Azaroth’s sword bit deeply into the monster’s side while Alex gave it a deep slash on the chest but all that didn’t make the monster fall, instead its left hand lashed out with those curved claws, faster than Azaroth expected and might have stripped some flesh from his chest if not for the enchanted cloak.

Without giving the monster room to breathe, Azaroth used the cloak to bridge the gap between them, and with all his essence redirected to his two hands, he slashed down, cutting its hand away from the shoulder.

The monster hissed and jumped back from them, but Alex was right on its heels. He positioned himself in front of it and tried to use his one-slash technique, but the monster had a hidden weapon it hadn’t used.

A thick tail snapped in the air as it turned, and Alex suddenly found himself slammed into the ground with the monster already jumping to crush his head.

Stallus’s explosion sent it back, and she almost followed with her weapon, but Azaroth was already there, and the monster’s head spun in the air. Everything happened so fast that she didn’t even know how fast her heart was beating and that she was breathing hard. "Alex! Are you okay?"

Alex grunted as he picked himself up from the ground, he rubbed his chest with a scowl. "That lizardman boss has that kind of trick to its sleeves; at least my ribs are not crushed."

Stallus raised her brows. "That’s not a trick, though; the tail is one of the monster’s fighting weapons."

They began to argue about that while Azaroth Ignored them and went about carving out the monster’s heart. Eating will not only strengthen the body but also provide essence.

"Do you need help?" Catena, who walked over from his place, asked; he held knives. "Boos usually have the best meat in all of the monsters. And they have proper fat because they don’t do much work. Let’s see."

Azaroth ignored him, and Catena went to work cutting up the monster’s body. He skilfully removed the skin and began to strip the fat below, storing each in different leaves and into his spatial ring.

He went to the wooden hammer and picked it up. Maybe it’ll be an enchanted tool, and if it’s not, then Azaroth will just sell it once he’s back. Anything crypt-made usually goes for high prices.

The team then went to some of the monsters and cut meat out of the ones they needed, this will replenish their food storage. Then they made their way back to the portal and back into their ship.

Azaroth called Little Bird, and he answered to appraise the wooden hammer. "It’s a good hammer if you’re looking to go into crafting! It’ll make a good Warhammer, too, but unfortunately,y, it’s not enchanted.

Azaroth lost interest immediately and returned it to his ring, he then set the wooden on the ship and began the process of cooking the boss’s heart.

He cooked while others exclaimed over the surprise that was waiting for them on the ship. They now have a below deck that they can retreat to if the weather’s rough.

Azaroth stared at the portal that dotted the sea like stars and his eyes flashed. ’Inferno Legion. Just wait, I’ll gain what I need here, and I’ll be back!’

---

Meanwhile the crypt Master was a meeting.

"What’s the disturbance?" Kael hound asked.

The crypt Master scowled; he had just scolded Little Bird on his misuse of power when he locked down the portals. He waved. "Just one of my clones fooling around."

The crypt Master shifted as two sets of eyes settled on him; of course, he could see Kael Hound’s face behind his mask, and Commander Apex might as well have worn a mask with all the expression he showed.

The crypt Master resisted a shudder. He didn’t like leaving his territory because it showed just how powerless he was. Right here on earth, his power might not even compare to Kael.

Apex spoke, voice wooden and low. "And why have you taken on that form? It’s a child’s form."

"Huh? I’m experimenting, if my trainees will prefer me like this." The crypt Master is as tall as Azaroth with his red eyes but Stallus’s blue hair and Alex’s mischievous expression. "Like a child? Have you forgotten that they are children? What’s their age, twelve? Thirteen?"

The Commander twitched. "All burns under the gaze of the Inferno. They are not children under the law; the old law no longer holds sway."

"Of course, of course." Truth be told, the crypt Master doesn’t like the commander at all because his voice is like iron, and his eyes are like knives.

"It’s been five months," Kael broke the silence with his words. "Give your report."

"Very well. They are doing well, better than I thought. As of today, they are above the average Awakener. And Azaroth is certainly a unique one. If they continue this training then they might become Master in the five years duration."

"Do you think they will meet any roadblocks?"

The Crypt Master undertook what they were saying. It roughly translates to, will all of them be able to advance through the ranks? Will their advancement not naturally stop? "They won’t." He replied firmly.

The reason for all this question is simple, they want to dispose of anyone that’s not going to be useful. The resources they are spending to keep the training crypt running are enormous and for five years? It’s going to be so much, and they want their investment to turn out well.

Apex and Kael shared an unreadable look and the commands asked. "When will they advance from the Initiate rank? If they are to make Master then they must advance at a pace never seen before."

"You do not have to concern yourself with any of that. I have promised to make them Masters. And that is what you will get." His red eyes shone.