I raised an arm, wanting to check my profile page before moving to my next plan.

  Based on my Power rating, I had become more than seven times stronger since my companions and I had massacred the human adventurers. The two new epic skills and my race evolution seemed like the biggest contributors, and even compared to the version of me that went into the Common Dungeon, I was miles ahead.

  And that’s all just thinking about individual strength, minus unique skills and my companions…

  [If they counted me, I would easily double your PR.]

  I don’t feel like talking to you right now, Joshua.

  [Suit yourself.]

  At that moment, I noticed Cedric and Viressa making their way back towards Mount Boom. Cedric had a new black cloak, and Viressa wielded a wooden staff.

  [Your follower, Cedric the Lesser Demon, has chosen the Rogue class!]

  [Your follower, Viressa the Lesser Demon, has chosen the Mage class!]

  “Nice gear!” Zorrack exclaimed, and the Equipment quest page marked Viressa as having one rare gear, with Cedric having two. I would still need to find Zorrack, Azazel, and Fang gear as well…

  What kind of equipment do a dragon and a Warg use?

  “You look… bigger,” Cedric said quietly, eyes scanning me up and down.

  “I’m a Greater Demon now.”

  Viressa and Cedric looked shocked, then smiled widely.

  “I hit level five, but I don’t have enough rare skills to finish the quest quite yet,” Cedric said.

  “I’m not even level five…” Viressa added sadly, beckoning towards Fang for emotional support.

  “Did you guys find anything?” Fang asked, tail wagging as Viressa scooped him up into her arms.

  “There’s a human settlement not too far that way,” Cedric said, pointing directly behind him.

  “How big?” I asked.

  Viressa responded, “Roughly enough space for a hundred or so villagers.”

  We’ll have to be careful not to alert them of our presence…

  “Alright, good scouting work and getting your classes! Now, I have a proposition for all of you.” I paced forward, all of my companions eyeing me with anticipation.

  I turned and addressed them cheerfully, “Let’s go back to Hell.”

  Silence.

  “Uhm, boss, no offence, but why would we do that?” Zorrack questioned nervously.

  “We almost died last time,” Viressa added, backing up the warrior. “And you might have saved us then, but why go back?”

  “It’s only temporary, you see, I have a skill that allows me to subjugate Greater Demons now, but I need to go back to Hell to find them,” I explained, “plus, Luminarch is here now, and I’m pretty sure he wants revenge. We also run the risk of getting discovered by more humans.”

  “It makes sense to me,” Azazel agreed, then continued, “there will likely be stronger monsters to fight down in the Demon realm as well.”

  Cedric and Fang nodded, and I could see Viressa and Zorrack slowly coming around to the idea.

  [Okay, but Abyssal Rift is still on cooldown, genius.] Joshua stated. He was correct, there were still almost twenty-four hours left on the Unique skills cooldown, but I had a plan.

  You’re right, that’s why I’m giving you an opportunity to regain my trust.

  [By doing…?]

  You use Abyssal Rift and teleport us to Hell, then, when my cooldown is up, we can return here after one day.

  [Why should I help you?]

  You want to get stronger, too, don’t you?

  […]

  Plus, if you don’t, I’m definitely never letting you out again. Or doing your quests.

  [Fine.] Joshua sighed.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  I looked at each of my companions, all with steeled gazes. “Come close to me, I’m not sure what the range of this is,” I said, and we formed a small huddle.

  [Parasitic Manifestation]

  Joshua appeared in the center of our circle, and my companions recoiled at the sight.

  “Could you warn us next time?” Fang complained. I gave him an apologetic look. Azazel eyed the parasite suspiciously, but Joshua followed my order obediently.

  “You ready?” He asked, and at my nod, he activated the skill.

  [Abyssal Rift]

  The same black tendrils that appeared when I used the skill to escape from Luminarch’s ritual appeared, enveloping me in dark energy. It felt like my guts were being ripped from my body for a split second as we were being transported.

  My eyes opened up to see the familiar red landscape I had originally been reborn in. Except…

  None of my companions were with me, besides Joshua.

  “You bastard! What the fuck did you do?!” I shouted angrily. Joshua took a step back, holding up both arms.

  “I didn’t do anything!” He said, defending himself, “I just used the skill like you said!”

  “Then where. Are. My. friends?” I demanded, quietly, but threateningly.

  [Abyssal Rifts' effects are weakened when used by your Parasitic Manifestation!]

  My jaw dropped, and Joshua’s shoulders relaxed as he withered, his voice returning to my consciousness.

  [See? I did exactly what you asked, you just weren’t careful enough.]

  Shut. Up.

  [It’s for the better anyway, now we can really get to work.]

  It’s always killing with you…

  I took in the red landscape, seemingly familiar but also clearly not the same place I had originally appeared in as a Lesser Demon. Odd grayish trees dotted the area surrounding me, with black leaves that reminded me of charcoal. Sharp stalagmites and stalactites grew from the floor and ceiling, respectively, slowly dripping lava.

  Are there different biomes in Hell?

  My mind spun with confusion, but I hastily steadied my thoughts. Worrying wasn’t gonna help anything.

  My companions are strong enough to handle themselves… I’ll just use this time to train until Abyssal Rift is back, then I’ll teleport back and figure things out.

  With my resolve strengthening, I set out to look for any Greater Demons to capture or monsters to kill. Almost immediately, a huge eruption made me stop in my tracks.

  Read… books? Do they even have eyes?

  I shook my head, ignoring the odd monster panel.

  [Bloodrazor Claws]

  I jumped up, slicing into the squirming mass of flesh and superheated rock in front of me, which had just recently exploded from the ground, ripping apart the ashy trees as it flew upwards. My claws sank deep into its side as I slid down the length of the worm, creating a humongous laceration.

  I leapt off, rolling on the ground as I did. I would have to rely on my claws for this fight, considering it was immune to my Greater Fire Spirit.

  The worm let out a terrifying shriek, twisting unnaturally quickly and tunneling towards me, half above the surface. Its horrifying mouth opened up, revealing countless sets of razor-sharp teeth.

  I jumped upwards, soaring a few feet above the worm's gaping jaw, slashing again at its hide. It screamed, thrashing aggressively and throwing me off. I landed gracefully, skidding to a stop in a kneeled position. I ran forwards, legs tensing with speeds that I hadn’t even realized were possible. My arms stretched, claws extended, and I bore a hole right through the side of the worm, bursting out the other end covered in blood and guts.

  The bisected worm skidded to a stop, leaving a pool of its entrails in my wake.

  [That was gross.] Joshua commented.

  [Exp +100]

  [Gold +50]

  [Magma Worm Hide +1]

  I continued through the hellish landscape, killing two more Magma worms as they appeared from below me. The once terrifying monsters were now little more than a slight inconvenience as I decimated their numbers.

  [Rare Drop, Leggings of Magma +1]

  I selected the item, equipping it with a thought, and a pair of scaly black and orange pants appeared, replacing the brown cloth I had been wearing the past few days. It glowed intensely, cracks of magma appearing along its surface like an erupting volcano.

  So if I just stay down here and kill Magma worms for the rest of my life, I’ll have infinite armour?

  [Leggings of Magma cap at 100 bonus armour!]

  My plans have been foiled.

  [Watch out, dingus.] Joshua said, attempting to warn me.

  Because I had been standing still, inspecting my new armour, another Magma worm erupted from beneath me, swallowing me whole. I slid down its throat… body? It was ambiguous.

  It’s kinda comfortable.

  I cut through the worm's stomach, tumbling forward unceremoniously as the massive monster shrieked in pain. I felt the power rating buff permeating through my body, increasing my strength temporarily. The armour bonus also ticked up by one.

  I wasted no time thinking. The experience in Hell had shown me that I was not very versatile combat-wise without my companions. While I did prefer being more of a summoner type, I needed to be able to fight on my own as well.

  Hmm, I can think of a few uses for this.

  [Me too.] Joshua said evilly.

  You need to earn my trust before you can play with any new toys.

  [I already helped you get here. What else do you want?]

  I didn’t have time to answer, as a new voice interrupted our mental conversation.

  “Excuse me, sir, may I ask what your name is?” A calm voice called out to me. I whirled around, on guard, and spotted a blue-haired demoness staring back at me. She was clad in dark, sapphire armour, with accents of ice-like formations along her chest plate, shoulder guards, and shin guards. Two majestic sky-blue wings spread out from her back, encompassing me in their beautiful glow. Her entire demeanor and appearance contrasted heavily with the burning landscape around me, like a single glacier had landed in the heart of a volcano.

  “I’m Lucivar,” I answered, unsure of how to feel about the demon. “You?”

  She glided forward, as if skating on ice, before replying, “Valestra.”

  “Nice wings.” I complimented, hoping to get on her good side. She smiled, brushing her hair behind her shoulders.

  “A Greater Demon, right?” She said playfully, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder. It felt cold to the touch, much unlike the burning fires around me. “What level are you?”

  “Seven,” I answered, although I began to feel the hairs on the back of my neck rising.

  [You should run.] Joshua said, hints of fear lacing his words.

  How am I gonna run? Abyssal Rift is still on cooldown…

  [Primordial Intimidation]

  Primordial? As in, Luminarch Primordial? How many of these motherfuckers are there?!

  A gripping aura of fear took hold, forcing me to my knees. I hardly had the strength to look up, straining to even keep my eyes open.

  “Lucivar, huh? Well, you seem strong.” She said coldly, bringing her mouth up to my ear. “We’ll see how you do in the pits.”

  My mind went dark, and for the second time, my consciousness faded to black at the hands of a Primordial Demon.