122. Death and Selfishness
Long time ago, on a faraway continent, there once lived a prospering civilization of Demons. They are creatures of Spiritual Qi.
Two-thirds of the continent is slightly submerged in water thereby majority of the races have evolved from the ocean and those who have retained their tentacles have gained the upper hand against other races and three clans in particular namely Kulfagar, Ulkwera, and Dulifica have ruled for thousands of years.
Like every society, power struggle exists. Demons are peculiar creatures and their existence is defined by their strength.
One day, while everyone is occupied in their dreams of becoming an overlord, a meteor from space fell within territory of Dulifica. For humans, that meteor is a subject of curiosity as it might contain a precious ore but for demons whose carapace is sturdier than a metal, the meteor did not amount to anything.
However without anyone knowing, the meteor was actually the remains of four space beasts. Space beasts are decent of the primordial era and have inherited a rudimentary power of Dao but this level of Dao Power is non-existent that it gets easily destroyed if it enters the protective barrier of a living planet.
Within the emptiness of space and for Space Beasts to thrive, they will devour anything that looks food and out of nowhere four beasts came to devour each other and through sheer coincidence, they fought near a certain living planet and without them realizing, they got absorbed by the gravitational pull of the planet. Instinctively, these four beasts clustered together to survive the danger of the protective barrier of the planet and miraculously lived.
The beasts were weakened but since nobody cared about their existence, they slowly regained their strength. Unlike space where resources were scarce, the new environment is teeming with energy source. They eat away everything in their path and when the Demon Overlords became aware, it was already too late as the beasts have become unparalleled existences.
The territory of Dulifica was the first to perish.
The Demons later on stood united but their strength amounted to nothing when compared to the beasts that have grown gigantic and produced minions as strong as Nascent experts.
Having realized the beasts’ invulnerable state, the Overlords instructed their scholars to look for alternatives and that is when they had to consider migration. The closest land was seas apart to their west called Muir-Kaada Continent.
Although the sea is full of perils, the demon overlords sent emissaries to survey the faraway lands however after a hundred years of negotiations for a plot of land they can migrate to, it was then they realized peace talks was never an option.
Faced with the threat of going extinct or conquer the new land, the demon overlords unanimously chose the latter.
With the lead of Kulfagar race, war broke out and followed that is the mass exodus of demons. Except for the remaining Dulifica Royals who volunteered to stay and observe the evolving space beasts, almost every demon entered the teleportation portals and migrated to the new land.
Today, the demons are occupying the Muir portion of Muir-Kaada Continent and they are continuously searching for ways to strike back on those damnable beasts that are currently on their partial hibernation state. From their estimate, it will take another ten thousand years before the space beasts will have had properly assimilated their Dao Powers and will then continue to devour the entire planet.
Clay closed the book given to him by Ver Sosa. Nearly three months have passed and he has been alone and always following the exploration team and maintaining a good ten kilometer distance. He was given a token which would vibrate from time to time and his instruction is to activate a teleportation device when the token vibrates three consecutive times. Aside from that, he will remain on his spot even if the team is in combat.
Out of boredom, he would take out and re-read the book containing general knowledge about demons. He is curious as Mages are already capable of observing space and are able to alter genes and create Yin-Yang soldiers which means the level of technology in this world should in some way have already exceeded that of earth.
“Then why is there no internet?”
The first time he read the book, he was impressed and felt sorry at the same time for the demons. Such a remarkable history but it doesn’t concern him too much. He may have to fight when necessary but he does not have a hero-syndrome and seek out trouble. His priority now is to get stronger, live long, mind his own business, then exit the planet and look for a highly advance civilization and study physics and the state or form of Qi and Mana.
For the past three month, he had been thinking if it was a mistake joining this mission. He still recalled what Ver Sosa said that he will take responsibility. From his tone, it sounded like he would rather kill them than risked being found out.
But the real concern is when it gets to a point when both of them will enter a disagreement.
Clay is confident he can kill anyone with his current power but as much as possible, he wants to avoid anymore senseless killing. He is already indifferent when someone dies by his hand and he does not want to come to a point that it will become natural that he will kill someone on a whim. Back in the village where he has lived for 4 years, it took a lot of self-control to keep himself from murdering those people who would come to collect taxes. And now that he has decided to cultivate once more, he wanted to keep a clean start.
Meanwhile, while Clay is busy with his thought, Ver Sosa and the rest of the team had arrived on a barren river. Their adventure had been free of danger since they set off. Aside from a few poisonous insects, they have not encountered any serious threat. Today, they have arrived at their destination.
Ver Sosa looked at the communication device then put it in his pocket then turned to face everyone.
“I thank everyone for their cooperation. It’s because of this cooperation that everyone is safe and I want to keep it as it is until we go back. I’ve been keeping the objective of this mission a secret but I think it’s high time you have an idea.
I made a deal with a Kulfagar Demon in exchange for some items. They will show up any moment soon.”
The atmosphere turned heavy and Deacon Loo was to the first to react and chuckled. “You realized what you’re saying right? Please tell me this friend is joking?”
“I am not kidding. The truth of the matter is that, this mission had been secretly approved by Numora Mage Association which means, even if I am exposed, I will be exonerated. What I’m saying is that, nothing good will come to everyone once a word leaks out. So I appreciate everyone cooperation until this is all over so you may all receive the generous rewards.”
Everyone stood up and drew their weapons. If not because of the Yin-Yang soldiers, they would have had already mutilated Ver Sosa.
Ver Sosa on the other hand was not bothered by everyone’s actions. To him, the only threat now is the incoming party. The magical tools he sent out flying in advance have already detected the strength of the incoming group. There are twelve of them in total and five of them are Core Formation experts and he suspect that one of them is Peak Core Formation.
The Yin-Yang soldiers can easily kill Early Core Formations if they team up but there is no telling once they face this many demon experts.
The rest of the group were thinking if they should withdraw now but having sense the strength of the incoming flying party, they all lowered their weapons. One slight mistake and they will all lose their lives.
Deacon Loo took out recording crystal and readied his escape talisman. All this time he thought they were after a rare herb that can only grow within these mountains. After this mission, he will ensure he will get compensated properly.
After a few more minutes, the group of Kulfagar Demon Traffickers Ver Sosa had been in contact with have finally arrived and descended in not far from them. Their leader is almost a three meter tall demon with a face that looks like a shrimp and is holding two cages each containing a young Dream Eating demon.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Ver Sosa saluted with his fist. “I greet these Dao friends. I don’t like to waste each other’s time so I ask we immediately proceed with the exchange.”
“Ha ha ha. I see you’ve brought companions. Did you change your mind and add in some extra payments.” A deep and cold voice came out of the leader.
“I’ve doubled the rewards like promised and they are all within this spatial ring. I hope this friend will not make it difficult so we may continue doing business again in the future.” Ver Sosa’s voice turned serious as he showed the leader a spatial ring in his palm. He can feel the killing intent emanating from the other demons standing behind the leader.
“Unfortunately I changed my mind. My friends here want your companions to stay. You see, I made a promise to treat them to a delicious meal today.”
Ver Sosa knew they are being tested and wanted to respond but before he could speak, he saw a metallic ball thrown towards the demons.
“Noooo!”
*Boom!
Ver Sosa felt how Deacon Loo threw the metallic ball and exploded like a grenade and spread a poisonous mist that immediately covered the area and following that, a Sealing Formation had been spread out and immediately activated. After that, the rest of the party activated their magical tools to escape.
“You think this poison and this toy will hinder us?”
Shortly after everyone jumped and flew, two of the demon’s lackeys flew out and chased everyone.
Ver Sosa activated his Mana and to protect himself from the mist. He wanted to escape but he cannot bring himself to go back empty handed.
Seeing that two of the Core Formation demons went to chase, he wanted to gamble.
“Distract them at all cost!”
Ver Sosa commanded the Yin-Yang soldiers as he approached the two cages.
*Raawrrrr!
The leader of the demon released his aura and blew away the mist and destroyed the Sealing Formation. “You think you can escape?” With his massive size, he looked at Ver Sosa like he could step on it.
One of the Core Formation demons disappeared from his spot and blinked behind Ver Sosa hoping to deliver a sneak attack but before his claw could get any closer, the attack was parried by a blade.
*Clank
One of the Yin-Yang soldiers engaged the first Core Formation demon. At the same time, the other two Yin-Yang soldier jumped and faced the leader and the remaining Core Formation experts.
Loud metallic sounds can be heard as the Yin-Yang soldiers are battling and Ver Sosa did not waste any second. He immediately went towards the cages however as soon as he was about to store them in his spatial ring, the cages emitted a blinding light and exploded.
*Boom!
Ver Sosa was caught off guard and was thrown away. He did activate a Mana Barrier and together with his life saving defensive gears, he protected himself but when he stood back up and looked around, he was astonished with what he saw. He had been caught in a trap without him realizing it. The demons are floating above but the Yin Yang soldiers had been caught in the explosion. It looks like they have been gravely injured but can still move.
“Sacrifice yourselves and protect me!”
Ver Sosa shouted and took out his staff. In that moment when he took out his staff, three spears were already thrown at him. As a battle mage, he knew that once he avoids the incoming attacks, his enemies will have had already positioned themselves for another sneak attack so he can only stand his ground and wait for the Yin-Yang soldiers to surround him and ready his escape.
*Clang
Ver Sosa successfully deflected the spears in front of him but in the blink of an eye, he felt something pierced his back.
*Arghhhh
Ver Sosa clenched his teeth from pain. The Yin-Yang soldier was not able to move in time to protect him from behind but that did not distract him. Two of the Yin-Yang solders have floated and were ready to engage in battle again.
LUMINOUS BUTTERFLY
Ver Sosa activated his spell and turned into a streak of light.
*Clang
*Boom
The Yin-Yang soldier deflected the attacks pointed towards Ver Sosa as he turned in to a ball of light and escaped the area.
Meanwhile, at least fifteen kilometers away from the river where the battle occurred, Clay stood up and positioned three silver pillars to form a triangle. Just now, the token given to him by Ver Sosa vibrated three times.
An hour ago, Ver Sosa gave him another instruction and to move towards a certain hill and it has not been thirty minutes since he arrived and he already received a signal to activated the teleportation device which means something grave must have had happened.
He did sense ripples of Spiritual Qi explosion and he wanted to visit everyone but he thought it is probably Ver Sosa killing everyone in their party. He did envision this outcome and while thinking if he will eventually fight Ver Sosa, the token given to him vibrated continuously which means it is the other way around.
Clay is standing on top of a hill and after activating the teleportation device, he saw a streak of light approaching his direction. Seconds later, he saw another incoming figure.
*Crash!
The streak of light landed not far from him. It was Ver Sosa who is covered in blood with a spear stuck on his chest. From the looks of it, he was weakened.
Clay went to assist Ver Sosa. “What’s happened?”
Ver Sosa looks poisoned but his eyes were determined. As they stepped at the center of the teleportation pillars, Ver Sosa took out a token and imbued it with his remaining mana.
“Activate faster!” Ver Sosa shouted desperately.
Clay had been counting and they should have another five seconds before the device fully activates.
“You think you can escape!”
LIGHTNING DRAGON
Clay looked towards the direction of the attack. He had been into multiple life and death situations and with his Dao Powers similar to that of the strongest immortal, the incoming attack looks like it is approaching very slowly.
“Nooo!” Ver Sosa shouted and this time he felt fear.
Clay is still counting and estimated that the Spiritual Qi attack in the shape of dragon would reach them in a few more seconds.
*Sigh
He had hoped he will return peacefully without killing or revealing his power but it looks like his hands will be stained with blood again.
“Bad luck, huh?”
Clay stepped out of the teleportation device and in the nick of time, he formed a Qi barrier to protect the teleportation device. He imbued the barrier with sufficient Dao Powers just enough to deflect the attack.
*Boom!
A second after the explosion, the teleportation device fully activated and a spatial distortion was created behind him.
Before Clay could turn around, Ver Sosa was covered with high Mana concentration and disappeared from his spot leaving only the three pillars.
For a moment, Clay forgot he is engaged in battle as he got curious how Ver Sosa protected himself from the destructive force of travelling into an unstable space. He knew that his Dao Power is a form of Mana and Lord Lao said something about Blue Qi Subspace Form Number 42.
“The world of primordial energies is really vast and mysterious. All the more reason I need to live a long life and study them in the future.” Clay murmured.
Clay for a moment was distracted then he heard a deep and menacing voice.
“You look interesting, human.”
“Huh?” Clay looked at the gigantic demon who just landed. It is emitting his murderous aura as it walks towards him.
Back when Clay was a transformed beast, he would still need to shape his aura to kill his enemies but with his power now, all he needed to do is release his aura fused with his Dao to restrain someone.
Clay released his aura towards the demon.
*Arghhhh
The demon’s eyes almost popped out in fear and made a soft disgruntled voice when his entire body has been invaded by a foreign power.
Clay in the meantime activated his Godly Eyes and concentrated on this pathetic beast Qi Nodes located on its forehead and as soon as he got a view of the demon’s soul, he injected it with tiny bit of his power and delivered it directly to the demon’s soul.
*Thud
The lifeless body of the demon fell to the grass.
Clay delivered an attack directly to the soul. It’s a trick he learned when he was at the battlefield five years ago. He was exploring his powers at that time at this trick came to him when one of the cultivators who was after his life claimed he wanted to torment his soul. It was then he learned that souls are not really destroyed as they would dissipate into nothingness no matter what he does which means that the idea that people are denied of reincarnation when their souls are destroyed is false.
After storing the demon’s body, he wanted to leave but then he felt four auras approaching him.
*Sigh
“More of them, huh?”
Clay activated his wings and intercepted the incoming figures. He did not bother talking to them and spread his aura and killed everyone. He adjusted his Dao Power and tested the intensity at which these demons could not resist.
“You!”
Clay ignored their final struggles and stored all their bodies into his spatial ring. He wanted to turn away and leave but then he saw six more demons retreating.
“Damn it.”
His aura burst out and chased everyone.
In the past, he was magnanimous and forgiving but today he is forced to break his principles and allowed no witnesses to survive.
After killing everyone, Clay looked around once more to ensure no one is hiding or secretly observing him. His Godly Eyes did not reveal a single soul but the moment he deactivated it, he saw a mutilated body of one of his party members.
He descended and observed up-close. From the looks of it, it looks like the dead of body of Red Blade. He did not need to look further to understand that one of the demons probably started gnawing on his flesh.
“Three months ago, this guy was full of energy but now barely unrecognizable. Is it wrong to have had not prevented their deaths?” He muttered to himself. The last time he killed was five years ago and he did not feel a thing but somehow today he felt pity this sudden tingling guilt popping out of nowhere.
Clay thought he had long come to term with his moral dilemma yet he finds himself confused again. He is trying to come up with something to make him feel less guilty.
He had already known that if even if he did not participate in the mission, the outcome where everyone died will still have had happened. If such being the instance, the demons are at fault however if you add him to the equation, he suddenly is immoral because he did not do his moral duty and obligation?
He closed his eyes and cleared his mind.
It’s true he would have had saved everyone just by showing off his might but if he did have intentions of revealing his power early on, then their meeting would not have had been possible as he is probably is busy at the first sect he joined in. In the same manner ten years ago when some guy force him to join a mission, not a single soul check if that was even legal. Nobody even checked if he had opened his meridians yet he still participated in a mission that involved a goblin. But despite that, he did not blame the figures of the Fortress nor at any point in time did he question the moral duties of those in rank.
If there is one thing he learned about world with powers in it, it is that, the weak has no say in what is right and what is wrong. It is a cruelty reality and that is just the way it is. Maybe a hero will one day be born and change everyone’s perspective but he is certain he is not the one.
In the meantime, he will loot everyone’s spatial rings as reward for giving him a headache about his moral compass.