บท 19: Epic of the Demon King Slayer

Arthur pounced upwards, from his lying position, huffing and puffing. Finding himself in a medieval style cottage room, he first checked his body all over realising his body was completely fine and he was wearing a dirty medieval style tunic.

"I'm alive!" Arthur said in glee, patting his body all over. His heart raced, still remembering how he saw the black claws piercing through the blue whirlwind of mana. He was worried the skill would cancel but somehow he had made it by a hair's breadth.

'But where am I? What story did I even pick? Shit! I picked one at random from the long list.' Arthur shook his head realising he was in further deep shit as he opened his system to see what story he was in.

[Book Name: Epic of The Demon King Slayer]

[Difficulty: ★★★]

[Quest Conditions: In a world filled with magic, demons and adventurers, you will take up the role as Adventurer John Hart, who will save the female lead from dying. You must accompany her on her journey defeating demons and ultimately kill the demon king.]

[Quest requirements:

'Physique' Stat - 50+'Mana' Stat - 50+'Strength' Stat - 50+]

[Rewards: ?????]

[Penalties: Failure to complete this Quest once chosen will make you unable to return to your main world.]

[Disclaimer - Dying in this transmigrated world will not return you to your world!]

'I'm way out of my league here! I need to think of a plan. If the story is correct, the female lead Elizabeth Rosario, will be heading to this village to stop a demon attack in 2 week's time. And that's when I have to step in to save her.

'The main character, John Hart, that's who I am currently. An orphan boy who has trained his body to the max honing it with mana in secret, using a guide, treasured as the 'Hart Family' Heirloom, to accomplish this. But my base stats are way below the minimum requirement. I am too weak right now…' Arthur paced up and down in his medieval style room brainstorming how he could get stronger in the fastest way possible.

Meanwhile, back at the E rank Dungeon, the Xandarian Knight let out an ear piercing shriek.

"How dare you run away from me?!" It roared in anger, going on a rampage, moving like a tornado, butchering all the remaining frozen Hunters present including the C Rank Leader Voldor.

It shrieked once more, its rage still not lessening, it feasted on the torn up limbs and flesh of the humans, before disappearing into the shadows again.

"I will find you. My special prey. Kekekekeke." It laughed to itself sinisterly, its eyes gleaming red with bloodlust towards Arthur, who dared to run away from him.

In the heart of the E rank Dungeon, a deafening shriek shattered the eerie silence.

"How dare you run away from me?!" The Xandarian bellowed with fury, unleashing a relentless onslaught upon the frozen Hunters. Like a whirlwind of destruction, it tore through their ranks, leaving chaos and carnage in its wake. Even the esteemed C Rank Leader Voldor fell prey to its merciless rampage.

With each vicious strike, the Knight's rage only seemed to intensify. It reveled in the gruesome feast before it, savoring the taste of torn flesh and shattered bones. And as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished into the shadows once more, leaving behind a chilling promise.

"I will find you, my special prey," it whispered ominously, a sinister laughter echoing in the darkness. Its blood-red eyes burned with a primal hunger, fixated on Arthur, who had dared to evade its grasp.

Recalling the whole story and every minor detail of the book, Arthur had devised all the possible ways to reach the stat goal or surpass it, so when the demons arrived, he'd be ready for them.

The story consisted of 10 long chapters. Along these 10 chapters, John Hart and Elizabeth together traversed across the lands, powering up from raiding tombs and discovering inheritances left behind by other demon Hunters. That's what he would go after! Thanks to his passive skill 'Mental Library (D)', he was able to perfectly recall the story, knowing specifically where each tomb and inheritance was.

[Mental Library (D) - Every book you read will be stored in the Mental Library. You will never forget anything you have read ever again, allowing perfect recall of stories and books you have read!]

Arthur knew that he could raise his stats in this 'world' like in his previous story dive. He could also claim things and bring it back with him to the real world, if he completed the story. That's how the egg was able to come back with him. Time was ticking, he had exactly 3 months in this world's timing, before his first day for the academy. The E Rank Dungeon would also have been cleared by then.

He firmed his conviction, taking a deep breath and opening the door. He would head to the nearest Inheritance Ground left by a Demon Hunter. Arthur was unsure if anything could benefit him there, but he had a hunch it would still help him boost his stats at the minimum.

As he walked out he was greeted into the living room of the small cottage, with a small open plan kitchen to the left and a sofa to the right, the living conditions weren't too bad. That was solely due to John Hart being known as a Hunter for beasts, using his strength. Picking up the nearest sword to him, and putting on some armour, Arthur stared at himself in the mirror. He swung the blade around adjusting to its weight before sheathing it again.

With a statuesque frame, cascading locks of midnight blue hair, and a jawline carved with precision, he surveyed himself in the mirror. "Perhaps modeling isn't such a far-fetched idea," he mused, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. It seemed that his whole body was transmigrated, ignoring the actual features of the main characters in the books.

He readied himself, walking out through the door into the village. The village consisted of many other scattered cottages, and a bustling market. Arthur sped through the crowds of people.

"Hey John! Want some fresh bread?"

"Mr Hart, please buy some flowers."

"Johnny boy, I know you need new equipment. Come here! I'll give you discounts."

As Arthur sped on, he had to apologise to the market stall owners, as he was busy. It didn't take him long till he reached the dense forest surrounding the whole village.

With his senses on high alert, he made his way North, using the compass that was in his travel pouch. This world had mana also, which naturally enhanced the beasts to stronger forms, similar to his own world. Although this book was similar, Arthur still lacked in the minimum requirements set by the system. He didn't know if that would affect him, but he remained on high alert.

Danger lurked at every corner.

Awoooo!!

'A wolf pack already? I just entered this forest. Crap, they look tough!' Arthur cursed, leaping up into the canopies of the trees. A small group of 5 wolves growled, looking up at him.

'Let's see if I can use my skills.'

[Sword Qi]

As lightning mana coated Arthur's blade, with a swing a dense arc was fired down towards the wolves. 2 out of 5 of the wolves leapt away in time, however, the remaining 3 in the pack were butchered.

'Maybe I'm being too cautious.' Arthur thought, leaping down.

Click! Click!

With 2 slashes, the small pack was now deemed dead. Scanning round, Arthur knew the smell of the blood would bring in more predators, so he had to continue his journey.

'I hope the plotline doesn't change again due to my actions.' Arthur prayed, speeding onwards towards the North.

It was now a race against time. The demons would be attacking the village in 2 week's time, and Elizabeth would also be arriving. He had to get as strong as possible before then.