Nearly a hundred Inferno Harpies lay strewn across the floor, their blood soaking the ground, bodies scattered in grotesque disarray. The air hung thick with the stench of battle and death.
“What the fuck is this?” a man muttered, eyes wide, staring at the carnage.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” another screamed, pacing in frantic shock.
“Waaaahhh, mommy!” a desperate wail echoed from a survivor, curled up on the ground, shaking uncontrollably.
Cries and curses filled the temple as the survivors struggled to grasp the nightmare they had just lived through. The harpies were dead, but so were many of the humans. Of the 51 who had started, only 38 remained. Thirteen lives had been lost in the brutal fight.
Quite a few survived, Aries thought, scanning the aftermath. It wasn’t a victory to celebrate, but it was better than what he remembered from his first time through this trial. Back then, even fewer had made it. Panic had consumed most of them, their minds snapping under pressure. Now, they had performed better—much better.
Of course, that had a lot to do with Aries clearing nearly half of the Inferno Harpies on his own.
Standing amidst the bodies, Aries felt something strange in his left hand. He glanced down and saw it—a watch, firmly fastened to his wrist. Its face displayed a pentagram, with no numbers or markings for time.
The Status Viewer.
He knew how dangerous these were. You never let anyone see it unless you trusted them completely. If stolen, the thief could overwrite your progress, erasing everything you’d worked for. In his past life, Aries had taken these watches from the people he killed. They had given him more knowledge than anyone else ever had.
He twisted the knob on the side, and a hologram flickered into view, visible only to him. Instinctively, he checked his stats.
The screen shifted, revealing his abilities.
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Achievement Effect: None
Class Effect: None
Strength: 11 (10 + 1)
Agility: 13
Stamina: 9
Intelligence: 9
Wisdom: 8
Special Note: None
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Since equipping the Scimitar of Strength, his strength had risen by 1. Without it, he would only have 10. His stats were nowhere near the levels he’d reached in his former life, but that didn’t matter. With his memories intact, he knew he could grow stronger, faster than anyone else.
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<1st Best Hunter: Aries, 54 Inferno Harpies.>
1st Prize: Water-producing Magical Item, food supply for 5 days, and an unknown item (only the owner can view).
2nd Prize: Rank E+ weapon (options available), food supply for 4 days.
3rd Prize: Rank E weapon (options available), food supply for 3 days.
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Does the system only show the names I remember? Aries mused. Aries was the name he had chosen after his reincarnation, but back when he ruled the Forest of Death, he had also gone by Aries. Before all that, in his original life as a student, he’d had another name altogether. The endless wars, the drugs, and the brainwashing had erased most of that life from his memory.
Being Aries is enough, he thought, shaking his head slightly. The choices he made moving forward mattered far more than any name. His past? It was irrelevant now.
In the next moment, three items materialized above his hand.
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<‘Water-producing Magical Item’, ‘Food Supply for 5 Days’, and the extra reward ‘Paranormal’ have been received.>
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These magical items were talismans, infused with the essence of the ancient—born from Solomon’s spells, which detailed methods for conjuring spirits and crafting powerful artifacts. The breaking of the Seal of Lemegeton hadn’t just unleashed the 72 Demon Gods; it had transformed the very laws of the world, giving rise to magical artifacts everywhere, all part of Solomon’s grand design to harness divine power against the forces of darkness. These talismans were humanity's last hope, crafted to empower those who stood against the Demon Gods.
Not bad for the first earnings, Aries thought. The Water-producing Magical Item would prove invaluable. Fresh water was scarce, not only in the Temple but also in the World Ends.
Focusing on the yellow talisman, more information appeared before him:
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Name: Water-producing Magical Item
Rank: D
Classification: Continuous Use
Effect: Produces 10L of water per day.
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The 10L limit wasn’t enormous, but it was more than sufficient for him. In a world where water was often elusive, this was a rare and precious find. The ranking system spanned from EX, S, A, B, C, D, E, to F, making D-rank a solid discovery for someone just starting out. It was comparable to the Grimoire of Abramelin, which had guided many in procuring life-sustaining resources through mystical arts.
Next, the food supply for 5 days appeared in a small box. Loaves of bread lay preserved under a spell, reminiscent of the Wards of Protection detailed in the Key of Solomon, ensuring their longevity in harsh conditions.
Finally, he turned his attention to his bonus item: a red ring called Paranormal.
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Name: Paranormal
Rank: D
Classification: Equipable Type
Durability: Max 5 uses (5/5)
Effect: For 10 minutes, increase all abilities by +2, or use Healing Wave or Fire Bolt.
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The ring pulsed with energy, its enchantments drawn from the same arcane sources that ancient warlocks had used to bind and control the spirits of the earth. Nodding at the information, Aries realized the potential it held. Depending on when he deployed it, this ring could be a game changer. In a perilous situation, it might provide the decisive edge he needed to turn the tide against his enemies.