Despite my rising apprehension, I couldn't help but flash a defiant grin. "Bring it on!" I declared, primed to confront the monstrous presence barreling towards us.Turning my gaze to Arthur, I found him frozen in place, pale-faced due to my ominous warning earlier. His proximity to the forthcoming clash would only complicate things; he'd be more of a liability than an asset in the imminent showdown. However, I couldn't afford to lose sight of him either; a stray demon might take advantage of his vulnerability while I was occupied. Besides, observing the battle might serve as a reality check for Arthur, helping him appreciate the gravity of our partnership and the peril that came with it.Without wasting any more time, I issued my command, "Arthur, stay here… I’m heading down!" "W-wha?! B-but-"Before he could voice his protest, I sprang into action, descending the stairs in one swift leap. There, at the bottom, I finally caught sight of the titanic demon making its grand entrance.T
Pausing, I took a deep breath, "Huu…” and summoned my trusty freezer to act as a barricade between us and any possible danger. Arthur and I were once again venturing into the unknown, stepping inside yet another unidentified apartment.Darkness engulfed the room, but I was well beyond being bothered by such trivialities.“Settle down…” I instructed Arthur, acknowledging but not commenting on the trembling of the scared underling following me.Choosing one of the sofas in the living room, I settled myself, the soft surface providing some relief to my strained muscles.“Haaa…” I sighed, reflecting on the recent battle.Despite the number of Demons I had managed to slay moments ago, fatigue was hardly setting in. The aftermath of the horde's obliteration, including the formidable Hell Kobold Spawn (Adult), had led to a wild increase in my levels. Nonetheless, I didn't let my guard down. Instead, I employed my heightened senses to sweep across the vicinity, in search of any residual prese
Standing at the crossroads of decision, I found myself faced with three formidable 'Skills,' but space to accommodate only two.'Spike Attack''Venomous Spikes''Venomous Claws'However, with 'Claw Attack' already anchored in my Skill Slot, I was left with just two vacancies."I see…" I murmured, absorbed in the dilemma that lay before me.The typical approach might be to supplant my 'Claw Attack' with an ostensibly stronger Skill, such as 'Venomous Claws.' However, that could prove to be a catastrophic blunder."I have honed my 'Claw Attack' to its pinnacle, thereby enhancing its efficiency and longevity in combat," I reminded myself.Even though 'Venomous Claws' promised a surge in power, it couldn't possibly compete with the endurance and recovery time of my pre-existing skill.After all, I had possession of only a single (Adult) Demon Core. There was no prospect of amplifying the 'Venomous' skills in the near future.One might consider opting for both Venomous skills and forfeitin
My assessment of our preparedness brought forth a satisfied smile as I glanced at Arthur, who responded with a nervous affirmation. A peculiar blend of anticipation and fear tingled at the edge of my senses as my gaze landed on the foreboding door ahead. Freedom from this desolate confinement was within grasp, but the path ahead was strewn with formidable obstacles.Gently tapping the obstructions, I sent the freezer back into my [Subspace], clearing our path. With the task done, I navigated towards the door, instructing Arthur firmly, "Stay behind me!" He promptly fell in line, tailing me closely as we embarked on our journey.The voyage across the hallway of the first floor towards the stairwell was interrupted by a few roaming Demons, most likely stray remnants from the levels above. With deft agility, I unleashed a flurry of blades, dispatching the intruders swiftly. Arthur, caught between eagerness and caution, scurried to collect their fallen Cores. After successfully neutralizi
Utilizing the combined force of my three Skills, I released a volley of Spikes and Claws, along with the entire array of blades I had summoned. >SWOOOOOSHHHHHFTWIP
Excruciating pain tore through my body, each heartbeat a reminder of my dire state. The steady rhythm of blood dripping from my shredded clothes underscored my suffering, and I swayed with the waves of encroaching unconsciousness. Yet, I held onto my sword tightly, my glare unwavering at the group of Demons standing before me."Fifteen...when...will it end...?!" I gasped out, my chest heaving with exertion. There was no answer to my desperate plea, no respite from the oppressive fatigue that wrapped itself around my body like a vise.The Kobold Guardians took deep, ominous breaths, heralding the commencement of their vile skill. I cursed under my breath, and through sheer force of will, propelled myself beyond the reach of their impending sonic assault. The invisible shockwave rushed past, causing the hairs on my skin to stand on end just from the residual force.Seeing an opening, I charged at the immobilized monsters, momentarily incapacitated by the after-effects of their skill. Wi
“Guraaaaaaooooo!!!” The beast let out an ear-splitting roar, sending shockwaves throughout the cavern.I dug my heels into the ground, bracing myself against the tremendous force emanating from the Hell Kobold King.“Keukk!”With a menacing glare directed at me, the Demon King gestured towards me, uttering commands in an indecipherable language. The subordinates, the Guardians, sprang into action immediately, lunging towards me with unwavering loyalty.At that moment, I understood why the King's intelligence stat was so high. This Demon possessed a degree of self-awareness, enough to command its lesser minions.I tightened my grip around the hilt of my sword, preparing for the imminent assault, or so I thought…>Kkkkrrrtttt
From the earliest moments of my existence, it was as if a cruel destiny had etched a painful truth deep into my soul: life was profoundly unfair. I was reminded of this harsh reality by my playmates, classmates, teachers, even by my own father. "Damian is so odd!", "Stop acting strange, Damian!", and the countless instances of, "Shut up, Damian!", echoed in my mind, ringing like an unwanted melody from a broken music box. I was the outcast, the one they couldn't comprehend, the child who danced to his own tune, albeit a tune they saw as odd and disturbing.In this unjust world, some were blessed with charming faces, eloquent speech, and charismatic personalities that drew people towards them. Others were born with the golden spoon, their wealth and influence making them untouchable. However, what I had come to understand was that the greatest fortune of all was sheer luck, something utterly beyond our control. If you were born lacking in looks, wealth, or sociability, there was littl