A Light in the Dark
"Hahahahahahahahahaha, I guess what they say about the world is true, the strong devour the weak, and I'm pitifully weak. I couldn't even make it until my 15th birthday."
Within the pitch-black abyss that is El Dorado, I have been falling for what seems to be an eternity. I can't help but laugh at my turmoil, who would've thought that the day before I would know my destiny, the universe decided it for me, cursing me to die.
'I CAN'T ACCEPT IT. WHY ME. WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS.'
As I fall without end, my mind is full of hate. Hate for myself for being weak, hatred for my 'family' for betraying me, hate for my unknown past, hatred for my real family, hate for this god **** dungeon, and hate for the world. As time passed and my mind raged on, I gradually lost control of myself and was rendered unconscious from shock.
However, the moment before I lost consciousness, a message played through my brain.
"Congratulations subject zero on reaching the system requirement of 15 years of age!"
After the message was relayed, I promptly passed out.
-----------------------------------------------------------
*Thud
After an indeterminate amount of time, my body lightly hit the ground. The impact forced me back into a state of consciousness.
"GAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAH! Bloody ****ing Hell"
I screamed as my body felt as though it were being cut into small pieces, skewered, then roasted over a scolding hot flame.
[System]: System advises subject zero to remain calm and to refrain from making any further noises, as the user's current location is unknown.
'System?'
Trying to bear the pain, I clenched my teeth. However, every micro-movement I make causes my body to flare up in white-hot pain.
[System]: System advises subject zero to stop moving, as increased movements will result in increased internal bleeding and severe pain.
I couldn't help but yell: "NO ****" at the systems advisories.
Then an idea passed through my head, 'can I communicate with the system.'
[System]: System can communicate simple processes with the user, more specific functions of the system will be unlocked as the user's power increases.
'Holy **** the system reads my mind,' surprised I gave a toothy grin causing my body to spasm in pain, yet causing further pain.
Curiously, I asked: 'System, what is the condition of my body.'
[System]: 136 of the users, 206 bones are broken, and all significant meridians have been damaged. Projected time until death: 1.5 hours, if wounds are not adequately addressed.
'Is there any way to save me?'
Once again feeling helpless, in my dire situation, I hadn't expected the system to provide me with a viable response.
[System]: There are three possible routes that the user may take to preserve their life:
The systems announcement brought me a glimmer of hope.
1. Contact the appropriate medical officials to address the users wounds
After hearing the first option, I immediately shrank back into dispair.
2. The user must eat the heart of rank 10 or above Demon.
The second option left me feeling more helpless than the first. Rank 10 demons are as rare as a phoenix feather, and there are only a handful of people on earth who could even contest a rank ten demon. My heart sunk, as I knew the third option would probably be even more insane.
3. If the user can awaken themselves as a warrior before the estimated time of death, the System can prolong the user's life and may begin to slowly heal the user through the body strengthening functions of Ki. However, the rate of success will be less than 10%.
I was elated by the revelation presented by the third option. I quickly sank back into a foul mood, because the only way to perform an awakening ceremony was to absorb the energy present in a high-grade mana crystal, which costs thousands of dollars, and there was no way I could get my hands on one of them in my current situation.
In a last fit of desperation, I questioned the system: 'System how can I awaken myself?'
[System]: The user has two options to awaken themselves:
1. Absorb a high-grade mana crystal to open up the body's meridians or spiritual sea.
2. Have a transcendent stage cultivator pass their energy through your body to open the meridians or spiritual sea.
After hearing the systems announcements, I knew fate had resigned me to die, 'just when I thought there was hope I've once again been let down,' as I began to wallow in self-pity, the system relayed another announcement.
[System]: System scan has detected a grade 8 demonic core 30 feet to the northwest of the user. The demonic core may be able to substitute for a high-grade mana crystal — the chance of success: below 5%.
For a moment, I was stunned, not by the chance of me surviving, but at the stupidity of the system. It was common knowledge that humans could not absorb the cores of demonic beasts as the chaotic energy within would tear apart their body from the inside. The only known usages of demonic beast cores were to synthesize them into equipment or to feed to domesticated animals to create low-grade monsters. Aside from that, demons could consume the cores of other demons to increase their powers, similar to the cultivation of humans.
Mockingly I asked: 'System are you sure that I can absorb this demonic core.'
[System]: Yes. Due to the composition of the user's body, the absorption of demonic cores is indeed possible.
'Composition of my body?'
[System]: This information will become available to the host after awakening.
Hearing this information I was not convinced in the least about being able to absorb the core of a demon successfully, however, I don't have a lot of options, and trying to preserve my life seems like a hell of a lot better option than death.
Having nothing better to do, I began moving in the direction indicated by the system by scooting my body across the floor like the slug that I am. Every movement causing me to cry in agony, the most challenging part, however, was willing myself not to bite down on my tongue, ending my life right here and now.
After scooting around for an hour and 20 minutes, I finally came upon a purple glowing stone, only a minute away from my life's deadline. Hurriedly I placed myself next to the stone.
[System]: System has detected the demonic core of a rank eight silver and yellow demonic python, would the user like to absorb the demonic core?
'YES!'