บท 60: Castle of Brimstone
With a heavy stench of sulfur filling my lungs, I stepped through the eerie forest as the sounds of various demonic howls sounded, sending shivers through my spine. It had been five days since we decided on traveling together to the exalted castle that didn't seem to be getting closer.
Taking the lead, Yura's emotionless face would shiver ever so slightly as she would tighten her grip around her blade, sending us various signals that an attack could happen. With each day we traveled, the weather became colder while a heavy feeling of loss continued to grow.
Food was already a problem to find, especially for Yura and Nora. I could devour anything, especially demonic meat, unlike the two, as my body would quickly adapt. In fact, I would not be surprised if I ever reach the stage where food was not necessary.
Only eating wild berries had greatly taken a toll on the young ladies as their faces had grown tighter, their bodies losing a small percent of muscle mass the longer, we continued. With a wry grin, I tapped Yura's shoulder, "You all need to eat; the castle can wait. If we continue like this, both of you will perish."
Biting her lips, Yura bitterly turned to a pale Nora. Her body quaking as she struggled to stand. In comparison, cultivators could survive without food for about a week or two; unfortunately, that was only based in a normal setting. Unlike me, Yura and Nora could not absorb demonic Qi to fuel their bodies but somewhat had to refine the demonic qi in a long process of changing it into normal earth qi.
"... let's go find something..." Yura weakly replied.
Looking at the seemingly powerless duo, I shook my head, "You two wait here," I said, darting in another direction from the two girls.
Pushing my recently enhanced senses to the max, I took a deep breath of sulfur and ash, arriving at an arrie swamp. A foul scent of decaying flesh entered my nostrils, sending a cold shiver down my spine as a man stood in the middle of a swamp—Draped in a threatening skull-like armor that glimmered with a hollow black light.
"A guest," He lightly inquired in surprise, "No...a half-blood? and one of Bael's."
Sweat trickled from my neck as the man joyfully chuckled, snapping his fingers as both Yura and Nora appeared. With horror in her sight, Yura gripped Nora's hand in panic.
"Another half-blood? Child of Bael, why have you come to my realm?"
"Drar'ethiul, I..."
"Foolish child, Do not speak my master's name, although it is quite the compliment. You may call me Sagthillath, One of Lord Drar'ethiul, Generals." He pridefully emitted, taking a step towards me—his scrutinizing gaze studying my every movement.
With an uncomfortable grin, he brushed my left eye, "your own Crest at only fifteen. Impressive, but been more impressive is that physique." He enchantingly whispered, his boney gauntlet piecing through my eyelid as he tightened.
Bellowing in anguish, I shot back as blood gushed from my hollow lid. With a sadistic smile enchanting his cruelty, I could vaguely see Sagthillath holding my left eyeball within his grip.
"Tell me, boy, why are you in my realm?" he repeated, tossing my eye in his hand up and down as though he was playing with a ball.
Yet, nothing sounded from my mouth as I just glared brutishly at the demon. Pushing my hand up, I burst into untamed laughter, "Bael will kill you, Sagthillath,"
Bellowing in laughter, Sagthillath clenched my throat, "My lord is "
"Drar'ethiul," I forcefully shouted, "Lord of Betrayal, father of lies, and he will disown you the moment Bael rains death down on his domain. I don't know what type of games are going on, but one thing is clear no king or prince will allow another to steal their toys."
With a slight pause, Sagthillath released my throat as he roared with wild laugher, "Bael did say you were intelligent. You pass, boy," He haughtily declared, stuffing my eye back into my body, ignoring my screams.
"Arsene Snow, by command of Lord Asmodeus, you are to head to the Castle of Brimstone and collect the Flames of Hellfire." Sagthillath savagely shouted, "This is your first challenge, succeed, and you will gain the power of a God fail, and you, along with everyone related to you by karma, will die. Not allowing me even to speak, Sagthillath vanished, his wicked laughter still pounding inside my ear.
Gulping, Nora fell to her knees as another foul sent began to spread from between her legs. "wh-wh-what is that thing...He-he." She stuttered in fear as tears poured from her face.
With a cold grimace, I opened my throbbing left eye as bright, vibrant colors filled my vision. While I had regained my sight, no joy was shown. Giving Yura an unfamiliar glance, I shot deeper into the forest in hopes of looking for food.
There was no point in talking about what happened, and I needed Yura's help. With a heart filled with vicious rage, a demonic smiled graced my lips, reaching to my ears. HE WILL DIE, HIS FAMILY, HIS CHILDREN, HIS EXISTENCE, HIS EVERYTHING WILL BURN!!!
With an unsatisfied bloodlust, I stopped gazing at an odd-looking boar. Its fur filled with various inscriptions as razor-sharp husk sprouted from his face and legs. There was no demonic energy radiating from it but rather a powerful Vital qi.
Hiding in the tree's I shot down with Dragonsbane in hand. With a brutal roar, my blade shot deep into its spine. Warm deep liquid gushed over my face as the boar roared. Unfortunately for the beast, Dragonsbane kept piercing its spine over and over before it could understand what happened.
With one final cry, the beast's eyes grew dim and lifeless as I collected it with my spiral bracelet. Looking around for a bit, I shot off into the distance, continuing my search. It may have been a coincidence, but I had found a small squat of edible meat.
Not one to believe that I would be so lucky at a time like this, I sneered, knowing it might have been Sagthillath doing before charging in. My spear reaping the lives of whatever animals or creature that had the pleasure of witnessing my carnage. Scars marked my body, but I didn't stop until there was a sea of crimson.
Returning covered in gore, I threw Yura and Nora a massive pound of uncooked meat before sitting in the lotus position to cultivate. Absorbing demonic qi like a black hole, I could sense my body changing, evolving into something unseen by the world.
My already heightened senses had already been revolutionary, but they continued to grow even stronger than when I used my dantian. Feeling I had reached the max of the fifth stage, I shot past the threshold of my limit.
With a boom! The black sun within me began to expand and contract more and more as the emblem within my left pupil glimmered. As if delighted by my breakthrough, It appeared deep within my core, marking both my left eye and dantian with its crest.
My crest, at least for now, didn't seem to do anything. Yet, I continued to push my cultivation forward, cultivating all day and night as the two girls recovered their strength.
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