Chapter 135: Middle Demon

Inside the tree hollow he was currently hiding in, Mark took a deep breath.

He knew he had changed after becoming a Middle Demon. A lot. Even his appearance was no longer exactly the same—not to mention his powers that felt firmer. Previously, he couldn't see through walls with his Soul Sense but now, his Soul Sense could pierce through the hollow wood surrounding him and see the eerie and dark forest surrounding him.

And his Defensive Magic Skin—which used to be an invisible membrane surrounding his skin—had expanded. It had seeped into his bones, into the marrow, and into his cells. From head to toe, to organ to organ, he felt its presence.

It was no longer a Defensive Magic Skin, but a Defensive Magic Aura surrounding him.

As part of evolving, he had also gained the ability to use an Ultimate Demonic Art.

It was all here and there, he felt like a loose thread that needed to tighten around an understanding. A violet screen curved around his vision, showing information that he was in desperate need of. Information about himself.

==•==

[Marcus Haeligarth Armanteuil Véxillarius Nócturnâ Aërglothur]

[Tier 2—Middle Demon]

[Physique: 101 (Below Low)]

[Mind: 101 (Below Low)]

[Soul Spheres: 1000/10000.]

==•==

Indeed, his stats had changed. Mark couldn't help an unconscious smirk. It had been stuck at (100) for so long, and now, he was neither a simple Lower Demon, nor was he stuck at (100). He could reach a whopping (100) soon, and every single point was a clear increase in strength.

When he was (01) points, he could punch trees and make small indents in it, now that he was (100), he could punch a hole into a firm concrete wall. He had seen people like Hanmo and Bale, who had stats near (1000), destroy part of a whole building with their moves.

I already have enough Soul Spheres to increase my stats quite a bit, he counted. But not yet, first, he had to understand all of his stats. His golden eyes glinted in excitement—powering up was one of the best feeling.

==•==

[Cultivated Powers]

[•> Superior Soul Sense (101 Meters): You can see (100) meters around yourself with the senses of your soul, unbidden by your physical senses. It can move through physical objects and gaze into enclosed areas. (Eg. Sense the skeleton of a human through skin)]

[•> Defensive Magic Aura (Tier 2): Advanced version of Defensive Magic Skin that covers the entire body. No matter what kind of power below Tier 2 attacks you, the Defensive Aura would passively defend against it. Only a powerful Tier 2 attack can break your Defensive Aura.]

[•> World Space: Advanced Version of Soul Space. Created after absorbing the Core of the Hunter World, it has evolved to become a small incomplete world of its own.]

==•==

The first two Cultivated Powers that had grown stronger were already satisfying enough for Mark, but the third one was the chef's kiss. Mark knew that the World Core was the biggest benefit he had gained from the Hunter World if he considered all the material power he gained there. But he didn't know what its true uses or limits were—Reol'ran had yet to teach him that.

And she was silent, now, so he focused on his stats.

He had a lot to learn anyway.

My demonic tricks.

==•==

[Demonic Tricks]

•> Soul Devourer.

•> Clown's Circus. (Available)

•> Dungeon Heart Seed (5/101).

•> Dream Gambler's Mortal Puppet (Available).

•> Alchemic Shapeshifting.

•> Dream Wings (Low) (Tier 2).

•> Heart Input (Pinnacle) (Tier 1).

•> Dream Shock (Pinnacle) (Tier 1).

•> Parasite (Pinnacle) (Tier 1).

[Ultimate Demonic Art]

Parasitic Dream Shock.

==•==

He had built quite a repertoire. Strong, some might say. But having fought his own fair share of battles, Mark knew he was not yet there. His healing abilities were nonexistent. His movement speed wasn't nothing extraordinary on land compared to people with movement ability; if he came across a creature with wings, and a movement-assisting ability, he'd be toast.

Unless he used Clown's Circus, of course. But Clown's Circus only lasted for (30) seconds and he could only use it once a day. Thus, his movement speed wouldn't be anything exceptional. And his Stealth was also rather weak against Soul Senses.

He could be much more capable with a more streamlined repertoire. Versatility was moot compared to capability and survivability.

Against Hunters with only a single ability in their sleeve, yeah, he might rule, but Demons were more versatile, and they could all be his end. He focused on his next set of safety nets—Resistances.

==•==

[Resistances]

•> Plant Poison Resistance (Low) (Tier 2).

•> Heart Resistance (Low) (Tier 2).

•> Dream Resistance (Low) (Tier 2)

•> Physical Resistance (Pinnacle) (Tier 1).

•> Mental Resistance (Pinnacle) (Tier 1).

==•==

Maybe due to having gained the Dream Wings demonic trick—the Demonic Trick that could turn his wings off and on—he had gained Dream Resistance. That was good. But his other Resistances were all stagnant, he had to improve his stats to improve them.

Resistances are important, he thought. They were one of my biggest assistants in the Hunter World. One of the advantages that Hunters didn't have.

He ran his eyes across the rest of the stats screen.

My desires are ever the same.

The sight of that giant flashed in his mind. He wasn't even the size of its hair. Not even a nail. One thought of its and he wouldn't be able to survive. And that was just the size and Physique. What about its abilities?

What about its thought process?

Reol'ran said that from Tier 3 onwards, Demons were usually intelligent.

So, what did the Giant think about?

What were its desires and problems?

What Tier even was it?

"Reol'ran, what Tier would that Giant be?"

Reol'ran remained silent for a while, then said calmly, her tone regal, "It's probably a Demon Emperor. Tier 5. And it is a very strong one even among them. From your place, it would seem even more intimidating because Demon Kings have a certain vibe of intimidation around them. All world fear demons, and they are the main reason for that."

Mark felt his goosebumps rising, then looked back at his stats.

I'll fight one. One day, for sure.

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[Traits]

[Soul Mate of a Heaven Soul: Your soul is bonded with "Reol'ran Mengroth" and you can use her Mindpower or enter her Mental Space anytime you wish, and she can enter your Soul Space or use your Mindpower whenever she wishes. (Does not work across Worlds)]

[Demonic Heart: You can follow your desires and gain more lifespan.]

[•> Current Desires: Fight a Colossal Giant (100 Years of Lifespan) (Incomplete).]

[•> Life's Great Desire: Become a meaningful existence in the world, experience the greatest pleasures that life has to offer, and be capable of attaining all that you desire by becoming a Tier 10 Demon. (∞ Years of Lifespan) (Incomplete)]

[Soul Longevity: 39 Years.]

—

[Bloodline: Ephemeral Dungeon Heart Demonic Bloodline]

[A mutated mixture of the three—Dungeon, Dream, and Heart Demon—bloodlines.]

__

[Contracted Missions]

•> None.

__

[Soul Bonded Treasures]

[Portal Key to an Unconquered World (x1)]

==•==

Then, his gaze moved down to the last part. The deadly part.

[Sufferings of Misfortune]

[1st Suffering—Suffering of Man]

[Remaining Time: 0Y/12M/1D/1H/5M/11S]

With a thought, he closed the system and breathed out.