The morning sun slowly dances on the eastern horizon. As dawn breaks, the sky transforms from a deep, starless canvas to a magnificent painting of soft hues—vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows that paint a mesmerizing scene. Birds begin to chirp cheerfully, welcoming the new day with a chorus of enthusiasm.
A beautiful morning…
I've been putting this off for years. But now, it's time for me to get ready. The journey would take about two hours if I were to run at full speed, but there's no need to rush. I have all the time in the world. I can take in the scenery, observing the subtle changes around me.
Let's summarize the progress I've made over the years.
Name: ???
Race: Wrathling Phantom
EP: 7002
Skills:
* Intrinsic Skills
* Pain Nullification: A complete erasure of physical pain, allowing me to fight without being hindered by injury.
* Holy Attack Resistance: The ability to withstand attacks of the holy element, although its effectiveness is not absolute.
* Magic Resistance: The power to neutralize magical attacks, though its efficacy depends on the strength of the incoming spell.
* Mental Attack Resistance: Provides protection against mental assaults and mind-based interference.
* Semi-physical body: My body is not entirely solid, making it difficult to harm with conventional physical attacks. I exist as a blend of spiritual and physical matter.
* Unique Skills
*
* Natural Element Manipulation: I can control natural elements, with the exception of the holy element. However, my control is still unstable, occasionally acting beyond my will.
* Undead Energy Manipulation: The ability to manipulate energy related to the undead, such as creating or controlling low-level undead creatures.
* Soul Manipulation (Locked): This ability seems tied to my very essence but remains locked. I can feel it, but I cannot yet use it.
* Substance Manipulation: The power to alter the composition of materials, currently only applicable to inanimate objects.
*
* Penetrating Attack: My physical and energy attacks can bypass an opponent's defenses, ignoring most shields or armor.
* Energy Absorber: When my attacks successfully land, I absorb a portion of the opponent's energy, be it magical or vital.
*
* Thinking Acceleration: Speeds up my thought process by thousands of times, allowing for instantaneous analysis and decision-making.
* Analysis: Allows me to analyze objects or phenomena I see, dissecting their structure, weaknesses, and characteristics.
*
* Stealth: Hides my presence from both sight and magical detection. I can blend into the environment, becoming like a ghost.
* Energy Absorber: A passive ability that continuously siphons magical energy from my surroundings, providing me with a seemingly endless supply of power as long as I am in a magic-rich environment.
* Ultimate Skills
* None
Not bad, though still far from the level of the Demon Lords, or that certain slime.
I begin to move. With steps as light as the wind, I traverse the barren, devastated land—a landscape that has only known destruction. My eager eyes scan for a path forward, and I dart across the wasteland like a wind spirit moving between the mortal and ethereal realms. My incredible speed makes me seem like an uncatchable shadow.
As far as the eye can see, there is only ruin. The scorched remnants of what were once magnificent cities, burnt trees, and cracked earth. Who knows how many centuries have passed since this land witnessed such a tragedy.
I know the story. This is Land of the Dead, the place where two of the strongest Demon Lords, Guy Crimson and Milim Nava, had their monumental battle. In her youthful fury, Milim lost control after her beloved dragon, Chaos Dragon Gaia, was killed by a greedy kingdom. As a result, Milim unleashed her Unique Skill,
Legend says the magical energy released during that fight was so immense and corrosive that it permanently damaged the spatial fabric, leaving behind a pollution that could not be cleansed. The land here became incredibly unstable, and the monsters born from this magical chaos take on bizarre and grotesque forms. They are influenced by the lingering chaotic energy that never fades.
Suddenly, a voice echoes in my mind.
That's
"I can feel it, too," I think to myself. "It's likely a creature born from this energy pollution. Don't worry, this is a good opportunity to test our progress."
I continue my pace, hiding in the shadows with the help of
Ahead, a strange creature emerges from the ground. Its form is a fusion of a Golem and a Spectre, composed of rubble and churning magical energy. Its eyes glow with a fierce red light, and its fractured body moves with erratic, unnatural movements.
I ignore the warning. Instead, I increase my speed. Using "Is this all?" I ask myself. "Or should I try something new?"
I focus, gathering the magical energy I have absorbed from the environment. I try to combine it with "Success," I whisper, satisfied. "Now we can continue."
Finally, after a long journey through the ruins, I see it—the ocean.
From a distance, the sea appears like a giant, endless canvas, colored by the sparkling sunlight dancing on the blue and green waves. Small waves chase each other, creating a rhythm that is both soothing and energetic, while a gentle breeze carries a refreshing salty scent. This vast expanse of sea exudes both serenity and mystery, inviting all who see it to contemplate and imagine the untouched depths and the life hidden beneath its ripples.
I arrive at the cliff. Below, the vast blue sea and colorful magical energy intertwine to create a harmonious atmosphere. This is the end of my journey. No one knows that beneath this cliff lies a hidden cave. A place I left behind many years ago.
And now, I am back. To finally face what I have left behind.
This journey is just the beginning.