Redo: Grimoire System in the Apocalypse

Meanwhile... at an abandoned location in the center of the Voodoo Bayou in Louisiana, three figures sat meditating. An eerie red aura surrounded them, altering any Mana that passed through.

"For the umpteenth time, Barbas, yes! I made sure that they were taken care of.

Both 'Albus' and that brat that he was tied to. If they didn't manage to survive something as simple as that, then they don't deserve the gift that we left for them!"

*Sigh*

Barbas took a break from cultivating and spat off into the distance.

*Ptui*

"I really hate Humans. They are so fragile that even when you try to help them, you still have to worry about whether or not they survived."

Barbas shook his head.

'If it weren't for my friendship with him, I would have never wasted my time. That kid was the only one advanced enough to handle unlocking some of his Grimoire's authentic memories.

That idiot probably still thinks that the Demons are the ones who pushed to eradicate the Humans. Pathetic.

Even when the evidence was right in front of him, even the strongest Human didn't have the power to sense the difference.'

It was a minute change. Even most Demons couldn't tell the difference.

Barbas just happened to have more control over Demonic Energy than most. When the other "Demons" were casting spells, he could tell that the energy wasn't being used properly.

There was such a slight difference that he almost didn't notice it at first. It wasn't until thousands of Demons had already been infected that he realized something was off.

By then... it was too late.

"I don't understand why you'd try helping that brat again anyway. After not believing you the first time, I would've just killed him."

Draug just couldn't understand why Barbas would go so far for a Human. They should be strong enough to handle the problem without the weakling's help, right?

It was at this moment that the third interjected. She opened her eyes, an aura almost as powerful as that of Barbas pouring out.

"I don't believe that his decision was wrong. What I don't understand is why you didn't just give it to him. Why all the theatrics?"

Barbas shook his head.

"Jiliyah, you know damn well that the effects are exponentially more remarkable if it's earned, not given. 

Aside from that... If we were able to hijack a spot in the Redo Formation... Don't you think that those creatures were capable as well?"

Both of the other Demons fell silent. He was right. There were likely many more of the strange creatures than Demons.

"We should have plenty of time to get ahead. The other Demons who ended up on this continent should be making their way here.

The Demonic Energy in this place is exceptionally thick. It should act as a beacon to any true Demons with no problem."

Barbas took a deep breath, absorbing more of the potent energy floating around him. He'd lost most of his strength during the transition... but that should be true of their enemies as well.

He looked back at Draug. He specialized in Formations and was the only reason they'd managed to hitch a ride.

It took an extreme amount of energy, but they had managed to connect a separate path on the edge of the Redo Formation that allowed 20 of them to tag along.

Whether or not they all survived was a different story. Even if they did, Barbas and Jiliyah were the strongest, and their power level had been reduced to that of a Tier 6 Race.

Out of the others, there were likely only one or two Tier 5, and the rest were Tier 4 or below. It was almost comical that the Demon Race had fallen so far.

"You said that the others will be here in a little over a year, right? That's barely enough time for us to increase Tiers more than once or twice.

How will we get them to believe us? Unless we had our full power, it's likely we couldn't even gain an audience with Asmodeus or Lillith."

Barbas had the same thoughts. He'd been thinking of a solution but could only come up with one... and he didn't like it.

"Even if we did gain an audience, the Demons are too prideful. They wouldn't take any precautions regardless.

It's risky... but I say that we kill our former selves and take their place. I was a mere Tier 3 Demon when we first arrived here. It wouldn't be difficult."

The jaws of the other two Demons dropped. What had they just heard?

"Wouldn't you just cease to exist!?" Draug asked.

Barbas shook his head.

"This is an entirely different branch of the timeline starting from the moment that we arrived here. It won't affect the branch that we came from or any of the other branches outside of this one."

Draug looked at him curiously, "If we can't fix our own timeline, what's the point?"

Barbas shrugged, "To survive."

Jiliyah nodded.

"We couldn't play dumb for much longer. The Core was already investigating us."

Draug shuddered when he heard the name. The Core was made up of twenty Demons just as strong as Barbas and Jiliyah.

Each member led a legion of Demons that were born with the same Bloodline as them.

Barbas' Bloodline Trait was that of strength. He was the top Demon in terms of raw physical power.

Jiliyah's Bloodline Trait was that of a soul stealer. Her subordinates specialized in stealing life and performing strange magic with Life Essence.

Draug was a part of Mephisto's Bloodline. He was an intelligent Demon who specialized in knowledge and mental magic.

He couldn't imagine how something had affected all but the two sitting in front of him. Even the leaders of the Core had changed.

'Then again... If the enemy had started early enough, wouldn't it be pretty easy. If I remember correctly, Mephisto should only be a Tier 5 Demon once he appeared here...'

Unbeknownst to the others, a different plan had already begun to form in Draug's mind.

Just as these thoughts occurred, all three of their heads whipped toward the north. An unmatched Demonic Energy was radiating toward them.

"That's..."

Barbas shook his head. This was impossible.

"Draug, just how hard of a test did you give him!?"