[Back to Sam's perspective]
I couldn't really figure out a way in. I touched the magic barrier then I coughed blood and I think I lost some strength or life. Luckily I had the honey and drank it all.
It was painful having to hug my honey jar as I anxiously awaited the Queen's judgement.
Now I'm waving my hands and making insulting faces and that should...
It worked. I've been swooped by...Oh s***. It's a Demon General.
I wondered why the arms and hands felt and looked human. When I looked up, the clothes were that of a human general in my Father's army.
"Hello Invader."
Invader? Intruder...Oh no please tell me this guy won't be shouting the whole trip.
"Uhh...where's your wings?"
"Traded for unrivalled strength but I can levitate."
Yes! A calm voice. Well too calm... it sounds like a snake whispering...It's sinister and gargled.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Great. How many people in this world can read minds?? Will he train me?
"If you give me your soul."
"No. That's a legendary ability."
"Ah yes I've tapped into your memories to read some history. I guess in effect you remember it better now. Sadly everything you've known I've already known from the rumors to facts."
"Does Lord Rend have the ability to take souls?"
"Yes."
"So it's true!"
"Maybe but he's not the Demon King. He is a Demon and the Lord of the Region so most low-level demons say 'Demon Lord' and the word spreads around to non-demons. Actually he's weaker than me."
Lord Rend is a Higher demon then with...a legendary ability that a demon general doesn't have???
"Ha Ha. The ability will be of no use in combat. Taking souls doesn't grant extra strength or anything to power up. I have the upper hand then. At least with how the Lord uses it...for now."
"What exactly is the skill used for?!"
"Portal."
We went through the portal and entered a creepy area. It's like an abandoned medic station...mahogany surely makes this place creepier and the night sky.
"Do not be afraid. The souls you witness now are at peace."
It's true. I was about to be horrified but every soul around me in this building is...neither smiling nor frowning.
"Souls are collected if ever allowed and if no one can see my Lord to be transported here and experience an endless dream."
"Nightmares?"
"I thought you noticed they were not frowning but peaceful."
"There has to be something that's a bit evil caused by his ability."
"Well yes. Lord Rend picks up the souls of strong demons and preserves them."
The floor opens and after what seems an endless fall. I went splat on the ground.
Thankfully I got healed.
"I'm sorry, I forgot you did not have levitate."
Give me then? No? He shook his head as if it was no.
"Only a few beings in the universe can give skills. Here we are"
"Uhh...what's here?"
"A research facility. Demons love playing god. Methods of extracting important skills are being researched here. So far we can extract uncommon and common skills."
"Do you have a name? Mine is-"
Suddenly something far more demonic appeared.
The old man from my cloudy memories.
I looked to my right and the Demon General had turned to the black ashes.
"Interesting. The Demon Kingdom never told me but now they don't have to."
[Spell Finder: Tracks any spell in the Universe as Yami's level exceeds the requirements for maximum area.]
[Skill Finder: Tracks any skill in the Universe as Yami's level exceeds the requirements for maximum area.]
[Entity Analysis: Analyses the past skills of any dead entity or the current skills of a living one. Complete analysis may allow extraction of any skill if "that" skill is maxed out by the user.]
[Game update pending to officially name Unknown Skill #1..."that" skill]
The crystal tombs and other majestic-looking containers were all opened and a faint black aura glowed from each corpse.
"Go along now. I have nothing to take from you."
I took my katana out and attempted to stop whatever was going on.
"Too slow. All skills taken. Teleporting Lord Rend so that you are the culprit."
The old man disappears and Lord Rend is present instead in his exact spot.
We're back in the room of supposedly the souls dreaming in peace.
Now there's one soul that isn't peaceful...
"The souls. You disturbed them. I finally have a reason to use the skill to give N-"
"Uhh an old man did all this! Please listen!"
"Nightmares! I'll kill you then your soul will have endless nightmares..."
This evil voice was far worse than any I've ever heard. A voice that one would rather die than hear.
"I won't fight you Lord Rend! We'll lose the Lord of the Region."
I replied out of fear but I said something worse instead... Why did my pride have to speak for me?!
"Your confidence disgusts me."
I'm suddenly falling again. Looks like we got teleported to the peak of the barrier closest to the sky...to clash blades. This is unfair! I'll end up falling to death again...
Stop thinking! Block every slash for now. That greatsword is heavier but Lord Rend is attacking as fast as I can block...