Family heirloom, then turned into a demon girl

Chapter 12 Mission: 02-7 Harvest
Nero took the sword and slashed at the air a few times to get familiar with the feel.

"Yeah, it's pretty smooth."

After testing the sword, Nero praised it and asked thoughtfully, "Is it time to give you a new name?"

Echidna remained silent.

Nero was pleased with her state. "Just kidding. You should still call her Echidna... um, Serpent Sword Echidna. Sounds good."

She released her grip, allowing the demonic weapon to transform into a ball of light and fly into her chest. Magical tools like Echidna's could be compressed into a form similar to a ball of magic power, allowing other demons to absorb it.

Very convenient setting.

After subduing Echidna, Nero didn't leave immediately, but instead turned and headed towards the ruins of the destroyed Demon Gate. She clearly remembered that in order to provide the Demon Gate with the energy to operate, the cult had embedded the three magical tools that Tracy had brought as a gift upon joining the cult into it.

After all, showing off might be fun, but the aftermath is a nightmare. The massive stone tablet crumbled and shattered, completely covering the ground structure of the Demon Realm Gate. Nero searched the rubble for a long time, but couldn't find the magic tool beneath it.

Nero, somewhat anxiously, unsheathed his Yama Blade once more and plunged it into the center of the ruins. With all his might, the Yama Blade's "spatial slashing" property unleashed its full force, reducing everything within a two-meter radius to a fine, sand-like pulverization. The pitch-black sand flowed through the cracks, finally revealing the gleaming metallic magical tool before Nero.

"Impact Steel Armament, Gilgamesh?"

Nero, having untransformed, recognized the magical tool lying on the ground. Unlike Echidna's, this weapon was artificially crafted from demonic metal, taking the form of armor that was highly integrated with the human body.

After reaching out and touching it, the magic tool turned into a stream of light and penetrated into Nero's body.

I have to say, this setting is really convenient.

Another task accomplished. Nero leaped out of the ruins and turned to see the demons summoned by Echidna finally approaching. They gathered around the outer perimeter of the square, not daring to enter, their gaze fixed on Nero standing in the center.

It's a bit much, but it's not a problem for Nero now. The only possible problem is——

"I'm going to kill all your beloved children. Do you have any objections?"

Echidna didn't respond to Nero's question.

Smart people, no. That's what smart demons are like. It's best not to have any opinions.

Nero slowly approached the group of demons and even took out his Serpent Blade, unfolding it into a long whip. Then, brandishing the demons' "mother," he charged into them.

The sharp, scaly blade of the serpent's belly tore through the plant demon's limbs, severing its tentacles and crushing its flowers. Yet, Echidna remained unresponsive. Nero was even more pleased with her.

If viewed from the sky, Nero looked like a lone island surrounded by the tide. His bright red dress and long, bright golden hair were swept by the dark tide, seemingly ready to be submerged at any moment.

But Nero was no island. She was a towering peak, a peak rising amidst the tide. The flexible serpent-belly sword formed an invisible circle in Nero's hand, instantly lashing any demon that stepped within it with a fatal wound. The torn and shattered demonic limbs dissipated into a black mist. Legend has it that this was demonic blood, which, if crystallized, would become a red soul stone imbued with demonic power.

If the rumors were true, perhaps after a while, the forest would be filled with gem-like red crystals. Nero seemed to have absorbed some of the mist, but unfortunately, she didn't feel any stronger.

A demonic flower pounced forward. Nero swung and pulled his whip, striking the flower's underside two-thirds of the way to the limit. The sharp scales instantly tore the stalk in half.

Two more came from the right. Nero swung the whip back to the right, and when it landed on the demons, he yanked again.

The tip of the whip sword accelerated instantly, cutting the two demons in half on the spot.

This was the most effective and lethal method Nero had found in her combat experience. She used the attacking demons as practice targets, becoming increasingly proficient in the use of her weapons.

The technique of exerting force, the control of distance, how to minimize the amplitude of movement... Nero's experience was rapidly increasing. If he wasn't a martial arts genius in his previous life, then it must be the terrifying talent brought by the demon bloodline.

The latter is probably more likely.

Tired of mowing down the enemy with his long-armed Wushuang, Nero retracted Echidna, effectively letting her off the hook. A flash of white light appeared, and arm and leg armor gleaming red appeared on Nero's body.

Unlike the rugged form it wore when equipped on Dante, this impact steel, known as the "demon world metal lifeform," has been given a more graceful appearance to fit Nero's slender frame. As its shape shrinks, it covers more of Nero's body, from his fists to his shoulders, and from his feet to his thighs. The only thing missing is a pair of high heels.

Actually, it's not impossible. Although the social atmosphere in Fortuna is very conservative and women rarely wear clothes that are considered "seductive", including high heels, Nero has indeed adapted to the feeling of wearing high heels.

So Nero's height increased a little. Just a few centimeters. It had nothing to do with the fact that she was now three centimeters shorter than Kyrie.

Then she thought about it, and many sharp barbs grew on her boxing gloves and leg armor.

She tentatively moved her limbs and smiled slightly. "That's right... As the saying goes, 'the more beautiful the flower, the more thorns it has,' right?"

The first unlucky creature to emerge from the new weaponry appeared. The demon flower attempted a sneak attack from behind, but was met with a well-prepared roundhouse kick. The barbs pierced the demon's body, transforming into sharp, deadly blades as they left.

Nero was delighted with the kick. She felt she was a natural at the roundhouse kick. Her excellent balance, graceful turns, and clean movements made her roundhouse kicks as graceful as a dance.

Two more demons approached, one on Nero's left and one on his right. Nero first grabbed the right demon's tentacle and pulled it towards him. As it lost its balance and approached, he elbowed it in the weak spot. The shock steel poured its power like water, sending the demon flying far away. The petals above its head withered and fell in the wind.

Then facing the second one, Nero tore off one of its tentacles and chopped the flower on its head with a knife.

He grabbed the second tentacle and used it as a meteor hammer to smash into another demon.

(End of this chapter)