Reborn As An Evolving Monster

408  Zino!

How long did Mark stare into those dark eyes?

Darker than the Night. Darker than any shadow. Darker than the forest.

The forest he had entered to get lost... Getting lost in those eyes seemed a much easier task.

"It had to do with touching her, didn't it? Why aren't you doing anything?" She seemed disappointed. "Am I not to your taste?"

She was.

"You have no idea what you're talking about." Mark whispered as he pulled back.

"If you're unwilling, then doesn't that tell you everything you need?"

His cheeks left her hands, and she lay her arms on the ground, haphazardly above her head. Mark remained silent.

"Sorry for shouting."

"Whatever. I'll take Krista back to Elisa."

"Then?"

"Then I'll decide."

Laylah shrugged silently.

He pushed himself off the ground and she sat up.

"Guess we have to walk across again." Laylah said as she dusted off her black dress.

"Yeah."

'He's not sulking... Is he?' Laylah asked herself, pushing her cheeks out, before standing up.

They walked.

"Who are you?"

"You're asking that again?"

"This place... There's something weird about it."

"There is?"

"The things I saw... And heard when they got to me. It felt familiar."

"They're the ones you should be asking then, no?" Laylah pointed at the Creatures in the distance.

"They talk?"

"Not to me. They run away when I approach, remember?"

"Why is that?"

Laylah shrugged.

"I've seen a number of strange places but... This one makes them all seem normal."

"Then it's special, huh? I'm not sure how to feel about that."

Mark stopped walking, and so did Laylah one step later.

"Do you really not remember anything? Anything other than your name?"

She thought silently for a handful of seconds.

Her lips parted. But before she could say a word,

BAM-

It suddenly resonated, making them flinch!

Before their gaze could move in the direction from which the sound emanated,

BAM-

"What's happening??" Laylah shouted, her voice filled with worry, confusion, and surprise in equal parts.

BAM-

CRACK-

At the center of the Monster Realm, a Barrier that none could enter.

Some considered it an eighth Territory of the Realm of Monsters, but most considered it the area where the seven Territories, each ruled over by a Demon Lord, met.

It was an unsolved mystery, what lay within.

A Barrier that none can enter? Unbelievable.

The seven Demon Lords had, long ago, attempted to pass through. They had failed.

Since then, every General and every Commander has, at least once, attempted to pass through the Barrier.

But no matter how many times they attacked, how strong the Magic Skills thrown at it were, the Barrier couldn't be damaged.

Until now.

In the distance, a crack had appeared in the dark sky.

From that crack,

"Human...?"

"No. Stay behind me."

Laylah nodded silently, before taking three steps back.

From the crack in the sky, it descended, sparks of lightning covering most of its body.

An explosion sent lightning bolts in every direction as it landed.

"This... Is fucking crazy. I can't believe this... I was passing by, felt something was weird, and... Fucking hell!" Neither Mark nor Laylah moved as its gaze moved from left to right.

It stood on two legs, but it wasn't Human.

Its body was covered by a blue-greenish pelt, as well as yellow scales that covered hands, shoulders, and legs.

Protruding from its skull, two horns that pointed forward.

Grayish long hair on its head.

Its gaze finally landed on them.

Lightning permeated through its body, and most of the distance was closed in an instant.

"Which one entered? Which one was here first?"

Neither said a word.

"Answer me."

Mark didn't need those floating words to tell. The Aura, the demeanor, as well as the strength projected by both, were more than enough to tell.

Standing a dozen meters in front of him, a General.

A General of a Demon Lord's Army.

[The Title "3rd General Of Wrath's Army" stares at you.]

Mark could tell that Laylah had halted her breathing.

"I-"

"Run away." He interrupted before she could say a thing. "Run away!" Mark shouted as he raised his arms. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"She seems more cooperative. Should I take you out first, Monster?"

"What... What do you want?!" Laylah shouted as her hands grasped at her dark dress.

"I told you to run away." Mark repeated.

"Haha! He gets it!" The General snapped his fingers before pointing at Mark. "I'm here to see what is up with place. Well... I'm mostly here to have fun. Since this is a pleasant surprise."

He studied them with his greenish eyes for a bit, before curling his index finger and thumb. Their tips met, and he looked through the space created.

"There's something special about both of you. I can't tell which one originated from... Hmph. I suppose the one who entered has to be special too."

"Can't we talk about this??"

Sparks of lightning covered the General's hand.

"RUN!"

"He got that right." "I can't just leave y-"

With an upward slash, three crescent sickles of lightning were emitted, burning and ravaging the ground in their way!

Ice Manipulation-

The wall of ice was brought down right away.

She had closed her eyes and raised her arms defensively.

Shaking. Fearful. Unable to move.

I can only notice the Moon or its light when staring at it-

Once my hand covers it, it's total darkness again-

"Laylah!" Mark shouted.

Only then did she snap out of it.

It was the first time she had heard her name being called out.

Light that only exists when seen-

"I see you, alright? So run!"

The General tilted his head in slight confusion.

"The Barrier was weakened by me... And by him now! You can find the Barrier! Probably! So go!"

Her eyes widened and she grasped her dress tightly.

"I'll come find you! Go! Now!"

Laylah hesitated, but she turned away.

"So she's this place's secret. Interesting..."

"You said she was special. How so?" Mark asked as he extended his claws.

"What does it matter? You should ask my name instead. The name of the one about to kill you."

"Fuck off."

A vein popped on the General's forehead.

"You better listen..." He cracked his knuckles. "Bad things happen when I get angry."

The General's Aura flared up right away.

"What's your name?"

"Zino." The General answered with a smile, glad to have his way. "Now, let's play!"

Mark took a deep breath in.

'The Demon Lords pull power from their Deadly Sin... If he's a General of Wrath...' Flames rose from Mark's left arm. 'The goal is to kill him without getting him angry. How do I even do that...?'

The -How- doesn't matter. Just get it done.

Why?

Because this is a test!