Victory

The gunshot echoed through the beach, shattering the tranquility of the surroundings. Startled, the little demons fighting nearby halted their brawls, their demonic faces contorted with shock. They turned their heads simultaneously, their beady eyes fixated on the source of the peculiar sound. Before they could gather their wits, two more successive gunshots pierced the air, causing them to shudder in fear and confusion. Such an odd and unfamiliar noise had never assaulted their ears before.

Alexander, who had fired the bullet, was equally taken aback. He observed in astonishment as the four-eyed little demon, shot in the abdomen, didn't immediately succumb to death. Instead, the creature writhed in agony, its head thrashing from side to side, seizing the opportunity to tear a chunk of flesh from Alexander's left arm in a frenzy of pain.

The excruciating torment surged through Alexander's body, threatening to drive him to madness. With bloodshot eyes, he pressed the revolver against the stomach of the four-eyed demon and pulled the trigger twice more in rapid succession.

This time, the movements of the four-eyed little demon finally froze. Alexander, panting heavily, forcefully pushed the creature away, watching as it tumbled to the ground. Blood gushed from the three gaping bullet wounds in its stomach, staining the sandy beach beneath it with a vivid hue of purple.

Struggling to rise, Alexander cast a fierce gaze upon the lifeless body of the four-eyed demon sprawled at his feet. He couldn't help but marvel at its tenacious vitality, unlike anything he had encountered before. The rage within him surged, compelling him to take aim at the demon's forehead and pull the trigger once more.

The atmosphere hung heavy with silence as the four-eyed little demon finally fell into eternal stillness.

In order to preserve the revolver and ensure its appearance, Alexander had even forsaken his precision attribute. Accuracy mattered little in his current state, consumed by the rage pulsating through his veins. What surprised him, however, was that despite his wounded state, holding his arm against his stomach, the four-eyed little demon had managed to withstand four gunshot wounds before succumbing. Its resilience was remarkable, a stark contrast to killing the worm demon trapped in its eggshell.

Indeed, the creature's transformation from birth to maturity was a staggering difference.

Perhaps, Alexander pondered, the underpowered firearm contributed to this unexpected outcome.

The soul of the four-eyed little demon emerged from its lifeless corpse, a radiant light illuminating the surroundings. This soul appeared far stronger and more potent than any Alexander had encountered before. Yet, he remained composed, not rushing to seize it. He glanced upward, unsurprised to see other curious little demons beginning to converge upon them.

The surrounding area bore witness to Alexander's battered state. His upper body was covered in scars, his left shoulder marred by a bite that, though not fatal, left his arm tingling and half-numb. The limb he had used to ward off attacks now revealed pale bones, stripped of its protective flesh.

Despite his dire circumstances, Alexander understood that showing any signs of fatigue or panic would invite the gathered little demons to swarm him, tearing him to shreds without hesitation. With resolve, he raised his firearm, aiming it at a nearby little demon and pulling the trigger.

"Pooh!" The shot missed its mark, grazing the demon's feet, sending sparks flying as the bullet scraped against the ground. Startled, the little demon hastily retreated, its eyes filled with terror.

Undeterred, Alexander pivoted his aim towards another little demon. This time, the cunning creature anticipated the danger and fled before Alexander could fire a shot.

With the previous encounters fresh in their minds, the remaining little demons comprehended the threat. They quickly retreated, unwilling to meet the same fate as their fallen brethren. Expecting their counterparts to sacrifice themselves first, they hung back, eyeing Alexander warily.

At this point, Alexander didn't even need to point his weapon. He opened his mouth, baring his razor-sharp teeth, and issued a low growl. Intimidated by the display, the little demons scattered in all directions, fearing the unknown power possessed by this strange entity.

Alexander had achieved his immediate objective, yet he underestimated the demons' insatiable greed for souls. As long as he kept the four-eyed little demon's soul exposed, the fleeing demons would soon regroup, their desire for the high-quality soul overriding their self-preservation instincts.

This realization left Alexander with a pounding headache. He, too, felt an instinctual longing for the soul, an uncontrollable desire that caused his salivation to cease and his mouth to water. The addictive nature of the Soul Eater's essence was unmistakable. Though he yearned to taste the soul's essence, Alexander understood that the soul represented his only chance of survival. He fought against the physical impulse, struggling to resist, hoping to find a way to store the soul using the capabilities of the system.

To his surprise, he succeeded. The soul's radiant glow vanished in an instant, leaving Alexander to realize that the main attribute of the system interface had changed. The counter for the souls he held now displayed;

"Low Level Soul (1), About to Disappear."

A mixture of relief and curiosity washed over Alexander. He couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead on this treacherous path, where souls held the key to his existence.