《Parasitic Ascension》 Author Introduction Hello Readers, ?? First of all, a big thank you for checking out my novel and reading this ''Author Introduction''. Before we dive into this story, I wanted to share a bit about myself and what inspired me to write this novel. Over this past year, whilst flooded under examination and essays, my older brother introduced me to Audio Books. Needless to say, I was quickly hooked! I have always loved reading novels, but the convenience of listening to novels was a game-changer, and I soon discovered my love for the LitRPG genre. Now, as you guys know, this addiction can be a strong one, and once it gets a hold of you, it is almost impossible not to delve deeper and devour.. ehm, work through the different titles. Now, don''t get me wrong, I have really enjoyed the titles I have listened to, and I have nothing but praise for the Authors and the complex worlds they made, but there seemed to be a particular niche that I enjoyed that could be further explored. You see, I particularly enjoyed novels with ''Antihero'' and even ''Villainous'' MCs, and of course, they had to be ''Smart protagonists'' as well!Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. For me, an ''Antihero'' is a protagonist who will do anything to achieve his goals, which in the grand scheme of things can be considered objectively as ''overall good''. A ''Villainous'' MC is someone who is evil in nature and will use any means, such as deception and manipulation, to achieve these objectives. I know this niche is not for everyone, and if you have read this far and this is not for you, thank you for reading till this point. I would still recommend trying my novel, but if you don''t want to, I completely understand. This is just to let you know what to expect before you start reading. Now then, for all those still here! Was deciding to write this novel an impulsive decision? Most definitely! Do I have any idea of what I am getting myself into? Definitely not! But despite this, I have always enjoyed reading and now listening to novels, so I thought, why not try and make my own? With a new year, I thought, ¡®Hey. Why not make this my New Year''s resolution for some extra fun!¡¯ Just a heads up. I am, by no means, a literacy expert, and I am far from perfect when it comes to grammar and punctuation. I am but a humble person with a dream and a love for storytelling. Also, I am writing for your entertainment and my own, so if you¡¯re enjoying the story, please do leave positive reviews, likes, and words of encouragement, as they mean the world! I¡¯m squeezing writing into the few spare hours I have each day, and I will try to produce and release 2000-word chapters every other day. Each chapter takes considerable effort and time. Every bit of support and encouraging comments will help fuel this journey, so thank you in advance for being here. So, without further ado, let¡¯s dive in! Hit that ¡°Next Chapter¡± button, and let¡¯s see how far this adventure takes us. Thank you again for reading this introduction. Yours sincerely, Ya boy. S.Choudhry :) Chapter 1: The Last Stand ¡°We can¡¯t trust him!¡± said a deep voice laced with frustration. Kenji sighed deeply, glancing over at his comrade. ¡°I understand how you feel, Elijah. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn¡¯t even consider it. But with ''Night¡¯s Order'' caught up in their internal politics and their obsession with keeping Camelot safe, we don¡¯t have many options left¡­ There¡¯s no one else we can turn to, to gather enough of a force to stand a chance against this level¡¯s Supreme and his army.¡± ¡°I know, Kenji! Damn it, I know!¡± Elijah''s fists clenched, the muscles in his jaw tightening. ¡°But trusting ''Blood Lord''? That bloodsucker! You¡¯ve heard the stories. The things he¡¯s done¡­ how can we¡­?¡± Kenji¡¯s gaze hardened, but he remained calm. ¡°We don¡¯t have to trust him. But we do have to trust his survival instincts. ''Blood Lord¡¯ may be a monster, but he is also a ¡®player¡¯, a human and, like the rest of us, has adesire to live. Someone like him, who¡¯s spent so much effort building an empire, wouldn¡¯t want to see it burn. He¡¯ll help us if only because he values his own existence.¡± Elijah shook his head, his brow furrowed in thought. ¡°I know you''re right. ¡®Blood lord¡¯ is strong. His forces are strong. But working with him... it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.¡± Kenji placed a hand on Elijah''s shoulder. ¡°I don¡¯t like it either. But if we lose this Ascension trail, Earth is doomed. We don¡¯t have the luxury of choosing our allies.¡± After finishing the conversation, Kenji raised his hand, signalling to the vast army of 5,000 soldiers that followed behind them to stop. This powerful force had been trailing silently across the barren lands, moving under the cover of jagged obsidian peaks that pierced the illusory sky. The ground itself groaned under the heat of volcanic geysers, with their scorching steam hissing into the air. Kenji¡¯s command was swift, and the soldiersencased in thick, darkened plates of armourstopped in unison. Their presence was an imposing sight, with their strong, towering figures and armour gleaming in the glow of the distant molten rivers. Juxtaposing the heavily armoured soldiers stood other individuals with smaller and less robust frames, robed in flowing garments. These individuals clutched staffs etched with ancient and powerful symbols, and their eyes alighted with quiet and mystical powers that encased them in an aura just as powerful as their larger comrades. Kenji swiftly turned to address his elite force, which consisted of warriors gathered from every country in the ¡®Old World¡¯. Everyone here had pledged their loyalty to this cause. They had vowed to be the hammer that would strike down this level of ¡®Hell¡¯s¡¯ Supreme and his evil minions. These soldiers were no ordinary troops. They were seasoned warriors ranging from the fourth to the sixth tier of power, between levels 40 to 60, each equipped with powerful items and bolstered with high-rank skills. The weight of their collective strength and the oppressive atmosphere they exuded were palpable. ¡°My Brothers! ''Blood Lord¡¯s'' forces should be just ahead...¡± Kenji began, his voice steady, but before he could finish¡ª ¡®BOOM!¡¯ A blinding flash of light exploded a few metres from where Kenji and his elites stood. It rapidly expanded outwards, washing over the area in a thunderous wave of pure destructive energy. Elijah¡¯s eyes widened as he instinctively raised his shield. The light swelled with terrifying speed, enveloping everything in its path. Elijah felt a sharp, searing pain as the heat melted through the thick plates of his armour. This armour that had withstood countless battles and possessed a high physical and magical resistance, made from the Legendary ranked material ¡®Mithril¡¯, but now it helplessly disintegrated under this relentless surge of energy, its enchantments proving futile. The force of the explosion lifted Elijah off his feet, spinning the world in a chaotic blur. Pain shot through him, but in that brief, excruciating moment, time seemed to slow down¡ªnot from the brief moments before death, but from the activation of one of his intrinsic tank skills, an instinct-type skill from his class. In mere microseconds, as the blinding white light began to envelop everything, Elijah¡¯s mind sharpened, granting him a few precious moments to think. What did it mean to be a Tank? In the ¡®Old world¡¯, a tank was a machine, a vehicle of war encased in thick armour capable of delivering overwhelming firepower while shrugging off attacks. But in the ¡®New World¡¯, a Tank was something more. A tank was a living bulwark, an unyielding protector. A ''player'' whose sole purpose was to stand at the front, shielding his comrades, giving them the precious moments they needed to turn the tide of battle. And Elijah¡­ Elijah was that Tank for his party. In the brief instant before the light consumed them, Elijah¡¯s eyes scanned his comrade''s forms, as they were now on the verge of being torn apart. Elijah couldn¡¯t let it end this way. Reaching deep within himself, he pulled on the ¡®True Bond¡¯ he shared with the shield firmly grasped in his right hand. The shield was called ¡®Hallowed Embrace,¡¯ a Mythical-ranked shield that had been with Elijah through every battle, every trial and now, once again, it would fulfil its role. How did a Tank fulfil its role? There had always been debate among the players. Some believed a Tank should strike a balance between offence and defence, a school of thought spread by the devoted believers of the leader of the ¡®Templars¡¯, a specialised force within the organisation ¡®Knights order¡¯. But Elijah held to a different creed. A Tank¡¯s only job was to be the unbreakable wall! To be the one that took every hitand endured every blow for the sake of those they fought beside. As the light began to eat away at his flesh, tearing through his armour, Elijah activated one of the enchantments from his shield. This enchantment was not one that unleashed devastating power, nor did it make him an invincible fortress. No, its purpose was far simpler! Far purer! The enchantment ¡®Guardian Angel¡¯ would make Elijah a true protector, transferring all the damage his allies would receive onto himself. For this, Elijah believed, was the essence of a Tank. To bear the pain, others could not. With a silent, desperate plea, Elijah activated the enchantment. The connection between him and his four closest party members was already linked through ¡®Guardian angel¡¯, and so the enchantment quickly ignitedas a surge of mana flowed through their bond and into the shield.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Almost instantly, searing, unimaginable pain flooded Elijah¡¯s senses as every wound, every instant of damage that was meant for his comrades was redirected to him. ¡°Aghhh!¡± Elijah roared, his voice drowning in the storm of light and fire. The unbearable pain consumed Elijah, and as the brightness swallowed his vision, Elijah felt his consciousness slipping away and into nothingness. The last thing Elijah remembered was the comfort of darkness; here, there was no pain, no suffering. Here, there was only silence. The explosion hurled Kenji back, sending his body tumbling across the cracked, scorched earth. With a pained groan, Kenji peeled himself off the broken ground as he managed to regain his footing, but almost as instantly as his eyes readjusted to his surroundings, his mind was overtaken by the devastation before him. Where his army had once stood, a massive 300-meter crater now gaped wide with its edges still glowing with residual heat. The sheer power of the attack had eviscerated everything within its range. In one attack, nearly one-fifth of his force, 1,000 players, were wiped out instantly. Kenji quickly assessed his body for injuries. The left side of his impressive armour was gone, leaving his skin exposed to the sulphurous air of the volcanic landscape. Yet, despite the missing armour, his lithe, muscular form remained unscathed. Despite the lethality and destruction of the attack, Kenji¡¯s body was unmarked by cuts or burns. As Kenji observed his body, he knew of only one explanation that could account for his near-miraculous survival. ¡°Elijah¡­!¡± Kenji muttered under his breath, his voice heavy with sadness and pain. There was only one ability that Kenji knew of that would leave him unscathed after such a devastating attack. ¡®Guardian Angel¡¯. Elijah had once again sacrificed himself, taking the brunt of the damage onto his own body. Kenji clenched his fists. His comrade had used the mythical-ranked enchantment to protect them, and Kenji knew the cost. Instinctively, Kenji channelled mana into his armour, focusing on the self-repair-type enchantment to make the armour whole once more. It would take some time, but amour wasinvaluable in battle. Next, Kenji scanned the area and saw that only three of his comrades had survived, further confirming what he already knew. The others were gone, reduced to ash. It was clear Elijah had activated his shield''s enchantment in time to save them, but the heavy toll of that sacrifice weighed on Kenji¡¯s mind. Kenji''s momentary bout of mourning was interrupted when grotesque figures began appearing from behind the jagged obsidian peaks, casting long shadows from the molten backdrop. The grotesque monsters quickly increased in number before they began advancing on the surviving army''s position. Kenji, with a mindset forged through multiple battles and the loss of loved ones, instantly refocused himself on the approaching wave of monsters. ¡°It¡¯s an ambush!¡± Kenji roared, infusing his words with mana so that all the surviving soldiers could hear him clearly over the chaos. Kenji had lost too many allies in past battles to let his grief slow him down. Elijah had bought them precious time, and Kenji would ensure it was not wasted. Still, despite the approaching horde of enemies, Kenji took a moment to analyse the attack that had decimated much of his army and its possible source. ¡®That Attack¡­? That Explosion¡­? An Apostle? It must be ¡®him¡¯!¡¯ Kenji''s mind raced into overdrive, and after analysing the explosion, he easily found an answer. Only one being possessed the ability to unleash such overwhelming destruction. A sickening feeling churned in his gut. ¡°¡®The Apocalypse¡¯¡­ Liament,¡± Kenji said, his voice infused with anger. ¡®The Apocalypse¡¯ Liament was a player who had betrayed humanity and became one of the seven apostles serving this world''s Supremes. Apostles were servants of the Supremes, with each Apostle being devoted to one of ¡®Hell''s¡¯ seven Supremes. Liament was the apostle of ¡®Satan¡¯, and the player was rightly titled ¡®The Apocalypse¡¯. Liament was infamous for his cataclysmic area-of-effect abilities, skills capable of erasing armies in a single strike. "Spread out! Spread out! Use small unit formations!" Kenji roared, issuing new orders to the surviving soldiers. If Liament was truly here, grouping together in large numbers would only make them easier targets. Thankfully, such overwhelming power had limitations, mainly the mana and stamina consumption, coupled with the heavy toll on the user''s body. Still, it would not be long before another devastating attack would rock their surroundings, leaving untold devastation to their army. Faced with the approaching wave of enemies, Kenji drew his own mythical-ranked item, a sword named ¡®Orochi¡¯s Fang¡¯. ¡®Orochi¡¯s Fang¡¯ blade was sleek and curved with a similar appearance to a katana, and the blade edge gleamed with an ominous aura. The sword''s black handguard was shaped like eight coiled snakes, and the hilt was crowned with a snake¡¯s head. The sword radiated power and lethal intent. This item was also bound to Kenji through a ¡®True Bond¡¯, and in reaction to Kenji¡¯s fury, the weapon pulsed and writhed in his hand like a living snake. There were three kinds of ¡®bonds¡¯ a player could form. The first and most elusive was a bond between two souls and was called a ¡®Soul bond¡¯. The second most powerful bond was a ¡®True bond¡¯, and this was the bond that Elijah had with his shield, and Kenji had with his sword. ¡®True bonds¡¯ were ¡®mana bonds¡¯ that were further enforced through skills or other powerful abilities. Finally, there was the ¡®Mana bond¡¯, a bond mainly used to bind items and use their enchantments by linking with the item through a tendril of mana. The number of ¡®Mana bonds¡¯ was proportional to a player''s level. The armour Kenji wore was connected through a ¡®mana bond¡¯, and only through this bond could Kenji use the armour''s enchantments. The ¡¯True bond¡¯ between Kenji and ¡®Orochi¡¯s fang¡¯ was enforced through Kenji¡¯s legendary ranked skill, ¡®sword grandmaster¡¯. As Kenji channelled mana into his first-ever skill, a skill that he had meticulously improved upon over time and evolved into its current form and rarity rank, a thin silver line, almost as if someone was tracing his body and weapon with a silver marker, traced over his body and sword. The skill ¡®Sword grandmaster,¡¯ unlike its lower rarity form, not only pulled out the true potential in the form of aura from the sword but also from the user and combined the two, turning them into a whirlwind of death on the battlefield. It was also thanks to this skill and Kenji¡¯s heroic and selfless deeds that he gained the title ¡®Humanities sword,¡¯ for he was one of the best swordsmen humanity had to offer. As the first of the grotesque monsters approached the rapidly restructuring formation of the army, which split into smaller, more mobile units, Kenji scanned the approaching horde, and only a few moments later, his eyes locked onto the more humanoid forms trailing just behind the larger monsters. Upon seeing these humanoid forms, Kenji clenched his jaw as thick veins bulged on his forehead. Kenji¡¯s face darkened with recognition as he activated his legendary ranked ¡®Spirit Eyes¡¯ skill, an enhanced skill from the uncommon ranked ¡®Identity¡¯ skill. As Kenji glared at the humanoid figures, a list of information appeared on a translucent blue screen, only confirming his suspicions. From the list of information displayed on the blue translucent screen, two key pieces of information stood out. The first was the race ¡®Human¡¯, and the second was the epic rank class ¡®Blood Ghoul¡¯. This information led to an obvious conclusion. They had been betrayed! ¡°Blood Lord!¡± Kenji bellowed, fury boiling in his veins. The truth hit him like a hammer. It all made sense now! How the enemies had managed to ambush them, how the Apostles had known where they were. They had been betrayed by the very ally they had been forced to trust. ¡®Blood Lord¡¯ had not only betrayed them, but he had also betrayed humanity! ¡°He couldn''t be this foolish! He can''t be stupid enough to trust ¡®their¡¯ false promises!¡± Kenji spat out. With increasing rage, Kenji launched himself towards the approaching monsters. Kenji used mana manipulation techniques to further strengthen his body by infusing his muscles with the mystical energy called mana. As a result, Kenji rocketed into the throngs of enemies and turned into a blur, leaving only a fountain of blood to quench his wrath. His katana became an extension of his fury, slicing through the grotesque creatures with deadly precision. Blood splattered across the battlefield as bodies fell like wheat before a scythe. The other players followed suit, engaging in desperate combat. Explosive flashes of magic and skills illuminated the barren landscape, and the air became thick with the stench of death. The ground trembled beneath the weight of the battle, and bodies crumpled, quenching the thirst of this barren land with blood. As the battle progressed, Kenji carved his way into the middle of the battlefield. However, as time slowly passed, Kenji recognised that as the enemies'' numbers increased, bolstered by reinforcements, this was becoming a losing battle. Given the situation, they would be unable to mount a good counteroffensive, so with a burning pang of regret, Kenji decided to order a retreat. However, despite having decided to retreat, just as Kenji turned to give new orders, his enhanced senses noticed a distant rumble followed by the unmistakable sound of human screams. In response, Kenji whirled around, and the sight he saw only made his heart sink further. Reflected in Kenji¡¯s eyes was a towering monstrosity, an abomination cobbled together from the parts of dragons, giants, and other grotesque creatures. This new monster crashed into the rear of their forces. They had been flanked. Kenji¡¯s eyes narrowed in grim realisation. "¡¯The Gourmet¡¯¡­ Fran?ois," Kenji spoke under his breath as he gritted his teeth. Kenji had easily recognised the Apostle who led this new line of assault. Another of the seven Apostles had joined the battle, and with his arrival, their situation had gone from bad to worse. Their forces were now pinned! They were caught in a brutal melee with ¡®The Apocalypse¡¯ and ¡®Blood Lords¡¯ forces at the front while ¡®The Gourmet¡¯ and his monstrous abominations tore into their rear, decimating their support units. Kenji instantly released that there would be no retreat, no escape. Despite the bleakness of the situation, a fierce, almost mad grin spread across Kenji¡¯s face. ¡®These Demons! If they won¡¯t let us live¡­ I¡¯ll make sure they fall with us.¡¯ Despite the dark thought, Kenji knew he still had a duty to his soldiers as this army''s leader. Kenji could not let them all die here with their lives being wasted. ¡°I¡¯ll make a path! All units, retreat!¡± Kenji roared. Pooling every ounce of his mana into his mythical ranked katana ¡®Orochi¡¯s fang¡¯, Kenji activated one of its most powerful enchantments ¡®Eight Heads¡¯. Instantly, seven identical clones of Kenji materialised beside him, each equipped with the same intricate armour and wielding an identical katana. The enchantment allowed Kenji to summon seven identical clones of himself, but there was a time limit as the enchantment had a high mana cost. But that did not matter to Kenji as this was a last-ditch effort. Without hesitation, Kenji and his seven clones launched themselves toward the towering monstrosity with eight ¡®Orochi¡¯s Fangs¡¯ gleaming with lethal intent. They would not go down without a fight. As the battle raged, Kenji knew one thing for certain. If this was his final stand, he would ensure the Apostles felt this wound. For he was titled ¡®Humanities sword¡¯ and would cut the corruption that dared lead humanity to its destruction. Chapter 2: From Ashes, A Shield In the deepest recesses of an expanse deep underground, a large Citadel sprawled out in the distance, framed by a grotesque tableau of death. An illusory storm-filled sky unfolded on the ceiling of this underground world, with its deep red hues casting a blood-red luminescence upon the twisted landscape below. The fourth layer of hell, Satan''s Citadel, lay engulfed in eternal tempests and unending chaos. Cliffs and ravines slashed through the battlefield, presenting treacherous paths amidst the ceaseless warfare that echoed throughout the underground world. At the centre of the marred battlefield, humanoid and monstrous forms lay strewn across the landscape, their twisted frames and lifeless eyes reflecting the battle''s carnage. Tattered remnants of once-proud banners fluttered like spectres in the illusory tempest; their colours drowned in the desolate battlefield''s crimson hues. The stench of blood and decay saturated the air, even as the false winds whipped through the underground domain. The tumultuous storm rendered the atmosphere heavy with the essence of death, yet no rain fell, leaving the grotesque tableau perpetually in a state of eerie chaos. In the heart of this desolation, time felt suspended, as if this false world itself had paused to witness the relentless horrors. However, the eerie stillness of the battlefield was shattered as, within the charred crater that had served as the starting bell for the unforgiving battle, the scorched, blackened earth at the epicentre gave way. A writhing, white mass began to squirm from beneath the ground. Slowly, the mass shifted, morphing into the outline of white bones that quickly formed into a skeleton with thick, broad limbs. Layer by layer, the grotesque transformation continued. A deep crimson hue spread over the bones, shaping into ligaments, followed by the dense formation of muscles and flesh. Organs materialised within the ribcage and skull and quickly grew in size and mass, filing the empty voids. Despite the grotesque nature of the scene, it possessed a strange allure. Piece by piece, a body was rebuilt before finally being encased in a layer of thick, black skin. With a heavy thud, a two-meter-long figure collapsed onto the ground with a groan. "Ahh... I feel like shit!" Elijah hissed, his voice low and pained, and his body squirmed as he made contact with the ground. Each movement and breath felt like needles were piercing through all the pores in his skin. However, Elijah had long become accustomed to pain, and after a few minutes, as the searing agony began to fade, he managed to regain his composure. Taking slow, deliberate breaths, Elijah steadied himself before pushing upright. As he glanced around, he was momentarily disoriented, finding himself at the bottom of a crater, surrounded by nothing but scorched, desolate earth. As he looked up, he saw the crater¡¯s rim, towering five meters above him and blocking any view of the battlefield beyond. As Elijah''s senses returned, he realised another discomfort. He was completely naked. Elijah could feel the warmth of the ground pressing against his skin and the dry dust clinging to him. A quick check confirmed his suspicions. Looking down, he saw that all his equipment, everything he had gathered over the years, was gone. His ¡®spatial ring¡¯, usually resting on his left index finger, had vanished, taking with it the meticulously earned and hoarded treasures of countless battles. With a frustrated groan, Elijah lamented the loss of his hard-earned wealth. But the memories of the battle that had transpired moments before he lost consciousness flooded back into his mind, causing a dull ache to throb behind his eyes. Elijah gritted his teeth with a groan as he began working through the haze of memories. "We were talking¡­ and then? ¡­ and then¡­we were ambushed!" The realisation hit Elijah like a hammer. Despite the lingering aches, Elijah scrambled to his feet, desperately pulling on the ¡®true bond¡¯ between him and his mythical ranked shield, ¡®Hallowed Embrace,¡¯ enforced through his legendary ranked ¡®Shield Grandmaster¡¯ skill. However, in a poor turn of events, the moment he reached out to connect with his shield, a sharp, searing pain struck his mind like a hammer, and he collapsed face-first into the dirt, clutching his head in agony. Through gritted teeth, Elijah remembered what had truly happened. His current state was the result of using his shields, ¡®Guardian Angel¡¯ enchantment, to protect his comrades. The attack that Eljah had taken in place of his comrades should have killed him. By all rights, he should be dead. But he was not, and he knew why. Only a few weeks ago, Elijah had ascended to the ninth tier of power, reaching the ninetieth level. With this new precipice of power came a Mythical ranked class advancement that also gave him a mythical ranked skill, and it was because of this new skill that he was still alive. Or, more accurately, came back to life! "Second Life¡­" Elijah muttered, the name of the skill slipping from his lips. The skill did exactly as its name suggested. It gave him a second chance at life. No matter how he died, as long as his soul was not destroyed, his body would reassemble itself, even piecing itself back together from nothing. It sounded like an overpowered ability, and that was because it was. But the skill did not come without its limitations. Mythic-ranked skills had high requirements and costs for usage. They placed immense pressure on the user¡¯s body and required a huge amount of resources, both stamina and mana, to be used. After using ¡®Second Life,¡¯ Elijah would be unable to use any skills and would only be able to use the smallest slivers of mana. Also, his stats would be reduced to that of a mere human for several days. It was the price he had to pay for such a skill, but one he accepted willingly. Elijah''s thoughts then turned to the unnerving silence of the battlefield. "Kenji¡­" Elijah spoke with a shaky, pained breath, fear creeping into his voice. With a grunt of effort, Elijah forced his aching muscles to carry him toward the crater¡¯s edge. His body was weak and burning with fatigue, but he needed to know if his comrades had survived. After all, that was the type of person he was. That was the reason he was a tank, all to make sure his comrades lived. That was the power of friendship! The power of family! As for whether his comrades knew he was still alive and, as a result, could have already left the battle, well, Elijah had not exactly shared his new skill with them. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. This wasn¡¯t because Elijah didn¡¯t trust them. They were his closest friends, comrades with whom he had survived the harshest battles with. They had shared countless life-and-death moments, secrets, and victories. But Elijah knew exactly how they would react to this skill, especially Kenji. The bond between Kenji and Elijah was forged in blood and steel. They bled for one another, saved each other time and time again, and were as close as brothers. But Kenji had always been vocal about one thing. Kenji did not like how Elijah tanked. That was not because Kenji doubted Elijah''s abilities. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He admired Elijah as one of the finest tanks he had ever known. What Kenji hated was the lengths Elijah went to. The way he absorbed life-threatening injuries, shielding his comrades by taking the full brunt of the damage onto himself. Elijah¡¯s stats were focused almost entirely on endurance and vitality, making him incredibly difficult to kill, a human cockroach, as some jokingly called him, and his original title had been ¡®Human shield¡¯ because, like a shield, he always endured. Elijah''s title only changed to ¡®Humanities Shield¡¯ when he joined Kenji¡¯s group and fought side by side with the ¡®Humanities sword¡¯. But no matter how durable he was, Elijah still felt pain. And Kenji, as his friend, could not stand to see him hurt like that. If Kenji knew about ¡®Second Life,¡¯ the first thought that would cross his mind was that Elijah would sacrifice himself even more recklessly, relying on the skill to pull him back from death. Kenji would never agree to that. So, Elijah kept it under wraps, figuring it was better for everyone and would save him from an annoying lecture. Because, no matter how much Kenji would demand him not to use it, and even if Elijah agreed and promised not to, deep down, he knew the truth. He would still use it without hesitation if it meant saving his comrades, so it was better to avoid that type of conversation altogether. The eerie stillness of the desolate battlefield was abruptly broken by the sudden emergence of a hand clawing its way out of a deep, scorched crater. Soon after, an arm followed, trembling with effort, as its owner struggled to pull themself up from the crater depths. Elijah¡¯s body quaked with exhaustion, but sheer determination forced him onward. Gritting his teeth, inch by agonising inch, he heaved himself up until, at long last, he reached the crater¡¯s edge. Breathing heavily, Elijah looked across the battlefield. The sight that greeted him was a grim tableau of death and destruction. Bodies lay scattered everywhere, lifeless and broken. There were the forms of humanoid warriors, his collegues, and men at arms, and then the grotesque abominations representing the demons of this dark, forsaken world. Elijah¡¯s eyes scanned the wasteland, taking in the devastation, but his heart was heavy as he looked at the dead humans that had been part of their army. It wasn¡¯t long before his gaze fixed on a grotesque mound of flesh in the distance. The creature was massive, with its body a twisted amalgamation of creatures fused into a single grotesque form. The beast lay still, covered in a fountain of blood, chunks of flesh torn from its massive frame. It was tens of meters long, standing out against the smaller corpses surrounding it. Deep lacerations crisscrossed its body, showing signs of a vicious battle. But what drew Elijah¡¯s eyes was the severed dragon head nearby and the realisation of what, or who, this monster had been. ¡°An Apostle... ¡®The Gourmet¡¯?¡± Elijah muttered under his breath. Next, his eyes scanned the deep laceration that had killed this apostle, and he already knew there were not many players who could deliver such precise and devastatingly clean sword strikes. These were sword strikes that Elijah recognised all too well. As he pieced it together, a sudden chill ran down his spine. ¡®Did Kenji kill an Apostle?¡¯ Elijah thought. Elijah¡¯s eyes continued to roam the battlefield once more, and then he saw it. His breath froze in his throat. Amidst the chaos and ruin of the blood-soaked battlefield, a lone figure sat slumped against a jagged obsidian rock as a pool of blood surrounded him. The figure¡¯s once-glorious armour was now in tatters and bloodied beyond recognition, but Elijah knew who it was the moment he saw him. ¡°Kenji...¡± Elijah whispered, his heart sinking like a stone. Kenji sat there, his body propped up and his expression a mix of agony and determination. His once-imposing frame had been ravaged by battle with his left arm, and the entire left side of his chest was... gone. It looked as though something had bitten clean through him, leaving behind a gaping, mortal wound. Despite the catastrophic injury, Kenji sat upright, his posture defiant. His gauntleted hand still gripped the hilt of his sword while a strange egg-shaped object rested in his lap. Kenji¡¯s eyes, once filled with life and fire, now flickered faintly beneath the weight of death¡¯s shadow. ¡°Kenji!¡± Elijah¡¯s voice cracked as he shouted, his body filled with a powerful surge of emotion. His brother-in-arms, his friend and, in some sense, his mentor, was on the brink of death. Every part of Elijah screamed at him to move, to reach his friend, to help him. But when Elijah tried to stand, his legs gave out beneath him. His muscles, still recovering from his resurrection, refused to obey and instead sent him collapsing to the ground once more. Gritting his teeth, Elijah pounded his fists into the dirt as frustration and helplessness boiled inside him. However, Elijah would not be stopped. If he could not walk, he would crawl. Elijah dragged himself over the broken bodies, over the jagged debris, the remnants of the battle, inching closer to Kenji with each agonising pull of his arms. His breath came in ragged gasps as his vision began swimming with exhaustion, but finally, finally, he reached Kenji¡¯s side. Kenji stirred at his presence as a groan of pain escaped his cracked lips. Kenji¡¯s grip on his sword tightened; no doubt the results of his battle instincts were still pushing forward even in his current state. ¡°Argh¡±, Kenji groaned as he moved his sword. ¡°It''s me! Elijah!¡± Elijah quickly said, moving slightly back. The first thing Elijah noticed was the potion bottles around Kenji, and all of them were empty, their contents already used. The injury taking the left side of Kenji¡¯s body had stopped bleeding, but the wound showed no sign of healing. ¡°Elijah¡­ How? You should be¡­ ¡®Cough¡¯, ¡®Wheeze¡¯, I thought you died!¡±. Kenji rasped, his voice weak and filled with disbelief. Yet, even in his fragile state, his hand never left his weapon. ¡°I¡¯m alive, Kenji. I¡¯m here,¡± Elijah whispered urgently. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± ¡°Stand still,¡± Kenji ordered hoarsely. Kenji''s silver eyes glowed as he used the remnants of his mana to use his legendary ranked ¡®spirit eyes¡¯ skill. Then his face gave way to a smile, a true deep and broad smile. ¡°You piece of... ¡®cough wheeze¡¯. You damned cockroach!¡± Kenji¡¯s eyes softened as he managed to get out a few words between pained breaths in a joking manner. Elijah forced a weak laugh in response, though it was hollow. ¡°Yeah, you know me. Hard to kill,¡± he said, tapping his chest in a show of bravado, though the effort sent fresh waves of pain coursing through his body. Elijah¡¯s hand instinctively went to his left index finger, where his spatial ring had always been. Feeling nothing, he was once again reminded that he had lost his ¡®spatial ring¡¯ and all the contest inside. All the potions or other items that could have helped his dying friend were gone. Instead, Elijah again tried to call upon his ¡®true bond¡¯ and connection with ¡®Hallowed embrace¡¯, but like before, he once again fell face first into the ground. ¡°Argh!¡¯ Elijah groaned "Are you okay?¡± Kenji managed to get out through pained breaths. ¡°Damn it!¡± Elijah cursed, slamming his fist into the ground. ¡°I can¡¯t summon my shield... I can¡¯t...¡± Kenji¡¯s breathing grew heavier, each breath a battle in itself. ¡°My wounds... they won¡¯t heal,¡± he said quietly, his voice shaking. ¡°I already tried everything¡­ It''s alright, Elijah!¡± ¡°What about the others?¡± Elijah asked, trying to change the subject and deny the reality that his friend, his brother, was dying. Kenji nodded weakly. ¡°I... I made a path. They should¡¯ve escaped,¡± he wheezed, each word taking more from him. ¡°You were right, ¡®Couph¡¯ ¡®Blood lord¡¯ betrayed humanity!¡± Elijah¡¯s heart twisted in anguish. "Damn it...!" he spat through gritted teeth; his voice filled with bitter frustration. "Those traitors! if only¡­ I would have... I would have¡­!" Elijah''s words resonated with an undercurrent of fury. Their meticulously crafted plan to eliminate the supreme of this level of hell had been thwarted. ¡®Blood lord¡¯ had betrayed not only them but also humanity! Kenji¡¯s head turned slightly; his once-vibrant eyes clouded by the toll of his injuries. ¡°It¡¯s... so dark,¡± he murmured, his voice fading. With trembling hands, Kenji lifted the egg-shaped object from his lap. Its weight seemed to drain the last of his strength, but he extended it toward Elijah as if offering him something of immense importance. "If it''s you... if it''s you! Maybe we have another ch¡­ ¡®couph¡¯, chance." Kenji rasped each word a struggle. ¡°Kenji...¡± Elijah reached out, his heart breaking as he took the strange object from Kenji¡¯s weakening grasp. But even as he did, Kenji¡¯s strength faltered. His hand fell limp to his side, the life in his eyes dimming. Wheezing through his final breaths, Kenji strained to speak. ¡°Remember... never... never submit to them... never trust their patronage. Be... be aware of Ol¡ª" Kenji''s voice broke off, his final warnings lost. Elijah, hearing his brother''s dying words, desperately tried to move closer, to offer aid or comfort, but it was too late. Kenji¡¯s head slumped forward, his once-bright eyes staring blankly into nothingness. The flicker of life that had clung so fiercely had now been extinguished. ¡°Kenji¡­¡± Elijah muttered weakly, his voice cracking with the weight of his sorrow. He reached out a trembling hand and gently closed Kenji¡¯s lifeless eyes. His hand lingered for a moment, the gesture both final and tender. ¡°My brother,¡± Elijah whispered softly, his voice heavy with grief. ¡°Your trial has ended. May you find peace.¡± For a moment, Elijah simply knelt beside his fallen comrade, the stillness of death hanging thick in the air around them. The blood-soaked ground beneath them seemed to hum with a morbid silence, broken only by the faint, ghostly winds that carried the stench of the battlefield. But somewhere, far off in the distance, perched atop the jagged peaks of an obsidian outcropping, a pair of deep, blood-red eyes watched the scene unfold without a shred of emotion. From the shadows, the figure of Damian, also known as ¡®Blood Lord,¡¯ observed Elijah and Kenji with an eagle-like intensity. His gaze was cold, piercing, and uncaring. The air around Damian was eerily still until his low, heavy voice shattered the silence. ¡°Master,¡± he intoned, his tone carrying a deep, ominous resonance. ¡°It seems we have a problem¡±. Chapter 3: The Betrayer and the Hive Damian had watched the final moments of ¡®Humanities army¡¯ fall, with emotionless eyes betraying no hint of satisfaction or remorse. He had observed the battle unfold from start to finish, so imagine his surprise when Elijah, one of his ¡®Master''s¡¯ key targets, marked for early elimination and who was meant to be incinerated, was now once again moving about, his body unscathed of any injuries yet devoid of any equipment. ¡°Master¡­ it seems we have a problem,¡± Damian spoke, his voice devoid of emotion. He was also known by his title ¡®Blood Lord,¡¯ and delivered the news to his ¡®Master¡¯ with chilling detachment. ¡°Explain.¡± The single, stone-like word reverberated in Damian¡¯s mind through the patronage connection he had with his ¡®Master¡¯. The voice that he heard was a cacophony of noise, as if many people were speaking simultaneously, their tones layered over one another. Nevertheless, upon receiving his master¡¯s order, Damian quickly and concisely summarised what he had witnessed. ¡°Elijah Thompson is alive¡­¡± Damian paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. ¡°Hm¡­ interesting.¡± His master¡¯s voice returned, laced with intrigue, but he added nothing more. The apostles were players who pledged allegiance to each of the Seven Supremes of this world, and Damian similarly served a denizen of this world. However, unlike the apostles, his master was not a Supreme. Unlike those transcendent beings, his master was merely an ascended. However, where the Supremes wielded power and ruled with tyrannical force, Damian''s master was insidious and cunning. This entire plan, this elaborate scheme, had come to fruition due to his master¡¯s meticulous planning. Though his master might not possess overwhelming strength, he was devilishly cunning and had cultivated a loyal network of minions within all the major organisations. Even if Damian had not been aware of the current forces at play, his master had orchestrated his placement here with calculated precision. His master appeared to be a begrudging servant of the Supremes, bound not by authority but by a servitude rooted in power. Disobedience meant destruction, and thus, the Supremes had decreed that the humans must be stopped here, in this layer of hell. Damian had long ago made a deal with the literal devil, seeking vengeance against the humans who had killed his sister. In exchange for his soul, he had become an instrument of his master¡¯s will, and within him resided one of his master¡¯s ¡®parasitic pieces¡¯. Even if a flicker of humanity attempted to resurface within him, that piece swiftly suppressed it, ensuring he remained an emotionless piece, an ideal tool for his master¡¯s nefarious plans. Damian had been ordered to infiltrate ¡®Humanities army¡¯ and work alongside ¡®Humanities Sword¡¯ until this inevitable betrayal. His master had secured aid from the Supremes of this world, leading to the deployment of two apostles to this battlefield. His master''s strategy was also straightforward. Observe and sacrifice his minions as necessary but refrain from directly engaging in the battle. Instead, Damian was to deal with any stragglers or any survivor who tried to break free and escape. ¡®Humanities Sword¡¯ made commendable efforts to assist a unit of his comrades in breaking free, but Damian had already handled them. After the death of ¡®The Gourmet¡¯, Francois, and the chaotic departure of ¡®The Apocalypse¡¯, Liament, the mentally broken apostle of Satan who was now looking for the next thing to blow up, Damian was left with the spoils of this battle, free to claim any remaining loot and items for himself and, of course, his master. Damian''s ¡®master¡¯s¡¯ plan was clear and insidious. Sacrifice others and then reap the rewards. It was expected from such a cunning demon. After this ordeal, Damian would return to Earth, under the guise of a pained leader who had lost many of his own underlings and tried his best to aid ¡®Humanities army¡¯ all before preparing for another of his master¡¯s schemes. ¡°Should I strike?¡± Damian asked, his voice steady and emotionless. ¡°No. As mentioned before, a wounded beast is dangerous, especially if it¡¯s a player. Wait and watch for now. Afterall¡­ Nobody is coming to this battlefield now.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Damian replied, his voice steady as he resumed his watch over Elijah. Every subtle movement of the wounded hero was meticulously observed, each flicker of emotion or shift in posture relayed back to his master in vivid detail. Every ounce of information was invaluable, feeding into his master¡¯s grand scheme. The blood-red landscape, littered with the remnants of battle, became a canvas upon which Damian painted his observations, ensuring that nothing escaped his notice. Elijah gazed upon the lifeless body of his dear friend, a profound sense of self-doubt gnawing at him. "If only I had been stronger," he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. Elijah could not escape the bitter regret that clung to him. He had been part of a tightly knit party led by his best friend Kenji, and Elijah had the role of a tank. Elijah¡¯s purpose was to shield those behind him and be the unyielding bulwark that stood between his friends and danger, providing them with those precious moments they needed in the heat of battle. Yet, at the very beginning of their last battle. No, not a battle. A well-planned ambush! Elijah had been caught in a trap, an explosive assault of such ferocity that it eviscerated him before the battle truly began. Sure, it wasn¡¯t his fault, and there was nothing he could do, but still, he wished if only he could have been there to help his comrades fight; maybe then Kenji would have survived. Surveying the battlefield, Elijah''s gaze fell upon the fallen forms of his comrades. They had fought valiantly, and their loss weighed heavily on his chest. Over the many years, he had grown accustomed to death''s grim presence, having seen friends, family, and loved ones perish in the unforgiving Ascension Trails. However, Elijah knew he could not waver now. His mind had been forged in the crucible of countless perilous battles, and he could not afford to let his emotions consume him. The promises he had made and the responsibilities he bore demanded that he carry on. If he faltered, if he allowed his raging emotions to take control, what hope remained for the surviving humans in this merciless new world? No! Elijah would regroup and regather those who had survived, even if it granted humanity but a fleeting respite. Despite the looming futility, he refused to yield, to kneel and allow everything to crumble into oblivion. "Damn it, Kenji! You''ve left me here with all this mess!"Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. With a resigned sigh, Elijah shifted his attention to the enigmatic, egg-shaped object. His only functioning hand cradled the object, drawing it closer for careful examination. Kenji, his closest friend and his brother had left it behind for a reason, and Elijah was determined to uncover its purpose. Unable to channel enough mana to use a skill. Instead, Elijah took a deep breath and carefully retrieved the ¡®spatial ring¡¯ from Kenji''s finger and sent a small sliver of his mana into the item ¡®mana binding¡¯ the epic ranked ¡®spatial ring¡¯. As he searched through the ring¡¯s contents, he swiftly found a one-time-use scroll, a rare rank ¡®Analyse Scroll¡¯, and without hesitation, he tore the scroll apart, activating it. Scrolls weren¡¯t particularly expensive, and they did not take mana to use as a one-time use item. Instead, they contained stored mana that simply needed to be ripped open to function. As he tore the scroll, an azure, ethereal screen materialised before his eyes, revealing the item¡¯s information. Item: Unknown Rank: Unknown Enchantments: Unknown Description: In the realm where time drifts like an ethereal river, a relentless undertow forever beckons the chance of reversal. A titan, driven to madness by the insatiable hunger to devour his own progeny, sought to alter that river''s course, to defy the inevitable. Yet, his ambition met its end, and his dominion over time was severed. His potency, once two, where separated. One cast away to the far reaches of space whilst the other remained. Elijah, though momentarily vexed by the lack of information, resigned himself to the fact that the mere ¡®rare¡¯ rank ''Analyse scroll'' had its limits, especially when confronting more formidable items. If anything, the mysterious nature of the egg-shaped item only deepened his intrigue. "How am I supposed to use this? Damn it, Kenji, you could have given me a clue," Elijah grumbled. In response to Elijah''s frustration, another ethereal screen materialised before him. System Notification: Would you like to use this Item? Y/N Warning! If used, this item will have a significant impact on time. Time will be reversed. Mortals will forget, but the Ascended will always remember. Warning! ... As the system notification cascaded down, a flood of cautionary notifications followed. However, Elijah''s focus remained fixated on a particular segment. "Time will be reversed. Unbelievable!" Elijah¡¯s gaze shifted back to his fallen friend, his eyes ablaze with anger before he sighed, his tone sombre. "Kenji, you stubborn fool. Why didn''t you use it?" After a moment of contemplation, Elijah''s eyes took on a resolute gleam as he regarded Kenji''s lifeless form. "If you had this much faith in me, I''ll go back! I''ll do it again, and this time, I''ll save everyone!" With fervour fuelled by his emotions, Elijah''s eyes returned to the ethereal screen, and he firmly pressed the ''Yes'' button. And with that declaration, the Ascension Trial came to a standstill. The entire third dimension plunged into darkness as the threads of fate reversed their course, winding back further and further in time. Outside the third dimension, in the fourth, where the purpose of the trials was known to beings possessing far greater souls. To these beings inhabiting diverse worlds, a different system notification appeared before them. Their blood-red ethereal screens displayed an alternative notification. System Notification: Spatial distortion detected. Time and fate have rewound. A divine-ranked item has been used. Warning! The Ascension Trials will temporarily pause. The planet designated as Earth will travel back through the river of time, returning the Ascension Trials to a previous stage. Warning! The divine item''s energy is rewinding the flow of time to an unknown focal destination. Time since Ascension Trial: 30Years, 11 Days, 10 Hours, 24 Minutes, 46 Seconds ¡ú 29 Years, 10 Days, 10 Hours, 19 Minutes, 30 Seconds ¡ú 28 Years, 4 Days, 10 Hours, 7 Minutes, 58 Seconds As the notification unfolded, time continued its relentless rewind. However, while time rewound for the mortals of Earth, the pitiful humans caught in the throes of the Ascension Trials, it flowed unabated for other, far mightier beings. On a planet uncannily reminiscent of the one recently beset by the Earthlings'' battles, deep beneath the surface, meandering the caverns and layers of hell, the demon world unfurled in all its unrelenting harshness and desolation. A harsh, unforgiving landscape stretched out, devoid of life and teeming with jagged, obsidian formations. Windswept plains of jagged stone extended as far as the eye could see, marred only by the occasional burst of crimson-hued geysers that erupted with malevolent intent. Within this chaotic landscape, snaking its way underground and moving between the layers of hell, a large dark brown worm-like creature effortlessly moved through the thick rock. Its jaws and green acid made quick work of the thick earth before it, and its angled armour-plated body moved all the loose earth from in front to around its body and behind it. Inside this 2m tall and 15m long creature, within a fleshy space far larger than the creature''s outward appearance, another worm-like creature lay ensconced in immobility. This demon worm, no, not a worm, but a parasite, was not endowed with great size or power compared to its other demonic kind; instead, its form was more compact and bulging, almost squishy in appearance. Its grotesque form, bereft of eyes, was draped in a sinister tapestry of smaller, subservient parasites that covered its body like a living shroud. These diminutive parasites served as loyal drones, executing their master''s inscrutable commands. The main parasite''s body was also painted with faintly red glowing markings, almost like tribal tattoos, which pulsed with the movement of the drones. From the creature''s perspective, it engaged with a multitude of screens, far too many for any ordinary being to fathom, yet it handled them all with seamless efficiency. That was because, unlike ordinary creatures, this creature''s mind was fragmented. Fragmented yet also unified, allowing it to adeptly manage the numerous tasks it undertook with seamless ease. On one of these screens, the creature observed the battle that had transpired in a replica of its own world. It witnessed humanity''s futile struggle to defy fate through one of its pieces, the ¡®Bishop Piece¡¯ Damian, also titled ¡®Blood lord¡¯. Damian was unaware that through the ¡®Parasitic piece¡¯, his master could also see the world through his eyes. This being, connected through its grotesque brood, bore witness to all the major happenings of the human world. After all, it was both the hive mind and the mastermind behind the demonic organisation known as ''The Confluence.'' On a blood-red screen, the parasite observed an interaction that sparked an unusual emotion. The man it had identified as one of its prime targets, one that needed to be eliminated first, was once again alive and active. The creature was¡­ Glad? Excitement was perhaps a more fitting term. Humanity had played a pivotal role in its ascent to power. A calculated gamble had propelled it through the ranks of demons, allowing it to be at its current rank. Yet, the power it currently possessed was not sufficient. It yearned for more, an insatiable thirst to ascend to the level of the Supremes or perhaps even surpass them. But alas, its own progression would stop here, along with the humans it had watched for so long. The Supremes had issued orders to halt humanity''s progress, as they had done with countless others on their path of ascension, culminating in their eventual eradication. Duty-bound, the parasite had no choice but to obey their command lest their anger turn on it instead. Yet, within the depths of its being, it experienced a peculiar sense of unease¡ªan emotion so human-like, an oddity in the demon''s world, where such sentiments were considered obsolete and scorned. It contemplated the hypocrisy of the supreme beings, or princes as they called themselves, as they, too, were led by their sins. As the human interacted with the egg-shaped object, a new screen materialised, alerting the creature to a change in the unfolding events. Initially confused, it quickly deduced that this shift was related to the enigmatic object. The demonic creature''s physical form was not its most potent asset, which was why it lurked in the darkest corners of hell¡¯s underground world, well beyond the reach of inquisitive gazes. Nevertheless, its intellect shone with unparalleled brilliance. For it bore the name Malgrith and was titled ¡®The Hive,'' a title befitting the mastermind behind ''The Confluence.'' As the Ascended being, known as Malgrith, saw the system notification, its fragmented minds, each having been working on separate tasks, now worked together to understand what had happened. Malgrith scrutinised the object it assumed was at the root of this perplexing disturbance. Only a rare few things possessed the potency to influence the system to this extent, and given its widespread impact, Malgrith surmised that it must be of the ¡®Divine¡¯ rank, something the system notification only further proved. Simultaneously, the implications of the system notification unravelled within Malgrith''s thoughts. The Ascension Trials were being rewound. The third dimension was regressing along with its inhabitants. Yet, the object''s influence did not extend to the fourth dimension, where Malgrith and the countless other beings dwelled. "Could this be fate? Perhaps an opportunity!" Malgrith mused aloud. Its hoarse, deep voice caused its monstrous form to shudder, transmitting its vibrations through the cavern and eliciting a synchronised response from its smaller broods¡ªthe obedient drones. The timeline was rewinding, and with it, the Ascension Trials. Malgrith''s power, however, remained unaltered. The prospect of seizing greater power left it elated, causing its monstrous form to writhe and pulse with anticipation. Yet, amidst its jubilation, the myriad minds within Malgrith contemplated how to exploit this situation fully. While harnessing the humans once more to accumulate even greater power was the obvious decision, it was reaching a point of diminishing returns. A precipice its current form could not surmount. Even with this newfound opportunity, further growth appeared challenging. Malgrith''s thoughts veered towards the Supremes that ruled this world, beings of unparalleled might who had transcended long before the Ascension Trials were conceived. Regardless of its efforts, bridging the chasm to their level, acquiring their power, or even emulating their skills seemed like an insurmountable task. Yet, the relentless desire for power persisted within Malgrith, an intrinsic yearning that drove its demonic nature. "The Ascension Trials... perhaps it''s time for a different approach?" Closing the system notification with a decisive gesture, Malgrith engaged with the myriad screens before it. It assessed its current resources and took stock of the items nestled within its inventory whilst meticulously planning its future course of action. For when the time had stopped rewinding, and the trial reconvened, it would make its move. Chapter 4: A Second Chance Jason embodied the essence of an ordinary, middle-aged recluse. He was a man in his mid-twenties, living a solitary life in a modest apartment nestled in the heart of England. The signs of an unhealthy lifestyle were evident in his appearance. His physique was large yet not in a domineering way, but one that had grown through the gradual toll of neglect, a result of the countless hours he spent indoors coupled with the copious amounts of calories consumed. Furthermore, Jason''s apartment bore the marks of his solitude. His room was dimly lit, curtains drawn to ward off the outside world, and the air heavy with the stale scent of isolation. His presence in the apartment was a solitary one, with no family or visitors to share his space. He was estranged from his relatives, not through force but by his own choice, with the ties that had once bound them now being firmly broken by his own hands. In the digital realm, however, Jason found his sanctuary and escape. Perched on a cluttered desk, his gaming console was the nexus of his existence. The soft glow of his monitor screen cast a bluish light on his face as he immersed himself in virtual realms. In these digital landscapes, he transcended the mundane, donning the identity of heroes and adventurers, escaping the reality of his daily life. Days blurred into nights as Jason navigated these alternate realities, forging bonds with fellow gamers worldwide while cocooned within his apartment''s four walls. Unlike his actual existence, which was characterised by his physical isolation, Jason¡¯s online persona thrived. The hum of his computer and the rapid clicking of keys filled the apartment, echoing the rhythm of his solitary existence. However, as Jason sat fixated on his screen during yet another uneventful and mundane day, an eerie, soft hum suddenly began reverberating through the ground, gradually growing louder as if the Earth itself was growing increasingly enraged. Jason, caught off guard, tumbled from his chair as the tremors intensified. Sensing the unmistakable signs of an earthquake, a rare occurrence in the United Kingdom, Jason swiftly sought refuge beneath his desk, seeking shelter from any potential debris or hazards that might descend from above. Given his elevated apartment, rushing outside might have been the wiser decision, but even in moments of danger, Jason clung to the familiarity of his reclusive habits. Huddled beneath the desk, Jason closed his eyes and braced himself as the vibrations surged through his body, their intensity increasing with each passing moment. Strangely, these vibrations seemed to penetrate not just his physical body but also his mind, and in the wake of this mental assault, he lost consciousness. Yet, he was not alone, for the sound had echoed throughout the once-vibrant world, causing everything to fall into an eerie slumber. Time passed as minutes quickly turned to hours. As Jason groggily awoke, he found himself sprawled out on the floor, disoriented and unsure of how he had ended up there. He pondered whether he had dozed off during another gaming session, but his confusion deepened when he remembered the unusual events of the previous day. As he assessed himself and found no injuries, he speculated that he might have hit his head during the earthquake-induced fall. After a quick self-examination, his attention was once again drawn to the conspicuous absence of the usual background noise that permeated society. The silence was unsettling and pervasive. With daylight seeping through the curtains, which was usually accompanied by the sounds of bustling city life, Jason ventured toward the window. He tugged at the drapes, pulling them apart to reveal the outside world. To his astonishment, everything appeared normal. There were no toppled buildings or shattered streets, though many cars had crashed, but surely this much was expected with an earthquake. However, after further scrutinising the outside world, Jason finally noticed something strange. His gaze locked on to what he had assumed to be debris, but under a more focused gaze, whilst his elevation made it difficult to make out the shapes, he saw an assortment of unconscious bodies strewn across the ground. ¡°Ok. that¡¯s not normal¡±. Taking in the surreal scene, Jason squinted. Unaccustomed to the sunlight after being confined indoors for so long, his eyes stung as he continued to observe the surroundings. As his gaze remained fixed on the fallen bodies, perplexed about what to do, an ethereal screen materialised before him, further enhancing the surreal quality of his current predicament. Surveying the translucent blue screen, he could not help but notice its uncanny resemblance to the countless video games he had immersed himself in over the years. Curiosity piqued, he habitually read its contents. System Notification: Dimensional synchronization of world 024-0611* has achieved the mandated dimensional energy threshold. Planet 024-0611*, Earth is now poised to initiate its ascension sequence. Greetings, inhabitants of 024-0611*, identified as Homo Sapiens, Humans. We extend our best wishes as you embark upon your Ascension Trials. May fortune favour your journey. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. As Jason finished reading the ethereal screen, a few new pop-ups appeared. System Notification: Welcome, inhabitant of Earth. Would you like to commence your trial? Y/N Dumbstruck by the sheer bizarreness of it all, Jason''s initial confusion soon gave way to a broad, beaming smile. Given the situation, with so many people either injured or dead outside, such emotions did not fit the current atmosphere, and yet those thoughts did not fill Jason''s mind. Jason did not really care about others, not anymore anyway. No, instead, he was fully focused on the screen before him. Wasn''t this scenario reminiscent of the countless games he had played and the novels he had read? Jason raised his hand with infectious giddiness, trying to click the "yes" button. As he extended his hand to interact with the icon, he was surprised to find it intangible, with his hand passing through the screen. Intrigued by this peculiarity and drawing from his extensive experience with novels, he focused his mind on selecting the button instead. However, before Jason could select ¡°Yes¡±, at the corner of the ethereal screen, juxtaposing the blue with its deep red, the flashing symbol of a mail icon unceasingly bleeped. ¡°A red icon? It has to be important!¡± Jason decided to interact with the icon first. After mentally selecting it, a new notification appeared before him. System Notification: Congratulations! The higher dimensional entity, ''The Hive,'' wishes to be your Patreon. Y/N Jason''s excitement was palpable as he read the message, a rare thrill rushing through him. But just then, his phone buzzed, slicing through the moment. Jason''s eyes dropped to his phone screen, and then his stomach twisted. ¡®Her¡¯ name appeared on the caller ID. The woman who¡¯d broken his family. Jason¡¯s fists clenched as bitter words rolled on the tip of his tongue. ¡°That damned wh¡­¡± Jason was about to explode seeing ¡®her¡¯ name on the caller ID, but the system notification and situation helped to control his boiling emotions, and instead, he ignored the call and refocused on the screens before him. After reviewing the notification and thinking it could not be anything bad, he promptly accepted it. System Notification: Congratulations! For being the first to accept ''The Hive'' patronage, your rank has been upgraded from ''Lesser Devotee'' to '' Patreon¡¯s Champion.'' ''The Hive'' wishes to grant you a reward. Do you accept? Y/N With mounting excitement, Jason unhesitatingly selected "Yes." A gift box image promptly materialised on the screen, and he interacted with it with growing enthusiasm. The box opened with a quick, dazzling array of light, revealing a minuscule, eyeless creature draped in a soft red glow. It was small, the size of a small worm, and softly swayed under Jason¡¯s gaze. Jason observed the creature closely and had to say he found it cute. And so, under these emotions, he reached out a hesitant finger to poke at it. As he did so, another notification appeared. System Notification: Do you want to create a ¡®soul bond¡¯ with ¡®Gluttonous brood¡¯. Y/N Jason was taken aback by the new message. ¡°What¡¯s a soul bond?¡± Jason spoke aloud, trying to question the screen, but no further notification appeared. As Jason looked back upon the small worm, he found it wriggling, trying to touch his outstretched finger. ¡°Despite the ominous name, you are kind of cute,¡± Jason chuckled before clicking ¡®yes¡¯. He doubted it was harmful; after all, the mighty system did say it was a gift from ¡®The Hive¡¯. As Jason clicked ¡®Yes¡¯, a small change took over the worm. It began casting a ghastly red glow. Jason was perplexed by the ominous vibes emanating from the diminutive creature, but before he could react, it streaked towards him with uncanny speed, disappearing into his being. The sudden influx of the creature''s energy cast Jason into a maelstrom of darkness before he once again collapsed to the floor, unconscious. -- In the demon world. As the sizeable snake-like creature continued to move between the layers of hell, within its body¡¯s dimly lit fleshy confines, the ceaseless movement of drones had finally subsided. At the heart of this cavernous space, Malgrith¡¯s body remained unmoving. Instead, its squishy body gave way to a broad hole that seemed to tear through the demon''s abdomen. Despite the throbbing pain from the injury, Malgrith¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the crystalline shards lying before it. The items glowed faintly with a soft, ethereal purple light, mesmerising and elusive. The parasite''s form trembled slightly, recalling the staggering price it had paid to obtain these items. Malgrith had bartered with actual demons! The merchants, beings known for their extortionate demands and prices, all for the sake of these items. Unfortunately, the Ascension trials reset unexpectedly, and as a result, most of Malgrith''s wealth, which he had invested in the human world, was now gone. After selling what little Malgrith had left to the merchants, truly demonic beings with their exorbitant fees and prices, Malgrith managed to amass a small fortune of over 4 million SP, but even that was just barely enough. To send patronage requests to all the humans who had once been part of his organisation, ¡®The confluence,¡¯ each message cost Malgrith 10000 SP. Having sent over 100 messages hoping that one human would accept before commencing their trial, Malgrith had already used over 1 million SP. Malgrith used the remaining funds to buy these items, totalling another 3 million SP, meaning it had already used most of its available SP resources. However, the subtle chime of a system notification disturbed Malgrith¡¯s momentary thoughts, alerting it to the fact that some unlucky soul had accepted its patronage. Malgrith did not know if it could reacquire this item; after all, it did not know if this gamble would pay off. Instead, looking over the ethereal blood-red screen, Malgrith identified that the human named Jason had expected him as his patron. Usually, sending messages to players before passing their trials was impossible as they had not yet unlocked the social systems. However, Malgrith remembered the unique player code for each Human who had been in his organisation and used that knowledge to message over 100 humans before they started their trials. Quickly, Malgrith interacted with the screen, attempting to send another message. System Message: Are you sure you want to make Jason Anderson your ¡®Champion¡¯? Y/N The demonic entity swiftly selected ''Yes,'' conjuring a minuscule ethereal worm from the whole in its abdomen. Would you like to send the entity ''Gluttonous Brood'' to the human Jason Anderson? Y/N Price: 100,000 SP Once again, the demonic entity swiftly selected ''Yes¡¯, triggering the transfer. A small window materialised before it, and the minuscule worm was placed within as it vanished from the demon realm. As the ¡®Gluttonous brood¡¯ disappeared, Malgrith, for the last time in what would undoubtedly be a long time, that is, if he survived, addressed the room. ¡°I leave the rest to you, Magnus! Keep Mortus safe.¡± After the ¡®Gluttonous brood¡¯ disappeared, the hive''s overseer, the massive body at the room''s centre, collapsed to the floor, now devoid of life. In response to Malgrith¡¯s disappearance, another creature, one that had been unmoving throughout all that transpired and stood over a softly glowing purple orb in the centre of this fleshy room, spoke in a similar hoarse, gravelly voice. ¡°It shall be done! Father!¡± -- In a distant corner of the world, in the country known as the United States of America, another pair of eyes shot open. These eyes gleamed with a razor-sharp focus, accompanied by their owner jerking up with a sudden start. As Elijah took in his surroundings and recognised his old room, a place he had not set foot in for years, an overwhelming sense of happiness and elation washed over him. "I''m back!" he exclaimed with growing excitement. Filled with anticipation, Elijah made a beeline for the door, eager to reunite with his family, whom he had not seen in years. But as he reached for the doorknob, he was rudely awakened to the fact that he was in his birthday suit, and his humble snake lay bare, unencumbered by the need for clothing. "Well, I suppose I should put some clothes on first," he mused with a wry grin. With that, Elijah sidled over to another door, hoping to resolve his current predicament first.