Rearing Demons
Chapter 47: Conditions

Chapter 47: Conditions

"How strong are these damned demons?!" In the cave, Karo was riddled with wounds, fending off two Gralith that were charging into the room.

Velmira hovered at the side, worry evident on her face. She might act prideful with others, but she wanted to be gentler around Karo. "Just run, you!"

Hearing her, he rolled his eyes. "It’s not ’you,’ it’s Karo!"

"Karo..." she echoed, recalling his name.

"Any ideas, any weaknesses?" he demanded, landing a kick on one Gralith to send it flying, but the second one lunged right after.

"These Gralith are vulnerable to sensory attacks," she explained. "They’re hypersensitive to sound and light, so it throws them off."

"Fuck!" he cursed, feeling the situation worsen. He had no sensory-type techniques.

But worse than their strength was their relentless aggression: they kept leaping back into the fight as though their lives depended on it. Even some Zorath in the rear piled on, adding minor damage but plenty of annoyance.

"How long until you heal?!" he shouted.

"It’ll be a while!" she replied. "That mark drained me completely."

"Fuck, fuck!" With another kick, he shoved one Gralith away, then dashed to the bed. "Come here!" Motioning for her, he quickly pulled her into a hug.

An aura flared around him like a shield.

"We’ll force our way out!" He had little choice.

Although risky, a drawn-out fight would guarantee his defeat. Velmira didn’t protest—she simply wrapped her arms and legs around him. Karo narrowed his eyes, waiting for the perfect chance to dash off.

Just as he was about to move—

"ARAAAA!" A howl tore straight through his mind.

"Ah!" Velmira yelped in pain, and Karo glanced down to see blood oozing from her eyes.

He instantly channeled his essence into a barrier around her, protecting her from the sound while leaving himself exposed.

"Gah!" With her shielded, he collapsed, blood dripping from his eyes, ears, and mouth. "What was that?!"

The ominous sound caused every Gralith in the room to freeze. Narrowing his eyes, Karo spotted a thin figure at the hall’s far end, standing there, ominous and still.

Karo stared at the human-shaped being. It gazed right back, its body bare—porcelain skin flawless, unmarked by scars or blemishes, stretched over a tall, lean frame that moved with unsettling precision. Though humanoid, Karo knew it was anything but human.

Its musculature shifted beneath the skin in a manner too smooth, too deliberate, as though the body had been sculpted rather than born.

Its silver eyes flickered like stirred water, pupils expanding and contracting in ways that defied natural instinct. Long, ink-black hair cascaded over its shoulders, individual strands swaying as if in response to something unseen, something Karo couldn’t perceive but felt in his bones. It wasn’t merely watching him—it was studying him, memorizing every detail with an intensity that made his skin crawl.

What is that? Karo recognized instantly that whatever it was, it wasn’t human.

Even Velmira picked up on the same unnerving vibe. It’s made from my demons! It’s abnormal!

Without a word, the figure—Jisvruul—stepped forward in small, measured steps.

The Zorath demons stood paralyzed, unable to move. The two Gralith locked eyes on Jisvruul with undisguised hostility.

Of course, compared to Jisvruul, they were negligible—far weaker even than Brune.

Casually passing by, the two Gralith lunged to attack. Jisvruul was prepared.

Unlike typical demons, Jisvruul held Ashkavaal blood, meaning that even his human form could be considered a genuine form. Though it carried its own strengths and weaknesses, it remained very powerful.

As the pair got close, Jisvruul just swung an arm, slicing both their legs instantly.

From a distance, Karo gaped in shock.

The same Gralith who gave him so much trouble were defeated in a second.

Wasting no time, Jisvruul opened his human mouth wide—unnaturally stretching beyond human limits—and swallowed the two Gralith whole. The room returned to silence.

"What...what is happening?" Karo realized he was helpless here. If the Gralith he struggled against died in mere seconds, he would stand even less chance.

"Let me talk to it," Velmira offered softly.

She recognized Jisvruul as a powerful Gralith—a product of her own demon lineage. Normally, demon-to-demon communication could be difficult, but since Jisvruul was assembled partly from her creations, she thought she could converse.

Who are you? Despite remaining in Karo’s arms because of her weakness, she could still speak fine.

Gra Gra! (I am here for you!)

Why are you here for me?

Gra Gra! (My master wants you!)

Your master? Who?

At this point, Jisvruul hesitated, unsure how to describe Yur. Meanwhile, Yur signaled from within, or rather Zul did. Jisvruul, take me out of your body and show me to her. You’ll repeat my words.

Immediately, Jisvruul began to gag in front of them. Its stomach produced disgusting growls, eyes shaking as it retched.

Thick fluid poured from its mouth as it vomited out Yur.

"What the hell?!" Karo yelled in horror. "A human? Or demon?"

Yur appeared in a half-demon state, which looked partly human but also demonic. But seeing him disgorged made Karo assume Yur was more demon than man.

Is that your master? Velmira thought, noticing Yur’s broken physical state.

From the aura he gave off, she sensed he was just a Vashra demon. Yet how could a Vashra control such a strong Gralith?

Gra! (Yes.)

What does he want from me?

Jisvruul glanced back at Yur, then turned to Velmira, as though receiving instructions. Gra Gra! (Become his follower!)

Velmira scowled. Follow him? He’s weaker than I am. Why should I follow someone like him?

Graaaa! (Mind your tone, Filth!)

Gra Gra! (You’re an Exile, and only my master can protect you!)

How do you know I’m an Exile? Normally, demons picked up on exiles through a violent instinct—they smelled like prey—but they didn’t fully grasp the concept of "exile." It wasn’t labeled on someone’s forehead.

Gra Gra! (My master knows all. Join him, and he’ll protect you!)

How can he protect me?

Jisvruul looked to Yur again, seeking more clarity. While Yur turned to Zul for help:

[If Host feeds her blood, she’ll realize he’s the Heir! Then she’ll cooperate. Exiles always follow the Heir!]

Yur nodded internally. Jisvruul, cut my arm and offer her some blood.

Though hesitant, Jisvruul complied. One finger turned claw, slicing the stump where Yur’s arm was. Blood trickled into its palm, which it extended toward Velmira.

Gra Gra! (Drink his blood, and you’ll know who he is.)

Velmira grimaced, unwilling to take it.

Growing impatient, Jisvruul snarled. Gra! (Either you drink or I’ll force it down your throat!)

You would dare? She glowered, deeply offended.

Gra! (I’d dare worse if not for my master!)

"What’s going on?" Karo asked Velmira. He couldn’t understand any demon talk, but he sensed her anger.

"Nothing," she murmured, patting his cheek, her tone oddly affectionate.

Karo still held her but leaned away, uncomfortable with her sudden displays of warmth.

Of course, Zul picked up on it:

[Host, Velmira the Filthy seems deeply attached to the human. She can be manipulated through him. She’s also extremely weak at the moment—almost like a mortal!]

So Yur told Jisvruul, Jisvruul, take the human hostage!

Gra! (Yes, master!)

Moving lightning-fast, Jisvruul appeared behind Karo, locking him in a headlock.

Velmira was kicked aside, hitting the ground in pain, while Jisvruul dragged Karo away.

Shifting its hands into claws, Jisvruul pinned Karo, who froze in shock. After all the prolonged fighting and being abducted by Velmira, Karo was already weakened.

Touch him, and I’ll kill you and your master! Velmira threatened from the floor, wincing.

Gra! (Go ahead and try!) Jisvruul sneered. She couldn’t do anything in her current state.

Fine! Give me the blood. she snapped.

With a smirk, Jisvruul flicked a drop of Yur’s blood into Velmira’s open mouth.

Displeased by the situation, she swallowed, and her heart began to pound. The blood coursed through her, revealing runes and symbols in her mind’s eye...

Her eyes flew wide, locked on Yur. You’re the Heir?!

Gra Gra Gra! (Yes—my master is the Heir, the true Lord of Zulmasharr!)

She stared in astonishment, an odd feeling stirring within. Contemplating deeply, she fixed Yur with a narrowed stare.

All right. I’ll join you—but I have a condition!

Though she hadn’t wanted to join any group before, the Heir was a different matter. Even if no Heir had existed in recorded history, demons were imprinted with what it meant. Exiles, especially, viewed the Heir as potential salvation.

Gra! (Speak!)

The Heir must change my form!