Brows twitching in frustration, he sighed at Baal's persistence. Still, he had to give the demon king an answer to stop him from bugging him.

"I don't know how I did! I was by your territory one moment and in Hestia's the next. So, leave me alone!"

[Baal: You'll regret your choice sooner than you may think. You're not safe from my grasp no matter where you are, and I won't give up before you answer me or die. Then, I'll rise you from the dead and torture you until you speak. See? You could have made things much easier for us both, but it's too late.]

As a worried frown creased his brows at the terrible threat, Baal's message vanished in wisps of horrible flames, heralding the threats he would pose to him.

His hand resting over his breastplate, he felt his raging heart pound through the chitin. Still, he took slow and deep exhales to calm down.

'He can't come here, and I'm not going to the demon realm anytime soon.'

Filled with doubts about the uncertain future, he half-heartedly cleared the next two waves using the same strategy. Then, he absorbed his share of the demonic essence and checked his notifications before the ninth started.

[You and your subjects have defeated 180 Lvl 15 lesser blood fiends. You have gained 27000 experience points.]

[You and your subjects have defeated 200 Lvl 18 lesser hell hounds. You have gained 36000 experience points.]

[Congratulations on levelling up. Please check your interface and decide how to distribute your points.]

LVL: 24

Exp: 7400/41000

HP: 1610/1610 Sёarᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Vitality: 97->109 (+52)

Strength: 97->109 (+23)(+33)

Agility: 97->109 (+32)(+40)

Chaotic demonic essence: 98

Free attribute points: 36->0

He grinned at his stats, feeling his body change to become a lethal weapon sharpened by his enemy's blood and life force. Revelling in the sensation, he forgot about Baal's threats and recovered his good mood.

"We'll reach level twenty-five on this wave. I'm almost hoping to face a tier-three boss in the last... almost."

An amused chuckle escaped his lips, but his eyes narrowed into fiery slits.

"There is no way they'd do something so stupid even if they call it impossible."

Shrugging at the surreal idea he came up with, he focused on the new notification floating before his eyes.

[Congratulations on beating the eighth wave! Lords remaining: Adam, Pharaoh,

Dread lord, Behemoth, Greatest imp, lord of the nine realms, and Mimi.]

[One iron-ranked lord's badge awarded.]

Eyes bulging in disbelief after reading, he yelled in confusion and frustration.

"What is she doing? And how is that trash still competing after I killed most of his soldiers?"

Without wasting a second, he opened his friend list and messaged Mimi.

[Adam: Why are you still competing? Don't take unnecessary risks, and stop now!]

[Mimi: Heee? But I summoned so many big sisters. They said we could become stronger using this event and asked me to continue, so I did. Was it wrong, big brother?]

His brows creased into a frown as he thought about it a little more before answering.

[Adam: That's not wrong... I was just worried about you. Still, you'd better stop now. I believe they'll mix a few tier-two creatures in the next wave. Instead, focus on managing your territory and ask your warriors to find a boss to complete your promotion quest.]

[Mimi: Alright! We need to bury the thirty-five who died. I'm a little sad for them...]

He shook his head, not knowing how to comfort her.

'I didn't even know how to face reality after Shihan's death.'

He shook his head, a bitter taste filling his mouth.

Fortunately, Mimi changed the topic by seeking advice.

[Mimi: Ares offered me a contract. He said he's connected to my big sisters and would give me Hippolyta's magical belt to summon her if I agreed. But Loki offered me one, too. He said he'd support you and give me a magical horn if I accepted, so I'm leaning towards his offer.]

He massaged his temples as he remembered that the Olympian pantheon labelled him an enemy with the rest. If Mimi became Ares' contractor, he would have to cut his relationship with her. But could he ask her to take on Loki's offer when it seemed lackluster in comparison?

'Hippolyta is the original Wonder Woman, a brave and fierce warrior. Meanwhile, Loki is offering... a horn? To do what? Is any human even related to the god of trickery?'

His mind raced for a second before his frown deepened.

'Is Loki tricking us into thinking his offer is bad when it's not?'

As minutes passed in deep contemplation, Mimi sent him another message.

[Mimi: I threw the horn into the Gate. A man named Havi walked out. He claims he tricked Loki into a contest and learned the god's knowledge as a reward. Is that good?]

'You already accepted?! Why did you ask for my opinion then?'

He scratched his helmet, a warm sensation spreading in his chest as he knew she chose Loki to continue their alliance. Don't miss chapters on m v l e m p y r

[Adam: I've never seen him in any game, but if he is as knowledgeable as he claims, you got one of the best possible advisers. Listen to him and let him help manage the territory. I need to go now. The ninth wave will start soon.]

[Mimi: Good luck, big brother, and thank you for your help.]

A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he closed the chat box and focused on the roaring vortices.

Fingers tightening on his short sword, he prayed for Mimi's choice to bring her benefits as the first demonic beast's foot cut through the flames and dug into the ground.

'What's that?!'

His eyes bulged at the ominous shadow cast by the seven-meter-tall bone colossus emerging in all its horror.

The dark energy encasing it and the demonic flames raging between the cartilages left no doubt in his heart about their level.

'Those crazy deities are sending tier two bosses out of nowhere as if it was normal!'

An icy shiver ran down his spine as he imagined Mimi's territory ravaged by dozens of these beasts.

'Fortunately, I told her to give up.'

He grinned at the thought as he blurred into action, eager to shatter the monsters and claim the special building!