Strongest Superhuman System

Chapter 385 Demon Summoner

Tears welled up in Talia's eyes, and Selina felt a pang of guilt as she realized she might have gone too far with the kid.

"Alright, kid. Sorry, sorry. Your shoulder hurts, right? I'll look at it before I take you... just relax."

Selina tried to take a look at the shoulder. Meanwhile, on the other side of the small clearing, James was still trapped under the burning tree. His eyes fluttered open as he felt heat on his face, and his eyes widened when he saw the fire burning beside him. James reached up to try and move the tree, but there was barely any strength left in his arms.

He managed to lift the tree slightly, but after some time, his hands gave out, and the tree dropped on him again.

"Gah!"

James cried out in pain as he looked to the side. There, he saw Talia being manhandled by Selina as Selina tried to check the shoulder, and he knew that if he didn't get out now, Selina would take Talia!

Come on, you have to get up!

James tried to lift the tree again, but the same thing happened. He was utterly spent.

'Use us.'

A voice whispered into James' ear, and he shook his head in anger, ignoring the voice and trying to lift the tree again.

'You know you can easily do that. Just use us.'

I won't! I'm going to be a hero! I don't need you!

Around James, apparitions and ghosts began to materialize as ethereal beings made from a white fog. The entire clearing filled with them as they floated closer to James, speaking in unison.

'You are only weak because you refuse to use your mana. Use us, and you will become stronger. You could become the strongest in the world! Stronger than any hero!'

"Heroes don't make contracts with demons!"

James suddenly shouted angrily at the apparitions. He wasn't surprised by the appearance of the ghosts. This was normal to him. Ever since he received his blessing from Thanatos, he had been able to see ghosts and apparitions. They followed him around, spoke to him, and even tried to teach him sometimes. But that would have been okay if it was the only thing happening.

The apparitions all stopped their chanting as James suddenly shouted. They stared down at James, wondering if they heard right, and James turned to them with a hard look in his eyes!

"I'll take the contract! So help me! I need you to get this log off me!"

"Begone, fools. Do not sully my eyes with your presence."

A deep voice suddenly spoke up, and all the ghosts and apparitions screamed in horror as they floated away from the clearing, disappearing in no time at all as a new being appeared from the darkness of the abyss. James felt a great pressure pressing down on him as he saw the newcomer.

It was a muscular man, his skin looked like it was carved from grey metal and he had intimidating black eyes and a chiseled chin. He was naked, but there were no genitalia on his body. Instead, he wore a proud smile on his face.

"Pride?"

James recognized the demon immediately and called its name, and the demon's proud smile widened.

"Yes, mortal, you are in the presence of Pride. Rejoice, for there is now some meaning to your worthless existence."

The large man spoke as he allowed his eyes to roam over James' body before looking at the log that was on him.

"You foolish mortal, to allow something this trivial to hold you down. Have you no pride as a man?"

James stared up at the demon with wide-eyed confusion, and the demon only chuckled.

"Oh yes, I suppose a child like you would not understand the splendor of my words. You are forgiven this once. Tell me, do you still hold onto that foolish delusion of heroism?"

James looked away. The flames from the fire licked at his skin, and he scooted a little bit to try and get away from it. It didn't really help, but it managed to buy him a few more seconds. James spoke up angrily, but he couldn't look the demon in the eyes since he knew he needed the demon's help right now.

"Being a hero isn't foolish! I'm going to be greater than KING!"

Pride burst out laughing once he heard James say that. The boy wanted to be a hero! He wanted to be greater than KING!?

"Stupid boy! Why be a king when you can be a god? I fail to see a child assimilating the full meaning behind my grand words but try your hardest."