Scepter

Part 17

The origin of demons is now lost to history. It is said that they come from another dimension beyond the continent of Orlin, where gods battled a millennium ago, resulting in their fall and the appearance of rifts between the two dimensions. Demons seized the opportunity to invade the continent.

Even though the Goddess of Light sacrificed herself to repair the rifts, most demons were pushed back to their own dimension. However, a small number remained, mostly low-level demons like the ones encountered by Yannick and his companions, such as the hawk-headed beasts, which are hybrids born from the mating of low-level demons and ordinary beasts.

As for high-level demons, it is said that they possess intelligence no less than humans, with personalities concentrated in all the darker aspects of humanity: cunning, deceitful, indifferent, and selfish. Coupled with their immense power, they have caused humans much suffering. If not for the Goddess of Light, the continent of Orlin would have long been under their dominion.

After the comprehensive defeat of the demons in their own dimension, most of them left Orlin. People rarely saw the trace of high-level demons again, and it was widely believed that they had been eradicated.

However, reality proved this belief wrong.

Now, the unlucky priest had encountered one.

"Why aren't you afraid? Why not scream?" "Asur" asked. "Fear makes you even more delicious."

Yannick seemed not to have heard his words, instead asking, "Where are my other companions?"

Before "Asur" could answer, Yannick continued analytically, "Chris is a high-level mage. You wouldn't be able to kill him, let alone silently kill everyone else. So, am I dreaming right now? Or am I in an illusion you created?"

"Asur" chuckled. "Well, clever priest, perhaps you've figured it out. I'm in no rush to eat you. The tastier the food, the more I enjoy savoring it slowly. As you're about to be my first meal after I wake up, I'll answer your questions."

The priest pressed on, "Oh, thank you for your kindness. Then, I suppose you'd be willing to answer a few more questions for me. What do high-level demons feed on? Souls? Or magic?"

Behind the priest, "Asur" showed a slightly surprised expression before licking his lips and chuckling softly. "Looks like I've encountered a curious morsel. Well, you are indeed in a very peculiar situation. It's neither a dream nor an illusion. As for our food, perhaps because we've been out of sight of humans for so long that you've all forgotten."

"We like everything about humans—bodies, souls. Of course, ordinary humans are no match for your deliciousness. Magic is like rum poured over a cake. I can't help but be intoxicated by your scent alone..." He grabbed a strand of the priest's silver hair and brought it to his nose, sniffing it as if savoring a freshly cooked dish. "It's irresistible."

"Though you're not the most powerful in terms of magic, you have the most delightful flavor. Priests are the favorite food of high-level demons, followed by mages. So, stop struggling and let me eat you!" A sinister smile crept over "Asur's" face as the hands wrapped around Yannick tightened gradually. "Asur" lowered his head, drawing closer to the priest's neck. Yet, instead of immediately biting, he first extended his tongue, licking back and forth on the priest's fair skin.

Yannick wasn't refraining from struggling; he simply couldn't move. The creature's strength far exceeded that of ordinary humans. Its arms were like tentacles, coiling around its prey, and it seemed to regard him as nothing more than a meal.

As the arms tightened further, Yannick even began to feel a suffocating pressure in his chest, making it difficult to breathe. Despite having been chased and running for his life before, he had never felt so close to death.