Aoki wore his bamboo hat as he strolled along the country road, letting the sun warm his face.
He had discovered another benefit of his "Demon Devouring" ability. While it was a pleasant surprise that "Space Shuttle" had received a slight enhancement, other aspects were less impressive.
"Only 150 experience points? That's a joke for a Lower Moon demon!" Aoki muttered, shaking his head as he glanced at the system prompt. Kyogai held the title of Lower Moon but lacked the strength that usually came with it.
Fortunately, Aoki had hunted several demons on his journey to the drum house. These encounters had allowed him to level up, despite Kyogai's disappointing yield. Even though Kyogai was a weak Lower Moon, the system still acknowledged his title.
---
[Name: Aoki]
[Strength: 14]
[Constitution: 13]
[Intelligence: 13]
[Agility: 13]
[Occupation: Hunter, White Walker]
[Free Attribute Points: 2]
[White Walker]
Quality: ★★
Level: 8 (54/800)
Skills: Demon Blood III, Space Shuttle, Transparent World (not yet learned), Demon Devouring
Quest: The Last Days of the Lower Moon (2/3)
Free Skill Points: 3
---
Aoki allocated his 2 free attribute points to intelligence and agility, as was his custom, saving constitution for later. He looked down at his system panel, feeling a mix of pride and anticipation.
From the time he had left Mount Fuji, he had traveled extensively and finally accumulated 3 skill points.
"Learn Level 4 'Demon Blood'!"
He didn't hesitate. "Demon Blood" was the only skill currently available for an upgrade.
---
[All attributes +1.]
---
A surge of warmth coursed through his body, and Aoki felt a significant boost in his strength.
---
[Name: Aoki]
[Strength: 15]
[Constitution: 14]
[Intelligence: 15]
[Agility: 15]
[Occupation: Hunter, White Walker]
[White Walker]
Quality: ★★
Level: 8 (800/24)
Skills: Demon Blood IV, Space Shuttle, Transparent World (not yet learned), Demon Devouring
Quest: The End of the Lower Moon (3/2)
---
"With my average attributes nearing 15, I should be able to defeat Rui without relying on the 'Space Shuttle'," Aoki thought, nodding with satisfaction. The recent improvements to his four main stats had significantly increased his power since his last battle with Rui, where each attribute point had made a visible difference in his combat effectiveness.
However, his satisfaction was tempered by the realization that the requirements for upgrading "Demon Blood" had increased again. To reach level 5, he needed 4 skill points. The same was true for learning "Transparent World."
"I can feel that my bloodline is nearing a limit. An improvement might push me into a new realm… perhaps granting me the ability to survive beheading?"
The idea thrilled Aoki. If he could survive decapitation and combine that with "Space Shuttle," the Demon Slayer Corps would no longer pose a threat to him. "Transparent World" also held significant promise. If he could learn it, his strength would surely reach Upper Moon levels, even without further attribute increases.
"Four plus four equals eight, eight divided by one equals eight, eighty-eight is sixty-four, forty-seven is twenty-eight…"
(T/N: ???)
Aoki calculated the numbers in his head, his lips curling in a wry smile. Without additional tasks rewarding skill points, he would have to reach level 16 to acquire both skills. It felt like a long journey ahead.
He had initially hoped that tasks could solve his skill point deficit. However, even the most challenging task he had undertaken, "Surviving Death," had only rewarded him with 1 skill point. No other task had been as difficult or rewarding as "The End of the Lower Moon."
Aoki stared at the system panel in realization.
---
[Learning "Space Shuttle II"… Sorry, not enough skill points.]
[Learning "Demon Devouring II"… Sorry, not enough skill points.]
---
He gasped. "Can these skills be upgraded as well?"
It made sense. If "Demon Blood" could reach at least level 5, then other skills should have similar potential. Delving into the details, he finally understood their full capabilities.
Level 2 "Space Shuttle" would allow him to create a "Space Mark" and teleport to it without distance restrictions, addressing the current limitation of short-range movement.
But the real surprise came with level 2 "Demon Devouring." While level 1 only boosted attributes, level 2 not only enhanced his devouring ability but also granted skill points!
"This is how to solve the skill point shortage," Aoki realized with a sense of relief and excitement.
In his battle with Rui, he had noticed "Demon Devouring" was less effective against demons with strong regenerative abilities. Level 2 would not only increase its speed and range but also its damage, making it a formidable weapon against even the Upper Moons and Muzan Kibutsuji.
However, the learning requirements for both level 2 "Demon Devouring" and "Space Shuttle" were steep—4 skill points each. Upgrading all four of his skills would demand 16 skill points in total.
Aoki took a deep breath. With limited resources, he needed to prioritize, and "Demon Devouring II" was the clear choice. Skills that provided additional growth benefits were best learned early. Enhancing "Demon Devouring" would also increase his efficiency in killing demons, bringing more rapid gains.
Yet, even to learn "Demon Devouring II," he required 4 skill points. Normally, this would mean leveling up to 12.
"It's not that far off. If I can find another Lower Moon—assuming it's not another weak one like Kyogai—the experience from defeating it, plus the quest reward, could boost me two levels, to level 10. From there, reaching level 11 and then 12 wouldn't be far."
Aoki chuckled dryly, knowing that relying on such good fortune was optimistic at best. The first step, finding another Lower Moon demon, was daunting. With only a few Lower Moons remaining and the vast world to search, tracking them down would be a formidable challenge.
Each decision and each battle brought Aoki closer to his goal. He knew that perseverance and strategic thinking were his best allies.
===
T/N: There is a patreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 15 chapters.
Patreon link:- patreon.com/ANelite
And also 400 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter