Tangs' body had undergone fundamental changes under Kullog's influence.

In numerical terms, he had progressed from level one to level three.

This was without fully manifesting the demonic power - the once heavy demon corpse now felt as light as dried grass, easily lifted with one hand.

The sudden surge of strength made Tangs, who was crouching, almost lose his balance and fall backward.

Only then did Tangs truly comprehend the reality of this newfound power.

Naimes walked ahead while Tangs followed behind carrying the demon.

The growing crowd's gazes fell upon both the demon and Tangs himself.

Tangs felt his entire body burning, his blood pumping faster from his wildly beating heart.

This sensation of being watched was something he had never experienced before.

He even felt an impulse to "get lost" and wander around Beiqi Village a few more times.

But seeing Naimes ahead quickly dispelled such thoughts.

Everything he had came from Naimes - he dared not act recklessly now.

Without even turning around, Naimes understood Tangs' psychological shift.

When he first crossed worlds, he too had become inflated after minor achievements.

But reality taught him harsh lessons, and such emotions were long gone.

The small village wasn't large, and they soon reached the chief's house.

The commotion had drawn Op out of his home, where he greeted Naimes at the entrance.

"Truly worthy of Mr. Nair! To eliminate such a vicious demon in just one night!" Op began with flattery, his gaze toward Tangs now carrying warmth instead of the usual indifference.

"Just a small demon - hardly any effort required." Unlike the silent, grumpy Nair who acted like the world owed him, Naimes spoke openly.

He had Tangs bring the demon's body forward and place it on the ground.

Seeing the motionless demon corpse, the surrounding villagers cheered.

Many crossed their arms over their chests - a church gesture - reciting teachings of the Oath God.

"The promised church donation will be delivered promptly," Op said after glancing at the demon corpse, his expression flickering momentarily before speaking naturally.

"May you receive divine protection!" Naimes exchanged pleasantries while sensing changes in the contract.

[Contract Updated]

[Contract Artifact: Oath Rope (New - Length increased.)]

Only now was Naimes somewhat satisfied with the Oath Rope.

Contract Artifacts were vessels between reality and illusion forged by demons to ensure contract enforcement, typically requiring decades or centuries of continuous forging to become combat-ready.

But now, after several oath contract enhancements, the Oath Rope's combat power had become considerable.

At that moment, Naimes detected a peculiar gaze and immediately traced it to its source - a somewhat unkempt man.

The man wore coarse linen, his long black hair matted from neglect.

A short sword hung at his waist while a bow and arrows were slung across his back.

Villagers gave him wide berth.

Only one person in the village matched this description - the village guard.

In this world, village guards represented a regional peculiarity.

Villagers unable to perform productive roles would have their names stripped, becoming reserve guards.

Tangs had previously feared this fate.

Reserve guards had to form contracts with villages, drinking from deep wells.

Armed, they battled beasts and wilderness dangers. Only after sufficient combat experience and certain "mutations" could they shed the "reserve" title.

Village guards occupied an ambiguous social position - respected yet isolated.

They wielded power with severe limitations; violating contracts could induce such intense pain as to cause unconsciousness.

Hence most villagers kept their distance.

The village guard started, then averted his gaze from Naimes.

"He's suspicious!" The thought flashed through his mind, but he dared not investigate further.

"Troublemakers always reveal themselves," Naimes thought, recalling how criminals often return to crime scenes.

Whoever summoned the demon would likely come inspect after its defeat.

Few in Beiqi Village could orchestrate such affairs - supernatural powers weren't commonplace, with many never learning breathing techniques or meditation methods.

Given this, the summoner who remained hidden must possess considerable demonology knowledge.

The suspects were limited.

One was Op - the village chief surely commanded supernatural powers to maintain his business.

The other was the village guard. As a demon himself, Naimes knew the guard system essentially comprised mutated demon contracts.

Through village pacts and local waters, humans transformed into "artificial demons."

Thus experienced guards knew some demonic lore.

"Unconfirmed, but the guard's probability as Kullog's summoner just rose significantly." Having reached this conclusion, Naimes bid Op farewell.

His time was too valuable to waste here.

Calling Tangs to bring the demon corpse, they headed toward the village church at the village's rear, backed against Beiqi Mountain.

The towering mountain split passing clouds, dotted with small black specks - the village's main producers gathering herbs, Op's primary legitimate income source.

Compared to other floating whale regions, Beiqi's output was modest, hence only supporting a small village.

Wealthier areas like Breathspring City or Pupillake had more complex environments with numerous experts. While possessing special abilities, Naimes needed development time.

Pondering the floating whale's unique traits, Naimes arrived at his primary material plane objective - the church.

Even before approaching, he detected waves of faith.

Then a hymn began.

Though the singer's voice was aged, it now carried extraordinary power. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel✦fire.net

The power of Holy Light!

This force, interwoven with song, came rushing toward Naimes!