Nuella, the Nine-Tailed Red Fox, moved with a speed that would put even Supremes to shame as she rushed toward the Tormented Layer.

As she moved, one could see every step she took leave a rune mark on the ground. As a beast that specialised in illusion, she was making sure those following behind wouldn’t catch up too early.

After all, she had trapped some very angry forbidden beasts inside a dome she knew would take them at least a day to break free from.

Now, she was rushing to the Tormented Layer, specifically to the dragon who had already become the Monarch of the Tormented Layer.

"I need to hurry and reach the Young Lord before these bastards break free and call for reinforcements."

Just as she was about to jump over a large boulder, a chilling wind blew over her, causing her body to freeze in place for a second.

When she regained control of her body, she stumbled and fell, or at least she was supposed to fall face-first into thick dust. However, she found herself hugging a coffin.

Immediately, she sensed many powerful presences around her, including one that made her bones tingle. Raising her head, she met Kent’s handsome golden-purple eyes, which made her calm down a bit. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

However, she proceeded to turn to her left, and that was when she met Malak’s gaze. Her body froze again, and under everyone’s gaze, she fell backwards and collapsed.

Kent and his demigods were left dumbfounded as they watched Nuella collapse like she had seen a ghost.

"Big Brother, maybe you should do something about your presence. Look, even my companions are scared of you."

Indeed, Yggzrael and the others were terrified of Malak despite knowing he was one of them.

Kent even tried to make them shake Malak’s hand; however, they ran back, turning their gaze away from him, saying he scares them.

Malak laughed. "This is me restraining myself, Little Brother. I guess, as an Ancient Evil, my presence naturally freaks people out."

Kent could only shake his head. "I suppose we must have a bonding session to make sure everyone gets comfortable around you. I can’t have my companions terrified of my big brother."

Malak laughed. "I can bestow upon them an attribute that would make them less terrified of me. However, they would have to accept it willingly."

Kent thought for a moment and then turned to his beast companions.

"What do you guys think? Are you willing to accept Big Brother’s gift?"

They didn’t answer for a few minutes. While they were scared of Malak, that didn’t justify the suppression they were under. It was like staring at him made them feel small, almost insignificant.

They hated that feeling, so changing it seemed ideal.

Kent saw the 40 demigod beasts debate using their shared connection as a medium for a few minutes before Cryodrak, the Glacial Wyrm, replied to Kent.

"We want to do it, Young Lord."

"Very well." Malak smiled and gently tapped his staff against the ground, manifesting a red formation. He formed a few hand seals with his left hand, then spoke some ancient, unknown words.

Kent understood what he said because they had taught him their language, a language only the 24 of them knew. After he finished whatever he was working on, he turned to Kent.

"You have to name this attribute. It works based on how much trust they have in you. The weaker their trust, the weaker the effect."

Kent nodded and thought for a moment before managing to come up with a name.

"I will name it Evil Fiends."

Just as he spoke the name, runes emerged from the formations and merged with their foreheads.

[Your Forbidden & Grim Beast Companions have received a new Attribute: Evil Fiends]

[Evil Fiends]

[Description: Blessed by Grand Shaman Malak, an Ancient Evil, based on your trust in your Young Lord, no evil shall shake your resolve.]

"Oh, looks like you have some of the most loyal beasts I have seen," Malak mused, sensing that all 40 demigod beasts gathered around had become less afraid of him.

"I only accept beasts I share kinship with, Big Brother. I have no room for traitors," Kent said with his shoulders held high.

"They sure are loyal. However, to make sure they are completely immune to all forms of evil, you must raise your ranking. You are only a True Evil, Little Brother; you must rise through the ranks and unlock the unique powers hidden within you."

Kent nodded.

He knew from the start that after the True Evil stage, there was Great Evil, Cursed Evil, Unholy Evil, Tyrant Evil, Supreme Evil, and finally Ancient Evil.

"I still have a few things to handle, Big Brother. Once I am done with that, I will take the Great Evil Trial."

Kent said with conviction, and then his gaze shifted to the red fox on the ground.

She calmly opened her eyes and jerked up and landed on her feet. Then she transformed into her beast form, and her aura as a Universal God started to spill out.

"Relax, young lady, we have no interest in hurting you," Malak spoke and waved his staff, clearing the Universe God aura inside the ice fortress. "I brought you here because I heard you say you were coming to the dragon in the Tormented Layer."

Malak gestured toward Kent. "Here you go. Why were you coming to him?"

Nuella turned, and her gaze landed on Kent, the same person her Queen had sent her to find.

She shook off the lingering pressure pressing down on her. Then she addressed Kent, making sure her focus didn’t return to Malak.

"My name is Nuella, a Vagabond Captain..."

Kent furrowed his brow. "A Vagabond, huh. Can’t say I am surprised. However, why are you here?"

"My Queen sent me to come fetch you. She has been expecting you for a while now."

"A while, you say. How long has she been waiting?"

"I don’t know, but it has been a couple of years," Nuella replied.

’About the same time I arrived on Planet Sonox, if we factor in the time difference.’ Kent nodded and turned to Malak.

"I guess we will be taking a trip soon, Big Brother."

"I will prepare the transport formation," Malak said before teleporting away from the fortress. His coffin dissolved into mist, turned into a runic mark, and merged with Kent.

A message appeared before Kent.

[You have received the Mark of Malak. Because your ranking is low, the benefits have been sealed. Required ranking to unlock benefits: Great Evil]

[Your Evil Heart is reacting with the Mark of Malak.]

[Attempting to retrieve a benefit...]

[Congratulations, you have unlocked a benefit from the Mark of Malak. Benefit: Malak’s Authority]

[Malak’s Authority]

[Description: You have permission to invoke ancient curses on anyone using Grand Shaman Malak’s name without any backlash.]

[Curse Points: 2]

’Damn, now I have no reason to be afraid of even a Universal God, or two Universal Gods.’ Kent laughed inwardly, his happiness bubbling.

20 kilometres away, Malak smiled and muttered, "What an interesting guy. Is he perhaps the one True Evil the Ancient Scrolls spoke of?" He sighed and gazed back at the fortress. "Whether it is him or not, only time will tell."

He returned to creating the formation that would transport them directly to the Vagabond Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Kent created a throne for Nuella.

"Tell me more about this Queen of yours."