Atticus's declaration hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the oppressive silence of the forest. He met Xu Hua's gaze, his own filled with a steely resolve. "We need to follow the trail," he repeated, his voice firm. "But Chen Yi… he needs medical attention immediately. We can't risk bringing him deeper into the forest, not in his condition."Xu Hua's brow furrowed, concern etched on her face. "Atticus, that's too dangerous. You shouldn't go alone."Li Wei, ever the pragmatist, interjected. "She's right. We should stick together. There's no telling what dangers lie ahead."Atticus understood their concerns. He himself felt a tremor of apprehension at the thought of venturing deeper into the unknown alone. But time was of the essence. The longer the source of the demonic energy remained untapped, the greater the potential for catastrophe. "Listen," he said, his voice softer now, "Chen Yi's well-being is paramount. Xu Hua, your healing abilities are the best chance
The red spirit tree erupted in a blinding crimson light, bathing the clearing in an unnatural glow. The burst of energy sent a tremor through the ground, and Atticus felt the demonic energy around him amplify tenfold. It was a volatile whirlwind, threatening to tear at the very fabric of reality. "Step back!" he roared at Xu Hua, grabbing her hand and dragging her away from the pulsating crystals. He knew the residual energy could be lethal in its current state.As they retreated, the air crackled with a terrifying energy. With a deafening boom, the crystals shattered, showering the clearing in glittering shards. But instead of bodies, a grotesque transformation occurred. The life force from within the crystals oozed outwards, merging into a viscous red liquid that pulsed with malevolent energy. The crimson liquid surged towards the spirit tree, drawn as if by an invisible force.Atticus watched in horror as the liquid engulfed the twisted branches of the tree. The air shimmered
Atticus tumbled through the demonic portal, the world resolving into a desolate landscape bathed in an eerie red light. He had expected to be thrust into the midst of several demons immediately he came out of the portal but what he was met meet was a totally different sight.Two suns, crimson and pulsating, hung low in the blood-red sky, casting long, distorted shadows across the barren wasteland. The air crackled with a malevolent energy, a tangible presence that gnawed at Atticus's resolve. His initial anger at his situation morphed into a chilling awareness. Atticus couldn't explain why the feeling came strongly but he just knew that this wasn't just any demonic realm; this was the twisted domain of a lesser demon, a creature of raw power and primal instincts. He had expected a chaotic battlefield teeming with demonic hordes, but here, he found himself alone in a desolate expanse, a single speck of defiance in a vast canvas of desolation."Why the hell did I enter?" Atticus mutte
The crimson sun beat down mercilessly as Atticus followed the Scavenger across the desolate wasteland. The creature, a pitiful excuse for a demon, scurried nervously ahead, its bony frame casting a skeletal shadow on the dusty ground. Atticus couldn't shake off a gnawing unease despite the meager information gleaned from their rudimentary telepathic exchange. The Scavenger's fear of Xar'Gath was palpable, painting a chilling picture of the demon lord who ruled this desolate domain. But the revelation of a potential rebellion sparked a flicker of hope within him. They crested a low rise, and the landscape shifted. In the distance, nestled amidst the jagged rocks, a sight both surprising and unsettling – a small town. Smoke curled from chimneys, casting wisps of grey into the crimson sky. Figures, a mix of humanoid and monstrous, moved about the rough-hewn buildings, a semblance of ordinary life in this bizarre realm. Atticus's gaze darted from figure to figure. Some were cle
As Atticus walked through the town, the cacophony of shouts and haggling assaulting his ears. The air reeked of sweat, spices, and something vaguely metallic that sent a shiver down his spine. He scanned the crowd, his newfound demon tongue skill translating the rapid-fire exchanges around him. Half-bloods, demons, and even a few monstrous creatures with scales and razor-sharp claws bartered for everything from food to weapons. A new sound, the rhythmic clinking of coins, caught his attention. Unlike the spirit stones he was accustomed to, these were a deep, blood-red color, pulsing with an almost imperceptible energy. His internal system, Rhea, helpfully informed him they were called 'blood stones' – a currency fueled by demonic qi and life force. Concern filled him with this new plight. He had no such currency, and without it, even a simple stay at an inn seemed out of reach. He needed a way to earn some, and fast. His gaze fell upon a weathered tavern nestled in a corner, its
The stench of sweat, blood, and something vaguely acrid that Atticus suspected might be burnt troll sweat assaulted him as he entered the Bloodfist Arena. The rhythmic thudding that had vibrated faintly outside now pounded in his chest, a relentless drumbeat against his ribs. He squinted into the dimness, his eyes adjusting to the cavernous interior.The arena was a massive, circular space, its dusty floor ringed by tiered seating that ascended into the shadows above. In the center stood a fighting pit, its blood-stained earth surrounded by a low, iron fence. Grunts, yells, and the sickening thud of flesh on flesh echoed from the pit, punctuated by the roar of the unseen crowd. Atticus lingered by the entrance, his newfound confidence momentarily shaken. This was no mere training ground. This was a brutal spectacle, a clash of wills and bodies played out for the entertainment of a bloodthirsty audience. He could almost taste the violence hanging heavy in the air. A booming voice sh
Atticus followed the cloaked figure through the narrow passage, the stench of damp earth and mildew filling his nostrils. The tunnel was barely wide enough for him to squeeze through, its rough-hewn walls scraping against his back. It twisted and turned for what felt like an eternity, the only light a faint, flickering glow emanating from a source unknown.Finally, the passage opened into a small, cavernous chamber. A single lantern hung from the ceiling, casting flickering shadows across the room. Atticus's eyes adjusted slowly, revealing a motley crew of figures huddled around a makeshift table fashioned from a crudely hewn plank of wood and upturned barrels. He saw a hulking demon, his crimson skin etched with intricate black tattoos, his single, cyclopean eye fixed on him with a piercing gaze. Next to him sat a wiry orc demon, his green skin and tusked jaw contrasting with the flowing robes of a human woman whose silver hair gleamed in the lantern light. A wizened gnome, his bear
The following days fell into a predictable rhythm for Atticus. He endured the grueling training sessions, his body screaming in protest as he absorbed punches, kicks, and the occasional stray elbow from the motley crew of fighters. He gritted his teeth, channeling the pain into a steely resolve. Each bruise, each ache, was a badge of honor, an honor he was going to shove into every guard's ass soon enough.He had found a new way to exploit and also control his physique. He realized that the longer he could hold off on healing his body the better his physique reconstruction would be when it happened, so with the help from rhea he learned a few tricks which disabled his regeneration. Of course this made taking a beating a little harder but if he didn't disable his regeneration his physique would have defied common sense and raised flags among his training partners.In the evenings, after the arena had emptied and the last of the drunken patrons had stumbled out of the tavern, Atticus re