Chapter Fourteen: Beastmen
[Name: Dusken
Innate Name: -
Rank: Seeker
Level: 1
Abyssal Points: [2/1000]
Spell Cards: 1
Scrolls: 1
Material Cards: -
Talent: Abyssal Star (unlocked)
Talent Abilities: [Darkshadow Manipulation]
Side Abilities: [Scion of the Abyss]
Innate Abilities: [Dark Flame]
Legacy: None]
Dusken was surprised - shocked, even. But as time passed, he began to piece things together.
'So instead of gaining exp, I collect Abyssal Points?'
This thought brushed Dusken's mind, but it was the most plausible. Normally, when someone slayed a living being, they earned exp to level up. But his case was different.
His talent, Abyssal Star, changed the rules. Due to this, his path to power followed a unique, darker course. Still, he wasn't surprised as he wasn't the first in history that didn't need exp to level up.
After some pondering, his eyes gleamed with realization. He had slain a level-one creature in the desert before, but since his talent was locked, so he couldn't level up.
Now, though, the god of Darkness had intervened, unlocking his talent, and Dusken had instantly broken through to the awakened rank.
Because of this, the Calamity Codex had recognized his feat as extraordinary, making the god of Darkness reward him with an innate ability. However, there was something that instantly caught Dusken's attention.
What was the relationship between the codex and the gods?....
Before Dusken could think further, the faint but powerful voice of the god of Darkness echoed within his spirit once again.
'If you want my legacy, you must pass my trial. In this trial, you will seek and find a specific object. Whoever finds it shall inherit my legacy.'
As the words faded, a translucent projection formed in Dusken's mind.
It was an ancient stone tablet, roughly rectangular, carved with intricate, glowing symbols. The dark radiance of the symbols exuded an eerie allure, and black smoke curled around the edges of the tablet like a demonic tool.
What made Dusken's heart skip a bit was the fact that it seemed alive, breathing like a sentient, living being.
His resolve hardened. He had to find this tablet first no matter what. It was the only way to pass the trial. But doubts crept up his heart: 'What happens if I fail?'
As though reading their collective thoughts, the aloof voice of the god of Darkness spoke once again in their minds, clearing their doubts.
'If you succeed, my legacy will be yours. If you fail… you shall perish in the trial. Before I send you to there, I will grant you each a weapon. Simply speak your choice in your mind.'
Dusken hesitated for a moment before naming his most frequently used weapon:
'Longsword.'
Instantly, the Calamity Codex responded from deep within his soul:
[You have received a Material Card: Dark Sword.]
Dusken smiled as the realization struck him. He had just obtained a Material Card, a tangible form of power capable of summoning tools or weapons.
The might of a god made it possible, and his resolve to attain such strength fueled.
The god of Darkness continued, his voice resonating with chilling finality.
'You are now armed. The trial awaits. Whoever claims the tablet shall inherit my legacy. As for those who fail? They are doomed to die. This is your choice. You chose me, and with it, you chose death.'
The visions of everyone became blank as they found themselves standing in a void. Nothing was here except them. Even the statue had vanished.
Dusken's resolve burned even brighter.
'This… This is power. Authority. The zenith of strength. I want it. But is it exciting enough?'
His mind filled with visions of ultimate power had this crack. What if he got there, but was bored in the end? He wanted power, but he sought excitement even more.
The god of Darkness' voice echoed in the surroundings.
"Since I am the god you chose, you should know my name.' Silence reigned in the area for a few seconds, then the god of darkness continued in a profound tone.
"Solace comes at the beginning of death, and death begins at the end of life. Remember, Nothing is everlasting, all living or permanent. Everything withers and everything dies.
Longevity is a tool of gods, yet also their weakness, for they are not immortals. But I am eternal. I am all-encompassing, for I am... Nothing."
As the speech ended, for the first time, Dusken's eyes widened in pure emotion, he wasn't faking it at all.
This all made sense now. Nothing was the name of the God of Eternal Darkness, Shadows, and Death.
Before he could process further, he and the other children suddenly collapsed, their consciousness stolen as they were transported to the trial.
***
A cool yet biting wind brushed against Dusken's skin as he stirred back to awareness.
'Where am I?' he wondered.
It didn't take long for realization to dawn as clarity returned. He was in the trial for the legacy of Nothing.
'Perfect,' he thought. 'But I still haven't examined my abilities. My Innate ability, my Talent ability, my Spell Card, and my Material Card… So many things to figure out.'
Dusken blinked, his vision clearing. Beneath his feet, soft, wet soil sank slightly under his weight.
Around him, large trees towered into the sky, their thick canopies blotting out most of the light.
The air smelled of damp earth and wild nature, cool but chilling against his skin. Then he heard it - a faint sound that sent chills down his spine.
"Wuwuwuwu."
It was crying, it came from the surroundings. Dusken immediately turned his head, his breath hitching. What he saw nearly made him react fiercely.
Around him were children, ranging in age from ten to sixteen, all bound to a massive tree.
Their clothes were tattered, their faces pale, and fear radiated from them as a the atmosphere was filled with a downcast aura.
Dusken himself was tied up too, his bare feet pressed against the cold earth, with only the rustling of leaves keeping him company.
He glanced down at his body. Strangely, he no longer seemed like a ten-year-old. He was older now - perhaps fifteen.
But what really caught his attention lay beyond the bound children.
A bonfire blazed a short distance away, encircled by figures who laughed, jeered, and feasted.
Dusken's heart clenched with raging emotions.
Some had the heads of tigers on humanoid bodies. Others bore crocodile tails or half snake forms fused with human features.
Beastmen.
The word echoed in his mind, sending his pulse racing. Beastmen were brutal predators, infamous for their cruelty. They toyed with their victims before killing them, treating young children as both entertainment and food.
'Why was I sent here?' Dusken thought bitterly, with his cold gaze scanning the area.
The bound children sat with despair on their faces, as beastmen paraded the area. The beastmen all stared at the children with hunger-filled eyes.
His thoughts were interrupted as one of the Beastmen turned to face him, its sharp eyes locking onto Dusken with malice.
Without any words, it shot forward at a terrifying speed, aiming for the standing Dusken.
Dusken raised an eyebrow. 'This... is going to be interesting.'
Then suddenly, a spell burst forth.