The Heavenly Demon of Terror

Samuel's POV

Inside the Throne Room – Beast Caste

After our banter settled into a comfortable silence, Owen leaned against one of the beast-carved pillars, arms folded, his beast aura thrumming like a heartbeat through the chamber.

He looked at me thoughtfully, then asked, "You mean you're heading back to the Human Realm for something?"

I smirked, my fingers tracing the hilt of my blade as I gazed toward the misty horizon beyond the throne room's open arches. "Yeah. Word's spread—rumors of a demon hiding in plain sight, growing stronger with each passing month. Something dangerous... primal. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?"

Owen tilted his head, a low chuckle escaping his lips. "Still chasing stronger opponents, huh?"

He crossed the room in a few strides, his footsteps echoing. "I can tell... you're strong now, stronger than most—but not enough to surpass me yet."

I didn't even deny it. "You're right. Your current level... still outmatches mine. But this is exactly why I want that fight with the demon. I can feel it, Owen. That creature might just push me into that next threshold."

My eyes glinted with excitement. "Imagine it... when I return, we'll see if the Martial King can still block my blade."

He laughed again, a deep and rumbling sound, more beast than man. "I've missed this, Samuel. That hunger in your eyes—it's the same as it was back then."

Then he turned toward his throne, tossing himself casually onto it. "The Gate to the Human Realm won't open for another week. How about I keep you busy until then?"