A/N: I just wanted to state this here before people started complaining after reading the chapter. According to my research it takes 2-4 years for an average lesser demon to evolve to a Greater Demon, that's if they survive of course.
So our MC doing it in 2 years wouldn't be considered unrealistic ✌😗. So enjoy the chapter.
Also check out my original novel "My Grand Adventure" which is available on my timeline If you are interested.
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What followed was a relentless clash that raged on for two days and two nights. True to his word, Venom never erected his barrier again. The two demons were locked in an intense battle that devastated the surrounding area, reducing everything nearby to ruin.
Normal Lesser Demons who dared to approach were blown away by the sheer force of their conflict.
At first, Venom was frustrated. As a Greater Demon, he should have been able to crush a Lesser Demon with ease. Yet, as their fight continued, he noticed something strange — he was getting stronger. The realization made his anger fade, replaced by a wide, wild grin. He could feel it — he was on the verge of a breakthrough.
Haru, on the other hand, had come to learn something important over those two days: Venom had not yet gained his Unique Skill, [Divider], or he would have been dead long ago.
Haru recalled the Tensura novels. Even now, he still didn't understand what exactly triggered the awakening of a Unique Skill. Was it during evolution, or under some unknown condition?
Meanwhile, Haru himself felt his magicules steadily rising throughout the battle. Bit by bit, his power was growing. He could feel it clearly now. He was on the verge of evolution.
By the third day, both combatants were taking a break. Though demons didn't feel fatigue, their magicules were being drained rapidly. Every now and then, they had to pause to replenish them.
Haru welcomed these short breaks. Venom's blows could actually hurt him — and that pain was annoying. It wasn't unbearable, just irritating enough to get under his skin. Even when Haru managed to land a strike on Venom's soul, it would simply regenerate moments later.
I'll need to raise this ability to the level of an Ultimate Skill if I ever want it to be practical in combat, Haru thought.
Venom stood before Haru, who was still lying on the ground.
"Break time's over, Demon," he said. "It's time to end this. I've spent too much time fighting you."
Haru rose to his feet and nodded.
"I agree. The winner should be decided today."
They created distance between each other — and almost as if their thoughts were in sync, they moved at the same time.
This was the deciding battle.
Streaks of blue and orange light streaked across the field as they moved at blinding speed. Punches and kicks collided in rapid succession, accompanied by bursts of fire magic from Haru. Fire — it seemed — was the only elemental magic that Lesser Demons could wield.
Their duel raged on for over an hour, until Haru's guard dropped for just a moment. Venom's hand pierced through his chest, impaling him. Blood spilled from Haru's mouth.
He didn't possess the regenerative abilities of a Greater Demon — the only reason he'd survived this long was by avoiding fatal blows.
Damn it all…
Why did he lose focus you ask?
Because in the distance, he saw a certain figure watching the fight curiously.
A man with jet-black hair, dressed in an elegant butler suit, golden eyes gleaming with interest — the future left-hand man of Rimuru Tempest, and the strongest of all Primordials.
Noir. Black. Diablo.
Why the hell is he here…?
From afar, Diablo observed the battle in silence. His golden eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement flickering within them.
"Interesting," he murmured, before vanishing without a trace.
Venom gritted his teeth in frustration. He could feel it — the Lesser Demon he had impaled had dropped his guard at the last second.
Over the past three days, Venom had enjoyed their fight. He had come to respect this Lesser Demon's strength and was even beginning to see him as a rival.
It was evident in the smiles they shared whenever their fists clashed — two warriors reveling in the thrill of battle.
But in that fleeting instant, Haru's smile faltered. He lost focus. And Venom's hand pierced through his chest.
Venom stood there, glaring down at the fallen demon, his expression dark.
He was not satisfied with this ending.
Haru lay on his back, purple-black blood spilling from his mouth. Through blurred vision, he could see Venom standing there, visibly frustrated.
He managed a weak smile. "Punk Demon, I'm sorry, man. I lost focus there."
Venom sneered. "I don't want to hear that from you. What caused it?"
Haru exhaled softly, his tone calm despite the hole in his chest. "I felt a very strong presence watching us, and I turned to look at him. That's all it took for me to lose. Dumb, isn't it?"
To be honest, Haru wasn't angry at losing. He knew it was going to happen eventually. Venom had started holding back on him on the second day. It didn't matter whether Haru was a reincarnator or not—Venom was still a Greater Demon, and he was just a Lesser Demon. He wasn't Rimuru with Great Sage plot armor.
Well, he thought with a faint grin, I can at least revel in the fact that I'll get reborn again anyway… or will I? It'll probably take around a hundred years, right? Damn.
He said aloud, "I'll come find you after I get reborn again."
Venom scoffed. "By then I'll be an Archdemon. I don't fight weaklings once I get there."
Haru laughed heartily. "Is that so?"
How many years did you stay as a Greater Demon, idiot? When Diablo found you, you were still a Greater Demon. Your talent without a name caps you right there. Unless I don't reincarnate for the next three thousand years, when I do, you'll still be a Greater Demon.
Venom looked down at him and muttered, "Who does that demon think he is, interrupting my fight? I'm going to find him and teach him a lesson."
Haru chuckled. "Don't. You can't beat him."
Venom shot him a glare. "I don't want to hear that from someone with a hole through their chest." He turned and started walking away.
Haru was about to argue back when suddenly a voice echoed in his head.
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[Notice]
Target has completed conditions for evolution.
Now evolving from Lesser Demon to Greater Demon.
Haru blinked. "Huh? Is this… the legendary Voice of the World?" he said with mild surprise. "Now this is interesting."
[Acquisition of Common Skill: Barrier Magic – Successful]
[Acquisition of Common Skill: Dark Bullet – Successful]
[Acquisition of Extra Skill: Magic Manipulation – Successful]
[Acquisition of Extra Skill: Flight – Successful]
[Acquisition of Intrinsic Skill: Material Creation – Successful]
[Poison Resistance – Acquisition Successful]
[Paralysis Resistance – Acquisition Successful]
[Spiritual Attack Resistance – Acquisition Successful]
[Fear Resistance – Acquisition Successful]
[Target has acquired Rare Magic: Gravity Magic]
[Target has acquired Curse Magic]
[Attempting Acquisition of Unique Skill: Chronomind]
[Acquisition Successful]
[Targets demonic core has evolved]
[Target has successfully evolved into a Greater Demon]
"What a harvest" Haru thought to himself. He instantly started regenerating as well. A huge smile on his face. I've grown extremely stronger he thought to himself.
2 years he thought, it took me 2 years of survival to grow this strong. Archdemon level here I come.
A few steps away Venom got to a standstill, and he turned back and looked at Haru with a smile on his face.
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