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(James's POV)
'And here I am thinking about the past like it will change anything.'
It's been months, years? I honestly don't even know since this damn red moon never sets. The crimson light casts the same shadows day after day, making time meaningless in this perpetual twilight. Although I've learned many things from my mistakes in the human world, I haven't encountered any spatial rifts since my forced return.
The cave has become my sanctuary and my prison. I've memorized every crack in the walls, every stalactite hanging from the ceiling. The volcanic rock beneath my feet holds the same temperature, the same texture, the same mundane predictability that drives me to the edge of madness.
'I don't like to complain, but honestly, the fear of those humans was much better than the mindless violence here.'
The demons in this realm fight with pure instinct, no strategy, no creativity, no delicious terror in their eyes when they realize death is coming. Just brute force and survival instincts. Boring.
While lost in these thoughts, I hear a loud rumbling sound from outside. The very air seems to vibrate with otherworldly energy. I walk straight to the entrance of my cave, and would you believe it? I see a spatial rift forming around a hundred meters ahead.
"Yes, the demon gods have blessed me today," I whisper, my smile widening with genuine excitement.
The rift pulses with unstable energy, crackling with purple lightning that tears through the fabric of reality. It's beautiful, a doorway to endless possibilities, to new worlds.
But my joy is short-lived as a demon dodo, named "Monro" by me, comes into my line of sight. From its direction of running, it's heading straight toward the rift.
'As if I'll let you have fun in another world alone.'
I sprint at my fastest speed, my claws digging into the volcanic rock for better traction. The Monro is fast, but I'm faster. I can almost taste the dimensional energy crackling in the air when suddenly the space ruptures violently.
The portal collapses in on itself with a sound like reality tearing. The rift is no longer in front of me, and neither is the Monro.
"Damn it," I snarl, my claws leaving gouges in the ground.
"I hope you enjoy your limited time, because I will be there."
---
With those words, I turn back toward the cave entrance, frustration boiling in my veins. Suddenly, a strange panel materializes in my field of vision, translucent, glowing with an otherworldly blue light.
The characters are difficult to understand at first, written in both English and demon tongue, shifting between languages as if struggling to find the right translation.
Concentrating harder, the words become clear:
---
Level: 1
Exp: 0/100
Name: James
Race: ????Devil
Class: None
HP: 10
Mp: 100 (8 Mp /hour)
Str: 3
Dex: 2
Int: 6
Wis: 4
Inventory: (+)
Traits:
- Demon Physique
- Shapeshifting
Skills:
- Psychic Touch (10-80 mp)
You manifest a minor psychic wave, a sign of supernatural power, may cause hallucinations for the subject.
- Air Cannon (50 mp) (5 dmg)
A blast of condensed air streaks toward a creature within range.
- Minor Illusion (10 mp) (1 Min)
You create a sound or an image of an object within range that lasts for 1 minute.
Spells:
- Obey (80mp) (5 Min)
You speak commands to a creature you can see within range. Weak-willed creatures will obey the commands for 5, 10, or 15 minutes, depending on the mana used and willpower.
---
Interesting. Even my powers are catalogued here.
I try to touch the traits section, and two additional panels appear with detailed information:
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Demon Physique:
Demons from birth have a powerful build. Greater strength, higher immunity, regeneration, and good adaptability to most environments. The overall traits might change with evolutions.
---
Shapeshifting:
Rare trait found in most Shapeshifters. The user is able to shapeshift into a creature with similar physique and height, but with greater mastery can take on larger or smaller forms with ease.
---
But what are these question marks on my race? I would say I am a classy devil, but why does my class say 'none'? A wake-up call to increase my standing, I guess.
If this exp system works like in those human games I witnessed through their memories, then I have to hunt some wild monsters.
With a wave of my hand, the panel disappears, and my smile becomes even wider.
"Let's commence the party."
---
I venture out into the familiar hellscape, but now everything seems different. The panel has given me new purpose, a way to measure my growth. Each kill will bring me closer to... what? Evolution? New powers? The possibilities are intoxicating.
The first target presents itself within minutes: a pack of three Lesser Imps scavenging near a lava pool. These creatures are barely worth my time normally, but if they provide experience points...
I approach stealthily, using the volcanic rock formations as cover. The imps are distracted, fighting over what looks like the remains of a failed hatchling. Perfect.
Let's test these new quantified abilities.
I focus my mind and cast "Psychic Touch" at the nearest imp, using about 30 mp. The creature stumbles, its primitive mind overwhelmed by the psychic assault. While it's disoriented, I pounce.
My claws tear through its throat with practiced efficiency. The imp dies with a gurgling shriek, and immediately I feel a strange sensation, like energy flowing into me.
A small notification appears in my vision:
+15 EXP
Fascinating.
The other two imps have noticed their companion's death, but they're more curious than alarmed. Demons here are used to sudden violence. I cast "Minor Illusion", creating the sound of a much larger predator approaching from behind them.
Both imps spin around, searching for the non-existent threat. I use "Air Cannon" on the first one, the blast of compressed air slamming into its back and sending it tumbling toward the lava pool. It lands with a splash, its screams cut short by the molten rock.
+15 EXP
The last imp finally realizes the danger and tries to flee, but I'm already moving. A quick leap, a swipe of my claws, and it's over.
+15 EXP
Total EXP: 45/100
Not bad for a warm-up.
---
As I continue my hunt, I notice something unusual in the distance, a plume of black smoke rising from what appears to be a crash site. This isn't the normal volcanic activity; this smoke is different, more... structured.
Curiosity overriding caution, I approach the source. What I find surprises me: a metallic object, clearly not from this world, embedded in the volcanic rock. Steam rises from its surface, and strange symbols glow faintly along its edges.
Could this be from the same world as those spatial rifts?
As I examine the object more closely, I hear movement behind me. I turn to see three demons approaching, but these aren't the usual mindless brutes. They move with purpose, coordination. Their leader, a scarred demon with four arms and burning yellow eyes, speaks in the demon tongue:
"You. Pale one. Step away from the artifact."
Artifact? So they know what this is.
I smile, showing all my teeth.
"I don't think so. Finders keepers, as the humans say."
The leader's eyes narrow. "You speak of humans. You are the one who disappeared through the rifts, yes? The Wanderer?"
The Wanderer? I rather like that title.
"Perhaps. What's it to you?"
"The artifact belongs to the Hierarchy. We are here to retrieve it."
The Hierarchy? Never heard of them, but they sound as trouble. Interesting.
"And if I refuse?"
The leader's three companions spread out, surrounding me. Each one looks capable of providing substantial experience points.
"Then you die, Wanderer. But know this, we have been watching you. Your... journey to other realms has not gone unnoticed. The Hierarchy has need of demons like you."
*A job offer? How delightfully unexpected.*
"I'm listening."
"Serve us willingly, and you will have access to more rifts than you can imagine. Refuse..." He gestures to his companions. "And die."
---
I pretend to consider the offer while quickly assessing my opponents. The leader is clearly the strongest, probably worth the most experience. The three subordinates look like they could be taken down with the right strategy.
"I have a counteroffer," I say, my smile widening.
"I'll join your Hierarchy... if you can prove you're worthy of my service."
The leader's expression shifts from confident to confused.
"Are you challenging us?"
"I challenge you to demonstrate your strength. If you can defeat me, I'll serve willingly. If not..." I let my claws extend fully. "Well, I'll be taking that artifact and anything else you might have."
The leader laughs, a harsh, grating sound. "You are either very brave or very stupid, Wanderer. But we accept your challenge."
Perfect. Four opponents, roughly level 2 or 3 if I had to guess. This should be interesting.
I open my status panel mentally:
HP: 10
Mp: 25
Not ideal, but manageable. I'll need to be smart about this.
The first subordinate charges, wielding a crude bone club. I dodge and cast Psychic Touch with more power.
-20 mp
The weak demon's mind shatters under the assault, and he collapses, drooling and twitching.
+25 EXP
The second subordinate attacks while I'm focused on the first. His claws rake across my side, tearing through my skin.
HP: 7/10
'Note to self: Defense is still an issue.'
I grab the attacking demon's arm and twist sharply, snapping bone. He screams, but I silence him with a claw to the throat.
+25 EXP
The third subordinate and the leader attack simultaneously. I'm forced to use my shapeshifting ability, taking on the form of a smaller, more agile demon to avoid their strikes.
Mp: 5
With my increased agility, I dart between their attacks, landing precise strikes on vital points. The third subordinate falls within moments.
+25 EXP
Total EXP: 120/100
**LEVEL UP!**
Immediately, I feel a surge of power. My wounds begin to heal, my mana replenishes, and I feel distinctly stronger.
---
Level: 2
Exp: 20/200
HP: 15/15
Mp: 120/120
Str: 4
Dex: 3
Int: 7
Wis: 5
---
Much better.
The leader has stopped attacking, staring at me with something that might be respect or fear.
"Impossible," he mutters. "You... you gained strength?"
"I'm full of surprises," I reply, flexing my newly enhanced muscles.
"Now, about that artifact..."
The leader backs away slowly. "The Hierarchy will remember this, Wanderer. You have made a big enemy today."
"I've made three, actually," I gesture to the corpses around us. "But who's counting?"
As the leader flees, I turn my attention to the mysterious artifact. Up close, I can see it's some kind of device, possibly a dimensional anchor or rift generator. The symbols along its surface are definitely from another world.
This could be useful. Very useful indeed.
I place my hand on the artifact's surface, and immediately feel a connection, not just to the device, but to something far beyond this realm. Other worlds, other dimensions, all connected by invisible threads of space and time.
(Broken Gate detected, Requires Demon Steel and 5 Runes for Repair)
The Hierarchy wants this? Then more reason for me to take it.
With careful effort, I lift the artifact. It's heavy, but manageable with my enhanced strength. I'll need to study it more carefully back at my cave.
As I walk back toward home, carrying my prize, I can't help but smile. This day has been far more productive than I anticipated. Not only have I gained a level and discovered this intriguing power system, but I've also acquired an artifact.
The Hierarchy thinks they can use me? Let them try. I have bigger plans now.
The red moon continues its eternal vigil overhead, but for the first time in months, I feel like things are truly changing. The hunt has become something more, a path to power, to evolution, to possibilities I hadn't even imagined.
With a wave of my hand, I dismiss the status panel and continue toward my cave. Tomorrow, I'll begin studying the artifact properly. Tonight, I'll plan my next hunt.
'Level 2 is just the beginning.'
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