Some time later, Darius got back in his laboratory and decided to create more energy pills for himself.

He first went to the most expensive piece of equipment in the laboratory, the Mana Purifier. It was the machine that had pretty much the same diameters as a refrigerator but one that had a thick and large pipe made out of golem cores that reached all the way to a capsule with the diameters large enough for a human to stay in. That was the "Divine" Darius used to heal himself.

The first thing he did was place more crystals inside the purifier through a pipe he pulled from the top, adding them inside the pipe, pushing it inside the purifier, and twisting it to lock it in.

He then walked to the nearby computer that was connected to the purifier, and on the old-school blue window that appeared on it, he pressed on the [Inspect power output].

The whole computer was only for the purifier, as it also needed the computer's whole processing and calculating power to actually give out the most accurate numbers.

-VVVRR~!-

Both the computer and the Purifier let out loud noises from their respective coolers, as the amount of energy required to calculate the power output of the crystals was rather ridiculous.

After 1 minute, the results appeared on the screen:

[ 1 MC = 1.800 MP

1 MC = 2.000 MP

1 SM = 980 MP

1 SM = 1.000 MP

1 SM = 790 MP

1 SM = 990 MP

1 SM = 1.200 MP

2 MC + 5 SM = TOTAL: 8.760 MP]

2 medium crystals (MC) and 5 small crystals (SM) have over 8.5k mana points… Once the bestial impurities are removed, the amount will be reduced to about half... Damn, that’s low.

Darius sighed, but then he simply shook his head and pressed on [PBI]

Purify Bestial Impurities. Although the crystals weren’t infested with miasma, they still had the bestial energies from the monsters they were collected from, making the mana inside deadly for normal people and even for mages.

That’s also the reason why Darius had to work so hard before to maintain the mana inside his miasma-infested arm when he used it to stop the miasma from corroding his body.

Another loud sound was released by the purifier, and after a short while, inside a little capsule on the side of the purifier, a misty liquid, looking like liquid nitrogen that was constantly releasing mist, was filling it almost to the brim. The capsule was as large as half of Darius’ forearm and just as thick. Inside that capsule alone, there were about 8 whole spirit pills, 1 half spirit pill, and a bit more than a quarter pill.

As already expected, a whole pill was 1k mana points, half a pill was 500, and a quarter was 250, while the prices were 10.000 rozoni, 5.000 rozoni, and 2.500 rozoni, respectively. It wasn’t hard to make, but the purifier was expensive, the crystals were risky to collect, and the capsule used to store the amount of energy was also made out of golems’ cores, which were another thing hard to get. Happily enough, from one core, one could create about 10 capsules for pills, but the time required to make them was still about 1 hour per bath of a 2cm long and 1cm thick capsule.

The crystals, together with the golem core, cost about 26.000 rozoni. Double that if brought from the market, so 52.000 rozoni. But the 10 spirit pills together would still give me about 87.500 rozoni, so 35.500 rozoni profit.

Given that he had already gathered all the materials, a small smirk appeared on his face.

He grabbed a golem core from inside a bag he had already prepared and placed it inside the Core Cutter, that was normally used by the spirit-pill companies to create the capsule for the pills.

From behind a glass window, one could see how the core was cut multiple times into 10 symmetric parts. After being cut, the inside of the machine started to warm up more and more until the core pieces softened like gel. After one hour, the machine would grab the softened parts and bend them into the form of a capsule made of two parts connected together with a hole through which mana would be injected once it cooled down, which would happen another hour later.

While the tinny capsules were made, Darius disconnected the bigger capsule from the purifier and connected it to the one from before. Inside of it, the mana started to be circulated through more small tubes so as not to make it stale.

It was known that if the mana wasn’t being collected inside the cores created by spiritual beings, then it would stale and turn into miasma or just evaporate. Being energy, it was supposed to be circulated constantly, and the amount of energy it required for these machines to be functional non-stop required each of them to function based on nuclear energy, another reason why they were so ridiculously expensive.

Alright, now, in less than 2 hours, the machine should inject the mana inside the capsules and create the energy pills. I don't need to mind it until it is done.

Turning his attention from the machine, Darius walked towards the other side of the laboratory, where a working table was placed together with more tools for either bending metal, cutting, and glue guns for connecting cables or isolating. It was time for him to finish the second glove and connect the purified mana crystal of the Infernal Dog, finally finishing his main weapons.

.

A few days passed, and Darius decided to visit the Blue Spark each evening to train his reflexes by dueling with Joshua or other stronger monsters. Lola didn't mind his presence, as she left him to do as he wished.

But after he got a new message on his second phone, Darius made a different turn on his way back from training.

After Darius left Blue Spark’s headquarters, he went through a darker alley, where he took a backpack hidden behind one of the trash containers. From inside of it, he took out a metallic dark mask that covered only his mouth and nose, a black hoodie, and his gloves, together with the diadem that he made sure to hide with the hoodie.

It’s time to pay the cult a visit.

After the call with the bartender a while back, he completely forgot to visit the cult. He promised to meet them in 3 days, but most probably about 2 weeks have passed since then, making Darius think of the worst and fully prepare just in case.

.

After he entered the bar and met up with the bartender, they both entered once again inside the room at the back of the bar, only the two of them being present, sitting down on two pieces of sofa separately.

"Sir Daniel, I see you didn’t bring any equipment with you this time. I'm not sure if you’re confident or scheming something."

"I could be foolish as well."

Using his voice-changing program, Darius refused to use his normal voice with the followers anymore. And, of course, the bartender respected that, simply smiling and continuing,

"I doubt a foolish man could trick both a Spirit Wielder and a Demonic Wielder into fighting each other. If anything, I see you only as a genius."

Stolen story; please report.

"… Tell me the reason for calling me here."

They already took me into consideration… I'm not sure if it's good or bad at this point.

Darius expected, and even desired, to be considered a rather foolish and proud person in the eyes of the bartenders. But since their perception of him became so good, that means they were able to judge his abilities and raise Darius’ worth to exponential levels. That also meant his danger level rose as well.

Taking out a piece of paper, the bartender offered it to Darius, making his heart stop for a whole second and freeze in place.

"We decided to rank you up to the rank of [General], the highest rank in the [Military] regiment. Here are the names of your subordinates. We thought to add some familiar faces, thinking you would appreciate us being so considerate."

A hint of mockery was audible in the bartender’s voice, making veins pop up on Darius’ forehead from anger.

These guys…

A huge list of about 200 Elite Soldiers and former colleagues of Darius was written on that paper, together with pictures that only confirmed to Darius that they were truly his former colleagues.

Wait… Jack…? Jack the Hunter? Why is he a follower?!

His eyes turned red when he saw his only best friend and remaining former squad member, whom he was sure wasn’t a follower, on the list as well.

The fact that the bartenders already knew of his past was something he expected at some point, but never did he expect his remaining brothers to start joining the cult in even larger numbers from his past life.

The bartender saw his sight frozen on that one individual, and with disinterest in his voice, he added,

"Ah, Mister Jack, yes… After you left the military base, he remained pretty much alone in his department. He wanted to leave as well, but because he didn’t know how to read or write too well, he quickly found out that he couldn’t fend off for himself, ending up remaining behind in the Military Base and being sent solo on another mission as a punishment for trying to leave the base. After he almost died on the field against middle-tier monsters, a follower found pity on him and made him the offer. At first he was revolted, but seeing how he either joined or died, he took our hand, and now he’s a normal [Soldier] rank in our cult."

"… Understood."

Darius’ heart fell after understanding what happened.

Although they were all killing machines with ridiculous combat abilities, they were raised as tools, unaware of what freedom is like and what to do with it in the first place. Without the ability to write or read, without the ability to think for himself, and unaware of what the world outside the base is like, it was just a matter of time until Jack ended up joining the cult as well after being offered the opportunity.

It was my fault… I couldn’t understand their pain because, since the very beginning, I still had memories of my past life and knew what freedom tastes like… I…

Suddenly, the faces of Dave, Andrew, Michael, and so many other brothers he killed for being spies of the cult flashed in his mind, making him think that the reason they joined wasn’t to betray their own brothers but so they could survive. It wasn’t out of madness, but out of desperation, just like Jack.

"………"

"So? Are you interested in this promotion, Mr. Daniel- or should I call you… Mr. Darius?"

-BZZZTTT~!!!-

Because of his overflowing fury and rage, the gloves on his hands perceived his overflowing emotions as a power-up signal, covering his whole body in both mana and miasma, the conflict between the two releasing sparks and zaps all over his body as lightning spurted out from the two crystals like plasma-blades, dangerously flashing through the whole room.

This greatly shocked the bartender because he had never anticipated feeling any kind of energy from a regular person. Darius’ shining appearance and bright purple eyes made him feel like he just poked a hungry tiger, involuntarily swallowing drily.

Darius then got up, and the energy dissipated like smoke. Simply taking the piece of paper and asking further questions,

"Where is the main base?"

"There is a deserted military base in the corrupted area of the Dead City between the Eastern City and Southern City that the cultists rebuilt before monsters completely overran it. Your first mission is to free the area around the base from monsters under the pretext that General Arson of the Human Coalition sent you to regain control of the city in 3 months when further reinforcements will arrive."

"How do I contact my subordinates?"

"After this conversation ends, you will receive an email with further information."

"Who is my superior?"

"[King] Arson. Also the one who will give you and your group the authority to free the city from the monsters."

[King] Arson. I don’t have much data on him, but I do know he wasn’t the active type. As for the Dead City, I heard of it, and I also know that a large group of cultists suffered severe damage from the monsters in trying to regain control over it so they could have a better strategically placed base for when they would raise up against the Human Coalition.

In short, they gave Darius one of the most troublesome areas to fight for, but this was just the perfect opportunity for him to raise his power.

He took the paper and walked towards the exit, when the bartender quickly asked again, with some sweat falling down his forehead.

"S-Sir Darius- err, Daniel, may I first hear your answer?"

With his thoughts swirling inside his mind, Darius stopped for a moment and then gave out his answer, the robotic voice resounding especially eerie.

"In a month from now, I will start the subjugation of the whole city. Tell my subordinates to train well until then."

"U-understood… Also, please don’t be anywhere near the Southern City. Some things might turn hectic there."

"They sure will…"

And without further information, Darius left the bar, tacking off his hoodie in annoyance, anger visible on his face while fixing the flashing gloves on his hands, purple and red sparks flying as if ready to burst from them.

I guess it’s time to change plans. My people are the top priority.

.

One month passed.

"Again!"

Inside a virtual box of about 100-meter cubes, there stood Darius while wearing a full-body combat suit and a sharp energy blade. The sharp and sparkling blue edge was buzzing with killing intent as Darius rushed forward towards a Stone Gorilla.

-GROAR!-

The gorilla’s mouth opened wide, and a purple beam suddenly shot out.

"!!!"

Already experiencing death a few hundred times from this beam alone, Darius learned to dodge it the moment the gorilla opened its mouth, the beam grazing past him with the speed of light. His costume was burning red on his shoulder even though he clearly dodged the beam, but Darius didn’t stop as he rushed forward with a mad glare in his eyes, not faltering even for a second, although his shoulder was burning.

-GROAH!-

Seeing him come closer, the gorilla pouched forward and punched hard where Darius was a fraction of a second earlier, sliding between its legs right before the moment of impact.

"Hah!"

He strongly slashed one of the gorilla’s small legs and made it lose balance, but before it could fall, it quickly slammed behind it, trying to squish him to death. Darius saw that coming, as he had already died from that hit multiple times already, and quickly jumped behind, only to rush on top of its arm and towards the head.

-SLASH!-

He slashed once at its’ head, but the strike was too shallow to actually deal any damage as the cut only penetrated a few centimeters.

"Hmph!"

Darius already knew that his attacks were too weak, so he continued to slash multiple times until he at least damaged the golem’s eyes, which were made of a material similar to the core.

-ROAAR!-

He was able to slash only one eye before the golem opened his mouth and forced Darius to quickly dodge another beam, almost pulling a hole through his chest.

"Fuck!"

Even though he dodged, one of his arms was completely pulverized. Gritting his teeth in pain, Darius dodged another slam from the gorilla and rushed behind it, where it started slashing at its back like mad.

In but 2 seconds, Darius was able to slash it eight times, but the gorilla didn’t let him continue anymore as it used its large arms to swing its large body around like a break-dancer, trying to throw Darius off his body.

"What the hell?! Now it can dance!"

Darius exclaimed, annoyed at the golem’s ability to learn mid-combat, and quickly jumped away as another beam almost made him lose a leg this time. Rushing back in, the gorilla tried to swing its body again, but Darius this time jumped on its back and tried to keep his balance. However, because he already lost one arm, he was unable to slash at it and also keep his balance, being forced to just let go.

"Guh!"

The gorilla slammed him away, and he crashed on the ground, a few of his ribs breaking at the impact as his body rolled like a rag. Because of the ridiculous centrifugal force, Darius failed his landing and ended up unable to move.

"… Fuck this."

He has fought with the same monster over a hundred times already. The golem's danger level increased to an entirely new level as a result of the experience he gained from fighting Darius. The fact that Darius still wished to fight it after it learned how to fight against humans was, in itself, ridiculous.

With an annoyed grunt, he sighed while seeing the huge body of the gorilla fall right on top of him with ground-breaking force, squashing him to the point it left nothing out of him.