Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!-Chapter 668: Old Enemies

Just when Jack thought things couldn’t get any worse, the atmosphere trembled as a new wave of demons appeared.

Leading them was a woman with red skin and long raven hair that cascaded down her back. On her back was a long greatsword wrapped in cloth, as if the world was not worthy to see its blade.

Beside her was a youth with white hair. It was none other than Hendrix. His laid-back posture didn’t match the sharp glint in his eyes.

Behind them surged an entire army of demons and members of the Flaming Rose—hundreds upon hundreds flooding the narrow path as if summoned from some dark hole itself.

Jack’s grip tightened on his lightning odachi, and he couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, "Tch, just great. More of them."

He cast a quick glance at Akira, who had already shifted into a guarded stance, her eyes calmly observing the new arrivals.

Her face was that of disgust. As a Valkyrie, the princess felt that being surrounded by unholy vermin like demons was no different from being near a trash can.

As if that wasn’t enough, four more figures emerged from the swarm, each radiating an oppressive aura that made the weaker demons instinctively step aside.

Jack’s eyes narrowed, and he seriously felt the urge to laugh at how terrible the situation was looking by the minute. "Seriously? Four expert-level demons now?"

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, muttering under his breath, "This is just getting worse and worse."

The four demons bowed slightly to Kira, their heads lowered in respect, though their sharp horns and beastly appearances still made them look anything but subservient.

"We apologize, Lady Kira," one of them, a bulky demon with gray scales, spoke first. "We failed to detect the infiltration. Our focus was on investigating the strongholds as they were being blown apart one after the other."

A second demon, leaner with crimson wings folded behind his back, stepped forward. "If you would allow us, we will personally take care of the intruders."

The third, a female demon with emerald hair and snake-like pupils, added, "Please allow us to take care of this problem. It won’t happen again."

The last, a silent one wearing a skull mask, only nodded.

Jack’s expression tightened. ’These guys are bad news.’

Kira, however, remained silent. She casually waved her hand as if dismissing the demons. She could easily tell why they were being so submissive.

It was because of the head of this entire operation. She was the kind that would kill her own kind if they showed any sign of incapability.

They were scared she would report them. If they had met under different circumstances, they wouldn’t have shown such a level of respect to humans, especially ones they were several times more powerful than.

"Don’t worry about it. You all did well enough." Kira’s tone was emotionless. "I’ll handle them myself."

The four experts glanced at each other but didn’t dare argue.

But before she could move, Kira’s gaze swept over Jack and Akira with a lazy curiosity. "Where is Nox?"

Her question echoed in the tense silence.

Jack’s grip tightened, but it was Akira who stepped forward, her sword still in hand. "What business do you have with him?"

"Business?" Kira’s lips curved slightly beneath her mask. "A lot, actually."

Hendrix suddenly chuckled, his voice low but filled with dangerous amusement. "That kid’s caused me more trouble than anyone else in this world. I lost a lot because of him. If I can’t personally torture him and rip him apart with my bare hands, I might as well slit my throat myself."

Jack’s eye twitched, and a smirk appeared on his face. "Big talk for someone who couldn’t even catch him before."

Hendrix’s white hair swayed as he slowly turned his gaze toward Jack. "You’re not wrong. I was weak then, but thanks to him, I was able to push my body to levels I never thought I would."

Jack didn’t respond. Instead, he positioned his odachi in front of him, lightning beginning to crackle along the blade.

"Listen carefully," Akira spoke in a cold tone. "If you want Nox, you’ll have to go through us first."

"Oh? I like that," Kira said, tilting her head slightly. "But are you sure you can afford to block my path?"

Jack smirked. Though he still had some history with the red-skinned girl, he couldn’t afford to show any sign of weakness here.

"Who said we had a choice?"

The four expert demons stood at the back, quietly watching to see how their young leader would handle the situation.

Hendrix cracked his knuckles. "Let’s make this fun then. You two entertain me enough, and maybe I won’t kill you right away."

Jack’s response was immediate. "I don’t plan on dying either way."

Akira’s violet eyes narrowed. "Neither do I."

The demon army surrounding them began to circle, creating a large, enclosed arena-like space. The sounds of growls, snarls, and clashing weapons from the distant battlefield echoed faintly, but in this moment, all focus was locked on the confrontation between the two sides.

Kira slowly stepped forward, her bare feet tapping softly on the cracked stone floor. "Tell me... does Nox still move like lightning? Does he still have that irritating smirk on his face when things go his way?"

"He’s gotten even more powerful since Snowhelm," Jack smirked. "Well, I guess you’ll find out soon enough."

Hendrix laughed. "Good. I’ve been waiting for this. I wonder how much stronger he’s gotten."

"Strong enough to keep slipping through your fingers," Jack taunted.

"Oh? You’ve got a sharp tongue. I like it," Hendrix said, though his eyes now gleamed with annoyance.

Kira watched the exchange with mild amusement. "Playing hero, huh?"

Akira didn’t back down, her eyes shining with determination. "If standing here means buying Nox time, then yeah, I’ll be the hero."

"Hero?" Hendrix tilted his head. "Then let’s see how long your courage lasts when your arms are broken, your legs are shattered, and your ribs are crushed one by one."

"Big words," Jack spat, his gaze steady. "You’re not getting past us. Period."

The demon army’s growls grew louder as they sensed the rising tension. Sparks danced on Jack’s blade. Akira adjusted her grip on her sword, chasing the fatigue from her face.

They stepped forward in unison, their weapons raised, their hearts steady despite the overwhelming odds.

"Like I said before... if you want Nox..." Akira’s voice was low, deadly serious. "You’ll have to go through us first." Her eyes locked on Kira’s.

At the same moment, a slow smirk spread across Hendrix’s lips as his gaze clashed with Jack’s.

"So that’s how it is, huh? Very well then."

* * *

Support Supreme BeastTamer!

Foll𝑜w current novels on fre(e)w𝒆bnovel