Let’s skip the new generation of rabbits destined to shake the continent for now and refocus on our gleeful Great Demon King.

“Ahahaha, such generous bunnies! Now I won’t worry about meat for over a month…”

Seriously though—an entire rabbit clan just lasts you one month? You spendthrift! Ever thought of selling them for profit?!

Back at the meeting spot under the empty tree, Ink Ash scanned the area, slightly confused. His disciple was nowhere in sight.

“Strange. Lily, didn’t I tell you to wait here? Where’d you—”

**BOOM!**

Before his words faded, a chain of explosions erupted nearby. Roaring flames instantly spread in all directions. Beneath the inferno’s glow, a staggering figure fleeing caught Ink Ash’s eye.

“Damn it—you lot… don’t wanna live anymore?!”

His gaze turned icy. Murderous intent surged through him as he vanished on the spot.

“Ahahaha, run! Little mouse, faster! Or you’ll burn to death!”

Hovering mid-air, low-tier fire mage Gary sneered down, magic swirling around him. Lily clutched her flame-scorched arm, coughing violently as she sprinted desperately.

*Run far away… don’t drag Master down…*

“Easy, Gary. Get my answers before you kill her,” Xi drawled. Dressed in gold-trimmed silk robes, he lounged lazily on a sable-fur chair. At just twenty, he’d already become a high-tier mage—a backwater commoner’s life meant nothing.

“Got it—watch my rapid-fire fireballs!”

Lily rolled forward, barely dodging the scorching blasts. Exhausted, she had no strength left. Calmly watching her struggle, Xi grew bored. He cast a low-tier charm spell.

“Unknown girl, I admire your ignorant courage. But my patience is limited… Last chance: how did you catch those long-legged rabbits?”

“It’s Master’s—I don’t know!” Lily snapped awake after a brief daze, teeth gritted.

That fleeting word sparked a trace of warning in Xi’s heart. “Oh? You have a master?”

“Tsk. A commoner’s master’s just trash. If not, let me just—!!”

Before his sneer finished, a jade-pale hand clamped onto Gary’s throat. Ink Ash smirked, tightening his grip.

“Oh? So how’s it feel… being choked by an ‘ordinary’ guy like me?”

“Master!” Lily’s heart swelled with unprecedented relief at the towering figure descending like a god.

Ink Ash shot her a cold glare. “Shut up. I’ll deal with you later.”

“Yes…” Strangely, his fury made her happy.

Gary’s face flushed as he struggled. “Let go—FIRE BLAST!”

“Blast your big head!”

With a casual slap—like swatting a mosquito—Ink Ash sent Gary and his fireball crashing down. A series of sharp cracks echoed. On the ground lay a conscious lump of flesh. Gary writhed, voiceless, trapped between life and death.

“Ruthless, friend. Even angry, isn’t this overkill?” Xi’s eyebrow twitched as he finally showed emotion, watching his subordinate’s fate.

Ink Ash scratched his ear ungracefully, sneering down. “Noisy! Who are *you* to call me friend?”

“Your fighting style marks you a warrior… Do you know the price of defying mages?” Xi rose calmly.

The Great Demon King eyed his pampered face with bandit-like swagger. “Pretty boy, so much hot air? You look valuable. Hand over everything worth coin—I’ll make your death quick.”

“Heh! Hahaha… Good. Your ignorance roused my fury.” Xi laughed in rage. “Since I became a high-tier mage, no one mocked me like this. You’re the fir—how… HOW?!”

“Sorry, sorry—what’d you say?” Ink Ash stomped Xi’s upturned face twice, grinning. “Ever been told? Stepping on your ugly mug feels *real* good.”

Xi’s anger vanished instantly. Calmly, he unleashed his ultimate spell: “Vine Bind! Earth Barrier! Flame Burn—FUSION MAGIC: SOUL CAGE!”

“Triple-element mage? No wonder you’re cocky. But… still weak.” Ink Ash lazily tore the fiery prison apart.

Xi gaped, disbelieving. “Impossible! You’re a warrior—how’d you shatter my magic barehanded?!”

“Do mages always yap this much? Save breath—show me prettier fireworks.” Ink Ash sighed, bored.

Xi yanked a glowing scroll from his ring, fear replacing his composure. “Y-you monster! This holds a SUPER-TIER ARCHMAGE’S SPELL!”

*Ah, the classic “cool for three seconds” villain trope. No need to overthink the IQ drop.*

“Oh? Valuable stuff. Release it—I wanna see.” Ink Ash blinked eagerly.

“Huh?” Xi’s face froze, baffled by his enemy’s impatience.

“No stalling! Super-tier means *better* fireworks…” Ink Ash chirped, utterly unconcerned.

*Well, to a certain Demon King, even a super-tier archmage was just a fancy pyrotechnician.*