Terra Nova Online: Rise of The Strongest Player

Chapter 288: Siding With The Demons

The demons spoke in a language that was vastly different from that of humans.

While the English language spoken by most on Earth relied on structured grammar, clear enunciation, and a wide array of vocabulary, the demon tongue used by demons was different.

It was a primal, ancient form of communication that combined guttural roars, growls, and snarls with precise hand gestures and body movements. Each sound carried a weight of meaning, layered with subtleties that only those attuned to it could fully grasp.

Unlike English, which depended solely on spoken words, the demon tongue required the speaker to use their entire body to convey their message. A simple growl could signify a command, while a specific hand gesture added to the same growl could alter the meaning entirely.

It was a language born from instinct and raw power, which was suited perfectly for the brutal and relentless nature of demons.

As Eren observed the higher demon directing its underlings, he suddenly found himself understanding the commands it issued.

What once sounded like an incomprehensible jumble of roars and snarls just a few moments ago, now made perfect sense to him as the voice of the demons seemed to be automatically translated in his head.

*ROARRR*

The higher demon roared, a deep, resonant sound that echoed through the battlefield. Accompanying the roar, it made a sweeping gesture with its clawed hand, pointing towards a group of retreating tribesmen and immediately, Eren found a voice ring in his head that explained The meaning of its gesture

“Surround them. Leave no one alive.”

Eren’s eyes widened as he realized the power of his new ability. With him being able to talk like them, he could understand the enemy’s strategy, a feat that no other human could do.

Eren watched from a distance as the demons wiped out all the fighting-age humans in the tribe, in what was a brutal one-sided massacre, however, he did not dare intervene although he felt bad for the humans dying.

Once the fighters of the tribe were dead and only the weak such as the young and elderly remained, the demons began capturing them as slaves.

As the chaos from the war began to settle and the demons started to gather their captives, Eren knew it was finally time for him to act.

Slowly, emerging from his hiding place, Eren raised his hands above his head in a gesture of surrender, as he spoke loudly.

*Brghhh*

*Ughhraa*

“Halt!” he called out in Demon Tongue, his voice strong and clear despite the fear gripping his heart. “I am not your enemy.”

The demons turned, their eyes narrowing in suspicion. A low growl rumbled through the ranks of the common low class demon soldiers as they advanced towards him.

One of the demons, a hulking brute with dark green scales, snarled and moved forward, its claws ready to strike. “A human speaks our tongue?” it growled, clearly perplexed. “Impossible.”

“Please, I beg for mercy,” Eren said quickly, his voice trembling slightly but still maintaining the demonic intonations. “I can be of use to you, please bring me to your leader.”

Without warning, the demon lunged at him suddenly, knocking him to the ground, causing Eren to cry out in pain as the weight of the demon pressed down on him.

The other demons closed in on him too, binding him in heavy chains that they used to capture prisoners as they began pummelling him relentlessly with powerful kicks to his ribs, their blows landing with sickening thuds against his chest, as they left Eren completely winded.

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Despite the brutal beating, Eren forced himself to speak through the pain.

“I can help you!” he shouted in Demon Tongue, spitting blood from his mouth. “I understand your language and your ways!”

The demons paused, their eyes flickering with interest and suspicion as suddenly the higher demon, who was the leader of this group, shouted for his underlings to pause.

Immediately, as their leader asked them to pause, the lower demons obliged as they made way for him to walk up to Eren, as the high demon looked at Eren with curiosity evident in his eyes.

“You speak our tongue, human?” the higher demon rumbled, its voice like grinding stones.

Eren, barely able to lift his head, nodded weakly. “Yes, I do,” he replied in Demon Tongue, his voice steady despite the pain. “I understand your language.”

The higher demon’s eyes narrowed. It gestured to the others, and they hauled Eren to his feet, though they kept his hands bound in chains. “Interesting. A human who can speak our language might be useful. Tell me, how did you come by this ability?”

“I was given this ability by a higher power,” Eren said, choosing his words carefully. “I can help you understand the Empire’s weaknesses.”

The higher demon chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Eren’s spine. “And why should I trust you, human? Your kind is deceitful and weak.”

“Because I have nothing to gain from siding with the Empire,” Eren said quickly. “I’ve been treated as an outcast and forced to fend for myself. But with you, I can find a place where my abilities are valued.”

The higher demon considered Eren’s words for a moment before nodding slowly. “Very well, human. You will prove your loyalty to us. Fail, and you will die a painful death.”

As Eren bowed his head in submission, a system notification appeared before his eyes, making his heart race.

[ System Notification: You have received a new quest– ]

[ Quest Notification

Quest Title – Betrayal of the Empire

Quest Objective: Aid the demons in understanding and exploiting the weaknesses of the Empire.

( Note – Every Time that the demons successfully capture a border village or major town with your help, gain anywhere between 5-10 levels. )

Rewards: Class advancement and unique demon abilities.

Failure Penalty: Account Resets to level 0 ]

Eren took a deep breath, realizing the gravity of his situation. This quest was a turning point in his journey, one that could lead to his ultimate rise or catastrophic fall.