So… would Alan accept the offering, or would he eat the girl in front of him?
If you're pondering that question, perhaps it's time to see a psychiatrist.
If he returned to the Abyss now, he would have to face that terrifying muscle monster. Even setting that aside, the endless little demons with brains filled only with blood and filth, coupled with the nauseating red surroundings, were enough to drive anyone mad.
Even if the offering before him was a pile of dung, Alan would be grateful and eager to consume it.
With that thought in mind, Alan slowly approached and picked up the transparent orb before him.
*"Detecting high-level bloodline, Abyss Demon. Do you wish to absorb?"*
Abyss Demon, epic bloodline.
As the top-tier race in the Abyss, Abyss Demons are masters of original sins. They delight in exploiting the darker aspects of humanity and draw power from it. Those who bind contracts with them often meet grim fates.
They also possess the ability to traverse planes without relying on demonic contracts.
In fact, most demon contracts in the world are propagated by Abyss Demons, which is why their powers are often extraordinarily formidable.
Enhance physical strength, enhance speed, enhance intelligence, optimize body structure, gain a fundamental understanding of magic.
Indeed… The demon contract was not lying.
Alan found it impossible to refuse this.
Not to mention the ability to traverse planes without relying on a demonic contract—it was enough to stir his heart.
After all, as a former human, Alan could not endure the barren wasteland of the Abyss.
**Absorb the bloodline.**
For little demons, the method of absorbing power was often simple and brutal: open the mouth and swallow it down.
*Guruguru…*
Amidst the excruciating pain, Alan felt his body undergoing violent changes. At the same time, the shallow growths atop his head began to develop, ultimately culminating in two sharp horns bursting forth.
Simultaneously, Alan's muscles rapidly contracted, transforming into solid muscle masses, and his hunched little demon form began to straighten.
At that moment, a strange power surged from the depths of his bloodline. In his dazed state, Alan felt like something new was flooding into his mind.
*Cough cough…*
Finally, as Alan knelt on the ground, hands gripping his throat, the process of evolution came to a halt.
"Ugh… it hurts."
Alan stood up, feeling the newfound power in his arms.
But then, he was stunned.
He… spoke.
Yes, although it was just a simple word—"hurt"—and incredibly laborious to utter, it was indeed a word he recognized.
His vocal cords seemed to have undergone some form of transformation.
It was true; the bloodline of the Abyss Demon was unlike any other. Merely howling and screaming wouldn't deceive humans anymore.
Alan silently resolved to seek the bloodline of the Abyss Demon, striving to achieve normal communication like a human and return to the main plane.
"Um… um, Mr. Demon, have you accepted my offering?"
Just as Alan was deep in thought, a timid voice broke through from behind him, sounding like a rabbit begging under the claws of a wolf, refreshing Alan's spirit.
Indeed, after growing accustomed to the shrill, unpleasant sounds of little demons, any other voice would bring him relief.
Turning slowly, Alan made sure not to let his tail sweep across the frail-looking girl. After all, in Alan's eyes, this little girl seemed far too "miniature."
Even from a human perspective, the girl before him belonged to the malnourished category, and judging by her appearance, she looked no older than twelve or thirteen.
And it was this very girl who had summoned him.
"Y-you… hello, Mr. Demon. My name is Grellia. I… I please don't eat me."
The girl's eyes were fixed on the towering figure of Alan, her voice trembling, and her legs quivering, to the point where she could barely muster the strength to rise.
"Wishes…"
In a low, somewhat warped tone, Alan struggled to articulate that simple word.
...
Hearing the demon's words, Grellia exhaled in relief.
After all, summoning a demon was a taboo for beings of the main plane, no matter where you were. Even the underground dog-headed folk would beat to death any of their kind who dared to summon a demon.
It wasn't just because she was weak—summoning a cruel, bloodthirsty demon without reason would leave her with no way to defend herself. If this muscle-bound monster, towering over her, decided to discard the offering and eat her instead, she would stand no chance.
Yet… she felt she had no other choice.
Looking at the strange parchment made of skin she clutched in her hand, Grellia recalled what her mentor, Myros, had explained. If she had genuinely summoned a demon and it accepted her offering, that piece of paper would serve as her last line of defense. Should she lose it, the demon could rightfully devour her.
"I-I want you to take me out… no, to take me out of Byronvale alive…"
At that moment, Grellia retrieved a bloodstained piece of parchment from her bosom, trembling as she read the words aloud. She spoke slowly, as if fearing that a single mispronounced syllable would lead to her being eaten by Alan.
Hmm…
At this point, saying no was not an option. If she violated the contract, the lightest punishment would be being sent back to the Abyss, leaving her offering behind. The worst-case scenario? Total annihilation, leaving not even a trace of blood.
However… transporting a person from one place to another seemed deceptively simple; undoubtedly, there was some twist to it…
For example…
*Bang bang bang!*
Suddenly, the door to the basement erupted with noise, accompanied by footsteps and shouts from above.
"Filthy scum, come out and be purified!"
The harsh words rang from outside, and the sound of pounding turned into the thumping of something solid against the door.
How polite…
Alan shook his head, but Grellia, already on edge, shrank back against the wall in fear.
"N-no! It's the witch hunters! They've come to get me!"
"Hunters?"
Alan asked, puzzled.
"Yes, the witch hunters of King Bortan. They capture mages, torture them, and then burn them alive."
It was clear that Grellia had witnessed something horrific; tears brimmed in her eyes as she shrank back like a peasant, wishing she could turn into a hamster and slip into a crack in the wall.
"I'll… I'll handle it…"
Alan managed to squeeze out what he thought was a comforting phrase, then stepped in front of Grellia, shielding her completely with his towering frame.