Chapter 53: World Center and Battlefield (Fourth Update)
After only about ten minutes, Su Xiao's [Demon Mark] skill had already been raised to Lv.10, and this improvement was still ongoing.
Carlos felt the unknown energy within him rapidly decreasing. These detestable things that had been devouring his life force for decades were finally diminishing—a situation that had never occurred before.
However, Carlos did not enjoy this process. The sensation of having his demonic power extracted could only be described as unbearable agony. Although his pain perception was reduced by 90%, he still felt an excruciating ache.
Despite the unbearable pain, Carlos was, after all, a ruthless individual who had climbed to the rank of Legion Commander. He clenched his eyes shut and remained silent.
Sensing Carlos's suffering, Anna beside him wanted to gently stroke his cheek, but she knew she couldn't do that now—it would be disruptive. Only a foolish woman would do something meaningless at a critical moment. All she could do now was wait, no matter how anxious, she had to be patient.
"You, feed him water. Plenty of water. The more, the better."
Su Xiao's concentration was at its peak. He didn't care what Anna's official position was; Carlos was on the verge of dehydration.
"Alright, is plain water fine? All at once or in intervals?"
Anna didn't mind whether Su Xiao was polite to her or not. As long as Su Xiao could save Carlos, she would do whatever it took.
"Plain water, every few seconds, an appropriate amount each time."
Anna began feeding Carlos water. Carlos had just downed a bellyful of potions earlier, and now he had to drink large amounts of water again. The feeling was indescribable. Carlos felt like he was turning into a water bag—one with a hole in it.
Time gradually passed. The veins on Su Xiao's hand gripping the sword hilt bulged. As the [Demon Mark]'s level increased, the demonic power required for each upgrade grew.
About an hour later, Su Xiao sensed the demonic power within Carlos again. By now, there was very little left.
At this point, Su Xiao knew he couldn't continue absorbing. If he drained all the demonic power, Carlos would die. Then he would have to face a widowed Dark Elf princess and over a hundred thousand Imperial soldiers.
Su Xiao began to control the suction of the [Demon Mark]. Soon, the [Demon Mark] stopped devouring and gathered the absorbed demonic power into his hand.
This more difficult operation required even greater concentration from Su Xiao. Ten minutes later, the demonic power within Carlos was completely extracted. Part of the demonic power clung to Su Xiao's hand, turning his arm pitch black, resembling the Armament Haki from the One Piece world.
Su Xiao took a step back and pulled the longsword from Carlos's chest.
Pfft.
Fresh blood splattered. Carlos fell from the chair, and Anna immediately caught him. Seeing Carlos's healthy red blood, Anna's nose began to sting.
Ignoring Anna's display of affection, Su Xiao held Carlos's sword and began using Cyan Steel Shadow Energy to expel the demonic power from his hand.
The Cyan Steel Shadow Energy spread down Su Xiao's arm. The consciousness within the demonic power was already very weak. With no other choice, it entered the longsword.
The Cyan Steel Shadow Energy enveloped the sword and slowly seeped into it. The demonic power inside the sword, left with no alternative, gradually merged into the blade.
With the demonic power trapped inside the sword, Su Xiao withdrew the Cyan Steel Shadow Energy, and the [Demon Mark] took over again.
Sensing the suction of the [Demon Mark], the consciousness within the sword's demonic power began to despair. Its survival instinct drove it to try to merge completely with Carlos's sword to avoid being devoured by the [Demon Mark].
However, this couldn't stop the [Demon Mark]'s absorption. Fortunately, Su Xiao didn't intend to completely eradicate this demonic power.
A black pattern appeared on the spine of the longsword as the demonic power fully merged with the blade.
Su Xiao withdrew the suction of the [Demon Mark]. The now greatly strengthened [Demon Mark] calmed down. At this point, the [Demon Mark] was entirely black, covering Su Xiao's shoulder and upper arm, forming a demonic goat head pattern.
Su Xiao checked the changes in the [Demon Mark] skill.
Demon Mark: Lv.19 (Passive Skill)
Skill Effect 1: Adds 64 points of True Damage to melee attacks.
Skill Effect 2: The Demon Mark level can be increased by sacrificing equipment. You have formed a pact with a high-ranking demon.
Lv.10 Additional Ability
Demon Gaze (Active): When making a ranged attack, demonic power can be applied to bullets, arrows, or other weapons for a single ranged attack. This attack will add 80% of the final damage value as True Damage (for example, if the final damage of a bullet hitting an enemy is 100 points, Demon Gaze (Active) will add 80 points of True Damage).
Tip: Each use of Demon Gaze (Active) consumes Soul Crystal (Small) x1. Soul Crystal (Small) can be converted into the demonic power needed to cover the weapon.
Tip: Demon Gaze (Active) cooldown time is 72 hours.
...
After seeing the Lv.19 ability of [Demon Mark], Su Xiao was very satisfied with this skill. It could add True Damage to melee attacks, and the Lv.10 additional ability was very suitable for the Spider Empress. Although the cost of use was high, the power was nearly doubled.
Su Xiao closed the skill list and looked at Carlos. The effects of the [Unstable Potion] were gradually wearing off. Whether this potent drug would cause any lasting side effects for Carlos was still unknown.
"It seems I won't die."
Carlos lay in Anna's arms, who was tightly holding his hand. It was unclear whether these two had ever heard that public displays of affection lead to a quick death—something even more 'lethal' than demonic power.
"Congratulations, Lord Carlos."
Kaisa quickly stepped forward. His own life was also saved.
"Bring me my sword."
Carlos looked at his sword, which was stuck in the ground, its blade emitting black smoke.
Kaisa hurried over. However, despite exerting all his strength, the sword remained firmly stuck in the ground. Carlos signaled for Anna to step forward.
Anna walked slowly to the sword and reached out to grip the hilt. Her expression immediately changed.
"No, I can't pull it out."
Although Anna wasn't a strength-type, she was still quite strong.
Seeing this, Carlos stood up with some difficulty, walked to the sword, and grasped the hilt with his rough hand.
Clang.
Carlos pulled the sword out, and the blade let out a clear ring.
"This..."
Carlos sensed the demonic power within the sword.
"So you sealed that unknown energy in here. Hard work, Commander Bai Ye."
Su Xiao had no idea how many ranks he had just been promoted. However, he simply sat on the ground, not looking at Carlos or Anna.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Su Xiao suddenly burst into a violent dry cough, spitting out several mouthfuls of blood.
Seeing this, Carlos and Anna both rushed over. Kaisa behind them was stunned for a moment, then seemed to realize something and quietly gave a thumbs up.
"Bai Ye, what's wrong? Were you injured by that energy?"
Carlos tried to help Su Xiao up, but Su Xiao waved his hand.
"It's nothing, just... cough, cough."
Su Xiao coughed up more blood, looking like he might kick the bucket at any moment. Both Carlos and Anna knew how troublesome that unknown energy was. Seeing this, Anna's face showed guilt. She had previously suspected Su Xiao of having ulterior motives.
Seeing Su Xiao's 'selflessness,' Anna felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment over her earlier words and actions.
"Drink this, it will help."
Anna took out an exquisite crystal vial that faintly shimmered with golden light. If it were anyone else, they might have immediately taken it, but Su Xiao shook his head. It wasn't the right time yet.
"I just need to rest a bit."
Hearing this, Anna forcefully pressed the crystal vial into Su Xiao's hand and smiled at him with a nod.
In truth, Su Xiao wasn't injured at all. He was about to leave Black Soil Fortress, so personal goodwill with Carlos no longer mattered. Seizing the opportunity to gain some benefits was the real priority.
Anna helped Carlos out of the room. The two didn't shower Su Xiao with endless thanks. After all, Su Xiao was just an assistant Kaisa had found. Leaving him a gift was only because Su Xiao was 'too seriously injured,' and they felt a bit sorry—nothing more.
After Carlos and Anna left, Kaisa walked over.
"My dear friend, are you alright?"
Kaisa discreetly grabbed Su Xiao's hand, which was holding the crystal vial Anna had given him. Su Xiao looked up at Kaisa.
"Payment."
Seeing Su Xiao's gaze, Kaisa's body stiffened. After a moment of hesitation, he suppressed his greed and let out an awkward laugh. He pulled out the [Demon Hunting Certificate] from his pocket and handed it to Su Xiao.
With the [Demon Hunting Certificate] in hand, Su Xiao wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, stood up, and walked toward the door.
"My... friend, where are you going?"
Kaisa watched Su Xiao's retreating figure, feeling a sense of loss. Although he had been scheming against Su Xiao all along, he was actually very lonely—without a single friend.
"To the battlefield."
Su Xiao pushed open the door and paused.
"Farewell."
Su Xiao and Bubu Wang walked out of the room. The door closed tightly.
"Fare... well."
Kaisa slumped into his chair. The room was now empty except for him. Though the crisis had been resolved, he only felt loneliness.
"Farewell, my friend. Kaisa will find a way to cover for you. Although leaving without permission is a serious crime, Kaisa has his methods."
Kaisa stared up at the ceiling.
"What a troublesome opponent. Finally gone... but why does it feel so lonely?"
...
Outside Black Soil Fortress, strong winds surged, kicking up sand and dust. The hem of Su Xiao's coat flapped noisily in the wind.
The situation in the three war zones had stabilized. An hour ago, Reincarnation Paradise had issued a war mission to Su Xiao. The mission had no reward, and its content was simple: take the [World Core] to the center of this world, the 'Ortland' ancient ruins. If Su Xiao wasn't mistaken, that would be the battlefield for a chaotic free-for-all among contractors. Over a thousand contractors would likely engage in a bloody struggle there. In that place, he would settle the score with the contractors from Apocalypse Paradise.
"Lan Jue, see you at the Ortland ancient ruins. This time, I will definitely take your life."
Walking through the wind and sand, a smile appeared on Su Xiao's face. Beside him, Bubu Wang was looking around in all directions.