Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

Chapter 51  Intense Training - Growth x 2

The surroundings were filled with sharp rocks and patches of grass before leading into the dark forest, a sense of dread lingering from that dark, rotting forest of hell.

 He noticed the sky was black here as if the sun could never shine... the only light coming from the blue luminescence and light from magic particles flowing from the flora. Asura took out ten light stones in front of him—his senses stretched to their maximum as he slowly walked through the soft ground, placing a stone every few steps to remember his path—each footstep seemed to sink as if swallowing him.

His helmet and armour helped give him night vision, but he had taken out extra stones anyway due to how dangerous this place was and how dark it got—all sounds disappeared other than the slight fluttering breeze that left goosebumps on his skin.

⟪Devour Arts⟫

—Blood Reaper

However, with a flick of his right arm, something strange came from the bushes as an invisible wave of black energy burst from his fingertips and served like an eerie claw ripping through the bushes and sinking into the meat of the strange creature. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

'I wasn't wrong!'

Instantly, a huge amount of vitality and power began to syphon into Asura's body as the creature attacked.

Using the momentum and opportunity, Asura turned his body left, crouching as a wolf-like creature filled with tough armour and large, vicious spikes burst towards Asura's former position; its maw opened with green spittle flying.

Asura wasn't caught off guard as his body exploded away from his current position, the power of his magic surging rapidly, thrusting his sword lance towards the monster's gaping mouth; a vicious metallic sound screeched as the force threw Asura behind the beast...

A sharp screech of anger and pain left the creature's mouth as a sharp line of blood poured from the cut along its tongue—its thick fur matted as purple blood began to pour...

"Raaargh!!!"

The creature charged Asura in its pain-filled state, aiming for the kill as Asura slid along the muddy dirt ground, creating a trail before standing up...

His right arm punched the creature with a right hook, the power causing its body to leave the ground for a moment, its spine twisting before crashing against a large stone spike, its large body bending the rock.

The armour covering his fist glowed before purple sparks flew—Asura's strong blow didn't only dislocate the creature's jaw but also fractured its skull and ribs... thanks to the addition of the powerful lightning element given to him by Xavida.

'Thanks, Xavi, your element helped.'

Asura wasn't merciful as the creature's guts spilt out from the impact; he pushed his right hand onto the creature's head and began to devour it, but the monster's broken spine stopped it from struggling from the intense pain of being sucked into the devouring glyph that shone on his palm.

Minutes passed as the creature slowly faded from the world—Asura stood up, cracking his fingers... a sudden surge of energy burst into his body...

"One down... A whole forest to go, huh..." his words carried a sense of irony as two sets of eyes watched him. It seems that combat will keep attracting more... how exciting—this is intense training.

⟪Devil Arts⟫

—Soulfire Blade

His eyes watched from within the helmet with a crimson light oozing as he began to use more magic, creating a surge of red and black flames from the tip of his fingers—like a dragon and phoenix, the illusory flames danced around the handle of the long spear before forming a raging fire around the blade.

'Time to hunt, boys...'

A savage roar left Asura's throat as the flames lit up his entire armour like a man wearing a suit of dragon flame armour carrying a long blazing sword-lance of flames—the darkness around seemed to recoil at the sight as his confident figure stepped towards the endless dark forest...

Only Asura's laughter, accompanied by the clash of steel, flesh and roars, remained as hours passed.

***

⁜ Xavida POV

Within the cave, Xavida waited; her anxious amethyst eyes gazed at the various tools and items placed upon the small table with a candle melting, creating flickering shadows across the dark walls...

She also added several light stones in the deepest part of the cavern and discovered it was blocked off with only one entrance and was the perfect stop to set up their base.

"I wonder if he will be safe...?"

She wondered whether Asura would be alright, worried that the forest was filled with those Stage Four Monsters that caused her to shiver, remembering the moment he was stabbed and trying to suppress the memory.

Breathing heavily and closing her eyes, she laid her back against the cold cavern wall—she missed his warmth after she kissed him a few times, remembering how gentle Asura had been since they first met...

'He was the first person to take my side since my mother died... and he only wanted to hold my hand or tease me.' At first, she was terrified he was one of her uncle's hidden men, aiming to trick her. What made her even more scared was that spending time with him and how he could remove her curse felt too perfect... The more pleasure he gave her, the more she felt resistance in case the next day she might wake up and realise it was all a lie...

However, the night he stayed in her room, those feelings and thoughts began to fade, and her heart began to accept her feelings towards him. This was due to her misunderstanding that she might give birth to their children...

The information on the dragon's copulation was rather lacking, and she didn't understand the complexities and that they didn't go all the way.

Regardless, to Xavida, the entire thing and the tip were the same, especially when she compared the image size and what she saw between Asura's legs.

'I hope that he comes back soon... I want to kiss again.'

***

A silver light flashed before lightning and steel cut through the throat of a huge deformed bear monster—Asura killed another creature.

With purple lightning surging from his body with his sword lance, piercing another monster covered in poisonous skin before penetrating the skull and ripping the top of its head open—blood and brain splattered across Asura's armoured face as his helmet seemed to glow due to the bright green blood.

"Haa.... ha... I should head back—at least ten monsters with edible meat and some interesting fruits seem safe." Asura wiped the green blood with his arm before noticing several eyes watching him...

Dozens of creatures followed Asura, hoping he would drop any of the monster meat and fruit after cutting it down.

'It seems they finally see me not as easy prey... well, whatever, let's give some to them.'

Grabbing the sliced bear meat from his spatial ring, he tossed the huge chunks of dark-purple monster flesh into the darkness and heard a rush of footsteps scrambling—Asura turned and began to sprint through the forest.

His body easily dodged attacks and killed several weak stage two monsters that lacked intelligence, his palm draining them before using them to leap across the trees before finally reaching the safe zone where his lights were placed.

"Oh... she's already set up the barriers... Is she better? Let's hurry back!"

In his haste, he missed the wet clothes upon leaping into the entrance as he found the cave was warm, less dirty, and there was even a nice bed; however, his gaze looked to the right... 'Oh my... what a sight...'

Xavida was looking at him with her big eyes, completely naked inside a makeshift bath... she seemed to have brought it herself as she tilted her head, watching his black helmet opening, revealing his handsome face.

'Isn't she going to start shouting or get mad?' "Welcome home. Are you okay?"

He was confused at her current state, nodding to her as she spread her arms and seemed to beckon him, her soft pink cherries and swaying mounds causing ripples in hot water, steaming with bubbles. "Come join me?" She asked in a cute tone that surprised Asura.

'Is she under the influence of drugs or something?' 'Or was it some weird monster plant she ate!?'

He thought perhaps this was some strange illusion or trick, but her honest gaze told him it was reality... and he didn't need to ask twice... those soft pink scales that shimmered in the dark cavern light were enough for any male to have their desire ignited.

'I'm too tired to care about the consequences...'

Asura was exhausted, his armour slowly folding as he tossed the leather tunic into the washing basin and quickly became naked.

"Like what you see?"

The moment his armour clicked and began to release...

It was her throat that swallowed her saliva like a horny teenager, never removing her gaze from his body for a second.

"Love." Her red face whispered before hiding under the water and bubbles.