Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

[The gods are displeased by your victory. The demon kings are enjoying your sufferings and are already planning who to send next.]

[Ra's fingers shake in reluctance, but he still offers the reward promised and vows to obliterate you who dared to ally with Apep.]

[Standard summoning item awarded: Pharaoh's golden mask.]

His eyes narrowed into fiery slits, and disdain distorted his facial features at the notifications as the burning vortex hovering above the forest vanished without a trace.

'Go pick a fight with Apep directly if you're so tough, bunch of hypocrites!'

Still, his lips uncontrollably curled into a bright smile, and his heart hastened painfully in his chest.

'It's a summoning item! I hope I'll get a mythical figure with it!'

The thought sent a surge of adrenaline through his battered body as he already imagined what king of legendary individual he could get.

However, he rapidly frowned, dark clouds blocking the bright rays of hope from reaching his heart.

'They'll probably rig the odds to give me someone problematic or even some random nobodies.'

As he clicked his tongue in annoyance, another notification resounded in the ears of every lord.

[The gods are disappointed by the event's result but will offer everyone an equal chance to redeem themselves. You have one month to develop your territory before the next event starts. Don't slack off or face their judgement!]

Uninterested in their feelings, opinions, and unwilling to pop a vein at their shamelessness, he swiped the event window away to focus on his notifications.

[You and your subjects have defeated the tier three level 30 boss: Seargent Grimlock. You have gained 9000 experience points.]

[You and your subjects have defeated the tier two level 16 lord: lord of the nine realms. You have gained 3200 experience points.]

DING

[Promotion quest accomplished. Channeling the gods' authority to break the tier barrier.]

[Congratulations on reaching the third tier. Stat points earned per level doubled. Reach level forty for the next promotion quest.]

"Hahaha! That's why I dared to mess up with my essence! I had everything planned!"

His body trembled as each laugh brought a sea of pain with it, yet he couldn't stop himself. He didn't want to either. The defiant feeling of turning the tables on those who believed they had him corned was that thrilling, especially considering the abyssal disparity in their strength.

"Now watch how I'll recover despite all your cheating! Hahaha!"

A soothing sensation engulfed his body as green flames erupted and licked his wounded skin. Like a warm blanket, they worked together in a symphony of comforting crackling and life-filled energy to mend his body and raise his life's rating to a new level.

Just like an illusion or a mirage, his injuries faded with each second crawling by, and a newfound sensation of incredible power filled his limbs.

Yet, even when he rose to his feet, clenched and unclenched his fists and felt the changes, he wasn't satisfied. Seeing Luna go through the same phenomenon or hearing the distant roar of his eager subjects didn't help to calm the raging anticipation flooding his heart.

And finally, he saw the text shift as his lips curled into a disdainful smirk.

[Congratulations on being the first lord to reach the third tier! Awarding a random mythical figure summoning ticket!]

"Hahaha. Even if they try to rig the odds, I'll get one useful summon because Tiamat will do the same!"

However, he couldn't rush back before scavenging the bastard's territory despite his drumming heart.

"Thinking about him, he became a demonised human after accepting Baal's offer, meaning..."

His eyes narrowed, and his voice chilled as he stepped to the two skulls and picked them.

"I can absorb their essence once I'm back and hopefully evolve again."

Luna nodded on the side as she stabilised her condition and sighed in relief.

However, she frowned at the sound of her drumming heart, turned hastily and spoke.

"I'll fetch and explain everything to the others while you check the bastard's hut. I doubt he has anything of value but his essence and lord badge, but who knows? Anyway, leave the transportation work to us and return to rest."

Then, he saw her scramble away and scratched his head, confused about her urgency.

"They would have come, anyway."

With a sigh, he walked to the village's central building. The sound of cracking wood and splashing blood echoed with each of his steps until he reached it and bent to search for the item.

After a few minutes of rummaging, he felt an icy feeling with the tip of his fingers. Excited, he dug through the rubbles, shattering a heavy log with a kick before a metallic glint registered in his eyes.

"Hahaha! With that, I have two!"

With a chuckle, he gripped the lord's badge and scrutinised it to get the information.

Iron II Lord's badge

Note: counts as two iron badges due to its rank.

His eyes took crescent shapes as he grinned.

"This fool used the eighth wave's reward the moment he received it, not that it matters. Still, it'll save me time since I won't have to look for the other one."

His mood excellent, and the near-death battle already disappearing from his memories in the face of loot, he picked up the sergeant's demonic sword and inspected it next.

Demonic sergeant's standard sword

Introduction: A weapon viewed as a treasure by weak demonic legionnaires but trash by demon nobles.

Level requirement: 25

Strength +19

Agility +19

Demonic essence' flow +10%

Baal's wrath: A fraction of Baal's wrath imbues the sword, empowering its wielder but flooding his mind with anger.

Note: Not an awful rare weapon... if you want to become a mindless beast.

Despite the red blade's clear flaws, he shrugged and walked towards his territory.

"I'll ask Muramasa to reverse engineer it and rid it of Baal's influence. We'll probably lose the additional effect, but even without it, it'll make for an excellent standard weapon."

As he muttered and arranged for the future, the wind whooshed in his ears as his excited subjects rushed to him.

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An: pls tell me in the comment section if you enjoyed this arc. :)