The arena grew quieter as the number of participants dwindled. From dozens of competitors, only five remained. The crowd's roar softened into murmurs as the organizer stepped forward, his voice amplified by magic.
"You have fought valiantly," he declared. "But the finals are upon us. Rest, heal, and prepare yourselves. You have one hour."
The tension in the air lifted slightly. Liam, his confidence unshaken, left the arena floor and made his way to the resting room. The grand door creaked open, revealing a modest chamber with stone walls, a few chairs, and a long table laden with refreshments. His remaining opponents were already there, quietly recovering and assessing one another.
Liam leaned against the wall, scanning his rivals. They were all mages or marksmen, armed with enchanted bows and staffs. Their gear gleamed faintly with enchantments, and their quiet exchanges hinted at experience. Liam smirked to himself. "Long-range fighters. This is going to be interesting," he muttered.
Ray's voice echoed in his mind. "You're analyzing them already? Don't get too cocky."
"They're good, sure. But once I close the distance, they'll fold."
Ray chuckled. "Overconfidence suits you, but don't underestimate them. Also…you seem bored."
Liam sighed, pushing off the wall and walking toward a corner. "Yeah, the fights have been easy. Honestly, I want to try magic."
Ray's tone shifted. "Magic, huh? You're finally thinking strategically. But using magic isn't as simple as swinging your fists. You'll need a catalyst, and for that…we'll have to perform a lost ritual."
Liam frowned. "A lost ritual? How do you even know about something like that?"
Ray snickered. "You've forgotten about your sub-skill [Forbidden Knowledge], haven't you? It evolved when the system upgraded. It grants access to techniques, weapon designs, and rituals forgotten by the world."
Liam's lips curled into a sly grin. "Alright, what do I need to do?"
"First, find a private space. You don't want anyone interrupting this."
Liam glanced around the room and found a small storage chamber at the back. He slipped inside, locking the door. The cramped space was dimly lit by a single magical lamp, its flickering light casting eerie shadows on the walls.
"Alright, I'm in. Now what?"
"You'll need materials. Take out the snake from your skill [Avarice]."
Liam nodded, activating [Avarice]. A dark mist swirled around his hand as he summoned the massive snake's corpse. The room felt suffocating as the enormous creature materialized, its coiled body barely fitting in the confined space.
"Now what?" Liam asked, pinching his nose at the stench.
"Go to its head and tap near the top. You should feel a hard object inside—pull it out."
Liam knelt by the snake's head, his fingers searching for the spot Ray described. After a moment, he felt it—a rock-hard object embedded deep within the skull. Without hesitation, he tore into the flesh, pulling out a red gem the size of a baseball.
"What is this?" Liam asked, holding the gem up.
"That's a staff core. It can be used to cast spells, channel mana, and perform rituals. Now, we need the blood for the ritual. Sever the body and let the blood flow out."
Liam grimaced. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Do you want magic or not? Stop whining and get to it."
With a resigned sigh, Liam summoned his [Divine Shield], shaping it into a dagger. He began cutting through the snake's body, his movements precise but filled with disgust. The blood pooled on the floor, soaking every corner of the room.
"Alright, I've made a mess. Now what?"
"Use [Avarice] again and absorb everything—the corpse, the blood, all of it."
Liam activated [Avarice], and the black mist enveloped the room, swallowing the snake's remains and the blood. The floor was left spotless, as though the gruesome scene had never occurred.
"Now, take out some blood and place it in a bucket made of your [Divine Shield]."
Liam sighed, reshaping his shield into a crude bucket. He focused on [Avarice] again, and the blood poured out, filling the bucket to the brim.
"Perfect. Now, use the blood to draw symbols on the ground. I'll guide you through it."
Liam knelt, dipping his hand into the bucket and drawing intricate symbols on the floor. The patterns were complex and alien, their meanings beyond Liam's comprehension, but he followed Ray's instructions carefully.
"Good. Now, cover the room with your [Divine Shield]—walls, ceiling, floor, everything. We can't afford any surprises."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "What kind of ritual is this?"
"A dangerous one," Ray replied bluntly.
Liam shrugged, creating barriers with his shield until the entire room was encased.
"Now, take the staff core and hold it high. Pour your mana into it until the symbols start glowing."
Liam lifted the gem, focusing his energy into it. A faint light emanated from the core, growing brighter as the symbols on the ground began to glow. The crimson hue shifted to a deep purple, and the air in the room grew heavy.
"Ray, is it supposed to feel like this?"
"Yes. Stop pouring mana when the symbols turn completely purple."
Liam complied, watching as the symbols began to rise from the floor, floating in midair. They pulsed with an ominous energy, and the temperature in the room dropped noticeably.
"What now?" Liam asked, his voice tinged with excitement.
"Now, say the words you want to bind to this ritual. But be careful—this is the part where things get...unpredictable."
Liam grinned, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Raising the core higher, he declared, "Everything in creation, turn to dust!"
The room trembled as the symbols spun faster, their glow intensifying. Suddenly, a dark portal opened in the center of the blood-drawn circle, its edges crackling with energy.
Liam stepped back, his heart racing. "Ray, are we summoning a demon?"
"Yes," Ray replied nonchalantly. "Let's just hope it's a strong one."