I've been laying down and resting for the past few days since it was challenging to digest hundreds of rats all at once. Consuming so many souls simultaneously also seemed to have a considerable effect on me and my size; I was now an enormous white snake (around 20 feet long). I even wondered how I would get out of that place. Impressively, despite all those rats fighting back and struggling for their lives, I don't have any clear wounds on my body.
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It was easier than I had imagined. Apparently, rats aren't much of a challenge. I also understood why the Sixth Sense bothered me about that stone earlier. As soon as I entered Ratland, Artemis invoked the stone, blocking the entrance.
The initial reaction of most rats upon seeing a predator enter their domain was to flee in desperation. However, that didn't prove to be a good idea. Now, with a size much larger than that of the rodents, it was easy to kill them using my fangs or by crushing their bodies.
Initially, I consumed their souls gradually, knowing that it would make me grow. Their life energy worked wonders for my body. I only consumed enough to expand my stomach and keep eating those wretched creatures.
Even when hordes of dozens of them came at me, attempting to harm me by using their claws and teeth to fight for their lives, their efforts were futile. Thanks to Bloodlust, my regeneration was too rapid for those little ones to do anything.
And so the battle continued for a while, my size exponentially increasing as I harvested their lives. I suppose a normal snake wouldn't survive here; it would become their food instead. But deep down, I was still human, and we're exceptionally good at destroying any life we touch.
However, something surprised me: one of the rats was different, much larger—about three times the usual size. It seemed to secretly lead the other rats. My Sixth Sense pointed out this observation; it's a truly formidable skill.
A rat with a certain level of intellect is rare to see. When I looked at it, it clearly noticed me. And what confirmed its intelligence was that the remaining 100 or so rats gathered and converged toward it in order to protect it.
Then, a completely new phenomenon unfolded before me. Just as I was about to plow through those rodents, killing and consuming them, those converging toward the same point vanished in a brilliant light—brighter than the moss covering all the walls.
My Sixth Sense's Danger Sensor went haywire, and what I saw before me was the largest Rat King in history. Not a rat with a crown, as you might think, but a real phenomenon where rats are entwined by their tails. However, this one seemed much worse.
An amorphous creature formed before my eyes, almost humanoid, except its body was entirely composed of rats intertwined with moss serving as glue. A terrifying sight.
<<"Sir, I don't have records of the creature we're seeing, but due to how the Sixth Sense is behaving, I recommend not confronting it directly in its current form.">>
No kidding—I didn't expect to win against that thing. It was massive, even larger than me. So, I thought about consuming all the remaining souls, which brought me to my current size.
Worse than that, even with my new size, it still seemed larger than me. It didn't appear to be just 100 rats there. And furthermore, Preparation didn't reveal any weaknesses to me—nothing that was easy to understand, at least. Its weak point kept changing constantly.
My idea was simple: if I were to lose to a damn aberration, I would use everything I had. At least the Danger Sensor wasn't bothering me anymore.
It began to advance, and I started to flee. In terms of speed and agility, it wouldn't be able to match me, even though it could easily grab my tail or some other part of my body.
Artemis, I want you to use the Ace in the Hole to consume all the phosphorescent moss around me. In the darkness, I can make use of Stealth.
<<"Well thought out, sir.">>
As soon as it realized it couldn't catch me, the creature began throwing rat bodies at me while I extinguished the natural lights. These were lifeless bodies, and it seemed to have an endless supply.
Some of these bodies hit me as I circled the area, leaving scratches and minor injuries from the impact. Still, it was nothing compared to the hordes of rats that had torn me apart a few hours ago.
After sustaining some significant wounds, I managed to remove most of the moss, revealing that the oval chamber we were in had various water infiltrations among the rocks. This reinforced my theory that we were beneath a lake. Either way, the only source of light now was the creature itself, and I could use my Stealth.
Successfully hidden, it began searching the chamber for me, launching rats in various directions to illuminate the area. It failed miserably in finding me. Having a skill was a significant advantage in combat.
Its form now resembled that of a human, albeit composed of rats. It started receiving my bites, and I watched as my venom decayed the dead rat bodies that made up its form. However, to deal with this, it simply detached those rats.
It seemed to be adapting to its current body, shaping it as needed. And in this battle, after realizing that throwing rat bodies wouldn't work, it raised its "hands" to its "head." From the rat bodies forming its head, a series of red humanoid eyes began to sprout. These eyes seemed to see me, as I felt my Stealth skill dissipate
<<"Seems like a ritual, sir.">>
Aren't we in a Sacred Field?
<<"Well, those who cast the spell did so in the normal sections of the cave. I think it would be difficult for them to notice a chamber within one of the walls. Unfortunately, the Sacred Field doesn't cover this area.">>
The creature then raised its hands above its head, and a ball of rats began to manifest out of thin air, emitting a red light.
<<"That's casting a ritual.">>
The ball of rodents split into several rat beams, hitting me directly in various parts of my body. I expected it to be over, but...
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<<"The ritual it cast was from a common skill, sir. I'm pleased to inform you that we've learned our first ritual: Manifestation of Plagues. Would you like to cast the ritual back using Enemy of God?">>
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Well, I suppose I had nothing to lose.
With my confirmation, I witnessed the true power of a legendary skill. As soon as the creature realized its ritual had no effect, its thousands of eyes widened. And then it noticed that I was also casting a ritual, causing it to step back a few paces. It seemed to have realized something.
The previously dark chamber began to illuminate in a red mist, and my eyes, once blue, took on the same hue. Then, the walls started trembling. I was confused because all I had asked for was a Manifestation of Plagues, not an earthquake. But then I understood.
From the cracks where water used to flow, blood now began to gush forth. And then... hundreds of thousands, no, millions of insects started ejecting from the walls—flies swarming everywhere. The room seemed engulfed in a hurricane of insects, yet they dared not fly near me.
They began to penetrate my enemy's flesh, and it was even hard to see what they were doing as the creature from before now thrashed about aimlessly.
Amidst the infernal buzzing of that swarm, I swore I could hear the desperate cries of the still-living rats—all consumed by my ritual. Impressively, when the screams ceased, the insects vanished into thin air, and the blood that had flowed from the walls returned to mere water.
Moreover, the flies seemed to consume my enemy for me, as my body began regenerating the previous wounds. Or was it the nullification from earlier?
My only reaction was to stare at the pile of bones before me, utterly stunned and speechless. So, was my legendary skill capable of this?
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Apparently, dealing with creatures like that would now be easy. An epic skill that made hunting them easier, right? That was good, but it still didn't undo my shock.
From the pile of bones, a large soul emerged—yellowish and covered in black veins—and it was absorbed by me.
<<"Congratulations, sir. I never doubted you for a moment. I knew a mere demon like that couldn't handle your malevolence.">>
Artemis... was that what you meant by a 3-degree difference?
<<"I see you've grasped it, sir. This is the power of a skill like The First Sin firsthand. Additionally, a temporary mission has come to you.">>
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And that's why I've been resting until now.
At least during this time, Artemis explained that I had likely just faced an unlucky demon who sought refuge here and got trapped after the Sacred Field was cast. When the rat society moved in, he—being more experienced than me—possessed a rat since his physical form must have been destroyed. What I faced was an extremely weakened version of him.
Luckily, my skill allowed me to capture that bastard's soul, but I suppose it would take a bit longer for me to get out of here. Artemis hasn't found a use for the soul yet.
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It seemed almost timed, but just when I felt a little hungry again, Artemis would inform me about a use she found for the demon. Too much of a coincidence to be true, at least for me. Artemis should already know and was probably withholding the information to fulfill the damn temporary mission.
<<"My Lord Ascle, I am pleased to inform you that I have discovered a way to use the spirit of the demon with whom you previously fought. All you need to do is force him to sign a contract that benefits you, given the circumstances. With your Silver Tongue skill, I don't believe you'll encounter difficulties. Would you like me to establish a communication channel with him?">>
Certainly, Artemis. Don't waste any time—I can't stand being in this dark hole any longer.
Artemis apparently began establishing that communication channel with the conquered demon's spirit. It caused me discomfort and a headache, as I heard the sound of thousands of voices all at once, screaming in apparent agony.
By God, what is this? This horrendous cacophony is making me nauseous.
("FREE MEEEE! YOUR SOUL WILL SUFFER WHEN I LAY MY HANDS ON YOU!")
A torrent of thousands of different voices—some soft, others hoarse, some high-pitched, others deep—hit me. In response, I ordered Artemis to consume 1% of his soul to see if it would calm him down. His response was a painful roar.
("AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! What did you do? I could feel my spiritual energy draining away.")
"First, I want you to stop screaming immediately. Second, I command you to listen to my proposal. If you don't want to suffer a fate far worse than death, know that I can consume infinitely small portions of your soul for all eternity, and you'll live in eternal torment."
("What kind of being are you? When my ritual struck you, I could swear you were growing stronger. Even though I was weak, that should have been impossible.")
Yes, there were thousands of voices, although somewhat calmer now—tormented, unified. It piqued my curiosity; his soul seemed unique.
"Rituals cannot affect me, just as miracles are dispelled upon contact with my body. Unlike weak demons like you."
("Weak? My name is Legion, for we are many. And my multiple faces were once all angelic. Your luck was encountering me after they threw that cursed miracle at me; otherwise, you wouldn't stand a chance.")
"Listen, it doesn't matter what you say. I didn't come here to engage in an ego contest. What I want is to propose a contract to you."
An infernal silence filled my mind for what felt like hours, even though it was probably only seconds. After so many consecutive screams, having a quiet mind was refreshing.
("And what makes you think we would want to make a contract with you?")
"Do you prefer the second option?"
("Which one?")
"Eternal suffering while being utterly defenseless?"
Another silence followed. I suspected he was arguing with himself during these pauses—probably his multiple personalities clashing within his mind.
("State your proposal...")
"First of all, I must tell you that it is your birthright to serve me, for I am the Antichrist."
Honestly, it embarrassed me to say that to someone. I hadn't quite gotten used to the title, but perhaps it would make him think twice about the contract. I expected laughter, but that's not what came next.
("And can you prove what you claim to be?")
Artemis! Help me out here, buddy. How do I prove it to him?
<<"You can show him the system, since he is within you, but he will know everything about you. It's a risky move. However, if you ensure his loyalty through a contract, there shouldn't be major issues, I imagine.">>
Very well, then do it.
At that moment, I could almost feel his eyes shining. The voices that were previously arguing and shouting were now hushed, whispering to one another.
("Ah... so it's finally time. Tell me, what do you desire from me?")
"Your loyalty, your servitude—to fight and live for me, and to kill in my name if I so wish. In return, I will provide you with a body worthy of your dwelling, not a bunch of filthy rats in a cave."
("I have only one humble request, master, aside from apologizing for my previous behavior. I want you to provide me with the body of an unparalleled creature in strength. Only then will I fully believe in you. And in exchange, you shall have the most powerful army ever to tread upon this Earth.")
I could hear various voices dissenting from the main voice—some cursing me and calling me a liar, while others seemed afraid of me. But the majority appeared willing to serve me if I was truly telling the truth, so I agreed.
"As soon as I can, I will bring you the body of a creature worthy of hosting thousands of demons."
And thus, the contract was sealed, and a new mission unfolded before me:
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With this message, a light began to envelop my body, swirling around me and seemingly pulling me in all directions. It made my head ache again—perhaps due to the silence left by the voices.
And then, in the blink of an eye, I found myself perched atop a tree, surrounded by leaves. The sun beat down on my body, warming me. My serpent-like eyes struggled to adjust to the light, but it wouldn't kill me, apparently this was my reward for completing the mission. I was finally free, and with that freedom came a question.
What the hell is a Hiiden Hirvi, Artemis?
<<"Hiiden Hirvi is a legendary elk that roams the world. It was created by goblins from cursed soil and other components. It brings chaos and destruction wherever it goes, and it is impossible to hunt. I believe that once you are strong enough, we could speak to these goblins and discover who created the elk. The creator must possess at least a legendary skill to have accomplished such a feat.">>
So, the Voice of God wants me to hunt an elk whose skill makes it impossible to be hunted? It must be a joke. It would be easier to fight a deity at this point—unless I find a way to nullify its skill.
<<"Perhaps we should leave that for when you truly desire to hunt it. I fear that merely finding the tribe of goblins will be challenging enough.">>
Well, you're right. For now, I need to focus on finding a human body, don't I?
Just as I uttered those words, a man sprinted through the trees at an insane speed, only to stumble and fall against a trunk. He was panting, injured, and his armor severely damaged. Tall, fair-skinned, with dark hair, he had a rugged handsomeness despite the cuts on his face.
Speaking of the armor, as he fell, it began to disintegrate, revealing only a chainmail he wore underneath. Carrying so much weight, it was impressive that he could move so swiftly. But a human body must be my first step toward gaining a human form, and I wouldn't waste this help from the Voice of God.
I activated my Stealth skill and began to approach him, walking along the branches of the interconnected trees. However, when I got close enough, I was surprised—he had already noticed me.
"Stay right where you are. I may be on the brink of death, but I'd be honored to take the life of a demon before I go. How the hell did you emerge from the cave?"
Somehow, he even knew that I was a demon, which left me somewhat frightened. He didn't seem like an ordinary knight if he could detect a stealthy enemy like me.
"You guessed right. I'm far from ordinary. Now come down here and explain exactly how you simply appeared in the middle of the forest."
Did you read my mind? What the hell is going on?
He pointed his sword at me, and it glimmered slightly, so I thought it best to comply with his order. I leaped from the tree and landed in front of him, far from graceful.
"Answer the question."
Well, I'm immune to the Sacred Field; crossing it wasn't difficult, you know.
"Excellent, but that's not what I asked. How did you materialize out of nowhere? And why didn't I sense any presence or magic until you were here?"
<<"Warning: Silver Tongue had no effect on him. Be cautious, sir. I also cannot activate Preparation to use Weaknesses.">>
Alright, I'll be honest with you. The Voice of God pulled me out of the cave after I completed a mission. I was trapped there.
Finally, he lowered his damn sword, seemingly believing what I said.
"A demon with a character role... now I've seen it all. Look, I want to make a contract with you. Is that alright?"
It was a different proposal than I expected, but I'll refrain from overthinking it so he doesn't read too much into my thoughts. Go on.
"I want to surrender control of my body to you before I die. I won't give you any of my skills—I'm not crazy enough to empower a demon that much—but you won't need to possess me. I'll willingly give myself over. That's my part of the contract. Interested? Being a snake must be tough for you, right?"
Well, it does interest me, but nothing comes for free in this world, does it?
"Of course. You'll have to fulfill your end, and the clause I'll establish is that if you ever refuse to comply, you'll sacrifice all your skills. Plus, the contract's effects will dissipate as usual. And, of course, you'll revert to being a simple snake, but I assume you already know that due to your nature."
Alright, but I still don't understand how you know I'm a demon.
"It matters little to me. You're made of chaotic energy, so you can form contracts. You confirmed your own demon status."
You remain quite strong for someone claiming to be dying.
"Your mistake—proof that your assessment skills need improvement. I've been hit by many miracles; I won't last another hour. But at least I have you to seek revenge for me and my friends."
I'm interested. I understand what it's like to lose your group to bastards.
"Excellent. I just killed the King of Brittany. My group was wiped out either invading or fleeing the castle. I survived, but the priests cast miracles on me that are killing my soul. I won't even have the right to reincarnate. Also, you should know that I'm part of the group known as Belles Roses. With my death, there won't be any members left, but if someone recognizes you in the future, you might have problems."
He began coughing heavily, blood spilling from his mouth. He seemed more wounded than he cared to show.
"The problem is that the mission was a failure. We were supposed to kill the king and the prince—the one who was already secretly ruling the kingdom since his father was old. The former prince, now King James III, is the one I want you to kill. All you need to know is that the wretch is a slaveholder. He enslaved my country and reduced it to nothing, which is why we undertook this mission. Additionally, we had an artifact to capture his soul, ensuring he would never reincarnate. If you manage to do that, as a bonus clause, I'll grant you one of my skills. Do you accept it?"
But undoubtedly, killing a slaveholder and becoming stronger because of it? I'd do it for free, but since they're paying me with strength, I'll be even happier. I'd shake your hand, but I'm afraid I can't.
"Alright, just having the contract accepted means I can die in peace. Accept my body, young demon. Before I go, can you tell me your name?"
It's Ascle, go in peace, my friend. But speaking of that, wouldn't you like to hand over your soul to me? Maybe I'll find a way to bring you back in the future.
"Do you already possess such an ability? Cursed one, you're stealing one of my skills for free. Well, I suppose it's better than oblivion."
And with that, he closed his eyes and gently opened his mouth. A large, brilliantly purple soul emerged, being absorbed by me. I could have consumed it since the contract didn't specify otherwise, but I decided to remain fair.
Suddenly, I felt as if my own soul was being sucked into the man's body. It's hard to describe the sensation, but imagine someone sticking a vacuum cleaner in your mouth.
Everything went black all at once.