[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-first-demonic-dragon":3,"chapter-first-demonic-dragon-first-demonic-dragon-chapter-559":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","First Demonic Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1078379,1393,"Chapter 559 The Annual Euphrates Exam!","first-demonic-dragon-chapter-559",559,"\u003Cp>The planet where Abaddon and his friends were located was truly enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one of the largest in his collection, it was equal to the size of around ten jupiters mashed together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's atmosphere was unpredictable and unfriendly, and the environment is a harsh one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are sections of the planet that see near-endless thunderstorms, tornadoes, hailstorms, deserts that beat down on the body with blistering heat, and even an indescribably large jungle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with some... minor magical alterations made by Abaddon himself to make this place feel unwelcoming to even his apex creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he weren't consciously protecting himself and his companions in a magical bubble, little Courtney likely wouldn't even survive the temperature or the gravitational pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How are you liking Ke'el, my friends? Is it comfortable?\" Abaddon asked with a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragons below grimaced as they smiled wryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air on this section of the planet was hot and humid underneath the world's hopeless black sky, so it was no surprise they elected for silence as an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon dragged his eyes over every applicant present and noted the attendance of a few familiar individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are all worthy of commendation for even making it this far, but for those of you who are undergoing this examination for a second time, I am especially pleased to see you here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It does my heart good to see that you haven't let last year's set back derail your determination. Such a quality is more admirable than you know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to Monica, Adeline Argrona felt her eyes sparkle as she heard those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was usually quite the icy and serious woman, but on the inside she was fawning all over her emperor like a schoolgirl at a Justin Bieber concert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'H-He looked at me, he acknowledged me! My heart feels like it is going to burst from this feeling! No matter what, I will become a Euphrate and earn your acknowledgement and affections!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*She would only earn one of those things, but whatever.*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, I hope you all rested properly last night, kissed your loved ones, and even ate a filling breakfast. Because that will be the last time you get to do those things for two whole months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the applicants sucked their teeth as they tried to stop their eyes from bulging out of their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon smiled evilly, slightly enjoying this look. \"When you arrived at your bases this morning, you all should have received a storage ring from whoever checked you in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside of it, you should find a single week's worth of rations, a sleeping bag, and a flask. Nothing else will appear no matter how much you wish for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon held out one of his hands and gestured to the lands around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For a full sixty days, any resources you require must come from this world itself. As you can imagine, this world is harsh so the creatures living here are just as fearsome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you want to eat, I guarantee you that it will not be as easy as simply taking something out of the fridge at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forming small cooperative parties between each of you is permitted, but I warn you that it will severely affect our criteria for grading, so I would avoid it if I were you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The applicants listened to every word of Abaddon's decree, and once they got over the initial shock of it all, they realized that it wasn't quite that bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure they had limited resources to work with but if it was just living out in the wild... they were still dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were pretty sure they would be fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, I think that about covers the basics...\" Abaddon had to check his fingers to ensure that his notes were right before he continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, let's get to the main challenge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large hole suddenly opened up in the middle of Abaddon's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning his palm downward, he allowed his golden and black blood to fall until it hit the ground underneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From those first few drops, a massive pool suddenly formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as monsters come out of his flesh; from his blood a trio of enormous abyss walkers appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one of them were over one hundred meters in height; slightly bigger than the largest dragon taking the examinations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Woahh, kaiju monsters...\" Courtney whispered to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon was amused by his daughter's cuteness, and yet slightly disturbed by the fact that she was staring at literal void horrors with no reaction in her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some of you know these beasts well, some do not, but these are Abyss Walkers and this is the last time you will see them so tame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are just as strong as you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are just as fast too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You cannot run from them, and you cannot hope to hide because I have explicitly designed these variants to make them a bit more frightening than their predecessors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And though they cannot kill you... they do all have a diluted version of my venom in their teeth. So I can ensure you that exposure will be agonizing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This revelation caused most of the applicants to step back out of instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of these soldiers had been present during the battle for the abyss, and they knew these creatures like the back of their hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these abyss walkers weren't like the ones from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were bigger, more ferocious looking, and just like Abaddon they were decorated with bright gold tattoos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small advantage they may have had just went right out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... A small word of advice...\" Abaddon began. \"Avoid sleeping too soundly for too long, as they are quite adept at tracking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All: '...Why does it feel like the Emperor is taking delight in torturing us?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's just your imagination.' Abaddon thought, though his smile would confirm there was a morsel of truth to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon held up his hand and more of his accursed blood floated into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It generated a cloud that continued to build and expand in size until none of the applicants could see the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In under a minute and a half, Abaddon had covered the entire planet in a thick rain cloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Just how many of those things… is he planning to populate this planet with?' They wondered in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Abaddon gestured to the crowd of individuals floating around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I promise I'm almost done, but there is just one last stipulation left…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'There's more?!' They cried internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Myself and everyone behind me will be watching all of your progress carefully and going over every single detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at some point, they may find themselves so moved by your display that they may decide to come down and test you personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that should happen… you have to survive their 'pop quiz' for a total of four minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should you lose your head, heart, or remain on the ground for longer than ten seconds, you will automatically fail the examination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collective sound of over 3,000 jaws falling open all at once was not only jarring, but amusing too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon smiled as he snapped his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, 3,000 portals opened up over he heads of every single applicant; each leading to different places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is your last chance, my Nevi'im. If you decide you are ready to go home now, none of us will belittle you for that decision.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Abaddon had leveled an extreme challenge at their feet, none of the applicants looked like they had ever even considered backing down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this was what it took to be the best, they would happily take the plunge and make their ultimate dreams come true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing that none of them were intending to give up, Abaddon's smile was the largest it'd been all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well then... I'll see you all in two months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since none of them took the portal above their heads, a new one opened up right underneath their feet; and sent each of them to a different corner of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Abaddon waived his hand and the thunderclouds above finally released the deluge of his blood that he had been keeping stored away; signifying the start of the exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right, now we should... Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon looked down to where Mira was tugging his hand and wearing an anxious little look on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daddy... can I pleaseee join in too?? It sounds so fun!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Sister Mira is a nutcase…' Courtney realized. '…She's so funny!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon shook his head as he took Mira under his free arm. \"Afraid not, dear. You're already a member of the Euphrates, and the vice captain I might add..\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S-So? I-I'm not cut out for all this administrative stuff, I can just leave it all to Aunt Kanami!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanami: \"Hey!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See, she agrees!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon smiled as he took his daughter underneath his arm. \"Mira darling, I think you're forgetting something. This is the wilderness, so there are no home-cooked meals out here, or pastries of any kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mira took a moment to think about it before she lowered her head in understanding. \"O-On second thought maybe I'll just sit in the viewing room with you guys...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speaking of a viewing room, can we go there now??\" Belphegor suddenly asked impatiently. \"I was promised something important to me and it's time you delivered, nephew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon summoned his largest portal yet and swallowed everyone present with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment that they all left, the unified roar of billions of abyss walkers coming into being was heard throughout the entire planet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon and his companions suddenly appeared in a room that looked like an upper echelon style country club.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In side of a space with handcrafted hardwood floors, there were several deep leather couches seated in circles around at least ten magical monitors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A team of maids were already waiting inside; bowing respectively and awaiting to be of service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head maid was an older woman with vibrant purple hair and warm olive skin. \"Emperor and esteemed guests. Please make yourselves comfortable in this-\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Whoosh!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large gust of wind was created as Belphegor rushed past the maids to head directly for the breakfast bar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ignored all of the cooked food and fruit and instead focused on one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coffee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which one of these is triple shot?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"T-The one on the far left, General.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of using one of the little coffee cups that was already available, Belphegor summoned a thermos into his hand and pored every drop of dark roast into the pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throwing his head back, audible gulping noises filled the room as he downed every drop in concerning fashion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he was done, he wiped his mouth and let out a satisfied sigh before turning to the head maid; obviously in a much better mood than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for that, my dear. If it's no trouble I'm going to need another pot in around an hour.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I shall ensure that there is a constant rotation, General.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good lass.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abaddon rolled his eyes before turning to everyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you've just seen, you should all do your best to make yourselves comfortable. We're going to be here for a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1874,"2026-06-03T10:36:52.882Z","2026-06-03T10:36:53.620Z",1,"novelbin.me","3986c3d6415ab158050e7ca8ce3208336bb873a8300e2d69a48e2c51f6353574","first-demonic-dragon-chapter-560","first-demonic-dragon-chapter-558",1284,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffirst-demonic-dragon-cover.jpg"]