Virus King [Translation]

Standing at a towering height of two meters, the creature's muscular form resembled that of a wild beast, with sinewy lines covering its body. Fierce and imposing, its skin was sheathed in layers of dark scales, each one gleaming menacingly.

At the center of its forehead, a demon's horn emitted a faint, dark red glow—a symbol of its devilish origin, drawing everyone's gaze.

Any human who laid eyes on this creature would feel an instinctive terror in their heart.

This was no ordinary being; it was something out of legend.

Although anyone with a bit of knowledge could tell that the creature wasn't fully matured—it had no long tail, no wings, and its single horn on its head was still undeveloped—this was a low-level demon, a lemur from the abyss.

Not even an adult yet, its strength was meager compared to more powerful demons.

But even so, a demon was still a demon.

Born with inherited memories, their species possessed terrifying strength and a natural inclination for battle. They were predators designed to rule the top of the food chain.

As the group laid eyes on the creature, an audible gasp escaped them.

The scout, responsible for reconnaissance, immediately relayed his findings, though this time his voice betrayed a hint of panic.

"Boss, I can't get a read on the specific attributes—just the level!"

"Explain!" Kong demanded.

"It's an Evil Demon, from the Ariel Tribe. Level 11. Boss unit. Demon Warrior Orlando!"

"Fuck!"

Despite being prepared, Kong couldn't help but groan as the creature continued to materialize in the crimson light.

"What are you standing around for? Kill it! Clear out the smaller mobs first!" he barked.

Novak watched from above, utterly composed as chaos erupted below.

Kong's greed was about to cost him dearly.

Here's a more polished version with smoother flow:

The men he'd brought along were his elite fighters.

They were somewhat like the Evolutionary Brigade from the Ocean Villa settlement—not as powerful, but formidable enough for the early stages of the apocalypse. They could survive and even lay the groundwork for future power.

However, Novak already knew the outcome of this battle from his previous life. In that timeline, Kong's entire squad had been decimated, with only a few survivors. Though Kong himself endured, he was left weakened, allowing Novak to swoop in like the proverbial fisherman reaping the rewards from the clash of snipe and clam.

Of course, Novak had paid a steep price for his opportunism, eventually being driven out of De M-anila in disgrace.

But this time, things would be different."

'Pfft!'

The sound of a spear piercing flesh cut through the noise of battle, its sharpness sending chills down the spine.

[You killed the level 7 demon servant and gained 1000 experience points!]

The system's notification barely registered with Kong as his face remained impassive.

A black-robed demon servant lunged from the shadows, its hand transformed into razor-sharp claws that plunged into the chest of a nearby evolutionist. In a swift, horrifying motion, it ripped out the heart and consumed it on the spot.

"KILL THEM!!"

Kong roared, gripping his mutated spear, though a sudden coldness swept over him. His instincts kicked in, and he dodged just in time.

He had been lucky—if he hadn't moved, he might have been gutted.

The demon turned and muttered something in an alien tongue, its guttural speech chilling him to the bone.

In that moment, Kong felt regret. He regretted summoning this monstrosity. What had started as a simple D-tier mission had now escalated into an S-tier nightmare.

The S-level designation meant unimaginable rewards, but it also came with grave risks.

And if he died, what use would those rewards be?

But there was no time for regret now.

With a fierce battle cry, he charged forward, spear poised and thrusting with deadly intent.

The demon scarcely reacted, lifting a claw to deflect the attack as if it were an afterthought.

A glint of anticipation sparkled in Kong's eyes.

As expected, even a low-level demon, with its raw power, looked down on them!

His sharp, mutated spear sliced through the demon's arm, piercing deep into its flesh.

"Awrooo!"

The demon let out a roar of agony, its gaze flaring with fury. In an instant, it retaliated, a swift, brutal kick sending Kong hurtling backward.

Almost immediately, the other evolutionists surrounded the demon, launching coordinated attacks, though some were swiftly struck down, their bodies pierced by the demon's savage claws. Despite the chaos, more and more wounds began to accumulate on the creature's thick, scaly hide.

From his vantage point on the cliff, Novak observed the scene, waiting for his moment.

He had to admit, Kong was impressive. Even in the face of death, his men continued to fight with fierce determination. Fear of death hadn't broken their resolve—yet.

If they continued growing at this rate, Kong's group could very well become a force to be reckoned with. But unfortunately, they had pledged their loyalty to the wrong leader.

Kong's eyes were bloodshot, his body aching from exhaustion. It had taken them half an hour just to weaken the demon. Around him lay the bodies of his fallen brothers, mixed with the corpses of the demon-corrupted villagers.

But none of that mattered.

As long as he could kill this demon, the sacrifices would be worth it. Completing this upgraded S-level mission would make it all worthwhile.

Kong clutched his injured arm, but his grip on the spear remained unyielding. His vision tunneled, focusing on the demon before him, battered and bleeding. It was clear now—the demon was on its last legs.

Victory was close.

Roaring at the top of his lungs, Kong bellowed:

"Brothers! Victory is within reach! Kill this thing, and every sacrifice will be worth it! Charge!"

He had shouted this rallying cry countless times during the battle, but this one felt like it would be his last burst of strength.

The remaining fighters, fewer than ten now, bloodied and broken, picked up their weapons. Despite their wounds, the fire in their eyes hadn't dimmed. At his command, they surged forward, aiming for the towering figure of the demon.

But just as they charged—

Out of the corner of his eye, Kong spotted a shadow descending.

It was as if someone had leaped straight from the hillside.

What!?

For a split second, Kong thought his mind was playing tricks on him. But when he looked again, he froze, along with the rest of his men.

The figure that had fallen from the sky was no demon—it was a man.

Clad in a dark green robe, the masked figure landed with a soft thud. His eyes, visible through the mask, were calm, like the surface of a still, deep pool. Yet beneath that calmness, there was a faint, unmistakable sneer of disdain.

And then, in a voice as cold as ice, he spoke—his words slicing through the tense air like a blade:

"What a pathetic display. An inferior demon—barely above a common beast, with almost no combat skills or demon blood techniques—and yet you've lost so many men."

The tone of his voice sent a chill through Kong, as if he had just been plunged into an icy abyss. The battle-worn leader suddenly felt small, and for the first time, the weight of his own choices settled heavily upon him.