System Beast Lord

Chapter 3: Lesser Demon Imp

[An Awakened grade 9, Lesser Demon Imp, has set its sights on you. Survive!]

The usually blue holographic screen was now blaring red in front of Eric.

He tried his possible best to keep his breathing calm as his eyes darted towards the red creature at the very end of the stairs. The creature wasn't moving but it kept looking at them with mad scrutiny, frenzy and chaos burning inside of its red pupils like flames inside of coal.

Eric clutched the crowbar tightly and clenched his jaws causing it to be more pronounced. A blue holographic screen appeared before him as he did so.

…

[__Equipped Item__]

Item Name: Crowbar.

Type: Weapon.

Item Description: A normal human crowbar.

Class: Mundane.

Grade: 9

Attack Damage: 5

Critical Damage: 15 (1% chance)

Durability: 148/150

Enchantments: None.

…

‘Huh. Interesting.’

Eric was quickly shaken from his thoughts as the purring little red devil shrieked and lunged at him, bloodlust evident in its eyes.

Eric didn't lag as well as he parried the blow of the incoming devil's claws with the crowbar. The claws of the creature ate through the steel with no obstruction whatsoever, leaving three red glowing marks on it.

…

[Item ‘Crowbar’ has taken critical damage due to creature's passive skill, ‘Claws of the Sun’.]

[-81 Durability points]

[Item Durability: 67/150]

…

‘I beg your pardon?!’

Eric’s eyes bulged in utmost shock as he jumped backwards.

‘Passive skill means the creature lands a critical hit with those glowing claws 100% of the time. And one more hit means that this crowbar will be destroyed. I have to protect Erica by all means.’

“Erica! Bat!” Eric shouted as he stretched his free arm towards Erica.

Erica was already sobbing but she wasn't in shock so she was equally quick in reaction and action. She hurled the metal bat towards his brother who caught it quick.

…

[You have equipped two blunt weapons; Attack Damage: +3%. Weapons, when used together, have a 12% chance of stunning targets. Stun time depends on weapon grade and class.]

…

The demon imp turned its sights towards Erica and lunged for her, glowing red claws out for blood.

“Oh no you freaking don't!” Eric screamed as he slammed both the metal bat and the damaged crowbar into the temple of the imp.

A resounding bang and the creature hurled into the wall.

[-10 HP of Lesser Demon Imp]

[You have stunned the creature for 7.3 seconds.]

[‘Crowbar’ Durability: 58/150]

[‘Metal Bat’ Durability: 109/110]

“Hide in the kitchen and get yourself a couple of knives and don't move.” Eric ordered as he took a stance with his weapons.

Erica didn't dally as well, she knew better than to delay and get in her brother's way.

She had tried using her abilities but she kept getting the same message over and over;

[Trait perks are momentarily unavailable. Awakened body is being remodified.]

After about 8 seconds, the imp stood up and growled as he scanned its surroundings. It set its sights on Eric again but didn't move. It purred and remained motionless, looking at its target with a maddening amount of concentration.

‘It didn't attack? Is it observing? It can't be blind since it can see me. What is your deal, demon imp?!’

The creature continued to purr softly as though it wasn't out to kill just a moment ago.

Eric opened mouth to exhale and ease the tension, and that's when the creature lost all reason. The soft chaos and frenzy in its eyes burgeoned and became frantic as it lunged for Eric again.

‘This thing anticipates movement of any kind?!’

Eric ran forward to meet the creature but threw the crowbar at the creature as he ran.

The crowbar flew towards the creature but missed as it flew past the imp.

‘Ah fu-’

His thoughts were interrupted by the creature's next actions. The imp turned its attention towards the crowbar and went after it, snarling as it did.

‘Ah…Haha, a creature with excellent vision for motion and an attention disorder. Bad combination of skills.’

“Got you now, you red wretch.” Eric shouted with a mad grin etched on his face as he picked up speed and raised the metal bat above his head while holding it with two hands.

[Weapon equipped with two hands; Damage +5, Attack Speed +5, Critical Damage +5%.]

His grin widened as he saw this and put every energy in his frail arms into slamming the bat into his enemy's skull.

“Choke on your own brain matter, you midget bastard!” Eric roared as brought down the bat on to the imp's skull, but not before seeing several messages pop up in series.

[You have unknowingly imbued mana into your attack; Damage +15%, Attack Speed +3, Critical Damage:+12%]

[‘Metal Bat’ Damage: 5 (+15%)]

[‘Metal Bat’ Attack Speed: 6 (+5)]

['Metal Bat’ Critical Damage: 15 (+17%)]

The bat took on a bluish aura as it smacked into the skull of the demon imp, causing a resounding metallic sound to echo across the living room.

[You have stunned the creature for 3 seconds.]

“Not yet!” Eric yelled as he brought the bat down on the creature again, causing another bang to resound from the impact.

[You have stunned the creature for 2.95 seconds.]

Eric continued smacking with all his power and did so a total of five times while seeing red texts pop up.

[-17.55 HP of Lesser Demon Imp.]

[-17.55 HP of Lesser Demon Imp.]

[-17.55 HP of Lesser Demon Imp.]

[-17.55 HP of Lesser Demon Imp.]

[-17.55 HP of Lesser Demon Imp.]

[You've done a 5-hit critical combo]

He smirk and wanted to continue but stopped short when mysterious glowing symbols appeared on the creature's back and exploded with kinetic and heat energies sending Eric flying through the kitchen door, causing him to scream out in pain.

The demon imp had lava like blood oozing from its mouth, nose and eyes as it wobbled towards Eric, growling and making gurgling sounds.

[-14 HP]

[HP: 86/100]

‘Ah damn, that hurt so bad! What was that?! I almost had it!.’

Eric winced in pain as he tried to get up. Erica quickly by his side assisting him. He looked around for his trusty bat and soon found it inches away from the imp that was walking slowly towards them as it continued to bleed a molten red hot fluid. He was about to say something to his sister when another message popped up;

[All Awakened traits and stats have been ascertained and corresponding trait skills are ready to use.]

Erica stopped assisting his brother and soon got in front of him while stretching one hand out.

“I can fight as well!” She yelled as a blue light escaped her hand and cold energies permeated the surroundings.

The imp was soon covered in a thin layer of frost as it was momentarily immobilised.

Erica looked back and gave a thumbs up to Eric as she smiled, but Eric wasn't smiling. He had a knife in his hand and he was already on the move.

“Get back!” He yelled as he put strength into his leg muscles and dashed forward, knife in hand.

This time, Erica lagged and quickly looked back to see that the imp had defrosted and was ready to attack her, albeit with sluggish movement.

Eric was faster as he pushed his sister to one side and and threw the knife, with enhanced accuracy, into the eye of the little devil.

[-2.25 HP of Lesser Demon Imp.]

The glowing frenzy and chaos in the imp's eyes calmed as all its muscles relaxed. It then slumped on the ground, dead.

[You have received 100 coins for slaying a Grade 9, Lesser Demon Imp.]

[You have leveled up]

[You have been rewarded, check inventory for rewards.]

Eric panted tiredly as he collapsed on the floor, sweating profusely. He was even bleeding in some places.

“What the actual fuck?!” He yelled before breaking into a fit of laughter.

“I killed a demonic beast. I killed a fantasy creature!” Eric said to himself, now lying on the floor smiling.

His smile soon disappeared and his expression turned serious.

‘This… This is not a joke. I could've died. I can die now that the world is this dangerous. Ah dammit! I have to survive no matter what.’

“Good job stalling that midget, sis.” Eric said as he looked towards his sister who was lying down by his side as well.

“You did the hard part, thank you.” Erica replied and smiled as well.

She then held his hand and looked at the ceiling.

“We'll survive this, together!” She added, determined.

Eric looked at her beautiful face for a few seconds before looking at the ceiling as well and tightening his hands softly.

“Together.” He replied with a soft smile.