The underworld slums were quiet now, but it was the kind of silence that carried weight. The bloodbath of the gang raid had ended, leaving bodies scattered across the ruined streets, and the survivors limped back to their hideouts. Mikhael, watching from his vantage point atop a crumbling building, knew this was just the beginning. The factions were in disarray, and that gave him the perfect opportunity to strike.
His avatars, Vince Moray and Jin Sparrow, had played their roles flawlessly. Vince was now embedded deep within the gang that led the assault, his position strengthened by his survival of the raid. Jin had stirred chaos within the rival faction, spreading rumors and planting seeds of doubt that would soon fracture them from within.
But Mikhael wasn't satisfied. The taste of power from the demons he'd drained during the raid still lingered in his veins, but it wasn't enough. He needed more experience, more strength. His level was close to rising again, but he was keenly aware of his limits. He could only fight demons that were up to ten levels above him. Anything beyond that would be too dangerous, too risky.
Still, there were plenty of weaker demons to prey on in the aftermath of the raid.
The Aftermath of the Raid
Mikhael stepped down from his vantage point, moving through the ruins of the ganglands with a predator's grace. His Shadow Step made him almost invisible, allowing him to pass unnoticed through the debris-strewn streets. The remaining demons were licking their wounds, too focused on survival to notice the shadow stalking among them.
As he moved, Mikhael's mind buzzed with possibilities. He needed to keep gaining experience, but he also had to avoid direct confrontations with demons more than ten levels higher than himself. If he was careful, he could drain the weaker ones while using the chaos to his advantage.
His eyes narrowed as he spotted a group of injured demons huddled together in a nearby alleyway. They were clearly part of the gang that had been on the losing side of the raid. Bloodied and exhausted, they wouldn't put up much of a fight.
Mikhael moved in, activating Dash to close the distance in an instant. His speed increased by 50%, making his movements a blur as he reached the first demon. The creature barely had time to react before Mikhael placed his hand on its shoulder, activating Gluttony.
The dark energy swirled around the demon, draining its life force and power in a matter of moments. Mikhael felt the surge of strength flow into him, his body absorbing the demon's essence.
[You have absorbed the essence of a demon.]
Experience Gained: 25
The other demons, now realizing the danger, scrambled to their feet, but it was too late. Mikhael moved swiftly, his Dash still active, and cut them down one by one with calculated precision. Each strike was enhanced by Charge, his damage output increasing with every second. The demons fell before they could even mount a defense, their bodies crumpling under the weight of Mikhael's power.
[You have absorbed the essence of a demon.]
Experience Gained: 20
[You have absorbed the essence of a demon.]
Experience Gained: 30
As the last demon fell, Mikhael stood amidst the carnage, his breath steady. The system chimed again, signaling his progress.
[Experience: 225/400]
Still not enough for a level up, but close. Mikhael glanced around, his eyes scanning the alley for any more potential targets. The slums were in chaos, and there would be plenty more opportunities to drain the weakened survivors. But he had to be cautious. The gang leaders were still out there, and they were far more dangerous than the lackeys he had just dispatched.
Mikhael's mind buzzed with strategy. He couldn't take on a demon more than ten levels higher than himself—not yet. If he encountered a high-level demon, he would have to rely on his avatars or use manipulation to turn the situation in his favor. There was no room for recklessness.
The Gangs in Disarray
Elsewhere in the slums, the gangs were reeling from the aftermath of the raid. The larger faction, having failed to secure a decisive victory, was nursing its wounds, while the rival faction had been severely weakened by infighting and betrayal. Both groups were on the verge of collapse.
Vince had positioned himself perfectly within the attacking faction. As one of the few survivors of the raid, he had gained the trust of key members, and his influence was growing. The gang leader, a brutal demon named Rurik, was already planning his next move, but Vince was feeding that information directly to Mikhael.
Jin, on the other hand, had continued spreading dissent within the rival gang. He had sown enough distrust that the faction's leadership was crumbling, with several members openly questioning their leader's decisions. It wouldn't be long before the faction collapsed entirely.
Mikhael's avatars were more than just informants. They were second identities, fully capable of acting independently and infiltrating deep into the power structures of the underworld. Through them, Mikhael was gaining control without ever being seen.
Planning the Next Move
Mikhael returned to his shelter, the quiet stillness of the night settling around him. He needed to plan his next move carefully. The slums were in disarray, but that meant power was up for grabs. If he could keep both factions destabilized, he could seize control of the remaining pieces.
But first, he needed to grow stronger.
He sat down, closing his eyes and activating his Pause ability. The world around him slowed, the sounds of the slums fading to a dull hum as he entered his separate time-space. Here, he could train, strategize, and plan without wasting any real-world time.
In the training space, Mikhael focused on refining his abilities. He activated Amplify, channeling it into his Dark Pulse ability. The dark energy flickered in his hand, growing stronger as he doubled its potency. He practiced firing the pulse at targets within the space, each blast growing more destructive as he amplified the skill. If he could hone this ability, it would become a deadly tool in his arsenal.
He also worked on Sin Drain, refining his control over how much power he could absorb with each use. The more precise he could be, the more effective the ability would become in battle.
Later That Night
When Mikhael finally emerged from the Pause space, he felt more prepared. His abilities were sharper, his strategies clearer. The gang war was still brewing, but now he was ready to take the next step.
His avatars, Vince and Jin, would continue to destabilize the factions from within. But Mikhael knew it was time to do more than just watch. He needed to actively participate in the downfall of the slum gangs—and take control of whatever remained.
But there was one more piece of the puzzle to place.
Mikhael activated his Cloning ability again, watching as a new avatar took shape before him. This one would have a different purpose—someone who could move through the slums unnoticed, gathering information and striking at key targets when necessary.
The clone shimmered, its form taking shape as Mikhael molded it with Envy's shapeshifting power. The avatar's features shifted into something less conspicuous—an average-looking demon, nondescript, someone who could slip in and out of enemy territory without drawing attention.
Mikhael smiled, naming the new avatar Nero, a quiet but deadly identity that would serve as his hidden blade.