Infernal Entity: Evolving With My Demonic System-Chapter 79: Shadow Imp

Chapter 79

The only reason demon slayers existed was to safeguard the interests of people. Demons were not how movies often portrayed them. They were not always about possessing humans and taking full control of their bodies. In most cases, they didn’t even find the need to do that.

Demons were also not ugly creatures with jagged teeth, massive horns, and red, burned skin. They often looked normal, sometimes so normal that they could not be identified in the middle of a crowd. Only when a demon revealed its true form could one clearly separate it from humans.

The only other way to identify them was through their Infernal presence. In other words, through the use of Infernal power or the detection of an Infernal or Demonic Core.

Ares had seen Axel use Infernal Slash and possibly Hellrand Slash. If Ares truly was the brother of a demon slayer, and if he knew demons existed, then he should have known what Axel truly was.

So the question remained. Why hadn’t he killed Axel?

Now that Axel realized his damaged core was what saved him from being detected by the so-called beacon, he found himself wondering if losing his Infernal Core permanently might actually be a good thing. He also wondered if fixing it was such a bad thing.

"HELL NO!"

Aurora’s reaction came instantly, loud and sharp inside his mind. The AI clearly had strong opinions about that idea.

"Do I need to speak Spanish?" Aurora snapped. "You should not even think about leaving your Infernal Core in such a useless state."

Still hiding behind the wall and watching Ares and his supposed sister, Axel replied quietly, "That weapon she’s carrying on her back looks powerful. If my core were active and she came at me, I’d be dead. I don’t really feel like dying right now."

Axel could have used his ID skill on the sword, but distance was the problem. He was more than five feet away.

"Fixing your core would grant you immense power," Aurora said firmly. "Besides, you are only a young Demon Imp. Demon Imps struggle against slayers. If you evolve into the next demonic stage, you won’t need to concern yourself with puny demon slayers and their redundant weapons."

Axel scoffed softly. "You do realize that weapon is probably Apex Beast tier, right?"

"We are not here to argue about the grade of her weapon," Aurora replied, her tone turning serious. "We are here to figure out who Ares really is."

---

"You may take your leave now, sister," Ares said, turning his back on Diana. "I can assure you there are no demons in this hellscape. I am not even sure demons still exist. Didn’t we kill them all a long time ago?"

"We?" Axel muttered under his breath.

Diana stepped closer. "We didn’t. Some of them fled. We don’t know where they went. And if they have started resurfacing, we could find ourselves in another war with those damned entities."

"The humans already have a lot on their plate," Diana continued. "Those annoying creatures called Skavverns might already be planning some sort of attack—"

Ares stopped her mid-sentence and turned sharply to face her. "What sort of attack?" he asked quickly.

"Well... I don’t know, just an attack..." Diana replied casually. "Didn’t know there were different sorts of attacks." She smirked.

Ares let out a quiet, fake laugh. "Very funny. Humor was never your strongest suit. Please tell me you did something about this so-called attack."

Diana shook her head and shrugged. "The Skavverns aren’t our problem. We don’t interfere in human affairs unless demons are involved. You know how this works, Ares."

"Then why in eternal fuck did father banish me here?!" Ares barked, his irritation now clear

"Why would he send me to this godforsaken planet?" He asked again. "He could have sent me anywhere. Maybe to the damn underworld. That place sucks but it’s better than this place."

"Come on, brother... you know what you did. You know why he sent you here to live amongst humans. Besides, you like this place, admit it. This place seems fun and the humans throw one hell of a party. On my way here, I saw two humans making out in an alley. It was a sight to see." Diana said laughing.

Axel wondered how their conversation turned from something serious to something playful such as this.

However, from their conversation and the words Ares kept using, something finally clicked in Axel’s mind. The way Ares spoke about humans, always in third person, like they were something separate from himself, made it clear.

"Ares isn’t human. He’s an alien sent here from another planet."

Axel slowly realized something else too. He had never once used the ID skill on Ares. Not even out of curiosity. That alone felt strange now. Tomorrow, he decided, he would use it no matter what. He needed answers.

For now, he backed away quietly. He moved slowly, careful not to make a sound, and slipped out before either Ares or Diana could sense him. His body stayed tense until he reached the male dorm complex.

Once inside his room, Axel closed the door. Then he dropped onto his bed. That was when everything hit him.

Aliens... alien demon slayers. Other worlds. Other wars. It was a lot to take in. Way too much for one night. The thought that he had been living around people like that this whole time made his head spin.

Rick was already asleep on his bed, breathing steadily. Seeing him like this made Axel remember something about how Ares had helped Rick awaken his ability. Axel didn’t question it then, but now it stood out clearly. What did Ares do to help Rick awaken his ability?

Axel stared at the ceiling for a long time before exhaustion finally pulled him under.

—

The next day, Axel woke up early.

Without wasting time, he headed straight to Forger’s Bay. With the 10,000 CNT he had earned, he bargained hard and managed to purchase two Apex Mythic Shards. It cost him everything, but he didn’t hesitate.

After that, he found a secluded spot far from people and activated both shards and absorbed them. The effect was immediate.

Infernal energy surged through his body like a flood breaking free. His chest burned as his Infernal Core repaired itself fully. Power rushed back into him, stronger and more stable than before.

< [Infernal Core Status: 100%] >

< [Mission Complete: Heal Infernal Core] >

< [Reward Granted: Instant Level Up] >

Axel’s eyes grew wide at the reward. Instant Level up was a very big reward for such a small task

< [Level up available] >

< [Would you like to initiate level up? Y/N]

Axel didn’t waste anytime in closing yes.

< [Confirming selection...] >

< [Level-Up Initiated.] >

< [System Upgrade in Progress...] >

< [Level up complete!] >

< [Congratulations! You are now a Level 5 user] >

< [New evolution path unlocked] >

< [Evolution: Warden Demon] >

< [Beginning Forced Evolution Sequence] >

---

< [Evolution Complete] >

< [New Form Acquired] >

Unlike the last two evolutions, this one was less painful for Axel. Back then when he felt his body breaking down and rebuilding itself all over again. This evolution he just went through was nothing like that.

< [Species Advancement: Imp → Shadow Imp] >

< [Class: Shadow Imp] >

< [You are now a Shadow Imp] >

< [Next Evolution Requirements: 50 Soul Essence. 50% Corruption] >

< [Your Stats have increased] >

< [+5 points to all stats including HP] >

< [New Skill unlocked: Umbra Step LV 1] >

< [As a Shadow Imp, the host is now exposed to a wider range of infernal and hybrid abilities. Shadow demons possess higher adaptability and access to stealth-based powers compared to standard Imps. However, Umbra-type abilities are exclusive to Shadow Imps. This makes the host a rare variant.] >

< [ Umbra Core Unlocked. Lv 1] >

< [Umbra Ability Detected] >

< [Umbra Step — Lv 1 Description: Allows the user to step into a shadow and emerge from another shadow within a ten-foot radius. Shadows must be naturally present or cast by an object or being. Movement is instant and silent. Cooldown and range will improve with level.] >

< [New Umbra Ability Unlocked] >

< [Shadow Clone — Lv 1. Description: Creates a shadow duplicate of the user formed from surrounding darkness. The clone can move independently within a fifteen-foot radius of the user. The clone cannot deal physical damage but can distract, block line of sight, and mimic basic movements. Duration and durability scale with level.] >

< [Infernal Core Update] >

< [Infernal Core has evolved] >

< [Infernal Core: Level 3] >

< [Status: 100% Active] >

< [Infernal energy circulation has stabilized. Ability output and efficiency have increased] >

< [Opening Status Window] >

< [Stats] >

< [HP: 25/25] >

< [Strength: 28] >

< [Speed: 28] >

< [Agility: 28] >

< [Intelligence: 22] >

< [Resistance: 22] >

< [Umbra Core (Lv. 1) — 100% Active] >

< [Infernal Core (Lv. 3) — 100% Active] >

< [Infernal abilities potency has been increased] >

< [Skill Update] >

< [Hellrand Slash — Lv 3. Infernal output increased. Burn duration extended] (

< [Infernal Bullet — Lv 3. Projectile stability improved. Damage increased.] >

< [Demonic Mind Wipe — Lv 3. Can now erase up to twenty minutes of the target’s recent memory.] >

< [Stun — Lv 2. Can immobilize target for ten seconds.] >

< [Other Skills: Stable] >

< [System Status: Nominal] >

< [New Tabs Unkocked: Contracts. Store] >

***