NOVPUB
Chapter 153: Demon Cult?
Bran leapt back a few steps, twirling the axe in his hand.
"You’ll see," he said with a cocky grin. "It’s all about channeling soul energy through a single downward strike. If I can get it right, the force should be able to crack the ground — and anything within five meters."
Zayn blinked. "Sounds like you’re trying to become a walking earthquake."
"Exactly."
The two circled each other. Zayn kept his sword loose at his side, watching Bran’s posture.
The big guy’s technique had gotten better — more refined — but his enthusiasm still outpaced his precision.
"Alright then. Show me," Zayn said.
Bran didn’t hesitate.
With a deep breath, he bent his knees and launched himself into the air.
Blue soul energy surged around him, coating his axe in a glowing spiral of power.
As he reached the apex of his jump, he twisted his body midair and brought the axe down with a powerful roar.
Zayn raised his blade to block — and the force hit him like a boulder.
The shockwave pulsed outward, tearing a web of cracks into the ground.
Five meters in every direction, the earth splintered like glass under the weight of Bran’s blow.
Zayn was forced to slide back from the force, his boots digging small trenches in the wet soil.
"Well well well..." Zayn looked around at the damage. "You got it right."
Bran grinned, breathing heavily as he leaned on his axe. "Told you."
The cracks fanned out beneath their feet like spiderwebs, raw power etched into the earth itself.
Elisse had opened her eyes, visibly impressed. "Not bad, Bran. I might not even have to patch you up this time."
"Don’t jinx it," Seren added, blasting another rock from Kara’s spell into dust.
She wiped sweat from her brow and turned to watch the aftermath of Bran’s demonstration. "That could really come in handy if we’re surrounded. Break their formation, maybe even throw them off balance."
Bran’s grin widened. "Tobias is gonna be impressed when he sees this."
Zayn stretched his arms and rotated his shoulder with a sigh. "If Tobias doesn’t scold us for tearing up the backyard first."
Kara joined the group, her latest rock spell finally solid enough to survive Seren’s blast testing.
"At least we’re getting results. You’ve got Axefall, I’ve got a new spell. Seren’s venom fusion technique is more stable now too."
Zayn nodded. "Good. We’ll need every bit of strength we can get to raid the dungeons. But for now, let’s prepare for patrol."
...
Zayn tucked a strip of meat between his teeth, chewing lazily as he walked down the cobblestone streets.
The town was lively today as always but with the clear blue skies and the faint, refreshing breeze rolling in, it seemed the people were in even better spirits.
His patrol route wound through the market, down past the guild building, and toward the town square.
Patrol was something the Guild Master had initiated after they came back from Edgeville. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
Adventurers were encouraged to take shifts patrolling Timberstead for extra coins.
Most saw it as a chore, but Zayn didn’t mind; it was peaceful work, and after a month of brutal training and monster raids, a little peace wasn’t something to scoff at.
Walking beside him was Seren, the venom-fisted girl with messy black hair tied into two short pigtails today.
She wore a simple black tunic and shorts, skipping lightly at his side, hands swinging with each step.
Over the past month, Seren had mellowed out — she was still quick to pout and even quicker to get clingy — but the explosive temper she once had had faded into something more manageable.
"You sure you don’t want a snack too?" Zayn asked, holding the meat out toward her.
Seren shook her head, nose scrunching cutely. "You always get the spicy ones. They’re too hot."
Zayn chuckled. "Fair enough. More for me, then."
They rounded a corner and entered the town square — and Zayn’s chewing slowed to a stop.
A group had gathered near the fountain at the center.
Men and women, all dressed in heavy black robes, their hoods drawn so low that their faces were little more than shadows.
On the backs of their robes, intricate red crests were stitched — an insignia he recognized far too well.
The Demon cult.
Zayn felt his muscles tighten instinctively.
They were preaching — no, ranting. Loudly. Their voices carried across the square:
"Lay down your arms, your burdens! The Demon Lord shall bring you true salvation! Cast aside your false kings! Abandon your heroes! There is only one path forward — her embrace!"
He bit down on the meat in his mouth, feeling the flavors dull against the sudden adrenaline coursing through him.
’No way... already?’
The realization hit him hard. This was the beginning of Arc Two from the novel — the rise of the demon lord’s cult across the continent.
He thought he had more time.
He instinctively moved to pull Seren behind him, but paused when he felt a presence appear behind him. His instincts screamed.
He turned sharply.
Standing there, almost within arm’s reach, was a man clad in the same black robe, the red crest stitched boldly across his chest.
His hood was pulled low, but what Zayn could see of his face was enough to make his skin crawl — ashen skin, sharp jawline, and eyes that gleamed an eerie, unnatural darkness.
The cultist’s gaze wasn’t on him.
It was locked onto Seren.
Zayn’s body moved before his mind could even fully process it.
His foot slammed into the ground with enough force to kick up a thick cloud of dust and debris.
"What—?!" Seren squeaked as Zayn grabbed her around the waist, lifted her effortlessly, and leapt.
His boots scraped against the stones as he kicked off, his soul energy flaring briefly, propelling them both upward.
They soared through the air, and Zayn landed atop one of the market’s tall stone buildings with a light thud.
Seren clung to him instinctively, her face buried against his chest.
