《Last Grace: The Apex of Another World》


 Prologue - The Crimson King

    Hell, was home to all manner of sadistic individuals. Those sinners that had passed and showed tolerance to pain and or had unique personalities were given the opportunity of a lifetime. To join the ranks of the torturers if they were especially wild they could become a sin provided that they serve the beast dutifully.


    Upon a blood red cushion of on an ebony throne sat an intimidating shadow lit by dim sparks that circled the throne hazily. Coiling around the well formed crimson beast was a tail charred at its end.


    Though the tail retained a shine to it that rivaled fish. Lashing like fins in the water, within the confines of the air. Beating the diluted and bare wind beneath the earth to a halt on command.


    Time seemed to freeze in place. For the people getting tortured, it must be an eternity. And the beast was its ruler.


    Its word was law, forever was, and would remain that way as its conqueror was a cast out. A cast out from heaven.


    A long rose tongue coasted from the mouth of the beast, savoring the blood that permeated the air otherwise dry air. The beast could taste it, their fear.


    It was an environment of violent emotions.


    A while later it slid back into his mouth. Placing his hand on his face the beast settled into the chair.


    Every so often a scream was heard, their shrieks promptly died out. before it started up all over again moments later.


    The muscular mass of red flesh that sat on the throne scraped one of its long black nails onto the left chair arm producing a chalkboard like sound. Lifting one leg over the other the beast observed one man on a wheel, on each knob was rope.


    Medieval torture tools. The beast preferred to listen instead of watch. Partaking in the torture of the residents in Hell was not the way he wanted to live. Used to be, but not anymore he only did that to get to where he was. Even if his skills were the best in Hell.


    That was thousands of years ago. Presently, it seemed all too dull and he had gotten rusty.


    The beast was all for punishing liars, after so long though it gets boring. They beg for release. That''s all they know how to do.


    That''s all they can do. The amount of pain is different because the quality of the torture differs.


    Perpetual torture was the rule of Hell when it came to inflicting maximum torture.


    But the rules were rules, and he hated his family who instituted the rules. More so his father, than anyone else who threw him down into the pit.


    Closing its eyes it imagined what the human must be feeling.


    The beast rubbed its back. Looking down off of the obelisk it spotted a flying hell beast that rushed the woeful scenery of Hell.


    ''What was it now...?''


    The beast sensing fluctuations in the ground adjusted itself in the throne.


    The ground was shaking. Someone was coming...


    ''Who was it.'' the beast wondered. It was almost relaxed, it left its eyes closed.


    Annoyed by the silence the beast opened his eyes, the shadow of a being assembled itself from the nearest darkness.


    "Hello there, Sin of Envy." A deep and portent voice escaped the beast.


    Tension ran thick in the air as the embers around the throne were thrown into a frenzy becoming more erratic.


    Appearing before the massive throne was a mannequin-esque shadow with a neck too long to be considered human. It had a pair black of eyes that seemed to sink into its sockets. Its hands only had two phalanges, it kneeled bowing down to the crimson ruler.


    "Your majesty... I have found it." Envy whispered, its voice cracking.


    "You have..?" Replied the beast questioningly.


    "If I make speak informally majesty, you would call the thing here a book." said Envy.


    "A book? I know that the mortals on earth spoke of them in a negative light. I myself have read a few." remarked the beast.


    "What of the book Envy?" asked the beast.


    "This... your majesty, this one is special as the scribe wasn''t an earthly being." Envy said summoning a tome thicker than any normal book. Inscribed on it was glyphs of sorts.


    Not of any language that existed on earth, and the beast knew and mastered all the languages. Written, and spoken.


    This was a spoken one¡­ that he had to take a guess at its written form. If read aloud it sounded angelic...


    Envy paused, building up anticipation to what was going to be said next.


    "It was a heavenly being." said Envy, beguiled by the book.


    The beast''s mouth gaped open revealing many serrated teeth. Lucifer had to fake his surprise.


    "Oooh, is this true?" queried the beast. Becoming beguiled as well.


    "Yes, your majesty. I do not wish to undergo such torture again just because of a lie. I know you like to hear the truth..." replied Envy.


    "You know me too well, hand me this book." the beast commanded.


    "As you wish majesty." Envy let loose the book from his two phalanges dropping into the hand of the beast.


    Grasping the spine of the book Lucifer began to read. It was in an unknown language. An unknown written language anyways.


    His thirst for the unknown awakened once more.


    A FEW DAYS LATER. . .


    Lucifer stared at the angelic figure that stood still in the center of Hell that was bare of any tortured souls. The figure with looks that looked as if they were painted, with short curled golden hair in silver armor was... its brother.


    "Hello, Brother." The angelic figure ousted.


    "Why are you here... Michael?" asked the beast.


    "I am here... for something. Our father demands its immediate return." Michael said.


    "Oh... I meant my father." Michael stated, correcting himself.


    ''If it''s Hell he can have it. I am sick of this place.'' thought the beast.


    "I believe you know what it is." regarded Micheal.


    Michaels expression suddenly turned serious.


    "Its... it''s your soul dear brother." His face no longer holding any passivity.


    A bellow of laughter twined itself amongst the coal embers that spun around it in the underworlds center.


    The beast smile turned loose as he responded to his brother.


    "No." asserted the beast simply.


    "What do you mean no?" asked Michael.


    "Are you going to act like the beast that you currently look like ?" asked Michael, making eye contact with his brother.


    "If it means that he would have a bad day I would gladly destroy this place up along with the billions of souls inside if that is what it took." responded the beast.


    "Father was very serious, he wants you to return." said Michael.


    "How would he manage that?" asked the beast.


    "Father is all-powerful, he can do that easily. Now he is ready to save you. Ready to forgive and forget... You don''t need to manage Hell anymore brother."


    "You just... you just need to die and be reborn an angel. Instead of what you are now, a fallen." directed Michael.


    "Don''t you want to be able to return?" Asked Michael.


    "That is why your soul is required. That is also why I am here and not Raphael or Uriel. As the strongest angel, I will do this even if I have to subjugate you." Commanded Michael.


    "No" stated Lucifer, viciousness seeping into his voice.


    "What... why?" asked the beast.


    "Because you are not telling me the truth. Brother, I hate lies. I hate them, tell me brother did he ever tell you who our mother was?" Asked Lucifer.


    "Or if she is dead?" Asked the beast. Infuriated by his brother''s overwhelming loyalty to that bastard of a father.


    "Do you not find that strange?"


    "Before you defile father''s good name anymore I will remove your soul, stilling your words." Michael declared.


    "You shall return... to how you were before... before the rebellion." said Michael hopeful.


    "I SAID NO!" Screamed Lucifer.


    "I didn''t want to do this." Michael pulled out a sword that shimmered a golden aura that demanded attention from the intricate hilt Lucifer noticed earlier when he had arrived that Michael had on him.


    "The sword of mercy, or as I like to call it the Sword of Judgment," Michael said, awfully proud.


    "Father finally gave you that piece of junk." the beast bitterly clicked his tongue.


    "Your insolence will end today Lucifer! He noticed my loyalty, unlike someone whom I know." Michael said bitterly.


    "No, it had only just begun." said Lucifer.


    "Called me by name, you marred your eloquence. Now, I can kill you without a single thought of your future," stated Lucifer.


    "Come to me the worst of the Unheavenly displays. Authority of the unspoken!"


    The air tightened.


    Michael stood there his mouth agape at what he was seeing before he settled down.


    "For the last time Lucifer, you need to die. Your rebellious farce has nowhere left to go even with a way to protect yourself." Michael replied.


    "And for the last time Michael you need to learn to take no for an answer," Lucifer said.


    The brothers dashed towards each other.


    Slashing the air wildly Lucifer dodged. The dead trees sliced in half collapsed. The scenery becoming a mockery of what it once was.


    "That is not how you will beat me. This is." Michael pointed the sword out, taking a lunge towards Lucifer pointing the edge of the swords head at Lucifer''s neck.


    He dodged for a while until Lucifer''s eyes narrowed.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Quickly the embers collected themselves into the shape of a sword. The coals animated even after they had collected. Spinning around was brimstone that had begun to levitate off of the ground. Flying into Lucifer''s hand Lucifer eluded Michael''s latest blow.


    Sparks started flying as the blows connected, "Is that all you can do brother?" Asked Michael.


    "I was testing the waters, you did well so far for a dog." Lucifer spat doing his best to stop Michaels strikes.


    "What did you call me!?" Michael said jabbing faster and faster with furiously. "You are lazy, disobedient, your eyes look similar to a cat."


    "At least I don''t chase after things that will never happen," replied Lucifer. Striking a bit more eagerly.


    Suddenly Lucifer had to parry instead as the strikes that connected were potent enough to push him back. The first layer of the dirt collecting beneath his feet.


    ¡°That is more like it, mongrel!¡± Lucifer screamed.


    ¡°That''s nothing, try this on for size.¡± Michael lifted his sword up vertically a slew of light particles attached to each other before they stuck to the sword in massive clumps.


    ¡°Holy mother Mary!¡± Michael laughed fiercely.


    ¡°You don''t know how to control energy!¡±


    It was Lucifer''s turn to be silent. Laughing did not come easily to Michael.


    Lucifer suddenly began to pace his way back. Michael ever rarely laughed even from the centuries he had known him.


    He knew that Michael''s next attack would be deadly. In a bout of desperation, he rallied the sins.


    ¡°ENVY! LUST! GREED! SLOTH! GLUTTONY! WRATH!¡± His voice was so loud it filled to the darkest depths of the underworld.


    Manifesting as shadows they appeared. Their voices startling Michael.


    ¡°Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Hello, sir~¡±


    ¡°That weapon looks fearsome.¡±


    ¡°Let''s get this over with.¡±


    ¡°That weapon, don''t give it to greed, give it to me. It looks tasty!¡±


    ¡°This won''t take us long. They hurt our master after all.¡±


    ¡°I want you all to defeat that bastard!¡± Lucifer screamed pointing his sword at Michael that still was busy gathering the white energy that continued to grow thicker and thicker.


    ¡°Show them your power... just do whatever it is you can to keep him busy,¡± Lucifer said, backing away.


    ¡°Like we wouldn''t do that to angel anyway~,¡± Lust said brushing her lips with her tongue.


    ¡°We will beat him to a bloody pulp!¡± Wrath screamed.


    Lucifer smirked, turning away from his brother.


    ¡®This would be goodbye.¡¯


    He pulled out the tome and scanned for the right page. The few days of studying this thing was not going to be in vain. He prepared for this and began to read the incantation in the language of Angels.


    The six demon squad, excluding Pride who was Lucifer blitzed towards Michael. Striking him with every move in their arsenal.


    He quickly struck the ground, slamming the blunt edge of the blade that glowed onto the ground.


    A beam of light shot through the ground, ripping through the brimstone.


    Trees toppled over, as the Sins zagged towards the angelic foe that attacked their master.


    Michael was quick to defend and could barely keep up with their attacks. He couldn''t focus on one too long before another took advantage of a weak point.


    Lucifer was still busy looking for the page. It was a strange tome. All of the text was in the language of the angels, of course, a demon wouldn''t be able to understand.


    Even Lucifer did not understand it all. Just more than the minimum.


    The key thing that interested Lucifer was the page that talked about something¡­ another world?


    It spoke of an eden, and he knew that it was somehow connected to the tale that man knew.


    Except, instead of a garden, it was a whole another world.


    His bastard of a father hid something huge. Since it was hidden, that means that someone wanted to keep it a secret.


    He didn''t care if it was not shared, that means that he would have his own world if Eden was forgotten.


    His own world. With that in mind, Lucifer began to read the incantation.


    . . .


    A DISTANCE AWAY IN HELL . . .


    The sins were beginning to get the upper hand, Michael was working overtime to defend himself. He would not come out of this fight empty handed.


    He kicked Sloth in the face, elbowed wrath, and stabbed gluttony. The rest were recovering and not without injuries.


    They were weaklings compared to him if they fought each other one on one. In a group, they just about tied.


    During that time Lucifer had to be killed.


    Michael weaved around the injured sins, they were covered in wounds too injured to move. Wrath was about to get up, though Envy stopped everyone else because he had his own plan.


    One that relied on the supposed fate of Lucifer.


    Michael caught up to Lucifer who was slashed up. Though no fatal wounds werevisible.


    That was about to change. Well, it was supposed to but something pierced his back. Lucifer smirked as Michael collapsed.


    ¡°Like I said, I would take care of it.¡± Wrath said, smirking alongside Lucifer.


    . . .


    In a grand room, void of any natural colors on a throne of black with pillars as sharp as a head of a spear sat a man peering into the distance.


    "The freedom that you seek so openly will one day have a cost. Take the freedom now Lucifer for what you will."


    Leaving his arm stretched into the air, his hand hampered into a fist save for one finger a speck of white light began to collect.


    Again and again, until finally, a familiar man appeared on his knees.


    "I-I have failed father." replied Michael hesitant.


    "I know." replied the man in the robe.


    "I am a disgrace, you even gave me Judgement... but I failed in getting your... our family back." muttered Michael.


    "Son, I said I know." Said the robed figure.


    Michael acknowledged his Father''s answer and sighed. Trying his best to calm himself.


    "Micheal, go fetch your brothers. I have had a change of heart."


    Michael nodded his hands still shaking from his defeat. He only had one more chance to make this right. Or he would lose the spot of the favorite son.


    . . .


    Lucifer continued to mutter strange nothings. Wrath could not understand his master. Though he accepted the phenomenon nonetheless.


    A few minutes later...


    The ground in Hell shook, Lucifer merely smirked at the interruption, Wrath watched, caught off guard but not in shock. His master was calm so he had to be too.


    Lucifer''s eyes caught the outline of a dark red oval that glowed ominously rising from the floor of Hell.


    Just before entering the mysterious portal, Lucifer reminisced about Hell. It was fun though the scenery was the biggest reason why he wanted to leave.


    ¡°Thank you Wrath, thank the others for me,¡± Lucifer said, bitterly entering the portal.


    Now without regrets, he entered the oval that sucked him into itself like a blackhole.


    Wrath muttered something back, this time, the words fell on deaf ears. Regret to not say what he wanted.


    ¡°No, thank you Lucifer.¡± Wrath whispered sullenly. Watching as his master that he spent so much time with disappeared into the portal.


    A sharp pain scorching his chest. His master was glorious. And he would never call someone like Envy master.


    His master''s words would move the other sins to action surely¡­


    Wrath hesitated.


    Wherever he went as long as it was with his master¡­


    Wrath would be satisfied. Besides, Killing the sin of Envy who was too competitive was not worth staying behind for. He would not ever respect envy so he would never be second in command again.


    Besides¡­ there was no room for regrets.


    Hell was otherwise boring without the Crimson King. This was not love for his master, it was respect.


    Anyone that disrespected that image of his master wherever they were both headed would be slaughtered.


    Wrath finally submerged his entirety into the portal.


    A moment later the portal collapsed.


    . . .


    The moment that Lucifer passed through into the crimson oval he felt like he was covered in a mucus. He quickly realized that it was draining away his energy.


    He tried to stay awake due to the energy deprivation though he eventually succumbed.


    When he awoke he felt a massive amount of pressure press against him. He looked around and noticed immediately.


    Lucifer was falling once more.


    He looked up and the skies were foreign. Instead of the skies being blue like on earth, the sky was purple.


    Curious, Lucifer looked at his hand.


    He was pale¡­ he was¡­ he was an angel! He looked over his shoulder to see no wings.


    ¡®Or not¡­¡¯


    Then the worst thought crossed his mind.


    ¡®A human¡­?¡¯


    The trees below him grew in size as he neared the ground, clutching his wounds again he braced for impact.


    Even when he was physically tortured he never gave in.


    He silently thanked the sins as he descended.


    For he was proud. Now he would be free. If he never knew their story they would be angels instead.


    The seven virtues, especially Wrath. And the thoughts waned to the darkest depths of his mind as he crashed into the ground.


    Bring it on new world, Lucifer will take you on!

 Chapter 1 - Alone

    One day before the system was released¡­ An individual shot through what appeared to be a glowing blue circle.


    Woosh! A burst of air carried the shadow.Crashing downwards at a frighteningly quick pace.


    Passingone grove of trees again and againthe figure fell stumbling beyond the likes of branches and leaves. Flowing through them as if it were water, if water were sharp and pointy. It slowed his rate of descent.


    The figure lightly gritted his teeth as he was thrown to the base of the forest at last. The shade of the tree dusting off his heavy fatigue in a slow and monotonous way; the shade was nigh too useless to affect his wounds in any way shape or form. The injuries were that severe.


    Pain rang throughout his body constantly reminding him to stop, to rest - but he had to keep going. He did not have any time to waste.


    He pulled himself up, leaning, exhausted against the very same tree. He was going to die before the moon hung itself in the sky. If he was able to help it that would not be true. While he did have quite the day he had one more thing to do. One that had been bothering him this entire time.


    This blue screen that was hovering right in front of him.


    Welcome to the system! In your mind say ¡®status¡¯ to view your stats.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    All that he could do is acknowledge the fact that he was not seeing things. It was practically glowing like some kind of neon sign. Except way less hard on the eyes if you did not glare at it.


    He kept moving at a snail''s pace while dividing the rest of his attention towards the blue screen. It was too particular, it reminded him of the games he amused himself with when he was still on earth.


    He felt a dose of nostalgia kick in. ¡°Yeah, those were the times¡­¡± his voice briskly whispered.


    He dragged himself towards a cave that he saw a glimpse of when he came crashing down from the sky.


    His back heavy, his breath was starting to slow. He did not have much time left if he was going to be able to do something about his survival.


    And if he did not have his pride he would of gave up. If he survived then this near-death experience would have been worth it.


    He was not over the hurdle yet! His luck had a bit more work to do.


    Eventually he entered the cave, his wound made a trail of fresh blood during his time sifting through the dirt. He scoffed as he made due on the cold stone ground. It was better than nothing!


    He propped himself up against a stone wall, closing his eyes. The sound of the wildlife oddly soothing as it let him identify the most recent dinging noise.


    It was the blue screen, again. He didn''t care enough to look.


    He fell asleep dreaming of anything but his pain. In this world pain was not his ally, it was his foe.


    A eternally stubborn and unwelcome obstacle. It did remind him of one thing which was good - as long as he felt pain he was alive.


    And unlike his victims before, he could now die. He was not in an immortal realm such as hell or heaven.


    He now had something to lose here, his life. And such a weakness was not acceptable!

 Chapter 2 - System

    The sound of the forest accompaniedhis rousing body. Nap time was over. His eyelids stirred, repeatedly closing and opening due to the starch contrast between the light, and the darkness. The moonlight finally fell through as he found himselfawake as the day was nearing its second to last phase.


    He straightened his body¡¯s form earning his body a great deal of pain. Sleeping on the cold ground was a stupid idea. He was going to have to move sooner or later. His wounds needed to be tended to, sleep would not be its remedy. Anything which possessed medicinal properties. He needed herbs, even if the wound was closed enough. It would be able to get him to stand, not for long he didn''t need that long if he was where he thought he was. In another world!


    He spent the time that he had got up on the screen. If this was like Earth''s games then he would be able to do something about this pain - maybe.


    ¡®Status¡¯ he thought in his head.


    The screen popped up, slowly for some odd reason. Whatever the reason it had better of been good for making him wait.


    Though it was not like he was going to end up getting an answer.


    [5 Notifications Waiting]


    - - - <- - System- - > - - -


    [Public Alpha]


    V.0.0.1


    Instructions:


    1: Open your status by thinking of the words status. Verbally saying the words also works.


    2: Users of the system gain five points to spend every level.


    3: Enhancements are narrowed down to types. Users can view their status to allocate the points.


    4: People gain experience which at certain thresholds is automatically turned in for a level. Experience is able to be gained by doing actions.


    5: Skills are gained by doing certain actions, they can be ranked up by practicing the skills over and over again as your mastery with the skills is improved.


    Note: The max level is set to 50


    - - - <- - [Close]- - > - - -


    ¡°Hoh, so that is what it is! That makes this easier then.¡± He said, while staring off into the distance. Saying ¡°close¡± the blue screen went away and a few slim ones appeared in its place.


    Your body is foreign to this world. As such your body''s composition will be forcefully adapted to the atmosphere of this world. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    You have acquired the passive skill [Otherworlder] for being of a foreign world to this one.


    You have been injured! You have low health, you need to heal quickly otherwise you will die.


    You have gained the passive skill [Pain Resistance] for experiencing a lot of pain. Your body has begun to adapt to the amount of pain and reduces the sensitivity of your nerves that handle pain.


    You have gained the passive skill [Physical Endurance] for not only experiencing a large amount of pain, but from recovering from it as well. [Grit] has been given as well for thinking little of the pain.


    Soon he was distracted by another blue screen that was brought into his vision. It displayed a series of variables of the terms found often in rpgs. Along with his name, and other interesting things.


    [Lucifer]


    - - < - - Status - - > - -


    Level [1/50]


    SP 0


    Health is Critical!


    Severe Bleeding


    Multiple Bone Fractures


    Exhaustion


    - - < - - Stats - - > - -


    5 Strength


    5 Stamina


    5 Dexterity


    5 Charisma


    5 Intellect


    5 Luck


    - - < - - Skills - - > - -


    Otherworlder [1/100]- [G] [Unique]


    Pain Resistance [1/100] - [G]


    Physical Endurance [1/100] - [G]


    Grit [1/100] - [G]


    ????? [0/100] - [Locked]


    - - - <- - [Close]- - > - - -


    That would explain the dinging noises. If this is all true, then he was in for some fun times. Some fun times indeed. He does wonder if these stats are low, they might be, then again the mysterious author of ¡°the system¡± might be planning something, making us grow?


    The reason is what he could not figure out. He could always figure that out later, right now he would solely worry about getting stronger. It doesn''t seem like there are any herbs that he could use to relief some of his pain. He has to do this on his own. For his own sake.


    Lucifer stood to his feet and staggered out of the cave. Relieving a notable amount of stress on his joints by placing a non reciprocating wall as the host for his exhaustion.


    He would need to heal as best he could by minimizing his movement and maximizing his healing abilities so he needed to level, quickly if he could help it!


    Lifting his weight away from the wall he exhaustively exited the cave. He did not have long. He was excited to try out the system and to rid himself of such heavy fatigue so he put a pep in his step and scurried into the stretch of land nearest to him. The beginning of the forest.


    He wheezed, spitting out blood as he walked into the expansive lush forest that was sure to be home to something that could help him.


    With his recently attained vigor, he wobbled out onto the shore of the forest. Leaning on trees when he could. Every so often and without him noticing he heard a dinging noise.


    Which may be the factor that would save his life. His old life was however off limits for obvious reasons.


    For he would do this with his own strength, and fly higher than - well anyone! If only he had his wings again no one would best him.


    Right now he did not have the ability to fly, he was hardly worried if anything that could fly came after him as he knew their disadvantages. ¡°Let''s get this fucking over with.¡± Taking a deep breath he set out in the darkening sky.


    The sky would bend to his will!

 Chapter 3 - Three Eyed Rabbit

    After a few minutes of wandering in the forest just outside of the cave Lucifer came across a very strange looking rabbit.


    ¡°Let me just say that this is not what I signed up for when I came here to this new world!¡± Lucifer grumbledas he stared at the strange rabbit; not blinking, not even hopping around. Idle like a predator.


    This was not what heexpected. He didn''t think that there was going to be monsters like this.Expect the unexpected. That''s what should of happened¡­ He was in the middle ground there. Why, are they not even bloody goblins! They are furry abominations. Rabbits, butthey have multiple eyes and their fur is dark gray like stone.


    Lucifer glanced behind him and found the same set of eyes that spooked him moments ago. He could get through this, lucifer thought.


    He balled up his fist drawing blood which dribbled onto the grass. He had to do this or his name was not Lucifer the king of hell - I stand corrected, former king of hell. Either way that stupid rabbit was going down even if it had 100 eyes it would die by his hands, and he would consume its flesh. He would get those wondrous stat points. He would get them all.


    Anger rose within Lucifer as he stumbled forcefully towards the very same rabbit. Another ding, another ignored answer.


    He wanted blood not answers. He charged, and the rabbit simply hopped. This was not a game for Lucifer, this was a life or death situation one with his pride on the line.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    He swung his fist towards the rabbit as it began tohop into the air and the bunny simply spun, finding himself on Lucifer''s fist, running down it.


    No! He was going to keep trying as he had to get those stat points. He felt that his body was working overtime to keep running with one punch, if he kept up with these strenuous motions he would die no matter how many stat points he had! Probably.


    He fell back, twisting his arm to the side. The rabbit finally was caught off guard and clawed into Lucifer''s arm to stay on.


    ¡°Thats nice to know that the little bastard has claws!¡± Lucifer mumbled angrily before reaching over to his occupied arm that carried the rabbit, grabbed the rabbit''s neck by its nape, throwing it to the ground. A audible cracking noise was heard.


    Without a second thought Lucifer stuck his heel out and kickeddownwards. This round he won, he needed to be even stronger if he was going to win the next. He was so damn tired!


    He was also damn happy to see that blue screen. He was fucking ready!! He needed some relief from all this pain.


    ¡°Status¡± he thought before his eyes scanned the text of the screen. It appeared slightly quicker than before.


    You have leveled up and as such you have been rewarded 5 SP for reaching level 2!


    You have at present the ability to improve your stats on a 1:1 ratio. In later versions this ratio may be improved in ¡°special situations.¡±


    He finally arrived at his stats and was surprised by what he had discovered there.


    Things were starting to get interesting. Lucifer thought as he saw as the version number changed.


    Its unfinished, so whats possible with the system may not be set in stone. If anything it was like wet clay just beginning to take shape.


    He would ensure that this world''s future was molded by him, for his own inhibitions. Using the system as a key to unlock his potential.

 Chapter 4 - Sealed Abilities

    Suddenly Lucifer received a notification that surprised him.


    - - - <- - System- - > - - -


    Hello world.


    You all may have noticed that a new update to the system was released, it was, it isn''t your imagination. This global phenomenon now has the ability to scan for prior abilities. I won''t expand on this, there is one among you who this applies, so much so that I may have improved this part of this system based on his input alone. If I find anything lacking or broken please use the suggestion box which was just added as well so everyone else can contribute.


    - - - <- - [Close]- - > - - -


    That is great, just what he needed. Someone watching hisevery move¡­ but, this could work in his favor.


    Quickly opening up the stat screen Lucifer began to fill out the form. It was neat all things considered. You say the gist of what you want and whoever runs this system will go through them.


    His first idea was spending stat points in mass. So instead of doing the spending one at a time you would spend more than one at once.


    Once he had elaborated on his idea to the fullest extent that he could he waited, and to no one''s surprise except Lucifer¡¯s he got a notification back, quickly as well.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    - - - <- -Private System Message- - > - - -


    Thank you for your suggestion, it has been deliberated between the council and will be implemented. This is a good idea, check back in a bit and the update should be pushed out. In advance sorry for not bringing up the idea to you before. I just should have expected otherworlders¡­ I have been recently made aware of cases like yours in neighbouring worlds.


    Your contribution points have been raised. You will be able to use these in a special shop once the rest of the shop has been finished and addedto the system.


    - - - <- - [Close]- - > - - -


    Pleased with his ideas success he was about to submit another when his hunger began to eat away at him. He needed to eat. He also needed to heal.


    For that he had to increase his stats. Just what would heal him, he considered Stamina,


    A few seconds later, he received a beep, and his vision grew busy.


    - - - <- - Private System Message- - > - - -


    Processing Complete.


    Your abilities from your previous world have been merged with this world¡¯s ones. When you entered the atmosphere of this world your abilities were removed. All of them, luckily they were saved in a hackish sort of manner and have been converted to identical abilities that you may unlock later. Your origin abilities that have been sealed away will stay.


    You may, or not have a chance to unlock this later using what shall be called the ¡°road¡± system a very special, and most significant part of the systems updates that shall appear soon..


    Thes sealed abilities include:


    [???????¡¯s Blood] [Healing Aura] [Might of Heaven] [Angelic Flight] [Son of ????] [Peerless]


    [Master of the Wind] and [Immortality Type 3]


    - - - <- - [Close]- - > - - -


    ¡°Well fuck.¡± Lucifer quipped.

 Chapter 5 - Ode to Family

    Lucifer began to sweat. The atmosphere that was previously happy go lucky now annoyedhim to no end.


    He could guess that one ability was from his father, the other was from¡­ his mother? If that was true, Lucifer had always wondered who his mother was. The moment he unlocked the ability, he could find out her name, Father was always so secretive, he will finally find out something important and be better than the old him who would follow him despite his arrogant extremes that he often displayed. Too secretive to tell his son who his Mother was, that fucker!


    Lucifer felt that his body was sucked dry of all positive emotions. How dare he do that! He will find out the identity of His mother and get him to shut the fuck up for once about his almighty power. He may have created this universe, but that gives him no right to treat his son like the scum of the Heavens. The answers would be his!


    Ready to get his mind off thingsLucifer enhanced his stamina by distributing all of his points intoit.


    ¡°He keeps so much hidden, it''s his worst talent.¡± Lucifer groaned. His body felt better than before even as many things were brought up in his mind. Except his wellness needed to be perfect. He was perfect, his wellness however was not in the best condition.


    Taking his mind of the recent developments he took the survival aspect of his new life in stride.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    He needed material to build a shelter for himself, so he grabbed branches, the forest was full of sticks. After that he rubbed a pair of the stickstogether. Abruptly a spark was fostered atop the end of them and that''s when he could begin surviving for real. The fire spread and he lobbed the sticks onto the pile of branches that made the fire even larger.


    Content with the fire Lucifer grabbed the dead rabbit corpse and threw it over the fire. He was already not well so he could not get sick.


    This time he noticed the new notification that had taken residence in his line of vision.


    You have acquired the passive skill [Survival] for surviving. This passive ability makes it easier for users to survive with meager and or insufficient knowledge in foreign terrain.


    Once the rabbit had been cooked enough he grabbed it. It stung, but made little of the pain and quickly began to eat the cooked rabbit as he required the energy if he was going to heal any time soon.


    Lucifer had a lot of time left to do whatever he wanted so he went ahead and explored. He was feeling less and less pain as time passed.


    This was his only source of relief. Now he needed to hunt.


    This new world gave him so many chances, and for once he will take up on its offer at the chance of becoming what he used to be, and more.


    If anyone crossed his path now he would crush them and turn them into stat points. A wild grin now planted on his face. He would discover the identity of his mother and turn the world here into his playground.


    And only his.

 Chapter 6 - The Hunt Continues

    Lucifer came across another thing to kill quickly, it was another rabbit. He didn''t have any preferences when it came to inflicting death, only that when he killed whatever it was that Lucifer did deem his prey was unable to talk back.


    He sighed as he looked at the light gray rabbit. This rabbit was different than it had appeared. Multiple types of rabbits are not an impossibility as far as Lucifer was concerned. Variation was a common thing to see back home on Earth. He should not be too surprised to see that the fur of this rabbit was lighter when compared to the other rabbit-thing that he had seen before.


    That also reminded him of a suggestion he should give when he is done relieving himself of this stress.


    His jog towards the rabbit shifted into a full on dash. This rabbit clearly was on the same wavelength as Lucifer. Saves him a ton of trouble of figuring out its next move.


    During this encounter Lucifer had to begin differently then swaggering forth and delivering a haphazard punch. He needed to trick the rabbit, when one is alert and all in sorts so it would be hard to do.


    While thinking of what Lucifer should do next the rabbit pounced on his chest, as it flew back Lucifer zagged to the side after the immense recoil of the monsters attack and grabbed it by one of its feet while it jumped away. This bastard had to die now!


    He threw the rabbit monster to the ground, poked out his elbow and faced it towards his prey. All before he launched himself towards with crazed momentum before the rabbit could get away.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Crunch.


    He spotted the screen as soon as he sat up from thenow dead rabbit.


    You have leveled up, +5 SP!


    ¡°What should I do now? I am no longer hungry - who am I kidding I am always hungry. Should I spend the SP?¡± Lucifer chirped questioningly as he dragged the corpse of the rabbit over to the fire and heated it up.


    Lucifer decided that he would hunt one for one more rabbit before he would begin to construct a shelter. He looked around, and found neither another rabbit or any buildings. This territory was completely void of any type of civilization.


    No settlements of any type. He would guess that this had to be an island, or something along the same line of thought.


    Taking this chance early to do so before anyone finds out about wherever he was would be best. He contemplated his choices as he sat near the mediocre fire. His body was warmed, his ideas were not fostered even if they were near the very same warmth that roasted a former living breathing thing.


    He grabbed it a second later throwing his hand into the flame. He couldn''t eat burnt rabbit.


    ¡°Food is secured¡± Lucifer noted as he began to chew the rabbit meat. ¡°Next would be¡­ the suggestion that I had, better suggest it early, then get disappointed and mad when it is rejected later.¡± Lucifer softly muttered to himself.


    His body tingled as he realized his workload. Lucifer had to take care of so much before he could find out his mother''s identity. He had however to focus on one thing at a time if he was going to be successful.


    He opened his status to find out that he had access to a new stat. His eyes narrowed as he thought of its implications.


    His gaze strengthened as he read the new stat aloud.


    ¡°Rage.¡±

 Chapter 7 - Change of Plans

    The stat seemed ominous in itself. What were its effects? If Lucifer had to guess it increased his strength. Right?


    He hurriedly opened up the suggestion box in the status menu and began his suggestion. He wanted the ability to see the meaning of stats when you hovered over them. In extension to that the ability to see the effects of skills if by some chance you forget what the effects are. That sounded nice, it was common in the games he played back on Earth.


    Lucifer finally finished with this idea and waited. This time it took a bit longer for him to get a response back from who he presumed ran the system.


    Your idea has been discussed by the council, after much deliberation we have found your idea to be suited to the system framework. Your work has been noted, as such you will find 50 CP more in your status panel.


    Happy with his ideas successful implementation Lucifer could finally begin constructing a rudimentary shelter. He may have lived for a long time, it doesn''t mean that he was all knowing especially when it came to this world: A world that was foreign to his old one with the system concept, and a distinct threat the bloody rabbit monsters.


    He sat up, only feeling a wee bit of pain, and in order to feel less he spent the 5 SP that he had most recently gained on Stamina. If you can deliver a strong punch you have to be able to take one as well.


    He had finally collected enough branches to make the shelter after thirty minutes. During that time he encountered one rabbit, so few! Lucifer interpreted that as the rabbit population being low.


    That said he would do whatever he wanted even if the rabbits numbered under 100. It could also be true that the rabbit population was located elsewhere and there were a few that just explored the boundaries of their current ecosystem.


    Lucifer was excited, instead of searching for any more rabbits he had started to check the descriptions of the stats and was quite interested in what he had found.


    [Strength] - How much force you can put behind your movements.


    [Stamina] - How long you can endure exhaustion, and physical degradation.


    [Charisma] - Your beauty, grace, and appeal to all whom see you.


    [Intellect] - Your ability to understand and memorize ideas and concepts. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    [Luck] - The likelihood of being in a favorable situation.


    [Dexterity] - Your body''s ability to maneuver


    What kind of build did Lucifer want? Did he want to focus on strength and overwhelm any threats with his own power or just rely on luck. Which to him did not feel very stable as a path for him to follow.


    Now it would be best if he focused on stamina. He reviewed his status once more to be sure of the path that he wanted to follow. He needed enough power to reach the apex, not now. But eventually he would come to do just that - be the strongest. Taking a hit or twelve differentiated a person of little power to a person who has much.


    The screen seemed to demand his attention as Lucifer''s focus was brought back to it.


    [Lucifer]


    - - < - - Status - - > - -


    Level [3/50]


    SP 1


    Health is Low!


    Major Bleeding


    Minor Exhaustion


    - - < - - Stats - - > - -


    5 Strength


    15 Stamina


    5 Dexterity


    5 Charisma


    5 Intellect


    5 Luck


    1Rage


    - - < - - Skills - - > - -


    Otherworlder [1/100]- [G] [Unique]


    Pain Resistance [1/100] - [G]


    Physical Endurance [1/100] - [G]


    Grit [1/100] - [G]


    ????? [0/100] - [Locked]


    Survival - [1/100] - [G]


    - - - <- - [Close]- - > - - -


    If he fucked this up it could impact him in the future and as he was a perfectionist he could not have thatat all!


    The following screen that popped up did affect his plans in a major way. He considered suggesting such an idea, it was quite hard to plan for something when you dont understand the depths of the other parties knowledge.


    - - < - - Global System Message - - > - -


    The first to clear any concurrent dungeons will be rewarded with immense fortune and power. Dungeons are towers with many floors, the deeper you descend the worse off you will be as stronger and stranger things appear that you will be asked to kill. Dungeon Lords are strong monsters who solely inhabit dungeons bottommost floor with unique titles that the person who clears it can gain that give special bonuses.


    - - < - - [Close] - - > -


    Dungeons were not only plentiful, their rewards were too significant. Even so, he still considered himself to be lacking in power.


    He needed to have an adequete amount of power - then he could crush the damn dungeonsall at once.


    For now Lucifer would prepare and come to be worth his name in blood. Constructing the shelter, constructing a real weapon and wiping out those hideous three eyed quadrupeds besides finding a dungeon would take time.Time hated his guts and he hated waiting.


    What a time to be sealed.

 Chapter 8 - Ongoing Construction

    Not only did Lucifer have to finish setting up a shelter, he had to clear a dungeon - which worried him. They would not be easy to find. What a fucking hassle!


    Right now Lucifer had around 20 branches that he had collected from around the forest. He needed more if he wanted to do anything. Kicking out the fire that he had started before he set out to find more materials. Stone in particular, as wood was flammable and could not risk his home going up in a fucking inferno.


    He utilized what he had on him at the moment to lay the foundation, a proximity of branches. Next he needed stone, so he could not delay the search anymore. He began to pick up any larger pebbles. As he had nothing to carry them in it would soon become a problem for him to carry it all.


    Within a few minutes he received a beep. It seemed that carrying the pebbles did some good. Physical exertion meant that he would gain more experience. Excited with his possible revelation he quickened the pace before he had become over encumbered and had to drop them off in a pile.


    At once when he slouched over to an empty area near his work in progress housing, he let loose all of the pebbles that he had collected. Lucifer sighed with relief.


    ¡°The bloody things weigh 50 pounds, I wouldn''t be surprised if there total weight was more.¡± Lucifer said, venting.


    The rocks rolled off each other as the pile evened out making a loud clacking noise. It bothered Lucifer who often heard the screams of the people he tortured. This was a form of torture as well - to a much lesser extent. A lesser evil.


    He repeated this process a few more times. Each time he did it he felt that it was getting easier. The rising testosterone of his was doing him wonders. Great vigor was needed to carry a momentous amount of pebbles for such a lacking reason. This was going to take a while. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    An hour later, he had gained a new skill [Gathering] plus he had leveled twice from all the physical activity that he was committing himself to.


    An hour after that, a twenty minute long venting session and the skill [Shout] was gained which amplified the sound of his voice when he needed to. Lets just say, he did not need to. Lucifer just felt like it.


    At last he took a break, and started to search for this days meal. It would be the end of the first day that he would spend in this world, one of many he hoped.


    He came across a rabbit that was darker. His testosterone kept his enthusiasm to work hard high. It even allowed him to respond to the rabbit that was in the process of countering him which this time did not take kindly to an asshole such as him.


    His response to the asshole of a rabbit? Be an even bigger asshole. He chased the rabbit with a stick and jabbed it. Killing it after the third jab of the wooden stick, the stick ended up getting lodged in its lower pocket of fat in its stomach.


    It quickly bled out once he extracted the stick, it was a swift process as the blood circulation was high. The rabbit kept moving straining its blood flow. The rabbit was still in sight as its final moments were etched into Lucifer''s mind - temporarily.


    He swept the rabbit''s body up into his arms once he made sure it was dead. Lucifer then set up the fire again by adding a few more branches with his free arm and skewed the 3 eyed rabbit on a stick. Consuming its meaty flesh once it became cooked to recover his notable fatigue.


    This new world had still so many secrets. He would come to discover them all.


    Once he did recover his immortality¡­ that was key. For that he may need some allies, eventually.


    For now he would stick to what he knew best, planning for the future.


    Right after he slept.

 Chapter 9 - First Title

    Lucifer picked up where he had left off once he had woken up. With what he desired to get done that day it was best that he began his day early, and end early rather than start late and end late.


    Ignoring the beeps that arrived soon after Lucifer had awoken progress was clearly visible. The foundations of his house were making progress. The proximity of the house was done when he picked up branches that were found beneath the shade of the army of trees in the nearby forest.


    The next step would take more time than the last. He needed to make the wall around the house. He considered simply planting sticks into the ground atop the stones, except that looked ugly instead he tried something else. He would utilize the remnants of his clothes to fasten branches together. It was better than his prior idea which Lucifer had a moment ago. He began to tear at the black cloth of his shirt until he was left with quite a few scraps of shirt that Lucifer could use to tie branches together. He was no longer wearing anything to cover his chest.


    This was kinda exciting for him. He was making real progress - a proximity of stones, and pebbles was not something that Lucifer would actually consider good looking.


    A minute later - or so Lucifer guessed was a minute, a blue screen appeared in his vision.


    Skill: [Crafter] has been added to Lucifer''s status, and its respective effects are now active


    The way that the screen was presented was different. There could be a new update, he wondered if he should check it out. Lucifer gave in to his curiosity and opened his status.


    - - - <- - System- - > - - -


    [Public Alpha]This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    V.0.0.32


    News:


    - > Titles have now been implemented! They are gained by reaching milestones.


    - > The skill gain messages have been tweaked.


    - > A user''s stats will now be in a row rather than divided.


    - > Some skills are now titles


    - > A person''s CP is now added to their status


    - - - <- - [Close]- - > - - -


    Lucifer closed out the news, quickly realizing the level of change that had happened to the system this latest update. It was a tad easier to read, and now he could gain titles and otherworlder was moved¡­ to titles.


    Would noble be a title then? That''s the kind of title that he was thinking of when the word title came to mind.


    [Lucifer - Otherworlder]


    - - < - - Status - - > - -


    Level [5/50] - SP 25


    100 Contribution Points


    Health is Normal - Minor Exhaustion


    - - < - - Stats - - > - -


    5 Strength, 15 Stamina, 5 Dexterity, 5 Charisma, 5 Intellect, 5 Luck


    - - < - - Skills - - > - -


    LOCKED


    [????? X]


    G RANK


    [Pain Resistance 1], [Physical Endurance 1], [Grit 1], [Survival 2], [Gathering 5]


    [Shout 1], [Crafting 2]


    - - - <- - [Close]- - > - - -


    It seemed that the otherworlder skill had moved to be near his name. Interesting. That may be precisely what a title is, it''s not different here.


    Good!


    He wondered... with this new update what kind of title would he gain if he reached the current max level? Would it be worthwhile to grind to it? Otherwise why even bring up the cap?


    Would disappointment be all that awaited him if he were to even reach that high.


    He had only free time on his hands, so why the hell not! He can multitask. Mortalstyle.

 Chapter 10 - Building and Crafting

    With the goal of leveling up his skills Lucifer quickened the pace at which he put the stick pairings into the ground. How was this different compared to the other ideas? the ends were tied so the transition of sticks were easy on the eyes. It just needed to be relatively fine looking. It wasn''t like he planned on making a masterpiece with this level of crafting skills.


    He would make a better base once his skills in crafting, and if there were any similar and synergistic skills have improved.


    After the sun began to set during the second day he felt like exploring and seeing what was out there. If he was lucky maybe he could find a dungeon.


    Lucifer wasn''t worried that he could not find a dungeon. It was simply the matter of when, and if he was going to be the first to clear one - or all of them. He might not get them all, he at least wanted to get a majority to get cleared by him.


    He dropped what he was doing to search. He didn''t really feel like carrying all the extra weight around while he went to go look for anything interesting that would hopefully pop up in his surroundings.


    That''s when an idea struck him. Fantasy games often had a map used to find interesting things. He did not feel like a cheap experience so he decided that a pointer that lead him to important locations would be good. Depending on the criteria you would end up being lead to suitable locations only. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Lucifer immediately began to submit the details while he walked. He felt that this idea would make things easier for everyone - and he would get the most use out of it.


    Instead of getting a ding back for his ideas acceptance, he got a ding along with a blue screen telling him that he had gained a new skill.


    Skill: [Walk] has been added to Lucifer''s status, and its respective effects are now active


    Effect: The pace of light movement is increased.


    Happy with the skill that Lucifer had gained he decided to run instead of walk. Attempting to acquire the assumed running skill as there was in fact a walking skill. The walking skill did help but if he was ever in a hurry and needed to run he would need a running skill that increased the speed in which Lucifer ran.


    A part of him did not want himself to improve the running skill since he was not a coward. That part died as he received a notification in the form of a blue screen that had appeared in his face.


    - - - <- - Private System Message - - > - - -


    Your idea has been approved. Reach level 50 to utilize the navigation arrow feature. 50 CP has been added to your account, please continue to suggest worthwhile ideas. Your efforts have been noted.


    - - - <- - [Close]- - > - - -


    Both happy and sad that he now had a reason to reach the max level of 50, Lucifer dug his heels into the ground as he stomped off off ready to beat up any three eyed rabbits or anything else that dared to cross his path.


    This idea was his, and having a great plan backfire sucks!

 Chapter 11 - Turmoil in Darkness

    To end his frustrations Lucifer focused the brunt of his attention on his surroundings. Quite aware of the darkness, and its many eyes that may or may not lurk there. The sky was neither blue nor was it black it was a blanket with colors growing ever duller - the moon even seemed to be in a hurry to get away.


    Three eyes looked back out of that darkness. His awareness wasnt for nought as a three eyed rabbit waited to strike from a distant bush, it did not move, merely watched. Like he would be taken down by its stubby paws with equally dull claws, naive. He too was naive but to the extent that the rabbit displayed - that''s simply ignorance.


    He would show the rabbit that glared with three eyes who was going to be the victor. He began to sneak speedily towards the three glowing dots at the dead of the night. Lucifer did not take kindly to people watching his every move - ever! Especially ugly abominations such as them.


    On his way towards the small triad of glowing dots disappeared without warning. A rabbit can only be so naive.


    Lucifer did not stop running in that direction. He made sure that his ears were perked up and that his eyes never shut. One false move and it would be he who was the prey.


    A blue screen appeared, he paid it no heed. He had better things to do. This was good experience, rabbits were fodder - all meant for Lucifer!


    His stepsgiving sound to the quite night. He would no doubt be drawing attention to himself, especially when the night was as dark as tonight.


    He was not used to not being the dominant force, that was never something he had to experience before he was here, wherever here was.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Good thing he is getting the experience now or if he kept going down that path he would of been properly screwed with no way to rectify his own troubles.


    Once more the eyes appeared, no wait¡­ that was another pair. The eyes facing him now were dull. Like the night was, and continued to be- dull.


    He received a thrill from uncertainty - would he come out on top? Or would a greater predator make themselves known. Had any greater predators appeared in this territory he would surely of been a dead man.


    Cracking his knuckles he prepared a long branch to utilize as a ward to all who dare attack him now. He had no doubt that their would be people would dare, it always amused him to a degree to see them struggle. The futility of coming against someone undoubtedly stronger than you.


    The rustling of a bush was heard before he felt something slam into him, ¡°Shit!¡± Lucifer spat.


    He was too focused on his surroundings that he had not paid attention to his blind spots.


    He coughed, flying to the ground from the rabbits unseen charge. His body moved on its own, he was in controll still. He was not on the same level as them. He was stronger!


    Even if enemies coming from above - unless they were birds wasnot even a thought that had crossed Lucifer''s mind. To his back craning his neck - he shoulddo something about that!


    In his immediate view there wasasmall shadow. One that belongedto thethree eyed rabbit, its three eyesand small shiloute were proof of that. Its form turning up dust, preparing to charge him again. ¡°Gotcha now you bastard¡± Lucifer grinned ready to pierce the rabbits disgusting shape-As he was about to pierce it, he felt something nibble the back of his left leg - causing pain, and his attention to shift to the affected area.


    ¡°This night is going to be a late one.¡± Lucifer proposed. The thrill of the fight sinking into his flesh, his eyes taking in the pair of rabbits bloodthirst.


    This is what it meant to start anew!

 Chapter 12 - His Oath

    Lucifer had to be careful if he messed up in his counters with his two present rabbit-lookalikes he would not be seen the next day - alive. The adrenaline made sure that his body was not overwhelmed with the pain. He could safely ignore it,


    ¡°What is a bucktooth bastard like that going to do to me?¡± Lucifer speech slurred as he spun his body around, getting these vermin a grave was his greatest and sole priority.


    He smacked one of them with the stick that he had in his grasp - targeting the three eyed rabbit that tore a chunk from his leg first. That rabbit retreated back a distance when he tried to strike it, ¡°Not yet!¡± Lucifer yelled when he failed the second time too, following through with the third strike that was his swiftest strikesuccessfully pelting the nibblers small frame till it went ahead of its ally to the afterlife. ¡°Eat birch!¡± Lucifer gleamed. Quickly turning around he pushed his stick out in preparation for the critters still living rabbit ally. Chasinghim down the moment that Lucifer had been distracted.


    ¡°This is not a game.¡± Lucifer calmly denoted holdingthe stick with both hands striking the charging small critter with one blow crumbling under the power of the strike. One it fell,grinding the end of the stick into the back of the monstrous three eyed rabbit when it touched face to face with the dirt, it stopped moving - permanently.


    ¡°This is life!¡± Lucifer grinned, staring at the finished rabbits with great pride. He won, for once he bested two 3-eyed rabbits. They were not strong - instead they were graceful. Ugly graceful bastards. For that they will not bring shame to their ancestors, just pride for a successful life or death bout. Fulfilling their worth by giving Lucifer the experience he was due. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    No longer carrying his awareness about the two- whom now were ready for the reaper to take them Lucifer waltzed happily away. With more confidence he was ready to track down even more rabbits. Hoping deep down that the next fight would bring him even closer to defeat - only to win in the end and to fertilize his growth more. His future while bleak was not covered in total darkness. Until it was he would never run out of options. Even then his pride never stopped keeping him satisfied no matter his predicament


    A second later he received a new blue screen, no doubt related to combat. He made sure to stand guard using his hearing, his sight was occupied.


    Skill: [Intimidation] has been added to Lucifer''s status, and its respective effects are now active


    He had the ability to check its effects later so he went ahead and closed it. As soon as he did Lucifer noticed a new notification manifest - Lucifer is on a roll! Booyah!


    Lucifer has acquired the required experience necessary to go to Level 6! Plus 5 SP!


    That''s more like it! The new SP was appreciated. He could always use the higher stats - they were still low, but he was getting there and he liked what he was seeing. He liked to see that his hunt was fertile, earning him plenty - making it worthwhile to extend the hunt.


    Until the night became day - and the morrow rose a hardfought victory in hand, he would hunt. This was not a promise.This was an oath and not one he would break, his mind was sharp and if words helped him to cut down any in his way he would utilize them - everything that was at his disposal.


    His mind, flesh, bone, nerves all ready to unleash a little hell, his plan demanded it.


    The sky may turn red, and the waters may run dry he would still hunt.


    That was the type of demon he was, and breaking oaths was for weaklings.


    And Lucifer was far from weak.

 Chapter 13 - Web of Unfairness

    Lucifer chuckled as he leveled up to level eleven flinging the corpse off his wooden weaponry. These rabbits were becoming quite inconvenient to use as leveling fodder. He would have to fight stronger monsters - no more rabbits. He would see to that, unless there were only rabbits which Lucifer doubted would be the case.


    He noted that earlier rage has been moved to the skill section. Is it better as a skill? Lucifer did not have an answer for that.


    It was growing darker, the night was going to become day soon and his vision was getting worse. Lucifer would hunt one more batch of rabbits. He had to check his status before he did that. Lucifer needed to utilize all his SP so he is not lagging behind on his current maximal strength - overall, not in strength only.


    Most recently Lucifer began to improve his strength reducing the time it took to slay the rabbits and was supposed to help him fight other things - yet there was nothing else to stab, gouge or mutilate.


    This disappointed Lucifer he hoped to experience a real fight, nothing good came out of tonight - if you exclude the levels and one skill.


    The rate of leveling that Lucifer was growing was not satisfactory. He needed to explore further, and find a nest of a new beastie. Anything under the sun would do, besides giants, or dragons.


    His ears picked up a clicking noise. It was a small annoyance - but the noise only increased in volume. Lucifer looked around and failed to find the source. But it sounded so close¡­ that was when Lucifer realized something was off. He scanned his immediate surroundings, turning his head only to find something very thin was poking him. Prodding him too, whatever was near. It was then when he realized that it was something on his body: thin, gangly and¡­ a spider.


    ¡°Thats new,¡± thought Lucifer turning away and back. ¡°It''s really a spider.¡± Before it set in that it was on him - so close as well.


    The spider was the size of a fist, ebony and so, so gangly! He swept it off himself in a hurry. Once it hit the ground he stomped - the arachnid no later became a green and sticky splotch on the ground.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    A blue screen caught the entirety of his thoughts when the window appeared differently. Trying to look more and more like a game, huh system? Even if Lucifer was never answered his attention remained present on it.


    [Update Launched - V.0.4.1]


    Database Definitions Updated. . .


    New Global Stat Variations Activated. . .


    New System Update is a Go!


    [ { Load Changelog File } ]


    He loaded the changelog, unlike before this was new and piqued his interest on the method - the way he, or rather it does all this.


    [The System]


    Attention everyone, the system has been updated. In this update which I call the biggest update so far I have changed the way skills work, adding a mastery percentage to modify their growth.


    In addition, people may begin to experience changes in their body that happened before the system was released. You may get visibly more built. Your Facial structure may change, and your flexibility may vary. Other small changes that may possibly happen: you may get taller, your voice may get deeper or higher. The rate at which you are understanding concepts happen as well. On top of any non system related changes that occur without the systems interference.


    Lucifer felt his body get heavier when he started reading the message. He felt some of the weight shift - Lucifer no longer considered that to be fatigue - it was a spider. His hairs stood on end when it crawled all over his back before it settled in one place. He felt it nick his back, he began to panic.


    His vision grew blurry at a drop of the hat, he fell flat on his back. In the middle of a very dark, and still occupied forest. The spiders ooze dripping absently on his back.


    He had to build the rest of the shelter in the morning, and now this happened. That time was cut short.


    They would pay! Those spiders were now on his most wanted list.


    And they were most certainly getting hunted - tonight was a night the whole forest would remember. Digging his nails into the ground, his vision still hazy Lucifer screamed.


    ¡°That''s not playing fair!!¡±


    Lucifer would give them all hell: those damned spiders - for wasting his time they deserve a fate worse than death. ¡°Weaklings have no place poisoning me, Lucifer former angel, former devil current antagonist of your filth ridden existence you call life."


    ¡°Now die.¡±


    Lucifer has activated Rage. All stats are boosted by 200% for a short while.


    Active Skill: Rage has gone from Beginner(1) to Experienced(3)


    Rage allows the user to increase their overall power by 2 times their skill mastery level * their stat


    His fury had only just begun.

 Chapter 14 - Weaved into Conflict

    The birds could only fly away as fast as the wind carried them to get away from the imminent mayhem that was about to ensue.


    Lucifer curbed away the fatigue that had been built up in the prior few hours - shaking away the constant feeling of being pierced, it was still their but he stood now. His body was working overtime- expelling a significant amount of spider venom. This was the work of the spiders poison. He did not care, he was not the one courting death. The spiders were.


    They dared to waste his time, he would dare to waste away their life - one stomp eliminated any signs of life, he could risk being care free. Poison this weak would make him scoff if he was in his former form.


    Now? He had to remain cautious. Enough that he wouldn''t get poisoned again. Lucifer grimaced looking for any spiders, while he was doing that he tore a long branch off of a tree. This one worked much better as a spear-like weapon then that crooked one he had before. Which he happened to lose, he dropped it when he fell to the ground.


    That''s how straight shooting his ambitions were to him, they were not impossible. He merely sought to reach the apex. He needed to build a house. He needed to wipe away any threats of his death. He sought not death but eternal life on the path to salvation.


    He could handle this much pain, if he couldnt, would he of been Hell''s best torturer?


    Pain Resistance has gone up! Pain Resistance has gone up!


    Skill: [Poison resistance] has been added to Lucifer''s status, and its respective effects are now active


    Skill: [Fatigue Resistance] has been added to Lucifer''s status, and its respective effects are now active


    He stretched his muscles, his entire body needed relief - he had to do with what he had, and that included no antidote. The closest thing to an antidote would be their suffering. That would at least mask his pain.


    He needed to succeed and to succeed here meant that he had to exterminate the spiders! Lucifer examined the origin of the first two spiders, he could see a faint string of web, more or less resembling a web you would see a normal spider weave. But this vile web was what he couldn''t see. He studied it, and traced the path with his eyes. He found that it was stuck to the top - along with many upside down spiders, all ready to come loose. Though this time he was ready. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    He slammed the stick into the tree, and they all fell down like landmines. He was going to kill them before they could counter, his body did not need any more venom to rid itself of.


    They were numerous, their entire web sunk lower and lower to their ground as their hive of like-minded arachnids was getting unfurled. They couldn''t work together now to craft webs. They all had to fight alone for the same goal.


    Protect the web from the intruder!


    Lucifer had another plan in mind - that was by no means defensive... ¡°Twist!¡± Lucifer yelled, spinning the lengthy branch around - and around with inept skill, waiting for them to get smashed. Bludgeoned. Wiped out!


    The spiders were unaware as they could only see this weird being spinning the branch around like an idiot - ignorant that they were about to get eradicated all at once.


    The spider that was furthest up was the first to notice that something was definitely afoot! Wind was somehow getting made.


    That spelled danger for that spider, and the rest.


    They had to call in reinforcements. High pitched and annoying, the spiders begin shrieking summoning a beast from hell - if the sound was anything for Lucifer to go by.


    But bring it, Lucifer thought. He could handle whatever!


    A few seconds later the being below them narrowed his eyes in anger when he looked to the north as a deep and ominous chattering noise was audible. His grin told another story. He was not scared. He was excited.


    Lucifer lowered his branch, the wind died down and charged towards the north - stick in hand.


    Looks like this is a threat he could sink his teeth into.


    A larger than life spider bigger than his waist began to creep towards him bringing with it an army of notably larger spiders when they are compared to the spiders huddled together - weaving the web. These were the real beasties of this here forest!


    ¡°You''re going to be my first real foe, you should be proud,¡± Lucifer stated to the fast approaching swarm of spiders, easily holding a laugh back. His enthusiasm could not be hidden.


    He may not make it, he may die but that makes winning all the more worth the effort. Whoever drew blood first would win!

 Chapter 15 - Arachnid Swarm

    The swarm of spiders would naturally be easier to eradicate compared to the large and foreboding queen. If he had to bet who was strongest he would say the queen. It looked to Lucifer that the Queen was slow. So that was his target, the slow ass queen.


    Lucifer took a deep breath, slowly, steadily regaining his composure - temporarily. He would need to unleash his wrath to win this fight. That''s how big of a threat the spider was.


    If the weaknesses remained applicable to the queen, the underbody of the carapace would be weak. He would strike it there, and wipe the rest out. It was a take it or leave it type situation.


    He dared - he would take that slim chance if it made his plans to the apex back in order again. That is how much the spiders had screwed with his plan. He was no longer immortal so for now and even after he gains his immortality, he would fight.


    His blitz now would decide his fate. His rage skill drained his stamina. He would not dare disable that even if he dared to take down the queen.


    He would take all the olive branches he would get no matter how small they be as long as they are from the system. He was not willing to get duped by anyone!


    ¡°The eradication of your species would be a virtue.¡± Lucifer whispered as his feet remained as heavy as lead. This victory in the end if he would win would make him stronger!


    He zagged, a small pocket of spiders tracked my movements. The rest went the other way. Being a queen, the queen spider went through the middle like any self respecting spider queen would.


    This made it easier for him to push to the middle, the followers of the spider while quick were too slow. Lucifer tightened the grip on the so called spear, preparing to kill the motherfucker!


    Diving while the two surrounding sides were occupied he held out the brunt of the stick above his head. He watched the spiders around him try to find a way to get to him and tear him apart.


    Quicker Lucifer, quicker!


    He watched and listened, seeing how the queen would react to his special attack.


    Of course she didn''t take it well. Her underbelly began to crack; even leak the same foul - but thicker visceral palm tree green shit! Without any more time he was face firm on the ground. Not wanting to die he slammed both palms on the ground as his hand was now not holding the spear. Wavering slightly the moment he got on his feet. He was not going to die in this barely lit forest.


    He turned around, the spiders were now inches from his face. This was not looking good.


    It took all his effort to stop¡­ himself¡­ from ¡­ screaming!


    Lucifer couldn''t take it any more. He had to scream. His voice befell the forest, wild - and yet he had yet to belong as a monster in this forest.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Because he wasn''t, he was a former angel - as a former angel, he could fight dirty.


    His scream only bought him a half a second. The spiders did not give two shits about his scream and instead wanted his head!


    He clutched a pocket of dirt, and threw it at the googly eyed queen. ¡°Fuck you!¡± his voice didn''t shake her.


    All her children followed him, and he ran while the queen blinked shaking off the debri caught in her many eyes.


    ¡°Stop making so many babies, goddamn you!¡± Lucifer girded to the huge spider queen. She clearly wasn''t a very good listener.


    ¡°Try this fucker on for size!¡± Lucifer screamed as he jumped over a fallen log. They had trouble getting under it, the queen had no trouble getting over it though.


    ¡°This did not go as planned. Think of something, anything¡­ uh¡± Lucifer snapped off a sharp stick, and threw it towards the queen''s face.


    It ended up creating a skill called [Throwing] and hurt the bitch. She screeched, and a few of the spiders followers made there way through.


    Not good enough Lucifer¡­ do better¡­ He knows he can. He just¡­


    That''s it! Open Contribution Point Shop!


    He did not care one bit about wasting his points. He wanted to survive. He found that their was something useful. It wasnt what he wanted but needed.


    [Cheap Copper Dagger], he bought 10.


    Wasting zero time in his defense he chucked them at the queen they were piled high in his arms, and her many allies. The fuckers screeched like her. It sounded like a chorus of death.


    Now the last of them were arriving. He snatched two daggers of copper- tugging the embedded blades out with relative ease throwing them at a nearby spider.Lucifer began his defense.


    He stabbed the spidersin their many eyes as he screamed, ¡°Die!¡±


    ¡°Die!¡±


    ¡°Die!¡±


    ¡°Just die!!¡± His voice took on his frustrations. He had enough delays.


    He took pleasure in their waning numbers. The queen was recovering - not her eye, her objective. To help her young and he was killing them and she was dying too. He didn''t feel ashamed, he felt happy that there was less of these fuckers out in the world. There was a reason why the weak got weeded out.


    His arms felt too heavy now, he was tired. He wanted to sleep. He needed to. Still, he couldn''t. He was not going to die, his body would stop fighting. He never stopped fighting during the rebellion in Heaven.


    He was a peerless angel, and graceful too. Now he was a savage - but one with a purpose.


    He would be like the queen had he not owned a greater purpose. he was going to reach the Apex. Not foster meager abilities, or in her case webs. Lucifer had better things to do as a fallen angel.


    Finish the queen off, and be the king of this territory.


    He punched the queen in the face, ripping the stick that was earlier plunged into her eye and into the other. He felt his body had been pierced by one of her sharp limbs. He paid it no mind, if he did he would be dying any second now.


    He pulled it out one more time, and finally the queen plopped down on the ground. No longer the caretaker of her many children.


    Without a reason in sight to fight any longer - his body couldn''t handle any more strain, he fell back his body spittingout blood.


    Lucifer clenched the ground weakly as his body - along with his consciousness seemingly faded away.


    A concurrent dinging noise popped him back to life as if he had been defibrillated. He wasnt, his body was simply pushed to the extremes.


    He stared at the windows weakly, and decided to sleep a little longer. He couldn''t change destiny any more.

 Chapter 16 - A Victors Spoils

    Lucifer punched the air with his fist - he was alive. The sunlight stroked his face, embellishing Lucifer''s tired, heavy like lead body with light. Was he not seeing things, or was he?


    He patted down his body to make sure that was the truth. He traced a scar that was located on the upper part of his torso. That''s proof - all that he needs.


    If he had been poisoned one more time, if he had, or been stabbed anywhere else he could''ve easily died. He was almost taken away by the reaper. He thanked lady luck that it was not worse.


    He was only feeling thankful. That was too close.


    A feeling of relief washed over him, he had won!


    Now he could reap the spoils of giving it his all. For taking the first step towards the Apex.


    He opened up his status menu, his breathing was not slow - it was expectant.


    Feature: Minimap Remains Locked [{ Territory File: Spider Queen - Absorbed}]


    Territories prior owner¡¯s title and land have been given to you, title sequence started¡­


    Title Transferred.


    Title: [Baron of East Ghodesthain] has been added to Lucifer''s current titles and is set to visible.


    Ownership sequence started...


    Land Transferred.


    You have been awarded the land of the Baron of the east, your new territory spanning 1 mile has been marked on your minimap. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    For both wiping out a nest of spiders, and killing its queen - an elite monster you have been given a pair of titles.


    Title: [Mini Goliath] has been added to Lucifer''s current titles and is set to visible.


    Title: [Spider Slayer] has been added to Lucifer''s current titles and is set to visible.


    Lucifer has acquired the required experience necessary to go to Level 15! Plus 15 SP!


    More than satisfied with what he had gained Lucifer stumbled to his feet. He couldn''t waste good daggers¡­ or his time. Who knows what else might be lurking out there and if someone would beat a dungeon before him.


    He found all ten daggers, when he was done with the house he should check out the contribution store¡­


    Even if he only had 50 points left.


    Lucifer had to hurry back so he could finish his house. Following his memories, Lucifer made it back and found the unfinished shelter right where he had left it. It took a while to get there, though he did it all the same. Not even a pebble was out of place when he arrived, so he could continue where he had left off.


    He needed to start the walls - his progress was too slow. He had to locate mud, he had to locate a source of water and he had to pack it together. It made the fight with the queen look easy.


    How he wished to go back to that fight, it - with its high stakes, but thrill it gave him it beat the work he was doing now by a mile - and counting.


    An hour passed, he finished half a wall - you see the house wasn''t very big, and the roof would take even longer.


    In around ten days - if Lucifer worked hard, the house would be completed,


    Taking his mind off things for a bit could do Lucifer some good - just by not stressing over the details, he could settle into his new life.


    The new life that still he couldn''t believe using the tome gave him, that the system gave Lucifer - a demon.


    Good things can sometimes come from the crazy.


    And he was crazy about this system - reaching the apex, setting his own limits that''s why he would never give up.


    That brush with death was a wakeup call, telling Lucifer to get stronger - now or heshall fall behind.


    Lucifer was a master at falling, but not at falling behind.

 Chapter 17 - Wanting minus the Means

    Lucifer relaxed, he could not afford being hasty in his actions. Haste would only make his progress slower at the end of the day.


    He yearned to communicate, he was in control though even with his wanting. Of his emotions, and of his strength - he only had to seek and he would find them.


    Would he seek them or would he fail and find something less worthy than what he had sought?


    He wouldn''t be able to get an answer out of himself, the only one that could''ve given him an answer was another being - humanoid, sapient or otherwise.


    He would do this, he could do this. His title was nice and all but that was not all there was to the system. There was so much more! if that''s what he got for killing the queen spider he wondered what he would get if he had killed a dragon, with the ability to fly and breathe flames it would be capable of much more than the spider queen.


    His urge grew to slaughter, to edge closer to the apex.


    That was going to be his apex. His!


    Stomach in mind, Lucifer needed little to keep him going. He ate the ugly rabbits, he settled on stockpiling the grotusque things. Heating it over a fire to preserve the meat. It was a good idea, one that he would rely on time and again... or so he thought.


    It was two days after his victory against the arachnid queen and during that time he had made great progress towards completing the shelter. Lucifer would have now been happy with a shelter instead of the monstrosity that was now his "creation". Now more than ever he wish it wasnt as the quality - overall was lacking and people had expectations of him, he had expectations of himself and that was something he had a hard time handling.


    On his face he could show any emotion, he wouldn''t let anyone have that though. His pride would not succumb to other people''s lesser wills. This was how he always had lived.


    Todays part in his ever growing power was his exploration of the contribution system, it would answer one of his questions.


    Not his main one, albeit one that concerns him second to the most in this new world.


    The first being the identity of his Mother, the second the purpose of the system, thus the usefulness of the contribution points.


    Which was draining, he clearly lacked the points to buy anything worthwhile after getting whipped into this world''s ways during the spider battle.


    The screen opened with a mere thought, and this time he had time to spare. He rested on a fallen tree and examined the screen that laid in front of him.


    <>><<>


    Contribution Shop:


    OPEN:


    <input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">


    GOODSThis tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    - Food - Refreshments - Entertainment


    MATERIALS


    - Building - Crafting


    PREMADE


    - Housing - Weapons - Armor - Sets - Eggs


    QUALITY OF LIFE


    - Combat - Living


    - Management - Selling


    - Buying - Creation - Manuals - Discovery - Movement - Authority


    BUY?


    Forum Access, 100 CP


    BUY?


    Market Permit, 250 CP


    <>><<>


    This time around Lucifer was able to get a good look at what the store had. It had a lot, one of the types of things which that it sold was angering him.


    Premade housing... how could he not have noticed that before. It was blatant in its thick text, he could not stay mad with his anger being won over by his curiosity.


    He opened the housing section, his jaw dropping faster than he did.


    It... it was 1200 CP, a picture of a castle popped up. That... he kinda wanted that. The buildings came with extra options, it was more if you wanted it furnished, 10200 furnished. He said little when he looked at the other options.


    He didn''t see anything that amazing, who knows what would pop up with the system later. He would be better off making a place for himself.


    It would allow him to learn more about building and what he wanted. It was a lesson about hard work not knowing the particularities of it when he was as perfect as he was tough. That''s not him even bragging, he was told that he was extremely handsome.


    Did he care if he had secret admirers? It wasn''t far from his mind, he should get clean. That''s why he was thinking about such things.


    Both angels and demons would smell of shit after a while of living wildly. Not even to mention the length at which he worked. He worked himself to death, he saw no need to stop working - if he was not reflecting at the same time would be when Lucifer would stop.


    His beauty wouldn''t fail him here. He was not going to let others use him. He would use them, no matter how close to equals or even his betters.


    He had no betters. In the attractivity apartment... that much he was sure of.


    He was lagging far behind, in last- in the scent apartment. He needed to get clean. He closed the menu, and set his eyes onto where he guessed the nearest source of water was.


    It was some time until he did find it. Lucifer would get clean, and then find out how to get his hands on some contribution points for materials. While modern appearances had its merits, medival era and back - clothing, and weapons wise was greater. He needed clothes.


    So much he needed, yet, there was always something somewhere that he lacked.


    He needed to stop wanting and start doing.


    He needed to just do it and attain the apex. No dream was attained by standing idle.


    There was no room for hesitation no matter how far he fell. He was a demon,


    treated as a source of most problems - humans are such idiots.


    He wondered... when would Lucifer meet a human.


    And how he would spread that legend once again,


    "I just love being called upon, human or not I am admired. Hated, respected. In every culture, they came in order - with my command I made them rise." Lucifer spoke - his voice giving way to an external monologue.


    He ran his fingers through his hair, ridding himself of the inhuman blood. The water carried away the vile and brought out something worse.


    His face disgusted as if he was seeing Hell for the first time. His own reflection spoke of his own myth. In the water his ownego.


    Thick hair as black as the night, slitted eyes contracting to a point - life in them carried through grass and pines forever, skin pale as the moon. Sharp teeth on the first watch, forming a drowning crescent.


    His lack offocus made him wanting.


    His options were quite simple - kill and grow, or be devoured and turned fertilizer.


    His next few months would decide it for him. Was he all that tough, or was Lucifer all talk.

 Chapter 18 - Quality is a Virtue

    Lucifer finished washing himself quickly. His current goal was to amass as many contribution points that he can use in the shop as possible. He was ecstatic that he would have better building supplies. The thing that saddened him was that he was raring to go get the materials himself. He really felt that the end result would become more worthwhile for him to do that. Instead of buying all that stuff from the shop.


    Would you rather be given a kingdom, or earn it yourself? While the end result is the same you miss out on the adventure to gain those things. Life was about the adventure - life was not about the material things.


    He liked his life, it was chaotic still - that just made it increasingly interesting.


    Lucifer went and hunted, he wanted to level up. He was getting up there level wise - to the point that Lucifer would need to kill more than a fair share of the three eyed rabbits to get to the next level. he would not be seeing if the max level had any rewards for Lucifer to endure such a hardship.


    He would devour anything, he would surpass anyone and would go anywhere. He would become what others did not dare to, what they couldn''t afford to.


    All because of fear they were missing out on the good life, he dared to indulge in it, and he was rewarded promptly. he couldn''t afford to slow down. Humanities mortality was such a fickle thing, you can not accomplish much in 100 human years. Not if you want to lose out on the meaning of those years, you remember little when you pass your seventies. Its like what you had experienced held no real meaning.


    Sure the emotions would stay with you, somewhat.


    The group of rabbits that he found were quite busy. Eating grass, eating more grass. All the things that rabbits, if you could call them that were busy with.


    They had grace, but they lacked real power. Power that made them instantly disqualified for the Apex Run. Runners would be humanoids, angels, demons. Dragons if they really did exist.


    It''s better to assume that they do exist then get disappointed later when they don''t.


    He readied his daggers, gripping the two hilts firmly. he wouldn''t let them go, he bought them, in a heat of the moment situation.A purchase that Lucifer didn''t regret - mostly because they saved his hide. For that they were worthwhile to keep around until he got something better.


    Sprinting towards a rabbit he plunged the dagger into the rabbit''s eyes that dulled the moment that the blades pierced the brain matter. The rabbits nearby reacted to the dying shriek.


    They bounced towards him, he delivered a kick to there huge furry foreheads - one at a time in quick concession, when they were busy shaking their heads he slashed with all of his strength. The power of each swing equal, he was great at controlling his own body.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Because it was something that he felt he himself was capable of.


    They - the batch of five rabbits, were wiped out thirty seconds later. he was satisfied with their deaths.


    He wanted to feel more. He wanted the rush to carry him forth! Spurring him, commanding him to do so.


    Lucifer looked around and found a cluster of rabbits. It seemed that the population was closer then he had anticipated. Great, right where he sleeps too!


    He cleaned the dagger''s blade on a nearby tree trunk before moving forth with momentum. he jutted into a stride. The wind weakly nudging him forth.


    "Slaughter." "Kill." "Have them sing for me.¡± "I am the one who let you up when you couldn''t go down any more."


    "Let their screams be free so be a dear and kill them all~!"


    His lack of will always seemed to delay his progress. His focus needed to be needle thin. His own voices needed to be instead be silence.


    Death was his instrument of choice when it came to torture. Not needles, the voices inside his head offered another opinion. Isolation.


    Everyone fears the finality that death offers. When you die in Hell - by one who offers absolution, at a cost of being judged for your weakness.


    Law had a form, he wasthe Law. He was respected.


    Here he was not the law. Here he was another mortal. he didnt have his demonic, or angelic powers. He had the power in his fist, and that would never be enough to regain his divinity.


    The system was his only hope. He had connections, but this was a backwater world. He couldn''t contact anyone even if he had wanted to.


    He was too weak. Weak! Copper daggers were not enough for Lucifer to bring closure to people''s lives.


    Pierce. Puncture. Destroy.


    There was not any pleasure in killing weaklings. he desired to kill the strong.


    He desired to be able to kill those who had a chance at killing him.


    To slaughter anybody in his path. No matter their power.


    To commune with dragons and like minded beings. No matter their mortality.


    He sought that goal, and for that he would rekindle any flames that could take him out.


    Seeking out one flame was today''s duty. He found it the day that Lucifer defeated the Arachnid queen, it was a fat rabbit. He clearly was an elite, he had a horn, and a set of three sets of red eyes eyes. Nine eyes.


    That''s not normal. And things that were not normal that did not pertain to him ticked Lucifer the fuck off! His family dynamic sucked.


    And not getting told his Mother''s identity by his Father made him want to kill something.


    The victim was none other than the nine eyed hare.


    Sure, he could spare a few minutes to rid the world of this multiple eyed monstrosity.


    It was just so gross, and fat. Nothing like himself at all.


    He admired strength, beauty and potential.


    And hated quantity. if you can see with two eyes, why the fuck do you need nine?!


    Good thing it had one life.

 Chapter 19 - The Nine Eyed Hare

    Lucifer stared across from the water towards the giant fat rabbit. Its watch remained passive, its existence ticked Lucifer off.


    Why was this fatso his second Elite that Lucifer had to kill? Couldn''t an elite be a fish? That''s not too much to ask for! Something less¡­ ugly?


    Since he was already nearby his plan to kill the bastard remained the same. He was going to kill it. He would have to rely on his copper daggers, they would end up doing the job. That is if the rabbit with nine eyes had no tricks up its sleeve.


    Rabbits were supposed to be all cuddly, this monstrosity was a demon''s nightmare. Not because it was cuddly and cute. Which it was not, it was because you could see its sagging belly rolls jiggle as it shook in place, cleaning itself.


    "Do that somewhere else!" Lucifer screamed at the nine-eyed rabbit. He could not stand by and see this aberration obscure him from his lofty goals. If it granted him a good amount of experience, then that rabbit would die painlessly, if not he would use the rabbit''s pelt for a rug!


    He rushed towards the hare, it craved nothing. Nothing that Lucifer would notice anyways. He was eager to see if he would win yet again.


    His body dripped translucent droplets of water, his body was yet to be dry. Holding a pair of daggers in his hands while they were still soaked was a sobering experience. He had to focus if he did not want to drop the daggers. He was not going to fail he already nailed one elite monster.


    This was an elite monster? It had nine eyes, three rows of those menacing eyes. Ugly crimson balls, on sagging flesh.


    What else could the rabbit be? It was not like he could see the monster as anything but a monster among monsters. All for the wrong reasons too.


    The rabbit stirred. Blinking only once, right before it began the fight.


    Lucifer leaped to the side as the large rabbit-thing nearly squashed him. Lucifer was unable to get close, this was going to have to be fought from afar. Good thing that he had his daggers to throw at the bastard.


    He bent his back, flinging a knife at the rabbit that was already mid-pounce.


    The knife got stuck, except he didn''t see any blood coming out of the freshly made... wound?


    No, rather it had to have thick skin. It would not die from his attack, Lucifer wished for once that he was skilled at throwing weapons. Now he knew that he would have to get up close and personal if he wanted to finish off the hare with nine eyes.


    The rabbit landed an inch away. Slightly set back from his attack. he would not have any extra time to defeat the fucker, so he utilized the last weapon in his arsenal, besides the one dirk in his hand, it was his body.


    He was a living weapon, one fit to destroy the giant rabbit.


    He kicked the rabbit''s gaudy frame, using the remainders of his energy to tear the rabbit a new one. The rabbit was not pushed back!


    Times were dire, he had nothing left. He was going to die...


    If he gave up... But Lucifer hated to give up. Especially disliking the idea of losing to such a monstrosity Lucifer reactivated rage.


    That bitch" Lucifer slammed into the rabbit, in an attempt to grapple the rabbit he torqued his body, his strength was inadequate to lift the monster. Rabbits were usually small, this fatso was five to six times the size of that. He wasn''t weak,


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    he was just up against a difficult foe. Lucifer was about to push it down...


    Lucifer''s eyes at the same time glancing everywhere. His eyes straining, while he stared at the rabbit for any signs of weaknesses he was punted back - thrown back hitting a tree Lucifer coughed.


    "Agh!". This situation felt so familiar to him, that''s right he had his back against the wall when he fought the arachnid queen, now he was having trouble against the rabbit king?


    "Nine eyed hare, damn you!" he felt the energy in his body lessen even further.


    "I am not going to die before you, you mongrel." Lucifer seethed, dashing towards the rabbit.


    The giant hare instinctively punted the smaller being down. Lucifer''s head whipped back from the shock. His face in the dirt, in the fucking dirt!


    Lucifer wanted to make that rabbits life hell. He was going to not just teach the hare a lesson, he was going to make that fuckers entire body paste!


    He got up, his body swift. Lucifer remained focused.


    All he had to do to succeed was turn that fucker into something more unsavory.


    He threw a punch at the rabbit''s torso. A mark formed there, it seemed punches did work. They fucking worked!


    He struck there again and again. Unleashing an onslaught of punches one after another. He heard the ding accompany his thunderous fists. His punches individually were lacking in firepower. Now the hare retaliated against him, its whiskers curling at the ends. Sweeping its head to the side Lucifer was once again on the ground.


    The dirt seemed to stretch itself around him. The land wanted him to win, so what if he was dizzy. So what if he wanted to give up...


    That which was not his focus was out of the picture - entirely. He didn''t have time to worry about things that were never meant for him.


    Nor what he desired.


    Lucifer gritted his teeth, goading out a shot of blood from his mouth. Lucifer''s entire body creaked.


    The hare seemed to want another crack at Lucifer.


    He was ready, their gazes connected. Turning both faces into animals. One was already a monster, and the other was a demon.


    Something that was much worse than a mere animal.


    "Take a dirt nap you dirty furball!" Lucifer threw one last punch.


    He needed a miracle if he were to win in his current condition.


    Lucifer had forced his body to work. Well beyond what it was made for.


    Limits were set - and could only surpass once you grow. Defeating this hare wouldn''t place him at the Apex, he would begin after stepping over its corpse. He had yet to surpass his will. Lucifer had yet to grow.


    Something bombarded his ears that Lucifer never expected to hear.


    Pat. Pat. Pat.


    That''s when Lucifer realized that it was footsteps! Other people!


    It sounded like a rainstorm of feet.


    He could only make out smudges of humanoids as his mind reached its limit. His battered face kissed the earth.


    Everything was now in the hand of the smudges. Lucifer fell unconscious thereafter. The beings could only shrug as they dragged him away.

 Chapter 20 - Village

    Lucifer felt as if he was getting carried away, he cracked open his eyelids gently, he speedily adjusted to the change in environment.


    The first thing that he spotted was huts that were cheaply constructed, except one in the center that looked much more stable.


    "So there was civilization all the way out here." Lucifer murmured under his breath, admiring the buildings. Even if they were unstable, they were a hell of a lot better than whatever the heck he tried to build as Lucifers shelter earlier.


    His gaze went around the whole village, after a few moments of looking around Lucifer found something that surprised the hell out of him. It was something that he was equally astounded to see as he was pleased.


    Goblins, in all shapes, small and stubby. They were coming out of the hut that was larger when you compare it to the other ones. They carried short spears, with stone heads.


    They were heading towards him, weapons in hand. He couldn''t do much, his body was much too heavy.


    All that he had to do was play it cool and everything would turn out alright. It was not like he would lose to the goblins, right?


    "Can you understand me?" Lucifer called out to them. Hoping for a positive response.


    In return for his eager response, all he got was some gibberish spoken breathlessly.


    "*&@^@*!!!" The one that tried to converse with Lucifer had a weird looking headdress, his garments were also somewhat florid, his sarong was adorned with a simple pattern. In Lucifers opinion that goblin had to be important.


    Compared to the rest, they were rats, all before a disease. Merely underlings, no need for Lucifer to waste any attention on them.


    They all had no shoes or boots to speak of. Neither did he, still he saw it as weird as they had access to so many resources.


    As they would think he was stupid, Lucifer reacted quickly. He valued the opinions of his lessers, and taking a dirt nap didn''t help one bit.


    Lucifer sought to get up, only he felt that he his hands were tied, quite literally.


    He spat distastefully. They were not speaking any language that he knew. Which he anticipated, still it left a bad taste in Lucifers mouth for him to admit that he did not understand their language.


    Lucifer focused on whatever they were saying in the hope that he acquired an understanding of their language.


    They did not speak much, and he had no references for the words. They could be insulting him, or praising him - which seemed very unlikely.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    He squirmed, finally getting to his knees. His arms were still stuck in place.


    They were still speaking. Lucifer could only shake his head. His attention remained focused on learning the language, and finding out how, and if they defeated the hare.


    Frustrated, and disturbed Lucifer kept on studying them.


    The green goblin folk examined him back, circling around, seeing something that Lucifer could not see himself.


    They seemed happy, more so the chieftain than the goblins beside him. While they were unsightly, they were humanoids, and some trust was able to be salvaged from the recesses of his soul just for that.


    What was their prerogative to do so? He was no animal. he was... he was a fucking mortal.


    The group of goblins stopped moving when they had noticed Lucifers anger. How could they not when his eyebrows were veered, and his eyes glowed.


    They were fearful, not knowing what was going on.


    Although, Lucifer continued to be on the up about it. He was getting respect from them. He was getting their fear.


    He was going to enjoy showing them their place.


    Suddenly one of them smashed the head of the spear into his face and he was knocked to the ground.


    He was the rightful owner of fear, he would make them kneel. Why would they dare strike him down, they should fear him.


    He lacked what made him scary. His horns, his wings, his tail, his skin that was...


    It still was flawlessly pale.


    The goblins beside the chieftain encouraged the goblin that struck him down.


    "No fair, not fair at all!" Lucifer cried.


    He staggered in shock after the goblin slammed the blunt end of the spear into his gut. Lucifer retched out blood. A feeling of unease rising up in his abdomen.


    If this continued on he was going to die.


    He had to turn the situation on its head, someway - today this goblin fucker was going to become dog shit!


    Lucifer brought his attention to the second coming of stupidity driving another strike into his stomach.


    Damn! Why were they treating him like this? Lucifer was more than upset, he was angry!


    He activated rage and pulled apart the bindings - in an attempt to tear the green man limb from limb Lucifer roared.


    Lucifers previous Skill: [Shout] has evolved into the skill [Roar].


    Without any attention on his screen, Lucifer swayed to his feet,


    he was going to sock him! The green man was not lacking in swiftness, nor did the bystanders of the tribe remain bystanders.


    They all lunged forth with their stone spears and pecked at him. Piercing his flesh, this riled him up even further. Lucifer swore that his roars were nearly as loud as the blur of notifications that were appearing. What was going to happen to his plan if he did not get himself out of this pathetic situation, he knew, it would come to pass, unsuccessful and he would be a corpse rotting beneath the earth.


    Lucifer grabbed the points of the spears where he would bleed from and drew a pair of goblins head together in a rage induced fervor. His skin being pierced by the chieftain that seemed no longer passive about the passing ordeal struck and drew blood.


    Too bad this would be their loss! His scream drew to a close as Lucifer drew a breath - smashing the small skulls of the two goblins with a powerful strike to their forehead causing them to drop their weapons. As they endured in a dizzy, and chaotic state Lucifer punched the chieftain in the face.


    Then he struck the one that started this whole situation in the nards before launching and planting a critical blow to the goblin''s face with a roundhouse kick.


    Lucifer felt something cold penetrate his back. Keen... like a spearhead, or, an arrow. His victory was supposed to be assured.


    Now his life was an inch away from being stolen by the reaper.


    He could only answer with silence, Lucifer was vulnerable.


    And he was the next candidate on the planet to get killed.

 Chapter 21 - Guardian

    Lucifer watched as he saw the sun begin to drop from the sky. The pain of being shot still pulsing throughout his body.


    He lowered his view from the sky. All just to see that he was likely thrown off a tall precipice, and had to take a snooze because of it. At least he was alive.


    Covering his the ground was dirt, it was abandoned. No trees, just emptiness, along with more dirt.


    He twisted his body around and noticed something that set his nerves afire that caused him to jump to his feet.


    Hovering before him, watching closely was a hare. Not just any rabbit - before Lucifer was the hare that started this tribulation.


    "Hare." Lucifer hawked, his body beginning to tense up.


    He walked towards the hare, that did not move. Why was it so passive? Why was it so ugly, why did it just make Lucifer boil over with rage?


    Why, because he lost to it, and he would win this now. No matter the stakes.


    Lucifer charged the rabbit, his feet gripping the dirt. In contrast, the rabbit lacked any sort of prerogative to do that.


    This did not stop his descent - his path down one of rage. One which Lucifer would unleash upon the rabbit. Roaring Lucifer swung his arm, colliding with the giant hare''s body.


    Again and again, he hit, this time he sought to kill - each strike containing his rage. His fists met the hare''s neck, he punched it in a short flurry before kicking it in its gut. Causing it to stumble back.


    The hare headbutted him back once the hare collected itself. His face began to bleed and he flew back slamming into the ground, it did not take Lucifer long to dash towards the towering hare once more. The nine eyes burning red tracked him, but he was not in need of the nine eyes.


    He only needed two, Striking him, again and again, any spare second his body in motion presenting pain to the ugly creature. The pain would kill it. He would kill it!


    His body was in pain, but the only thing that was on his mind was defeating the elite hare.


    Even then, he wanted revenge no matter who it was initially.


    He heard a pair of dings, catching Lucifer off guard. He glanced at them, before continuing with his continuous strikes.


    Lucifers has gained the skill [Relentless].


    Lucifer has gained the skill [Brawling].


    Finally, his efforts were not unnoticed. He struck the rabbit left, the hare twisted its body around and he ended up getting slammed for the third time in the fight onto the ground. Damn!


    His body barely healed over the time that he was gone. Snatching a stone off the ground before shooting towards the rabbit. Now with a new weapon, he threw it at its eyes during the time that the hare charged him. It pierced one of its eyes disabling a part of the hare''s sight, one of eight parts.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    The rabbit wailed out from the pain.


    He did not pass up this opportunity to kill the hare. he was not going to spare it from anything that he had planned for the hare.


    He plucked two more stones off the ground, activated rage and tore through the dirt, his dash was only a distraction. when he reached the rabbit, he went around the hare''s eyesight. It was still trying to reel himself in from the pain of having one of its eyes damaged.


    Pleasing to see that it could get hurt he jumped onto the rabbits back. using its body as a climbing wall, he stabbed. And stabbed, before he reached the top. Finally, the rabbit had recovered enough to focus on Lucifer. he wiggled his back in quick succession, trying to get the new weight off of his back before something happened.


    Lucifer persisted, arriving at the top of its back. grabbing hold of the rabbit''s neck he strengthened his grip.


    Again and again, he utilized more of his body''s energy to kill the hare.


    The rabbit jumped around, however it was useless. With its face blue, Lucifer heard a popping noise.


    Unsurprisingly the hare plopped onto the ground. Lucifer slid down barely standing up.


    Lucifer heaved heavily a loud ding entering his ears.


    Abruptly he was in for a surprise.


    You have reached Level 20, five levels worth of SP have been added to your status.


    You have defeated the elite monster Red Eyed Hare King, due to its classification, you have gained rewards.


    Feature: Minimap Remains Locked [{ Ruling File: Red Eyed Hair King - Absorbed}]


    Territories prior owner¡¯s title and land have been given to you for succeeding in your bout, title sequence started¡­


    Title Transferred.


    Title: [Baron of The Middle Reaches in Ghodesthain] has been added to Lucifer''s current titles and is set to visible.


    Ownership sequence started...


    Land Transferred.


    You have been awarded the land of the Baron of the Middle Reaches in Ghodesthain.


    Your new territory spanning 3 miles has been marked on your minimap.


    Your total territory now amounts to 4 miles.


    and the last notification that popped up surprised Lucifer, to say the least.


    You have killed the guardian of the village of Bouniei.


    You have the choice to be crowned its new guardian!


    Do you wish to become the guardian of the Village of Bounei?


    Lucifer looked around, hesitant. That sounds like an honor, something that demands respect. if he were to turn that down would he deny himself of respect?


    It did not sound bad... he accepted.


    You have been crowned the guardian of the village of Bounei.


    He nodded before one last screen popped up.


    As its new guardian, you have the role of protecting the village of Bounei. Securing the village''s future and warding off its residents from any danger.


    That sounded simple enough. This would net him a place to stay - a guardian had that kinda power? That rabbit was tough, really tough.


    He may have a lot to live up to but he always exceeded people''s expectations, why couldn''t he do so now.


    Lucifer opened his status and began to set his eyes on the future.


    And these stat points would help with that. For now, that had better be good enough, why else would there exist so many tribulations.


    Fate could fuck him over, he could be damned - again and again, but he would always continue looking forward - looking up - to the pinnacle of the apex that he would ascend to.


    Because he would soon again be dancing to the tune of the skies. His wings, his past, all of it paled in comparison to what he would one day become.

 Chapter 22 - Language Barrier

    Lucifer wandered back to the village, he would have a hard time acquiring the language of the goblins. He decided to check his stats since he hadn''t in awhile and about this time would work for him. He would be busy if he decided to check his status at any other part of the day.


    He wanted to do a lot, depending on what he had would decide that. Even if he denied that the fact would remain true until Lucifer decided to do something about it.


    He would do something about it now.


    <hr>


    STATUS


    - - < - - Titles - - > - -


    < NOBILITY >


    Baron of East Ghodesthain, Baron of the Middle Reaches of Ghodesthain


    < FEAT BASED >


    Mini Goliath, Spider Slayer


    < UNKNOWN >


    Otherworlder


    - - < - - Info - - > - -


    Level [20/50]


    75 Stat Points


    - - < - - System Info - - > - -


    0 Contribution Points


    Health is Low! [Notable Injuries]


    - - < - - Stats - - > - -


    5 Strength, 15 Stamina, 5 Dexterity, 5 Charisma, 5 Intellect, 5 Luck


    - - < - - Usable Skills - - > - -


    [G: Pain Resistance 3], [G Physical Endurance 1], [G :Grit 1], [G :Survival 2], [G :Gathering 5] [G :Walk 1] [F : Roar 1], [G :Crafting 2] [G :Intimidation 1] [G :Rage 3] [G :Fatigue Resistance 1] [G Poison resistance 1] [G :Relentless 1] [G :Brawling 1]


    - - < - - Locked - - > - -


    [U: ?????]


    <hr>


    Lucifer could only gawk, he had so many stat points to spend. Would it be best to put it all in intellect? Or all evenly. He would lag behind other beings if he did that. Focusing all his stats into one would make him open to weakness. He was going to have to lead, protect, and salvage whatever the village had. Then rebuild from scratch with those resources.


    Would that even work, would this uncertainty that he had hinder Lucifer? No. It couldn''t, it was not allowed, these conflicting thoughts would never surface. He was not weak, Lucifer was strong and growing stronger every passing moment.


    He needed to make a decision and fast. Every second that Lucifer spent doing nothing was the time that he could have spent doing something. Even if his efforts went unnoticed, he would have to be the one to live with them.


    He wasn''t going to grow bald from wishing for overwhelming power, he would only grow bolder.


    A big difference existed between the two things. One would hinder his appearance and the other his future. The difference was like day and night, totally different and put together way too often.


    He needed to be bold as was his will, as was his very hopes that they laid on. His words his own, and whatever ailed him, Lucifer would gladly crush.


    He gained skills, and he needed to decide on stats now¡­ would this be a heavy decision if he had fewer stat point to allocate on his status, no way!


    In the end, Lucifer decided to spend them on strength - it was raw power used correctly that would mend his broken path. An angel that has fallen will never regain his wings unless¡­Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    He was to forge new ones. He would do that, and to do such a thing he would need much more strength then Lucifer currently had.


    His new role also was kinda in cahoots with that. Lacking a reason to do that would make him weaker. Weaker than most others, weaker mentally, weaker physically and weaker path wise.


    His path would never lead him astray, he already went astray once it was impossible for it to happen again to him.


    The moment that Lucifer had allocated the stats points he felt a surge in his body''s physical capabilities. He felt that he was weak. Now, it was an entirely different story. Currently, that was enough to satiate any drifting thoughts.


    Lucifer was a sinner, he was a drifter. With no wings, he could only let others carry him.


    He was no fucking leech! He could handle this on his own. He was given a new start. This time he would not be held down under the gaze of hisfamily.


    And like that, a few hours and notifications later he arrived back in the village. His body seemed to toughen up when Lucifer had decided to increase his own strength.


    Lucifer was feeling anything excluding regret. Was it hope?


    It felt so foreign on how much the morrow would change him. His purpose! Everything.


    Once the goblins had spotted Lucifer they could only gawk.


    That serves them right, they left him to die!


    Their eyes were like marbles, dull one moment glistening under the light of the sun the next.


    That relieved his minor worries.


    Now then, he should start by learning the language. He balled his hand into a fist and pointed at a wide-eyed goblin.


    It squawked, speaking gibberish.


    ¡°Come here. NOW!¡± Lucifer screamed, his intent transparent to the small fragile humanoid. A lighter shade of green as it scurried toward Lucifer.


    It did not understand, it could see the humanoids wounds, and against his instincts went near him. Even if he was busy tending to his chores he would rather not be disobedient if he was strong.


    The blood that covered the man made it wonder, was Red Tail killed?


    Was it killed? No way! It had to have survived, the bit of fluff on him told him to be quiet about his suspicions. It did kill a few of his fellow goblins.


    If he did kill that red eyed hare¡­ their guardian¡­


    The stubby green man gulped. Hesitantly rushing over to meet the unnamed humanoid.


    ¡°*^&*^?¡± It''svoice barely a whisper.


    Lucifer wondered why it was speaking so quiet.


    ¡°Speak louder goblin.¡± Lucifer verbally swerved away from his prior blunt vocals that carried negative intentions.


    ¡®Goblins POV¡¯


    It could only stare at the pale humanoid questioningly, what did the pale thing want? Without intending to it backed away from him. The humanoids eyes seemed to shrink in disgust as they fought against its frail confidence.


    ¡°&*&!!!!¡± It squealed as if it were embarrassed, which on a goblin was something difficult to discern.


    ¡°&^*^*&.¡± (TN: I said speak louder!!) Which to goblin kind sounded like the words nobody understood, the pale man could only roll his eyes.


    It sulked when it saw this, it was in woe of the whole encounter. It could more or less understand that the humanoid was angry.


    Why was it angry? What¡­ what was the source of their rage?


    Did he do something to displease the humanoid¡­ he couldn''t recall or understand any of what it said. While he had the best language skills, his understanding of the intimidating figure was less than what it had appraised when it had first shown itself.


    The humanoid stomped towards Medo Fowr, ¡°Stop!¡± It could only shout. A mutual misunderstanding of languages¡­


    As death neared his cries grew more desperate. ¡°Please¡­?¡± He felt the humanoids grasp around its neck. ¡°I beg of you!!¡±


    He felt that its grip was growing stronger¡­ time was running out. He needed to abandon his pride¡­


    He wanted to live, no matter the cost¡­ he was not worth being a stuck up goblin.


    ¡°Pease et Gohk¡­!!¡± It tapped the humanoids arm,again and again.


    Would he make it in time? Hurry Medo Fowr! Hurry! Don''t let him¡­ AHK!


    The humanoids eyes grew as its eyes were carried elsewhere. The grip forever there¡­


    No¡­ no more...


    A few seconds of struggling later the humanoid began to speak.


    ¡°I am Lucifer and I am here to rule you guys.¡±


    He felt too much pressure build up in his brain and Medo Fowr fainted.


    ¡®Lucifers POV¡¯


    Dropping the small goblin onto the ground after he regarded that it stopped breathing. It seemed that the interrogation was partially¡­ successful?


    He did acquire the language skill¡­ he might have killed the goblin though.


    ¡°Shit.¡± Lucifer muttered staring at the numerous shaking goblins.


    He would be their new guardian, what accursed luck he had. Though if they all sucked... free exp!

 Chapter 23 - A greater role, a greater cost

    Lucifer stared at the goblins that cowered before him like mice. How long would it take to get them to an acceptable level of self-reliance, one that would minimize his participation in their growth.


    Lucifer was not saying that they did not do a good job on their own, they did it was he would never take pride in them as they were now.


    Currently, they were cowering, he needed to protect them despite such a massive weakness on their part. What was Lucifer to do but do well with what he had?


    The first step would begin him on his path - onto his own roadmap as a guardian. Surely there would be suitable rewards if he tempered their weakness into power, he would do that.


    He would utilize their numbers to do the boring bits of living in his stead like building. No¡­


    He would do that, just that he would do it later. He would have to communicate with the residents of the village¡­ whose name was lost on him. It was¡­ Bo, what was it¡­


    Bounei. That was what it was called. It was the only blue screen that Lucifer got of a info that discerned something very important to him that regarded this very village. He needed to make them autonomous with his name. Below him in power, he would never train them to be the scythe of the reaper, he would be the reaper using the power of his body as his weapon. They would just be tools, all of which he would use to make him gain the glory that Lucifer once held.


    ¡°Who was the current leader of the village?¡± Lucifer asked, his eyes pandering to his own awareness.


    ¡°Eeek!¡± A goblin cried, gaining the focus of his gaze.


    ¡°I will ask once more, who amongst your kind is the eldest?¡± Lucifer asked to the village as a whole.


    Without missing a beat a voice cried out.


    ¡°It is I humanoid, I would be willing to listen to reason¡­ if you spare them from¡­¡± The elder mumbled. Stopping as if he were contemplating something.


    The elder''s eyes glanced downwards at the collapsed goblin that began to get up. His eyes shifted from worry to appeasement.


    ¡°Eh, so Medo Fowr was not dead. That is fine¡­ good actually.¡± The eldest goblin noted. Medo Fowr was shaking, holding his breath as the communication between the two continued on.


    ¡°So as you were saying, you''re here to rule us?¡± The eldest asked. Every other goblin could only listen in, hoping that the fate of Medo Fowr would not become their own.


    Lucifer kept silent when the eldest of the village of Bounei asked the question.


    He did not see the value in sparing the stubby wrinkled goblin any words.


    ¡°It is tradition to prove your worth when you make bold claims, you have come back even after fighting red tail. What came of that bout? You appear injured humanoid¡­ our kind did a number on you. So if it is revenge¡­¡± The elder goblin pandered to him.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°What of it? I told you, being frank as I can spare. I defeated your guardian, and as I do not like protecting things like some knight I shall be taking up a higher, more suitable role one of a king.¡±


    Lucifer stated. His eyes holding the confidence of a ruler.


    ¡°For I am your new ruler and if you need evidence I don''t mind carrying on with another bout. These injuries won''t kill me if they are not healed immediately.¡± Luciferheeded.


    ¡°Hmm. It is as you say¡­ uh, might I ask your name¡­¡± The eldest goblin asked.


    ¡°Defeat me in such a duel and you will become worthy of knowing my name, for now, you shall call me humanoid. Even if that is rude to others to me what else could you call me?¡± Lucifer asked the chieftain rhetorically.


    ¡°Huh¡­ makes sense, humanoid.¡± The elder seemed to grow more confident after a mere moment of dialogue.


    ¡°Then the same offer is extended to you, I shall tell you my name if you win along with whatever it means to be a king.¡± The elder confirmed.


    Lucifer wondered why a term like king sounded so strange, in particular, the adverse reaction of the goblin chieftain had to it.


    ¡°Shall we start goblin?¡± Lucifer questioned, raising in eyebrow in response to the forthcoming answer that would surely come back to him moments later.


    ¡°Yes, we shall humanoid claiming our kind as his own. A king, of no place under the watch of I. Chieftan of Bounei accept your duel, may the gods watch over us in their almighty glory.¡± The goblin praised, commencing the start of the duel.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Lucifer grinned, he cracked his knuckles. After recalling his lost CP his positive mood lessened. He lost out on CP¡­ he could always get some later.


    But now, it was time to give the chieftain hell and test the extents of his new strength. He was feeling tingly, the chieftain was hunched, surely he would lose in a flash¡­


    His age would make this an obvious win. Those with the knowledge of the past couldn''t move as well if they were not in their prime.


    The elder''s eyes shown something else nevertheless¡­ they seemed to light up with a flare that only young people had. Seen often with those with the ambition to succeed.


    His eyes moved, carrying that same spark those in their prime had. That was not the only thing that set the elder apart from the ordinary goblins,


    He noticed that the chieftain began to mumble strange words, as a result have Lucifer question his own strength.


    The swirling droplet of water in his hand that hovered caused him to wonder about the unseen variable.


    Could he win? Magic or not, Lucifer had no room to doubt any component of the forthcoming duel.


    He would prevail this instance in an instant. For he had yet to escape his prime.


    It was youth that spurred humanity and demon kind forward.


    Now, what spurred the chieftain to act like he did? The village? If it was...


    They would be sharing a goal then, not that it would be made known to the eldest goblin any time soon.


    This was now Lucifer''s village. He would surely make the goblin before him do all the work.


    His happiness escaped him, and a menacing smile was displayed before all of his future subjects.


    This really was like when he first was told to rule Hell.


    This time around ruling cost only his life. It was dirt cheap. He wouldn''t treat the elder''s dream with any disrespect likethe others did to him.


    Be prideful for when you can spare to be so, when you cant, break into another mold.


    Even if that mold is one of the champion of Hell. The worst mold of them all.

 Chapter 24 - Duel

    The chieftain stared at Lucifer, hovering over his right hand was an orb of swirling water. It only idly hovered, it seemed to bend to the elder''s will. Magic seemed rather appealing, no doubt the chieftain focused on magic - plus it was likely the intellect stat that provided the ability to utilize magic.


    Though it''s not something that needed to think about at this moment. He only needed to act and Lucifer would be able to win and gain the title of King.


    King of the village anyways¡­ which did not really fit his aspirations.


    He would become king, not now but it remained a certainty in Lucifer''s heart.


    Compared to the measly title of elder of the village, this was more than useful. If he needed to strut his stuff Lucifer would strut his stuff.


    With this duel, getting the title was too easy.


    And like that the duel between the two leaders began. The goblin chieftain ran towards him, as he had an arched back it would take a while for the goblin to get to Lucifer. What a simple strategy, he would not get hit by such a thing. pathetic...


    At the last moment Lucifer weaved to the side, the elder''s sharp sight noticed this and mimicked the way at which Lucifer went - launching the magic water ball.


    No! Lucifer went the other way to get out of the trajectory of the arriving ball of water. The ball exploded and drained itself into the dry earth immediately. He almost got hit, who knows if he would have survived¡­ bah! He would have.


    Now Lucifer would begin to counter the sly old goblin. His pace skyrocketed when his goal became clear. One solid hit and he would bring a world of pain to the goblin.


    Lucifer ran with a slight limp due to his ongoing injury, he needed to and could finish this bout quickly.


    He needed to win, healing was his first priority, which could only be solved once he had won. So Lucifer needed to win.


    <hr>


    ¡®Goblin Chieftains POV¡¯


    The old goblin watched, anticipating any action that would require him to strategize to counter. What surprised him was that there was no such thing. No strategies except to simply charge¡­


    Would this humanoid actually protect their kin, can a stranger manage that? Especially one without wit?


    ¡°Damn!¡± The elder goblin spat seeing the humanoid on the move again, ignoring what would happen to him if he insulted the physically superior humanoid that dwarfed him in size.


    The goblin elder shoved those thoughts into the recess of his mind as he started to cast another magic water ball. He needed to win too!


    <hr>


    ¡®Lucifers POV¡¯


    Lucifer could only appreciate his own ongoing focus, otherwise, he would not have seen the elders oncoming attack.


    He needed to prepare, then take down the elder in this duel with one move.


    <hr>


    ¡®Goblin Chieftains POV¡¯


    Lucifer was an inch away, when the elder goblin jumped to the side, and the elder''s eyes grew wide from shock¡­


    That humanoid moved too quick!


    ¡°When did the humanoid get so close? I did not see him, or rather I was too focused managing my mana to see.¡± Observed the goblin elder. Augh, if only he had better control of his mana.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Right when he was about to stare into his eyes to confirm the beings intentions he lost track of him.


    ¡°Hello.¡± the humanoid grinned appearing behind him, the elder could only stop casting his mana and cross his arms in response to the swift moving humanoid.


    His heart was beating much too fast. It was bad for his health.


    If only he were in his prime this bout would have been in his favor¡­ that may not be true though, he did not know about mana when he was younger it was only recently discovered.


    He was too late he could not protect the next generation. With the knowledge of his ancestors, he failed, they all failed.


    Oh well¡­ it was¡­


    He felt his arm get squeezed by the humanoid. Too much pressure, he felt that his arm would pop!


    Luckily he was thrown, compared to his arm getting popped by the strong-armed humanoid he really was.


    He felt his body get thrown a distance away, cursing along the way. The dirt scuffing his ceremonial clothing. His old body could handle little even with his few points in physical based stats.


    That charge cajoled every muscle that he still had.


    ¡®Damn. Damn. Damn!¡¯ His frustrations were better placed as a burden on his mind then as words that utilized more of his already insufficient energy.


    He really wondered if he should have stood on ceremony here. He felt regret, and that was not something he felt for years since¡­ his wife fell ill.


    His regrets showed in his eyes, he had a great many allies. He had¡­ many things...


    The elder''s thoughts were interrupted by the strong voice of the humanoid.


    ¡°Good fight, now tell me your name goblin.¡± It asked.


    Snapping open the elder''s eyes showed once more the will that was once seen at the start of the fight. It would seem that the gods favored him, what an odd humanoid. He felt weak, he was weak. He had, however, remain strong until he passed the torch.


    ¡°Humanoid your size is the only reason you won, that and my age.¡± He claimed out loud towards the humanoid.


    ¡°The names Habs Fowr, might I know your name even if I lost?¡± Questioned the elder goblin reaching out his hand.


    ¡°Nope. I still have my pride, I don''t give out my name so needlessly. Earn my respect then sure one day you may know my name.¡± The humanoid replied, walking away. Ignoring his outstretched hand, what a strange one.


    Turning around the humanoid began to speak again, sending a slight chill down his neck.


    ¡°Until then you shall be working your ass off making this village better than any other, and I will be there to help you should any pests arrive.¡±


    ¡°What, does that mean¡­ you''re leaving?¡± The elder hopefully asked.


    ¡°All it means that I need a place to stay, and it better be quick¡±


    ¡°Or I really will get rid of you all.¡± The humanoid declared, walking away back towards the village.


    When the elder heard that threat he thought for a second that he was listening to someone that was evil. This sent a powerful chill down his spine this time around.


    He did spare him, so how evil could he be, even with that strength every sapient had a wee bit of responsibility. He just wondered how much the humanoid had.


    And what manner of sapient he was, he was so pale. He looked akin to snow when he got a free chance he would ask him.


    He hurried along, glancing a soft glance at his fallen son.


    Hab was not in a much better position to speak, even as the village strongest goblin he lost.


    Oh, how Hab desired to be young. Not naive like his son.


    Against overwhelming strength, all you can do is beg.

 Chapter 25 - The Meeting in the Hut

    After the duel had ended Lucifer made sure to examine what he had gained from the fight. His examination was followed through by his sight.


    Lucifer has gained the skill [Strategy].


    Lucifer has gained the skill [Foil].


    Lucifer has gained the skill [Sense].


    Lucifer has leveled up his physical resistance stat to 2.


    Happy with what he had gained he stretched his muscles. During that time the green goblin chieftain caught up to his brisk walking pace.


    ¡°Hello, humanoid you need your wounds mended? Don''t you?¡± Asked the goblin chieftain.


    ¡°That''s right¡± Lucifer replied trying to catch a glance at his wound, only seeing it briefly.


    ¡°Then if you would, humanoid, go into the middlemost tent in the village. There I will patch you up and we can share a cup of -¡± The chief noticed that he was getting ahead of himself there and stopped talking, he had to procure their future, not to ruin their only hope.


    ¡°No, I don''t need that, just heal me.¡± ordered Lucifer.


    ¡°Oh, ok then¡­¡± Shuffled the goblin chieftain rather slowly, before picking up its pace as they headed towards the middlemost tent in the village.


    Lucifer noticed something apart from the size of the tent that pissed him off.


    A totem depicting a winged being, stretching out his hand only to be caught by another.


    This totem¡­ had to be destroyed. That was not what the heavens were like or whatever the Hell that totem was supposed to depict.


    To distract himself he entered the tent, it was rather bare. There existed no flooring save for one small table. Even the ceiling was three feet, so he had to duck to get comfortable.


    Getting on his knees Lucifer crossed his legs, and the goblin saw this and went to the opposing side. Lucifer stared into the chieftain''s eyes.


    This was going to be one of those types of chats.


    Breathing in deeply, followed by a large exhale the goblin chieftain began to speak to him right out of the gate.


    ¡°What are your intentions, will you protect us? Or¡­ rule us.¡± Asked the chieftain, his eyes focused entirely on him.


    Lucifer cracked a smirk at what the goblin chieftain was asking. He didn''t care much about managing them, he liked the power, however, remove the responsibilities you will be stripped of that power if one is not careful.


    ¡°Protect you? Ha, you should know better than to think I need to protect you. You should want to protect me, I said that out there since all of your kind was near. ¡° regarded Lucifer.


    Lucifer began to stand back up, towering over the goblin chieftain.


    ¡°Now that we are in here, I will be telling you what''s what.¡± declared Lucifer.


    He moved towards the small green man, grabbing it by his neck and slamming him against the wall of the tent, shaking the entire hut.


    ¡°You will be doing what you normally do, except in matters of huge importance I shall have the final say.¡±


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°One more thing, do not think that you can rebel, I will just light a torch under your asses and burn this entire place to the ground. You mean nothing, now mend my wounds.¡±


    ¡°Small fry.¡± Lucifer peeled back his grip and the goblin fell to the ground coughing wildly.


    The goblin chieftain choked on his words as he worked up the confidence to reply.


    ¡°Understood¡­ humanoid.¡± the goblin''s face flushed.


    ¡°Oh, and get rid of those creepy totems. Pray to me instead, because it is not their good side that you want to be on.¡±


    ¡°It''s mine.¡± heeded Lucifer.


    The goblin chieftain clenched the dirt, it wanted to deface their villages totem! Destroy it even.


    Emotions were carried through his very bones. A variety of emotions were visible the most prevalent of them was the disappointment.


    The chieftains eyes sunk as hopelessness took the lead. He already fought against it and lost.


    Lucifer, however, kept speaking.


    ¡°On second thought, do tell your kin to wake up early.¡±


    The goblin was too preoccupied as he was still dealing with the disappointment that was ringing inside his head to reply.


    ¡°Now spread the word verbatim.¡± said Lucifer.


    Heavy tears sunk into the ground, leaving behind any hope for tomorrow. This was not a challenge that he...


    ¡°Or I shall raze the entire village.¡±


    The chieftains fatherly instincts kicked in as he slowly raised himself off the ground. Despite how hopeless it may have seemed for him if they did what the humanoid asked they would live.


    That''s what his father entrusted to him - the duty of the chieftain and the responsibilities that lay with that duty.


    He needed to do this even if it went against the ways of prior generations of his family, of his village.


    He needed to do what the humanoid asked, apologizing to the gods ahead of time was not something that could be done.


    He only sunk his head for a moment in forgiveness.


    If he didn''t have to destroy their totems to save his kin, his family¡­ his home he would protect the totems because before their prior guardian and up to this very day had kept them safe.


    Old boned or not giving up on his family was not in his vocabulary.


    Giving up on them was not allowed.


    ¡°It shall be done, humanoid.¡± replied the dwarfed goblin.


    ¡°I am looking forward to the positive results you are sure to bring.¡± answered Lucifer.


    ¡°Better hurry, and mend me.¡± Lucifer said.


    ¡°Even now with these wounds, I can destroy your very livelihood.¡±


    Lucifer ascertained silence from thechieftain.


    ¡°Heal me, feed me, and destroy the totem, Got it?¡± Questioned Lucifer.


    Habs nodded his head, giving in he began to heal the humanoids wounds.


    This was not close to how he pictured the first day with the new guardian would go.


    The humanoid was evil, pure evil. Additionally, the humanoid had the power to back up his future evil deeds.


    If he and the rest of the goblins were not careful they would be burning alive by this time the next day.


    What kind of monster was Habs healing? And what could they even do to avoid such a fate?

 Chapter 26 - A "Healthy" Village Dynamic

    The shadow of the night rose up into the sky, the light of the sky vanishing. Time wound itself up, then back to the stillness ofthe present.


    Now the second day had come and scrubbed the world clean of that darkness. Roughly eleven hours had passed since the meeting had passed with the village elder.


    At this very moment, Lucifer was looking glumly at the goblins who started shaking upon his arrival. It would seem that they got the message.


    Although they would likely not obey him due to their woe. The chieftain, on the other hand, would, because he was told the price.


    ¡°What I want you all to do is to strike upon these training dummies with all of your might. Exert all of your strength, the catch is that there will be weights added to your limbs to impede your movement. I want you all to do this with your choice of weaponry.¡± Lucifer stated.


    ¡°You mostly are only confident with spears and rightfully so as there reach is a stupendous virtue in combat. It can break easy, and there is not enough material in the head of the spear to warrant a proper defense. Sure you can jab.¡±


    ¡°You can poke.¡±


    ¡°You can prod.¡±


    ¡°This won''t stop anyone from cutting your spear into two pieces.¡±


    ¡°Leaving you with nothing. While it is not the worst weapon it is not the weapon you should all be using. Goblins, I will be kind enough to you that you won''t need to fear for your life if you obey me.


    ¡°All that you need to do today is obey and act. Obey and act it''s not hard, and you''re not all children.¡±


    ¡°Now act!¡± Lucifer screamed.


    And a flurry of life bore itself keenly into the village center of Bounei, they began to move, hesitantly but they moved and started to pick out weapons that laid on the table near the training dummies.


    All of this was bought using the CP shop. Cheap wooden weapons and training dummies.


    He wasted no CP making the training weights, they were easy to make on his on it''s a ringlet that you put on your limb of your choice of materials then depending on the thickness of the ringlet it will do all the work for you.


    Their lives are dirt cheap too. I had free time so I suggested the idea that now appealed to his inner gaming mindset.


    The hud. Put simply it gave you your target''s name if you were in a similar range of levels and remained there above the targets head. If you pay a price or acquire a certain skill you would most likely be able to hide your name, and or disguise your level.


    It would be useful, that was for sure.


    The village residents in combat¡­ he was stuck with weaklings.


    He hated weak things, so he would make them strong and worthy to befell themselves under his banner. One that would soon find itself all over this unknown world.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    They would hear the name Lucifer, and they would cry. They would weep, they would sob.


    All of this came with power you couldn''t escape its consequences.


    You can''t escape Lucifer.


    Lucifer gave a glance at his resident''s actions and saw that they began to line up.


    All on their own.


    This was only going to make them stronger in the end. Making his own name greater than they themselves alone could hope to be in their wildest dreams.


    While unity had its strength, competition earned the world greater effects.


    ¡°And the last person to commit themselves to 100 strikes before the sun falls without collapsing will be¡­


    ¡°Killed!¡± Lucifer screamed.


    Swiftly, and ever a moment more eager they started to practice. Now it would be time again for him to train, and he needed to swiften his pace in gaining strength or else they would gang up and kill him. They would rebel with the mindset that they had, and even if their rebellion would take a while he could not have that.


    Rebellion would mean that they would die. As long as the followed what he had to say they would be spared.


    Lucifer walked around then, he had already instilled enough fear in them for silence for the whole day.


    Excluding one goblin, the rest of the goblins would be able to be predicted. Their choices in the immediate future, and to a lesser extent their choices in the far future.


    And the one who he could not find, was the chieftain.


    Wherever the chieftain had gone Lucifer would catch up, and release upon him the worse pain imaginable if he did not re-


    ¡°Uh, Humanoid I have returned I was fetching water,¡± Habs said. Appearing out of thin air.


    ¡°Fine.¡± said Lucifer.


    ¡°Whats fine?¡± asked Habs cautiously.


    ¡°Follow me Habs, we are going to test how old your bones really are.¡± Replied Lucifer.


    ¡°Ah..! Be sure to drink this water.¡± Habs brought up the bucket, and Lucifer''s eyes could only grow suspect.


    ¡°That''s poisoned isn''t it?¡± Asked Lucifer.


    Habs eyes shrunk.


    ¡°Uh¡­ no?¡± replied Habs.


    After he got no response Habs began speaking again.


    ¡°That training area¡­ then?¡± asked Habs.


    ¡°The next time you lie, you will find yourself in a grave.¡± Lucifer couldn''t believe that he already had a traitor in his midst. He couldn''t more so believe that someone tried to lie, to him their guardian!


    It took barely any time to fetch water, here its been about an hour... clearly making this situation very clear cut,


    Habs met his eyes for a moment. What he saw shook him to his core, he had never seen anyone so angry.


    Before the humanoids anger, he could only flinch, the humanoids whole face was dark except his eyes.


    His eyes glowed red with impatience.


    Whenever it was that humanoid would walk hearts of steel would be frozen over from fear during sunny days.


    Habs just pissed him off, hopefully, he did his family proud.


    And didn''t just take away their chances of surviving until tomorrow.


    Or his sacrifice would be for not...!!


    He dropped the bucket of water, scooped some of the special poison concoction into his mouth and spat it at Lucifer.


    How does the guardian protect himself if he can not stop this, let alone my family with mere ideals.


    Think of it as judgement from the gods. Maybe Habs would be spared, and live another day.


    Maybe. Clenching his fists, he prepared for a battle of attrition.


    His burning fists once more reminded him of what was important.


    And who was not.

 Chapter 27 - Abdication of the Bystanders

    His skin was dissolving¡­ in the middle of the village where everyone could see him. They looked at him, offended by his mere existence. He only took over their dull village.


    Happy to see him in such distress they leered. His residents would never be this worse off because he was about to unleash hell upon them.


    He had butterflies flapping their wings in his stomach, acid on his face the whole situation was funny. All this pain just because one has to rule.


    He glared, looking for any eyes that wandered to him. Of course, they were avoiding him. Cursing his very existence, that very well may be true.


    Still, that would never stop Lucifer even if at present he looked like he was a monstrosity inside and out.


    The dinging noises, their smiles¡­ it was¡­ it was just like hell for him. People broke too easy.


    Lucifer began to laugh as he recalled it all. Hell was just like this when I had to take control.


    All of the things he lost, everything that he had seen and experienced in Hell.


    Lucifer grasped at his own face, feeling it. The agony of it all.


    Being too weak, suffering from pain. All while he was Surrounded by bugs. No, that would be an insult to bugs. They were microbes.


    Fucking microbes.


    He had the power to do something, here, in the now, against the microbes.


    Lucifer had to get himself together.


    ¡°Haah¡­¡± He lowered his hands, knowing full well what kind of monstrosity he was.


    ¡°You should be dying now humanoid.¡± The elder said with a slight smirk. His face showed signs of smoke. The acid was also eating him away too.


    Two peas in a pod.


    Although Habs was the spoiled pea. The pain, even if it bombarded him ten fold all at once he would never let anyone that he did not respect have that satisfaction.


    He would never get defeated by anything like this!


    Lucifer revealed his teeth as checked the status screen. It said he was low on health, of course with the amount of pain that was surging throughout his body would have been funny if he wasn''t low on health.


    However, there was pain, and it was not going to go away as long as they kept watching him.


    Even though Lucifer was dying he wouldn''t give the liar of a chieftain that satisfaction. He wouldn''t give any of the stupid goblins that satisfaction.


    He felt enough pain to make lesser men cry, to make them all beg.


    His tolerance to pain was too potent. Easily holding the weakness that boiled inside him.


    Lucifers growth had only begun, he had only started and they were already trying to kill him.


    He was trying to adapt.


    He was striving to adjust.


    Yet, that was not sufficient enough?!


    He used to be good enough, presently because he didn''t have the position of ruler he doesn''t deserve any less respect? No. That is not right...


    They couldn''t trust him, and that is enough for them to die. All who share the opinion of Habs...


    All of them...


    They all believed that they could kill him.


    Seeing a spear getting gifted to Habs lit a much-needed fire into Lucifer''s movements. Ignoring the pain Lucifer started to move.


    He would show them just what it means to be a fallen angel.


    Drawing his fingers closer to the shape of a claw he began to dash towards the chieftain who already began to lunge with the spear.


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    His sight was dizzy, he could barely see but for as long as blood dripped from his wounds he would fight.


    Until he was struck down by gods judgment he would fight.


    When the pain surged in Lucifer''s hand Lucifer chuckled. Switching the focus to his other hand drawing and landing on Habs face.


    Habs tensed, trying to shove his spear into Lucifer''s arm. However, he failed. The spearhead was already through his hand other, yet that pain lacked substance.


    Squeezing harder and harder with his digits Lucifer unleashed his killing intent. Bolstering his focus with the accompaniment of plenty of dinging noises.


    It lacked the lethality of a real killer move. The strength stat as high as it was could not crush his head in.


    He ruled hell so he knew a little something about what it meant to feel real pain.


    ¡°Pain will be endless, Hell is the breeding ground for new ways to inflict pain,¡± Lucifer spoke pridefully.


    Like children, the rest of the goblins would run when Habs failed. If the old prune succeeded in getting me on my knees, they would get involved soon enough.


    And here and now, the old man would fail. And they would all die, if they were bystanders they would be the root of the problem.


    Not Lucifer, not ever him. He had his own interests to look after.


    Killing Habs was currently on top of things to do.


    Lucifer had enough of this bullshit activating rage. He would let his rage take over and take care of the pest.


    As soon as he activated rage the power to do it was handed to him as if it were a grapevine.


    With the new power, Lucifer wrought havoc upon Habs. Squeezing the dense matter that was a goblins brain. Moreover, this goblin was especially thick-headed.


    ¡°Actually¡­ I won''t be the one dying today!¡± Breathed the old chieftain contorting in pain.


    ¡°See- they all want you dead.¡±


    Lucifer finally responded.


    ¡°Oh, I know. You know you should have been a more observant goblin. I can understand their point of view. I can also understand mine and put bluntly I don''t care about what they are feeling. They will die. Because that was what I wanted. That is what you wanted. That is what betrayal gets you-¡±


    "That is what betrayal gets you-¡±


    ¡°No.. that is.. not,¡± Habs answered softly, the pain becoming too much for him to bear.


    Lucifer quickly applied more force to Habs head. "When you are up against me."


    ¡°Your fuck ups speak for themselves. They speak volumes more than what betraying me ever could.¡±


    ¡°Good riddance mother fucker.¡± Lucifer teethed.


    Habs writhed in excessive agony mutteringhis last words.


    "Go die.."


    In a violent show of gushing crimson, the chieftains reign ended and something darker became its successor.


    The screams of his people.


    His blood landed on Lucifer, down his chest, and upper torso. Brain matter slid down his face.


    In his proximity all was crimson.


    ¡°Have the screams of those that have betrayed me, were they ever so gratifying to hear?...¡± Lucifer remarked, gleefully picking up the spear that was used to pierce his hand.


    With little time to dwell on it, Lucifer recollected the population of goblins. With the number in mind, and their screams in his head he began to walk to the villagers who had been overtaken by fear.


    He could dig in. An all you can eat buffet of twenty-five lost souls seekinga way out.


    Lucifer would give them all plenty of respite. Just not the kind they were looking out for.


    Beg and live, or resist and die like dogs. The villager''s fate was up to themselves and their pride.

 Chapter 28 - Fate of the Goblins

    Ignoring the stinging pain present in his hand Lucifer began his hunt. His wound would not close during this encounter.


    His regeneration would be tied to how quick he could end the night.


    Lucifer was not one to back down from a hunt either. Nor did he reciprocate a fondness for betrayal like the goblins had.


    They betrayed him. They lead him on, even if it was forged from fear they had an understanding.


    Though, now it seemed like that was a lie. They were liars.


    And all liars had to die...


    His pain was nothing like the pain the goblins that were running away were about to feel. He was about to make them suffer. Instant death was not worthwhile for these traitors. He would bleed them dry. There suffering a tone that he could play, whenever Lucifer wanted he could make them squeal.


    Like guinea pigs he would take his time with ending their deceit. Forcefully.


    Gripping the hilt of the spear in his untouched hand, he threw himself at the goblins.


    Lunging forth he carried the spear head into a goblins cranium. With his free hand - that bared the serious injury, to the ground. Dragging it out he transitioned into his next set of motions quickly.


    ¡°Die, you''re all liars anyway.¡± Lucifer said, his teeth grinding against one another.


    Spinning around he launched a kick. Then another, and another.


    He shook his leg off of the blood that crept up his leg. Dashing again to a nearby goblin he grasped its spine, and threw that goblin towards another. They crashed into one another becoming unconscious. He brought his foot down and there heads exploded blood with such pressure it looked like a gyser.


    Seconds later the fountain bled itself dry transforming into a river seeping into the earth, both of the goblins heads had been mutilated. Both of them dead, it was clear as day to see.


    ¡°This pain won''t groom you, it will just be your end.¡± Lucifer vocalized, glancing at his wound away from the two headless goblins. There blood almost mingled when he destroyed there heads.


    ¡°Disgusting.¡± Lucifer muttered as his head hunt became an all out slaughter.


    Lucifer twirled his spear and broke there spirits and bodies.


    ¡°Swallow your pride before me now, or face the only absolution your kind will ever face. Extinction!¡±


    The nearest goblin made the ground his home as he became one with the dirt.


    ¡°I apologize-¡±


    ¡°Thats a lie too, your kind is unredeemable.¡± Lucifer said smashing the spears head into there spine, piercing the nape of the goblins neck in an instant.


    The goblin quickly died oozing out the purest sign of blood.


    A river of crimson.


    ¡°Anyone who is willing to swallow there pride to survive shall perish. You are all weaklings. All of you had to lie. Your elder lied. You followed him, so go all the way to hell.¡±


    ¡°As your elder has fallen - the goblin that was the strongest amongst you, your kind has no chance in killing me. You have no right to say no, you lied so your entire species shall pay the price as collateral.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    All of a sudden a goblin spoke up interrupting Lucifer.


    ¡°That is way too severe!¡± A goblin said bowing.


    ¡°Just because one of our kind lied, doesn''t make us liars. Humanoid, are you that naive?¡± Asked the bowing goblin.


    ¡°You''re the one that is naive, goblin scum.¡± Lucifer said, pausing, while looking at the goblin who was purple in the face.


    ¡°Just because your kind doesn''t lie all the time, doesn''t mean that you haven''t lied. All of you before me have lied. The severity doesn''t even matter. White lie, or any! I trusted that you would be obedient.¡± Lucifer stated his eyes popping out from frustration.


    ¡°That too was a means to an end, trusting anything¡­ anything that is not my equal has no right to speak. You have guts. Curse the gods that is all you have.¡± Lucifer said, keen on holding onto his pride.


    ¡°Then¡­ then kill them. Just spare me.¡± said the goblin.


    As Lucifer was about to bring down hell the goblin yelled.


    ¡°Humanoid!¡± his voice freezing the terrified goblins.


    ¡°Unless you want to die worse off than you are about to, you better speak quickly. I have no patience for liars.¡± Lucifer stated anger in his voice.


    Lucifers glare intensified as he awaited a response from the goblin.


    ¡°I shall have them follow me.¡± proposed the goblin, his eyes never letting go of its light. It had not given up.


    ¡°No.¡± Lucifer answered.


    ¡°No..?¡± responded the goblin that was an inch away from stealing away his own breath. His voice carried intensity, that mean that it had backbone. Just not any pride.


    ¡°You shall tell them, if they do not hear these words now they shall die.¡± Lucifer said, taking another breath before he continued speaking.


    ¡°Liars are an incurable poison upon this world. You are harbingers of that poison. Why shall that be spread when I can just pull all of its roots out now. One by one¡­?¡±


    ¡°Because of the truth. I understand¡­ a part of what you are thinking humanoid. My brethren are cowards. They value there own life over any other. I value one virtue there willingness to do what needs to be done. That is also there weakness. I have that virtue, except I am being up front about it.¡±


    The goblin said, its head touching the ground.


    ¡°Because¡­ of that I should spare you?¡± Asked Lucifer.


    ¡°Do you not see potential in that? Humanoid. Haven''t you wanted to protect something even if that meant you could lose more than you could ever hope to gain you still would do it?¡± Asked the lowered goblin.


    Lucifer took a breath. Remembering things that he wished that he would never remember.


    The good times. How Lucifer hated them, it reminded him of what he lost.


    The goblin continued to speak.


    ¡°Lies and death, all of it is part of a cycle that has to happen. Killing is no more a part of our everyday life then it is making irreplaceable memories. I do not lie to you now to say these things to foster a grudge I say this to you now to forge a dream.¡±


    ¡°I seek a friendship, equal standing or not a bond can be made. An exception can be made. You have lied. Since it was for the right reasons, you see what I am saying Humanoid.¡±


    ¡°Bonds?¡±Lucifer questioned.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Lucifer asked hysterical.


    Lucifer walked before the goblin, got down onto his knees and spoke.


    ¡°Your bonds are artificial. If they were real wouldn''t they care for your wellbeing?¡±


    The goblin''s eyes grew as he saw his frozen ¡°friends.¡± Then he watched the grass grow.


    ¡°But¡­ it is not easy giving up on the things closest to you. ¡° Answered the goblin who glanced up from the grass towards Lucifer making direct eye contact with him.


    Lucifer''s eyes glowed crimson in response.


    ¡°That''s why, you should never let anyone near you in the first place.¡± Lucifer replied.


    As the goblin held tight to his virtues Lucifer spoke again.


    ¡°Close your eyes goblin. You and your friends will be heading to the afterlife.¡±


    The goblin nodded glumly, clutching his memories.


    ¡°If that is what it takes-¡± the goblin muttered, his eyes thinned.


    Lucifer answered in earnest.


    ¡°then that is what has to be done.¡±


    Plunging the spear into the goblins heart Lucifer watched as the goblins body became lifeless.


    ¡°Amiable efforts, but a liar is forever one who threw up arms against me.¡± Lucifer stated staring at the corpse below him.


    ¡°Saying that your words did not move me would be a lie. So for once I will reflect.


    I do seek allies. But unlike you who could''ve been a candidate...¡±


    ¡°I seek allies with pride to there name.¡± Lucifer noted.


    Watching the few goblins left flee Lucifer grinned, muttering his own motto.


    ¡°I am the son of God, and unlike father I condemn liars. Human or not.¡±

 Chapter 29 - Pawnless King

    Strong winds blew on Lucifer''s face as he mulled his victory, and the title.


    Title: Guardian evolved into the Title: Guardian of One


    ¡°None of the rest of the goblins had any backbone. What a shame that was. A loss of life, it was there fault, he shouldn''t waste his thoughts on them any more.


    ¡°They were scum and that was in there past, and in the future they would become dirt, beneath his feet. Weeds needing a little more trimming.¡± Lucifer muttered, his eyes dulled. Removed of his fury, his brain had stopped rattling.


    Standing atop the corpse of the last goblin that betrayed Lucifer calm was his heart. While the world still did not acknowledge his power, he got rid of those that were unworthy of living.


    Now, Lucifer could focus on his hand. It would get infected if he did nothing about it.


    Mulling his options he disabled rage. Moments later Lucifer wandered over to the hut of the elder. He would likely be able to locate something that could mend this¡­


    Minor annoyance.


    He looked around only to see not a remedy in sight. He could wait, there were however no guarantees. Life was not given with a single certainty.


    Thinking of what he should do Lucifer remembered that he had leveled.


    Quickly he opened the screen Lucifer realized that it was more than once. He could focus on regeneration. When he did he found seventeen levels more to his name. Plus another title, and the language skill for speaking the accursed language of thegoblins.


    The gains were not insufficient, it was how and who he got them from. He wiped them out and there entire life was compounded into experience.


    There wretched selves could serve in Hell happy, Had they crossed me sane, and a truth teller they would of been able to do so much more for me. They had to go straight to Hell...


    A shame indeed.


    Staring at his current stats Lucifer finally decided how to spend his 85 stat points. He had to stay alive to get stronger. Strength is everything, most of the time.


    He needed to live, he did not doubt that he could survive even with the gaping hole in his hand. He was willing to cauterize it. Cut it if the worst case scenario was to come to pass.


    Magic existed¡­ a new hand wouldn''t be the end of the world. Healing magic would be best though. While he didn''t care, he had his own views on who owned his body. He wouldn''t let just anyone give him a new hand.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    He would decide how he got it back, and if they were worthy of such an feat.


    Lucifer wanted absolute control of his own limbs. Let alone their fate.


    He needed to do something else. He would make them believe in something greater than themselves. He knew that all goblins weren''t traitorous bastards. They believed wholeheartedly in gods. Because of their intensity.


    All he had to do was look like one. He could then become one. Once he held that intensity!


    His mistake was believing that from the get go they would not take action against him. He needed to appear as sharp as methods were cut if they lied to him.


    They don''t berate gods, now do they? I do, yet I am the exception.


    It was time to improve his appeal to the masses. Spending all of the eighty five stat points in charisma he felt little was different.


    Wandering over to the well holding the stone wall in the center of the village littered with the corpses of the dead Lucifer saw as his eyes carried a new intensity. He saw a sliver of solid intensity, he could nearly feel it.


    His already clear complexion cleared further, his hair carried a greater black luster. His eyes carried that intensity. He even seemed to glow a very there and barely perceive black aura, he was not at the level of a god.


    He was merely a saint.


    A saint of Hell that is.


    He would teach them who they would pray to. His current visage was still lacking, so perhaps he would destroy the next village to change that.


    And then, he would feel a bit more able. Worthy of his own aspirations.


    He was excited to grow alongside this system.


    If he destroyed more goblins they would spread his name, and the system could award him for it.


    Then disappointment flashed across his face, he was too weak still. His weapon was a clear sign that he was weak...


    Lucifer looked at his weak ass spear in disgust.


    He had yet to realize real power. He hated being showed up, he would show them all up.


    Creeping into the world like a shadow before dragging all who deny him of truth a first class ticket into the bowels of Hell.


    Strutting back into the forest Lucifer stormed forth.


    His name was Lucifer, and no way in Hell would they forget it!


    As he went he submitted ideas, he wouldn''t tire till he discovered a dungeon.


    He was tireless in nature, spirit, and intent.


    Son of a bastard, brother of many assholes. It must be spread through blood.


    And he was seeped in the blood of liars.


    If he wasn''t careful he would end up the same as the abominations that sunk in the dirt, emitting a horrid scent.


    He was not merely an idealist, he was one that was rational. He would never rid the world of lies.


    Lies were part of the world.


    So he would force them on their own to change there ways. He would fight them, and bring them all to there knees. Through a show of power.


    He wasn''t going to be there best friend¡­ He was going to be there god.


    Creepy totems, and churches they would erect whatever he wanted. Sacrificing their lives, hopes and future to satiate his ambitions.


    His eyes were dead set on reaching the apex.


    Their lives were the pawns.


    And he was the king.


    The Crimson King of Hell.

 Chapter 1.1 - Wrath comes knocking

    Wrath wondered where he was heading. Where did the portal lead? The darkness that he was covered him told Wrath nothing.


    Quicker than Wrath could have anticipated he felt the wind press against him as the shadows turned into a pale blue. He was falling, he was going down, much too quick. As he fell he looked around, seeing that his arms had changed to an exotic mix of porcelain yellow. This surprised him, was he an exception on new bodies to the world¡­


    His master¡­ what about him?


    Wrath wondered if Lucifer, his master had experienced the same thing? Had he turned human?


    How was his master handling all this?


    Wrath looked around, his master must have gone somewhere else. This disappointed Wrath, he was the reason that he went here. He would''ve happily stayed in Hell if his master stayed there with him.


    With little time to think about what was happening Wrath fell towards a dull green color. It looked to be wet, it''s dull territory expanding in Wraths view.


    Wrath read books talking about what he was falling towards, they called it a swamp. He did not remember the time that he lived as a human, he only remembered the time in Hell.


    Here, wherever this place was, was the place his master wanted to go to. He lacked an understanding of why, but he followed him anyway because he believes in his master''s intentions.


    Without a moment to lose Wrath fell into a small pond filled with lilies. As the water surrounded Wrath, he felt the cold, he had not felt that in so long, it nearly felt unreal.


    Though because of his masters destination he remained cautious. Taking a glance at the water Wrath saw his face, his old one.


    The familiar exotic skin underneath a waist length set of crimson hair, his eyes were silver.


    His red robe still intact.


    Pleased that his master''s gift had gone untouched, even if it was wet it would had not been displaced or torn. It was his most cherished possession after all.


    Taking away his attention from the water, and clothing he began to swim, the pond was rather deep despite its size.


    It took a bit of time but Wrath ended up getting out of the pond after a minute of swimming.


    He looked around and saw bugs zoom with their nose close to the ground. They were flying low, it seemed that they understood their place in the world.


    Wrath wandered out of the water, and started to make a path through the marsh. A few steps later he felt his feet were once again submerged. Water was everywhere, there was no real ground.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    He would have to find a way out of the marsh if he was going to locate Lucifer. While he was at it he should find out useful information about the world. Despite it being a marsh, it could easily be an environment found at another place. Or rather¡­ another world.


    If that was true it would be a surefire way to cure his masters boredom. He payed careful attention to Lucifer''s actions since it was his duty to protect his master.


    He had to be his master''s weapon and be sharp when the need to fight for his master arises.


    To do that he needed knowledge. He would see what this world was all about.


    In order to identify sentient life he would have to engage in conversation. There was no guarantee that they could understand him, but they needed to understand. How else would he teach them of his master''s greatness?


    While his master was greatl, his master had weaknesses like any other demon. Now that he was a human, he lacked the power that was necessary to protect himself.


    Wrath would utilize this opportunity to get closer to his master, and stop his master from making any stupid mistakes the second time around on his path back to power.


    Wrath had many things to do before he was able to do that himself. He would have to regain his power¡­ he got his power from Lucifer.


    How he went about getting his power back he would have to do it quick. Or he would become dead weight, even Lucifer his master acknowledged his power.


    With that power gone Wrath would be ignored. That''s how his master was.


    Lucifer¡¯s most volatile trait - if you were useful you were appreciated, if you were not, you were ignored or even killed.


    Wrath would never go back to being ignored.


    Not if he could help it, in a new world filled with opportunities Wrath could do it.


    If he gained the power to stand on his own he would be worthy once more, he would be able to protect his master. So what if he was not appreciated, he would forever remain thankful.


    The time that he was thanked before Lucifer leapt into the portal was the second time he was thanked. He felt appreciated, yet mere moments after he feeled like he was lacking.


    As Wrath was thinking his stomach growled, he better get something to eat. He was human again.


    Wrath had to help his master, by helping himself.


    He would not starve for excellence was Lucifer''s standard.


    He would show them why he was called Wrath, the second strongest demon in Hell.


    Wrath was not stronger than Lucifer¡­ not that he knew. Wrath knew better than to think that.


    Whenever Lucifer worked towards his ambitions, Lucifer became much more than the King of Hell keeping the souls in check.


    He became the light that Hell took for granted, the one whose name made the sins sweat bullets.


    Becoming worthy of defending him was his only goal in his life.


    Though, if Lucifer held ambition for this place Wrath would ensure that nothing got in his way.


    In the way of mightiest ruler of Hell Lucifer, the Lord of Darkness, King of Crimson, and Holder of the Sin of Pride they would all burn to dust if they disobeyed even without his intervention.


    And they would only be thankful for the acknowledgement that they existed. That was the best thing that they could get. As a sin, the king of hell¡¯s authority made any path other than the one that he sought not viable.


    Nor a choice.


    If he sought the death of liars, liars would get razed.


    If they were told to die, they would become martyrs to carry his great name into the sky.


    Lucifer was their lord, he a mere retainer would respect his wishes.


    For Wrathwasa tool for his master to call upon, spreading his masters good name, and was more than happy to comply.

 Chapter 30 - Yes or No

    It took around a day and a few hours for Lucifer to get to the next village. The following village was close to identical as the last one. The biggest difference between the two villages was the location of the village center, and the number of huts. From a few seconds of listening Lucifer discerned that they spoke a similar if not identical language to the village of Bounei. They could be trading partners, or just migrated away and carried with them their language, it mattered not in the end.


    It was simply something that Lucifer thought about.


    He also thought about his new iron sword that he bought using his CPfrom the system.


    But that was not what mattered at this moment.


    With confidence, and no more idle thoughts Lucifer walked straight into the middle of the village rather than remaining on the furthest outskirts where he was prior to moving.


    As his appearance was rather eye catching, of a different race and so much taller compared to themselves they quickly surrounded him, stopping what it was that they were doing to just look at him and stare. At him and his dark gray sword that was positioned in Lucifer''s right hand. They hesitated on what they should do, of course a few goblins rounded up their weapons to question the foreigner. The weapons remained primitive, spears and hatchets nothing spectacular.


    Except they could not find the words to speak to the being, not that they didn''t know what they wanted to ask in their hearts.


    ¡®What are you?¡¯


    Due to there silence Lucifer had no choice but to speak first shoving down their questions deep into the depths of their heart. A smirk creeping up on his face Lucifer smiled cheaply to the surrounding crowd of sharp eared goblins.


    ¡°Anyone that wants to survive follow me if not¡­ you can guess your fate. Now what is your choice you mutts?¡± His voice carrying a visceral intensity to it, a new feeling it was for Lucifer.


    They quaked slightly when they heard his voice. Save for the emerging village elder he remained calm.


    All villages have an elder, this one better be wiser than the last.


    This village''s elder had hair that looked greasy and placed into a ponytail. He wore tribal clothes that seemed to stand out a bit more when you compared it with the rest of the villagers.


    This whole village was subpar besides its chieftain, they were plain now that he compared the two villages mentally. This chieftain looked better than the previous villages, this one actually had hair.


    Lucifer did not care for all the attention though, he solely came there to ask one question, if they answered no he would just slaughter them.


    They were small and creepy, the world would be done a favor, but he did not owe the world a damn thing.


    He wanted them to merely obey, he would not tell them to listen the second time around.


    With his superior strength and looks they would have to want to follow him. Lucifer was mightier than anyone than he had encountered. Attractive, saintly and honorable..ish.


    He knew ladies would jump at the chance to follow him. However he was not going to ever be that type of person.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Lucifer glared as he remembered the acts of some of the people that he had tortured in Hell. There deeds¡­ they were treating women like objects. Sure you can flaunt them about, that means that you care about them. But you can''t decide their own actions for them.


    They have to choose their own path, if they accept that path, fine. If not let them live and change their life for the better alone.


    Though the way they presented them was the problem. If they are attractive and smart they are not a mere human, they have a purpose.


    All humans had a purpose. It''s just that some humans have lived long enough.


    But these were goblins, and there population was mostly made up of males.


    There could be ladies among them but as far as he could tell they were just as ugly.


    Lucifer¡¯s smile faded into obscurity at the sound of the old goblins voice.


    ¡°Leave foreigner.¡±


    Without hesitation the moment that the elder said that he swung forth his iron weapon, a sword forged from iron slamming it into the goblins stomach. Reaching deep into the goblins intestines.


    Blood gushedfrom the chieftains stomach.


    ¡°You bastard!¡± screamed the chieftain coughing out blood. Lucifer just continued to push the blade back into the chieftain''s gut at the same place. The chieftains intestines jostled around as Lucifer did this, the wound stretched and widened at the same time.


    More and more blood oozed from the chieftain until with the chieftains dying breath left the world.


    ¡°Finally¡­¡± Lucifer said turning around.


    ¡°Who''s next?¡±


    Unable to control their emotions any longer everything went to hell. Most ran away while the few defenders had the quickly disappearing initiative to defend their village.


    ¡°You guys too?¡± Lucifer asked tired of all the bullshit.


    They glared back at Lucifer holding onto their weapons as their last act in desperation.


    ¡°Its fight or flight ladies.¡± Lucifer chuckled.


    Running towards the nearest goblin, swinging his iron sword to the right he beheaded the spear wielding goblin. With no time to react to the goblins compatriot Lucifer ducked as a hatchet wielded by a goblin sought his head.


    A hair''s breadth away from death Lucifer held his iron sword, jumping back onto his feet with both hands on the hilt of the blade he removedthe goblin wielding the hatchets torso from itslower body.


    He was just so tired of the bullshit, what''s so hard about giving Lucifer a run for his money? Eye for an eye?


    Lucifer was again reminded that there remained no honor in this new world.


    It was disappointing really.


    Not a pathetic display for a moment of vigor.


    In no way was this sight worthwhile for the time it took him to get here. He hated the sight of weaklings running away.


    He hated the odor that they gave off too.


    They couldn''t even beg quick enough, he could end their lives with one swipe of his iron sword.


    The rest of the defenders didn''t even resist, they just took it like a pathetic weakling. Out of their minds in fright.


    Lucifer annoyed by the weak wills of the defenders hunted the goblins that sought a way out. They seemed to be more feisty compared to the defenders. He already got rid of the so called defenders of the village. Those that ran away were all that were left, and survived longer - for now.


    Their breaths grew ragged as the goblins ran.


    They were scared.


    Moving forward was all they could do.


    And yet that did not spare them of their fate.


    Lucifer sighed, the darkness taking over the sky.


    The field of corpses that made an erratic path of carnage was Lucifer''s testing ground.


    His first of many.


    Lucifer covered in a hot mess of entrails and sticky crimson wandered back into the forest in a new direction towards the last village.


    No way in hell would the next village mistake him for a mere messiah.


    He was Lucifer, the fucking ruler of Hell.

 Chapter 31 - Midnight Intrusion

    Following the destruction, and slaughter of the residents of the goblin village which he found out was named Kilk Lok Lucifer wandered bloody and disappointed back into the forest. In search of the the nextvillage, overpopulation would reduce the forest to nothing. Less than that even¡­ good thing he destroyed the other two villages.


    Not that Lucifer would mind if the entire race of goblins would disappear off the face of the world.


    Eden, a place meant for people with pride. Not short, snot green fuckers. Or those that submitted themselves offering only a sob story.


    In loo of that he had to grind his skills, he was lacking in that area. He would have a chance the moment that Lucifer had some free time. He first had to get allies, however temporary they may last.


    They certainly would never have the honor of following him around everywhere. That honor was reserved for those that Lucifer respected.


    He did not respect any goblins. There existence was only that of something to pity.


    While wandering he focused on the blue screens that contrasted his world with his own advancement. Which to say remained lacking. He desired to see himself at a higher point, he wanted more than what he currently had.


    More than those ugly fuckers that desired to be spared. They held no pride.


    They barely begged, thus he had no ounce of respite to offer there inferior selfs. They wanted none clearly with the way they threw themselves at him, he would have none of there bullshit.


    ¡®You may be beautiful, you may be the strongest¡­ But jealousy is too potent an emotion to set aside all other ways of advancement and defense.¡¯ Lucifer thought, the light of the fading sky making waves of contrasting color all over his pale body.


    The blood dripped onto the grass too, shades of violet, and deeper lusher crimson merging with the limegreen.


    He first noticed the amount of levels that he received was four Thus earning him 20 SP all of which was spent on improving his charisma.


    He knew that he was not the strongest thing on the planet.


    But Lucifer would be, he hated the thought that their existed things, beings that were stronger than him that''s why he would need to cultivate his own power to improve his latent abilities.


    This caused him to wonder, even if he was now more charismatic than before would they accept him? No, there was always the chance that the wouldn''t.


    Lucifer knew that fact too well.


    Excited that the charisma reaching 100, the changes were lackluster he had to admit. He anticipated great change would be upon him if he reached the three digit milestone. He only got a skill, a near useless one at that. He continued to stare at it as he collected his thoughts.


    Lucifer has gained the skill [Eyes of Fortune] that allows the user to appear empathetic.The effectiveness of the ability depends on the stage of the skill.


    Skill starts at Beginner.


    Looking at its effects Lucifer snorted, he believed this skill wouldnt help his combat potential.


    Lucifers attention shifted back to what was going on presently.


    The light in the sky lessened as the color of the blood and the color of his pale skin blended together. The night won over the skies perpetual daily shift, for better or for worse he found the village.


    Entering the villages territory at such a late hour no one came to greet him. He in his blood soaked form was seen as a beast. One that was his own, and his pride remained fruitful about. Once an angel even when clothed like a beast the devil can be human.


    Not that he wanted anyone to greet him, they would be scared by his appearance. But the respect of their ilk were due to him.


    He deserved to be in reverence of his heavenly crafted form.


    Understanding there place was just another bird killed by the stone.


    He had to understand his new charm being the second objective of throwing a stone. Possessing blood ridden skin does not remove the beauty of someone''s body, not in the minds of the opposite sex especially.


    He was already exceptionally appealing to women and men alike. Give him a chance to further that beauty even gods may bat an eye.


    It took a while for the goblins to arm themselves, but they eventually did. Quicker than Lucifer had anticipated of them.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    They would maybe be of use.


    The village prior could not sense any intent from the beast.


    He felt empty, not that they could turn the situation around in their graves.


    Emotions not there before now seen in his eyes, they could only could fear what was to befall them.


    As he wandered into the villages center a small goblin''s eyes pried open.


    Hearing the voice of the child Lucifer revealed a smirk.


    ¡°Daddy¡­ there is a very beautiful foreigner¡­ covered in¡­ red¡­ dad..¡± The child went back into the hut trying to get his fathers attention earnestly.


    With Lucifer''s keen senses Lucifer listened in.


    ¡°What..? Whats this about¡­¡± Asked a deeper voice full of exhaustion, which more than likely was owned by the father of the child.


    ¡°There is a foreigner daddy!¡± The nameless goblin child motioned, shaking the father.


    ¡°Yeah...yeah.. a for-¡± quickly getting up the father asked ¡°What do you mean son?¡±


    ¡°Look at him, he looks just like the hunters!¡± Cried the child.


    A stockier goblin popped out of the hut as he looked around for the foreigner quickly making eye contact with Lucifer.


    The goblin began to shake, telling the child something very quietly.


    ¡°Go back in the hut child, this is something that your father and the rest of the adults have to deal with.¡±


    ¡°The tall foreigner is nice, he looks beautiful, why would he not be..¡± asked the child.


    ¡°Go back inside.¡± commanded the father, his eyes no longer making eye contact with Lucifer¡¯s and instead shoved the kid back inside with haste.


    ¡°Wake up everyone, this an order on the account of the chieftain. Wake up! ¡° Yelled the chieftain.


    When other goblins poked there heads out of the tent there eyes narrowed, before they widened as if they were surprised.


    In seconds all the adults stood before Lucifer. Few were brave enough to make eye contact with him.


    Lucifer could only lessen his gaze as he focused on the whole goblin village¡¯s inhabitants instead.


    Only one had the nerve to speak in that darkness.


    ¡°We know you are a foreigner, and that it would not be a surprise to us if you ended the lives of our fellow goblin kin, it is just¡­¡± remarked the chieftain before he was cut off by Lucifer.


    Lucifer held his iron blade firmly, pointing it at its end towards the sky.


    ¡°Be immortalized as a stain on my blade, or die along with my pride.¡± Lucifer yelled blood running down his already dirtied body.


    The tension from moments before vanished as everyone decided on what they wanted to do.


    Swiftly they followed Lucifer''s fleeting form.


    The kids gawked, minutes ended before they too followed them.


    Lucifer was pleased at there quick decision making skills. But they clearly were lacking mentally.


    ¡°Arm yourselves. How do you expect to fight?¡± Inquired Lucifer mildly annoyed.


    They could only head back for a moment grabbing there weapons before running back to the bloody foreigner.


    Lucifer stopped walking, beginning to speak to the goblin group the moment they returned.


    There face touching the dirt Lucifer spoke.


    ¡°Don''t complain, don''t lie, and don''t be fucking ugly idiots.¡± Lucifer said sarcastically, with a hint of hope in his voice.


    ¡°Disobey and become what you wanted to avoid by following me- just another stain of the blade that can be washed away when in rains. ¡±


    ¡®Shit is better fertilizer.¡¯ Thought Lucifer.


    When Lucifer stopped speaking everyone began to contemplate silently fearing that they would become a mere stain, washed away by the rain.


    There self-respect wouldn''t allow that.


    Their fellow goblin kin would not have that.


    They would live!


    Marching at the head of the small group of goblins Lucifer spotted the dungeon that was in the distance.


    Through there actions alone.


    Breaching the skies a mound of gray and stone compared its worth with the milky blue sky. Silver in controlled sectors of the light pale sky .


    The same sight, excluding the tower of stone went on for miles


    The wind remained tough as Lucifer looked towards it more than ready for the upcoming challenge.


    Tougher than any battle before, Lucifer would storm the castle, and reign free and eternally. At least until he came across of someone worthy.


    The clouds began to hang idly as he and his party of short green followers charged straight into the dungeon.


    This dungeon better be worthy of being destroyed.


    In Hell people dropped like flies. Here dogs may bark, they may hiss but when the mornings sky was in waltz with the darkness, the slice reserved for Hell would surely win,


    Cracking his shoulders Lucifer made haste towards his first dungeon. Followed twenty three adult goblins and four children they went with the path that was chosen for them.


    They had a dream, one that required the foreigner.


    They wanted to live. They would not wash away in the rain as another stain.


    They would die with his pride, and the foreigner that lead them had an endless amount.


    Holding onto their lives they made there way towards a stone forged looking glass that peered straight into the bowels of Hell.


    The strange towers that popped up all over the place.


    Everyone knows of them and knowingly avoids due to its plethora of risks. The place known as dungeons.


    But they feared the foreigner more.


    With keen yellow eyes the pale skinned foreigner climbed the hill undaunted by the dungeons notoriety. Carrying a iron sword in his right hand, blood stainedand his body ran through and through in a curtain of blood he ascended the hill towards the dungeon without a care in the world. He really was one of the chosen.


    They were merely an afterthought.

 Chapter 32 - Marsh

    Lucifer''s stomach growled as he made his way towards the dungeon, a column of stone that was visible even from where he was climbing. The hill was steep...


    He was not alone however, he was currently accompanied by goblins, the ones from the last village.


    They were pawns that he would gladly use if it saved him a sliver of strife. He didn''t avoid strife it simply followed him wherever it is that he desired to go.


    Not that he minded. It was fine as long as he had a way out, dumping all the responsibilities onto a goblin elder works just as well. Better than he could have hoped.


    Despite being covered in blood and hungry he could be way worse off. Since he was hungry, he could suggest shit to the system and buy food using the contribution points if he was in a place lacking any forms of sustenance and got even hungrier than he was now.


    He wasn''t starving plus he was too busy to think about such things.


    He had a dungeon to clear. he could perhaps find a meal there.


    Without even thinking about what he wanted to do besides eradicating everything in that dungeon he had no plans to succeed with any of his other goals.


    He wanted to discover the identity of his mother, reach the apex while also destroying any face his father has. Not because the big man way up high left out such things in any of their many chats it was just that his father didn''t act like a father.


    The man in the clouds was an asshole, discovering the identity of his mother would be his first most priority.


    Getting back at his father was just one of many things on his bucket list.


    Unless he regained his immortality he would never be able to do all of those things. Even in 500 years, he would not be able to that is why besides reaching the apex, its importance was second to find out the identity of his mother which would be one of his primary objectives. The one that he would fight for now, not that he would like to see happen.


    Minutes after pondering such things for a while he reached the top of the high-handed slope.


    It was a minute after that did they spot anything besides the stone monolith that brought them there. The environment had transitioned into a marsh, not only that there existed large leech-like creatures.


    The nearest to them was a spotted leech that was peach-like in color and texture. Followed by slightly smaller, but still larger leeches than the goblins that were varied in looks. It seems that this is what the group had to overcome before they could even enter the dungeon risking their lives at that.


    This was a fantasy world alright, they normally would be less than a foot, not multiple bloody feet!This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Taking a breath Lucifer began to speak to his short green compatriots.


    ¡°Anyone that does not stand with me now can go die,¡± pointing at the leeches that had noticed them began to secrete a transparent ooze as it tunneled into the dirt.


    Every goblin was scared.


    ¡°We do not seek to die, what do you want us to do foreigner?¡± Asked the nervous and shaking goblin with a wooden spear rattling in his grasp.


    ¡°I want you to lead the charge¡­ it is easy, destroy them. Do that and you shall show your use to me. Do not and I shall wipe every coward out that does not seek to help me.


    ¡°U-understood.¡± weakly affirmed the same goblin. The rest of the goblins nodded at Lucifer''s words, the words of a foreigner.


    All the goblins that were present were scared that they were going to die, but Lucifer would show them that he would use them wisely.


    He needed them for the dungeon not for their lives to be wasted as fodder to these giant ass leeches.


    Turning back towards the leeches Lucifer smiled, it faded quickly when he focused his sights on the largest goblin.


    ¡°Hear me now pawns of mine, these leeches may kill you.... ¡°


    Lucifer paused to let the words sink in.


    ¡°But as your king, I can do so much worse,¡± Lucifer said ending his thoughts.


    Lucifer then took notice of the leeches that slithered towards his group in a frenzy, not too far behind were leeches a foot under its leader.


    Taking a single breath Lucifer ran posthaste towards the leader of the pack of leeches picking up his iron sword he ignored the murmurs of his pitiable stomach and jammed the head of the sword into the leeches head in the midst of its movement. It secreted a blueish red liquid, its blood.


    Understanding what was about to happen Lucifer covered his ears, this was going to hurt.


    The largest leech burrowed its head towards the ground as it screeched. It was ear piercing, the goblins were on the ground tensing up and crying.


    Without even intending to the rest of the party slammed into the ground holding their heads from the pain. Blood seeped from one of the party members ears, for one of the goblins it was too late.


    The goblin¡¯s body twitched, shook and then stilled itself in a matter of seconds.


    The screeching lasted a while before the one screeching joined the only goblin casualty from this incident in the afterlife.


    Lucifer swore in spite, he lost one goblin already.


    Looking ahead he noticed that the leeches were already upon them.


    Lucifer would have liked to of had more time, this amount had to do.


    Grasping the hilt of the iron sword that was stuck in the corpse of the leech Lucifer motioned with it now in hand towards the goblins to stay still. He did not want any more pawns to be used today.


    Lucifer slashed without hesitation, tore at and stabbed the leeches that had now surrounded him. With Lucifer''s free hand he plugged one ear because the screeches of the leeches hurt like hell.


    The screeching once again rang harshly in his ears. He was trying to kill them, not get killed by them.


    It seems that he needed to try even harder to survive.


    For the King of Hell wouldn''t die like a dog, they would.


    The leeches were already dying like flies, now Lucifer just had to make the rest bark like the useless beasts they were.


    They were disgusting, and like ants, they would be crushed.

 Future of the story, rewrite and revamp (?)

    I would have written three if not four chapters more since the last chapter if I have had not gotten stuck on keeping track of the many stats, it is draining and takes too long hours because I have to check each chapter update the place where I keep track of the infoand then revamp the info since it was a while since it was last updated while adding the progress in the latest chapter... it is tiring.


    So that iswhat I am going to consider heavily, I also dislike how the MC had a ton of chances of getting OP using the system shop a chance he should not have had.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    I want the path to be clear, and not for it to take who knows how long to churn out a chapter and thinking about how I could have done this story better in a few major ways is... demotivating to keep on going with a flawed story like I am now. I don''thate the mentality of the MC or anything like that. I also know no story will be perfect.


    Didn''t want to keep you guys in the dark.


    Sincerely the author dude who is busy practicing his art skills while he ponders the ways arewrite could go.


    I am thinking of making him appear on earth... might be more relatable? I might lack the skill but it would make for an entertaining read. Might just be me...