Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

Hogni collapsed on his back, his undead skin cracking. Bursts of icy air sizzled from the openings as if to rid him of any trace of his existence as a draugr.

Adam sighed and dropped on his rear. Breath ragged, he glanced at the proud warrior's smile one last time, unaware that a mystical scene unfolded in his dimming eyes.

A spectral horn enlivened the dreary crypt and jolted Hogni's failing heart into a drumming frenzy. He truly heard it.

Simultaneously, his pale skin turned rosy and supple. His burned, vine-like beard and hair sprouted again, swaying a gentle orange sheen. Then, the oh-so-disgusting stench of his decaying muscles dissolved to let a fresh, natural breath replace it.

Despite the changes, he only focused on the horn. Then, the noise of thundering hooves and a raven's caws caused his knuckles to whiten and rare tears to roll down his cheeks.

No matter how he rummaged through his memories, he couldn't remember a single instance of crying. Even when beaten black and blue as a kid or during his military days, he never did. When he died and discovered in horror that the Valhalla's golden gates wouldn't open for him, he didn't either. Yet, ironically, he did when they were about to open.

Because today, he would join his ancestors and legendary figures in the grand hall. Today, he would feast and drink with Odin and the other gods. Finally, today, his dream would come true.

Despite his delight, he glanced at Adam, noticing his absence of reaction, the uncorked vial he held, and the red liquid shimmering inside.

He offered him a nod filled with respect and gratitude before he gazed up, just in time to see a white horse phase through the ceiling. Biting his red lips, his eyes sparkled at the woman it carried.

Her armor shone, each part a masterpiece adorned with divine runes. A winged helmet covered her cascading blonde hair and hid her forehead. Underneath, her azure eyes, as charming as a clear summer sky, made him shudder and forced a gasp out of his twisted lips.

"Beautiful..."

The raven perched on her shoulder scrutinised him as she lowered the horn she had blown and smiled.

"Warrior Hogni, your bravery, but also your commitment to your dream, touched us." She paused, letting the weight of her words settle into the trembling man before her voice echoed epically. "In the name of the all-father, you are granted eternal residence in Valhalla as an Einherjar. May your soul find the peace it deserves and continue improving to fight the evil influence threatening Asgard along with the gods."

She outstretched her slender finger and gestured to her majestic horse.

"Let's depart, warrior Hogni. Everyone is eager to hear about your saga and how you endured the passing millennia without forgetting your pride."

At her words, he rose, his healthy soul leaving his decayed shell, and lept onto the horse's back.

Just like that, the horse raced through the air and took to the sky, but not before the Valkyrie cast a long, piercing look at Adam, her raven missing from its place on her shoulder and her gaze intense with hidden motives.

Oblivious to the events, Adam chugged down his intermediate potion, his eyes fixed on the health points displayed on his interface.

HP:

1500/9200

Vitality:

595 (+325)

Strength:

595 (+103)(+325)(+250)
Enjoy new adventures from empire

Agility:

595 (+112)(+325)(+250)

'Only five hundred per potion.'

He sighed, throwing the empty vial aside, uncorking another one, and drawing the thick liquid into his mouth.

With each gulp, the effect of his armor's demonic frenzy subsided, dropping from 250 to 152.

A sensation of weakness assaulted his limbs. But he shrugged it off, focusing on the sizzle and smoke rising from his closing wounds. The amber of his almost extinguished vitality reignited, washing a significant part of his exhaustion and delivering him from the tormenting headache as he pondered the loss in stat points.

What would the added strength do when one hit was all it took to end his life? Especially against a mad divinity with bizarre observational fetiches.

He clicked his tongue, sparkling fragments flying and a crisp noise echoing as he hurled the last vial to the ground.

But his anger couldn't prevent his brows from creasing into a worried frown.

'I survived by the skin of my teeth. By luck.'

He gritted his teeth, relaying the events until his mind cleared from the fragment's pernicious madness. Then, he focused on the only consoling thing he could find: his unlocked instinct.

Eyes closed, he tried to feel the chaotic sensation again. Yet, his eyelids fluttered, and his cheeks twitched for a minute—in vain. No matter how he tried, the state remained elusive. Would he only feel it when his life was at risk? Or would he need to train to use it whenever he wanted?

He sighed, hoping for the second solution to be correct. After all, a strength only achievable on the brink of death sounded quite unreliable.

'Speaking about unreliability, I can't continue rushing like a fool because I'm worried. Karna is important, an incredible mentor, and a friend. But what will I achieve by dancing with death?' He raised his left forearm and bit his lips at the stump replacing his hand. 'That's the answer, I guess.'

Even if he knew he was correct, a sharp pain dug into his guts, and his fist clenched.

He couldn't lose Karna. Not because he was a powerful warrior or a great teacher. No. Because he liked him. From a teacher, he became a paternal figure in a short week, something he didn't think could happen. Yet, it did.

"Wait a little longer. I'll come soon." He muttered, hiding the rampaging emotions that led him into this desperate situation under a mask of logic.

And according to logic, his kill notifications came first. Distributing his stat points came second and the rest third.

Without wasting a second, he switched to his interface's blinking notification tab and skimmed through the gains.

[You have defeated 50 tier-four level 45 undeads: fallen soldiers of Elden. You have gained 13750 experience points.]

[You have defeated 2 tier-four level 47 elite ghosts: Poltergeist of Elden. You have gained 3750 experience points.]

[You have defeated 400 tier-four level 47 undead: Awaken draugrs of Elden. You have gained 240.000 experience points.]

[Congratulations on levelling up. Please check your interface and decide how to distribute your points.]