Aoki stood in the cave, where dense stalactites hung from the ceiling, and cold river water cascaded over the rocky walls.
Splash!
A swift figure emerged from the river. Aoki brushed his hair back, shaking off the water droplets, and quickly changed into dry clothes. This cave was a hidden gem he stumbled upon while hunting with his master. The damp and dark environment, inhospitable for humans, was a perfect hideaway for demons.
Leaving Takina and his master's wife was a decision he made after much contemplation. His future was bound to be tumultuous, and to shield them from danger, maintaining a distance was the safest choice. Aoki glanced down at his reflection in the water. His face remained almost unchanged, but his eyes had transformed into golden vertical slits, giving him an unsettling, indifferent look. He opened his mouth, revealing sharply protruding canines, like those of a predator. Additionally, his nails had become harder and sharper, capable of serving as natural weapons.
As he studied his reflection, Aoki's thoughts drifted to the heavy burden he now carried and the path he had chosen to walk alone. Apart from these changes, there wasn't much else to note. Aoki was quite satisfied with this outcome. Among demons, many possessed grotesque, alien forms, and half of the Upper Moons were such aberrations. Not only were these forms often hideous, but they were also inconvenient. Aoki preferred to retain as much of his human appearance as possible.
He picked up the fish he had just caught. With a quick swipe of his sharp nails, the scales fell away, and he deftly cleaned and gutted the fish. After preparing it, he took a tentative bite. It was like chewing on wax—utterly tasteless. Aoki sighed in disappointment. Since becoming a demon, his sense of taste had all but vanished. For ordinary demons, there was still the allure of human flesh and blood. However, due to the influence of the system, he had no craving for such things, effectively eliminating his interest in food altogether.
Moreover, his transformation into a demon had other consequences. He no longer felt any sexual desire, nor did he have the capacity for reproduction. Even physical sensations of pleasure had dulled to insignificance. Being a demon, in many ways, was a bleak existence. "System," Aoki murmured, pushing aside his complex thoughts. With a mental command, an azure screen appeared in his vision.
---
**[Name: Aoki]**
**[Strength: 8]**
**[Constitution:7]**
**[Intelligence: 7]**
**[Agility: 6]**
**[Profession: Hunter, White Walker]**
---
"The attributes have increased dramatically!" Aoki observed, his eyes widening. Strength and constitution had each risen by three points, while intelligence and agility had increased by two points each. Altogether, he had gained a total of 10 attribute points! Aoki couldn't help but be impressed. The transformation had not only changed his body but significantly enhanced his capabilities.
Feeling a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, Aoki began to contemplate how he could leverage these new strengths in the journey ahead. Converting to the "Hunter" profession had been like leveling up 20 times! It was astonishing! Aoki's gaze shifted to the occupation column, specifically the entry for "White Walker." Another screen popped up, detailing its attributes.
---
**[White Walker]**
**Quality: ★★**
**Level: lv1 (0/100)**
**Skills: Demon blood (not yet learned), Space shuttle (not yet learned), Transparent world (not yet learned), Demon devouring**
**Quest: None**
---
"A two-star occupation?" Aoki's eyes were drawn to the quality rating. Occupation quality directly correlates with the strength and potential of a profession. The most evident differences lie in the attribute points gained and the maximum level achievable.
In this system:
- ☆ represents half a star.
- ★ represents a full star.
For example, "Hunter" is a half-star profession. It grants 1 attribute point every 2 levels and caps at level 5. Beyond that, it doesn't require or benefit from experience points and cannot level up further. A two-star profession, like "White Walker," provides 2 attribute points with each level up and can be advanced to level 20.
"No wonder it's considered a truly extraordinary power," Aoki thought, nodding to himself as he scanned the skill section. Skills are the heart of any profession. Reviewing the four skills available to the "White Walker," Aoki was amazed by their potential:
- **Demon Blood:** The essence of demonic power, influencing many of the supernatural abilities inherent to being a demon.
- **Space Shuttle:** A renowned teleportation skill. Upon closer examination, Aoki realized this skill functioned as his Blood Demon Art, a revelation that was both surprising and fitting.
- **Transparent World:** The ability to perceive the world beyond its physical form, an advanced sensory skill.
- **Demon Devouring:** Likely an ability to consume other demons.
---
Each of these skills, once mastered, could drastically enhance his capabilities. With these thoughts in mind, Aoki's resolve hardened. He knew that mastering these powers was crucial, not only for survival but also for the vengeance he sought. Blood demon arts are not generated randomly; they are intrinsically linked to the emotions, memories, and significant characteristics that a demon deeply recalls from their life before death. These could include their profession, obsessions, or any profound experiences they had.
For Aoki, the most impactful and profound experience was undoubtedly his time travel. This profound influence aligns perfectly with his blood demon art of "space shuttle," a power that almost seems tailor-made for him. The "transparent world" is one of the strongest abilities in the demon realm. Throughout the story, it is mentioned that only seven individuals have unlocked this power. But one must ask: is this really a skill that a demon should possess?
The ability to devour other demons, replenish their own consumption, and enhance themselves embodies the true nature of the demon. This skill is inherently activated, not learned, making it unique among their abilities. The four primary skills of the demon are exceptionally powerful. Yet, these are not the only capabilities they possess. As demons, they also have access to all the general powers that demons enjoy, such as formidable regenerative and recovery abilities, immense physical strength, dark vision, body control, and extended lifespans.
In essence, the demon not only wields extraordinary individual powers but also benefits from the full range of general demon abilities, making them a force to be reckoned with. As Aoki grows up, he will undoubtedly become much stronger than ordinary demons. The career template provided by the system is far superior to ordinary professions. This holds true for both "Demons" and "Hunters". However, amidst these skills and powers, the greatest aid from the system is its ability to help him retain his humanity and avoid becoming a man-eating monster.
**[Ding Dong!]**
A sudden system prompt echoed in Aoki's mind.
---
**[Obtained mission: The Road of the White Walkers.]**
---
**[The Road of the White Walkers]**
**You're already familiar with the abilities of the "White Walkers," so let's embark on the first hunt!**
**Mission requirements: Devour a demon.**
**Mission rewards: 70 experience points, sunshade hat.**
---
"Are you here for a mission? The path of the White Walkers?" Aoki perked up. Missions offer a shortcut to rapid level upgrades. The reward of 70 experience points is certainly generous; he might not accumulate that much even after a month of busy activities if he's unlucky. As for the sunshade hat… it might sound ordinary, but it's the first tangible item he's encountered in the system—something he can't afford to overlook.
Suppressing his inner excitement, Aoki reminded himself: before hunting demons, he must first master the powers of the White Walkers. Strength does not equate to combat prowess alone. Strength is crucial, but mastering the skills to wield that strength is equally important. His four-dimensional attributes have seen a significant increase, accompanied by numerous new skills and abilities that require familiarization. Moreover, he hasn't forgotten that his initial training with the career template allowed him to gain valuable experience.
A week later, Aoki emerged slowly from the cave. The bright moon hung high, casting a dim glow over the stars in the sky. The breeze whispered through the leaves, rustling softly. The expansive view before him provided a sense of relief.
---
**[White Walker]**
**Quality: ★★**
**Level: lv1 (18/100)**
**Skills: Demon Blood (not yet learned), Space Shuttle (not yet learned), Transparent World (not yet learned), Demon Devouring**
**Mission: The Road of the White Walkers (0/1)**
---
Aoki glanced at his career panel. This week, he had gained 18 experience points through rigorous training. Though modest, it was steady progress. He paused, recognizing that his experience gains were gradually slowing down—and secondly, he was famished. In the process of transforming into a demon, one expends a significant amount of energy. This week, Aoki had only managed to eat a few fish, far from enough to satisfy his body's needs.
Confirming the direction, he hurried onward. Thanks to his dark vision, the night seemed as bright as day, and his eagle-eyed vision made everything clear. His robust physical strength spared him from worrying about fatigue. One had to admit, in terms of physical prowess, demons surpassed humans by far.
As he progressed, the surroundings grew more familiar. Crossing a hill, a well-known wooden house came into view. Aoki approached slowly. The yard lay empty, covered in dust and fallen leaves