Initially, I almost blurted out his name, convinced that it was the genuine Demos standing before me. Yet, I restrained myself, sensing that something was different. I noticed a subtle change in his demeanor, a diminished strength compared to his usual self. Among deities, each possessed a power that enabled them to gauge the strength of their peers. The potency of a deity’s power corresponded to the number of devoted followers they commanded or the level of their honed abilities. Activating the power was as effortless as blinking, and one would see a resplendent golden light. However, the Demos standing here emitted only a few feeble sparks. The one I knew, however…
Demos approached me in a relaxed manner, still maintaining his smile. “If it isn’t Xalan! Fancy meeting you here.”
“What are you doing here, Demos? You, being a lower deity, should be focusing on attracting followers. Are you just asking to be consumed by the others?”
“They are free to make an attempt. If they try their fortune, they will soon realize that I am not a person to be taken lightly.”
I stared hard at the cocky man before me, slinking back into the throne. “Answer the question. What are you doing here? I’m busy at the moment.”
Demos strutted toward the nearest statue, caressing the stone sword. “I'll be straightforward - I've been observing you for some time, Xalan. Care to know why?”
Oh? Was I being watched by him all along?
I racked my mind, desperately seeking clues as to when this observation had begun. I prided myself on my awareness, able to detect the presence of other beings, but I had sensed no watchful eyes other than the birds soaring through the skies. Deities struggled to conceal their presence when near another, as the unmistakable fragrance of divinity clung to them indefinitely. Even though I now existed as a mere mortal, my instincts honed over time allowed me to navigate such intricacies with relative ease.
The god’s fingers drummed patiently against the base of the statue’s neck, his gaze fixed upon me with an unsettling sense of satisfaction. His smug smile grated on my nerves, testing the limits of my patience. Demos possessed an innate understanding of how to rouse a person’s ire, whether it was a deliberate tactic or an unintentional ability.
I thought back to when Demos had possibly begun to watch me. It couldn’t have been near the large crevice or the open lands of Talik Gorge. There was too much visible space for a deity like him to hide. Unless he was hiding like a worm, there was no chance of me not noticing him. Maybe back at Warlord Bazark’s camp? It’s possible he was hiding within the ranks. Following that logic, he might’ve been in Arago too, watching atop the walls. Finally, there was the Wandering Woodla-
A sudden realization struck me with the force of a lightbulb smacking me across the face. The moment I entered the Wandering Woodlands, Demos must have begun his surveillance. It all clicked into place. The earth dragon I had fiercely battled bore a peculiar wound on its belly, one that no creature within the Woodlands could have inflicted. The scales of these dragons were renowned for their incredible toughness. Only another dragon or a creature of comparable strength could breach their formidable defenses. And yet, if not the dragons or a formidable species, then the only logical conclusion remained: a higher being, such as a deity, had been responsible for that wound. Demos had been watching me closely all this time, even in the heart of the Wandering Woodlands.
Now mortal, my powers and body had been severely limited. Demos’ already little divinity was masked behind the bloodshed ensued in my rampage.
Demos’ smile stretched wider, realizing that I had unraveled the truth. He shuffled toward the forefront of the throne and settled himself on the cool marble floor. It was only then that I noticed his attire—a black hooded coat cascading over a cotton shirt. Intricate details adorned the coat, featuring stylized skulls with embedded daggers, adding a touch of macabre elegance. With each slight shift, his white shirt crinkled.
“You seem busy with the absorption ritual, so I’ll reveal my intentions. What you’re doing is quite interesting. What made you decide to enact the procedures in Arago? I thought we had received orders from the upper deities to avoid any communication with the demons.”
“…Why do you care? Also, are you the only one who is aware?”
He nodded slowly. “Yes, but not for long. You had best be quick or else the middle and upper deities find out. If someone as low as I had found out, then it’s only a matter of time.”
“How did you figure it out if not the others?”
“I was in the area, observing the demons. The Liberators and the Marauders conflict piqued my curiosity, and I wanted to see who would triumph.”
Demos was interested in this minor squabble? This is the first time I’ve heard of such a thing. Ah, on second thought, it isn’t uncommon for Demos to keep secrets. It’s his innate nature to shroud himself in a cloud of mystique and silver tongues. After all, he had effortlessly gathered a multitude of followers in Aglona through the charismatic influence of Cardinal Nicholas. While part of me yearned to uncover the reason behind Demos’ presence in this siege, I realized it was not within my purview to delve into his motives at this moment. My primary concern remained fixated on the impending ritual, for it was there that my worries and attention were truly warranted.
“Heh, I just thought of something comical,” Demos said, standing up. “There are rumors circulating that you were responsible for the downfall of the Demonic Dojo. You extracted all of their blood and abandoned their corpses to decompose. Now, here you are at Arago, ready to commit the same actions. The level of divinity surrounding you is low and nearly depleted. You remind me of a morta-“
Before he could finish his sentence, I conjured forth two blood spears that teetered dangerously to his skull and heart. Even with the weapons that pulsated with killing intent and mana, Demos was still smiling.
“Cut the bullshit. You are fully aware of my current standing. If you’ve been watching me ever since I stepped foot into the Wandering Woodlands, then you must’ve watched my battle against the dragon.”
“That is correct. The moment I witnessed you struggling against a mere earth dragon, I became certain that you had transformed into a mortal. How did such a powerful deity revert to a mortal? Was it the work of the Lord of the sky- the All father- or even the Jade Emperor?”
With a flick of my finger, the blood weapons dissipated. “None of the above. You’ve been awfully chatty. One last time, I'm asking you- why are you here chatting with me?”
“To witness an amazing spectacle,” Demos said. “It’s rare that a lower deity would have the chance to observe an absorption ritual of this massive scale. Speaking of ritual, isn’t it about time to get going?”
“No need to tell me,” I said with a scowl.
With a fluid motion, I stood up from the throne, extending my limbs to relieve the stiffness that had settled within them. Once satisfied, I pivoted on my heels, now facing the shattered glass pane through which Warlord Bazark had forcefully entered. I propelled myself forward, vaulting out of the throne room and plunging back into the encompassing darkness of the night.
The sounds of battle had dampened, leaving a strange stillness in the air. There was an absence of the piercing screams of men and the clash of cold steel resounding through the atmosphere. With haste, I made my way to the summit of the obsidian palace, where I surveyed the sprawling landscape below me. Despite sensing Demos by my side, I mostly disregarded his presence, as my focus fixated on the scene unfolding beneath my vantage point.
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“Do you feel it, Xalan? The rich energy pulsing through the air like a hyperactive heartbeat? The blood circle has been completed.”
As Demos said, my connection with the essence of the liquid granted me the ability to perceive the energetic dance of mana particles pulsating throughout Arago. The scent of blood hung heavily in the air, its presence pervasive and abundant, permeating the near-desolate fortress. A tingling sensation ignited within my blood, compelling me to begin the ritual without delay. Like a symphony longing for harmony, the spirits yearned to merge with their newfound kin, and I, too, shared their longing, eager to embrace the convergence that awaited.
I embraced the moment and set forth to commence the ritual. Closing my eyelids tightly, I sought solace in deep breaths, allowing a sense of tranquility to envelop me. Extending my arms wide, akin to the wingspan of an eagle, I quieted my racing thoughts. I willed my consciousness to expand outward and explored the surroundings.
My presence traversed the realm rapidly, and my senses were directed towards a fragment of the blood circle located in the northwest of the palace. There, Warlord Bazark and his officers stood, exchanging grins and engaging in conversation. Passing through the demons that inhabited the space, I materialized above the blood circle they had meticulously constructed, ready to fulfill the next stage of the intricate ritual. I brushed past the demons and stood over the blood circle they constructed.
A sinuous, crimson streak marred the walls of Arago, resembling an artist’s abstract brushstroke with red paint. It seemed as though a path had been purposefully marked, guiding the way through a labyrinthine maze. The blood trail persisted relentlessly, continuing unbroken across various sections of the fortress. As my gaze returned to the blood circle, I couldn’t help but marvel at its design. It possessed an inherent potency, more than sufficient to fulfill its intended purpose.
Summoning my willpower, I commanded a solitary droplet of my blood to descend upon the liquid surface. For a fleeting moment, the blood sizzled and seethed, merging seamlessly with the preexisting essence of the circle. Gradually, a pale, crimson light emanated from within, signaling its awakening. Warlord Bazark and his officers, drawn by the newfound luminosity, gravitated toward the blood circle.
“The blood deity has begun,” Warlord Bazark said.
“Right on time, too,” Asaun replied.
A palpable silence settled over the onlookers as the streak of blood on the walls bubbled once more, emanating a sizzling and popping sound reminiscent of succulent meat roasting in an oven. Content that the ritual had started, I withdrew my consciousness from its ethereal exploration, returning to the vessel of my physical body. Gradually, my eyes opened. I extended my hand, fist clenched tightly, and whispered a single phrase.
“[Blood Absorption].”
Like a sharp stake piercing my heart, a wave of pain swept over me, leaving my head spinning. The overwhelming surge of power emanating from the blood circle caused my knees to buckle under its weight. Though the taxing force threatened to overpower me, I clenched my teeth, refusing to yield. Summoning my inner resilience, I rose from my feeble posture, bracing myself against the onslaught. Suddenly, colossal pillars of blood erupted from every corner of Arago, casting a shadow that eclipsed even the moon itself, shrouding the fortress in an eerie darkness.
A chorus of bone-chilling screams reverberated through the landscape, originating from all directions, as pools of blood continued to rise relentlessly from the very ground beneath. With a swift gesture of my finger, the cascading blood coalesced, converging into a singular point, expanding until it rivaled the grandeur of the black palace. The pulsating bubble of blood writhed and contorted, akin to a ferocious beast confined within a cramped cage. Sensing my connection to the blood circle slipping, I fought to maintain my grip, refusing to relinquish control.
Demos edged closer to the phenomenon. “This is the result of your labor, Xalan. Consume the mana and empower yourself.”
I rolled my eyes and said, “I know that.”
Controlling a blood ritual of this magnitude was draining on my mortal body. While my affinity with blood had made the process less arduous, the longer I spent here doing nothing, the less control I have over it. It was now or never. I would not let the blood of mere demons win the tug-of-war.
“Stop squirming like a rodent and yield.”
Pushing my powers to their utmost limits, I exerted my will over the unruly overflow. As expected, it resisted my commands, stubbornly defying me like a petulant child refusing to eat its greens. However, I gradually gained the upper hand in the struggle. The rapidly advancing wave of blood gradually approached my position, until we were engaged in a highly charged standoff, directly facing one another.
I extended my palm towards the mass, and like a steady stream, it slithered through my fingertips, eagerly consumed by my insatiable hunger. I greedily devoured every drop, savoring the taste of the power it bestowed. But as the last remnants disappeared, a sharp tension gripped my body, muscles tightening and bones feeling as fragile as powder. Collapsing onto all fours, I clawed at my constricted throat, the sensation akin to swallowing countless flasks of molten lava. As I soldiered through the pain, a series of flashing notifications filled my eyes.
[Blood Absorption complete! All stats were raised by 20 points]
[Blood Absorption mastery is now level 7!]
[Congratulations on completing the Second Stage!]
[You are the first individual to obtain an unprecedented outcome]
[Calculating Rewards…]
[…]
[Additional time is required to collect your rewards]
[You will be teleported back to Earth soon]
“S-Status…”
Status Inventory Name: Xalan Rank: 1st Points: 4268 Strength: 84 Agility: 84 Durability: 83 Mana: 119 Masteries Blood Manipulation Lvl 7 Blood Absorption Lvl 7 Mana Barrier Lvl 3 Mana Field Lvl 5 Soul Snatch Lvl 1 Night Vision Lvl 5 Terrorizer Lvl 1
From my perspective, a gray portal was starting to materialize. Demos shuffled forward and crouched, watching it open.
“A gray portal? How fascinating… The fact that it appears right after you finish your business must mean it’s here for you. Does it lead to your personal realm?”
I felt my body gravitating toward the swirling mass. Due to the difficulty in using my vocal cords, I remained silent, waiting for the pain to subside.
“I would like to thank you for allowing me to bear witness to such a spectacle. Because of that, I would like to grant you a small gift.”
Demos searched through his pockets and then placed his closed hand into mine.
[You have received Eyes of an Earth Dragon]
“Mortals love to reap the rewards of a monster’s corpse. I heard a dragon’s eyes hold many uses. Since you’re a mortal now, it might come to some use for you, Xalan. I thought of extracting some of its blood and inserting it into a vial, but I decided not to.”
Why is this man so talkative? Just let me leave this wretched place in peace.
“I have a feeling we will meet again. I rather hope it is soon. Your predicament is quite interesting…”
Demos' words hung in the air while my body was thoroughly engulfed by the portal's sticky depths. The only thing I perceived was the lower deity smiling and gesturing with a wave.