The Slayers: The Black King [Book 1 of the Slayers series]

Chapter 14: The Demon Awakens

Chapter 14: The Demon Awakens

Part 1

I, Raymond, was currently fighting five hounds at one go. It was not too difficult, but I had to concentrate to make sure my head was not bitten off.

I jumped out of the way when two hounds leapt at me, and drawing my blade in a wide arc, I sliced them into two. These hounds were getting so persistent and irritating, the feeling of guilt after slicing them was long gone. These were juat killing machines, machines that obey their master without a second thought. So why should I feel sad about destroying them?

After two more slashes, the remaining hounds went down.

"Hey, hey, is this the best you can do, Ceture?" I said, "Your power up only allows you to summon bigger hounds? I'm disappointed."

It was meant to provoke him, since this was really a waste of stamina and I had yet to scratch Ceture.

"Not really. I'll send you a final monster, and if you can defeat it, I'll be your opponent myself." Ceture replied with a smirk. Damn, he did not pick up the bait.

Ceture waved his hands, and ten more hounds appeared. What the hell? Did he not say that----no, something was not quite right. The hounds, instead of attacking me, were looking at each other silently. Then, without warning, they snapped at each other, tearing the flesh out of the other hounds. What were they thinking about?

As they continued to eat each other's hide, I realised they were

not so cannibalistic after all. They were melting together, blood and fur and all. Soon it was a swirling black orb, with some black liquid dripping onto the roof, which reminded me of Gard. I hope Angela was doing fine.

Quite slowly, four limbs materialised from the orb, claws jutting out from their tips. A long tail extended from behind.

So this was just a larger hound, huh. Nothing much.

Or so I thought.

At the front, instead of one single head, three popped out. Six red eyes, three jaws filled with razor sharp teeth. It even had this skull on its right shoulder. What the---it was as if it was the Guardian of the Hell gates---

"Yes, this is Cerberus, the Hellhound." Ceture said with a smirk.

"It's not the real one, but the power and strength is similar." Ceture continued.

"Not the real one?That's nice to hear." I replied with a cocky smile.

"Well, you won't hear anything soon, since your head would be crushed by its jaws. Go, Cerberus!" Ceture commanded.

I drew my energy blade, and readied myself for the battle.

Cerberus roared and charged at me. It was the size of a truck, and you know nobody faces an incoming truck head on. So I jumped out of harm's way, and some of the saliva glob flying from its mouth landed on me. Gross. I was about to wipe if off when I realised the skin where its saliva had landed on me was stinging. What? The saliva was acidic?

"Yes, Ray-chan. Cer-chan's saliva can burn people, so better be careful!~" Ceture said in an overly cheerful tone.

I gagged. I mean, seriously, this was beyond disgusting. Wait. He could hear my thoughts....ah, I forgot all about it! I drew a piece of talisman paper with some words which I could not recognise on it, or in Japanese terms, ofuda, I think, since I do see them used in manga. I did not expect myself to use something like this someday, really. Anyway, I slapped the paper on my chest beneath my shirt.