensive travels in the upper Abyss, he had yet to encounter a single middle-rank demon. Alexander found this absence perplexing. Were middle-rank demons residing in the lower levels of the Abyss uninterested in ascending to the upper echelons? Or was there an insurmountable barrier preventing them from ascending at all? The mystery only deepened as Alexander pressed forward in his relentless exploration.
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