To the Center

Arex looks down at Dystoark and began speaking.

"First, what was that deafening roar?" Arex said. "I can hear it above the clouds."

"It was Xydrid. His Dragon Heart is going under rapid progression and ascension." I said. Arex widened her eyes.

"He was in Hatchling form, right? What did you do?" Arex asked.

"He was, now he reached Young form, and now I am bringing him to Adult form." I said. Arex looked at me with horror.

"You...you have not only skipped levels of his phases, you have skipped his life phases in a short time?!" Arex was aghast. "There are risks from forcibly progress and ascend Dragon Hearts!"

"That is why I did it, because we are facing two Hellkins where one of them is at least a Archdemon. Also, we're facing a mass invasion coming to multiple villages." I said.

Arex sighed that arguing will bring us nowhere and gets to the point.

"You are right, this presence I felt earlier is no lower than Archdemon. Do you see the opening?" Arex said, "This is where the two Hellkins reside in."

I looked down and saw a distinct opening that is surrounded by green, just as you see a hurricane's eye.

"If you say that he's no lower than Archdemon and not be specific, then you're trying to stay out of sight, right?" I assumed.

"That is correct." Arex regretfully nodded. "If I confront it without knowing, the battles between us can be very destructive."

Arex is right, if both Hellkin and Heavenkin fight, especially the high-ranking ones, the battle would be no different than a natural disaster.

"Then, I have a plan. I will fight the Hellkins head on while you summon the Heavenkins to charge a massive Holy Magic attack on that center. By that time, you will drop it at that center." I said.

"The Hellkins will see the attack coming. You have countermeasures for it such as Space Magic." Arex said. I nodded and continued planning.

"I will also buy enough time while fighting the Hellkins so that you and the others can maintain the magic." I said.

"The only variable is Xydrid." Arex said, placing her cheek on her hand.

"Then I will buy enough time for Xydrid to become a Adult Dragon...if he survives." I said.

Arex looked down and pointed downward to show where I will be sent.

"I recommend that you start here before you reach the center. I will begin recruiting the Heavenkins in the meantime." Arex said.

I opened a portal below me where I can see the leaves up close. Arex dispels the light around me and I fell right through the portal.

*Voom!*

Since I have never been this far in the forest below the leaves, my only way is falling through the trees.

*CRACK!*

*SNAP!*

I began falling through the branches and twigs due to my weight and speed of me falling as a High Oni. Despite the impact, I didn't suffer any injuries.

*THOOOM!!*

I landed on the ground, scattering dirt and mud around me. I stand up and look around that it is dark than usual. The light shines upon me like a spotlight in contrast to the dark surroundings.

[Notice, Arex has returned to the Celestial Realm.]

I began walking and summoned my Red Moon. I realize that when I am starting to fight the Hellkins, I can't hope to beat them. I have to upgrade this weapon I have.

"I wish to upgrade Red Moon."

A blue screen appeared in front of me and gave me options.

[Evolve Weapon]

[Upgrade Skills]

[Reforge Weapon]

Evolving Weapon is like giving a different name, but stronger and giving it a higher rarity. Upgrade Skills is straight forward, and Reforge weapon is that giving a weapon with different materials.

I picked Evolve Weapon and I selected the paths for it.

[Red Moon > Blood Moon > Scarlet Moon > Crimson Moon]

"Yes." I said.

[Acknowledged. Now evolving...]

The halberd floated in my hand and became a purple light. The purple light soon turned into orange and kept growing larger. Then...it dissipated.

The entire halberd head has changed. The blades that was once white became red and the gemstone in the middle got another in purple color. Also, it has become slightly bigger than before.

[Evolution complete. Your weapon has evolved to Crimson Moon.]

[Weapon rarity has risen to Legendary+.]

[Skills obtained for Crimson Moon. Dark Magic-XII, Dark Dominance-VI Curse Magic-VI, Dark Nullification, Curse Resistance, Blood Art-X, Life Drain, Blood Drain, Scarring-XI, Slash Up-XII, Pierce Up-XII, Lightweight-VIII, Armor Slayer(Runium), Light Ward-V, Durability Up-VIII.]

Blood Art...this is exclusive to Vampires and can be obtained off the bat, but it comes at a cost of HP. Life and Blood Drain is self-explanatory, and Scarring slows down regeneration and reduces healing.

*Ding!*

[Legendary weapon detected. You are eligible to evolve to Battle Oni.]

Battle Oni...regular Onis are basically balanced, but Battle Series Oni are fully meant for combat. Battle Onis get much stronger and sturdier than High Onis. The weakness of said Battle Onis is that they cannot use Kihou as a beam.

Instead, they use Kihou as a weapon called Kibuki AKA Oni Weapon. Like Kihou, it deals large amounts of non-elemental damage, but it continually drains MP quickly. Evolving as a Battle Oni ain't much an option since I can no longer use Kihou.

But if that Hellkin is all about close combat, it's not so bad. But the Inferno Magic is what I'm worried about.

"System, I wish to evolve."

A blue screen went up and I began choosing the path of Battle Series Oni.

[High Oni > Battle Oni > War Oni > Great War Oni > Oni Champion]

"Evolution!"

[Acknowledged. Now evolving.]

After the message, pain shoot throughout my body.

"Hrrgh!" I grunted, gritting my teeth.

My hands tremble, sweat began pouring out, my breathing becomes rapid, my very body is being reconfigured. Again, this pain is nothing compared to unlocking my hidden skills. However, this won't be enough to take on the Hellkins.

*Sizzle...*

Steam began coming out of my body and the pain stopped. I looked at my skin that I have gotten the same skin color since I was human, but my height remained the same. I feel my forehead only find something strange.

My horns have taken a different shape.

I used Ice Magic as a mirror to confirm and it is true, my horns are jagged. The only way to find which is a regular Oni or a Battle Oni is the shape of the horns. Standard Onis are slightly curved where Battle Onis are jagged.

Also, the amount of sharp bends there are, the stronger the Battle Onis are. Battle Onis at the start have one and Champion Onis have four sharp bends.

[Evolution complete. You have evolved to Oni Champion.]

[Due to your Evolution, your rank has risen to X.]

[New skills acquired. Ultra Strength, Ultra Regeneration, Ultra Endurance, Super Resistance, Runium Skin, Body Armor-Runium, Kibuki-XV, Oni Terror, Oni Enrage, Berserker, Aura-XX.]

Woah...that's plenty. Wait...I didn't lose Kihou? Anyways, let's evolve again to Oni Warlord.

"Evolve again, Oni Warlord!" I said.

*Bzzt!*

[Request cannot be fulfilled.]

[Missing requirements: Must equip at least 1 Mythical weapon and 3 Legendary armor equipments.]

Oh...okay. I then turned to my skeletons where eight are Death Knights including Mirtis. Seeing that I have 362 regular skeletons, I should evolve them all to Death Knights.

"System, I wish to evolve all my 362 skeletons into Death Knights."

<[Calculating costs...complete.]

[Skeleton > Greater Skeleton > Skeleton Guard > Skeleton Knight > Death Fighter > Death Knight] = 75,000 EP x 362

[Total Cost: 54,300,000 EP]>

"Yes."

[Acknowledged, now evolving.]

It's expensive, but it is necessary for survival.

"Zala, come on out." I called out.

*Shoom!*

Zala jumped out of the shadows and I checked her ears that was ruptured before. She was no longer bleeding from her ears, but I gotta make sure she's fully healthy.

I used Healing Magic on her.

[Zala has no current injuries.]

I jumped on Zala and twirled my Halberd to begin my advance.

"Ready, Zala?" I said.

*Bbbrrr!*

Zala sputters with determination that she will go wherever I go.

"To the center!" I yelled.

Zala neighed loudly and began running through the forest, kicking up mud and dirt. Our fight with the Hellkins was ever closer than ever.

[Notice, Arex has arrived in the Material Realm.]

[10 Heavenkins have arrived in the Material Realm.]

"Kain, I have brought 10 Angel Primes within the limits of my authority." Arex said. "We will begin casting Holy Magic"

So she has begun, now all I have to do is do my part as well. I whipped the reins so that Zala picks up the pace until eventually, I began seeing the multiple paths converging in front of me as I advance and soon I see a large opening.

I pulled the reins and Zala slowed down to a stop, but close enough for me to walk on foot. Zala jumps into the shadows in the trees and I moved on ahead.

I twirled my Crimson Moon again and held it tight, my mouth changed into a wide smile, showing my sharp teeth. I can no longer contain my excitement.

Before I reached the opening, I began hearing strange noises. Usually, there will be multiple animals going as usual, but it's more human-like. No matter, I'll get it there and buy as much time as needed.

I entered the opening of the forest where it is the center and in the game, it had a Grade U Magic Crystal where people would KILL for it for many reasons. It was not there.

The sounds grew louder and I soon knew it was a moaning sound, a female moaning.

I head closer and it was something I never thought to expect in my two lives.