I stared upwards, tracing the lines of the intricately carved blackened stone with my eyes. It made me drowsy, but I resisted the urge to fall back asleep.

  I had work to do.

  What do we do now?

  [Kill some more elves.] Joshua replied simply.

  Seriously.

  [I’m being serious.]

  I sighed loudly, then sat up, rubbing my eyes to shake off the morning grogginess. Although it was difficult to tell if it was actually morning down in Lunarius’ domain, considering it was perpetually nighttime. I observed my newly evolved skills, having leveled up twice to level eighteen after reaping the bonus Exp from my Ruler’s Authority dominion power.

  [Lesser Blood Lance has evolved into Greater Blood Lance!]

  [Twin Blood Chains has evolved into Hell Chain!]

  A bit more utility from the chain skill now, and I’ll be able to use it on burning enemies as well! Greater Blood Lance seems to be following a similar trajectory to my claws when they were evolving. I wonder what will happen when they reach the next tier.

  A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

  “Demon, Lunarius has requested I fetch you,” Eztara said with a reluctant voice. His tone told me that he wasn’t exactly happy with being reduced to a mere messenger. I opened the door, following the floating wraith as he led me down the hallway.

  We entered a massive room, rectangular in shape and supported by two rows of arch-shaped doors with pathways both above and below. Curved, decorated glass windows lay before me, framing the pitch-black throne that Lunarius sat upon.

  “You called?” I questioned.

  The Primordial regarded me with a pleasant expression. “I did.”

  Eztara floated away from me, moving to stand to the side of the massive black throne. He planted his scythe to the floor like a tree plants its roots, then stared forward with a blank expression.

  I stood silently, waiting for the demon to elaborate.

  “How have you been handling the branding ritual?” Lunarius finally asked. I brought up the pitch-black panel, observing the changes to the mastery percentage.

  “Good,” I answered slowly.

  “Your parasite hasn’t experienced any side effects?”

  Have you?

  [Not unless being stuck in your head counts as a side effect.]

  “Not to my knowledge,” I replied.

  “Impressive! I should’ve branded you under the sixth moon instead!” Lunarius exclaimed with an almost sinister smile.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  I smiled back hesitantly, not entirely sure how to react. Eztara’s face contorted into a momentary rage, then returned to blankness.

  [Someone’s jealous.] Joshua laughed.

  “How does the whole mastery thing work?” I inquired. Even though the process seemed self-explanatory, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything important.

  “It’s fairly simple. As long as you continue to use the skills associated with the brand, your mastery will increase. Once you reach a certain mastery level, a new skill will become available to you.”

  “That’s it?” I questioned, careful to mask the air of suspicion around my words.

  “That’s it,” The demon repeated with a calm smile.

  It can’t be that simple…

  [Who knows? Maybe he really does see something in you.]

  Maybe.

  “Was there anything else?” I asked.

  Lunarius looked at me for a moment, then gestured at the wraith beside him. “I would like you to take this one with you, for your safety. A temporary arrangement, of course, at least until you have re-established a foothold in your territory.” His silver eyes glimmered as he stared through me. “I still need him, so think of it as a loan.”

  “My lord—” Eztara began in surprise, but an eerie smile from his master immediately silenced him.

  The wraith is obviously strong, but why is he offering this now? Wouldn’t it have been better to bring him along in the first place?

  “I appreciate the gesture, Lunarius, but I think we’ll—”

  “I insist.”

  I stopped mid-sentence, meeting the demon’s gaze, and then looked away hesitantly.

  He has to be planning something, right?

  [Probably.] Joshua agreed. [But are we really in a position to argue? Plus, it makes sense, even if there is something else behind it. As much as it hurts to admit, we probably wouldn’t be able to defeat the Elf King by ourselves yet.]

  How perceptive of you, Joshua! I must be rubbing off.

  [As if.] The parasite replied with disdain.

  Lunarius elaborated on his reasoning. “While I personally cannot leave my territory just yet, there is no issue with someone as weak as him going out and about, and though he is quite pathetic, he should prove useful if something… unforeseen, were to occur.”

  Ouch. I feel bad for the guy.

  “Alright. I’ll bring him along, but I will have his primary duty be to defend my territory.”

  “If that is what you believe to be the best use of his capabilities, then who am I to judge?” Lunarius replied with a slight air of judgment.

  “Do I not get a say?!” Eztara shouted in exasperation.

  “No,” Lunarius said simply, and the wraith hung his head with disappointment.

  Eztara floated a few feet behind my companions, sulking as we made our way towards Mount Boom. Kril and Azazel were at my side, the Imp floating a few inches away from my shoulder while the dragon hung around my neck lazily.

  “So… what exactly are we planning to do with that guy?” Kril asked, pointing a thumb backward at the pouting wraith.

  “I’m not exactly sure yet, but I’ll probably use him as insurance in case Mount Boom gets…” I trailed off, wanting to avoid the memory altogether.

  Azazel spoke next. “What is our plan now, then, brother?”

  “He’s my brother!” Kril interjected.

  “Don’t mess with me,” Azazel spat, how voice low and dangerous.

  “Now, now, there’s plenty of me to go around,” I joked, trying to quell the growing rivalry between the two. The pair of adoptive brothers continued to stare at each other judgmentally. “Anyway, to answer your question, I think I want to try to evolve my race before we continue our… conquest.”

  “A worthy endeavor!” Kril exclaimed. “As the Imp Duke of Hell, I have firsthand experience with the strength of the Duke race!”

  “Any tips?” I asked.

  “None that I can think of at the moment, but I’ll get back to you!”

  Azazel scoffed in disbelief.

  “Be nice,” I whispered.

  The dragon turned his head away like a toddler refusing baby food. “How exactly are you planning on getting another two levels?” Azazel asked, aiming his words towards empty space.

  “Honestly, now that Eztara,” I gestured behind me. “Is with us, I feel a lot better about leaving Mount Boom to him. He can keep watch while the treants and dryads begin rebuilding, and in the meantime, we can do some quick power leveling.”

  “Power leveling? I’ve never heard that one before,” Azazel commented.

  “I may have something of use, Lucivar,” a new voice interjected. From the regal and commanding tone of it, I could tell it was Lioren.

  “That being?”

  “One of my level-up rewards ended up being a dungeon key. I believe it was to an Epic tier dungeon.”

  “That's perfect!” I replied excitedly. “How many party members?”

  “Three.”

  [Do you really have time to be going off doing random dungeons, Carter? I would think that completing my quest, or even the system quest, would take precedence over a silly adventure.]

  It’s not silly. I would feel more comfortable going after the Elves if I unlocked at least the next race quest first.

  [If you say so.]

  “Great! Do you mind if I grab it from you then, Lioren?”

  “Of course not.”

  He transferred the item to me, and I stashed it in my inventory for later. “You two are going to be coming with me,” I said, aiming the words toward the two small beings beside me. “Lioren, since it was your level-up reward, I owe you one down the road!”

  “Don’t worry about it,” the Ashmane replied happily.

  After a few more moments, my group of companions arrived in the ruined mess of my territory, still littered with destruction and the bloody remains of Elven soldiers.

  I wonder why humans and elves don’t disappear like the creatures do when we kill them.

  [I wish they did. If they gave Exp, it would open up my quest-giving potential.]

  You’re messed up.

  [So are you.] Joshua shot back.

  “Alright, everyone, here's the plan,” I turned, addressing my gathered companions.

  But my words were interrupted by a familiar skill.

  [Dragon’s Will]

  A cloud of dust kicked into the air as the massive, winged creature crashed into the ground in front of us, and I felt myself begin to withdraw from the menacing aura emanating from her.

  Kyr? What is she doing here?

  My companions crumpled as well, but Kril seemed able to resist the effects slightly, still managing to stand on his tiny feet. Azazel was unaffected, which I chalked up to a natural immunity to his siblings' intimidation.

  “Azazel, come with me. Now,” Kyr demanded, her voice taking on a tone of seriousness in a way that wasn’t present back when Azazel had hatched from his egg.

  “What do you think you’re doing?! Let my friends go!” Azazel roared, transforming into his human form as Kyr did the same.

  “This is not up for debate,” she continued, voice dropping lower.

  “Thaleres already said—”

  “Thaleres hasn’t regained his true memories.”

  That guy hasn't reached level one hundred yet?

  [Then, has she suddenly regained them?] Joshua asked.

  “I already told you, I’m not going—

  “This is not up for debate!” Kyr roared.

  Eztara floated forward, sizing up the female dragon.

  “You!” she spat in recognition. Then, her eyes burrowed deep into mine, causing my heart to skip a beat in fear. “Why are you in league with him?” She spat, voice dripping with vitriol. Then her eyes widened. “I knew it! That’s why Azazel insisted on staying with you, demons!”

  What the fuck is she talking about?

  “Get out of here, or we are going to have an issue,” Azazel stated firmly.

  But Kyr was not willing to budge, and her next words caused my entire body to seize in fear.

  “You have two choices, brother. Come with me willingly, or,” She paused, staring directly into my eyes. “I kill all of your friends, and take you with me... whether you like it or not.”