The morning sun cast a warm glow over the vast forest, but for Luci, the world felt as cold as ever. Jumping effortlessly from tree to tree, the demon moved like a shadow, silent and swift. His crimson eyes scanned the surroundings, barely noticing the pouches of coins hanging from his waist, a token he collected from the unfortunate knights he had slaughtered the night before. The glint of gold flashed in his memory—coins that would soon prove useful.
As he soared above the treetops, something caught his eye. Down below, a cargo cart rolled steadily along the dirt path, a single knight guiding the horse at the front. The cart was finely adorned, its polished wood gleaming in the light. Luci smirked to himself; he recognized the insignia etched onto the cart's side—a royal family. This was no ordinary cart.
With a quick flick of his legs, Luci landed soundlessly on top of the cart, his weight shifting it slightly. The knight pulled on the reins and glanced back in suspicion.
"My princess, there's a sudden weight on the cart. The horse is struggling to move," the knight said, his hand reaching for his sword.
From inside the cart, a voice, delicate yet commanding, replied, "Martin, come back. We'll be late for the tournament." The voice belonged to the princess, her golden blonde hair briefly visible as she peeked through the curtains.
"But my lady, something feels off," Martin, the knight, insisted, his eyes darting around.
"Don't worry, Martin," she said with a confident tone. Then, she raised her hand and whispered, " Calling the God of Upgradis, grant me your boon: Horse Enhancement."
With a flash of divine light, the horse suddenly surged forward, its pace nearly doubling. Martin gripped the reins, trying to steady himself as the cart rocketed down the path, the wind whipping past him.
Luci, meanwhile, remained perched effortlessly on the top, barely fazed by the rapid speed. "Interesting," he thought to himself. "These knights pray to their gods, and in return, they're gifted power." Memories flashed in his mind—ancient books Merlin had left in his prison, books that spoke of the gods and the magic they bestowed upon the chosen. But even with this divine power, they were nothing compared to him.
The cart continued to barrel down the road, crossing the vast fields that led to the capital city. Luci closed his eyes, not out of fatigue, but out of boredom. The speed didn't thrill him. He could outrun the horse if he wanted to. The only reason he was even on the cart was to avoid being noticed. He knew the knights' kingdom would not take kindly to a lone, tattered traveler entering their gates, and Luci had no intention of killing anyone—yet.
As they neared the gates of the kingdom, Luci tensed slightly, preparing for what was to come. The kingdom's entrance was grand, with towering gates and armed guards patrolling every corner. Martin slowed the cart as they approached, and the princess, with her radiant smile, waved to the knights at the gate.
"Welcome, Princess! Welcome to the capital!" the guards greeted with reverence, stepping aside to allow the cart entry.
Luci crouched low, unseen by the guards, as the cart rolled into the heart of the kingdom. When they were finally within the city walls, he leaped silently from the cart, landing gracefully in the shadow of a nearby building. With a swift motion, he grabbed a piece of cloth from a clothesline, draping it over his shoulders to blend in with the bustling crowd.
The kingdom was beautiful, with cobblestone streets lined with market stalls and a majestic clock tower that loomed high above the city. Merchants shouted about their wares, knights patrolled the streets, and children laughed as they played in the narrow alleyways. But amidst the lively atmosphere, Luci's eyes remained focused. He had one goal: to find the holy water. Without it, he could never break the chains that bound his true power.
As he wandered through the market, a shop caught his eye. The sign above it read: "Divine Cards, Gifts from the Lords Themselves." Luci raised an eyebrow and pushed through the crowded entrance.
Inside, an old shopkeeper stood behind a cluttered counter, his eyes scanning Luci up and down. "What can I do for you, traveler? You look like you've been through some hard times. What race are you?"
Luci felt his anger flare but quickly suppressed it. He needed this man's help, not his blood. "Do you have an invisibility card?" Luci asked, his voice cold but controlled.
The shopkeeper chuckled, squinting at him. "Invisibility, eh? What exactly do you need it for?"
"I want to hide these chains," Luci said, raising his arms slightly, showing the heavy iron shackles that bound his wrists.
The shopkeeper's face twisted into a sneer. "Chains, eh? Looks like you've been enslaved. I bet you were caught by some knights or mages. Why don't you just take them off?"
Luci's eyes darkened. "Don't ask such silly questions, old man, or your head will be hanging from that clock tower."
The shopkeeper swallowed hard and nodded quickly, rummaging through his collection of cards. "Here it is—an invisibility card. Use it wisely." The card was a shimmering silver with ancient runes carved into it. The edges seemed to hum with magical energy.
Without hesitation, Luci placed the card against his chains. The metal bindings remained, but they shimmered and disappeared from sight, hidden from the human eye. The weight was still there, but now, at least, he wouldn't draw attention.
"How much?" Luci asked, readying the pouch of coins.
The shopkeeper's eyes gleamed greedily. "One hundred coins."
Luci tossed the pouch onto the counter, the sound of clinking gold echoing through the small shop. The shopkeeper's eyes widened as he opened the bag to find far more than he had asked for—five thousand coins. His hands trembled as he counted, and with a shaky voice, he said, "I suppose that'll cover it."
Luci grabbed a second card, a color-changing one, and held it up to his eyes. The moment the card touched him, his crimson eyes shifted to a deep black. "Perfect," he muttered, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head.
As Luci turned to leave, the shopkeeper, emboldened by greed, asked, "Why don't you just remove the chains?"
Luci paused at the door, his voice low and dangerous. "Ask me again, and you'll find yourself dangling from that clock tower before nightfall."
With that, Luci disappeared into the bustling market. He hadn't taken more than a few steps when a knight rode into the square, calling out to the crowd. "Hear ye, hear ye! A tournament is about to begin! Pay your registration fee, and see if you are chosen by the gods to participate. Even other races may enter!"
Luci smirked, his eyes narrowing as he listened. A tournament, a chance to prove his strength and ascend the ranks of the knights. His path to the holy water was becoming clearer. He would infiltrate their ranks, gain their trust, and rise to Silver Rank 2. Once there, he would claim the holy water and break the chains that bound him.
As the crowd buzzed with excitement, Luci's smirk deepened. "Soon," he thought, "there will be a demon among these knights."