Chapter 2

He handed me a bundle of green grass and said, "Eat it quickly to replenish your body." I reluctantly pulled out a piece and put it in my mouth. It tasted surprisingly good, probably because I hadn't eaten in what felt like days. Hungry, I ate the grass clean in a matter of moments. Rui Nen looked at me with a puzzled expression. "Third brother, you have a good appetite today," he remarked. "This bundle of grass should have lasted you a day."

He left to check on Big Brother. I sat there in the cave, alone, my mind still racing with everything that had happened. The insect bite, the hallucinations—or were they? Could it really be that I now had some kind of system inside me, offering me power? Was it truly possible that I was becoming someone important in this bizarre world I had only heard of in legends?

Before I could ponder further, a voice echoed in my head again, "You aren't dreaming, you know. I am the Demon King system, and I have chosen you as my host."

I froze in shock. "What do you mean 'chosen'? Why me?"

"Your soul entered a time-space rift and collided with me," the voice explained, "and I have begun the process of bonding with your body. In time, I will help you unlock your true potential, but you must be careful. This world is not kind to those who are weak. But with my guidance, you can become a Demon King—if you survive."

I sat still, processing this information. My whole life had been defined by weakness. I was the frail younger brother of two powerful siblings. The idea that I could be more, that I could rise to power with this system's help, was almost too good to be true. But something about the voice in my head was both comforting and terrifying at the same time.

As the days passed, I began to feel changes in my body. The aches and pains that had plagued me for years began to fade. I could move with more ease, and my strength started to grow. Rui Nen and the Bull Demon King both noticed, though they didn't question it openly. Perhaps they believed I had finally grown out of my sickly state, or maybe they thought the old man from my dream had done something after all.

One morning, as I was practicing in the courtyard outside the cave, I felt a surge of power course through my veins. Startled, I stopped mid-movement. The voice in my head chuckled. "That, my dear host, is your bloodline awakening. You are no ordinary cow demon, though your body may deceive you. Your kueno blood is far more powerful than you realize, and it is finally beginning to show itself."

I clenched my fists and marveled at the raw strength I could feel pulsing beneath my skin. This was real. The system was real. And with it, I could become more than I had ever dreamed.

"What's next?" I asked, trying to control the excitement in my voice.

"Next," the system replied, "you will need to train, master your new abilities, and—if you're lucky—survive long enough to claim your rightful place in this world. But be warned: there are forces far greater than you out there, and they will not take kindly to your rise in power."

Suddenly, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. Turning, I saw the Bull Demon King approaching, his massive form towering over the landscape. "Third brother," he called out, "come here."

I walked toward him, feeling more confident in my steps than I had in years. "Yes, eldest brother?" I asked, trying to hide the smirk that threatened to spread across my face.

The Bull Demon King looked me up and down. "You've changed," he said bluntly. "Your body... it's stronger. What happened?"

"I don't know," I lied, shrugging. "Maybe the old man in my dream did something. I woke up one day and just felt different."

The Bull Demon King frowned, clearly skeptical, but he didn't press the issue. "Be careful, third brother. Strength can be a dangerous thing. You must learn to control it, or it will destroy you."

I nodded, trying to look as serious as possible. "I understand, brother. I'll be careful."

As he walked away, I couldn't help but feel a surge of exhilaration. I had fooled him. For now, at least. But the truth was, I didn't need to control the power. It was already becoming a part of me, and with the system's help, I would only get stronger.

But in the back of my mind, a small voice whispered warnings of things to come. The system had mentioned enemies—beings far more powerful than me. And while I was excited about my newfound strength, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking into something far bigger than I understood.

The voice in my head spoke again. "Enjoy your current victories while you can, host. The road ahead is long, and not everyone will be as easily fooled as your brothers."

I smirked. "Let them try. I'll be ready."

The next morning, I awoke feeling stronger than ever. The days of weakness and frailty seemed like a distant memory. The Chaos Pearl pulsed with a faint glow, as if it was connected to my very soul. Its presence reassured me that I was on the right path, but the system's warnings echoed in my mind. Power was a dangerous thing—especially in a world filled with demons, immortals, and gods.

I spent hours training, testing the limits of my new abilities. My movements were sharper, faster, and I could feel the raw strength coursing through my veins. Each punch I threw seemed to ripple through the air, creating shockwaves. I couldn't help but marvel at the transformation.

But I knew that strength alone wouldn't be enough. The system had told me that much. There were far greater threats out there, and they wouldn't be easily tricked or defeated. I needed to think, to plan, and to prepare for what was coming.

Later that day, Rui Nen found me in the courtyard, practicing a series of strikes against a training dummy. "You've changed," he said, crossing his arms as he watched me.

I nodded. "I feel stronger than ever."

Rui Nen raised an eyebrow. "It's more than that. You're different—more confident. What happened to the sickly little brother I used to know?"

I shrugged, not wanting to give too much away. "Things change, Rui. People change."

He studied me for a moment, then sighed. "Just be careful. Power can be a double-edged sword. It's easy to get lost in it, to think you're invincible. But there's always someone stronger, someone smarter. Don't forget that."

I nodded, though I couldn't help but feel a spark of defiance. I knew what Rui Nen was saying was true, but with the system on my side, I felt like I could overcome anything. Still, I would heed his advice. Arrogance had led to the downfall of many before me, and I wasn't about to let it claim me as well.

As Rui Nen left, I felt the familiar presence of the system stirring in my mind again. "Your second brother is wiser than he looks," the system said. "But don't let his words dampen your ambition. You are destined for greatness, and you have the power to achieve it."

I clenched my fists, feeling the strength within me. "I won't let anything stand in my way."

The system chuckled. "Good. Because soon, you'll face challenges that will test every ounce of your strength and cunning. The world of demons and gods is ruthless, and if you want to survive, you'll need to be smarter, faster, and stronger than anyone else."

I nodded. I was ready.

The next few days passed in a blur of training. Every spare moment, I pushed myself, testing the limits of my newfound strength. The Chaos Pearl pulsed within me, lending me power beyond anything I had ever imagined. My body no longer felt weak; every movement was precise and powerful.

But even as I trained, the system's words echoed in my mind—about cunning and patience. There were far greater dangers out there, waiting. I could feel the weight of destiny pressing down on me, and I knew the time would come when my strength would be tested.

One evening, I approached the Bull Demon King, asking him about the legends I had heard—the myths of Samadhi True Fire, a flame so powerful it could burn anything. I had remembered reading about it in my past life and wanted to confirm it existed in this world.

The Bull Demon King laughed, shaking his head. "You've been listening to too many old tales, third brother. Samadhi True Fire is not something to be taken lightly. It's said that only the most powerful immortals can wield it."

I filed the information away, silently making plans in my mind. I would need more than just brute strength to achieve my goals. I needed to think ahead, to prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.

The days turned into weeks, and I continued my relentless training. With the system's help and the power of the Chaos Pearl, I felt myself improving at a rapid pace. My quino bloodline had fully awakened, and my innate talent—the ultimate recovery ability—made it so that I could push my body beyond its normal limits without fear of injury. In just a few years, I had already reached the peak of the loose immortal level, a feat that had taken others centuries to achieve.

Even Rui Nen, who had trained for thousands of years, marveled at my progress. But despite the admiration of my brothers, I could see a flicker of concern in their eyes. They knew something was different about me—something they couldn't quite understand.

Ten years passed in what felt like the blink of an eye. By that time, I had reached the pinnacle of loose immortality and was on the verge of breaking through to the next realm. The speed at which I absorbed spiritual energy, thanks to the Chaos Pearl, was unparalleled. I had surpassed even the Bull Demon King in cultivation speed, though I kept that fact to myself.

One day, Rui Nen came to me, a look of determination on his face. "Neong, I've been thinking... It's time we find a new place to live. Drill Head Mountain has served us well, but it's no longer safe. Word of your strength has started to spread, and it won't be long before others come looking for us."

I considered his words carefully. He was right, of course. The more powerful I became, the more attention I would attract. But leaving the mountain meant stepping into the wider world—a world filled with dangers I had only heard about in legends.

Still, I agreed. "You're right, second brother. It's time we find somewhere else."

We spoke with the Bull Demon King, who agreed with the plan. He, too, had noticed the growing unrest among the local demons. We needed to lay low, to bide our time until we were ready to face whatever challenges awaited us.

The next few weeks were spent preparing for our journey. I sharpened my skills, training harder than ever. I knew that once we left the mountain, there would be no turning back.

One day, Rui Nen came to me, looking more serious than usual. "Neong, we've stayed here long enough. It's time to make our move." I nodded in agreement. We had outgrown the safety of Drill Head Mountain, and if we wanted to truly rise, we needed to venture out into the world. The risks were great, but so were the rewards.

We packed up what little we needed and began our journey. The world outside the mountain was vast and filled with dangers, but I felt ready for anything. The system's voice echoed in my mind from time to time, reminding me to stay sharp, to always be thinking ahead.

Our first stop was the East China Sea. Rui Nen had heard rumors of powerful artifacts hidden in the depths, and we were eager to find out if they were true. The sea itself was a sight to behold—endless waves crashing against the shore, the salty breeze filling the air. But beneath its surface, we knew, lay mysteries and dangers beyond our understanding.

We traveled deep into the heart of the East China Sea, where we were met by none other than the Dragon King himself, Ao Guang. His towering form emerged from the depths, his scales glinting in the sunlight.

"Welcome, travelers," Ao Guang said, his voice booming like thunder. "What brings you to my domain?"

I stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Great Dragon King, we seek knowledge and power. We have heard that the East China Sea holds many treasures, and we wish to learn from them."

Ao Guang studied me carefully, his eyes narrowing. "You are no ordinary demon," he said. "I sense great potential within you."

I smiled, grateful that he had noticed. "I am learning, Dragon King. But I still have much to master."

The Dragon King nodded. "Very well. I shall grant you a gift." He reached out and summoned a magnificent weapon—a trident, forged from the very essence of the sea itself. Its gleaming surface shimmered with an otherworldly light. "This is the Overlord Fork," Ao Guang said. "A weapon of great power. Use it wisely."

I accepted the trident with a bow, feeling its immense weight in my hands. It was a weapon unlike any I had ever wielded, and I knew it would serve me well in the battles to come.

But Ao Guang was not done. "You will also need protection," he said, summoning a set of shimmering armor. "This armor has been passed down through my family for generations. It will serve you well."

I bowed again, deeply humbled by his generosity. "Thank you, Dragon King. I will not forget this kindness."

With the Dragon King's gifts in hand, we left the East China Sea, our strength and resolve bolstered. But I knew that this was only the beginning. There were greater challenges ahead, and I needed to be ready.