The Extra Can't be A Hero

Chapter 92: The Demon Cult (1)

Within Amon's soul, the battle lasted for a long time. However, in the outside world, barely a few seconds had passed. Leon and Horus were still genuinely worried about the young man pierced by the remnants of the crimson blade. Amon's future wife, on the other hand, was smiling with pride.

'There's no way the Blood Demon can overwhelm Amon's soul.'

Yue was confident, and she had every right to be.

In the future, Amon will become humanity's greatest hero. A man who would bear the weight of a species on his shoulders and a hero who would go face-to-face with a Demon King. No way in hell would such a hero lose to a mere Blood Demon.

And she was right.

Amon regained consciousness within seconds and calmly pulled out the tip of the crimson blade fragment and dropped it on the ground. Looking seemingly uninterested in the item, he stepped on the final remnants of the crimson blade and burnt it with his Solar mana.

With Qyriwirth's soul destroyed, the unbreakable sword was now a mere fraction of its past power. Dissipating away like the final embers of an evening bonfire, the crimson blade returned to ash... much like its master.

"Amon! Are you alright?"

"Yeah," the young Knight replied by rubbing his forehead. "The Blood Demon's soul was destroyed long ago, so there's no need to worry."

"A-Are you sure? I-I'm sorry if I had been more precise, y-you..."

"Don't blame yourself, Leon. You did well."

Amon gestured him off with a wry smile. Knowing the self-righteous boy, warped thoughts would form in his mind if Amon didn't reassure him. Hence, he tapped on Leon's shoulder and continued to give affirmation.

"Without your help, we wouldn't have defeated the Blood Demon. So, thank you."

"..."

Leon remained silent. No one could tell what was flowing in his mind, and no one had the sense to think about it. After all, they had just trounced the Blood Demon, an undeniable threat to humanity and a monster that could have killed millions.

The seasoned Horus Solaris was the only person who had even half a mind to think. Stepping forward, he approached Amon with a kind yet stern voice and said:

"Amon, you have achieved a great deed. Your courage will be reported to the Patriarch, who'll decide on your reward."

"..."

Amon scrunched up, clearly not amused by Horus' idea. Truthfully, he wished for this incident to be swept under the rug or for Leon to claim all the rewards. However, neither Horus nor Leon would accept that. Nonetheless, he couldn't outright reject it.

"... It's my honour."

Similarly, Horus tapped on Amon's shoulder to encourage him. However, rather than fully praising the boy, the Pillar Knight leaned in and whispered in a soft voice that only he could hear:

"I agree; it's not time to reveal your full strength. But I'm glad to witness such a luminary be born into the Solaris House."

"..."

Amon remained silent, not knowing what to reply. Evidently, the fight between the Blood Demon and himself wasn't entirely isolated, and Horus could sense hints of Amon's actual power. Freezing up, Amon paused as he watched the Pillar Knight walk far away to tend to his Griffin.

It seems... like it was going to be an awkward flight home.

❖❖❖

A forgotten cave existed deep underneath the ocean, where no human could thrive. During years past, the cave acted as a sanctuary for nomads and weary travellers, resting there to seek shelter from the elements. However, as time progressed and the water levels rose, the cave was submerged hundreds of metres down, making it impossible for humans to enter.

A place of terrifying and eerie silence, it lay hidden beneath an endless, black ocean. It was a sanctuary so far from civilisation that hardly any human constructs remained. As one dove into the murky depths, they would be greeted with cold, iron rock muddled with algae and brine. The ever-changing currents made it impossible for navy boats to venture near the cave, as frequent whirlpools and irregular streams dominated the calm, shadowy oceans.

However, if one did manage to bypass the elements and bravely tackle the inhospitable waters, they would be greeted by a dark cave. The cave's only entrance was an unsuspecting opening at the bottom, sealing a pocket of air for its inhabitants.

The cave was eerily silent and serene, unlike the rough waters surrounding it. The air was thick with the scent of salt and decay, though the sound of the ocean outside was muffled. An oppressive weight hangs in the water, a feeling that the cave is breathing—alive, ancient, and aware. In some places, the stone seems to pulse with an unnatural energy, as though something within it stirs in slumber, waiting.

In many ways, it was like the Solaris House. However, rather than lavished with grandeur and majesty, it had an oppressive, unforgiving, and cruel atmosphere.

Like an ant's nest, the dimly lit corridors led to multiple chambers and linkways. They continued on for multiple levels, making this unassuming cave look like a maze in a mountain. Ominous runes decorated many of the chambers, and screams of agony proliferated from the deepest recesses of the cave. As one wandered down the unholy land, the sense of dread and fear only grew stronger.

Cultists draped in their signature garbs patrolled the cave, but many were tending to their own business, ignoring the tortured shrieks of the damned. Many were experimenting, some honing their skills, while most were just tending to their daily tasks.

It seemed obscene. Regular humans could nonchalantly do administrative tasks while their kin were broken and battered next door.

But such was the reality of the Demon Cult's headquarters.

Housing more than ten thousand cultists, the Demon Cult's most enormous base was located right here, in this underwater cave. It was a secretive location that not even Amon or Yue could identify, even with their knowledge of the future and powers of their intelligence agency, Echelon.

And a big reason why that's so... was because of the people who lived within this forsaken cave.

In the cave's most secure region, there was an illustrious grand hall. Unlike its desolate exterior, this hall was beautiful and regal. In its centre was an oval table with eight high chairs surrounding it, and a short stairway led to a white throne at the head of the table.

The grand hall was painfully silent, given that no one was present. No, there was one person seated in his chair. A demonic human calmly sharpened his sword with iron in a meditative ritual, entirely in the zone. His fiery red hair and piercing green eyes carried a dignified, otherworldly weight. Thick and wild, his hair cascaded like waves of molten copper, adding a surreal gleam to his image.

Two devil horns protruded from his forehead, making him look more demon than human. Like the horns of a ram, it protected the swordsman's head from any harm, not that he needed protection. With a presence that would choke a human, the demonic human showed a majesty that few possessed in the world and few would dare challenge.

But, of course, there were some lunatics.

"Early as per usual, old man!"

The massive gates of the throne hall swung open as a handsome young man lowered his feet. Standing at almost 1.9 metres, he was a specimen of a hunk. Prevailing with wild energy, he showed off his pectoral muscles by dressing with only a cape draped over his shoulders. Though it may be streaked with silver in some places, his grey hair falls in tousled waves like a vibrant waterfall.

Fully framed with an overly-chiselled appearance, the presence the man emitted was enough to make any woman blush. Yet, that wasn't the only thing that added to his charm. He was remarkably handsome—almost to an inhuman degree.

High cheekbones, defined angular nose, sharp jaw... The man had everything. The only thing that could be deemed lacking was his overly white skin. It was pale enough to reflect light and blind others in the snow. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Oh, and of course...

The man's ethereally glowing eyes. Meeting his green eyes was akin to a vial of acid, enough to strike fear into lesser humans. Sharp and piercing, they reflected a reckless spirit and the desire of a predator. Even a whiff of intelligence was hidden within those pupils, not that he'd let it show often.

"Samael, how often must I tell you not to kick the door?! Don't you know it costs a fortune to fix everything you break?!"

An exasperated voice trailed behind the young man. A woman in her thirties scolded the exhibitionist young man sternly. Her bespectacled appearance matched her lab coat and dishellved blue hair, blending intelligence with a quirky charm.

"Huh? Ravenna, you speak a lot for someone who nearly smoked our headquarters two weeks ago!"

"Hargh?! I just had an experimental error! It was unintentional!"

The woman scoffed and moved to tie her unkempt hair into a ponytail. A few strands fell in front of her hair as her posture naturally hunched from hours spent in the lab. Her green eyes reflected a venomous charm like the previous two. However, it was more of an oddity than a weapon in her arsenal—Clutzy yet intelligent, absent-minded yet mysterious.

The woman named Ravenna was a paradigm of inconsistencies.

"Enough! Both of you!"

The swordsman seated on his chair frowned and yelled: "Take your seats. The Prophet will arrive at any moment."

Taking charge of the situation, the swordsman gestured to the duo and made them take their seats. Samael raised his chin and looked down on Ravenna, only for the woman to shake her head and exit the dispute defeated. Wearing a smug expression, Samael sat on the opposite end of the swordsman while Ravenna sat beside him.

"Lord Malachi, why have we been summoned to this meeting? An Apostle-only meeting no less?"

Ravenna asked with curious eyes. This was the first time in years that the Prophet had summoned the highest-ranking members of the Demon Cult together, so it was natural that she was curious.

"How would I dare guess the Prophet's intentions? We are here to serve his will."

Unfortunately, it was quickly shut down by the swordsman, who just closed his eyes and gave a curt answer. Seeing Ravenna shut down again, the handsome man laughed out loud and said:

"You can't expect the old man to give you anything, Ravenna! He's a loyal dog, through and through!"

"Careful now, Samael. You may be an Apostle, but if you attempt to tarnish my honour..."

"What would you do?"

The two demonic humans stared at each other, one with a cold smile and the other with an angry frown. Both were monsters and powerhouses that could bring down the entire headquarters with their strength. So, one could only imagine the damage they would face if they crossed fists.

Fortunately, that doomsday scenario wasn't going to happen.

"... what's with the atmosphere?"

Another serene voice echoed in the hall, prompting all three Apostles to turn their heads to the entrance—an enigmatic beauty sashayed into the chamber wearing modest but regal clothing. Captivating to the eye, her strikingly platinum blonde hair was an eyecatcher, shimmering and glowing with an ethereal lustre.

Her appearance was otherworldly, too. Not looking a day over thirty, she preserved her astonishing good looks. Beautiful with rosy lips and perfect contours, the woman's face was just as perfect as a marbled statue. Tall with an athletic build, the woman poised herself with elegance. Every step she took was calculated in her temptress ways, adding to her otherworldly allure.

It wasn't just her appearance. The scent she wore tingled with men's senses, tempting them to strike and claim her as their own. She hid most of her porcelain white skin, but the bits she couldn't conceal drew most men to ogle, some doing it with more apparent desire than others.

Case in point.

"Isadora, my lady."

Samael stood up with a lascivious smile and stepped towards the newcomer.

"I've never seen you in a while. Have you been avoiding me?"

"Ara, how smart. But can you blame me? Who would stay in a room with a bitch in heat like you?"

"Your words are venomous, baby! But I like it!"

The young man attempted to step forward but was stopped by a laser beam. The beam struck Samael's feet, drawing a distinct line that separated them.

"Step over that line, and I'll send you to hell."

"Oh? Why don't I send you to heaven first?"

"... you have a death wish?"

Isadora was incensed. She had been moody all week due to her recent failures, and now, her compatriot was openly harassing her. Like her comrades, she was a top-ranking Apostle in the Demon Cult. Her personal strength was not low; in fact, it was on the higher spectrum. For the young blood who only knew how to think with his lower half, it was an insult she could not endure.

"Ah, this is why I dislike attending Apostle meetings."

Ravenna openly sighed and braced herself for impact.