2023-07-13 23:14:01With a resonating "Skrreaeeek!", the cavernous hallways of the forsaken edifice reverberated with the guttural cries of otherworldly creatures, malicious echoes snaking their way through the labyrinthine pathways that had once offered the promise of escape. But it had become glaringly clear that the maze now only led to dead-ends.
An eerie realization dawned on me, chilling me to the core yet oddly sparking a determined resolve in my heart. There was no path for flight, no possibility of escaping the hellish scenario I found myself ensnared in. The only victory lay not in evasion, but in confrontation. I had to suppress these demonic creatures, overpower every single one of them lurking within the decrepit walls of this forsaken structure. It was a daunting task, to say the least, but one that could not be avoided. The only way to gain an upper hand was to anticipate their attacks, strategize against their strengths and weaknesses, for my resilience against their unexpected onslaughts was still weak.Moreover, I was acutely aware that survival was not confined to the claustrophobic confines of this demon-infested building. If I wanted to endure the merciless wilderness waiting outside, I needed to raise my level. It was a chilling ultimatum: do or die."It's all or nothing now!" I declared defiantly, the words reverberating off the stone walls.[Moments Later]A pair of demons leisurely strolled along the hall, their grotesque forms highlighted by the flickering, dim lighting. Their low growls added an eerie symphony to the already somber ambiance. They sniffed the air, their monstrous heads rising in search of the scent of their prey.“Skurrroook!” they chanted, the chilling sounds ringing in my ears.It struck me that these were the same breed of demons I had slain earlier. The association triggered an unnerving realization: this building was likely their territory. My knowledge of demons, gleaned from countless hours observing them in the Sacred Hall, suggested that these creatures were notoriously territorial.However, a niggling voice in my mind questioned this hasty conclusion. “No! Idiot, you shouldn’t assume just like that!” I berated myself. Underestimation was not a luxury I could afford, especially when the balance of power was tipped in their favor. I couldn’t afford to make careless deductions without tangible proof.No imminent 'Danger Alert' signaled that I was relatively safe…for the time being. I intended to keep it that way. Turning my focus back to the demonic duo, I narrowed my eyes, activating their Status Windows.[System Information]Name: Hell Kobold SpawnLevel: 3Race: Demon (Lesser) – Grade: 1Age: 31 days[Stats]HP: 20/40MP: - -Strength: 11Agility: 40Vitality: 14Intelligence: 1[Status Condition]HP continues to decrease until the Demon feeds. Currently active.[End Of Information]A bead of cold sweat trickled down my forehead as I shifted my attention to the other demon. Its bulky physique seemed more formidable, its grotesque features more horrifying.[System Information]Name: Hell Kobold SpawnLevel: 5Race: Demon (Lesser) – Grade: 1Age: 34 days[Stats]HP: 40/60MP: - -Strength: 20Agility: 50Vitality: 20Intelligence: 1[Status Condition]HP continues to decrease until the Demon feeds. Currently active.[End Of Information]"They're much stronger than the last one…" I muttered to myself, realizing the gravity of the situation. It was a fortunate decision to stand my ground. If more of these creatures were lurking in the shadows, escape would be impossible until I fortified my strength.The demons gravitated towards the pool of blood staining the stairs, where the metallic stench was overwhelming. The sight of the slowly evaporating puddle of their brethren's life essence ignited a primal realization within them."Skraaaaaaakkkkkk!!!!" Their piercing screech sliced through the silence. Whether it was a cry of sorrow or rage, I couldn't tell. But one thing was clear: these creatures were capable of emotional responses. One of their kin had fallen, and they would show me as much mercy as I had shown their deceased comrade. None."[Subspace]" I muttered, my proximity to them a mere five meters. However, they were oblivious to my presence.In an instant, a colossal object materialized above their heads - a freezer from my arsenal. "Deep Freezer!" I commanded, relishing the sight of their surprised expressions as they struggled to avoid the falling death trap."I won't let you!" I lunged from my hiding spot, the adrenaline fuelling my movements.I discarded the duvet shrouding me and hurled two sharpened rods at the demons, aiming for their hearts. "Skraaa?!” Their expressions morphed into surprise as the rods struck them, causing them to stumble backward."Got you!" A triumphant thought echoed in my mind. My attacks were not fatal, but they served their purpose - to immobilize them.With a sickening 'Splat!', the freezer landed on the demons, their bodies crushed under its weight. A wave of repulsion washed over me as their blood splattered on my skin.“Urgh, gross!” I retched, wiping the sticky residue from my face.Despite the gruesome scene, I felt no remorse. Perhaps it was the system's influence, or perhaps it was the dire circumstances. Either way, I was slowly adapting, acclimatizing to this brutal reality. A spark of excitement flickered within me, a desire to repeat this adrenaline-charged encounter.[You Have Leveled Up][You Have Leveled Up]"Whoah!" My heart pounded in exhilaration as two icons popped up in my vision. Two level-ups in an instant. But the surprises didn't stop there.A luminescent glow enveloped me, followed by a low, humming sound. The lingering pain in my hand faded, and the blood staining my clothes vanished.“A-Amazing!!!” I gaped, inspecting my now clean body.I had hoped to become stronger after leveling up, banking on this newfound strength to navigate through this demon-infested building. However, I hadn't anticipated instant regeneration."Instant recovery… Then this changes things entirely. I just might live through this!” I marveled at this game-changing development."Status Window" I demanded.[STATUS INFORMATION]Name: Damian StarkLevel: 3 – Exp: 80.00Race: Human – Job: NoneAge: 16 YearsSex: MaleHeight: 5” 3. – Weight: 115 poundsAlignment: Chaotic NeutralKarma Points: 100 - (G) Karma Points: 10[Stats]HP: 200/200MP: - -Strength: 70Agility: 400Vitality: 200Intelligence: 800(G) Factor: 90Gift: [Subspace]Items Equipped: Demon Core (Lesser) x 1Allies: None[Status Condition][Additional Information]A human with the last Gift. Possesses the interest of God.[End Of Information]I was in awe as I looked at my Status Information. To think that I had grown this strong already. And I was just 20 Exp away from leveling up again!I was feeling even more motivated now.My risky plan worked, and now I was even stronger than I was a few hours ago. Other crazy ideas started popping into my head, but I calmed myself.“There’s no rush”I smiled, opening my pocket storage unit, and removed a piece of cloth to clean the blood that trickled on me. After a thorough cleaning, I threw it into the pool of blood that oozed on the floor.I touched the Deep Freezer, placing it back into [Subspace] with a thought.Quickly, I went back to my duvet and wrapped myself in its warmth, hiding as I awaited the arrival of my next prey.
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The gruesome squelch of monstrous flesh under force echoed throughout the confined hallway, marking yet another victorious battle against a wave of demons. "Skriiiiikkk," the creatures wheezed, issuing their final, feeble death cries as the life seeped out of them.I surveyed the bloody aftermath, an odd sense of satisfaction washing over me. "This marks the third wave," I gloated, casting a scornful look at the pathetic beasts now lying lifeless at my feet.As if in response, an unexpected message rang through my mind, a voice both alien and intimate simultaneously.[You Have Leveled Up][You Have Leveled Up]My eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. Leveling up twice in quick succession? I had expected a more substantial boost, given the formidable opponents I had just laid low.The slain demons were a group of three, and each of them held an impressive level. One was at Level 6, the remaining two at Level 5. Considering my level was at 4 when I killed them, I had been hoping for more e
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An earsplitting wail erupted, the horrific sound slicing through the air as the demons leapt forward, their bodies crouched, ready to pounce on me. It was a hideous sound, one that echoed the darkness and despair that had consumed my existence. Without a moment's hesitation, I voiced out, "[Subspace]!" The word, a command to the unknown, pierced the air like a beacon of hope in the suffocating despair.As though materializing out of the fabric of reality itself, a shimmering blue window appeared before me. I reached out, extending my hand towards it, aiming to select an item from the list that displayed itself before me. However, even as my fingers neared the translucent screen, I felt a sudden and overwhelming crunch. One of the monstrous beasts lunged at me, its gnarled fangs sinking deep into the soft flesh of my arm. The immediate pain was piercing, the beast's sharp fangs gouging out a chunk of my skin, its teeth burrowing into my flesh with ruthless force. The agony was almost
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It was amidst the buzz of cosmic energy that a golden-hued interface flickered into being, its luminescent presence serving as a beacon amidst the tumultuous chaos that had so recently gripped my existence. The inscribed details on its screen revealed the stark reality of my current circumstances and the significant progress I had made since my last ordeal.Before the debacle involving a menacing swarm of demons, my experience had peaked at Level 6, and now, having ascended four levels during the fray, I felt a surge of expectation ripple through my being. The lure of greater prowess, reflected in the numbers on the golden panel, was a tantalizing promise of the potential growth that lay within my grasp.[STATUS INFORMATION]- Name: Damian Stark- Level: 10 – Exp: 10.30- Race: Human- Job: None- Age: 16 Years- Sex: Male- Height: 5” 3. – Weight: 115 pounds- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral- Karma Points: 100 – (G) Karma Points: 10[Stats]- HP: 600/600- MP: - -- Strength: 140- Agili
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The battlefield was a grisly panorama of lifeless bodies, a tribute to the fierce struggle that had just concluded. I stood triumphantly amidst the bloody carnage, a satisfied grin marking my face as the fallen demons dissipated, metamorphosing into experience points for me. As their spectral bodies vanished into the ether, they generously bequeathed their valuable cores.Although my successful onslaught facilitated a level-up six times, it was a disappointing number compared to my aspirations. It felt as if the mountain I was scaling was growing steeper with every step; every subsequent level-up becoming an increasingly challenging feat to accomplish. This was a common principle I'd encountered before in the role-playing games and novels I'd immersed myself in, but to experience it firsthand was another story.As I surveyed the battlefield, my gaze was drawn to the scattering of luminescent purple stones — the residual cores of the fallen demons. I let out a low,
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There were many ways to win.I knew that from the get-go. I could use [Subspace] to shave off parts of the Dragon's body, reducing its health until it completely fell apart.I could use my purification to severely weaken it and blast the monster to kingdom come. An easy solution would also be to use the seventy-one Treasures OF War to impale the beast on all ends. If I added my Mana to them and increased their efficiency, the monster stood no chance.I could keep going on and on as to how I could win, but what was the point?Once in a while, a person needed some excitement in their life—I was no exception."COME!"My declaration prompted the Dragon Of Storms—or rather, what was left of him—to charge at me with frightening speed.>WHOOOOSSHSHHH
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The area around the beast was charred, and nothing but black, sooty grounds surrounding it. Impaling it were several weapons; ranging from spears to blades.They all looked very powerful and valuable.There were seventy-one of the weapons that pierced the monster's body… most likely what killed it.My eyes narrowed on the dead beast, and a wry smile appeared on my face. It now made sense why I sensed such powerful energy from beyond the gate back then.This monstrosity was the cause.Laid on the ground, surrounded by destruction and carnage was one of the most powerful races of Demons that existed.—A Dragon!Judging from the battle scene, I had a fair idea of what transpired here… at least what the narrative of this Floor was.A battle occurred, and the several races combined forces. They had a common enemy, and that was the fallen beast at the center of the battle. I had an idea of the difficulty if seven hundred thousand individuals ganged up on the creature.'It's at least a Grade
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I realized my childish body was too inefficient.In so many ways, the fact that I was below average in height and build was going to impede my future plans… which was why I decided to solve the problem.Using Lara’s Gift, now my Skill, I could shape-shift into any form I desired. However, it consumed Mana, and it also had a duration despite how much I maxed it out. Since I couldn't maintain it for too long, the ability was useless as a permanent solution.Scouring for a solution in the SHOP, I finally found my answer. It was a Potion known as the Perfect Growth Compound. After reading its description, I understood its function.The potion simply elevated whoever drank it to their ideal, most perfect physical state. As a result, it could take me to the peak I could ever attain physically.I was a little worried that I was going to remain short, but seeing as there was also a Reversal Potion being sold, I decided to take my chances.Who would have thought… it actually worked!I grew to
