Chapter 461: Theory & Opportunity

"Oh, finally here?"

As I was taking my steady steps towards the demon's location, a voice sounded out as it spread like a wave in my direction.

'As expected, his perception is strengthened in this space as well…'

Just like I could use Darkness elements to connect to this space and obtain a larger range of perception, it seemed like a demon would receive a similar effect using his Corruption.

However, there were obvious differences. Unlike Darkness which was practically the 'base' of this space, the effect of Corruption was much more limited. Otherwise, the demon wouldn't have reacted only now.

Moreover, thanks to the process that this space has gone through, the Darkness elements that were 'invaded' by Corruption had a natural greater sensitivity towards Corruption. As such, throwing a demon within this space along with a Darkness Elemental Master was like lighting a beacon on the prey's head for its hunter!

'Comparison is tough indeed…'

While the demon's range of perception was already good, it appeared to be pitiful when compared to my current one. It was like comparing blurry glasses to maximum vision binoculars.

"Why did it take you so long to arrive? The last prey was much quicker!"

As my thoughts wandered trying to relieve the boredom caused by the dull walking state I was role-playing, the voice that sounded earlier came out once again.

'Sounding so smug… just wait…'

While I felt slightly irritated by the demon's commanding tone, I didn't stop or answer as I simply continued walking, suppressing my emotions as an interesting theory surfaced in my mind.

'If this is not his first time, then this could explain a lot…'

If this demon had already managed to convert others to Corruption Puppets, then it was obviously possible that such a development took place in the last two domains. Perhaps…

It was a plausible possibility that the corruption that spread within the 'Light Association' started with a few Corruption Puppets, leading to the state we discovered it at.

No matter how one thought about it, the situation where humans at top positions joined demons was quite suspicious, and while some had some motives like Crane, it didn't seem strong enough for them to betray their whole race and lay waste to the domain…

Either way, we didn't have the ability to validate this suspicion. After all, once one got converted into a Corruption Puppet, they would be instinctively subservient to demons. Wouldn't it feel like the idea of betrayal was their own when it was just something planted by suggestions?

'I should keep that in mind for the time being…'

While this seemed like a new and helpful idea, in reality, it was just a seed of suspicion. In any case, Corrupted Puppets were already beyond saving, even if they were originally more reserved, there was no going back for them.

As such, the importance of a piece of thought like this held was only one, and that was to try to prevent such 'abductions' from taking place if possible. 

Of course, that was just in case this theory was actually true. It could be that those people just had that much greed to nurture their thoughts of betrayal.

"Hmm, your senses seemed to have dulled if you didn't hear me from just that far, but you seem to be in acceptable shape."

As my steps finally reached the cavity that the target was staying in, his arrogant voice reached my ears once more, but since he was just mumbling for no reason, I used this time to observe him instead.

'I guess he is from that type…'

The demon's body was slender and his skin tone was pale, his physique was basically similar to the overseer of the first demon base that I entered. If he was really of the same 'type', then he was probably smarter than he seemed.

He was simply sitting in a part of the ground that protruded enough to form a long stool shape. A crystal orb floated in front of him, appearing mysterious as the mixed particles of black and purples swirled within...

"Well, I guess that's to be expected. Your 'processing' must have taken longer due to you resisting it. As expected from the human who managed to disrupt the tide of the final battle…"

'That's one point confirmed.'

Just from the words he blurted out carelessly, I was able to confirm that I managed to grab attention due to sabotaging their 'network' that they relied on to resist the domains' suppression, which made sense considering its vital importance as well as its likely connection to the big 'bosses'.

"Well, let me check your belongings first."

The slender demon stood up lazily as he approached me, seemingly eyeing the spatial ring on my finger. As a 'scheming' demon, he probably knew enough to understand its nature.

"Understood."

Having been silent for long enough, I spouted out my first word to show 'obedience', directly raising my hand which had the ring to his front.

"Not bad."

As the demon approached me, I simply stood still with my hand raised. After all, I was exactly waiting for this moment!

Even though it might feel insignificant, all of this acting was practically for this moment, I needed my target to be close enough so that I can achieve both my goals!

Otherwise, not to mention there being a mechanism that destroys the artifact without bringing us back, I didn't want to give the demon a chance to do anything even as simple as committing suicide.

Having been 'stung by a snake' once, I naturally had no plans to experience it twice. Just that shaman's ability almost killed me, the devious methods of a 'scheming' demon who had 'abducting' experience were things that I wouldn't want to test…

"Let's see…"

As the demon's hand got closer to mine, I suppressed my heartbeat as I waited for the perfect moment that was also getting closer and closer.

"This should be…"

The demon's full focus turned to the ring as his finger touched it, finally giving me the opportunity I wanted!

My hands immediately flashed, breaking the finger that came into contact with the ring before appearing on his head!

"Huh?!"