The Incubus System

I quickly recast my Demonic Energy and Demonic Spike. My gaze shifted to where the force was coming from and all my spikes were aimed at it.

"I know you're there," I said without further ado.

Instead of answering me, he replied to me using the same skill as before. Five orbs with black electricity surrounded me, charging towards me. But instead of running, I threw my black lances to counter them and used my Shadow barrier to protect myself.

[Shadow Barrier has been activated!]

[Time remaining: 03:57]

Explosion sounds echoed into the sky. The impact created strong winds and heavy force that crushed my barrier. The ground beneath my feet shook violently. But I kept my footing. Unlike the Vengeful Imp's attack, since my barrier didn't take a direct hit, I didn't take any damage. Still, I knew my attacker was a strong demon.

The thick smoke covered me. Since he already knew my location, I was sure he would take the opportunity to attack me. So I cancelled my Shadow Barrier and used another skill.

'Wrath Kill.'

In one motion, I flicked my wings to bring my body up through the smoke. As I expected, my sight was able to catch a demon with a humanoid body, charging towards the smoke with claws ready to split my body in two. But different from the swamp demons, a black formal suit covered his body. It made me sure he wasn't from this place. A pair of black horns on his head indicated he was a high-level demon and his tail resembled an eel's. His body was just a bit more muscular than mine. He had a pompadour haircut and his hair colour was grey. His face looked serious with a sharp jawline. A thin beard adorned his chin.

Without hesitation, I charged and swung my claw at him. Even though he was taken aback by my sudden attack, he was able to dodge backwards deftly.

My claw was only three centimetres from his face before it landed on the ground accompanied by a loud impact sound. A large hole formed on where my claw landed and the wind blowing from that one move, indicated how strong my attack was. Unfortunately, it didn't manage to injure him, but only cut off a few strands of his hair.

He was shocked. His brows furrowed and I could catch his hesitation from his face. I used that opportunity to check him out.

'Observation'

[Observation skills succeeded.]

[Name: Alfred] [Age: 510]

[Level 61]

[Race: Demon - Phantom Demon]

[Class: Rare - Subordinate]

[Status: Middle intelligence type]

[HP: 3101/3101] [DP: 592/634]

[Skills: Demonic Claw lv 5, Shadow Dagger lv 4, Devil Space lv 1, Dark Energy lv 1, Animal Body lv 3, Shadow Bind lv 2 (High), Dark Star lv 4 (High)]

[Emotion: Curious, Shocked ]

[Love meter: 0/10]

[Condition: Normal]

[Weakness: Chest, Neck, Head]

[Talent: Speed+30% compared to common demons]

[Relationship: Single]

[Profession: Demon Lord's elite subordinate.]

This time I was the shocked one since his profession and status showed he was an ally. I was pretty sure of that since he had Dark Energy and Devil Space skills, just like Yuffy and the others. Moreover, it showed his name. But I could be wrong. Ivy and the others had also warned me that I still had to be careful even with Lord Damon's subordinates. Who knew there were spies among them? I could only trust certain people.

I got up without taking my gaze away from him.

"Are you... The king's subordinate?" I asked. I didn't let my guard down one bit before I confirmed he was a real Lord Damon's elite soldier.

But he didn't answer me. Instead, he asked the same question.

"Who are you, incubus?" he hissed. His carefulness was clearly audible in his voice.

I was in a dilemma. If I told him my identity and my guess was wrong, it would be tantamount to leading me to my death. All demon lords and demonesses would make me their target. But if he was a real one, not saying anything meant I had to fight him.

"Answer me! Are you with Lord Letos?!" he snapped.

In the end, I chose to play it safe.

"I'm with nobody," I said.

"Now answer my question," I returned my question to him.

"Do you think I'll believe it?!" he said unhappily.

"Believe it or not. That's up to you," I said. Well, I was not sure he would believe me.

He let out short laughter before finally stopping and smirking.

"That's up to you," he repeated sarcastically. "What a good answer. Unfortunately, I don't believe you." This time I could feel something creeping up from under my feet. I looked down and realized my shadow formed some black snakes crawling up my legs.

[Warning! The enemy uses the Shadow Bind skill on you!]

[Your speed will decrease by 30%.]

I gasped.

'Shit! Dispel!' In an instant, those snakes turned into smoke and disappeared.

[The Shadow Bind effect has been neutralized.]

To avoid the same attack, I flicked my wings as I waved my hand forward, launching my black lances on him.

Calmly, he waved his hand from his right to his left. A series of black daggers appeared and flew past my lances towards me. As if on cue, we both stopped our skill one meter in front of our target. Our hands were directed towards each other. Likewise with my lances and his daggers. Our eyes stared at each other intently. But I caught a bit of hesitation on his face, again.

"Answer me, are you the king's subordinate?" I asked again. This time, I chose to fly low. Just to make sure, my feet didn't touch the ground to avoid his Shadow Bind.

This time he answered me with a proper answer.

"Yes. Isn't that clear from my badge?"

I glanced at the small badge on the collar of his suit. The problem was, according to Ivy, even a guard could have it.

"Show me your loyalty mark," I demanded without further ado. It was the only way to be sure someone was Lord Damon's loyal subordinate.

He gasped with wide eyes in shock.

"You... Who are you?" he asked.

But I couldn't tell him until he showed it to me.

"Show me your mark. Then we will talk."

"If you don't answer my question. I won't answer your question either," he hissed in displeasure. His hand moved, commanding his daggers to charge at me.

Upon his movement, I moved my hand, instructing my lances to make holes in his body. At the same time, I used my Shadow Barrier.

[Shadow Barrier has been activated!]

[Time remaining: 03:57]

But when his daggers almost touched my barrier and my lances almost pierced his body. A huge dark power coming from the mountain broke all our skills. His daggers and my lances suddenly shattered into pieces. Likewise with my barrier.

[Your Shadow Barrier has been destroyed!]

It even managed to make my body shudder in intimidation. I stole a glance at the mountain where the power came and could catch the dark miasma that grew thicker until it created dark clouds that covered half of the mountain. Surprisingly, I could feel the nostalgic feeling from there. But it wasn't Lord Damon's power for sure.

'Who...?'