My stomach was churning.
How much of me was real?
Was everything I felt false?
Did my desire for power not come from my own will?
[The ability does not alter memories or emotions]
[Similar experiences create similar people.]
I felt relief with the system notification.
I had assumed the worst.
I was not being erased.
That would be the worst kind of pain: to be slowly consumed and not know it.
The same as wielding a dull blade in the name of a faceless master.
However, what was that percentage for?
[The ability's percentage is an indicator of connection]
[A demonstration of the similarity between the user and the target]
[The higher this connection, the greater the affinity with the target's abilities]
So Vergil Sparda and I were 65% similar.
Something strange ran through my body.
A certain… repulsion.
In another life, the thought would have been exciting.
However, after dying and living another eighteen years, I would not want to be like that man.
An empty life in an endless search for power, seeking to protect the only thing he had.
His own life.
To be considered equal to that man was no compliment.
We shared the same name, not the same ideal.
The path he walked, I would not follow.
My admiration would be only for the power he achieved.
Therefore, I ignored the ability that had tormented me and focused on the rest.
["Concentration"]
[Description: The culminating result of a resolution sharp as a blade. A clear mind is capable of much more than it appears. This ability is the demonstration of Vergil Sparda's absolute focus.]
[Effect: While concentrated, increases agility, regeneration, and efficiency of demonic power, as well as the potency of equipment.]
[Usage requirements: Remain calm, dodge attacks, do not get hit, destroy your enemies]
[Rank: SS]
It was hard to ignore that man when I had gained yet another ability from him.
However, I could not complain.
Power was power, no matter where it came from.
And power was something pitifully lacking in my body.
Especially when I looked at what came after the abilities.
[Power]
● Strength: C (B)
● Agility: C (B)
● Endurance: C
● Demonic Power: C
● Control: B
[Rank classifications]
● D = Disgrace
● C = Inferior
● B = Notable
● A = Impressive
● S = Superior
● SS = Savage
● SSS = Demonic
— System, how do I get stronger?
The question came out before I could hold it back.
Inferior?
That's how the system classified me.
Unacceptable.
I was not willing to submit to that.
[It is possible to improve attributes through training or items.]
At that moment, I remembered the item I had stored.
The purple orb capable of increasing demonic power.
However, I let the idea fade.
The moment I obtained that item, my instinct had warned me of danger.
But how reliable was instinct?
— System, what would happen if I used the purple orb right now?
[Your body would enter a state of decay. This state means the demon will be slowly destroyed.]
[A demon enters a state of decay when demonic energy surpasses the amount the mortal body can contain.]
My instincts had proven correct.
My pride had almost pushed me to use the orb.
In the end, I would have to settle for the "inferior" classification.
It would be a blow to my pride, but it wouldn't kill me.
What doesn't kill strengthens.
However, something changed my mind.
Suddenly, a new notification appeared on the translucent screen.
[You can purchase items that enhance the physique.]
How could I have forgotten?
I still remembered that, but the system shop involved something greater than the will to grow stronger.
A subject always complicated to approach.
The lack of coins.
— I can't buy anything, can I?
I asked the system.
Though deep down, I already knew the answer.
[Indeed, there are not enough style points.]
— How do I earn those style points?
Again, I asked.
However, this time the question was not mere formality.
Until now, through observation, I had been able to define something important.
This system was merely copying the style of the Devil May Cry franchise.
That meant these style points probably served in place of the blood orbs.
Therefore, I would have to use the style points for everything involving the system.
For the days to come, I needed to know how to obtain those resources.
[Style points are obtained through battles, discarding items, summons, missions, challenges, and Bloody Palace.]
The options were limited.
However, they were all accessible.
One of those options in particular I had forgotten, with everything that had happened.
— System, open the missions.
The information on the translucent page changed almost instantly.
[Main mission]
● "The Nobility of a Demon"
● Description: You agreed to listen to the crimson-haired demon. Hear what Rias Gremory has to say and reach an agreement about the future.
● Reward: 500 style points, one rank C item ticket
[Side missions]
● "What Is a Demon?"
● Description: What defines a demon? Courage? Power? Perhaps blood ties? This must be answered.
● Requirements: Face the highest-level challenge and reach an answer.
● Reward: Rank B Devil Arm ticket
My eyes focused on what was most attractive.
A Devil Arm ticket.
I could almost feel my mouth water at the thought of possessing another of those weapons.
After acquiring Beowulf, it seemed irresistible to have another powerful trump card in my hands.
The best part was in the description.
I just needed to confirm if it was what I expected.
— I only need to face the challenge to complete the mission, is that correct?
[The information is correct. Entering the challenge is enough to complete the mission.]
It was too easy.
Too easy to be true.
— What happens if I die in the challenge?
My doubts were incessant, but necessary.
It was hard to admit, but there were real chances of death.
Especially when I was to face the highest-level challenge.
[It is impossible to die within the challenges; therefore, you will awaken outside the void.]
The more the system explained, the greater my distrust grew.
An easy mission.
Ridiculous requirements and extraordinary rewards.
It looked and smelled like a trap.
Only a fool would think otherwise.
However, I would lose nothing from it.
The only thing precious to me was not at risk.
Indeed, nothing to lose.
— System, accept the highest-level challenge available.
Almost immediately, information appeared on the system screen.
[Extreme Challenge]
● Challenge name: ????
● Description: Face a challenging fight.
● Requirements: Discovered upon arrival.
● Location: ????
● Difficulty: Vergil must die.
● Completion reward: Awakening of the demonic trigger
The reward for completing the challenge was exquisite.
However, impossible to obtain with my current power.
Without a doubt, this mission was not what it appeared to be.
I had no doubts.
It wasn't meant for me to complete this challenge.
But why would the system do this?
What was the system's intention in provoking my greed?
Was it a punishment?
A way to try to teach a moral lesson?
I didn't know.
There was only one way to find out.
— Start the challenge.
I ordered calmly.
[The challenge will begin in a three-second countdown]
[3]
Interesting.
Only a three-second margin?
No time for regrets, then.
[2]
I began stretching, preparing my body for the battle to come.
However, for divine reasons, my body was already warm.
Ready for combat, the stretching had been unnecessary.
Benefits of being a demon, perhaps?
[1]
Like snakes, the shadows around me began to move intensely.
The entire environment seemed agitated and disturbed, very different from the beginning of everything.
[Good luck!]
The system finished its countdown.
The shadows exploded.
The world was covered in darkness.
At that moment, nothing else existed.
Not even the sound of my breathing was spared.
It was no different from death.
But this inexistence of everything was brief.
It didn't last even a minute.
Again, everything returned to existence.
As suddenly as it had vanished.
All my senses exploded with sensations.
In front of me, a dark sky full of storm clouds.
Below the clouds, a great light.
A city, full of people living their lives.
Something cold and wet began to run down my face.
It was raining.
An intense rain began to pour from the skies.
The kind of rain that soaked the soul and brought memories filled with remorse.
Along with the rain, powerful winds that promised a storm.
Winds strong enough to roar when they hit the statues around.
But the wind could not disturb the statues.
Those statues were like savage monuments.
They had demonic, elongated shapes rising several meters above my head.
What kind of place was this?