Devil Slave (Satan system)

Chapter 954: Runed Array!

In the depths of the underground cave, where shadows danced in the flickering light of magical lamps, the bustling market known as the Pig Market thrived.

Here, amidst the echoes of haggling and the scent of exotic wares, buyers and sellers from all walks of life converged in an uneasy harmony.

But on this day, a palpable tension hung heavy in the air as the tranquility of the Pig Market was shattered by the arrival of a formidable force.

Through the labyrinthine passages leading to the market, a procession of Royal demon soldiers clad in crimson armor emblazoned with the crest of the Asmodeus family advanced with incredible strides.

Their arrival sent ripples of fear cascading through the throngs of merchants and patrons, prompting frantic attempts at concealment.

Yet, amidst the pandemonium, seasoned fellows of the Pig Market remained steadfast, unfazed by the intimidating presence of the royal retinue.

For here, amidst the stalls selling an eclectic array of goods ranging from crystal fruits to weapons, an unspoken law reigned supreme—violence, regardless of its origin, was strictly forbidden.

After all, the pig market was governed by the Ouroboros Clan. It was known fact that even this army had no power here, except to buy and sell of course.

As the soldiers cleared a path through the bustling market, a hushed anticipation gripped the onlookers. And then, emerging from the shadows like a harbinger of chaos, a monstrous entity materialized—a creature of nightmare cloaked in hues of sinister purple.

With flames of the same shade licking at its form and a multitude of eyes gleaming with otherworldly malevolence, the beast exuded an aura of dread that quelled even the bravest hearts.

But it was the figure astride this eldritch horror that commanded the attention of all—a figure known throughout the realms as the Royal Demon commander, Commander Headbreak. Mounted upon the back of the Wyrm of Souls, a creature both revered and feared for its unfathomable power, Commander Headbreak cut a striking figure against the backdrop of the cavernous market.

With a loud voice, he shouted, "GIVE ME MY PREY!"

As Commander Headbreak’s orders rang out through the cavern, the soldiers under his command surged forward with a ferocity matched only by their desire for chaos and blood.

With demonic spears held aloft and eyes ablaze with fervor and darkline magic, they descended upon the market like a tide of malevolence, their intentions clear and uncompromising.

Yet, amidst the chaos of their assault, a sudden and inexplicable phenomenon gripped one of the soldiers. A pause, a moment of disorientation, as if something unseen had taken hold of him. And then, with a grim realization, the demon clutched at his nose, feeling the warm trickle of blood seeping through his fingers. Panic flickered in his eyes as he coughed violently, crimson droplets splattering the ground at his feet.

But the horror had only just begun.

With sickening speed, the demon’s body convulsed, grotesquely distorting as if wracked by unseen forces. Swelling like an overripe fruit, his flesh bulged and contorted, the sickly hue of his skin taking on an unnatural pallor. And then, with a deafening burst, he exploded into a grotesque mass of entrails and viscera, a sickening spectacle that left those nearby recoiling in horror.

A wave of terror swept through the ranks of the demon soldiers as they bore witness to the grisly fate that had befallen their comrade. Some attempted to retreat, to flee back to the safety of their commander’s side, but it was too late. Like dominoes falling in rapid succession, they too succumbed to the same gruesome demise, their bodies rupturing in a grotesque symphony of blood and gore.

Amidst the carnage, Commander Headbreak stood frozen in disbelief, his steely countenance betraying a flicker of uncertainty. But as the last of his soldiers fell, their screams echoing hauntingly through the cavernous expanse, a cold fury ignited in his eyes.

With a snarl of rage, he unleashed a torrent of dark energy, his formidable powers surging forth with lethal intent.

With a gaze as sharp as obsidian and a presence that seemed to eclipse even the cavern’s dim illumination, Commander Headbreak surveyed the scene with a cool detachment that belied the tumult churning within the hearts of those who dared meet his gaze. And as the air grew heavy with anticipation, the denizens of the Pig Market braced themselves for the certain upheaval after all, even the Jin underneath the commander raged purple flames as it was ready to charge forth.

"Who dares enter My Pig market with his blade?" Cena spoke up.

As her commanding voice pierced through the chaos of the market, a palpable shift in the atmosphere rippled through the cavernous expanse. Her words carried the weight of authority, echoing with a resonance that spoke of eons of dominance over this place.

With each syllable she uttered, the very air seemed to crackle with latent cosmic energy, suffused with the raw power of a being that transcended mortal comprehension in both strength and soul level.

Even the formidable Royal demons, their crimson armor gleaming with malevolent intent, hesitated in the face of her presence, their confidence momentarily faltering beneath the weight of her cosmic authority.

And yet, amidst the awe and trepidation that her arrival elicited, Commander Headbreak remained resolute, his steely gaze fixed upon the towering figure of the greater demon before him. Though the instinctual fear stirred by Cena’s formidable aura tugged at the fringes of his army and the beast he rode, he refused to yield to its grasp, his resolve unyielding in the face of adversity as he spread his own aura and killing intent to counter her own.

After all, Cena had injured his Jin before. it was understandable for the beast to be wary of her.

As Cena materialized in the air, her form radiating with an otherworldly aura that bespoke of her stand, Commander Headbreak’s attention was drawn to a peculiar sight—the small figure of a girl, bound tightly to the reptilian tail of the greater demon.

A flicker of recognition crossed his features, his gaze narrowing with a newfound sense of purpose.

"Give me my prey," he demanded, his voice ringing out with a steely edge, "and I will let you have the grace of the Asmodeus royal family." he pointed at Venir. "The little girl and the rebel scum with her.

Cena’s laughter resounded through the cavern, a melodic cacophony that belied the gravity of the situation. "Grace?" she scoffed, her voice laced with amusement, "Don’t flatter yourself, Commander. You are in my territory now, and here, the only rule that matters is TRADE. If you seek to barter, I will entertain your presence. Even this child is not of the exception if your price is high enough...of course.

But if not, I suggest you heed my warning and depart from my sight."

As Commander Headbreak’s resolve hardened, his allegiance to the Asmodeus family burning fiercely within his heart, he refused to yield to Cena’s ultimatum.

In his eyes, even the sacred sanctum of the Pig Market should bow before the might of the royal demon lineage—a conviction that drove him to defy the very rules that governed this clandestine domain.

With a terse command, he directed the Wyrm of Souls to unleash its devastating power upon the market below, heedless of the chaos and destruction that would inevitably ensue.

In response, the monstrous creature obediently complied, its maw gaping wide as a torrent of otherworldly purple flames surged forth with malevolent intent, engulfing everything in their path in a blistering conflagration.

The denizens of the Pig Market recoiled in terror as the searing flames bore down upon them, their screams mingling with the crackle of infernal energy that rent the air. Yet, just as the flames threatened to consume all in their path, a miracle occurred—a shimmering barrier, invisible yet unmistakably potent, materialized around the perimeter of the market, deflecting the onslaught with a resolute defiance.

A collective gasp of astonishment echoed through the cavern as the flames were repelled by the unseen force, their destructive fury rendered impotent against the protective shield that enveloped the market like a guardian angel.

And amidst the chaos, Commander Headbreak and the Wyrm of Souls found themselves ensnared by the unyielding grip of this cosmic barrier, their formidable powers nullified by forces beyond their comprehension.

With a deafening crash, the commander and his steed were hurled backwards, their bodies colliding with the unforgiving stone walls of the cavern with bone-jarring force. As they lay battered and dazed amidst the wreckage of their failed assault, the demons hurried to help their commander up.

Of course, those that actually dared to touch him in the name of ’help’ were destroyed by the gravity of his killing intent, torn into shreds of meat and blood paste on the spot.

Commander Headbreak flew in the air. He arrived at the entrance of the pig market. Slowly, he raised a hand and placed it at the point of entery. The moment he did, his fingers twisted and bent and then blew up into a pull of blood.

Instantly, he pulled back his hand. Dark energy appeared about the destroyed limb and it was instantly restored. He frowned, "Runed Array!" he muttered.

Just then, a soldier rushed over with news...