Ch 68: Demonlord Phobio's new plan in motion

As Hina unleashed her fury within the dark confines of the hideout, memories of the hero's party flashed through her mind like shards of shattered glass. The scent of sweat and fear hung heavy in the air as she recalled the tension of their mission.

The crackling sound of dark energy filled the cavern, its electric hum drowning out the cries of the bandits she faced. With each bolt of crimson lightning that arced from her fingertips, the air seemed to pulse with malevolent energy, illuminating the shadows with an eerie glow.

Amidst the chaos, the taste of ozone coated Hina's tongue, a bitter reminder of the power she wielded. But beneath the surface, a darkness lingered, an insidious whisper urging her to embrace her rage.

As Phobio's sinister voice echoed in her mind, the oppressive weight of his corruption threatened to consume her. The sight of his twisted reflection in the miasma mirror filled her with dread, a stark reminder of the danger that lurked within.

But even as the demonlord's influence threatened to overwhelm her, Hina fought to maintain control. With each bolt of lightning, she pushed back against the darkness, determined to protect those she held dear.

In the dim light of the cave, Hina's resolve burned bright, a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching shadows. And though the battle raged on, she knew that as long as she held onto her humanity, she would never succumb to the darkness that sought to claim her.

As Hina jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat, she found herself gasping for air as if fleeing from an unseen terror. The room around her was cloaked in darkness, the only sound her ragged breaths echoing in the silence of the night.

"What was that?" she muttered, her voice trembling with uncertainty. She reached out a trembling hand, grasping at the empty air as if trying to anchor herself to reality. But the memories of the events that had unfolded felt too vivid to dismiss as mere dreams.

Was it just a dream? Hina questioned herself, her mind still reeling from the intensity of the experience. The echoes of her racing heart seemed to drown out all other thoughts as she struggled to make sense of the chaotic images that had haunted her sleep.

With a heavy sigh, Hina realized that she had awoken in the middle of the night, her body still trembling with the remnants of fear. She knew that sleep would elude her now, the lingering unease too great to ignore. As she gazed into the darkness, she couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister lurked just beyond the edge of her consciousness.

Meanwhile, in the demon realm, the Demonlord Phobio watched Hina intently through a swirling miasma mirror. His eyes gleamed with sinister delight. "Yes, yes, that's it. Good, let your anger consume you," he hissed.

His left hand, a shadowy figure draped in dark energy, turned to him. "It appears her divine power is weakening significantly, my liege."

Phobio's laughter echoed through the dark chamber. "Of course it is. I can almost taste it. Without her proper divine power, she will be mine, all mine! Hahahahaha!"

The oppressive air in the demon realm was thick with the scent of sulfur and decay. The ground beneath them, a barren, cracked wasteland, seemed to pulse with malevolent energy. The left hand smirked. "Her father couldn't intervene because of your dark energy implantation. No one can stop you from corrupting her core even more."

"Exactly," Phobio replied, his voice dripping with malice. "I'm leaching her power, tainting her very essence. Soon, she will be beyond salvation."

The left hand, emboldened by his master's success, quipped, "Yes, way to go, my liege, leaching around like a perverted—"

"What did you say?" Phobio snapped, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Nothing, my lord. Just speaking my mind," the left hand quickly backtracked, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.

Phobio grinned, his teeth sharp and menacing. "What do you mean by 'leaching pervert'?"

"Of course I am! Because I am evil, and so are you. Hahahahahaha! And I will take her by any means necessary. Hahahaha!"

The sinister laughter reverberated through the demon realm, a chilling promise of the darkness to come.

And soon my biggest plan will come in motion and I will finally take over the world on my own and kill all the other Demonlords by the power of the Exodus Wand. No one can stop me.

The left-hand minion said, "But my liege, why is Hina having a hard time beating Berser while she is in wand form?"

The Demonlord Phobio laughed, "You idiot! It's because she is not in condition and her power has been stretched so much, like noodles. Hahahaha! That's why she is weak at that moment and has no time for proper recharge. When I use her, I will unlock all her potential and she will be mine."

While holding the collar bone in Demonlord Phobio's left hand, the minion was thrown away. The minion then stood and bowed again. "Yes, my liege," it said.

Phobio said, "Good."

Meanwhile, in the normal world, Hina struggled, her powers stretched thin and unable to recharge. The contrast between the realms was stark; the peaceful, everyday sounds of her world clashed with the chaotic, oppressive atmosphere of the Demon Realm. The taste of desperation lingered on her tongue as she fought to regain her strength.

Phobio could almost taste his impending victory, the bitter tang of anticipation sharp in the back of his throat. The fear emanating from his minions was a palpable scent, fueling his cruel satisfaction. As he cast his gaze over his trembling servants, the sight of their subjugation filled him with a dark joy. Soon, with Hina's full power at his command, he would bring both realms to their knees.

*To be continue *