The Max Level Hero Has Returned!
chapter-513

The Gluttonous Beast, Cerberus, was a monster among monsters, surpassing its own kind. Cerberus, once an entity so powerful that it took dozens of high-ranking demons capable of manifesting the Aura Blade risking their lives to fight, was now nothing but a lump of flesh. These entities, known as the Kings of Evil Beasts, were unbelievably powerful.

Despite Cerberus' reduced state, Liline harbored no doubts about the situation. The black dragon before her exuded an overwhelming presence that made Cerberus seem like a mere candle in front of the sun. The real question was why such an incredible monster even existed; its presence surpassed anything else.

‘If such a monster roams the demon world, the future of the demon world seems clearly doomed. Overwhelming power! Sheer terror!’ Liline trembled and could only gaze at the black dragon without uttering a word.

[Hmmm…]

At that moment, the black dragon, which had silently observed her, slowly extended its enormous claw and gently tapped her cheek. Turning its head after lightly touching her cheek with a non-sharp edge, the dragon remarked.

[Contractor, she is afraid.]

"It's your fault. Diminish your aura," a voice declared, catching Liline by surprise.

Soon after, Liline heard a voice she had never expected to encounter. Her face filled with terror as she turned toward the source of the sound, and there he stood. The being who, all on his own, had obliterated the demon army that had raged with swords of anger against the continent.

He was a creature who could be likened to the God of Destruction, appearing human yet something more. Moreover, he was the Saint who had risen to become the next Demon King by slaying Belial, the one who had usurped the title of Demon King Perserque: Davey O’Rowane.

“Ah… Ahh…”

“Huh? You recognize me, don't you?” he asked nonchalantly.

The fear that had gripped Liline when she first encountered him now intensified twofold. Before meeting this man, her entire being had been dominated by the fear of the black dragon. However, now she found herself even more terrified of this enigmatic man. She sensed no power emanating from him as before, but the knowledge of his identity made that fact spine-chillingly unnerving.

Why on earth was he here? Had he come not only to destroy the continent but also to lay waste to the demon world? The already tumultuous demon world, now without her father, seemed incapable of withstanding his presence.

“…” Unable to control her trembling body, Liline eventually fainted at the sight of the man.

* * *

[She fainted.]

"You exerted too much pressure into the atmosphere."

[Quite amusing. She fainted at the mere sight of you, Contractor.]

Davey nonchalantly dismissed Megalordia’s complaints after carelessly tossing Cerberus aside.

"That's enough. You can depart now."

[Hmph.]

With a curt snort, Megalordia vanished as if dissolving into light.

Considering the vast amount of mana consumed each time Megalordia employed his power, efficiency wasn't his strong suit. Although Davey had contracted with him after incorporating the genes of the Summoner Shane Scrift, it wasn't a perfect arrangement.

"Hey, why is this woman here?" Davey inquired of the succubus who had trailed him.

Lapis panted and replied with exhaustion etched on her face. “I don’t... I don’t know…”

"You don’t? Should I help refresh your memory?"

“Ah!! No, I'm sorry! Please stop!”

“Tell me everything you know.”

Lapis cried out in fear in response to Davey’s words.

Davey couldn't ignore that the silvery garment she wore, although seemingly ordinary, concealed a Dirro that inflicted excruciating pain on her. This device could amplify sensations to the point where the entire body felt like an erogenous zone but could also deliver extreme torment.

Seeing her in such distress, Davey, who harbored no sympathy for her, had no qualms about exploiting her vulnerability.

"Please… Please stop!" Lapis writhed in pain and screamed.

Approaching her, Davey coldly remarked, "Won’t you become accustomed to this sensation?"

"You... You fiend!"

"You should have spoken up earlier. I suspected from the beginning that you were leading me down a convoluted path. But I had to press forward."

He had left Iro in the village, which was already in turmoil from being bombed twice. The villagers needed someone to provide solace. So, Davey had taken only Lapis with him, the one who knew the way. All along, she had misled him with a detour instead of taking the direct route. Even so, Davey had familiarized himself with the surrounding geography, aware that he would eventually need to forge his own path.

"Please... Please," she pleaded, wracked with agony.

"Aren't you ready to speak?"

"I will! I will! It's because of the Gluttonous Hound, Cerberus!" Lapis gasped with a vehement cry.

"Cerberus? The creature that Megalodria turned into a gruesome spectacle?" Davey responded, though calling it weak would be an exaggeration.

However, from his perspective, it was embarrassingly inferior to bear the title of ‘King of Evil Beasts,’ especially after Megalodria had torn it apart.

"Th-That Cerberus... has an insatiable appetite for succubus flesh... After consuming it, it slumbers for a week..."

"Why is a succubus even here?"

"Marka... Lady Marka sent her."

Lapis' explanation was straightforward. Only she and Deian knew the shortcut to Iro's village. But with Deian deceased and Lapis, who was favored by Marka, having gone missing, Marka had offered a succubus as a sacrifice to ensure a clear path.

"So, I don't need to search; she's coming to me," Davey muttered.

Lapis, gritting her teeth, said, "Human, you may possess power, but in the face of Lady Marka’s might..."

"You still don't understand," Davey smirked, locking eyes with Lapis.

His irises were glowing red, infused with the magic of a Demon King, not just any demon.

Lapis's eyes filled with horror, shock, and confusion.

"Do you recognize me now?"

In the demon realm, there was only one recognized Demon King. The power befitting such a King was unmistakable. Now, it was rumored that the title of Demon King had been usurped by a formidable human—a single human monster who had shaken the entire demon army. Thus, for a human to bear the aura of a demon, particularly that of the Demon King's rank, revealed his identity.

"You... It can't be!" Lapis exclaimed.

"It's so convenient when they come to you," Davey remarked, rising from his seat and picking up the unconscious Liline.

Despite being a succubus, Liline appeared petite, her body seemingly compressed by a curse. Without making any effort to release her from this state, Davey quickly bundled her up and continued walking.

According to Lapis, not far away, Marka, the Succubi Queen, awaited Cerberus' arrival to devour her.

"She sacrificed one of her own kind?" Illyna, who followed behind, shook her head in disbelief. "Typical demons..."

"Whether they're human or demon, it's the same. Humans call demons 'demons,' and other races, including demons, refer to humans as 'non-humans,' or 'Horne.'"

"Horne?"

"Yeah, Horne. It's the formal name given to humans by the gods."

Illyna frowned at this. "It does seem a bit biased from the human perspective."

"Stay back. It's dangerous," Davey warned.

"You're probably the only one who can tell a Swordmaster that," Illyna retorted.

"Quit it, weakling," he teased.

"Davey!" She playfully smacked his back.

"Just... don't get hurt," Davey added, causing Illyna to pause. Her face flushed, and she looked down, blushing deeply.

"Agh, no! Lord Marka! Run, run away!"

As Lapis realized that Davey was the Demon King and had come to reclaim his power, she screamed in terror. But it didn't matter.

"We don’t need everyone here."

By now, Davey wondered if there was any need to spare this troublesome succubus who continued to resist him. Lapis, silent and trembling, widened her eyes in shock, sensing her impending fate.

"Thank you."

"What, what?! No!"

“I feel no guilt in killing you.”

Swoosh!

The red blade of Red Ribbon flashed brightly. As Lapis crumbled, the Dirro that had wrapped around her transformed into liquid and then reverted to its human male form.

"Dirro, take orders."

[Ready to take orders.]

"Prepare for an ambush."

As he vanished at Davey's command, Dirro moved forward without hesitation. Beyond this point, a thick fog lay ahead, likely the route to the isolated demon world. It appeared one could not pass through this fog without a special method.

After dealing with Lapis and looking at his new navigator, Liline Orlouge, Davey gently set her down on the ground and cast a healing spell, lightly tapping her cheek.

"Ugh... ugh..."

Slowly, her eyes opened.

"Where is this... Huh?!"

Her eyes widened in shock upon seeing Davey.

The sight of the girl, smaller than Rinne, trembling in fear was far from pleasant. Still, Davey asked, "You recognize me, don't you?"

"Why are you... here?"

"Why should I tell you that?"

"Are you here to kill my father?!" Liline cried out in desperation.

"Who said anything about killing? Just do as you wish. The demon world isn't ready for me yet."

"Then why are you here?"

"I told you, I have business here." Calmly, Davey took hold of Liline’s arm and helped her up. "Any injuries?"

She looked at him warily and shook her head. "No injuries... Just mentally exhausted."

"Well then, let's have an honest discussion. Why would you protect those who offered you as a sacrifice? Right?"

Liline’s complexion paled at Davey's words.

"So you will guide us through the demon world. This fog is quite annoying."

"... And if I refuse?" Liline whispered.

"It doesn't matter. Those who offered you will come here. They'll probably arrive here soon."

Worry clouded Liline’s eyes at Davey's words. She murmured, "No, that can't be. Marka is one of the few neutral forces that can help my father..."

Swoosh!

Suddenly, dozens of light spears shot forth from the fog. They were not directed at Davey but aimed squarely at Liline. Caught completely off guard, she had no time to react to the sudden onslaught. Just as she was about to be impaled by the luminous spears, Davey intervened with a lightning-quick maneuver. The key of dimensions within him shifted its color to black, and a resonating voice echoed through the air.

[By the name of the God of Harmony, I bestow my blessings upon you.]

With the resonant voice of an unknown man, a mysterious energy surged into Davey. He unleashed a force that deflected the light spears, leaving Liline's eyes widened in shock. However, Davey was also taken aback.

[Bzzt. Intervened with the flow of fate. Metamorphosis Stack 5 accumulated.]

Davey had previously accrued metamorphosis stacks from utilizing the key of dimensions.

‘What’s happening?’

He squinted at the black key of dimensions that materialized before him. From beyond the fog, a beguiling voice resonated, "Just when I thought I could finish you off, you survive? And you're a human? This is amusing."

A formidable aura, a rarity even among Demon Kings, pressed down upon them. Illyna's face displayed clear tension.

"Davey... Is this a formidable adversary?" She asked cautiously, noting his expression.

Davey remained silent, striving to piece together the puzzle. The existence of the God of Harmony, Neltarid, from another dimension. The fact that Neltarid had reached out to him, commencing with the gift.

Although Neltarid's existence remained enigmatic, Davey was convinced that he harbored a motive. Most importantly, the transformation Davey had experienced when Neltarid's power had seeped into him through the key of dimensions. This indicated that he could gamble to unlock his title two more times.