Estimated Read Time: 15 min
[This story is entirely fictional and has no relation to real events.]
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Elmond had gone to catch a massive crab—one that would be twice his size. It was rumored to be one of the most delicious delicacies in Mefas. Alex had yet to taste it, and Elmond wanted to surprise him. Yet, as he climbed higher, he couldn't help but be amazed himself. A six-foot gorilla was being roasted by Alex over a fire. Judging by the size, Elmond realized it wasn't a Demonic Beast, but a normal gorilla. Still, gorillas were considered intelligent creatures capable of thought. Elmond couldn't quite figure out how Alex had captured it. As far as he knew, Alex had unlocked just one attribute yesterday—specifically, the Dark Attribute, and he didn't even know any spells related to it yet.
However, Elmond had heard that Alex could use Aura energy. Maria had told him that Alex could use all kinds of energy—but Elmond had taken that lightly. Yet, because Alex could manipulate Aura energy, Elmond could sense it emanating from his body, and he now believed Maria. Elmond was elated. He understood why Maria had allowed Alex to accompany her. Alex's attributes were weak, but being able to use three types of energy would overcome his deficiency in Mana energy. In this world, only ten to twelve people could use two energies simultaneously. Therefore, Alex's offspring would be an exceptionally special human. Thinking about this sent shivers down Elmond's spine.
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Earlier, when Elmond had dived into the river, Alex had remained standing alone. The scenery was breathtaking, enough to take anyone's breath away. Yet Alex couldn't marvel at it for long. His mind was occupied with what he had just witnessed. His father was an Aura energy user, and Alex couldn't explain it as an ordinary human ability. He had just seen a real monster. A smile appeared on Alex's face. He had finally glimpsed the level of power he was chasing. Until now, he hadn't been sure of his goal. He had hoped for a power so great that no one would dare speak of it—but how it looked was still unknown. Without knowing that, he couldn't work toward his goal effectively. His motivation had been lacking. But seeing his father's destructive power today seemed to restore it. He finally understood the level of power he was chasing.
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As Alex pondered this, a gorilla charged at him. Alex was brave, but some creatures still scared him—the lion and the tiger being prime examples. Normally, when a standard beast is hit by Demonic Energy, it undergoes a physical transformation: eyes turn red, powers increase. Rarely, some beasts have the potential to become hybrids. Before coming to the forest, Alex had heard from Elmond that only two hybrids existed deep within the woods. Usually, Demonic Beasts are aggressive and act on instinct. Hybrids, however, are different. Two or three beasts merge to form a hybrid, whose intelligence approaches that of humans.
Alex's legs began to tremble. A ten-foot-tall hybrid Demonic Beast appeared before him. It had two heads—one of a tiger and one of a lion. Lions and tigers often fight over dominance, but what happens when the two unite? Before Alex stood the true king of the forest, radiating an energy so overwhelming it felt as though it could lift him off the ground. Strangely, Alex laughed, excitement coursing through him.
"Even in fear, I feel pleasure… I must be crazy."
The gorilla left Alex's side to escape, knowing the hybrid would take some time to attack him. The gorilla was clever. With a sly smile, it tossed a banana at Alex. Though eleven years old, Alex was no child and immediately understood the gorilla's trick. The gorilla was putting him in danger to save itself. Alex didn't want to lose his life here. The hybrid, thirty feet away, advanced rapidly. Alex lacked the Mana energy for his Dark Fire skill, and he had no other attack skills. His father hadn't emerged from the water yet. His only hope rested on Gluttony. Unsure if it would work, Alex called out:
"Gluttony!"
Black water spewed from Alex's body, spreading across an area of about twenty feet. The hybrid, moving swiftly, got within ten feet of him but could do nothing further. Its massive body slowly sank into the black water. This was Gluttony's effect: everything living within twenty feet was absorbed. The hybrid wasn't weak, though. Alex initially didn't notice its wings—tiger and lion wings were unusual. Likely, some bird aspect was fused with them. The hybrid's wing flaps scattered everything around. Alex began to be lifted, but the gorilla suddenly appeared, holding him from behind. Alex worried the gorilla might get absorbed, as it was helping him, but the gorilla was clever. Seeing only living things absorbed, it used a dead branch to anchor itself and protect Alex.
The hybrid continued absorbing energy through its two heads, forming a massive energy ball and shooting it at Alex.
"Boom! Kaboom!"
The blast detonated. Alex opened his eyes, surprised to find himself unharmed. The gorilla lay in an unusual position. Since the hybrid had been absorbed by Gluttony, its blast was weakened, yet still strong enough to harm Alex. At the last moment, the gorilla had positioned itself in front of Alex, taking the brunt of the attack. Gluttony fully absorbed the hybrid. Two tears ran down Alex's face for the gorilla, who had saved his life. Though the gorilla could have escaped, it chose to protect him. Alex thanked it. Gluttony left him famished, with the gorilla's body before him. He didn't initially wish to consume his savior, but he wanted to use his title properly.
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(In Alex's perspective)
It wasn't my first time eating gorilla meat. In the past, both my wife and I had eaten various creatures, including this gorilla. Though it saved me, I had no desire to misuse its body. Yet my Ring was playing a game, granting me a title: eat any creature and copy one of its skills or abilities. Gluttony could only be used once per day. I couldn't miss this opportunity, killing two birds with one stone.
"Summon Skeleton!"
I didn't know why my skills had to be activated in English—perhaps the author read more English novels. Using a drop of the gorilla's blood, I activated my skill. The Skeleton Army, gained from the previous tower, could revive skeletal bodies of any dead creature. They lacked intelligence or emotion and obeyed only my command. Though powerful, skeletons were still ordinary monsters.
As black smoke formed over the gorilla, it didn't work. Then, the Ring spoke:
"Master, the gorilla's level is higher than yours. You cannot create a skeleton army from it."
Fear struck me—hearing someone suddenly speak is enough to scare anyone.
"Level? You seem more like a game every day," I muttered.
"Master, my abilities function based on your greatest expertise. That allows you to understand all powers easily. I don't know what a game is, but perhaps your knowledge is greater in this regard."
"So… will a spinning box appear before me someday?"
The Ring said nothing. I realized perhaps because I was once a game designer, the Ring's powers were working in a game-like way. It was strange—a small slime monster granting me magical items.
I didn't let the gorilla's body decay. In this world, things are different. I took out a Fire Stone from my pocket. It contained a fire attribute spell, igniting with any energy contact. My father had given it to me for a picnic.
I planned to roast the gorilla. The surrounding scene looked like a massive battle had occurred. The gorilla, six feet tall, was too large to handle alone. I dug a small pit under it, placed the Fire Stone, and let it burn. The Fire Stone could burn for hours with minimal energy. Suddenly, the Ring spoke:
"Master, you absorbed the hybrid Demonic Beast. Enormous Demonic Energy has been stored within me. You have unlocked 5% of the Ring of Beelzebub. New abilities are available. You may gain rewards from completing missions."
I was speechless. My life was slowly becoming like a video game thanks to the Ring.
"I'm not surprised anymore. I accept reality. Are there any missions for me?"
"Master, you can randomly select a task from all over the world. You won't see the details until selection."
"All over the world?" I asked.
"Yes. Tasks range from picking up trash to becoming a kingdom's king. Completing missions grants rare skills and rewards."
"Are there limits?"
"Millions of missions exist. You may complete only ten. They progress from easy to hard. I advise leveling up quickly to select advanced tasks."
"What's my current level?"
"Master is now Level 7."
"Can I start missions now?"
"Yes. Minimum Level 5 is required to start a mission. Choose any from the screen."
The Ring projection disappeared, replaced by a vast screen with countless question marks. Choosing blindly could be risky—if I selected an impossible mission, I couldn't proceed to the next. I understood the concept immediately, having worked on the game NightMare. I hoped for an easy mission first. Selecting one, the mission details appeared. My father had just returned with a massive crab. I didn't want to act foolishly in front of him, so I put the Ring in sleep mode. He seemed astonished seeing me roast a gorilla.
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Elmond sensed Alex's Aura energy, the surroundings intense. Did Alex copy Elmond's move? He couldn't think of anything else, yet fear lingered. If Maria knew Alex had fought a gorilla while Elmond dived underwater, Elmond would regret it. Elmond inspected Alex for injuries.
"I was careless. Didn't expect a gorilla here. Are you alright, son?"
"Nothing happened. The gorilla attacked from behind, but a masked man killed it. I was hungry, so I planned to cook it."
"Masked man?"
Alex thought: My father trusts easily. Best to keep it simple.
Elmond's serious expression vanished as the roasted aroma reached him. He set his crab aside and joined Alex for a picnic. Watching Alex enjoy the gorilla meat, Elmond thought: Was there really an Aura user here? I must train Alex more at home.
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Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace, two princes were searching for the princess with their men. Knowing the princess was crucial for the crown, they abandoned grief over King Charles the Ninth's death. After searching the palace, a maid presented a letter. Reading it aloud, the princes learned the princess would stay at Duke Uvexcul's mansion. Any attempt to retrieve her would mean war with the Duke, so the princes gave up.
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Alex lay on the bed, reflecting on the afternoon. A projection screen detailed his first mission. Staring at it, he fell asleep without realizing it.
Special Mission-01
Mission: Become a Playboy
Details: Win the love of Mefas' three most beautiful women. Each must give you a kiss to prove their affection.
Objectives:
1. Elin von Uvexcul, daughter of Duke Uvexcul
2. Myra von Respon, daughter of Duke Mandelar
3. Princess Enri bin Charles, daughter of the King
Mission Reward: ?????
The projection faded after some time.
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(In Alex's dream)
A figure in black floated in the air, appearing unnatural. Most would mistake it for a ghost or think they'd gone mad. Hridoy, however, sat calmly, lightly intoxicated, ignoring the figure. He had been fired from the NightMare development team today and was trying to forget his sorrows.
The figure spoke:
"Hehe, I am Wise Maker. I grant three wishes, except for immortality. Tell me your desires."
Hridoy, amused by his intoxication, said:
*"Wise Maker, like Aladdin's genie… I wish:
1. My life becomes like a video game.
2. I marry my chosen girl.
3. I go far from this mundane world, somewhere dreamlike."*
The figure snapped its fingers and said:
"Your wishes will be granted."
The black-clad figure vanished into the air, leaving an unsettling smile behind.
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To Be Continued…