Tyras said, “The third stage of learning is knowing nothing. The more you learn, the more you will realize how insignificant you are. In this stage, you will also become open to new perspectives.”
Arayn lowered his gaze, deep in thought. “I realize I’m small,” he murmured. “But I don’t know if I can accept new perspectives. In truth, I still don’t understand other people’s feelings.”
Tyras chuckled softly. “Take your time. Not everyone starts from the same place.” He folded his arms. “Demons, for example, start farthest from the Akashic Record compared to other races. Do you know why?”
Arayn shook his head.
“To reach the Akashic Record, one must achieve a state of ‘zen.’ The stronger a demon becomes, the greater their demonic energy, and the farther they drift from enlightenment.” Tyras exhaled. “However, we can only accept our nature and walk forward without complaint. Through countless hurdles, I achieved enlightenment and received Heavenly Demon class. For demons, only this race is the closest to the Akashic Record. You too, Arayn. Right now, you cannot understand people’s feelings. That’s why seeing from another perspective is impossible for you—for now. If you work hard, I’m certain a path will open for you. Your origin is learning, after all.”
Arayn nodded. “I will keep your words in mind, Master.”
Tyras smiled. “Good. Leveling up, becoming stronger, seeking the Akashic Record—these are all heaven-defying pursuits. Nothing is impossible in this universe.” His golden eyes gleamed with amusement. “And speaking of that… reviving your body is not impossible either.”
Arayn’s expression remained calm, but his fingers twitched slightly.
Tyras leaned in. “Let me ask you this, my disciple—you planned your death. How do you plan to revive yourself?”
Arayn met Tyras’s golden gaze and said calmly, “I recognize you as the one who granted the Heavenly Demon class to the Crimson Sun Cult.”
Tyras laughed. “You’re wrong, my disciple. The one who granted the Primordial Crystal of the Heavenly Demon class was not me, but the second Heavenly Demon—the ancestor of the Crimson Sun Cult, Azael Crimsonstar.”
“I see,” Arayn said, unfazed. “But that doesn’t change the fact that receiving that class as a second class is foolishness.”
Tyras raised a brow. “And why do you think that?”
Arayn folded his arms. “Because one cannot use the class to its fullest potential. The balance of the class determines strength, and an ill-fitted combination only hinders progress. I would rather accept a second class that maximizes my path than rush blindly for power.” His voice was firm. “In the path of defying the universe, impatience is foolishness.”
Tyras tilted his head. “The Heavenly Demon class is one of the strongest classes to exist. Do you believe you can defeat it?”
Arayn’s lips curled slightly. “I can, and I want to trade with you the very class that can counter the Heavenly Demon.”
Tyras’s interest deepened. “And what is this class you speak of?”
Arayn’s voice was unwavering.
“The Demon Hunter class.”
Tyras threw his head back and laughed, his voice shaking the very air around them. “Truly, you were meant to be my disciple,” he said, his amusement settling into satisfaction.
His golden gaze bore into Arayn. “If you had craved the Heavenly Demon class, I would have revoked your status as my disciple. The reason I chose you was not to raise another Heavenly Demon, but to forge the one who will hunt them. No need to trade, Arayn. I will grant you the Demon Hunter class for free. In return, I ask for only one thing—defeat the Heavenly Demon.”
Arayn met his gaze without hesitation. A slow, knowing smile tugged at his lips. “That was my plan from the start.”
Tyras’s expression turned solemn. “The Demon Hunter class is one of the rarest to exist,” he began. “Not many who awaken it survive long enough to grow in power. That’s because demons despise it more than any other class. However, that’s not the only reason.” His gaze hardened.
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“To become a Demon Hunter, one must take in demon blood and become half-demon. That is why even other races revile them. A Demon Hunter is neither fully human nor fully demon—an outcast to all.”
With a flick of his wrist, a crystalline shard materialized in his palm. It shimmered, pulsating with crimson energy. Tyras held it out. “This Primordial Crystal contains the Demon Hunter class. The catalyst to activate it is both a human soul and demon blood.”
His voice deepened. “Yes, a human must abandon their body while still conscious, existing only in their soul form.” A slow smile spread across his lips. “That means you are in the perfect condition to awaken this class.”
Raising his other hand, Tyras extended a single finger and dragged his nail across the skin. A drop of his blood welled up and dripped onto the crystal. The moment it made contact, the crystal trembled violently, its glow intensifying.
“The stronger the demon’s blood, the greater the Demon Hunter’s potential,” Tyras declared. “I am the strongest demon. My blood is the best catalyst to awaken this class."
The crystal pulsed, its glow turning blinding. Tyras raised it high.
“Now… awaken, Primordial Crystal.”
Tyras extended his hand, the Primordial Crystal resting in his palm. Its surface pulsed, veins of crimson light flickering within. The air around it twisted, distorting like heat rising from scorched earth.
“Take it,” Tyras said.
Arayn reached out, his fingers brushing against the smooth crystal. The moment he grasped it, the energy within surged, writhing like a living thing. A wisp of crimson smoke curled from the crystal’s surface, drifting toward his face.
Without hesitation, Arayn brought the crystal closer to his lips. He parted them slightly, inhaling the smoke. The essence flowed into him, burning as it coiled through his translucent form. The pain was sharp, but he endured it, drawing in every last wisp until the crystal dimmed—its power utterly consumed.
A deep pulse echoed through his being. His spectral body began to solidify. Mana condensed into flesh, veins igniting with new strength. His heartbeat returned, slow at first, then steady, then powerful.
A chime resounded in his mind.
[You have absorbed Primordial Crystal: Demon Hunter]
[Advancing into Demon Hunter]
[You have become a Demon Hunter]
[Congratulation! You have opened Patron and Origin features]
[Automatically assigns Tyras as your Patron. Tyras has granted the Mark of Archdemon]
[Name: Mark of Archdemon
Grade: Myth
Description: Tyras observes and protects you. He will punish any people who are higher class than you if they try to harm you.]
[Automatically assigns Loxyr as your Patron. Loxyr has granted the Mark of the Jester]
[Name: Mark of the Jester
Grade: -
Description: Loxyr observes you.]
[You have experienced death once. Your origin 'Learning' has awakened]
[Calculating karma and the user's experience]
[Causality has been determined. You have seen the Akashic Record. You have acquired Corlust Eyes of Demonic Arsenal]
[Name: Corlust Eyes of Demonic Arsenal
Grade: Rare (growth type)
Rank: EX
Description: This ability allows the user to analyze demonic abilities and copy them for their own use. When the user sees a demonic ability in action, their eyes break it down, understanding its structure and mechanics. Once the progress is complete, the user can replicate the ability as if it were their own.]
[Congratulation! You have reached the expert class! Your abilities are evolving in accordance with your current class!]
[Ancient Demon Language has reached a higher grade! Magic -> Rare!]
[Soul Rend has reached a higher grade! Magic -> Rare! Detecting a magical item with the same ability. Absorbing The item's ability. The rank of the ability is reserved!]
[Dark Pact has evolved into Conquest Demon's Form!]
[Demonic Aura has evolved into Demon Hunter's Aura!]
[Demonic Step has reached a higher grade! Magic -> Rare!]
[Cursed Fang has reached a higher grade! Magic -> Rare!]
[Infernal Aegis has reached a higher grade! Magic -> Rare!]
[Inferno Torrent has reached a higher grade! Magic -> Rare!]
[Abilities:
Name: Ancient Demon Language
Grade: Rare
Rank: C
Description: A lost tongue of the demons, capable of reshaping and manipulating demonic power.
Name: Soul Rend
Grade: Rare
Rank: B
Description: An attack that tears into the soul of the target, causing both physical and spiritual damage.
Name: Conquest Demon's Form
Grade: Rare
Rank: B
Description: This ability allows the user to transform into a powerful Conquest Demon, greatly enhancing their strength, speed, and durability. The user can still use Dark Pact II.
Name: Demon Hunter's Aura
Grade: Rare
Rank: B
Description: An active buff that radiates demonic energy, weakening nearby enemies and causing fear. A passive trait that grants bonus 200% damage to demons.
Name: Demonic Step
Grade: Rare
Rank: D
Description: Leap short distances using demonic energy.
Name: Cursed Fang
Grade: Rare
Rank: D
Description: A crimson fang imbued with destructive demonic energy. Can be used as a melee weapon or thrown as a projectile that explodes on impact.
Name: Infernal Aegis
Grade: Rare
Rank: D
Description: Surrounds the caster with a shield that absorbs a percentage of incoming damage and reflects a portion of it back at attackers.
Name: Inferno Torrent
Grade: Rare
Rank: D
Description: The user unleashes a powerful crimson beam of demonic energy. The beam's intensity increases with the user's power, making it a devastating long-range attack.]