At 20:37, in the training ground, Yorichi lay unconscious on the ground—exhausted from the grueling training he had endured, and further weakened by the physical toll of the war against the Scorpion organization back on Jigwa Island.
Multicolored energy began to emanate from his body, forming a protective, shield-like layer for a few seconds before vanishing entirely, leaving behind a golden mist.
"What's happening? Why can't I speak or open my eyes? How incredibly frustrating!"
Yorichi thought to himself, struggling to open his eyes, move his mouth, or speak normally.
His attempts failed. He tried to stand up, but the result was the same—he couldn't move even an inch.
"I'm in real trouble now. It seems my body's energy has been completely drained. I'm utterly powerless; I can't do a thing."
"Is anyone there? Is there anyone around? This poor soul is going to die if no one helps!"
Yorichi's energy levels were critically low—he had almost nothing left to sustain his own life. Even ordinary humans possess a certain amount of energy within their bodies.
Taking "Gu" users as a point of comparison: ordinary humans—those unable to refine or cultivate their energy—still possess a tiny fraction of *Qi* within their "primordial sea"—roughly 0.01%—which is just enough to keep them alive. However, if one's energy is drained to the very last drop, the living being dies instantly, as their body is left devoid of life force.
Ultimately, mental, physical, and spiritual power all share one thing in common: they are forces intrinsically linked to life and death, present within any living being, regardless of its nature.
Every being requires these forces to remain alive. Even those who have attained the rank of "Master of Rulers" would perish if their energy were completely drained—for there is no such thing as truly infinite power.
In the end, if two entities possessing "infinite" power were to clash, they would inevitably deplete their reserves over time, rendering the very concept of infinity meaningless.
But let us return to the matter at hand. As a "Saint"-ranked individual, Yorichi did not possess infinite power; he required energy to activate his dimensional space and his own spiritual realm—a means to restore his strength or achieve a similar effect.
Yorichi exhaled sharply through his nose, attempting to clear his mind so he could resolve the predicament he had brought upon himself. His life hung in the balance, and there was no one nearby to assist him.
"Attention... I am Yorichi de Moliar, heir to the Duchy of Moliar. I call for aid from anyone nearby who carries the blood or the crest of the House of Moliar. I repeat: I require assistance!"
"I am currently in Training Hall No. 5, on the west side of the city of Yusbikers. Hurry—I have no time to spare!" In the city of Yusbikers, a message from Yurichi reached twenty-five individuals—among them Grey, his cousin; Siuk, who bore the family crest; and Reinhardt, the head of the Duchy of De Moliar and Yurichi's father.
"Yurichi is in real trouble! I have to help him!" Grey exclaimed, his expression filled with concern as he gazed toward Yurichi's location.
Elsewhere, Siuk watched as the family crest began to glow with a cold, crimson light, manifesting a dome that completely enveloped the city of Yusbikers.
"Someone wants to kill Yurichi while he's completely drained. Humans are nothing but scum; the moment they spot a weakness, they'll exploit it and devour you alive!"
With that, Siuk vanished, heading straight for those who sought to take Yurichi's life.
"That wretch, Yurichi de Moliar! If I kill him, I'll finally be able to join the Masters' Class! Hahahaha!"
One of the individuals spoke with gleeful, ecstatic anticipation, already imagining himself as a student of the Masters' Class.
Reality, however, had other plans. Without any warning, Siuk appeared directly above him, leaving the man momentarily stunned before he scrambled away.
Perched atop a building, Siuk wore an arrogant, mocking smile.
"Ah, Siuk—a student of the Masters' Class! Welcome! Tell me, how about you hand over your spot in the Masters' Class to me?" "So, my..."
Before the person could finish his sentence, his head was reduced to a mass of flesh and bone. Fragments of his skull, brain matter, and eyes scattered into the air as his body collapsed to the ground, warm, crimson blood gushing profusely from the remains.
"I have no time to listen to your trivial nonsense or your futile arrogance."
Seok spoke coldly, his gaze shifting toward the location of his next target.
"The De Molière family is truly impressive. Even though they were the ones who proposed a contract—contingent upon my assistance in their war—they still saw fit to impose their own conditions. No matter; I shall honor the agreement. Eliminating twelve traitors in two hours—that will be an entertaining challenge. It's been years since I've killed anyone of my own volition."
"Hahahaha! Hahaha! Hahahaha! This is going to be so much fun! Watching their bodies torn apart—what a delightful spectacle that will be! The Ruler of Curses has returned, and beautiful, crimson blood shall paint the entire city of Yuspeakers! Seventeen souls—they shall be my first masterpieces! Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"
Seok's words were laced with an intense, manic fervor and a bloodthirsty lust—emotions potent enough to strike terror into the hearts of anyone nearby.
Part of his very being was a curse that demanded slaughter. As a hybrid—half-curse, half-human—his murderous instincts and cravings were amplified, yet he possessed the absolute ability to keep them under his complete control.
Seok vanished from the spot, a dark, crimson-tinged aura swirling violently around his body. A few buildings away, a woman who appeared to be in her twenties was leaping across the rooftops with great speed, a malicious grin plastered on her face.
"My mission is nearly complete. Five years of patience—now it's time to reap the rewards! Hahahaha! I'm just so happy!"
"And I'm far happier than you—whatever your name might be."
The woman was caught off guard by a voice dripping with mockery and a terrifying, murderous intent; her face drained of all color.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Her voice was laced with fear and dread.
Yet, Seok remained silent for a split second before slicing her in two, his face illuminated by a look of pure ecstasy.
The woman's expression froze in shock as crimson blood and the food she had consumed spilled from her body; her entrails tumbled onto the ground, scattering remnants of her meal all around.
Seok tossed the woman's corpse aside and continued on his way. Thanks to the dome he had erected, he was virtually invincible—though he had to hurry, as his power could only be sustained for a limited window of fifteen minutes.
Elsewhere, in the training grounds where Yorichi lay, Reinhardt stood before him, observing his incapacitated form.
Using his ability to manipulate the concepts of life and time, Reinhardt healed Yorichi, restoring his body to its natural state.
Yorichi's eyes fluttered open, his face etched with bewilderment.
"Thank you... I won't forget this..."
But as his gaze fell upon Reinhardt, shock washed over him. He scrambled to his feet, his face betraying clear signs of terror.
Reinhardt watched as Yorichi stared fixedly at the ground, the very scent of fear radiating from his body.
"Why would you do something so foolish? Do you wish to die, Yorichi? Your actions are reckless—they bring nothing but disgrace upon yourself and your family!"
Yorichi's expression remained one of shock, his hand clenching into a tight, forceful fist.
"I am sorry. It will not happen again." Reinhart did not say a single word, which only served to further unsettle Yorichi's state of mind.
"What is this?" Reinhart muttered in surprise, staring at a system interface floating within his field of vision.
[Ruler Quests]
Quest Giver: ????????
Objective: Improve your relationship with your son, Yorichi de Moliar, and help him overcome his complex.
Deadline: Dawn on May 29th.
Reward: Essence of a Fantasy World Demon.
Penalty: Death.
Quest Conditions:
* Improve Yorichi's mental state.
* The use of any form of mental manipulation is prohibited.
* Actions must be spontaneous and genuine.
Reinhart gazed at the system interface, bewildered; he had never possessed a system, nor had he ever heard of anything called "Ruler Quests."
*But why would it want me to improve my relationship with my son, Yorichi de Moliar, and help him break free from his complex?*
These thoughts swirled through his mind.
Upon seeing the reward—the "Essence of a Fantasy World Demon"—he recalled information he had come across in books belonging to Alessandra and Zhao Li, as well as details gleaned from encounters with rulers of other territories. He realized, then, that he had to obtain it at any cost.
After all, advancing beyond the ORR-5 rank—or even jumping up one or three full ranks—was something that relied entirely on sheer luck.
Reinhart turned his attention back to Yorichi, scrutinizing every inch of his son's frame, before placing a hand firmly upon his shoulder. Signs of unease appeared on Yorichi's face, and his body trembled slightly; he harbored a deep-seated fear of his father, Reinhardt, stemming from the way he had been treated as a child.
"Your battle against 'Scorpion: Light and Shadow'—one of the leaders of the Scorpion organization's inner council—is something you should be proud of."
Yorichi looked at his father in disbelief, instinctively taking a few steps back. After all, a trauma that had persisted for years could not simply be undone by a single remark.
"Haa... how about we take a little walk?"
With that, Reinhardt walked away, leaving Yorichi standing where he was, struggling to process what had just happened.
"Should I follow him? What am I supposed to do? If I don't go, he'll punish me, just like always."
Yorichi moved toward his father, who was waiting for him at the exit of the training grounds.
A few seconds later, Yorichi stood before Reinhardt and asked in a voice barely above a whisper:
"Where are we going?"
Reinhardt glanced around, searching for a way forward; he had to address his son's trauma and mend their relationship—all within a very limited amount of time.
Moreover, human emotions are notoriously difficult to mend or even fully comprehend. He remained still for several minutes before finally breaking the silence.
"We'll just wander around. I don't have any particular destination in mind."
Yorichi looked at his father with a mix of confusion and suspicion, then nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's go." Yorichi and Reinhardt wandered through the city of Yusbikers for several hours.
Their relationship, however, improved only slightly; silence remained their constant companion. Reinhardt did not know what to say, while Yorichi felt uneasy about the sudden shift in their dynamic.
Reinhardt sighed in frustration, yet he did not give up. After all, the very essence of the "Fantasy World Demon" was at stake, and he was not prepared to lose it simply because he struggled to express his feelings.
"Listen to me, Yorichi. I know I have been far too harsh with you over the past few years, and yet..."
"I'll be blunt: I was arrogant and selfish, concerned only with my own interests. I am not asking for your forgiveness; I was a poor father who treated his son with tyranny."
"Even so, iron must be forged to become a weapon. You cannot craft a weapon by being gentle with the metal."
"You have grown strong at a young age. By fifteen, you had already reached the rank of Saint. I am proud of you, Yorichi—I hadn't even reached your level when I was your age."
"Really?"
Reinhardt looked at Yorichi for a few seconds before speaking.
"Of course not! I was far stronger than that! Don't believe every rumor you hear about me! Hahahahahahahaha!"
A look of annoyance crossed Yorichi's face as he stared at Reinhardt.
"Well, I suppose you would have to be—your talent is truly terrifying." Yorichi stopped speaking, his gaze fixed on Reinhardt's hand resting upon his shoulder.
"Listen to me, son—do not compare yourself to others. Do you understand? You are Yorichi, and I am Reinhardt. Or rather, I would advise you not to forget that you are still nothing but trash."
His tone was laced with a heavy dose of mockery and derision.
Yorichi's expression became unreadable; he could not utter a single word. He had never expected to hear such things from the very person who had always been the one to compare him to others.
Reinhardt clenched his fist in resignation as he looked at his son, Yorichi, then spoke as calmly as he possibly could."Listen to me carefully. There is something you need to know, alright? I realize that what I'm about to say might sound strange—hard to believe, even."
"You know about the deaths of your mother, as well as the mothers of Lucy, Beatrice, and Grey, don't you?"
Yorichi nodded in acknowledgment, and Reinhardt continued.
"Your mother, my brother's wife, and the others—they died because they couldn't withstand the power you possess. After you were born, your powers were automatically sealed."
"Furthermore, I myself would have died when I tried to stop you during that state of frenzy you fell into back then—had it not been for the seal. You are powerful—to a degree that is almost impossible to imagine."
"That is why I was always so harsh with you—to push you to bring out the best in yourself. It wasn't that I hated you. I wanted to mold you into someone I could never be: a reliable head of the family, a dependable father. I am sorry, Yorichi—truly."
"I know you likely won't forgive me; I am not the sort of person whose achievements are worth taking pride in."
Reinhardt's tone was heavy with sorrow and regret, which caught Yorichi by surprise.
Yorichi looked toward Reinhardt, whose expression was difficult to decipher—tinged with a profound sense of sadness.
"I forgive you, Father. Thank you for telling me the truth. I think I need to get some rest; I'm still quite drained—mentally, at least."
A warm smile spread across Reinhardt's face as he gently stroked Yorichi's hair.
"Good night."
"Good night to you, too." Yorichi left the scene immediately without another word, leaving Reinhardt behind—his gaze cold, devoid of even a shred of emotion.
At that moment, the system interface appeared before him once more.
[Ruler's Quests]
Quest Giver: ????????
Objective: Improve your relationship with your son, Yorichi de Moliar, and help him overcome his inner turmoil.
Deadline: Dawn on May 29th.
Reward: Essence of the Fantasy World Demon.
Penalty: Death.
Quest Conditions:
* Improve Yorichi's psychological state.
* The use of any form of mental manipulation is strictly prohibited.
* All actions must be genuine and spontaneous.
[The host, Reinhardt, has completed the quest assigned by the Ruler ????????]
[Loading reward... Please wait.]
[Reward: Essence of the Fantasy World Demon.]
Reinhardt gazed at the black gem—roughly the size of an infant's palm—a look of satisfaction crossing his face.
Then, another system window appeared, piquing his curiosity.
[Would you like to view information regarding the Essence of the Fantasy World Demon?]
[Yes] or [No]
Reinhardt selected "Yes," a faint smile playing on his lips. His existing knowledge about the Essence of the Fantasy World Demon was extremely superficial—even the accounts found in the books of Zao Li and Alessandra offered little detail. [Essence of the Fantasy World Demon]
[Information: The Essence of the Fantasy World Demon is formed from the demise of a fantasy world. It serves as a foundational material, allowing a mortal fantasy world to undergo a series of evolutions until it transforms into a "Fantasy World Demon"—an entity that consumes other fantasy worlds.
However, if the Essence of the Fantasy World Demon is refined before the world fully transforms into such a demon, the refiner gains the power of every entity that ever existed within that world, from the very first to the very last.
Rank: Beyond-Existence.
Rarity: One of the rarest treasures in the story "I'm Inside My Novel."]
A look of surprise crossed Reinhardt's face as he stared at the "Rarity" field.
"One of the rarest treasures in the story 'I'm Inside My Novel'?"
He didn't fully grasp the implications, but one thing was clear: this treasure was priceless, and whoever possessed it was a force to be reckoned with.
Furthermore, it made him suspect that some game was being played behind the scenes—a game he knew nothing about. Consequently, he decided to consume the Essence of the Fantasy World Demon. As an entity of the ORR-05 level and a Tier 2 Wing Master, he was capable of withstanding the power unleashed by the essence.
Reinhardt remained in deep contemplation, staring at the essence for hours—until the clock struck 2:56, to be precise.
He opened his eyes and looked down at his own body, a smile of pure ecstasy spreading across his face.
Then, he spoke with overwhelming joy as he assessed his newfound power:
"I have ascended to the rank of Trans-Omnipotent! Still... I'm going to need a good, long rest." "I think five months will be sufficient; after all, my body hasn't fully adjusted to this power yet."
"That's fair enough—nothing in this world comes for free. Even though I've gained a terrifying level of power, I won't be able to wield more than that of an ORR-05 rank fighter during this period."