Chapter 12:
Depths of the Abyss, Edge of Survival
Darkness.
A deep abyss of nothingness surrounded Theodore as he drifted between life and death. His body, broken beyond recognition, refused to move. He couldn't breathe properly. His mind was clouded, his consciousness flickering like a dying ember.
Bahomet's overwhelming presence still lingered in his mind—a force so terrifying it had made him feel like an insect before a god. Even now, in this unconscious void, he could feel the suffocating weight of that demon's gaze.
Was he dead?
No. He could feel a faint warmth against his skin, a gentle, soothing sensation spreading through his shattered body. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before—almost like being wrapped in the embrace of pure mana itself.
Then, a voice.
"You're quite the troublesome one, aren't you?"
It was soft but held the weight of countless years. Theodore's eyes slowly fluttered open. His vision was blurry, but he could make out the silhouette of a woman sitting nearby.
He tried to move but immediately winced in pain. His entire body ached as if every bone had been broken and hastily mended.
"You're awake."
Theodore's vision finally adjusted. The woman sitting before him had long, flowing black hair and deep crimson eyes. There was an ageless wisdom in her gaze, one that didn't match her youthful appearance.
He tried to speak, but his throat was too dry.
"Here, drink."
She handed him a small cup filled with a strange, shimmering liquid. Theodore hesitated but, feeling his body's weakness, drank it without further thought. A cool sensation spread through him, instantly alleviating some of his pain.
"What… happened?" Theodore finally managed to ask, his voice hoarse.
The woman leaned back slightly. "I should be asking you that. I came here sensing an overwhelming amount of dark mana, only to find you on the brink of death. You devoured a demon, didn't you?"
Theodore stiffened at her words.
She sighed. "Reckless. Very reckless."
She studied him for a moment before speaking again. "I should have killed you."
Theodore tensed.
She narrowed her eyes. "But… I didn't."
A long silence stretched between them.
"…Why?"
The woman's gaze softened slightly, but she didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stood up and walked toward the entrance of the cave. Only then did Theodore notice something—an enormous egg, resting on a carefully arranged pile of mana-infused stones.
She placed a gentle hand on it.
"I'll answer your questions later," she said. "For now, you should rest."
Theodore frowned but didn't argue. His body still felt like it had been torn apart and stitched back together. For now, all he could do was regain his strength.
As his consciousness wavered once more, a single thought lingered in his mind.
Who was this woman? And why did she—who had clearly intended to kill him—choose to save him instead?
Two days Later
Theodore groaned as he slowly regained consciousness. His body felt lighter—too light. The searing pain from before was gone, replaced by a dull ache. He blinked a few times, his vision adjusting to the dimly lit cave. The scent of herbs and something burning filled the air.
"You're finally awake, foolish one," Bryan's voice rang out.
Theodore turned his head to see Bryan and Balboas standing near him, arms crossed.
"What you did was reckless," Balboas said with a sigh. "If it weren't for that woman, you'd be dead."
Theodore pushed himself up, his muscles protesting. "What…?"
"Not only did she save you," Balboas continued, "but she also gathered all your things, including the demon cores you collected."
Theodore rubbed his temples. "Ahh, can we not do this right now?" He sighed. "By the way… where's Angelica?"
Bryan's expression darkened. "She said she'd talk to you later. Something about how you don't listen and don't trust us."
Theodore was silent for a moment before muttering, "Sorry. But I lost my sense of trust a long time ago."
Then he turned over and closed his eyes. "I'm going back to sleep."
Bryan clicked his tongue. "Tch. What a pain…"
From the shadows, a sharp voice scoffed.
"Who the hell is he talking to?"
After some much-needed rest, Theodore sat up and stretched his limbs. His body felt fully healed, though fatigue still clung to him.
Diana stood nearby, her arms crossed as she watched him with a cold, unreadable expression.
"Looks like your body is fully healed," she stated flatly.
Theodore exhaled. "Yeah. Thanks for everything." He hesitated before asking, "But… who are you, really?"
Diana smirked faintly. "Trying to get close to me now, are we?"
Theodore furrowed his brows. "That's not what I—"
She cut him off with a sharp tone. "Don't misunderstand. I didn't save you out of kindness. You're nothing more than an experiment to me."
Theodore's expression hardened. "Experiment?"
Diana's crimson eyes gleamed. "I need to know how you, a mere human, can wield the dark mana of a royal demon bloodline."
Theodore stiffened. "What do you mean by 'dark mana royal bloodline'?"
Diana scoffed. "So you really don't know? Hah. Is it possible you're a half-demon?"
Theodore's breath hitched. "What?"
Diana leaned against the cave wall. "Listen closely. The power you used to devour Gayer—it's exclusive to the demon lords and the demon king. That ability is what makes them so strong, what allowed them to reach their positions." Her gaze sharpened. "Their insatiable hunger."
Theodore clenched his fists.
"And you," she continued, "have that very same power."
A cold sensation crept down his spine.
Diana's smirk widened. "That means you're either a threat to the demons… or a tool that could make things much worse."
Theodore's mind raced. So I'm not the only one who can use Gluttony?
But if that was true… How did I devour Karnak if he didn't have Gluttony to begin with?
His eyes widened as he recalled something—a voice during the ritual, when he had blacked out.
"The System…" he muttered.
Diana's expression flickered. "What?"
Theodore ignored her, piecing it together. The System took over my body and activated a skill… Infinite Mana Absorption. That was how I devoured Karnak.
Diana studied his face before scoffing. "Hmph. Looks like you're finally using your head."
Theodore exhaled. "And if you don't find any answers about this 'royal bloodline'?"
Diana smirked darkly. "Then I have two options—either kill you or make you strong enough to be useful. And even if you get strong, if you're not useful…" She traced a finger across her neck.
Theodore sighed. "Hah. Yes, ma'am. What a terrifying woman."
Balboas chuckled. "You have no idea."
Diana's gaze flickered to Theodore. "By the way, why don't you use any weapons?"
Theodore scratched his head. "Oh, that? No sword can handle my energy."
Diana narrowed her eyes. "I see."
She stepped forward. "Release your energy."
Theodore raised an eyebrow but complied, letting his power surge outward. A crimson aura flared to life around him.
Diana's eyes widened slightly. How…? How can someone with dark royal bloodline mana have such pure energy?
The deep red glow radiating from him—the color of destruction—sent a shiver down her spine.
She quickly masked her shock, but Theodore caught it.
"Looks like she's surprised," he muttered under his breath. "Well, it's Qi anyway. No energy in this world is as pure as Qi."
Diana turned and grabbed something from a nearby rack, tossing it to him.
"Pick that up."
Theodore caught it, glancing down at the object. "Oh, you mean this sword?"
"Yes. Now imbue your mana into it."
Theodore hesitated before channeling his energy into the blade. He fully expected it to shatter—like every other weapon he had tried.
But it didn't.
Instead, the blade glowed, shifting into a beautiful crimson hue, as if it had been reforged with molten iron.
Theodore's eyes widened. "It didn't break…?"
Diana crossed her arms. "That blade was gifted to me as a wedding present by my father. It's called Akelius."
"A wedding gift?" Theodore raised an eyebrow. "Who the hell gives their daughter a sword as a wedding present? Is this world full of warlords or something?"
Diana ignored his remark. "If one can truly become one with that sword, they can change its size, form, and even its color just by using core energy."
Theodore ran his fingers along the blade. "Are you sure I can use this? It sounds pretty important to you."
Diana's expression remained cold. "You misunderstand. I'm not giving it to you. I'm using you as a test subject. If you prove unworthy of the blade…" Her gaze darkened. "I'll discard you."
Theodore chuckled dryly. "Hah. How reassuring."
Diana's smirk returned. "Now. Try touching me with that sword."
Theodore's grin widened slightly. "You sure about that?"
Without hesitation, he swung.
But before the blade could reach her—
Thud.
A powerful force struck his stomach, sending him flying backward. He slammed into the cave wall, coughing.
Diana hadn't even moved from her spot.
"Pathetic," she stated coldly.
Theodore groaned. "I… wasn't expecting that."
Diana scoffed. "I didn't dodge. You're just too slow."
Theodore gritted his teeth, pushing himself up. He took another stance, channeling more Qi into Akelius. He swung again.
And again, she avoided it effortlessly.
Even when he used Transcendent Sword—a skill that never missed—she moved just enough to evade it at the last second.
His frustration grew. He pushed himself harder, pouring everything he had into his attacks.
Then—
Thud.
His body collapsed, exhaustion hitting him like a tidal wave.
Diana sighed, shaking her head. "You're even worse than I thought. How the hell did you manage to defeat Gayer?"
Theodore groaned. "That's… a great question."
"Get up," Diana ordered.
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright.
"Starting tomorrow, we'll be training," she said flatly. "And if you don't improve…" Her gaze turned ice-cold. "I will dispose of you."
Theodore exhaled sharply. "Training? Until when?"
"Until you get it right."
Her crimson eyes locked onto his, a silent promise of pain ahead.
Theodore sighed. Damn it… School will be resuming soon. I really appreciate her for saving me, but I feel like she's actually going to kill me if I don't prove to be useful.
He clenched his fists.
I better get this over with before school starts…
(TO BE CONTINUED....)