Chapter 60 60: Sorrow

Zell's body walked through the dark streets. He peered around every car, from the tattered old ones to the great sports cars. Dim red light filled his eyes moments before his daggers lengthened into curved blades.

'Let's find those bastards! Do you think I have forgotten what you did to my friends?'

In his first life, because he joined late, Zell needed friends at the start. So he could level up and enjoy the game.

These three people were old friends from high school who were nerds like him. Alex was a black-haired fps player who enjoyed eating buckets of fried chicken every week. He was fat and loud but cared deeply for his friends.

Then there was Chris, who enjoyed playing sports games online and betting real money. He once lost his entire savings on a betting site and smashed his wide-screen monitors in anger. His actions were a little selfish, but he was ginger. They have no souls, so that was to be expected.

Finally, Marvin was a cool guy with a tall frame but tiny balls. They mocked him and called him a hamster as a joke. The guy was chill, though and accepted this. He was talented at MMOs and PVP games, though.

Sadly, in his first life, a group of goblin-type whelps found them and slit their throats, and violated their girlfriends before eating them. He didn't think about them until now because although they got along fine; he was a poor kid, and to be honest, four years of suffering alone made him forget many things about this current world.

'I should try to connect with them, though having men around my house is a definite no. Those girls are mine.'

His demonic and dragon's thoughts aligned only for things like lust, jealousy and combat. He shook his head, the wet droplets of rain causing a tapping sound as they bounced off his hooded coat as he lowered himself to the ground.

"There is only one. It's not a strong type."

His eyes focused on a small shadow in the distance, roughly a few hundred metres, as it seemed to eat a dead animal or child. He couldn't tell, but his heart felt nothing. This will happen daily in the coming future. 'I can only get revenge for you! Dog, human, it doesn't matter. Let me kill ten of these scum to make up for your death!'

Imp | Level 4

HP: 22/22 | MP: 23/23

STR: 15 | VIT: 11 | MAG: 19 | SPR: 4

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The goblin's details flashed up in the right corner of his eye. Zell felt glad he spent more time in the game today with Anya. Otherwise, this would not be possible. His fusion with both his system and the fantasy world accelerated.

'Let's go, quiet and swift!'

Zell's eyes narrowed as he watched the imp devour the innocent child. Rage boiled within him, a dark red glint flickering in his eyes. With its red skin and elongated ears, the imp seemed oblivious to the danger approaching as it continued to feast.

Zell let out a growl, his body trembling with the desire for revenge. He crouched down, his muscles tensing as he prepared to attack. With a burst of speed, he launched towards the imp, his black dragon-scale armour glinting in the dim light.

He was faster than any insane bullet that won so many gold medals. The cold night wind rushed past his face like a steel blade along the skin near his eyes. His black armour controlled the temperature but didn't include his vulnerable eyes.

The imp, sensing the danger, turned to face Zell, its sharp teeth bared. But it was too late. Zell's blades, two curved scythes that grew from the black scales on his arms, sliced through the air with deadly precision.

The imp let out a shrill scream as the blades tore through its flesh, swiftly slicing off its arms and legs. It tumbled to the ground, writhing in pain as it tried to crawl away.

But Zell still needed more. He stood over the imp, his black hair whipped around by the wind as he let out a fierce roar. The dark red glint in his eyes grew brighter as he raised his blades for the final blow.

The imp let out one last pitiful cry before he silenced it forever, its head rolling away from its body. Zell let out a satisfied sigh as he wiped the blood from his blades.

He turned to the child, who lay motionless on the ground, tears streaming down their face. Zell knelt; his heart was heavy as he realised the child was beyond saving and closed their eyes. A silent prayer on his lips for their soul to find peace.

"Although I said it doesn't affect me, this reminds me of my weak self…. Why is this change happening so fast? Is it my fault this child died with no chance to adapt?"

[No! Zell…. Don't blame yourself….! Yanfra's fault….All….Please Don't blame Zell…!]

Yanfra's shout, filled with adamant denial, filled his mind before a powerful force and deep hunger overwhelmed him.

'Thanks…'

Infra seemed asleep as a constant, quiet snore passed through his connection with her. He replied to Yanfra and felt a little at ease. "It's not your fault… Only these monsters are at fault…."

Zell stood, his eyes filled with determination as he vowed to rid the world of all those who would harm the innocent. He turned and stalked off into the darkness, his blades ready to strike down any creature that dared to cross his path.

"Yet…"

As Zell stood over the defeated imp, he could feel his demon blood beginning to stir. Dark, pulsing energy flowed through his veins, urging him to feed.

Without a second thought, Zell reached out with his blades and sliced open the imp's chest. He could feel the creature's life essence flowing into him, a warm, nourishing energy that filled him with strength and power.

Zell could feel his body change as he consumed the imp's essence. His muscles grew more robust, and his senses heightened. He could feel the demon within him growing, its power flowing through his veins.

Zell closed his eyes, letting out a satisfied sigh as he revelled in the feeling of power. He knew that this was how demons fed and grew stronger by devouring the life essence of their enemies.

But as he opened his eyes, he saw the child lying on the ground, a reminder of the true cost of his actions. He sighed heavily; his heart was heavy as he realised he could not allow his demon side to consume him entirely.

"I am one of those monsters too…."

He turned and walked away, his blades sheathed as he vowed to use his power to protect those important to him. Zell would never take big goals to save the world or destroy evil because he knew it would be a constant struggle that he couldn't win.

The gods cannot do it; why would he be able to? But he was ready to face it head-on, with the strength and power of his demon blood flowing through his veins.

— Devoured Level 4 Imp's Demonic Essence

STR + 1

MAG + 1

Restored 5 HP

Restored 5 MP

Restored 1 DR