The journey continued as a slow and boring one, encountering a few demons here and there. Week after week, all Kenny could do was travel and battle. During this time, Kenny''s 16th birthday had unknowingly passed, though it was unfortunately only spent traversing purgatory.
Kenny’s diet consisted of mostly unbearably disgusting Demon flesh, and if Kenny had no choice, Demon blood would be his only way of somewhat quenching his thirst.
If Kenny would encountered a Demon, it was almost sure he would be severely injured.
While fighting a specific demon once, it had clawed its way into Kenny. Organs, blood, excrement, and other innards spilled out of him making for an extremely horrifying sight. He had spent days in agony, slowly healing, and somehow avoiding death. Thankfully, Kenny had Aragon by his side doing what he could to keep him alive. That day, Kenny had slipped past death by the very skin of his teeth.
Several other events such as this would occur during Kenny’s travels. This made Kenny feel despair and misery, making him want to drop his sword and let embrace of death free him from constant suffering and pain. But Somehow, he managed to keep most of his sanity intact and continue on.
Weeks passed, then months — unknown to Kenny. At this point in time, Kenny clothes were completely gone, and what replaced them were the hide of slain demons. Though, it wasn’t enough to keep Kenny warm during the ice cold nights. Although rarely, Kenny had to chop several of his own fingers and toes just to remove them from their frostbite state.
***
Even though Kenny had traveled for possibly a year, he hadn’t even come close to reaching the edge of Purgatory. This made him think:
‘Just how damn massive is this shitty hell.’
Kenny quickly dismissed this question as he didn’t care at the moment.
Why?
In front of Kenny, was his hope. He stood in front of a massive red mountain, which at the bottom where giant metal doors.
''Is this it?''
''Yes, I am sure of it.''
Kenny walked up to the doors. He lifted his hands and strained his muscles as he pushed, attempting to open the doors. After a while, he stopped and looked confused.
''So, how do I open this?''
''Onto its right is a lever that opens the doors.''
''Oh, why didn''t you say so at first?''
Kenny walked over and pulled the lever.
Loud scraping marked the floor as the two big doors opened revealing pitch black darkness. Kenny entered the void as a mix of emotions filled his heart.
‘Almost there…’
As soon as Kenny stepped inside of the labyrinth, torches hung from the tall ceiling lit up, Illuminating the dark void.
''Now would be a good time to fill me in about this place.''
''Yes, you’re right. Where do I start?’
‘Just tell me everything there is to know. Even the smallest details.’
‘Very well, Inside of the labyrinth, the corridors are always changing and moving by the day. Meaning that each new day the labyrinth is a completely different maze, making arriving to the end almost impossible. On top of this predicament, there are a total of eighty two floors inside of the labyrinth which make it even more difficult.''If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
''So that''s why you said it was way worse.''
''Right. Inside of the labyrinths are only D-Rank demons and stronger, so you must act with caution.''
Kenny summoned his regalia and clenched the grip of it. Not even one minute after he had entered the labyrinth, a demon had appeared in front of him, drooling at the mouth.
It was a big and muscular ogre, with dark skin, tusk, and what seemed like sharp bones protruding from its skin where it''s ribs were. It also had horns that wrapped around its head where its eye where supposed to be.
Red markings quickly enveloped Kenny''s regalia.
He didn''t summon either Noir or Wolf, he wished to defeat an enemy on his own this time.
Kenny dashed towards the enemy wi the speed that greatly surpassed his previous self.
Looking at the oncoming human, the ogre threw a punch that was noticeably fast for his size.
Kenny jumped high and onto the arm of the ogre as he then ran up it with his sword embedded into its arm. The ogre roared in pain as it struggled to shake Kenny off.
Kenny enveloped his entire arm with Xin as he then proceeded to stab the ogre into it''s head. Kenny then opened his palm inside of the ogres head, and a burst of energy exploded inside of the ogre.
The demon attempted to grab Kenny, but Kenny jumped off the creature while it roared out in pain with its hands on it''s face. He then charged to it''s feet, slashing it''s achilles, making it fall onto the ground.
The Demon was somehow still alive even with a destroyed brain and half sliced arm.
Kenny walked up to the fallen creature and jumped on top of its body. Kenny raised his sword and with great strength pierced it''s heart.
[You have slain a Demon].
''You''ve become a bit brutal with your methods don''t you think?''
''Have I? I didn''t notice, when ever I see a demon… it just kind of pisses me off.''
''I see, not that it matter''s anyway.''
''Don''t you hate me for doing that to your own kind?''
''Not at all, on the contrary I am in favor of what you are doing?''
''Why is that?''
''I''m not very found of demons myself, that''s why.''
Kenny shrugged it off knowing Aragon was dodging the question again.
''So from this point on I just wing it?''
''Unfortunately… yes, there is no other way to go about it, and mapping it is of no use so I am afraid it''s the only way.
Kenny sighed with frustration.
''Well, if this is going to be a problematic thing, how about you start teaching me useful techniques instead of having me meditate all of time.''
''Meditation is a key part in controlling your Xin and strengthening it. Although you have been doing a good job lately, so I know a good technique for you.''
Kenny was suddenly filled with excitement and enthusiasm.
''Really, What is it?''
''It''s nothing special, but first you must learn Xin release. As a matter of fact, what you did early is Xin release.’
Kenny looked confused and asked:
''Really? I gues it does make sense.''
''Now that you''ve learn to control Xin within your body, you must learn to release that energy out of your body in a controlled manner. What you did earlier was just you bursting it out, which is less efficient.’
Kenny sighed. He barley managed to learn how to control Xin within his body. Now he must learn how to release it out of his body, which sound a million times more difficult in Kenny''s ears.
Kenny continued to walk through the labyrinth as Aragon gave the rundown on how Xin release works.
''Do you understand?''
''I think I do...?''
***
Kenny did not keep track of the amount of time he had spent inside of the labyrinth, more like he couldn’t. He had made it to the second floor within this time which he was quite proud of, but still a bit impatient. If getting up one floor took him possibly a week, he knew that this would take an unbelievable amount of time.
Kenny dismissed this thought and focused on the task in front of him.
Marked Regalia in hand and Noir behind him, Kenny rushed to the enemy he was faced with.
''I''ve gotten stronger and can defeat a D-Rank demon on my own. Possibly two.''
As Kenny rushed in, so did Noir, it''s red eyes gleaming in the almost pitch black halls of the labyrinth.
Kenny aimed for the legs of the ogre, knocking the big guy down.
Noir on the other hand was holding his own against another ogre, landing a few scratches and bites here and there.
As the ogre fell down, it made a final attempt to defend it''s self as it swung it''s open palm towards Kenny.
Kenny unaware of the danger still rushed in. He prepared for a slash at the neck but felt a sudden impact from his side.
The impact sent him flying into the wall of the labyrinth with great force. On top of the hit and the crash in the wall, Kenny had broken many bones from his arms and ribs.
Kenny groaned in pain. As he stood up his injuries were already healing at an incredible rate due to his regeneration. Kenny could feel that Aragon was still quite amazed at the regeneration speed of the new born demon.
Kenny held out his hand, and since his regalia had been thrown far away from him, he simply summoned it back to his hand. Red markings engulfed the blade of the sword.
Kenny raised his sword and performed a downward swing. Xin was release from the blade in a form of a slash. The slash was quick in cutting the head of the ogre.
[You have slain a Demon].
Kenny looked over to Noir who was struggling with the ogre Demon. Kenny ordered Noir to step back as he preform a Xin slash.
The slash bashed into the neck of the distracted demon, cutting off its head.
[You have slain a Demon].