"If humans were formed of the dust of the earth, then demons were sculpted from the netherworld's malevolent clay."
- A pre-integration expression of unknown origin, whispered among adventurers and demonologists alike.
Location: < 'Cave of the Larva Spawning Pool' > - One among many found through the upper stratums of the netherworld.
The monotonous rhythm of blood-red liquid dripped from the densely clustered stalagmites into the boiling, blood-red spawning pool below. This eerie cadence was interrupted only by the unsettling sound of something being dragged over the cave's floor.
The humanoid figure of a meter-tall demon larva was dragging the lifeless body of one of its spawn mates towards the spawning pool. As it walked its sharp claws effortlessly cut into the red stone floor.
Upon reaching the circle of bones encircling the spawning pool, the demon larva raised the lifeless corpse, its claws slicing through the demon's leathery hide, before unceremoniously tossing it into the boiling pool.
As the fallen demon larva began to dissolve into a grotesque, reddish-black, mud-like substance, merging with the blood-red spawning pool. Unfazed, the demon larva turned its thick leathery tail on the sight.
Setting its glowing red eyes on yet another of its lifeless spawn mates, the demon larva walked up to it before repeating the process.
Tirelessly the nameless demon larva repeated the process until it was dragging the last of the 28 corpes to the pool. And when finally that corps two dissolved into the reddish-black, mud-like substance the pool was gradually infused with a harsh radiance. The cave itself seemed to respond, its ambiance transforming as the pool emitted a faint, hellish glow, casting an even more frightening aura over the chilling scene.
Fixing its glowing red eyes, on another lifeless spawn mate, the relentless demon larva advanced toward it, its instincts screaming at it to finish what it had started.
With an eerie determination, the nameless demon larva repeated this process tirelessly until the last of the 28 corpses were tossed over the spawning pool's bone-marked circumference. As the final body dissolved into the grotesque, reddish-black, mud-like substance, the pool gradually absorbed a harsh radiance.
An eerie transformation gripped the cavern, its atmosphere shifting in response to the ethereal emanations of the pool. The cave seemed to respond, its ambiance morphing as the pool emitted a faint, hellish glow, casting an even more chilling and ominous aura over the scene.
The demon larva turned its attention to the seething, boiling spawn pool, now infused with the essence of its fallen spawn mates. A flicker of hesitation danced in its glowing eyes, as the conflicting voices of instinct and intellect waged a silent battle within its mind.
Standing amidst the ominously white rib bones, nearly as tall as itself, the demon larva approached the pool with caution. Stretching out one of its dark-red legs, it gingerly tested the scorching red liquid's surface. To its surprise, the sensation was far from the expected burning pain.
A bone-chilling grin split the demon larva's face, revealing its bone-white teeth. Despite the unmistakable heat, the boiling red liquid felt oddly satisfying as it worked some alchemical magic on the demon's claws and leathery skin.
At first, with deliberate caution, the demon larva began to lower its body into the pool from which it had spawned. But the urge for strength soon overcame any hesitation. It quickened its descent until it was fully submerged, its silver hair and black horns disappearing beneath the blood-red surface.
Without pause or doubt, it instinctively curled into a fetal position within the mostly opaque, blood-red liquid.
The malevolent energies of the pool began to permeate its leathery skin and flow throughout its body before gathering where its core would be the demon larva experienced a sense of short-term fulfillment. Soon the familiar voice echoed within its mind once more, bestowing recognition of its progress:
< Congratulations, you have accumulated the required energy for level three. >
However, this time was different. The voice continued, saying things the demon larva could barely comprehend:
< Sufficient energy for level ten detected. >
< Demonic attuned purification pool detected. >
< Immature demonic race of level two or above. >
< Conditions met, initiating unique race level-up. >
Wanting to understand this mysterious revelation, the demon larva fought to stay awake, but weariness encroached on its thoughts rapidly. Hence just as the reddish liquid of the spawning pool started to permeate its body through its pores, it drifted into a profound slumber.
For hours, the demon larva rested, oblivious to the noxious black ooze that poured forth from its form in large amounts, and equally indifferent to the grotesque, reddish-black, mud-like substance that condensed from the spawning pool's liquid, seeping into its unconscious body, furthering its transformation.
Gradually, the nameless demon larva stirred from its deep slumber, greeted by the familiar voice that had marked its sleep:
< Congratulations, you have cleared the area 'Cave of the Larva Spawning Pool'. >
< System awards will be awarded when you unlock adult access to the system. >
After a contemplative pause, the demon larva, now feeling a transformation of unimaginable magnitude coursing through its very being, extended itself from the fetal position within the pool. With newfound agility, it propelled itself to the surface with astonishing speed, its ashen silver hair and sinister black horns emerging from the blood-red liquid.
Breaking through to the surface in a matter of moments, it unveiled a startled yet bone-white grin, a testament to the extraordinary growth that had taken place as it slept within the 'Cave of the Larva Spawning Pool.'
Quickly propelling itself to the edge of the spawning pool, the demon larva half-climbed, half-jumped out onto the dry, stone floor of the cave. It was immediately aware of its newfound might, a strength that dwarfed its previous self.
Stolen story; please report.
Testing its enhanced capabilities, the demon larva sprinted the short five meters to the cave wall on the other side of the chamber, covering the distance in a mere four seconds.¹ This remarkable increase in speed, combined with its increased strength, left it in awe of its transformation. Its claws, too, had become formidable, easily slicing through the solid stone floor.
As it examined its tail, the demon larva noted the sharp black point at its tip, a feature it was quite certain had not been there prior to its transformative slumber. An idea sparked within its malevolent mind, and it decided to test the newfound strength and sharpness of its tail. With a steady determination, it sought to puncture the stone floor; with its its tail which tapered to a deadly black point, comprised of the same material as its horns and claws.
Seconds later it was staring at the hole it had effortlessly punched into the red stone ground, the demon larva's bone-chilling grin widened, marvelling at the newfound strength and precision of its tail. It had become a weapon of deadly power, that it could control with more finesse than even its own claws.
After a series of practiced jabs, some directed at the cave wall, others at invisible targets, and a few more at the ground, the demon larva, still wearing its eerie smile, came to a decision. It was time to venture beyond the confines of the cave, to explore and hopefully hunt in the vast netherworld beyond its birthplace.
As the nameless demon larva proceeded down the short pathway leading to the cave's exit, a sudden and chilling sound shattered its eerie grin. The smile evaporated from its face, replaced by an instinctual unease that sent shivers down its spine.
Not far off in the distance, it detected an unmistakable noise—claws, not unlike its own, as they made the slow, deliberate cuts into the cave's stone floor that it made from walking. Its instincts screamed at it to retreat and conceal itself, but the demon larva's curiosity got the better of it. It strained its pointed ears, endeavoring to capture fragments of a whispered conversation that barely reached its ears over the noise of approaching claws.
As it listened intently, the demon larva instinctually understood the demonic tongue, discerning snippets of a conversation carried in the snarling, otherworldly speech of the netherworld. The fragments of conversation grew more distinct with every passing moment, painting a worrisome picture of what was in its way.
"Why do … stupid … larva … intellect… animals!?"
"… do as … Uggrock sent …!"
"But … don't get … larva don't even … tutorial until … twenty-five."
"I do … Uggrock said … do, I am just … glad that this cave … open."
The demon larva's heart pounded within its chest as the whispered conversation grew more intelligible. It was now certain that the voices belonged to two adult demons, and the increasing clarity of their words indicated their increasing nearness. The realization stirred a heightened sense of anxiety within the demon larva as it considered what to do.
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Location: < 'Spawning Chamber of the Temple of Birth' > - One of a few such places scattered through the isolated corners of the lower heavens.
Amidst the serenity of the pool, the core of the consumed fruit floated, forgotten and discarded, on the golden liquid. Over time, the core began to dissolve, gradually infusing the pool with a gentle radiance. The chamber itself seemed to respond, its ambience transforming as the pool emitted a faint, otherworldly glow, casting an even more enchanting aura over the angel's resting place.
As the benevolent energies of the golden liquid in the fledgling angel's spawning pool began to infuse its delicate form and flow throughout its being. And despite being fast asleep already the fledgling angel heard the soothing kind, ethereal voice resonating within its mind piercing through whatever dream it was having without waking it up:
< Congratulations, you have accumulated the required energy for level three. >
However, this time, the kind voice continued with its messages that the fledgling angel could barely comprehend:
< Sufficient energy for level ten detected. >
< Angelic attuned purification pool detected. >
< Immature angelic race of level two or above. >
< Conditions met, initiating unique race level-up. >
Eager to understand what all this meant, the fledgling angel fought to wake up, but its drowsiness easily overcame its thoughts as it turned back to whatever beautiful dreams it was having. Thus, it was still asleep when the radiant golden liquid of the sanctification font began to envelop its form making the golden runes inscribed on its robes light up in a blinding golden light.
For hours, the fledgling angel dreamed, oblivious to the noxious black ooze that poured forth from its form in large amounts, and equally indifferent to the beautiful, light golden, cloud-like substance that condensed from the spawning pool's liquid, seeping into its unconscious body, furthering its transformation.
Gradually, hours later, the nameless fledgling angel awakened from its deep rest, greeted once again by the kind voice that had pierced its slumber:
< Congratulations, you have fully absorbed the unique benefit of the area 'Spawning Chamber of the Temple of Birth'. >
< System awards will be awarded when you unlock adult access to the system. >
Amidst the peaceful embrace of the spawning pool, the fledgling angel paused, its ashen silver hair gently undulating in the water like a silken halo. A contemplative moment hung in the air, as the angel contemplated what all this meant.
And then, with a graceful and delicate kick to the water, the fledgling propelled itself toward the edge of the pool with far more speed and force than it had initially anticipated.
With an unexpected "ouch" that was more a result of surprise than actual pain, the angel quickly rose to its feet. In its attempt to regain composure, it once again underestimated its own newfound strength and, to its own astonishment, catapulted into the air, only to descend and land ungracefully upon the velvety stone floor of the chamber.
While the distance of the fall was minimal, and the landing far from a picture of grace, the angel couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. It marked a significant improvement from the bruised knees that had been the outcome of its earlier climbing endeavors.
Standing there in its form-fitting, wet, white robe, the angel surveyed its surroundings, pondering the next course of action. It had a choice to make – remain in the spawning chamber, waiting for caregivers for an unknown length of time, or go and explore the hallway beyond the chamber. After all, it didn't want to end up being lazy the fledgling angel justified to itself.
With a resolute mind, the fledgling angel committed to its chosen path and began the trek towards the chamber's exit. With each step, it relished the comforting touch of the velvety stone floor against its bare feet, and the perfectly tempered air enveloping it in a cozy embrace, despite its damp robe.
Approaching the majestic angel statues that flanked the exit, the fledgling angel's heart raced with anticipation.
Moments later, the fledgling angel took that decisive final step into the hallway beyond the chamber, half-expecting to be interrupted by the kind voice. But, to its surprise, there was no such intervention. Thus, almost anticlimactically, the angel found itself standing in the hallway.
Contemplating which way to proceed, the fledgling angel cast its gaze in both directions, only to realize that there wasn't much choice anyways. Since, to its left, no more than two meters away, a magical barrier composed of mostly opaque blue hexagons of magic energy obstructed the pathway.
Naturally, the angel's curiosity led it down the path that was blocked, curious about what it was and why it was there.
Stepping up to the magical barrier, the fledgling angel extended one of its delicate-looking hands, pressing it gently against the surface. Unsurprisingly, the kind voice chimed in within its mind, explaining the situation:
< Area restricted. >
< You have encountered an open quest. Adult access to the system is required to see quest details. >
'Adult access,' the fledgling angel thought to itself, 'the kind voice keeps telling me to get it.' After pondering about it for a while the fledgling surmised that the adults, must know more since it was 'adult access' after all. At that, it grew increasingly impatient for the caregivers to get back.
Unfazed by its own impatience, the fledgling angel leaned in closer to the magical barrier, scrutinizing it with intent curiosity. As it observed, the angel realized that the barrier was not entirely opaque; faint hints of the hallway beyond danced at the edge of its vision.
This discovery sparked excitement within the fledgling, igniting its determination to unveil the secrets hidden behind the restricted area. Eagerly, it strained to discern what precisely lay within the off-limits space, resolved to solve the puzzle that had been set before it.
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Footnote(s):
¹ The average running speed of a human is 10km/h to 13km/h so it would very roughly come to being 1.8 to 1.4 seconds for 5 meters so an average human could run around 2.2 to 2.9 times faster than the demon larva. Keep in mind this is all just approximations and estimates. None of it is 100% accurate.
TLDR.: The average human on earth is still x2.5 times faster than this demon larva.