" Azazel, can you stop bullshitting and get on with the important things? "
' By more important matters, you mean?
" By more important matters, I mean your help in getting out of this mess. "
Azazel was bemused. According to a preliminary assessment of Ramiel's forces and the bloodthirsty monsters strenuously trying to find him, he should have little problem killing them. He would even be surprised if he failed, even more so if it was Ramiel who said goodbye to his own head.
' Kid, have more faith in yourself... since you're afraid of a few oversized kittens... I understand that their number can be frightening, but don't exaggerate... '
A dark blue vein pulsing dynamically appeared on Ramiel's temple. As one of the former strongest hunters on Earth, he was characterized by considerable mental toughness. However, working with stupid people brought him to the brink of a nervous breakdown.
" Azazel, if I didn't need your help, I wouldn't ask for it. Look at the big picture... and maybe you'll see what I mean. "
The wicked demon reluctantly used mana to scan the entire forest of night rippers. Contrary to Ramiel's ominous vision, he found nothing out of the ordinary or threatening. In his opinion, the adventurer has loosened some screws in his head and is ranting foolishly.
From his comfortable life in the dungeon, he's busted his ass. - The demon thought.
' Don't exaggerate... '
The arrogant Azazel broke off in mid-sentence. As he put a little more effort into his search, he spotted a dome filled with an element of darkness. It was well hidden from the attention of uninvited guests, but penetrating the impenetrable barrier wasn't the least problem for Azazel.
' I changed my mind, kid. It was nice to know you. I hope that by some miracle, you won't get devoured in the land of the dead or hell. The question of where you will end up is still debatable... '
Ramiel sighed heavily, giving vent to his gathering anger.
Why does working with him always have to look the same... - A brief thought flashed through the man's mind like a certain speedy ostrich running through the desert.
" That's why I need your help. "
Azazel remained silent. It's not that he didn't want to help Ramiel. Because of the contract binding him, he had to do it. The problem lay with the hunter. He was literally too weak... The man's current body couldn't withstand a sudden increase in power or more mana. The fact that he was alive was already breaking all the laws of physics.
Imagine a balloon filled to the brim with water. The bonds that have formed between the atoms are strained as only they can be, balancing between bursting and existence. It only takes one drop of the life-giving liquid for the whole thing to burst and disappear into nothingness.
Ramiel's condition can be compared to such a balloon. His cells cannot hold any more mana. He threatens to explode, or worse, to burst itself.
' It's none of my business, but do you know what state you are in? '
In response, Ramiel moved his head subtly up and down. There was no need to add further worry to Avi's worries. She already felt silly talking to the air.
' So how the hell am I supposed to help you? '
Azazel looked at Ramiel as if he were a mentally limited man. A moment ago, he admitted that he wasn't at his best, and now, he wanted to use the domain. If that wasn't what a madman looked like, Azazel didn't know how.
' Kid, are you sure you want to manifest the domain? In your current state, I'm not sure you'll actually succeed. Even if you do, I give you no more than two seconds before you implode from the inside. '
This time it was Ramiel who looked at Azazel as if he were an idiot. Sometimes he wondered how someone so stupid could achieve such an intimidating power level.
" It's not me who will use the domain. It's you who will use yours. "
Under the influence of the demon's slow and steady laughter mixed with derision, a nasty grimace crept onto the man's face. Ramiel already knew that the least pleasant part of the conversation had begun.
' HA HA HA HA HA HA It will cost you dearly... Two days. Considering the state your soul is in, the price isn't negotiable. Consider it a one-and-only promotion. There won't be another one like it. '
Swosh
Two twin-looking swords appeared in Ramiel's hands. The scarlet glow they spread around them left a subtle taste of blood on the tip of his tongue. The runes engraved in the blades glistened, sensing the coming carnage in the air.
Ramiel felt a sudden rush of adrenaline combined with the rush of his own blood flowing through his veins. Although it was strange, excitement filled his body.
" Two days, just that much? I take in the dark. "
Azazel was in a little shock. Usually, there would have been hours of negotiation and challenge, but it went surprisingly easy this time. Our little demon had no idea that he had signed his own chirograph.
' Wait, kids, are you sure? We don't even know if this will work. '
" What's not to succeed? Technically, you are inside me, so the distance from the domain should be adequate to keep Leach. "
' Who said I would use the domain all the time? I was thinking of one time. '
" Too late, you have already agreed. You know very well the terms of the oath and the consequences that follow it. "
A cell-destroying shriek rang out in Ramiel's head. Had he not been prepared for it, he might have lost consciousness.
I WILL KILL YOU. I WILL TEAR YOUR BODY TO SHREDS. '
Azazel's anger was irrational. It was the demon's fault for leaving Ramiel too much room to maneuver... or maybe he did it on purpose and was just masquerading. Despite appearances, he liked the boy but would never admit it. It would enfranchise his pride as one of the rulers of hell.
" If you're done, get to work. I don't have all day to waste. "
' Tsk... Don't you allow yourself too much? '
Ramiel was silent on this. He had already finished his conversation with Azazel. Now, it was time for the brazen fairy, who was strangely quiet today. It was as if she sensed the coming events.
" Avi. "
" Yes? "
" Do what you are best at. And no, I'm already anticipating your question. This isn't biting me. Just hold on to my hair until I say otherwise. Don't worry about the rest, you'll be safe, I promise you that. "
Avi obediently took her favorite spot on the top of Ramiel's head. Not only did she feel extremely comfortable there, but also safe. If anyone had looked closely at the man, they would have seen the head of a small fairy peeking out from between his black hair with white tips.
" I am ready. "
Getting the green light from Avi, a horrible smile dawned on his face, from which his hair stood up on end. Oddly enough, the same smile could be seen on three of Azazel's faces.
Standing on the edge of a branch, Ramiel simply leaned to the side. Losing stable ground under his feet, he flew down while spinning in the air.
Avi had front-row seats on the world's best roller coaster. With all her might, she suppressed the exclamations of joy and fear that pressed against her lips.
An abundant amount of mana rich in the elements of darkness and lightning was accumulating around Ramiel's right hand. Under the influence of the man's will, it coated his clenched fist. The black coating left behind trailing streaks in the air, which occasionally mixed with crackling lightning.
As Ramiel came dangerously close to the ground, he slammed his fist into the rocky ground with all his might.
Boom
A series of explosions interspersed with Spikes of Darkness rising from the ground. The confused monsters had no chance to avoid the ambush. Twelve Night Rippers fell victim to the spell in the first second alone. Their bodies awkwardly stood in the way of the black spikes. The rest can be guessed.
The air was immediately filled with cries of inhuman pain and moans from the monster. However, everything suddenly quieted down.
A relaxed Ramiel appeared in the crater's middle as billowing dust clouds disappeared from the air. Considering that he was surrounded on all sides by creatures eager for fresh meat, he acted unusually calm. He stood and waited patiently for the last trickles of blood to be devoured by the unbridled appetite of the blades.
What was strangest of all was that no trace of the Night Rippers remained. It was as if they had vanished into thin air.
Unfortunately, the monsters couldn't boast the favor of the goddess Fortuna. For them, the reality was several times worse. Literally, they were dragged into Azazel's domain as soon as the injuries they sustained ruled them out of further combat or permanently disabled them.
Ramiel, feeling a sudden surge of strength, shot his neck.
" Let's hunt... "
His words hung in the air like an ominous threat heralding imminent death. In the blink of an eye, he found himself in front of the Night Ripper. One single cut was enough to deprive the oversized cat of four limbs.
The monster vanished into thin air, leaving behind four paws bathed in blood, soon to be sucked dry.
The answer is very simple if anyone wonders where Night Ripper might have ended up. He was transferred to the domain of Azazel. In this particular case, it is a dimension devoid of all matter, inside of which the demon can manipulate time.
Given the low cost he negotiated, the only thing he could afford was to accelerate the passage of time a hundred times. It doesn't seem like much, yet it will make a huge difference.
Ramiel knew very well what he was doing by choosing this form of assistance rather than another. Everything revolved around Leach's skills. One minute in the real world equals one hundred in Azazel's domain. What does that entail? Ramiel's skill will provide him with twenty times additional stats.
We get sick numbers by multiplying this by the number of monsters inside the dimension. The solution had only one problem. Ramiel had to take his time. Even the toughest monster can't lose blood indefinitely. Depending on the damage received, they would die within thirty seconds in the real world.
Swish
With a deft movement, Ramiel drew a wide arc in the air, releasing a thick wave of scarlet liquid from his blade as it approached towards the group of Night Rippers.
The monsters had no chance. The viscous yet thick blood, like a silent assassin, cut them in half with surgical precision. It was too late when their minds processed what had happened.
Ramiel had no time to stand idly by and celebrate a minor victory. He immediately moved ahead, looking for the new game.
To avoid running like a blind man in the fog, he created thin threads of mana within a two-kilometer radius that reacted to foreign energy. This worked on a similar principle to radar, which detects fighters in the airspace.
" This is too easy. "
Ramiel didn't even have to focus on what he was doing. The monsters pushed themselves under his blade. All he had to do was clear the path leading to the exit of the Night Ripper Forest. Occasionally, he cast some spell or used the Shadow Walk.
Ironically, he turned from a frightened animal into an unstoppable hunter, and at the sight of this, terror rolled through his victims' minds.
It took Ramiel two hours to reach the cave exit. During that time, he killed countless Night Rippers.
The man's actions didn't go unnoticed. He attracted the attention of more powerful individuals.
If the forest ruler could afford to ignore the intrusive insect previously, he now had to take appropriate action.
Ramiel knew very well what he was doing. From the beginning, he tried to draw as many monsters away from Asme and Caera as possible. Clearing the escape route is a pleasant side effect of his actions.
' Kid, you have an interesting weapon. Where did you find it? '
Ramiel had no time to waste. Every second was precious. Without a moment's thought, he began his journey back, taking the lives of defenseless monsters with him.
" Will you believe me when I tell you I found the swords in the abyss? "
Azazel was silent, beating with his thoughts. In theory, he shouldn't step into someone's life with his boots. It usually ends very badly. On the other hand ... he is the ruler of hell! Nothing or no one can order him or tell him what he can and cannot do.
' If I were you, I wouldn't use them so recklessly. '
Emitting a red glow, the runes trembled at the arrogant demon's words. Unfortunately, the slight change lasted only a moment and escaped Ramiel's attention.
" What do you mean? "
' ... '
" Have I told you how much I love it when you don't finish the subject? "
' Just try to use her skills less. It will do you good in the future. '
Ramiel just shrugged his shoulders. It's not that he ignored Azahiel's advice. It's just that there was no point in worrying about something that wouldn't matter in a few days anyway.
Besides, lately, he's been improving at working with his weapons. To say more, he had learned to use her skills to some extent. It still had its whims and didn't always come out as he wanted, but it was getting better. Sometimes, when the twin blades decided that something was better, they just did it, ignoring Ramiel's will.
The same was true of the regeneration and mana restoration skills. They weren't as great as Ramiel thought at first. In addition to a significant amount of blood, their activation conditions bordered on the miraculous. At least, this is the case with increased regeneration.
It requires Ramiel to be at the limit of his endurance or with one foot standing on the bank of the River Styx. As for mana. There was a bigger problem. Ramiel didn't know the conditions needed to activate the skill. Sometimes, his reserves replenished when they were half depleted. Sometimes, it didn't activate when he was sucked almost dry.
One thing he was sure of. For the blades to cooperate, he had to supply them with the right amount of blood.
He wouldn't give his hand for it, but he suspected that the scarlet liquid worked like experience points in computer games. The more of it he supplies, and from better quality monsters, the faster the blades will undergo a metamorphosis.