[ Kai's Pov ]
Whoosh...
A gust of wind swept through the trees, rustling the leaves and sending them scattering across the ground.
The leaves danced and twirled in the air, their delicate shapes and vibrant colors creating a mesmerizing display.
However, this beautiful sight failed to gain any reaction from me.
I couldn't tear my gaze away from the dense line of trees, their vibrant green leaves forming a natural barrier.
My eyes scanned every shadow and silhouette dancing on the grass, following their every movement as if they were alive.
"Where is he?"
I muttered to myself, looking for a sign of a Demon, my kin and a being I had to kill to prevent further boosting the fury of Eva.
As far as I recall the Demon mentioned in the novel was of an Imp Rank which was the weakest a Demon could be.
The Demons have a simple Ranking system based on how much Dark Mana they possess...
Imp → Fiend→ Baron → Marquis→ Duke → Archduke → Prince → King → God
And all the other beings in the world are ranked based on their ability to harness Light Mana...
Magus → Sorcerer→ Warlock → Archmage → Champion → Hero → Legend → Demigod → Deity
Dark Mana, as its name suggested, emanated from the depths of negative emotions. It thrived on the despair, anger, and fear that resided within the hearts of mortals. Demons, being creatures born from the darkest recesses of the human psyche, were intrinsically linked to this malevolent energy. The more Dark Mana a Demon possessed, the greater its power.
On the other hand, Light Mana emanated from positive emotions, such as hope, love, and joy. It was a force that radiated from the purest aspects of humanity, illuminating the path toward enlightenment and benevolence. Beings who harnessed Light Mana were revered for their ability to channel this energy and wield it for the betterment of others.
The delicate balance between Light and Dark Mana was a fundamental aspect of the world's existence. For centuries, those who could tap into the power of Light Mana had dedicated themselves to protecting others from the corrupting influence of the Dark Mana and the demons it fueled.
"..."
Clenching my fist, I willed the strange energy to swirl in my arm, enhancing its strength and imbuing it with the power of Dark Mana.
This was one of the simplest things I could do to tap into the Dark Mana within me.
Although I didn't have the time to train this power properly, I was happy with the progress I made in just a few hours of spare time.
Because I'm also an Imp Rank Demon the amount of My Dark Mana is very small and my control over it is limited, due to my inexperience and lack of training.
However, I was still confident I could still utilize this limited energy to kill my kin.
Whoosh...
The wind carried a subtle shift in the air, hinting at the imminent arrival of something ominous. And then, as if summoned by the very thought, a Demon emerged from the depths of the forest. Its imposing figure cut through the verdant barrier of trees, and a pair of wicked horns sprouted from its head, curling upwards like a twisted crown.
The Demon's presence sent shivers down my spine, but I remained steadfast. With quiet determination, I swiftly leaped from the bell tower of the village church, my footsteps landing soundlessly on the ground. I moved like a shadow, my movements fluid and precise, as I raced to intercept the Demon.
Tap... Tap...
As I reached the edge of the village, my eyes locked on the standing Demon. Its eyes glowed with an unholy fire, its dark aura pulsating with malevolence.
"..."
I could feel its gaze locking onto me, however, I didn't hesitate, stopping just a dozen feet before my kin.
Observing its appearance, I couldn't help but recall this Demon's trait.
[ Shadow Flash ]
It was a trait that allowed him to blind his enemies with darkness, rendering them temporarily incapacitated and vulnerable.
In the novel, this trait played a vital role in avoiding Eva while the Demon massacred all the villagers.
"Well, well, well..."
The Demon spoke, its voice low and eerily similar to a growl a monster would make.
"What do we have here? Another Imp?"
I could see a smile playing at the corner of his lips as he looked at me with a mixture of amusement and excitement.
"Now we can massacre the entire Village together~"
The Demon raised his hands in the air, releasing a low growl or giggle and failing to notice the subtle glow flickering in my eyes.
"Yes, let's tear them to pieces..."
I joined the creature's sinister giggling, suppressing the disgust that slowly rose in my stomach.
Although Demons were ranked by the amount of Dark Mana they possessed there was another factor to take into account when...
The Demon's ability to control their urges.
For example, an Imp would feel the constant need to draw blood while the Demon Prince could control this urge without any problem.
Of course, it doesn't mean that they do, because it brings pleasure for Demons to cause pain and suffering.
'Oh, why did I have to reincarnate as a member of this race...'