Chapter 305 302: Roasting chicken and devils.


    With Val by their side, a strong sense of security enveloped the group. Any previous fears about starting a fire during the night were now alleviated, and they felt safe under his protection.


    As a result, Rowan and Alfred proceeded to start a fire and prepared the chicken for roasting. Oliver also helped a little. Considering his past, it wasn''t surprising. After all, since young, he has been self-dependent. So although his identity was special, he knew how to do these things.


    Val watched them working together. He didn''t help. He sat around the bonfire.


    Methodically, they skinned it and soon had it roasting over the open mes.


    However, their activities attracted unwanted attention, just as Rowan and Alfred had feared.


    Whoosh!


    With the sound of rustling, a group of devils, drawn by the fire and the scent of roasting chicken, approached them with malicious intent from the trees.


    "Ah, shit! That''s why we were so hesitant about starting a fire. Now, look. Trouble has found us."


    Alfred and Rowan, upon seeing the devils, had their fears about starting a fire in a ce like the lesser dimension at night confirmed. This was exactly the kind of situation they wanted to avoid.


    "What are you worrying about? They can do nothing to us. They are just courting their own death by targeting us."


    Oliver, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. He looked at the approaching devil group, snickered, and then looked away, clearly not perceiving them as a threat.


    "What did the human say?" the leader of the group of devils said.


    "He thinks we''re harmless little ants. He is mocking us," A devil who could understand themonnguage of the kingdom said.


    "Tribal chief, give me the order and I will rip his spine out of his body!" the leader''s devout believer said.


    "A person who has humiliated us deserves to be brutally punished. Alright, go get him!" the group leader said.


    Actually, the devils felt pissed because of Oliver''s nonchnt attitude. He wasn''t putting them, who could kill level 3 bloodline user as easily as crushing a bug, in their eyes.


    Because of this, they decided to kill Oliver first in the most brutal of ways, but before they could put their thoughts into action, Val merely directed his gaze toward them, and in an instant, they were engulfed in mes, reduced to nothing, as if they had never existed in the first ce


    [System Notification]


    Congrattions to the Host!


    Due to your exemrybat skills and quick eradication of the devil group, you have been rewarded with:


    Experience Points: +3,500


    Item Acquired: Emberme Bracelet


    Item Description: The Emberme Bracelet is a rare defensive artifact forged in the heart of a dying star by the previous God of Evil. It is known for its unparalleled ability to absorb and dissipate energy attacks, providing the wearer with exceptional protection. The bracelet is encrusted with crimson fire runes, resonating with the power of ember mes. When activated with soul power, it can surround the user in a protective barrier of fire, which not only wards off iing attacks but also retaliates against attackers, dealing damage proportional to the attack absorbed. The barrier has a unique property of bing stronger with each attack it absorbs, making it an invaluable asset in prolonged battles.


    Warning: This item has a cooldown of 1 hour. So do use it strategically only when the need arises.]


    ''Finally, an item worthy of being worn by me,'' Val thought to himself, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction.


    On top of this item, he also had the shard of the core of corruption that he wanted to put to good use.


    But he didn''t want to do it in front of others.


    There were two reasons for that.


    The first was that the shard had enough force of corruption to corrupt them if they approached it without taking proper defensive measures. He didn''t want to gamble with their lives.


    The second was that the bracelet was too rare and human nature was unpredictable. They might feel greedy for it. He didn''t think Oliver would betray him. But he didn''t know about the others.


    ''I will use them after entering the shrine of evil. Let''s go on a short walk first to not make it seem suspicious.''


    Without wasting any time, Val gracefully stood up, preparing to distance himself from the group for a moment.


    Noticing his sudden movement, Rowan couldn''t help but ask, "Hey, where are you heading off to now?"


    Val, with a yful grin on his face, responded, "Nature calls, my friend. If you don''t want an eyeful of my dingdong, I''d advise against following me!"


    His words elicited a round of chuckles from the group.


    Alfred, trying to be considerate, called out to Val, "The chicken is almost perfectly roasted. Do you want us to save some for you?"


    Val, not missing a beat, replied, "I doubt you guys can finish it all, but if you can, go right ahead. I''m not really feeling hungry at the moment."


    With those words, he turned and made his way into the woods, his figure soon disappearing from their sight.


    Once he was certain he was alone, Val took a moment to survey his surroundings, ensuring that no prying eyes were upon him.


    Satisfied that he was inplete solitude, he stepped into the Shrine of Evil with a determined look on his face.


    Inside the shrine, Val quickly retrieved the shard of the Core of Chaos from his inventory.


    The shard, brimming with the vtile force of chaos, would have spelled doom for any regr individual daring enough to hold it in their bare hands. However, Val, unfazed by its menacing aura, could distinctly feel the subtle presence of the power of creation amidst the overwhelming corruption.


    Uncertain of the potential dangers thaty ahead, Val decided it was best to consume the shard within the safety of the shrine.


    Upon closer inspection, he realized that the shard was toorge to be swallowed whole, prompting him to bite into it instead.


    The sensation was akin to biting into ss; shards dug into his tongue and the soft flesh inside his mouth, filling his mouth with the taste of blood. While it was an ufortable experience, it wasn''t painful, thanks to his innate traits.


    In just a matter of seconds, Val hadpletely consumed the shard. Instantly, the corruption within erupted, attempting to overwhelm and demonize him. However, Val was unique; he harbored no internal demons, and he was devoid of fear. The force of corruption thus found no foothold within him, and it was unable to manipte or subdue him into bing its puppet.


    In the end, Val''s concerns proved to be unfounded; just like every other corrupt item he had encountered, the core failed to influence his mentality in any way.


    Simultaneously, the power of creation contained within the shard began to assimte with his body. Every cell in his body was rejuvenated and the most unique organ within him— the core inside his arcane heart—also benefited immensely from it.


    Val could feel the energy coursing through him, and he knew that he had made the right choice in consuming the shard.


    A system notification popped up.


    [System Notification]


    Congrattions Host!


    You have sessfully ovee the disastrous effects of the Shard of the Core of Chaos. Your extraordinary mental fortitude and unique traits have allowed you to resist the corruption and fully harness the power within the shard.


    Upgrades to your stats and abilities are as follows:


    Health Points (HP): +100


    Your total Health Points have now increased, enhancing your vitality and endurance in the face of adversity.


    [Core of Darkness has been upgraded to Tier 2


    Your Core of Darkness has undergone a remarkable transformation, ascending to the second tier. This upgrade has significantly boosted your innate potential, opening the door to new possibilities. You can inscribe six level 1 or 2 level 2 runes on your core!]


    A normal rank-2 wizard could only inscribe 1 level 2 core on their core. But Val could do 2. It was because his core was a very special and sturdy one!


    "It was well worth it," Val, feeling the surge of power coursing through his veins, couldn''t help but feel pleased. He had taken a risk by consuming the Shard of the Core of Chaos, and it had paid off.


    Another notification sounded.


    [System Notification] Active Quest Updated: Committing Deicide (The act of killing a god)


    Description: Eliminate a Devil God residing in the Forest of Dread.


    Reward: Your Superior Quality Core of Darkness will be upgraded to the third level!


    Val took a moment to ponder upon the updated quest, his expression serious.


    "With my current strength, I''m still a bitcking. This quest will have to wait a little longer," he thought to himself, recognizing the gravity of the task at hand.


    Shifting his focus, Val decided it was time to equip the newly acquired defensive item.