A huge bear appeared in front of them. This bear looked like an American black bear. However, it was much larger in size - almost as big as an elephant. It also had two very large canine teeth, about 20 inches long.
The bear roared and attacked them.
GRROOOAAARRRGGHHH
William, despite the adrenaline rushing through his veins, felt a cold knot in his chest. He knew this creature. As an adventurer in his previous life, he had studied such monsters. Although he had never fought one before. It was an apex predator that roamed the depths of the wilds.
There is a saying among adventurers about it,
"The Demonic Bear is an apex predator. Its strength rivals that of an ogre lord, its hide is as tough as enchanted steel, and its rage only grows the longer the battle lasts. If you wound it but fail to kill it, you only make it stronger."
A party of A rank or above was required to defeat a monster of this level.
However, his party was much weaker in this regard. William was the strongest of them, but he was not strong enough to fight even a Tier 4 opponent. Gur, with his war hammer, was strong but not that strong. The Demonic Dog, Tommy, was a Tier 2 creature at best. Limir, Cira, and Nara were skilled, but their skills were suited to weaker prey, not monsters of this level. Together, their party might have been a low B or high C-party—
"WTH!?"
The bear roared, a sound that shook the trees and scattered the birds into the sky. It charged, its massive paws tearing the ground as it closed the distance in seconds.
"Back off! Spread out!" William shouted. "Don't let it corner us!"
The demonic bear roared forward. The ground shook under its weight.
THOOM-THOOM-THOOM
Sira shot an arrow, aiming for its eye. The arrow hit accurately, but the bear only blinked, the arrow breaking as if nothing had happened.
Gur swung his war hammer, bringing it down with all his might, but the bear hit him in the middle of his swing. The blow sent Gur flying, his body crashing into a tree and breaking with a terrible noise.
[Gurr's HP: 180/320.]
"Gur!" Limir shouted, running towards his companion.
The bear turned its attention to them, its glowing eyes narrowed with hunting focus.
William gritted his teeth. This is bad. Really bad. I had a chance! And I don't want to lose it either
He raised his musket and fired, the shot hitting the bear in the chest.
GRRAAAAWWWRRRLLL...
The creature roared in pain but did not slow down.
"You Teddy! Your target me, come here"
William shouted.
The bear noticed him and rushed over.
It tried to paw at him but William managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the bear's paw tore up the ground where he was standing.
He stood up, his mind racing.
We can't win this. Not like this.
[Demonic Infusion (Active)]
William leapt with Garth's blade, the legendary weapon shimmering with dark energy. The sword cut deep into the bear's side, but then—
**Pain.**
A sharp pain shot through his chest. The bear's massive claws went over him. His ribs cracked, blood spurted from his mouth as he hit the ground.
Darkness swallowed his vision.
Will I lose again? Will I not be able to get my revenge this time?
All he could see before he closed his eyes was his dog standing in front of him, trying to fight the bear.
He fell.
A void surrounded him, cold and endless.
Then—a voice, deep and mocking.
> "Is this how you die, boy?"
William's vision cleared, and he found himself standing in a void, facing a huge figure clad in dark armour. It was Garth, the former Heavenly King, his eyes burning with contempt.
Garth.
"You… you're supposed to be dead."
Garth laughed. "Dead? Perhaps. But my spirit lives on, bound to the sword you now wield. And I must say, I am… disappointed. You are pathetic. You are weak. Unworthy. You claim my blade, yet fall before a mere monster? Are you truly worthy of being the Demon King who single-handedly destroyed country after country—or will you remain the same loser?"
William gritted his teeth. "Shut up."
Garth raised an eyebrow. "What did you say, boy?"
"I said—shut up!" William roared. "I didn't ask for your judgment! If you think I'm weak, help me be strong!"
Silence.
Then—Garth smiled. A deep, cruel smile that shook the void.
> "Ha! You have fire in you. Good. I hate cowards."
Garth's gaze penetrated him.
> "You want power? Then take it. But power always has a price."
> "Are you willing to pay it?"
William didn't hesitate. "Yes."
> "Then stand up, boy. And show this world The Power of Demon King!"
-------;-::--------------------
The void broke, and William returned to the forest, the bear leaning over him. But something was different. He felt a current of energy flowing through him, dark and primal.
[Skill Acquired: Hell Fire]
[Effect: The user unleashes a powerful fire-based attack that unleashes a fire of dark energy on enemies. This fire not only deals physical damage but also burns the enemy's soul, weakening their spiritual power. ]
[New skill unlocked: Soul Bond (Active).]
[Effect: Allows the user to share a portion of their power with their subordinates, temporarily increasing their strength and skills.]
His wounds healed instantly. He could feel—raw power.
The Demonic Bear lunged, but this time—William moved at a faster pace.
With a slash, Garth's blade tore through the bear's skin, black fire spewing from the wound. The demon roared in agony.
"Now!" William roared.
[Demonic Evolution: Active.]
[Gur transformed into a Berserker Demon.]
[Limir transformed into a Infernal Vanguard.]
[Sira transformed into a Shadow Huntress.]
[Nara transformed into a Necroweaver Shaman.]
[Demonic Dog (Tommy) transformed into a Twin-Headed Hellhound]