"What was that?" Anon inquired, glancing at Ion.
"It's called Auric Energy. It's an unknown energy; no one knows its origin, but it's passed down to those who learn this technique. I've passed it down to you, and now my work here is complete. I wish I could have taught you how to use it, but it seems my time is over," Ion explained, smiling at Anon.
"Wait, what are you saying? It's only the 5th day; you still have two more days left, right?" Anon asked, his face filled with confusion.
"Hahah... Cough-Cough-Cough It's not the 5th day anymore, kid. Cough-Cough-Cough It's the evening of the seventh day... Cough-Cough-Cough I've been slapping you for the last two days, kid," Ion revealed, coughing heavily as black veins began appearing all over his body.
Anon was left in shock by this news.
'What? I've been passed out for 2 days? It only felt like 5 minutes in my mind...'
Cough-Cough-Cough
Suddenly, Anon noticed that Ion's condition was deteriorating rapidly. His skin had turned dark blue, and black veins covered his body.
"Oi, old man... are you alright? Is there anything I can do to help you?" Anon asked, rising to his feet.
"Y-Yes... Get ready to fight. Once Cough-Cough-Cough.... It will not be hard to fight him here." Ion began coughing, and black blood spewed from his mouth.
"He's turning into a demon, just like the healer said. Should I kill him right now?" Anon pondered, carefully assessing Ion and preparing himself to act.
"Kid, once I turn into a demon, try to use your Auric Energy. It will take shape according to your will and it works freely from the effects of the Null Area. Cough-Cough-Cough and say goodbye to my son and granddaughter, One more thing...*Cough-Cough-Cough* Once I turn into a demon, kill me brutally. Gwahhhhhh," Ion said, his eyes turning dark red, and his body doubling in size. He growled before completely losing control over his body.
Anon could tell that Ion had gone rogue, and the demon was now in full control. He immediately assumed a defensive stance and was ready to kill him at any moment now.
"Hello, human," Ion spoke in a deep and eerie voice, a sinister smile on his face.
'What ? An intelligent Demon ?' Anon wondered as he looked at the demon.
"Who the hell are you?" Anon asked, his expression confused.
"I am a cute little demon from a very beautiful place that you humans commonly call Hell, I don't know why you get scared of that place though." the demon inside Ion's body replied.
"What do you want?" Anon inquired with a curious expression.
"Nothing much. I was called here when one of my friends left his life force in this old elf's heart, creating a small opening for me to escape from Hell. I began releasing my dark energy into his heart seven days ago. He put up quite a fight; there was something inside his body resisting me. Whenever I tried to release my energy at a higher level, it fought back, trying to expel me. Two days ago, this unknown energy left his body, and that's when I boosted my dark energy release, fully taking over him.
You see I am 'A demon in the flesh.' "
"My question remains the same: What the fuck do you want?" Anon said, maintaining a stern expression.
"I have consumed his soul already and I can go back to hell with only his soul but you see, we demons are very greedy.... no matter how much you feed us, we just can't get enough of souls.
That's why, I am going to take your soul with me. So, you have two options... First, you commit suicide and give me your soul Willingly. Second, I will kill you very brutally and then take it.
So, which one you choose ?" The demon asked.
"Hehehe... you seem to have misunderstood something. You see, I'm not the one who chooses; I'm the one who gives options. So, you can go back to hell now." Anon retorted, displaying his middle finger.
"Hehehe... what's your name, human ?" the demon inquired with sinister smile.
"If I had a crucifix right now, i would shove it up your ass. You want to know my name ? Well, I am your death." Anon replied, assuming a defensive stance.
"Die, then," the demon declared, raising his hand toward Anon and snapping his fingers.
Tick
Four seconds passed, but nothing happened...
"Hmm...?" The demon glanced at his hand in confusion and snapped his fingers again.
Tick
Still, nothing occurred...
"What's happening? Why aren't my powers working?" the demon muttered, looking at his hand with confusion.
"Hahahaha... you idiot. What kind of demon are you?" Anon burst into laughter, approaching the demon.
"Oi, why are you laughing?" the demon asked Anon, his expression a mix of confusion and anger.
"You foolish creature, you're standing in a (Null) Area. You can't use mana here. Now I understand why that old man insisted on training me here," Anon said with a smile.
"What?" The demon touched the ground and began analyzing the magic-nullifying array.
"So, what was it you were saying?" Anon asked, grinning as he walked toward the demon.
"O-Oi, don't come near me. I-I will kill you," the demon stammered, crawling backward upon realizing he couldn't use magic here.
Anon picked up a metal rod from the ground and swung it at the demon's face.
Thud
"Ahhhhhh-"
The demon was sent flying like an object as soon as the iron rod hits his face.
"So, you intended to kill me, huh?" Anon asked, slowly advancing with a menacing smile on his face.
"W-Wait... human. We can make a deal. Don't be foolish... I can make you incredibly wealthy and powerful. Everyone will bow before you," the demon proposed, smiling confidently.
"Yeah, you can really do that, huh?" Anon retorted, pulling the rod back and hitting the demon again.
Thud
"Ahhhhhhhh... Damn it... human, just stop and listen to me," the demon pleaded as he tried to stop Anon.
Anon continued to pummel him relentlessly. He showed no mercy.
Thud
"FUCKK... Human, at least listen to me. We can talk," the demon pleaded, desperation etched across his face.
"Fuck off," Anon retorted as he swung the metal rod again, this time shattering the demon's skull.
Thud
Crack
The demon's body was in brutal condition; his bones were damaged, and his muscles were tearing apart, but Anon showed him no mercy. He continued to beat him mercilessly.
"Wait, wait, wait... I can make you immortal," the demon suddenly spoke, managing to stand up and look at Anon with a smile.
"Hmm... interesting. Keep talking; I'm all ears," Anon said, pointing the iron rod at the demon's face.
"Yes, I can make you immortal. No one will be able to kill you or even touch you," the demon spoke in a seductive tone.
[Master, he's lying.] Link immediately informed.
'What do you mean, Link?' Anon asked.
[A V-type demon can't grant immortality to humans.]
'What's a V-Type demon?' Anon questioned.
[Master, a V-type demon is the lowest breed of the demons. They are very vicious and the biggest liars of all time. Since they live at the bottom line of the demon breed, they hold literally no truth to their words.]
'I thought demons were true to their words,' Anon said.
[They are true to their words based on their rankings. Like the demon gods, they can't speak any type of lie in their words. Although noble demons are also true to their words, they can bend their words by finding a loophole in them. These types of demons are called N-type demons. But these V-type demons are not trustworthy at all. He's using you to get out of this place because he can't open the doors. Only you can. Just show him your crest that the demon gods gave you, and he will become your slave instantly.] Link explained.
'Why can't he open the door?' Anon asked.
[V-type demons are illusionists. No matter how strong they may appear physically, they are just weak pathetic demon dogs. He can't open these highly reinforced metal doors. This is like a prison to him, and he can't escape without using you.] Link clarified.
'Hmm... well, let's play with him for a while,' Anon thought with a smile.
"So, you can make me immortal, huh? Well, explain yourself, or I'm going to shove this thing up your ass. Believe me when I say this, I am really going to do it," Anon threatened, showing the rod.
"I will give you a locket as soon as I get out of this place. Once you wear that locket, you will become immortal. Simple as that," the demon stated.
"No shit... you think I'll believe that? You can just run away once you get out," Anon scoffed with a smile.
"A demon will never go back on his words," the demon insisted.
"Okay, I believe you. Let's go," Anon said as he moved toward the main door.
"Yes, sir," the demon replied, following Anon with a smile.
[Master, you do know he's lying, right? He's going to run away as soon as he gets out of this room.] Link reminded.
'I know, but I want him to accept it first,' Anon replied to Link.
[I don't think he will, though.] Link said, still puzzled by Anon's plan.
Anon slightly touched the door and acted as if he was opening it.
"Hmmm...? Why is the door not opening?" Anon questioned, looking at the door with confusion.
"What happened, human?" the demon asked.
"I don't know, but this door isn't opening," Anon replied.
"What? Are you kidding me? A human can do anything. You just have to try. Wait, I have another idea," the demon suggested, smiling at Anon.
"What's your idea?" Anon asked with suspicion.
"You lend me your body for a short amount of time, and I will open that door easily," the demon proposed.
"What do you mean? Like, let you possess me?" Anon inquired.
"No, I mean lend me your body for a short amount of time. I am a demon, and I will never go back on my word. I will get out of your body as soon as the doors open," the demon assured.
[Master, please. Never let a demon inside your body. If a demon possesses your body, he will have the key to the power of ultimate destruction.] Link warned.
'I am impressed by your flattery, Link, and don't worry. I am not going to give him my body,' Anon reassured.
[Thank you, master.]
"No, I am not going to lend you anything. So, fuck off." Anon replied as he closed his eyes.
"Ugghhh-...." the demon's facial expressions immediately changed to the displeased ones but he immediately swaped them with a happy smile.
"Hahaha... sir Human. You are a very intelligent creature as I see you but you are just being foolish right now.
You have to get out of this place soon because you need food to keep that body of yours working, right ?" The demon asked.
"Oh, good reminder." Anon said as he opened his inventory and took out a friend piece of meat from his inventory and started eating it.
Another displeased expression covered the demon's face.
"I mean you will need to get out in a day or two after your stored food finishes, right ?" He asked with a smile.
"No, i have months of food. I am going to chill here in this room until someone comes and finds me. Once that door opens we both can get out." Anon answered as he chews on the meat.
"You fucking-"
"Hmmm...? You saying something to me ?" Anon asked.
"Oh, nothing. I was just saying... who would come here. I don't think anyone even knows about this place. I mean even I don't know where we are.
Like, are we on a mountain or something ?" The demon asked as he tried to take out information from Anon.
"No, we are in the middle of a very dangerous forest, 50ft deep."
"The fuck ?"
Anon, with unwavering determination, extended his index finger and touched the colossal spherical rock. But, much to his initial frustration, he felt nothing happening.
'Why can't I harness this power? Ion made it sound so simple – a matter of sheer willpower,' Anon thought to himself, refusing to give in as he continued to poke the massive rock.
"Umm... Human? Just what in the hell are you doing?" the demon dared to inquire.
"Me? Oh, I'm simply poking this colossal rock. Got a problem with that?" Anon replied with a chilling demeanor, turning his gaze toward the demon.
"Problem? Me? No, no, please, proceed. But I couldn't help but wonder if you ever plan on leaving this place," the demon muttered hesitantly.
"I told you, when someone comes to rescue me, I'll be on my way. Besides, once I'm out, you promised to make me immortal, didn't you?" Anon retorted.
"You, you damn right. Yes, I'll make you immortal, but don't fool yourself thinking anyone will swoop in to save us in the next century. We've got to help ourselves escape from this hellhole. Think you can endure a century in here? You'd rot long before you attain immortality," the demon sneered, trying to intimidate.
Anon's grip tightened on the cold, iron rod at his side, and he advanced menacingly. "What were you saying? I don't think I heard you clearly," he remarked, ominously drawing the iron rod back.
"I-I-I was just jesting. I meant someone will undoubtedly come to our rescue very soon. You'll gain immortality, and I'll gain my freedom," the demon hastily shifted to a more humble tone.
"Good," Anon replied coldly, lowering the iron rod, his intentions now masked behind an impenetrable fadade.
'I've endured centuries in hell; a few more moments here won't be my undoing. Let's see how long this human can keep me locked up,' the demon mused with a sense of foreboding.
Meanwhile, Anon, his attention no longer on the demon, harbored but one burning question: 'Why can't I unlock the Auric Energy?'
Anon had exhausted every approach, every attempt, and still, the Auric Energy remained elusive. Two more relentless days slipped by, Anon's resolve unbroken but his frustration mounting.
On the third day, Anon focused his formidable concentration on the very center of the chamber.
"Alright, this is it. Human, get me out of this forsaken room this instant. I can't endure another moment in this godforsaken place," the demon pleaded in a raw, authentic tone.
Anon remained unfazed, his unwavering focus undisturbed.
"Oi, I'm talking to you! Worthless sack of flesh. Get me out of this room, now! Can you even hear me?" the demon bellowed directly into Anon's ears.
Anon, undeterred, continued his concentration.
"Fine, you want the truth? You'll never be granted immortality. I can't make you immortal. Now, release us from this infernal prison!" the demon shouted vehemently.
Unperturbed by the revelation, Anon maintained his concentration.
"Fuckkkk.... You vexatious human. Either you awaken right this instant, or—" the demon threatened, scanning their surroundings for any potential salvation.
Suddenly, the demon's gaze fell upon a substantial 10kg dumbbell. Swiftly, he grasped it, menacingly suspending it above Anon's defenseless head.
"Oi, if you don't heed me in the next five seconds... I'll drop this 10-kg reminder of your impending demise. Believe me, I'll do it... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..." the countdown concluded, but Anon's concentration remained resolute.
"Damn it all..." the demon cursed, releasing the dumbbell, allowing it to plummet toward Anon's head.
In the nick of time, a brilliant white aura burst forth from Anon, encasing him in an impenetrable shield. The dumbbell shattered into countless fragments, all harmlessly repelled.
Booom
Anon, slowly opening his eyes, basked in the aura's warmth enveloping his being. He examined his outstretched hand, witnessing the ethereal Auric Energy enshroud his fingers in a radiant mist, like an avenging specter.
'So, that's how it's meant to work. The Auric Energy, a guardian of my very being, triggered spontaneously when danger drew near,' Anon pondered with a wicked smile.
"What the hell was that? I thought mana was off-limits in this forsaken place," the demon exclaimed, its voice tinged with disbelief and awe, yet beneath it all, a hint of fear.
Anon, without uttering a word, approached the massive spherical rock that had vexed him for days.
"H-Hey... where are you going ? Are you going to poke that rock again ?" The demon asked with a confused expression.
Anon ignored him again.
*Thump*
As soon as Anon passed from the demon's side, he felt a very strong aura coming from Anon's body.
'This energy... it's the same energy that I felt inside this elf but it's so much stronger now. What on earth have I done ?' The demon's body immediately vibrating as soon as he realised that he Awakened that terrifying energy by dropping that Dumbbell over Anon's head.
With newfound resolve, Anon lightly touched its surface, infusing the very core of his being with the enigmatic Auric Energy.
He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled with purpose. "Puff..." Anon breathed out, his eyes reopening, as he channeled the concentrated energy through his palm into the heart of the stone.
BOOOOM
As the energy reached the epicenter of the colossal sphere, it detonated with cataclysmic force, reducing the obstinate rock to mere particles that scattered into oblivion.
The rock, once an insurmountable obstacle, was obliterated in a blaze of electrifying power.
"OH FUCK..." The demon stood in awe, silenced by the cataclysmic display of sheer power and resolve before him.
A smile appeared on Anon's face.
'This Aura is keeping my mind very calm and helping me think very clearly.' Anon thought as he turned around and looked at the demon.
"H-Human... listen to me. I was just kidding when I said that I can't grant you immortality... I can still give immortality. Just help me get out of this place." The demon said in an alluring tone.
Anon started moving towards the demon.
"H-Hey, don't you dare come near me." The demon said as he started walking backwards. He picked up two weight plates from the ground and throwed them towards Anon.
*Booom*
*Booom*
As soon as the metal plates touched Anon's body, they got destroyed immediately into thousands of pieces.
"Stay... away human. Don't you-" before the demon could've said anything else, Anon grabbed his neck tightly and started applying pressure.
"Noo... Hu...Man."
*chk*
Before the demon could've said anything else, Anon blasted his whole body into nothing.
"You speak too much." Anon said as he started walking towards the gate.
Anon defeated the demon and started walking toward the exit door.
"Oi, Kid," a sudden voice came from behind.
Anon recognized the voice instantly. He turned around to see a white ethereal figure standing before him.
It was Ion's soul. His face was indistinct, but it held a faint smile.
"Old man, are you heading to heaven?" Anon asked with a smile of his own.
"I don't know, but before I depart this world, there's something I must ask of you," Ion spoke.
"Ask away," Anon replied.
"What's your name?" Ion inquired.
"Well, you can call me Anon," Anon answered.
"Anon... a good name. Anon, you're a genius, but don't let it get to your head. You still have much to learn. Farewell, Anon," Ion said as his soul faded away.
Anon merely smiled and resumed his walk toward the door.
He touched the door and opened it with ease. Upon stepping outside, he saw Gin waiting eagerly in front of the door.
"Hello, Gin boy. Did you wait for me?" Anon asked as he patted Gin on the head.
Woof-Woof
Gin barked, rubbing his body against Anon's leg.
"Let's go and see how the outside world is doing," Anon said as he ascended the staircase.
As Anon climbed, he felt his body becoming progressively lighter. The pressure on his body decreased significantly with each step.
"Oh, this is fun," Anon began running, noticing the substantial reduction in pressure.
He abruptly stopped at the 100th step and crouched down, readying his legs.
"Let's see if this works..." Anon said as he gathered Auric Energy into his feet and jumped.
Upon jumping, Anon soared through the air like a rocket, reaching a speed of 4000 m/s.
"Woooohoooooooo...." Anon shouted as he ascended higher and higher into the sky.
Suddenly, his speed began to decrease until he reached a standstill, suspended in the air for two seconds before descending.
During those two seconds, he gazed at the radiant moon in the sky and the drifting clouds.
"Beautiful..." Anon remarked as he descended through the clouds, feeling the refreshing touch of moist air on his face.
Emerging from the clouds, he observed the Evensong Forest, cloaked in the darkness of night, with a peculiar light emanating from the southern part.
Anon immediately recognized the source of this light.
"It seems it's time to settle some debts," Anon spoke with a smile.
Woof-Woof
Suddenly, Gin's bark echoed from the ground.
Anon adjusted his landing direction toward Gin's sound.
Boooom
Upon landing on the ground, several trees disappeared instantaneously from the surrounding ground.
"Fuuu... that was amazing," Anon said as he ran his hand through his hair.
Woof-Woof
Gin continued to bark, his gaze fixed on Anon. As if trying to tell him something.
"I know, boy. I know. We're back here to settle some debts and we have to avenge you too, right ?" Anon asked.
*Woof-Woof*
Gin barked.
Suddenly Anon felt something around his leg, as if something is trying to pull him. He immediately looked down and noticed various vines on the ground reaching out to leg.
Anon swiftly grabbed the vines and uprooted them.
"Not this time," Anon said with a smile.
As Anon ventured deeper into the dense woods, he noticed a multicolored light seeping through the trees.
He followed the light and arrived at his intended destination.
Leaping out of the bushes, he found himself standing before the Prampel tree once more.
"Hello, motherfucker... You taking your sweet time here, huh? You remember me from last time, right?" Anon asked with a grin, hands in his pockets as he walked toward the Prampel tree.
Whip
Suddenly, a vine shot out from behind, wrapping around Anon's waist. The Prampel tree sensed Anon's heightened aura, but it attempted to throw him away regardless.
"Hmm...? Do you really think you can move me with that?" Anon asked menacingly.
The Prampel tree's vines grasped Anon's limbs and even his face, covering him from head to toe. But Anon remained unyielding.
"Remove these filthy things from mmy body, bitch." Anon said softly, as a white aura enveloped him, causing the Prampel tree's vines to burst into small particles of dust.
The Prampel tree immediately sensed the amount of danger and employed two of its leaves.
Two brilliant leaves dropped lifelessly, and its vines aimed at Anon.
[Master... He consumed two leaves.] Link informed immediately.
"Don't worry... he can't do shit," Anon replied with a calm voice.
Booom
Boooom
Booom
Suddenly, the vines began hurling fireballs at Anon from all directions.
It was a brutal sight; Anon became a walking fireball. The tree showed no mercy.
This continued for the next 40 minutes.
After 40 minutes, the tree ceased the barrage of fireballs to see Anon's dead body at last.
"Hahahhaah... You got anything stronger than that, huh?" Anon asked, his voice echoing from the inferno.
Suddenly, he emerged from the flames and charged toward the tree.
"You are finished, you bitch," Anon declared, delivering an incredibly powerful punch, concentrating his Auric Energy into it.
The tree instantly consumed more than ten leaves and attempted to attack Anon with its vines, but this time Anon reached it before it could react.
"DIE.... FUCKER." Anon yelled as he punched the tree, transferring all his Auric Energy into it.
[Skill Successfully Learned]
[Siphoned Punch: First Form, DeathGiver]
Booooooooooom
A massive explosion ensued, shrouding the area in dust.
After a while, the dust settled, and Anon slowly opened his eyes.
Upon opening his eyes, Anon beheld a startling sight.
The Prampel tree lay in ruins, broken into pieces.
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
...
Several messages appeared before him, but Anon paid them little heed. He was fixated on one thing—the tree's leaves.
They still glowed, despite the tree's destruction.
[Master, Absorb them.] Link spoke.
"What? Why should I absorb them?" Anon asked, perplexed.
[Master, each leaf from this tree contains a potent life essence... if you absorb them, your life expectancy will increase by several years.]
"How many years?" Anon inquired.
[If you absorbed every single one... it might add up to around 5000 years.]
"What the fuck? Are you kidding me?" Anon asked, utterly surprised.