A Once-in-a-Lifetime Perfect Wave

"No matter what, we need to catch that Lesser Demon first if we want to find out who's causing trouble in this village!" Naimus carefully sensed the state of his body, then made an assessment.

"This body is only of the Black Stone Breed. Although Nigel exercised regularly, he never quit smoking or drinking. Both body and mind bear injuries, and he has not reached the Black Stone Breed's limit. If an ordinary Black Stone Breed is rated at one and the limit is ten, then with this body, the Breathing Technique, and the life blessing from earlier, my rating is only around eight."

"A Lesser Demon only needs to adapt slightly to its body before it can directly reach the Black Stone Breed's limit, and it will also possess the extraordinary trait of Immortality in advance—it cannot be harmed by ordinary weapons."

"I can naturally strengthen this body with demon power as well, but that would expose me. The Paladin Breathing Technique I currently possess can hurt it, but killing it would consume too much origin essence. It isn't worth it."

"Besides, a demon makes an excellent thug. It can't be wasted so casually..."

Countless thoughts flashed through Naimus's mind, and he soon had an idea.

He looked toward Downs, who stood off to the side with his head lowered, pondering how to repair the sheepfold.

Downs had originally lived beside the sheepfold. With Naimus's excellent eyesight, he easily saw Downs's dwelling and the remaining sheep crowded together inside the pen. What he saw there gave him a rough understanding of Downs's character.

Beneath the obedient exterior of a shepherd was a restless heart.

He was a man tempted by a "demon."

"Downs, right? Do you want to change? Gain power? Become someone above others?" Naimus asked bluntly. For people trapped in a small village like this, there was no need to beat around the bush. They might not even understand it.

"I... can I?" Downs raised his head to look at Naimus, once again seeing himself reflected in the other man's eyes—so lowly, so weak.

"I'm just a commoner, a shepherd. How could I possibly..."

Downs had no confidence in doing anything other than tending sheep. The darkness in his heart had trapped him within the confines of this sheepfold.

Until now, when a ray of light pierced that darkness.

"Of course you can!" Naimus's firm tone made Downs feel his blood begin to boil.

"Downs, you need to understand that the most frightening thing in life is not mediocrity, but accepting your own mediocrity."

"The dull repetition of day after day will wear everything smooth."

"This is your opportunity." Naimus's words carried a bewitching power. "Help me resolve this demon incident, and you will gain power. Your identity and status will be completely transformed because of it!"

"You will break free from the cage called mediocrity and become a completely new person from this day onward."

"So, are you willing to obey my orders in exchange for this chance?"

During the monotonous days on Earth, Naimus had felt an unprecedented anxiety. Everything about him had been worn down by the curse called ordinary life.

When the miracle of transmigration happened to him, he was overjoyed, knowing that what he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

Everything he did was to wait for that once-in-a-lifetime perfect wave to come crashing in, then ride it to the summit!

Even falling into the Abyss had not changed that thought.

The powerful force bursting from Naimus's heart infected Downs. He stood there blankly, unable to speak, for Naimus's words had completely filled his mind.

Trapped by his status as a commoner and convinced he would be a shepherd for life, he had learned the meaning of life for the first time.

His entire body trembled faintly with excitement.

"I'm willing!"

With Downs's answer, Naimus's demon power stirred slightly, and a new contract was formed.

Dealing with someone who knew nothing about demons was simply too easy. A few words were enough to make them blurt out their agreement and sign a contract.

"Good. Wait here by the sheepfold. After night falls, I'll return here and tell you what to do. When you hear my voice, you must immediately do as I say. Understand?!"

"Understood!" Downs nodded forcefully. Even the sheep stink on him seemed to have faded somewhat.

After making those arrangements, Naimus turned and returned to his residence. He ate an unremarkable lunch, then completed the Secondary Law that came with Nigel's identity, maintaining the power of enhanced Swordsmanship.

By then, dusk had arrived.

Demons did not fear sunlight, but they were still mostly active at night and hidden during the day.

That was because human hearts became treacherous at night, with all kinds of secret desires and vile thoughts emerging one after another, providing great convenience for demons' actions.

The Lesser Demon had eaten a sheep last night. During the day, it would surely conceal its presence and digest its meal in secret.

Naimus had no intention of searching for rats in a gutter.

Now, as the sun gradually set and night approached, that Lesser Demon was already restless, unable to suppress the aura of its desires as it leaked outward.

To Naimus's eyes, it was as conspicuous as a bonfire party in the middle of the night.

"This demon was most likely summoned by someone." Naimus walked through the darkness at an unhurried pace. The night posed no obstacle to him, and the torch in his hand was more to disguise his own night vision.

The moment he finished speaking, a black shadow sprang from the darkness.

Naimus raised the knight's sword in his hand and collided with the shadow. Sparks bloomed in the night like steel striking steel.

In Naimus's eyes, the shadow was a pitch-black rat the size of a large dog.

Its entire body radiated black vapor, as though it were smoking. The scent of a demon was especially obvious.

When the rat demon failed to land its attack, it swiftly darted aside, and then a dark, muddy-looking thing whipped toward him.

Naimus saw it clearly: a large tail of flesh-colored segments. As it lashed out, it moved like lightning.

Nigel might have been an awkward man, but his own strength was still more than sufficient.

Naimus shifted sideways and dodged the strike. His breathing remained steady as the unique Breathing Technique passed down by The Church slightly stimulated his body, and a spark of spiritual light burst forth from within him.

His sword swept upward. The demon's body, which had been as hard as metal, and its rat tail, which had been like an iron chain, softened beneath that spiritual light.

The blade sliced across the tail, and black blood dripped down.

The large tail had not been severed outright, but it was no longer agile. Only a little flesh and skin remained, dangling from the base of the tail.

The pain heightened the demon's ferocity. It opened its mouth wide and let out a low growl.

"Enough. Don't force me to kill you. Can we talk now?" Naimus paid no attention to the demon's snarls as he spoke, releasing a faint aura of greedy desire at the same time.

This is a crucial period for the new book, and everyone's continued reading is especially important. Thank you for keeping up with it.