*BAM*
------------------
+1 Firearm Mastery
------------------
After many tries, I finally succeeded at shooting the wood 20 feet away.
Each mana stone gives about 20 shots before it shatters. Secondly, it's difficult to rapidly fire the musket as each blast propels the muzzle upwards causing inaccuracy.
Huff...
I take off the fur coat and pull my shirt's collar out. Sweat engulfs my body.
Orange and red paint the horizon canvas. It's about time I wrap up my training.
Let's select my class first.
--------------------
Available classes:
-Marksman[Select]
Effect:
+25% power on all firearms.
-Unlocks the "Marksman" skill tree.
-Hunter[Select]
Effect:
+20% defence and attack when using multiple weapons
-Every monster/beast kill increases stats by 1%(up to 10%).
-Unlocks the "Hunter" skill tree.
--------------------
--------------------
"Marksman" class selected.
--------------------
Alright, for the finishing touch, I pick up the musket again and shoot it into the forest.
*BAM!!!!*
!!!
My body was slightly pushed back by the enormous momentum.
"ARGH?!" A cry came from the forest.
??
Did I hit someone?
"Hey!" I shout and chase after the sound.
It came from behind a dead tree.
I check the back of the tree to see patches of blood. The blood trail leads further into the forest.
What?
Someone wrapped in black cloth grasping his shoulder frantically runs away.
...That person was stalking me?
I chase after him but once I turn the corner and check behind a big rock, he disappears. The blood trail ends here.
-------------------
The smell of death lingers in the air
-1% overall stats.
-------------------
!!!!!!
This debuff only occurs when demonic mana is present. That person is either a cultist or a demon.
I click my tongue.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
=================================
"Huff huff...damn it..." a man wearing a black coat says. He trudges along a white polished wall grasping his shoulder.
When he approaches a door, two guards stationed stop him.
The man pulls back the hood to reveal himself to be a young blonde man with emerald eyes.
"L-Let me in...ugh...I need the priest or any other healer..." He mumbles.
The guards glance at each other and open the door for the man.
The door reveals a large staircase down. Another man with long green hair is smoking opium at the staircase, he drops his spirit lamp, which then disappears into thin air, and helps the young blonde man.
"You are..." the green-haired man says.
"Stratos..." The blonde man says.
"Ah, you are the newbie from the royal family. I am Iris, that's all you need to know." says the green-haired man. "Anyways, what happened?"
Stratos tries his best to speak and Iris places his hand on Stratos' shoulder.
!!
"ARGHH?!!" Stratos yells in pain.
Iris' hand on Stratos' shoulder glows. A moment later, the wound closes and the pain subsides.
Stratos drops onto the stairs and leans against the wall.
"Huff huff huff...I was ordered by the Intelligence Commander to observe the fifth child of the Turner family, Samuel."
"That trash? And?" Iris asks.
"I think all our intel about him was wrong. He was able to detect my location and shoot without killing intent," says Stratos.
Iris frowns. Stratos is one of the best spies among the newbies, for him to be discovered...
Although it might be pure luck, Iris cannot leave out the other possibility.
"Currently, your superior is out. I will pass the message on to him," says Iris.
Iris starts descending the stairs and Stratos follows.
Stratos gulps and anxiously sweats.
"There is no need to be so tense," says Iris.
"Y-Yes," Stratos replies.
...
The Demonic Cult is a group of humanity that surrendered to and worshipped demons.
"Why did you join the cult? You are the third son of the Emperor in Elvis," says Iris.
"I-I adore the demons for their intelligence and strength..." Stratos replies.
"There is no shame in telling the truth. At first, everyone joins the cult for their survival including I. They've seen mankind's futile struggle against the demons and can only survive by switching sides," says Iris.
Stratos stays silent. Deep inside him, Stratos hates the demons but his cowardly nature got the better of him.
Iris tries asking some questions to break the ice. "Do you want to live, to the extent of giving up your humanity?"
Stratos gulps. "I-If possible."
Iris smiles.
They reach a hallway that looks like a regular corridor in a luxurious mansion. However, beneath the facade is one of The Demonic Cult's headquarters.
Iris ushers Stratos into a corridor that not many go through.
"I was told not to come this way," Stratos says.
"I will give you the permission," says Iris.
Stratos raises his brow. He has never heard of Iris from his colleagues or superiors.
Still, curiosity killed the cat. He decided to follow Iris.
They reach a large door about the size of a giant.
"Name yourselves!" a loud sound echoes through Stratos' head.
!!!
"UGH!?" Stratos drops to his knees and covers his ears. A force attacks his orbit, squeezing his eyes.
"It's me, Iris."
The force around them disappears.
"Ack!? Huff huff...what the..." Stratos is left on the ground gasping for air.
The large door swings open and reveals a bloody throne room. On the end is a tall blue demon as large as 50 feet sitting on a skeleton chair.
At the sides of the room are many corpses surrounding crimson-glowing crystals. The crystal seems to be absorbing an essence from the bodies.
Iris enters and grovels.
"For what matters you disturb my slumber." says the demon, an incredibly deep and hoarse voice trembles the air.
"My lord, let me introduce you to a royalty of the human kingdom, Stratos Kin Jacob Muis, the third son of Emperor Red."
The demon smirks. He points behind Iris. "He is the son of that man?"
?
Iris looks behind to see Stratos shivering, frozen in his path, his eyes wide open and fixated on the demon.
"Forgive me, my lord." Iris runs back to Stratos.
"Stratos! What are you doing?"
"W-What...W-Who...is that...?" Starts says.
"The ninth son of the esteemed Demon Lord, Sir Zerstorung," says Iris.