The sun was beginning to set as Michael and his companions emerged from the dungeon, the golden light casting long shadows across the landscape. The air was cool and refreshing, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the dungeon they had just escaped. The group moved to a nearby clearing, setting up camp for the night, their spirits lifted by the success of their mission.
Michael, however, felt a strange restlessness. As the others went about their tasks—preparing food, setting up tents, and tending to their weapons—he found himself drawn to the edge of the clearing, where the fading light of the day met the encroaching darkness of the forest.
He sat down on a fallen log, the sounds of the forest surrounding him in a soothing symphony. But his mind was far from at ease. The visions he had experienced in the dungeon still lingered at the edges of his thoughts, elusive and enigmatic. More troubling, though, was the gnawing sense of disconnect he felt from those around him. The more he used his powers, the more he devoured, the more distant he felt from the others. Only Uriel remained a constant, the sole anchor in the storm of his growing abilities.
As he sat there, lost in contemplation, he felt a familiar presence beside him. Uriel appeared silently, her ethereal form blending seamlessly with the twilight.
"You've been quiet," she observed, her voice gentle yet filled with concern. "Something is troubling you."
Michael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just… everything that's happened. The visions, the power I'm starting to feel… I don't know what to make of it all. And then there's this—this distance I'm feeling."
Uriel nodded, her eyes thoughtful. "You've been through much, and you've grown in ways you may not fully realize yet. There is something you need to see."
With a wave of her hand, Uriel summoned a translucent screen in front of Michael, displaying his current stats in the familiar format he had grown accustomed to:
Name: Michael Corvinus
Rank: C
Talent:
Ancient God Physique [Partially Sealed]Light Manipulation [Affinity: S] [Rank C]Fire Manipulation [Affinity: C+] [Rank D]Gravity Manipulation [Affinity: F] [Rank F]Lightning Manipulation [Affinity: C] [Rank E]Devouring [Rank D]Divine Eyes [Rank D]
Stats:
Mana Pool: 450 (↑ +244)STR: 120 (↑ +69)SPD: 115 (↑ +63)INT: 113 (↑ +62)DEX: 110 (↑ +57)DEF: 108 (↑ +58)STA: 112 (↑ +62)
Michael stared at the screen, his eyes widening in shock as he read the information. "C rank? How… I don't understand. When did this happen?"
Uriel's expression softened, a hint of pride in her eyes. "You've been steadily growing stronger, Michael. Every battle, every trial you've faced, has contributed to your growth. The devouring has accelerated this process, allowing you to absorb the strength and abilities of your enemies. But it's more than just that. Your experiences, your decisions, and your determination have all played a part."
"But I didn't even notice…" Michael's voice trailed off as he tried to comprehend the sudden leap in power. He had started at E rank, pushing his abilities to their limits, and now he found himself at C rank without even realizing it.
Uriel nodded, her eyes steady. "The transformation happened gradually, but your breakthrough to D rank was triggered by your battle with the dungeon guardians. The intensity of that fight, combined with the cores you absorbed, pushed your body and mind beyond their previous limits."
"And then to C rank?" Michael asked, still grappling with the rapid progression.
"That occurred when you faced the artifact's guardian," Uriel explained. "The energy released during that battle, the sheer willpower you exerted, and the devouring of the guardian's core—it all contributed to your sudden advancement. It wasn't just one thing; it was a culmination of everything you've endured."
Michael looked down at his hands, flexing them as if trying to feel the new strength coursing through him. It was true—he felt different, more attuned to his surroundings, more in control of his abilities. But with that power came a new sense of responsibility, and a new set of challenges.
"What does this mean for me now?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"It means that you are no longer the same person who entered that dungeon," Uriel replied. "You've crossed a threshold, and with it, you've unlocked new potential. But remember, with greater power comes greater challenges. You must be prepared for what lies ahead."
Michael nodded, absorbing her words. But instead of feeling reassured, a deep unease settled in his chest. The power he had gained, the ease with which he could devour, was beginning to feel like a double-edged sword. Each time he absorbed a core, he felt a part of himself slipping away, as if the darkness within him was growing stronger, overshadowing the light.
"I'm losing myself, Uriel," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Every time I devour, I can feel it. It's like there's something inside me, something dark, that's taking over."
Uriel's gaze was steady, her presence a calming force amidst his turmoil. "You're not losing yourself, Michael. You're evolving, becoming something more than you were. But you must be vigilant. The power of devouring is a dangerous gift, one that can easily consume you if you're not careful."
Michael exhaled slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. He had always known that his journey would change him, but to see the tangible evidence of that change was overwhelming.
Uriel reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "There's something else you need to understand. This dungeon—it's a B rank dungeon. The growth you've experienced here, while remarkable, will slow down and eventually stop now that you're close to that level. The explosive gains you've made were a result of you being significantly below the dungeon's level, but as you approach it, the progress will taper off."
Michael's eyes narrowed as he processed this information. A B rank dungeon? That explained the intensity of the challenges they had faced, and why the rewards—both in power and in the cores he had absorbed—had been so great. But it also meant that the road ahead would be more difficult, with less to gain from each battle.
"So this is it," Michael said, a mix of determination and frustration in his voice. "I can't rely on these rapid growth spurts anymore."
Uriel nodded. "No, you can't. From here on out, your growth will be slower, more deliberate. But that's not a bad thing. It will give you time to adapt to your new powers, to master them fully before you face even greater challenges."
Michael looked out at the darkening forest, the shadows creeping closer as night fell. He knew she was right. He couldn't afford to rely on shortcuts or sudden bursts of power. If he was going to survive the trials ahead, he needed to be in full control of his abilities, to master them completely.
"I'll do whatever it takes to stay in control. I won't let this power consume me," he said, more to himself than to Uriel.
Uriel's smile widened, a look of approval in her eyes. "That is the right attitude. But remember, you're not alone in this. You have allies, and you have me. We'll face whatever comes together."
As the conversation ended, the screen with Michael's stats faded away, leaving him with a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that his journey was far from over and that the road ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty. But for the first time in a long while, he felt truly prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Michael stood up, feeling the strength in his limbs, the clarity in his mind. The forest around him seemed more vibrant, the air more charged with energy. He could sense the flow of magic, the subtle shifts in the environment, all enhanced by his Divine Eyes.
He returned to the camp, his expression calm and composed, though he remained distant. The others looked up as he approached, sensing something different about him. But Michael offered no explanation, no reassurance. He simply sat by the fire, his mind turning inward, focused on the path ahead.
The companions around the fire chatted lightly, their conversation punctuated by occasional laughter, but Michael felt no connection to their camaraderie. Their presence was a necessity, a means to an end, but not something he valued beyond their utility. The only person who mattered to him, the only one who truly understood him, was Uriel.
As the night wore on, Michael lay on his bedroll, staring up at the stars. His thoughts were a whirlwind, but at the center was the constant, unyielding fear of losing himself to the darkness within. Uriel's presence, her guidance, was the only thing keeping him anchored, preventing him from spiraling into the abyss.
He knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment. The power he had gained was both a blessing and a curse, and how he chose to wield it would determine the course of his future.
The night was quiet, the sounds of the forest lulling him