On the outskirts of the Southern Atholor Continent, concealed from prying eyes by a powerful, undetectable barrier, stood a grand structure.
The building’s architectural brilliance exuded an aura of majesty, its intricately designed walls and towering rooftops hinting at the influence and power of its occupants.
Within one of its larger chambers, a meeting was taking place—a meeting that would set into motion events that could shape the future of humanity.
The room was dimly lit, the shadows playing across the faces of three individuals seated around a polished table. All were masked, their features obscured, and their cores meticulously concealed. One figure stood out: a demon.
Its presence was unmistakable, from the oppressive aura it radiated to the two curved horns that jutted out of its helmet. The demon sat at the head of the table, its posture both regal and menacing, while the other two figures, humans by their features, sat side by side.
For a time, silence reigned. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, their eyes locked on one another. Finally, one of the humans broke the silence, his voice respectful yet cautious.
“Lord Beeriz,” he began, addressing the demon. “Your visit is unexpected. May I ask what brings you to us?”
The demon exhaled slowly, the sound deep and deliberate. Its crimson eyes narrowed as it regarded the man who had spoken. Lord Beeriz radiated nobility and nonchalance, his demeanor carrying the weight of authority. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold and commanding.
“I am here on orders from our superior,” Beeriz said, his gaze piercing. “You are to deliver a message to your leader, and it is imperative that it is acted upon immediately.”
Both humans leaned forward slightly, their postures attentive.
“A child,” Beeriz continued, “favored by more than one Light God, has been marked as a threat. This child will grow into a stronghold for humanity, a beacon of hope and power. If allowed to mature, he will become an obstacle to the partnership between your kind and mine.”
The two humans exchanged a glance, their unease growing.
“We do not know the child’s identity,” Beeriz admitted, his tone sharpening. “But we know his age range—fifteen to eighteen. Your superior must take action before it is too late.”
One of the humans, a tall man with a commanding voice, dared to question. “And what do you propose, Lord Beeriz? We cannot simply act without direction.”
The demon’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “There are two options. The first: conduct a thorough background check on all children within the age range. Identify the target and eliminate him discreetly. If this fails…” Beeriz’s voice dropped, becoming almost a growl. “The second option is to eliminate all children within that range. This would ensure that humanity’s future champions are crippled before they can rise.”
The two humans fell silent, the weight of the decision before them pressing down like a stone. After a moment, they exchanged nods.
“We will begin with the first option,” the tall man said firmly. “If it proves ineffective, we will not hesitate to enact the second. One way or another, we shall accomplish that as there is still time before the war begins.”
Lord Beeriz regarded them for a long moment, then rose from his seat. He reached into his robes, retrieving a black crystal that pulsed with dark energy. “See that you do not fail,” he said, his voice icy.
He crushed the crystal in his hand, and the air in the room seemed to tear apart, revealing a swirling void. Without another word, Beeriz stepped into the darkness, disappearing as the portal closed behind him.
~~~~~
Meanwhile, in the Forest of Twin Disasters, Damien was oblivious to the meeting and the target painted on his back. He was entirely focused on his mission, driving himself harder with each passing day. At this moment, he was locked in battle with four Grade Five demons.
Boom!
The demons were formidable, their grotesque forms exuding malice and raw power. Each of them wielded magic with deadly precision, launching fiery projectiles and shadowy tendrils that tore through the air. But Damien was unshaken.
“Get out!” Flames burst from his hand as he used his Minor Flame Magic Skill to counter their attacks. Occasionally, he combined it with Minor Wind Manipulation, amplifying the intensity of his strikes.
Damien’s sleek, thin blade glowed faintly with magic essence as he infused it with both skills, delivering precise, devastating blows.
One of the demons lunged at him, claws outstretched. Damien ducked under the attack, his sword slicing upward in a fluid motion. The blade cut through the demon’s chest, and it roared in pain, staggering backward.
The fight continued, growing more intense by the second. Damien’s movements were sharp and calculated, and his attacks were aimed to kill. Soon, he managed to land a decisive blow on one of the demons, slaying it where it stood. With the balance broken, the remaining three fell in quick succession.
As the last demon collapsed, Damien stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving. The thrill of victory coursed through him, but he didn’t allow himself to relax. Instead, he crouched by the fallen demons, extracting their essence cores with practiced efficiency.
Holding the glowing orbs in his hands, he felt a surge of power as he absorbed them one by one. Each core added to his strength, fueling his rapid growth.
Damien grinned, satisfied with his progress. “One step closer,” he muttered, standing and wiping the sweat from his brow.
“Status,” he commanded, and the system responded instantly.
««««««••••••»»»»»»
Name: Damien Terrace
Race: Human
Level: 45
Exp: 1805/2150
Talent: E-Rank Summoner
Life Force: 6100/7300
Magic Essence: 1220/1220
Strength: 74 Agility: 72
Stamina: 74 Endurance: 74
Intelligence: 69
••••••••••
Skill: SSS-Ranked Summons
Subskills:-
Pact of Summons
Essence Devourer
Sensory Link
Essence Saving Mode
••••••••••
Available summons: 4
««««««••••••»»»»»»
Damien nodded as he read through his stats, his confidence growing. “Still a long way to go,” he murmured. “But I’ll get there.”
With renewed determination, Damien turned his gaze deeper into the forest. The path ahead was filled with danger, but that only fueled his drive. He had come too far to stop now. “One way or another.”
As he sheathed his sword and prepared to move forward, the leaves and trees seemed to bear witness to his rise.
________________
________________
A/N: I would like to announce that the second arc: The System’s Mission”, has come to an end and as such, I would like to thank you all for sticking with us this far. I love you all!
Please let us continue to support the book in everyway we can. Thank you all!