Is that a Wisp?

Ten days later, Krune finished obtaining the effect from the Tier 3 Essence, now weighing 490 kilograms, just 10 kilograms short of reaching the peak of Tier 2.

Seeing how closed he was, he wished to perform an experiment. Since he already incorporated the effect of the Tier 3 Essence in his Ocean Heart's development effect, he wished to see if he would face any obstacles once he reached the peak of Tier 2 or if the development effect would take him straight into Tier 3.

It was only possible for him to experiment now when the cost was cheaper and the time required was less. If he tried this in Tier 4, it might cost a lot more. After all, Wrister had to hunt a Demon Emperor to obtain a Tier 4 Demon Core.

And to do that, he had to risk his life. Plus, it wasn't guaranteed that he would emerge victorious all the time. Nevertheless, Krune laughed when he reached 500 kilograms in weight. And the next day, he reached 501 kilograms without any hindrances.

It led him to conclude that his development effect was no different from the Essence. So, as long as he obtained a Tier 5 Essence, he would be able to reach the peak of Tier 5 without any problems. After all, no matter what type of Essence it was, he was only able to grow by a kilogram per day.

So, the only thing inhibiting him was the restrictions of the tiers. Upon reaching this level of thought, Krune summoned Flita and Wrister, telling them, "I have an important announcement."

"Please say it, my Lord…Sir Pestlor." Wrister corrected himself, trying his best to treat Krune as an equal. But at times, his sense of respect oozed out as zealous worship. After all, he was having the yellow fish as his meals daily.

Considering the tremendous energy he was obtaining, it made him wish to head into the battlefield daily and slaughter his enemies. Also, because everything had changed once Krune had arrived, it would be impossible for him to not look up to Krune.

He maintained it as a secret, but he was already silently praying to Krune daily. It had become his habit. As for Flita, even though she didn't show it on her exterior, she too was doing the same to Krune.

Oblivious to what was going on in their minds, Krune said, "Somehow, we need to obtain a Tier 5 Demon Core. That should be our goal for now. Once we obtain that, we won't need to hunt for Demon Cores again. However, once we do so, I'll be able to elevate both of you to the peak of Tier 5."

Upon hearing his words, Flita and Wrister didn't even doubt him for a moment. Rather, they thought the same, 'Please forgive my impudence for only praying once a day, God Krune. I'll pray three times daily from now on!'

"Yes, Sir Pestlor!" They said in unison.

Wrister then told Krune after he was done, "Sadly, it won't be possible to buy a Tier 4 Demon Core, not to mention a Tier 5. Anyone who has that would be a powerhouse, so no one sells them. Even Tier 3 Demon Cores won't ever be sold. The limit to what can be bought in the market are only Tier 2 Demon Cores."

"Then…" Krune nodded as he said, "We'll wait until all three of us reach the peak of Tier 4. Then, we'll hunt a Red Demon. We'll train daily to prepare for that day."

"Yes!" Wrister and Flita replied in unison, excited at the prospect of reaching Tier 5, a realm only the pillars of their city could achieve. Once they achieved that, they could ensure their successive generations would also reach Tier 5.

After all, the only prerequisite to achieving that was to hunt a Red Demon. Once they do that, they would be able to boost their family members who are at the peak of Tier 4 to Tier 5. That way, their family line would continue to survive for another millennium.

It was endless glory and power that awaited. So, the two Ralk family members were jubilant. After some discussions, Krune asked Wrister, "By the way, how do you create Demon Arms?"

…

Two years had passed since the miasma incident. The collapsed buildings had been cleared out while new buildings had been built in the place. Currently, it was nighttime as a small patch of the ground, situated in a house's garden, opened out.

What exited it was a hand, soon bringing the rest of its body out. It was the Red Demon that Krune had freed from the prison. Currently, it had dug out from the ground for the first time in two years, finally freeing itself.

It looked at its body, smiling at the changes. Its body was now covered by a row of scales, further spiking its toughness. It then gazed at its hand, watching the palm split open to reveal a mouth. The tongue within was sharp like a spike, looking like it could pierce through anything thanks to its body's toughness.

Of course, the changes didn't stop there. The Red Demon calmly patted the patch of ground it had dug out from, slowly rearranging the portions back to their original locations to ensure no traces of it would remain behind.

It was already tremendously intelligent before. But now, it also seemed wise, as if it had experienced a century's worth of life. Usually, all demons, even Red Demons, didn't live for long. It wasn't because of a problem with their lifespan, but because they always swarmed a city the moment after they had spawned.

So, they were killed at the early stages of their life. There was no exception since that was the purpose ingrained in their minds, forming their core instinct. Even the Demon Gods weren't an exception, but it seemed that they were able to resist this instinct to a certain extent, judging by why they hadn't ever attacked a city.

And now, having absorbed all the 70 passive abilities in the Blood Essence Crystals, it had finished evolving, having broken free from that instinct. Naturally, it had become strong, tremendously strong in fact that no Red Demon was ever capable of winning against it.

The Red Demon looked around, feeling something as it sniffed. "I can sense the lingering presence of my Lord."

The wind lightly ruffled around it, generating currents that lifted it into the air, silently taking it to the skies as it reached as high as it could, trying its best to stay away from the gazes of the people. As anyone hardly looked above, no one noticed its flight as it unfurled its wings and sped towards one direction.

"Please wait, my Lord…"

"…Lord Krune."