Demonic Heart

Cysio raced through the dark corridors, the walls bearing witness to the gruesome aftermath of a massacre that Dobroslav had orchestrated earlier. Bloodstains adorned the surfaces, testament to the violent encounter that had unfolded in the shadowy recesses of the demonic stronghold. The chilling echoes of their hurried footsteps reverberated through the passages, the air heavy with the lingering scent of death.

Cysio, in the midst of their hurried escape, abruptly struck a hidden door with the back of his fist, revealing a concealed room. The space unfolded before them, revealing a surprising contrast to the grim corridors they had traversed. A sense of habitation lingered in the air, with a massive bed and scattered furniture indicating that someone had once made this concealed enclave their dwelling.

Cysio gently lowered Dobroslav to the ground, a gesture that shifted the dynamic between them from the urgency of escape to a moment of subdued respect. With a deep bow, Cysio expressed his contrition, "Master! Please forgive me for holding you in such a way!"

Dobroslav regarded the towering minotaur before him with an air of indifference, his acknowledgment of Cysio's actions punctuated by a casual remark, "It's fine. I ordered you to do so." As he leisurely strolled around the chamber, his curiosity prompted an inquiry, "What is this room? Looks like a secret chamber of some sort."

Cysio, ever deferential, bowed once again, expressing gratitude, "Thank you, master!" Upon rising, he met Dobroslav's gaze and shared the clandestine history of the room, "This room used to be where Fel Lord Karolius used to rest in solitude and cultivate."

Dobroslav's eyes widened in astonishment, "The ancestor?!"

Cysio confirmed, "Yes, he used this room when he was tired from attending the Dragon Lady,".

As Dobroslav mused about experiences with the opposite sex, a wry smile touched his lips. "Tired, you say, huh?" he remarked, steering the conversation away. "Yeah... well, anyway!" Dobroslav shifted his focus, settling into a cross-legged position to commence the process of recovering his qi, preparing for the imminent clash with Demon Lord Nobis.

After a period of meditation, Dobroslav reopened his eyes, fixing them meaningfully upon Cysio. Sensing the unspoken request, Cysio bowed with an air of unwavering devotion, inquiring, "How may I serve you, master?" His posture and demeanour painted a vivid picture of loyalty and commitment to his young master's cause.

Dobroslav, in a voice exuding confidence yet leaving room for negotiation, posed a weighty question, "Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for me?" Without a moment's hesitation, Cysio responded with a resolute "Yes."

"Good! Good!" Dobroslav approved, his gaze reflecting satisfaction. "You will not regret that, I assure you," he added.

"I am sure you know about it, but..." Dobroslav began, his voice carrying the weight of ancient knowledge. As he settled into a more conversational tone, he continued, "Humans have their inner worlds from rank 40 onward. A direct reflection of one's cultivation in a spiritual form inside each cultivator."

Cysio nodded, acknowledging the shared understanding regarding the inner worlds. Dobroslav, however, revealed a personal nuance, "But you see, as a half-demon, I've had access to my inner world since rank 20, alongside demons. A small advantage, you might say." He grinned, a touch of pride evident in his admission.

"I have already absorbed Nobis's essence into my inner world," said Dobroslav proudly. "That's why he is utterly furious," he added, a sinister satisfaction underlying his words.

Dobroslav continued talking, "As you surely understand, I had my demonic essence inherited from my ancestors, and after absorbing another one, I became more demon than human already."

Dobroslav paused, his eyes piercing into Cysio's as he revealed, "However, I need one more powerful essence to achieve my goal."

Cysio, with unwavering loyalty, understood what he had to do. In a swift and deliberate motion, he swung his hand, tearing out his heart. The organ pulsated with an otherworldly glow, containing his pure, full essence, which he presented to Dobroslav.

"Your sacrifice will not be wasted!" exclaimed Dobroslav with an evil smirk, relishing in the dark pact.

In the dimly lit chamber, Dobroslav, with an evil glint in his eyes, stared at Cysio's heart greedily. Placing it on a linen cloth between him and Cysio's lifeless body, he muttered, "I can finally become full!"

His demeanour shifted from malevolent delight to solemn seriousness as he chanted, "Shadow Devouring Martial Law." Shadows with a green tint danced around him, forming a vortex of energy that enveloped his being.

With the sinister technique unleashed, Dobroslav began the macabre feast, greedily devouring Cysio's heart and demonic essence. It was as if he was savouring the sweetest fruits that existence could offer. The energy vortex surrounding him intensified, pulsating with an otherworldly hunger.

As he finished the grisly meal, the energy vortex vanished abruptly. Dobroslav clutched his heart, roaring in pain, "Arrghh!" The unbearable agony made him writhe on the floor, his eyes and ears bleeding. "Endure!" he roared through gritted teeth.

A searing transformation seized Dobroslav's body, contorting him in unimaginable ways. His skin darkened, veins pulsating with an ominous glow as if shadowy tendrils coursed through his bloodstream. The room echoed with guttural growls as he fought against the internal storm.

Demonic energy surged within him, reshaping muscles and bones. His limbs elongated, fingers twisting into claws. Dark, ethereal wisps emanated from his form, swirling around like malevolent spirits. Each heartbeat resonated with an otherworldly rhythm, syncing with the dark forces consuming him.

The pain intensified, reaching a crescendo that threatened to shatter his sanity. Dobroslav's screams echoed through the chamber, a symphony of torment. The air crackled with malevolent energy, and the very essence of the room seemed to warp in response to his transformation.

Yet, amid the excruciating metamorphosis, a sinister grin emerged on Dobroslav's face. The agony, instead of breaking him, fuelled his descent into a newfound, terrifying power.

After what felt like an eternity, the transformation concluded. Dobroslav's once-blue eyes and blonde hair turned as black as ink. His already muscular frame became even more robust, and he gained an additional 20cm in height. His ears took a slightly pointy shape and his irises were as those that dragons possessed.

"Muhahahaha!" he laughed maniacally as he stood up, now donned in a new set of clothes retrieved from his storage ring. The previous attire, torn and bloodied, was discarded as he revelled in the newfound power coursing through his veins.

After consolidating his cultivation, Dobroslav stormed out with a resounding shout, "I am coming for you!" The proclamation echoed through the entire dungeon, striking fear into the hearts of survivors and pinpointing Dobroslav's location for Nobis.

In a synchronicity of purpose, one human and one demon simultaneously muttered the same words, "Found him!" Both individuals hurried toward the origin of the voice, and the first to arrive was Xia. "Dobroslav! You succeeded!" she exclaimed, excitement lighting up her face.

Even though three more individuals followed Xia, Dobroslav paid them no heed. He seized Xia in his arms and planted a deep, aggressive kiss on her lips. As they parted, Xia found herself staring into the draconic eyes of her newly transformed beloved young master, a look that left her momentarily speechless.

Dobroslav's cold voice sliced through the tense atmosphere as he glared at the individuals standing behind Xia, ready for combat at a moment's notice.

"Lady Daemonhart, who is that demon?" they questioned, visibly surprised to see her on friendly terms with Dobroslav.

Xia, fuelled by fury, retorted, "How dare you point your blades at my beloved young master!" Her words echoed with authority.

"Young master?" They squinted at the transformed demon, genuine concern etching their faces. "Dobroslav? What happened to you?" they asked, their worry evident.

"Oh, you seem to know this king! Good! Good!" Dobroslav smirked, revelling in the mystique of his newfound power. "State your names," he demanded, his gaze piercing through the dimly lit dungeon.

Dobroslav's gaze remained fixated on each of them as they introduced themselves. The atmosphere was charged with the weight of their individual powers.

Polpo di Pajojo, with a rank 24 array master, stepped forward first, his presence marked by the intricacies of mystical arrays.

Following him, Shui Yuan spoke confidently, "I am Shui Yuan, adept in water manipulation." He motioned toward his twin brother, "And this is Xue Yuan, skilled in controlling snow. We are both rank 21."

Dobroslav, his demeanour twisted into a gleeful anticipation, addressed the trio with a sinister satisfaction, "An array master! Great!" His unhurried stride brought him closer to them, an ominous energy radiating. Though an unsettling feeling crept upon the group, before they could react, Dobroslav had seized the hearts of Shui and Xue Yuan.

"Urgh...you d-emon!" the twins exclaimed simultaneously, paralysed with fear, aware that even the slightest resistance could spell the end of their lives.

Xia, discerning the unfolding plan, urgently warned Polpo, "Don't move!" She declared with pride, "It's all according to the young master's plan."

A surge of dark energy flowed through Dobroslav's grasp, infiltrating the hearts of the twins. A tormenting transformation ensued as they convulsed in pain, their once-human foreheads now adorned with demonic horns, and their eyes gleaming with an eerie shade of green. The twins had been irrevocably transformed into demons.

"Now what is your rank again?" asked Dobroslav.

They both kneeled and cupped their fists at Dobroslav, exclaiming uniformly,"Rank 29, young lord." The synchrony in their responses masked the unsettling transformation that had just occurred.