A hopeful rising sun.
That is what I imagined when I saw the golden light emerging from the chest.
I leaned my body forward and took a vigorous step.
Once again, the world went dark.
In a single second, I had returned to my initial position, standing before the chest.
Nausea and dizziness struck me once more.
However, this time it was less debilitating.
The last time, I had been caught off guard, and that always worsens the effects.
I took a deep breath to calm the sickness and turned my gaze toward the radiant light.
A small white orb floated silently within the pillar of light.
It was similar to the previous one, yet certainly not the same.
This time, it should be a weapon.
Still, what kind of weapon would emerge from a golden sphere?
From all my knowledge of Devil Arms, none had ever appeared as a luminous orb.
Nevertheless, if it followed the same painful pattern as the previous one, then... this time I would not give in.
I took a deep breath, clenched my teeth, and extended my hand toward the orb that was approaching me.
I stifled a groan of pain the moment my fingers touched the sphere.
The sphere seemed to be in flames as it passed through my arm.
Every centimeter it crossed brought extreme agony.
Until it reached my chest.
The pain exploded like a timed bomb.
— Arghh!
This time I could not hold the pain within my voice.
But in that moment, I did not fall to my knees.
Even as memories and experiences pierced my mind like gunfire.
I resisted the pain.
— Huhuhaha...
But I could not suppress everything.
— Hahahaha!
The laughter simply burst out, unrestrained and wild.
It was all so painful, and at the same time, amusing.
While my body suffered, my mind received techniques and knowledge.
I already knew what kind of weapon I would use.
I could not stop the smile that formed on my face.
But I could do something better than focus on such pitiful emotions.
I turned my attention inward and focused on that cold, dark energy.
Amid the suffering, my demonic energy was growing, easing my body.
However, this energy could have a far greater use than merely soothing weakness.
I inhaled deeply through the pain and concentrated my power on my legs and arms.
— Arrghh!
Once again, I groaned in pain.
The pain doubled without the aid of demonic energy, yet I did not stop.
The response of my demonic energy was gentle; it obeyed my command.
Blue sparks of energy ran through my body as I attempted to bring forth the weapon fusing with my soul.
I was supposed to endure the pain silently.
Wait for the fusion to finish, then use the weapon.
Let the system do its work.
However, how could I simply sit and wait?
I wanted that weapon; I would have it the moment I desired, not by the whim of an external force.
— RAAAAHHH!
With a roar, I forced the demonic energy into my arms and legs.
As I did, something responded and connected with my energy.
In an instant, a powerful brilliance emerged from my limbs.
A light so bright it forced me to close my eyes, surrendering the world to darkness.
Something with a metallic hardness enclosed my arms and legs.
The pain vanished, and with its departure, a powerful energy surged through me.
My body became light, like a feather.
I possessed a physical strength I had never known before.
For the first time... I felt unrestrained.
Free to live as I desired.
Power.
This is power.
The intoxicating sensation of being strong.
I opened my eyes and observed my hands.
A pair of beast-like gauntlets adorned my arms.
Dark as the night, yet illuminated by glowing streaks running along their surface.
The appearance of the gauntlets vaguely resembled the head of a wolf, ending in fangs above the knuckles.
I turned my gaze to my legs.
A pair of greaves adorned them.
The same pattern: black with luminous details, the same beastly appearance.
However, claws extended from the ends of the greaves.
I knew this weapon very well.
Yet, would it still possess the same power?
It would not hurt to test it.
I gathered the knowledge within my mind.
I placed my left foot back, my right foot forward.
I brought my elbows close to my body.
I inhaled deeply.
I pushed off the ground with my left foot.
The world distorted from the speed.
I bent my body close to the ground and punched with my left fist.
*BOOM*
The air exploded with power.
A flash of light burst as I struck, illuminating the dark surroundings.
The black ground beneath my feet cracked.
The empty world seemed slightly disturbed.
I looked at my clenched fists.
Truly, not bad.
This weapon was the real thing.
Above all, it was my weapon.
There was a subtle yet firm connection between the Devil Arm and my soul.
It was faint, but I could feel it even with closed eyes.
My demonic energy had been infused into my weapon.
---
**[Beowulf Lv 1]**
**[Description:** A powerful weapon created by Vergil Sparda after defeating a demon. Only this pair of greaves and gauntlets remained from the creature.]
**[Effect:** Greatly increases strength and speed; capable of emitting holy light.]
**[Combat:** A lethal close-range weapon, capable of breaking through most defenses with its sheer brutality. Attacks can be enhanced, increasing their lethal potential.]
**[Techniques:** 00/08]
**[Rank:** A]
---
The open chest was greedily devoured by the black ground as soon as I finished reading the notifications.
The broken ground repaired itself effortlessly.
In an instant, this world returned to normal.
Only I and the void remained.
[Would you like to view additional functions]
The system's silent notification appeared before me.
That was good; I had assumed I might need to force my way in.
— Show me everything, without hiding anything.
Despite the system's obedience, I still made sure to warn it.
It was impossible to trust something that granted power so easily.
Power always comes with a price.
---
**[Status]**
[Description: View your unique abilities and power.]
**[Talents]**
[Description: Check your affinities and improve them.]
**[Equipment]**
[Description: Change your weapons and attire.]
**[Mission]**
[Description: Complete your objectives for valuable rewards.]
**[Summon]**
[Description: Perform a draw using style points in search of items.]
**[Shop]**
[Description: Spend your style points on specific items.]
**[Challenge]**
[Description: Face difficult battles for rewards.]
**[Bloody Palace]**
[Description: Test your strength in extreme fights across 100 floors, where a surprise awaits on the final floor.]
---
There were far more things than I had expected.
However, certain ones held greater priority.
Something that had been weighing on my mind.
— Open the status.
---
**[Name: Vergil]
**[Race: Demonic Hybrid]
**[Height: 1.93 meters]
**[Weight: 97 kilograms]
**[Hair Color:Black]
**[Eye Color:Grayish blue]
[Unique Abilities]
**["I Want To Be Like You"]**
[Description: A unique ability belonging to someone who admired another to the point of desiring to become like the target.]
[Effect: Copies the appearance, power, and soul of the one admired.]
[Target: Vergil Sparda]
[Assimilation: 65%]
[Rank: SSS]
---
My breaths came heavy.
My heart beat like a drum.
My eyes locked onto the ability, refusing to read the others.
This was the reason.
The reason why I shared the name and appearance of that man.
I did this.
That childish obsession of a boy had defined who I am.
How much of me remains?
Am I still... me?
---