Chapter 116: The Demon Realm’s Spirits

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[You exchanged 20000 Plot Points.]

[You learned the [Spirit’s Little Sister (C++ Rank Privilege)] Privilege!]

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[Spirit’s Little Sister (C++ Rank Privilege)]

You’re the Spirit’s Beloved Little Sister. Any Spirit will usually favor you and see you in a good light.

This Privilege gives you the ability to communicate with Spirits, from all Worlds. It might even help you get their help or even create Contracts with them, but that will only depend on whether the Spirits can trust you.

The higher your CHM Stat becomes, the more likely Spirits are to appear around you, be attracted to you, or act friendly with you. Additionally, based on the CHM Stat, Spirit Contracts will strengthen the higher they are, making the contracted spirit equally stronger.

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[The Power of these Privileges is further improving your Innate [######]!]

[Your [######] is growing stronger…]

[Your high Charm Stat is beginning to activate automatically. Spirits around this area are being drawn to your presence!]

The moment I acquired the new Privilege, I knew things would get a bit… messy. Several spheres of light started emerging from my surroundings. Some came from dead, withered trees; others from the ground; and some from the skies.

They resembled spheres of different colors, without defined shapes. These were the weakest type of spirit, Lesser Spirits, they make up the World’s Elements and are trillions in numbers spread everywhere.

They’re very weak, and I can’t do much with them, but if I accumulate many together, I could do a few things, at the very least.

“H-Hello, nice to meet you... Uwaah! You guys sure are lively."

I was swarmed by them as they rested over my entire body, flocking me like butterflies around a huge flower. Their presence felt faint, yet it was relaxing.

[The [Lesser Darkness Spirits] seem to like you.]

[The [Lesser Earth Spirits] seem to find you interesting!]

[The [Lesser Sky Spirits] seem to think you’re pretty.]

[The [Lesser Death Spirits] are wondering if you’ve got a boyfriend.]

They sure are... a unique bunch.

As I sat above the fortress I just made, I closed my eyes and started to meditate. I might as well use this opportunity to use their additional Spiritual Energy, a rare resource that only Spirits possess.

FLASH!

My Physique activated slowly as the Spirits flocking my body turned into Spiritual Essence one after another, slowly and willingly flying inside my body. It felt as if my Physique was slowly evolving.

[Large quantities of {Spiritual Energy} are flowing inside your Physique!]

[Your Physique is beginning to slowly improve!]

[A Hidden Trait might soon emerge from within your Physique…]

This is perfect!

Among the materials I need to improve my Physique into its greater form, one of the rarest was Spiritual Energy! I never thought I would get an ideal privilege that would give me such a resource so readily.

Now, let’s just relax for the next time until everyone’s break. Close my eyes and breathe in and out. Concentrate on the root of the Spirit’s origins. With the Eyes of Truth, even as I am with my eyes closed, my mind becomes the eyes.

And with my mind, I can see it.

FLASH!

Countless roots are made of spiritual energy, perhaps much fainter than how it would be in other worlds such as Earth, but still there, existing.

Although this world has been ravaged and “filtered” by them, life still persists, and Spirits still remain. They don’t want to give their world away.

They don’t want to give up what they have built; the Realm of the Demons might be one of the lowest within the Dimensional Map.

But it is a world that is still worth saving.

So please, Spirits… Lend me your strength.

I know you have also been seeing them.

You’ve been looking at them, haven’t you?

Their growth and development... this entire time.

[The Spirits of the Realm of Demons are listening to your words.]

[They are answering your will and your hope.]

[Temporarily, the {Spiritual Roots} of your surroundings have connected to your Soul and Physique.]

[A tremendous quantity of Spiritual Energy is now flowing into your Soul and Physique!]

[Your Physique is drastically evolving!]

[Your Soul is beginning to slowly mutate through the spiritual energy!]

[Your Soul is too weak! It is slowly breaking apart due to the pressure…]

“That’s not going to happen.”

I took out the [Ramses’ Soul Eating Urn] filled a bottle with Soul Wine, and slowly drank the sweet wine as my Soul and Body were being permeated by the Spiritual Energies.

[You have consumed [Ramses’ Soul Wine], and your Soul is slowly beginning to recover from the damage it has taken.]

[The Spiritual Energy is tempering your soul as it recovers.]

[Your Physique is growing stronger.]

[Your Cosmic Heart Core is beginning to react to these energies…]

[Cosmic Energy recovery has been partially increased.]

It’s working… I can’t reach the heights I want with this little time, but at the very least, I’ll grab as much Spiritual Energy as I need.

Conveniently, the Spirits of this world are too weakened to act arrogant; perhaps they’re submissive not only due to my high Charm, but because they’re trying to hold onto any hope that could protect their world.

And I won’t abuse their innocence; I’ll do my best to help the people of this world keep on living, so this world, in exchange, can one day flourish once more.

[The {Spirits of the Demon Realm} are very happy over your sincere thoughts.]

[Even if your help might seem insignificant, it is said that although a single drop of water is nothing, many can create waves that change the world.]

[Over time, your efforts might create an opportunity…]

Let’s do our best, then!

…

Once I opened my eyes, I felt like everything around me seemed much brighter and much more detailed. It wasn’t just my Eyes of Truth’s effects, but it also felt like my body had slightly reached something higher.

My body felt slightly more toned, and my soul was much larger than before! In fact, it felt like it was trying to overflow from my body! Not yet a Psyche, but it’s getting closer to that.

[The power of Spiritual Energy has improved your Physique.]

[Your [Physique]: [Twelve Colored Stars Physique (Tier 2: Rank 5)] has been enhanced to Tier 2: Rank 7!]

[All your Stats have increased.]

[You gained +100 Ki.]

[Your Soul has been strengthened by the Spiritual Energy. It is bursting with excess energy!]

[To properly tamper your Soul into shape, you must now consume it…]

“Consume my own soul…”

[“So you need to consume it now? Huh, perhaps turning me into my Demonic Form could do it? It does absorb Soul and Health.”]

“Maybe, but that’s too slow; I’ve got a much better method… I’ll use this excess soul energy with a different tool that was recently repaired. But that’ll be for later.”

For now, I should assess another thing that just happened.

Ding!

[You’ve fulfilled [Character: Inferna] wishes of bringing hope to her people and making her stronger.]

[You may choose one Skill to copy through the [Eyes of Truth] Skill: [Jack of all Trades (A)] [Guardian (A)] [Demonic Spear Master (S)]

[You’ve fulfilled [Character: Isaac] to give him the ability to help others and be of some use…]

[You may choose one Skill to copy through the [Eyes of Truth] Skill: [Cheerful Aura (B)] [Beasts Friend (A)] [Healing Touch (S)]

"It looks like I’ve completed the requirements for a while now… Unlike people on Earth, Demons are much easier to help accomplish their wishes…”

[“What do you mean with wishes?”]

Gram had no idea that I could copy skills through the Eye of Truth.

“Just look.”

I quickly chose my options, as both Skills were instantly copied, and born within my own body, it felt almost magical. The last time I did this was with Baihe, I think. It feels good. I can do it again!

“I think I’ve made up my mind; the choices should be quite obvious…” I smiled. “This might end up speeding up my plans for the better.”

Ding!

[You’ve chosen the [Jack of All Trades (A): Lv1] Innate Skill!]

[You’ve chosen the [Healing Touch (S): Lv1] Innate Skill!]

[Both of the Learned Skills have been stored within the {Library of Knowledge} contained in your [Divine Eye of Truth (S)]!]

[The [Divine Eye of Truth (S): Lv3] Skill Level has increased.]

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[Jack of All Trades (A): Lv1]

[Skill EXP: 0/1000]

A Special Skill that only very talented people can learn, yet they aren’t so talented as to master specializations either.

Grants the ability to learn a maximum of 10 Skills that are below this Skill’s Rank, as long as the user can physically imitate the Skill’s effects up to a small extent.

Additionally, it grants the ability to teach a maximum of 1 Skill to a target that can physically learn the skill and has the talent. The Skills that can be taught are any, as long as they’re below this Skill’s Rank.

Learned Skills (0/10): None.

Level Bonus (1): Increases Learned Skill Effects by +10%, and their Skill EXP Earning Rate by +25%.

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[Healing Touch (S): Lv1]

[Skill EXP: 0/1000]

A Special Skill that only those who desire to heal others and help anybody no matter what can learn.

It allows the user to channel Mana or other energies and heal any minor wounds through physical contact using their own hands.

The Healing Rate is based on 50% of the INT Stat, the higher the stat, the more chances there are to be able to heal a target from Diseases or Status Effects.

Through the process of healing, it is also possible to transfer Mana or other energies to a target, creating different results depending on the target.

Level Bonus (1): Increases Healing Power by +15% and the chances of Healing a Target from Diseases or other Status Effects by +10%.

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Healing Touch might seem strange, as it is S Rank yet its effects aren’t as insane. Until you realize that the Skill has no Mana cost, it can be used indefinitely and without any cost. That by itself is incredible, and of course, it can also be used on the wielder.

Both of them have really good Skills, and they’ll sure be useful. Though their potential for Skill Fusion will be even higher, I’ve already thought about a few of these.

For now, with the Jack of all Trades Skill and the Healing Touch Skill, I can impart one extra Skill to everyone that can learn it, and I'll also be able to heal everyone much faster, so Isaac can concentrate in one area and not have to be thrown around everywhere.

This will make things much faster!

“Let’s go!”

I quickly moved back to the hideout and met up with everyone. Things went as discussed, and we moved to the surface once more with the warriors, including Inferna this time around.

We decided to move to the cave where the last Blood Thralls were hiding. The cave was much deeper than we imagined, and the Demons called it the “Cave of No Return” for being famously known to have made many people get lost in there and never come back.

“This cave… It has tempted many to come here due to its rich ores. We thought that if we could have them, we could make good weapons and fight. But anybody who came here never returned.” Inferna sighed.

“Don’t worry, we won’t get lost in here.” I smiled.

Thanks to my Eyes of Truth, such a thing was impossible to happen. Combining its effects with Mana Sense, I was able to easily detect the whole cave area and safely lead my party down to the deepest parts, where a swarm of Blood Thralls greeted us, hissing against the divine light I conjured.

“{Blinding Shine}!”

FLASH!

“Shyaaah!”

“Gruooh!”

“Cryeeeh!”

“Now! While they’re blinded, attack!” I commanded. “Remember to try to strike them twice with your blows!”

“RAAAH!”

There were many more than I had previously imagined; the battle was beyond rough for everyone. I could have soloed them myself, but that would have lost the purpose. I dedicated myself to healing and imparting knowledge on fighting skills, helping them learn a couple of Skills through my copied Jack of All Trades Skill.

“I’ll keep you healthy! Keep fighting! Remember to aim at the vitals!” I roared. “Attack twice as much as you can; make it feel like every single one of your blows hit twice instead of once!”

“T-This is ridiculous! There are Blood Thralls everywhere!”

“Urgh, don’t be a coward; we’ve come here for this reason!”

“Dammit, you damn beasts! Die already!”

“Don’t lose your formation! Stay together!” Inferna commanded.

“All of you must learn Twin Cutter no matter what!” I said.

The most important skill they had to learn was, of course, Twin Cutter! I also made sure Inferna learned it through my own Jack of All Trades Skill, so she could save her own Skill’s Slots.

“It goes deeper and deeper; this is sure a huge cave.” I laughed.

“I never thought we would go so far…”

“There are so many jewels!”

“I wonder if they could have been worth anything back then, when there was a society…”

We kept moving deeper as I healed and buffed everyone. Sometimes giving them some rations so they can keep their Stamina high. The Blood Thralls were many, and like rats, they knew how to hide well, but I found them without one missing thanks to my eyes.

“We’ve been killing them for hours! Just how many of you guys are out there?!”

“We’ve at least killed over forty by now... But they’re so spread out that it’s hard to locate them all at once.”

“Come on, let’s keep going; we should be soon at the end of the road,” I said. “A few more meters down..."

After so long, we finally reached the depths of the Cave of No Return, which had tempted those to come here thanks to its rich quantities of magical minerals. In the deepest part, the caves were naturally illuminated by them, with many colors.

“So many jewels and ores!”

“Is that Demonite?!”

“Crimson Copper!”

“Blood Crystals!”

“Ooh?! There’s even some Abyssitite!”

There were a lot of ores and gems that were unique to the Demon Realm. I might as well mine them to gather some resources myself. And leave the rest for them to mine later on.

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

Imbuing Ki into my bare hands, I punched the walls here and there, making sure to be careful not to create cave-ins, as I mined dozens of crystals and ores, storing them inside my Inventory.

[You’ve gathered [Demonite Ore (C+ Rank)] x22!]

[You’ve gathered [Crimson Copper Ore (D+ Rank)] x31!]

[You’ve gathered [Blood Crystals (B Rank)] x11!]

[You’ve gathered [Abyssitite (A Rank)] x8!]

[How Lucky! All Gathered Items Ranks have increased by One!]

I’m sure Hilda will be pleased with these materials.

“GRRRHH….”

Suddenly, as we moved deeper into the caves while slaying the Blood Thralls, we heard a monstrous roar, not like anything we’d ever heard coming from these caves.

Two enormous red eyes opened amidst the darkness, slowly moving forward to reveal a monstrous humanoid-shaped beast as big as twenty meters.

Its body was rotten, showing clear bones, its sharp ribs piercing its own chest like spikes, and its spine growing longer like a tail with a spear tip.

Its head resembled the skull of a wolf, covered in rotten flesh and blood, with two empty eyes.

[The [Blood Thrall Wendigo King (A+++ Rank)] has woken up from his slumber…]

[He’s thirsty for blood and hungry for flesh.]

[The King bares his fangs at you and your Party!]

I guess I’ll have to step in for this one.

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