I didn't even try to activate the Satan Eye—my mana was already dangerously low, and I couldn't afford to waste even a single drop of it.
Still, a more primal need began to surface: hunger. Despite being a 2-Star, I could still feel the gnawing ache of starvation. Only those who reached 4-Star and beyond were said to be immune to such mortal cravings.
My legs dragged beneath me, sore and trembling, but I pushed forward. One step. Then another. The pain in my body felt like tiny knives with each movement, and yet—I endured. I had to.
That's when I felt it.
A new presence.
It wasn't just another monster—this one was fast, unnaturally fast. My instincts screamed louder than any conscious thought. I didn't hesitate. I activated Satan Eye, slowing time around me just enough to react.
Even so, it wasn't enough.
The creature's speed still broke through my perception like thunder through silence. In a split second, I summoned the Levitating Technique, flinging myself upward, aiming for the high wall beside me. My battered body scraped against the stone as I flew, barely stabilizing in the air.
Then I saw it.
A massive beast, as wide as the road itself, hurtling forward like a living boulder—a force of nature that crushed anything in its path.
It came closer and closer. If not for the Satan Eye, I would've been obliterated. But somehow, by sheer luck—or fate—I survived.
My mana, however, was draining rapidly. I struggled to keep levitating, my vision flickering with black spots. At last, I managed to reach the top of the wall.
Just as I landed, the beast brushed past me—too close. Far too close.
A sharp, searing pain shot through my foot. I looked down and realized one of my toes had been sliced clean off.
I was already bleeding from a gash on my arm, and now this. My body was falling apart.
But it wasn't over.
As I caught my breath, I looked up—only to see a monstrous vulture, its massive wings blotting out the dim light. Its talons were already descending.
I flung myself flat against the stone. The vulture's claws missed me by mere inches, slicing the air where my chest had just been.
Panting heavily, I realized I had just survived two brushes with death in the span of moments. I could barely move, but I couldn't afford to stop. The vulture circled above, preparing to dive again.
I leapt.
The monster on the ground had moved on, but my body was already broken. I hit the earth hard, pain flaring through every nerve.
But I didn't despair.
Not yet.
I dragged myself forward, step by agonizing step.
One more day passed. Or was it two? Time blurred inside this maze. The will to survive began to wither. Every breath felt like it might be the last. I wanted to lie down. To close my eyes.
But I didn't.
I kept walking. Staff in hand. Blood dried on my skin. Mana almost gone. I figured I had an hour—maybe less—before I collapsed.
Then, in the dark, I saw something.
Not light.
A staff.
Pure white. Radiating a faint glow, even in this oppressive shadow.
At first, I was cautious. But the Satan Eye revealed no danger. The bleeding had mostly stopped by now, but the damage to my hand and foot was real. I'd need help—eventually.
I reached for the staff.
The moment I touched it, something clicked in my chest. It bonded to me instantly, sinking into my soul like it had always belonged there.
It wasn't just a staff.
It was ancient.
I noticed a note etched into its surface, written in a language I somehow understood.
---
> Lord Staff
One of the strongest weapons in existence. Capable of shapeshifting into any form the wielder desires. Power amplification: up to 100x upon full mastery.
Reduces mana cost by 70%.
---
For the first time in what felt like forever, I smiled.
I conjured a small fireball—barely a flicker—and watched it dance in my Staff. The mana cost had truly dropped. The staff worked. It would become my sword, my bow, anything I needed.
Right now, I could only harness 4x amplification, but with training, I'd unlock its full potential.
Then, without warning, a voice echoed—not in the air, but inside my heart.
"kneel."
Confused, I froze. But something deep within urged me to obey.
And then I saw it.
A statue—no, a knight, massive and armored—moved in front of me. Towering above the walls, it radiated solemn power.
I knelt, just as the voice instructed.
The knight, in turn, bowed its head. Paying respect to me.
And then, just like that, it vanished.
My mana wasn't draining as rapidly anymore, and another hour passed. Finally, I saw it—light at the end of the corridor.
I ran.
Despite everything—my wounds, my exhaustion—I ran.
What I found wasn't salvation. It was a prophecy carved into stone:
A tsunami devouring a kingdom.
A weeping devil watching it unfold.
Ruins all around—symbols I couldn't understand.
And standing there, bathed in silver glow, was Izumi.
She smiled. But it was a bitter, heart-wrenching smile. Her blindfold covered her eyes, yet she seemed to see everything.
Then she spoke, voice cold and distant:
> "So you really are the Hero... the one destined to save the world."
I stood there, silent, bloodied and battered. Her words left a chill in the air.
> "The Song Kingdom will be consumed," she continued, "by one of the Emotions. To suppress its rise... there are two choices."
I furrowed my brow, confused.
> "Emotions? What emotions?"
Izumi didn't flinch.
> "You can either sacrifice half the Song Kingdom, which I can do myself... or…"
She paused. Her next words hit me like a thunderclap.
> "Sacrifice someone... the Hero loves dearly."
I reeled.
> "What? Who? What the hell are you talking about?! What emotions?!"
Izumi said nothing more. Just stood there, with that bitter smile, as if she already knew what choice I would make.
And deep in my heart, a storm began to stir.