I walked into the room first, malice at the ready. Since Douge was in here that probably meant there would be a strong monster guarding him,most likely city rank. Just like Liliandra's room, this one had a few key differences from all the other rooms. Just like the first room I had been in there was this structure in the center surrounded by a thick wall of trees. The building was a church much smaller than the cathedral I had started out in but with that same black and purple marble. The church's sides were thick buttresses that led up to flying buttresses; they helped to break up the square and blocky shape of the church. The Church's roof was steep with multiple pinnacles punctuating it. The church looked old and decrepit with half of the front completely missing revealing a well, size nave, pews were strewn out to the side as a solitary figure stood in the center.

  “ I can't get a reading on that thing, how about you?” I asked

  “ It's definitely strong. city rank at least,il I don't think I can hurt it yet. And Douge is somewhere in that church, I think he's unconscious. His aura is faint but unmistakable.” She replied.

  “ Okay. All going first. I know I can get past city ranks mana defense. Support me?”

  “ Of course.”

  Malice at the ready I walked in. My body was tense ready to respond to any attack. The monster didn't move to attack instead. Only shifted its weight slightly. It was a humanoid skeleton with thick plate armor and a sword larger than its body slung to its back. This was different from the skeletons I had fought in before; those were just shambling, mindless monsters but I felt something coming from this one in intelligence. I stopped five feet from the monster and it looked at me, scurrying bugs crawled out of the armor. Each bug scurried across The ebony collared Bones of the skeleton some crawled into its mouth others into its eyes. They seemed to settle in place in a faint purple light like eyeballs began to Glow in the skeleton's head.

  “ Challenger.” The monster said. “ You have come to fight, no?” I was taking them back by the regal voice this monster produced.

  “ I came for a friend. If I must fight you to get to him then I will.” I replied

  “ I know the one you seek. He challenged me and lost. He now sits unconscious in the back food for my brethren.” My lips curled into a sneer.

  “ So a fight it is.” The monster drew its blade and with unimaginable speed the blade was already at my neck. I heard Liliandra shout something from behind. As fast as possible, I brought malice to block what the force of the blow was too great. Smacking the gun into my face sending me reeling through the air I crashed into a couple of pews shattering them into splinters.

  “ Your friend.” The monster spoke.” We'll have to wait outside while we finish our duel.” I grew in pain as I got up. The monster was too fast. It was already on me again. A blade of flames erupted from malice as I blocked his next attack. This time I was able to put momentum and force behind my block successfully fending off the attack. The monster didn't relent though one strike after another came my way, his long thick blade cutting through the air like leaving a faint shimmer of Mana behind. After a successful reposit against the monster's chest, I jumped back the mana now thick in the air crackled with explosive energy as explosions trailed each arch. They were nowhere near hurting me but extremely disorienting. I let out a stream of flameshots in the general direction of the monster, each one exploding but none hitting their mark. Where was Liliandra? I thought to myself. I didn't have time to look back for her. Another onslaught of attacks came The difference in sword fighting capabilities was glaringly obvious. I had begun to master the basics but was nowhere near the skill of this monster Douge had spoken about forms and techniques he would try to teach me after I finished learning but we had never gotten there.

  “ What…style….are ..you….using?” I asked between clashes.

  “ I am a master of the lightning form.” The monster said. “ I see you have mastered the basics but I can tell you are but a novice at swordsmanship despite your strength and speed.” The monster spun pulling its blade close to increase its speed using the momentum the monster's blade struck out hitting me inside. The gash was deep, my blood seeping out and soaking my clothes as the attack sent me flying across the room again and thankfully didn't cut me in half.

  “ Let me educate you.”

  Blinding pain clouded my vision as I tried to stand up again. Something was broken. A rib? Liliandra can heal that when I finish this fight. Malice was heavy in my hand.

  “ The lightning form is one of the six core martial forms used in every aspect of war.” The monster performed a kata moving smoothly from one stance to another as it waited for me to steady myself.”

  “ Six? I was told there are only four.” I spared a glance for Liliandra. I wasn't worried for her but if she was being attacked and overwhelmed I might not get my healing.

  “ Whom has ever taught you is a charlatan. It is just the basics in any training. The six form Wind,Water,Fire,Earth, Lightning, and metal!” The monster was shouting at this point. Liliandra was still outside the church, thick iron bars had appeared like a cage to separate us. A mountain of skeletons laid at her feet as she spun and danced around her wind scythe cleaving the monsters that attacked her in half.

  “ Metal?” I asked. Douge had talked about the four elements corresponding with specific martial styles often used to augment one's combat abilities beyond the basics of swordplay. They complement each other. Often someone would learn the martial style associated with the first elemental affinity. Unlike the military training I had gotten when I was going to school, this combat style was specifically formed to work with magic and the specific quirks and challenges that it came with.

  “ Yes I said metal you dullard. Your short and impromptu lesson is at the end. Let us proceed with the hands on portion.” The monster rushed again. The temptation to use overclock was overwhelming but my life wasn't in immediate danger. This monster was only using swordsmanship and was starting to doubt he could even use magic aside from the trailing mana explosions. so I had an advantage. I dismissed the blade form I'm mentally commanded malice to switch over to a rockshell. Holding the trigger down mana swarmed around him with a simple command. Protect. A thick layer of rock shaped to my body. My strength is my strongest asset. If I can't beat him in swordplay then I'll just beat him with my fist. The monster's sword connected with my forearm. The Rock shattered and splintered but quickly reformed protecting my body from harm. You would think having a layer of rock around you would feel sluggish however I moved with speed quickly throwing a left hook into the monster's face. The attack sent him reeling and stumbling backwards. I quickly dashed away pulling out a fire crystal from my inventory. I ate the crystals.

  [Stat strength plus 5]

  The monster recovered quickly, his blade slashing a large arc through the air. Mana filled in the void of air quickly. Crackling with energy. I didn't pause meeting him with my own attack. Shards of rock fly out in every direction as the monster's attacks chipped away at my defenses. For every attack I took I dished out on in return the monster's armor cracking with each hit. Bugs poured out to try and fix the damage with their own bodies but were too slow as I simply crushed them with my next attack. It was hard to read the emotions on the monster's human face as it was just made of bones but I was sure he was irritated as I effectively turned this from a test of skill to a slug fest. Despite that the monster’s attacks still had a certain flourish to them.

  “ You disgrace me with your actions. Fight me like an honorable knight.” The monster declared as it backed off planting the tip of its blade into the ground. I released my armor quickly swapping shells so I had a fresh rockshell loaded in.

  “ This fight will never be honorable. I am neither a knight or a skilled swordsman in a contest of pure skill you would obviously win. I must do what I can to even the playing field.” The monster seemed to consider my words, his head tilting to the side. My limbs were starting to feel numb. Was it from blood loss?

  “ Very well.” The monster said. “ Let us fight in a more honorable fashion.” He tossed his sword, the large blade flipped tip over pommel before I stuck hilt deep into a wall. He raised his fist in a protective stance.

  He fell dead seconds later

  Liliandra was sitting atop a mountain of bones, her staff propping her body up as she leaned against. She must have finished her fight right before I did.She had a frown on her face

  “ That was messed up.” She said, still panting. I stepped out of the church holding my side. The bleeding had slowed down as the wound slowly healed itself.

  “ What?” I said

  “ You just shot him.”

  “ Well he was a monster, that's what we do.” I leaned against the mountain of bones and Liliandra slid down to my side moving my coat out of the way to look at the wound.

  “ I heard what he said. He wanted an honorable fight. He even discarded his weapon and you just shot him dead.” she complained

  “ That is what happens when you shoot someone.” The monster had thrown his blade. I overclocked malice and began charging mana. Once the monster had set his stance I shot, firing a spear of rose quartz crystal impling him through the eye.

  “It was dirty,” I admitted. “But not like he was gonna complain. Especially not while he's dead.”

  “Your wound is healing up real nice, no need for me to heal it.” She said walking into the church. I touched my hand to the pile and got a new notification.

  [Would you like to loot Bone knight: Rifeal]

  [Would you like to loot Bone pile] I mentally accepted.

  “I'm just saying you were never in real danger, you could have overclocked yourself and just won right? There was no need to play dirty.” All the skeletal bodies slowly disintegrated all their loot adding itself to my inventory.

  “ I did overclock malice. I didn't wanna have to wait another twelve hours before I could use it again so I figured getting his guard down and just overclocking my gun for the two hours cooldown was a better choice.”

  [Bone powder 50 pounds obtained]

  [Earth mana crystal 50 obtained]

  [Water mana crystal 50 obtained]

  [Bone Cuirass of the stalwart obtained]

  All the new items sorted themselves out. All the crystals stacking into the same bag as the others. The Cuirass placed itself into my wardrobe .

  “I suppose.” Liliandra paused at a doorway “I am glad you're fine.” She said softly

  “ Same” I said, pushing the door open from behind her, my arm going above her head.

  Inside was a single bed. A man laying on top of it covered in dying insects. Liliandra rushed over to Douge; she went to brush the insects off his still body but gagged.

  “ Rin could you?” I gave her a smirk and nodded brushing all the insects away

  “ Gods it is startling seeing him like this?”

  Liliandra got to work looking over his body.

  “I know. Unconscious and hurt again and it hasn't even been two weeks.” That wasn't what I had meant but I figured it best not to say anything about it. After helping set up the ritual Liliandra needed and placing Douge inside it I sat down to examine the new armor I got. It was ivory white just like the greaves I had gotten from the centipede. The cuirass wasn't smooth as rib-like protrusion wrapped around it . There was a small indent for a crystal located right above the heart.

  [Bone cuirass of the stalwart]

  [Effect: Reduce incoming damage by 10 percent]

  [Skill: Rush. Effect: Rush forward at full speed gain two additional stacks of momentum]

  Huh? Momentum that had something to do with another effect. From my duster I think I haven't been paying too much attention to that. Placing the Bone cuirass into my inventory replacing my current worn out leather one equipped it. I took my duster and reexamined it.

  [ Void Ebor duster.]

  [+ 3 constitution]

  [ While this duster is worn, stacks of momentum will be granted to the user. Stacks of momentum are gained at intervals of five miles per hour.]

  [ Hydrophobic: water based liquid will bead up and slide off this duster keeping the wearer dry and clean. Five percent damage reduction to certain water based magic. This damage reduction does not apply to water based spells that have been transformed into ice.]

  [Self repair: this duster will repair minor cosmetic damage.]

  There it was stacks of momentum. I don't remember actually looking into what momentum actually did. I drilled down further into the interface and a new window appeared explaining the buff.

  [Momentum: Gain 2 percent damage increase for every stack of momentum you have. Gain 5 percent damage reduction for every stack you have.]

  This is really starting to feel like a burst DPS build or maybe an evasion tank?

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  I could feel the radiating mana from liliandra's ritual push against my aura. She felt stronger than she was a week ago. I wish I could have seen the level we were all at when we started this. I wonder how many they've gained through this whole ordeal.

  Once Liliandra was finished with her ritual she slumped down and let out an exhausted sigh glancing over to me. She gave me a smile that turned into a toothy grin.

  “ Douge should wake up soon then we can head out, yes?” Liliandra asked.

  “Yeah…. according to my map there's only one more path to explore so we should have an easy time finding Sophia.” Liliandra nodded to me then tilted her head to the side.

  “Hey when did you get that new gear? You're starting to look like a chunibyo.”

  “ A what?”

  “ A chunibyo. You know the whole. My right arm is sealed for the evil within it will destroy all of humanity if I let it go. But it's just some high school kid who thought a bandage looked cool.” she scrunched up her face and put theatrics behind her voice as she spoke.

  “ Uuh no I can say I have.” Liliandra frowned looking at me like I just told her that her mom died of dysentery.

  “ Do you watch anime?” She asked.

  “ I did before military school then I had no free time and well once I got my own job I started playing video games to pass my free time.”

  She continued to look at me like I had just told her that her mom died of lupus.

  Once Douge woke up we headed out eating a fast lunch before we left. I appraised Douge of my new skills like I had for Liliandra and they let me lead using my map skill to find our way around. While we walked I scrolled through the party interface to view Douge's stats.

  [Dougelee Vlounderparts]

  [Race: Humen]

  [Level 32]

  [ Stats: Strength 47, Constitution 45, Dexterity 10, Intelligences 15, Wisdom 20, Spirit 16]

  [Skills]

  [ Elemental affinity Earth]

  [Elemental affinity Fire]

  [Elemental enhancement: Earth(Constitution)]

  [Elemental enhancement: Fire (strength)]

  [Mana manipulation]

  [Chantless incantation: Rock form, Impalement, Rock shell, Flaming blade, Lava cannon]

  [Mark of the Dragon]

  [User permissions: Interface skill limited]

  “ Rin!” Douge shouted. “What are these stats? Is fifteen low for intelligence? Ten seems low for dexterity. I got some banging strength and constitution tho.”

  “ Your intelligence is only fifteen?” Liliandra asked

  “ Yeah, what's your guys' scores ? I can only see mine. The information window says I don't have permission!” Douge was walking behind holding up the rear Incase we got attacked so he was shouting to be heard.

  “ Thirty five” Liliandra said with confidence, her hands on her hips and chest thrusted forward.

  “ Twenty two” I said

  “ Wait, does that make me the dumbest one here?” He asked with an incredulous look on his face.

  “ I thought that was a given.” I quiped back to him Liliandra smack my still healing cut on the side of my body. A flash of anger boiled inside me as I whipped around to look at her. She had a soft smile on her face with a light trickle and I dropped my anger.

  “Not nice man.” Douge said

  “Stop!” Liliandra suddenly shouted, looking around, she ran to one of the three exits to the room we were in.

  “ What?” Douge and I said at the same time.

  “ I can feel Sophia she's this way.” I quickly referred to my map.

  “ That's the way I came from. There's a large cathedral a few rooms over.” I said “ Are you sure you feel her that way?” Liliandra nodded her head

  The cathedral stood tall looking over the three of us. There was a different air around it. A vortex of stars all varying shades of purple swirled above it ,specks of red,green,blue, and brown could be seen but they were so minuscule it was hard to spot. A lone figure in dark purple robes stood out front, his arms placed inside the sleeves of his robes. Douge stepped in front drawing his sword and shield placing himself in-between us and the mystery figure. The figure bowed to us before turning and opening the main door.

  “ I don't like that.” Douge whispered, leaning back to us so we could hear. I sighed and stepped past the robed figure. As I stepped into the cathedral the figure spoke up.

  “ Welcome.” His tone held that same bone scratching guttural tone that the words of command held. The cathedral was filled with robed figures each taking a seat on the pews as I walked in.

  “I'm not feeling to good guys.” Liliandra was holding her head eyes half shut

  “ Same. This place feels wrong. It's inhospitable but in a way I can't describe.” Douge said

  We found an empty pew at the front right in front of the podium. I was the first to sit down. Douge and Liliandra looked at the pew skeptically.

  “Whatever is going to happen is gonna happen, we might as well go along with it for now.” That uneasy feeling the other two were having was The God of darkness aura. I could feel it pressing against me like it had before. It was tyrannical and heavy demanding that we follow his little show. He was playing with us for some reason. He scattered Liliandra and Douge forcing me to go find them but held onto Sophia. There was something he was playing at I just didn't know what it was. I had given what he said the day before some thought. I glanced at the mark on the back of my hand as Liliandra and Douge sat down.

  “ You know something we don't. don't you Rin?” Douge asked.

  “ He does know something you guys don't.” A sinister cackling sounded around the cathedral echoing off the walls. Douge and Liliandra frantically looked around for the source of the voice, eventually finding it a handsome man staring at the podium with a cracked face and a malevolent smile. I stared blankly at the man waiting for what came next.

  “ Rin?” Douge and Liliandra said their voices weary.

  “ What's going on?” Douge's eyes rested on my head as he examined the mark. Realization seemed to dawn on his face. He stood up drawing his sword and shield pointing it at me. He put himself between me and Liliandra.

  “ Are you really Rin? Or are you a doppelganger created by this false god.” Liliandra stood in turn, confusion plastered on her face.

  “ Douge, what are you doing? Of course that's Rin.” She tried to get Douge to lower his blade, the tip now pressing into my throat. I was surprised with myself. I felt no anger for Douge's actions but I knew they were justified. Maybe that's why I didn't get mad.

  “ You really are smart. You seem like a dullard, slow and unthinking but I suppose when it really counts you prove yourself.” The god said. “ I am no false god but if it pleases you to address me. Do so by calling me demon king it is the title I have come to prefer that most after all.” Douge turned his attention to the demon King. My head was reeling. I didn't want to lose their trust. But the simple truth was I didn't know how to react to make things work out in my favor. Maybe I should have never hid Mark Of The Void from these two. Sophia knew but she was.

  “ Where is Sophia!” I shouted, putting concern into my voice. The demon king turned his head towards me with a smile.

  “ Ooh I do love your mock concern for her Rin I'm sure these two soak it up. All those fake emotions. The calculated way you use them as if they were another tool at your disposal.” The demon king stepped down and walked up to us. Douge and Liliandra heads were whipping back and forth between me and him.

  “ Fake emotions?” Liliandra asked, her voice cracking like she was going to cry. The demon king was behind her his hand holding her head from her chin, his face close to hers. Douge quickly brought his blade to the demon king's head. With the cliché of his tongue and a snap of his free hand Douge was blown backwards. His body stopping against an invisible force, hanging in the air he helplessly struggled.

  “Oh my sweet sweet Liliandra. I even started to feel bad for you. The general yet firm pushes you made towards Rin. Pressing your new found affections. Look I understand dire situations create high emotions, making people feel things for others. I believe you're totally justified in your feelings and there is no shame in that but. You never noticed Rin didn't feel the same way “ the demon king's tone was mocking. I could see Liliandra's fear as she shook.

  “ Even if he doesn't feel the same way I do for him, that's fine I will always have my memories of the kindness she showed me.” Despite the fear in her voice she hardened her gaze to a fierce determination. The demon king laughed.

  “ That kindness was all fake. A calculated response on his part. He doesn't feel anything. Well besides anger but that's my doing so it's not truly even his own anger.”

  “ Don't listen to him Liliandra, he's trying to deceive you. He wants to worm his way into your mind. Douge shouted as he continued to struggle. I remained sitting looking up at the pair. The demon king dug a nail into Liliandra's face and dragged it across leaving a gash.

  “ Tsk tsk tsk. Why would I have to lie when the truth is so much better.”

  “ What truth?” Liliandra asked

  “ That he's using all of you. I've been watching since the moment the rift dragged you all in. He's been stringing you along sweet one. Showing you small bits of affection here, allowing you to get physically close and make your own assumptions of what he says and all of it was a ploy to gain your trust. He probably figures that if you fall in love with him, then you'll be more inclined to save him.”

  “ That's not true! Is it Rin?”

  “ I ..”

  “ There's no point in lying now, Rin just tell the truth.” With a heavy sigh I stood up

  “ It's true. I won't apologize for it. I was a man out of his depth. I saw a path to success so I took it.”

  “ You see that he's not even a bit remorseful all that time. the month or was it two months the four of you spent here meant nothing to him. You're just tools for him to use and discard when he's done.”

  “ I don't believe that for a moment!” Douge yelled.” I've seen him be happy, mad I've even seen him cry when he thought I was going to die. He's risked his life for us just as much as we have for him. A man who doesn't care for us won't put his life on the line just for the off chance that we help him in the future.”

  “ That's true! You say that he is devoid of emotions but I've seen him. I've watched him for the past two months. Probably more closely than anybody else here has and I have seen it.” Blood trickled down Liliandra's face, the fear replaced with resolve and determination. The demon king sighed and snapped his fingers causing her body to fly away joining Douge.

  “ humanity is so infuriating. One moment you're putting a sword to his neck and the next you're defending him if only I could see into your minds. You're all so very confusing but I suppose that's what comes with free. Will the ability to make snap decisions decide for yourself what you want to believe?”

  “ I know Rin is a good man!” Douge shouted.

  “ Whether Rin is a good man or not isn't the question. The question is how far is he willing to go to reach his goals.” With another snap of his fingers, Sophia up here next to the others. All three of them slowly full loaded down a soft ominous chanting began the robes figures all standing in unison.

  “ Why make me go through this if you were just going to capture them again? Why make me go out and find them? Just so bring them back here for you to string them up in front of me.” I demanded

  “ That's a simple answer. I needed you to become a little stronger for what's coming next. I need you to understand your abilities. Have some time with them.” The demon king said.

  “ If you're really a god why can't you just give me power?” I glanced over at Sophia. She didn't look harmed at all. That was good. She watched her lips pressed tightly together.

  “ I have limitations as all gods do. I cannot give you power directly but I can shape that power. I can mold it and modify it in certain ways, but ultimately it must be you who brings out his strength. It's that same reasoning that the goddess Lumia can not just come down and smote me. We are unable to interfere directly in humanities affairs.”

  “ But that's exactly what you're doing now!” Sophia shouted angrily. Her voice was hoarse as if she had been yelling for a long time.

  “ That is demonstrably false. This rift is not in the same reality as your own so by our own rules I can interfere. I still can't provide untold power that is an integral part of our existence. Now silence all of you. I have to get down to business.” with a flick of his wrist there eyes glazed over and notifications pop into my vision.

  [ Skill: magically inept. Has prevented debuff. Worship]

  [Skill: magically inept. Has prevented debuff. Enthralled]

  “Now Rin before we get started, do you have any questions for me now? I'm feeling in a happy mood right now and I'm acceptable to questions.” The demon spoke but his words went through me. Even after finding out the truth Liliandra and Douge didn't seem to hate me. I wish I could have asked them why they had so much faith in me.

  “ I do. Why do all of this? Why not just kill them off and hold me here, forcing me to fight in this waves of monsters surely that would accomplish your goal of giving me strength.”

  “ That is an excellent idea. However, I need them alive for now.”

  “ Okay. So what now I get this feeling that you want something from me.”

  “ Perceptive. I do want something from you but you cannot give it to me right now. I wish to offer you an opportunity at power beyond your imagination. I know how hard it must be having to use that sham of an ability to take use. Use just a facsimile of magic. I know you want real magic and I can offer it to you.”

  Real magic without all these restrictions sounds nice. It would be great but would I side with him to get that power. I mean why wouldn't I? It's not like I really care about what happens to others. And whatever goal he has involves me getting stronger and that's all I ever really wanted wasn't it.

  “ By now you've noticed that one of your skills allows you to devour magic. I've seen you use it in simplistic ways such as eating mana crystals however, you aren't using it in the intended way. To gain the magic that you desire, all you need to do is kill and devour their souls. Oh! And look what we have here, four defenseless souls.”

  What the fuck? I thought to myself as the demon King gestured towards the others he walked up running his hands along their bodies, sniffing the air around them as if they were a cut of ham ready to eat. I do want that power. I drew malice forming a blade from the mana inside. I stepped up too Liliandra as the demon king walked back around to stand behind me. I looked up at her into her glossy eyes. She knows what's going on though. Her eyes were glossed over. I can see her pupils moving frantically as it glanced back and forth between malice and myself. I never really saw myself as having friends. I would call people friends. I would be happy around them or pretend to show happiness but I never really cared about what happened to them. Everything that's happened so far. Has it been a preordained destiny? Have I really not made a choice for myself? The demon King talks like he knows how my life is going to go like he's been controlling it. Anger began to boil in my chest. The only real emotion that I've ever known but that wasn't true was it? I felt the tears stream down my face. It wasn't my own, it was Liliandra, the girl I sought to manipulate for my own gain. Friends don't manipulate friends but I wasn't really their friend. I was just some guy. She didn't feel that way. Douge doesn't feel that way and Sophia. I turned walking over to her, my face void of expression my mask was off I didn't need to hide who I was around them any more because they knew now.

  “ Son” my father said, kneeling down to be on my level.” I know it's hard to understand people. Why they would get upset or sad or even happy and that's okay I know you mask yourself to appear more empathetic. But one day you'll find people you don't need to mask yourself around because they'll understand you just as well as I do. I know you don't love me or your mother. And that's also fine. But I hope that you trust me enough to just be yourself. I will never be angry at you for it.”

  A memory from the past that I had long forgotten that moment never felt more relevant than now. With a quick check to my interface, I checked all of my cooldowns quickly. I activated each and every single ability I had.

  [Overclock has activated]

  [Malice has been overclocked]

  [Unstoppable Force has been activated]

  [Rush has been activated]

  [False legs has been activated]

  In a split-second decision I use this blinding speed of Rush to get behind the demon King's vessel malice switching over to a quad element shell as I move. And with one swift motion I cleaved his vessel in half, all of the robed figures around me exploded in a puff of purple miasma the vessel itself simply disappeared.

  The End of Part 1 The Prologue