Ancient One's mystic portal delivered Jason directly to Avanger base headquarters, leaving him marveling at such convenient transportation capabilities. Only as he materialized did the endless stream of system notifications finally begin to taper off.
A quick glance at his interface revealed the shocking scope of devastation - over 120,000 confirmed demon casualties! He'd anticipated nuclear weapons would prove less effective in Hell's supernatural environment, knowing the Demon Lords possessed power to mitigate blast damage. Yet this unprecedented death toll exceeded his wildest projections.
The reward cascade proved equally astronomical. Since demons started at silver-tier classification, he'd received hundreds of silver-grade and higher reward gift boxes. The most valuable included several diamond gift boxes and one coveted king-tier gift boxes. Disappointingly, none reached the mythical five-star rarity.
However, this minor setback paled beside the achievement packages' extraordinary value. Kill-streak bonuses alone granted tens of thousands of attribute points. Two legendary achievements dominated his notifications: "Mass Murderer: 10,000 Kills" and "Mass Slaughter: 100,000 Kills"!
With focused concentration, he processed all non-achievement packages simultaneously.
Results materialized instantly: 5,698 additional attribute points, plus fifteen diverse skills including [Master Navigator (Starships)], [Fluent Demon Languages], [Electronics Manipulation], [Pyrokinetic Control], and others. The king-tier package yielded [Frozen Breath] - a devastating ability channeling arctic-tier temperatures to instant-freeze opponents.
His inventory swelled with skill and ability upgrade cards. While combat skills currently served him well, the ability cards demanded immediate attention. After careful deliberation:
[Dragon chi: Burst] evolved into [Dragon chi: Diamond Body] - transforming his physical form into superheated, indestructible material possessing unparalleled offensive and defensive properties.
[Flight] upgraded to [Supersonic Flight] - achieving speeds of Mach 5-6!
[Breath Concealment] advanced to [Presence Concealment] - dramatically reducing detection by both supernatural senses and technological equipment!
Regrettably, elite abilities like [Thunder Lord], [Spiritual Eyes], and [Hellfire] resisted further enhancement. These divine-tier powers apparently required specialized upgrade methods.
Another disappointment: his kill-streak peaked at 5,000, costing him an additional 10,000 attribute points. Nevertheless, his final tally exceeded 17,000!
Following strategic distribution, his statistics transformed dramatically:
Strength: 6,292 (over 6,000 tons raw power!)
Speed: 4,000 (triple-sonic velocity without flight!)
Defense, Constitution, Will: 3,000 each
With this defensive rating, tank shells would bounce harmlessly off his skin. Even military-grade explosives or thermobaric weapons posed minimal threat. His supernatural healing would regenerate critical damage instantly. Only nuclear warheads remained viable threats - fitting, considering he'd just deployed them.
His spiritual fortitude, combined with soul defenses, created an impenetrable mental fortress. Increasing awareness suggested approaching the threshold for natural astral projection abilities.
Additionally, he received the title [Demon Slayer], granting heightened sensitivity toward hellish entities plus intimidating presence effects. Given his likely future of demonic vengeance seekers, this proved invaluable.
Two ultimate prizes remained: the Mass Murderer and Mass Slaughter achievement rewards.
Opening the 10,000-kill package:
[Reward: Domain - Corpse Mountains, Blood Seas]
This extraordinary ability manifested a 200-meter-radius battlefield zone. Enemies within experienced varying effects: non-targeted individuals witnessed horrific visions inducing terror-induced unconsciousness. Those marked for elimination found themselves trapped in blood-ocean illusions where countless corpses tore them apart - with reality matching the vision!
Only exceptional mental fortitude resisted complete illusion, though even they suffered stat debuffs while Jason gained corresponding buffs. Unfortunately, this power-hungry ability currently limited usage to mere minutes.
If 10,000 kills yielded such power, what awaited at 100,000?
[Reward: Divine Essence ]
Understanding dawned as the system processed: [Defining Power Source...]
[Success! Power Source: The Sun]
Suddenly, he perceived the sun's energy differently. Testing came naturally.
Exploding through the window at five times sonic speed, he pierced cloud cover within moments. Direct sunlight washed over him - not burning heat, but profound comfort.
Raising one hand, hundreds of lightning bolts crackled forth. Previously, his body stored enough energy for perhaps three such displays. Now...
Double discharge - even more violent than before!
Yet...
Full reserves remained! As if nothing had drawn from his power!
Can Thunder God armor retire now?
Activating Diamond Body transformation, his flesh turned superheated and indestructible. Former limitations of thirty minutes peaceful maintenance or ten minutes combat duration... vanished completely! Indefinite sustainability achieved!
Next test: Domain: Corpse Mountains, Blood Seas expanded effortlessly. Previously taxing to activate, now maintained with trivial effort.
In pure experimentation, he pushed output to maximum tiers. The blood-red dome intensified above cloud tier until achieving absolute black - a perfect void consuming light itself!
Within this darkness, Jason moved beyond speed - he controlled spatial positioning throughout his domain! The Absolute Zero Dimension remained equally accessible.
Testing materialization abilities, he crumbled bullets to dust with thought, then compressed powder into perfect cubes. Strength continued growing incrementally.
The system's description crystallized: [While the sun remains, power endures. While power endures, battle continues.]
Solar radiation now fueled unlimited peak performance with constant stat bonuses! As hours passed, his maximum potential increased perpetually!
This reward truly earned its [Divine Essence] designation.
Immediate strategy considerations emerged: construct a space station in permanent solar orbit! Schedule all confrontations at dawn for all-day combat advantage!
"Jason, are you here?" Ancient One's voice penetrated his domain.
The obsidian sphere parted. "Master Ancient One! Care to explore my new domain?"
Her expression turned grave. "Explain this."
"Perhaps my domain contains something you find intriguing? Come check them personally?"
Ancient One's narrowed eyes radiated danger. Jason's humor deflated instantly. "Just testing new abilities! I will deactivate it immidiatly!"
The void sphere collapsed with mere thought.
Silence stretched before he offered distraction: "Good news! My power's dramatically increased. Next demonic incursion will personally handled by yours truly!"
Eagerly Jason ask: "So... about that borrowing technique lesson?"
"The Power of the Dimensional Gods is bound by nine intricate incantations. Without the necessary foundation, no guidance can be given."
"NOW you mention this crucial detail?!"
"I once believed you would never attain the strength required to do it. It seems... I was mistaken."
"Where's your promise? Your oath? Your contractual integrity, Master!"
Brief contemplation preceded her response: "After due consideration, I find you deserving of the promise I once offered."
Hope rekindled...
"Allow me time to consider," the Ancient One said calmly, her gaze distant. "Should no solution present itself, this obligation shall pass to my successors. From one Supreme Sorcerer to the next—generation after generation. The bond is eternal."
"Wait a second—you're planning to sidestep this!" Jason snapped. "Master, you're sounding like a vanishing-responsibility teacher! That's not even mystical—it's just irresponsible!"
Wait...
Was she implying he was next in line?
Had mentorship already begun without so much as a syllabus?
And if she hadn't taught him anything yet, wasn't she already evading her duty?
Before he could demand answers, the Ancient One turned and vanished, her departure imbued with a finality only the truly enlightened could master.
Jason stood in stunned silence. After several minutes of internal debate, a grim realization took hold:
If she won't teach directly, then her successor inherits the responsibility. And if he's the successor... then the debt remains. Responsibility doesn't disappear—it just shifts hands.
With a resigned sigh, Jason muttered to himself:
"Fine. If the lesson won't be given... I'll claim it myself. And whatever cosmic IOU comes with it? I'll pay it—with interest."
...
Within Earth's concealed S.H.I.E.L.D. bunker, organizational morale remained critically low following Director Fury's demise.
Acting Director Hill reviewed classified documentation - Fury's final project: [Tesseract] weaponization for anti-Jason warfare. Experiments predated assassination protocols.
Hesitation gripped her. The Tesseract's cosmic power demanded extreme caution. Yet S.H.I.E.L.D.'s collapsing structure needed rallying victory. Anti-Jason operations remained their singular purpose without alternative victory paths.
Resolution solidified: Proceed.
Inside Tesseract Laboratory's sterile environment, the portal apparatus dominated central space.
Without warning, brilliant azure radiance exploded from the cosmic artifact.
"Status report! Who triggered activation?"
"Negative! Automatic initiation confirmed!"
Tesseract energies supercharged the gateway...
BOOM!
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