How Could One Become a Demon Without Going Mad?

Boom!

The two bodies collided, then sprang apart. Four or five meters separated them as they faced each other warily once more.

"Damn it. Our strength is about even. His body isn't as tough as mine, and he's slower. Even if he has some unknown evolutionary talent, I can still fight him!"

Ery Dongsheng was facing a First-Level Demon: one that had only just completed its evolution and earned the Abyss's recognition. The proof gleamed on its forehead—a star, the mark of the Abyssal Will's approval.

The Abyssal Aura drifted slowly between them. The Abyss Demon opposite him radiated darkness, evil, bloodlust, and fury. Black currents swirled around its body, while its eyes shone bloodred, fixed on Er Dongsheng.

It was a humanoid Abyss Demon, with horns larger than Er Dongsheng's. At around a meter and a half tall, it stood slightly above him. Its legs were thick, and an enormous tail rose high behind it, ready to strike. Large scales covered its body, utterly unlike the tiny scales that covered Er Dongsheng.

The demon remained silent. Er Dongsheng could not tell what it was thinking. He adjusted his stance, ready for a fight to the death.

"You're strong. You're not an Abyss Demon, but you're strong all the same," the demon said at last, its voice low and hoarse as it spoke slowly in the Abyssal Language.

"Of course. You're no weakling yourself." Er Dongsheng made no attempt to deny his strength. In the Abyss, he had to show it at every turn. Here, the biggest fist was the truth; he could never show weakness.

Silence fell again.

"I've advanced to become an Abyss Demon, and I need followers. Hand over that Abyssal Succubus, and I'll spare you," the demon continued.

"What?" Er Dongsheng stared at it in disbelief, then pointed and burst out laughing. "You don't go after the Abyssal Species tribes or other Abyss Demons. Instead, you come to steal what's mine? You think I'm easy prey?"

"Pah! Coward. You don't deserve to be an Abyss Demon!"

Boom! The Abyss Demon flew into a rage. It had only just become an Abyss Demon and had not yet gathered any followers. Then it had come across an Abyssal Intelligent Species—an Abyssal Succubus, no less, a kind famous throughout the Abyss. It had thought one beckoning gesture would be enough to claim her. Instead, this damned Abyssal Species had interfered, and he was absurdly strong. The demon might have only just reached the first level, but it was still a demon. How could an Abyssal Species be this powerful?

"Damn you! I'll kill you!" With a rumble, the Abyss Demon charged, dragging its huge tail behind it.

"That's more like it. Why waste your breath?"

Er Dongsheng leaped up, dodging the massive tail as it stabbed toward him. He clasped his fists together and arched his back.

"Lion Heavy Cannon, Double Shot!"

Boom! Boom!

His clasped fists struck twice in quick succession, hammering into the demon. With a bang, it was driven deep into the ground.

"Not done yet." He twisted, spun, and plunged downward.

"Split Kick! Die!"

Boom!

A huge shock wave spread in every direction, sending leaves and dust flying. Er Dongsheng touched a foot to the ground and pushed off lightly, gliding backward out of the fray.

I don't believe an Abyss Demon would die that easily! He stared ahead. Before long, the dust and leaves settled, revealing a pitch-black figure.

"Aaaaah! It hurts! It hurts! Damn you! Damn you!" With a boom, countless violent currents erupted around it.

"Abyssal Will, open for me!"

A hum sounded. Great torrents of black aura surged from the Abyss Demon's forehead, and its luminous white star abruptly turned scarlet. Its wounds healed at a speed visible to the eye. Its meter-and-a-half body swelled rapidly, becoming a behemoth two and a half meters tall, nearly three.

"Fuck, how am I supposed to fight that?" Er Dongsheng stared, dumbfounded. "What the fuck, is this an Ultraman transformation?"

"Roar!" Two long streams of white vapor poured from the Abyss Demon's nostrils. Its scarlet eyes brimmed with excitement, fury, and bloodlust as they locked onto Er Dongsheng. His scalp prickled. Then...

Not good! The Abyss Demon vanished before his eyes. Alarmed, Er Dongsheng retreated at once, but it was too late...

Bang!

Er Dongsheng was sent flying. The instant he landed, another tremendous force struck his back.

Boom! He was hurled away again, and then...

"Fuck, again? Will you ever stop?" Er Dongsheng turned and wheeled around, slamming his right leg against the thick leg kicking toward him. He struck the ground hard with his right hand and, rather than retreating, used the recoil to drive his left leg forward.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

At last, they broke apart again.

Blood surged up his throat. Er Dongsheng clamped his lips shut and swallowed it. A warrior fought on a single breath; he could not spit this blood out. He had to swallow it, or his fighting spirit would collapse, and everything would be over.

"Come on. Let's fight again."

How could I become a demon without going mad? In this life, I've become a demon. So let me fight to the end, even if it kills me.

A warrior repaid the slightest grievance, even if blood spilled within five paces.