Chapter 122: Abyss Tickets!

In the midst of the stunned silence, the black and red tendrils of the virus gradually receded back into Novak's body. He stood motionless, savoring the sensation of every cell in his body resonating with the power of the Blacklight virus. Around him lay a sea of corpses, human and demon alike, while Orlando, the once-feared demon warrior, was now enveloped by the same creeping tendrils.

It was as if Novak stood on a throne—a grotesque, towering edifice of blood and death. The very ground beneath him seemed a testament to his strength, his dominion over life and death. Fear gripped the hearts of everyone who witnessed this, paralyzing them in their tracks. No one dared to move or even breathe too loudly.

The power before them was unlike anything they had encountered. Not even the fearsome demon Orlando compared. The man standing before them was no longer human—not by any measure they understood.

From a genetic standpoint, this was true. Novak had evolved far beyond the limitations of humanity.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. One gleamed with an abyssal darkness, while the other glowed a brilliant crimson. His vision was split between two worlds—two sets of memories intertwined. One was filled with Kong's experiences, while the other pulsed with the memories of the demon warrior, Orlando.

Two perspectives collided within his mind: the dark streets of human civilization and the horrors of the abyss. Yet, Novak remained in control, slowly exhaling as his thoughts cleared. His mind, though heavy with new memories, remained unscathed by the immense power coursing through him.

Novak had long since grasped the essence of the Blacklight virus. The virus, in its purest form, attempted to dominate its host's consciousness, striving to become a sentient mass of raw power. But Novak was no ordinary host. He wasn't driven by the virus—he controlled it, using its strength to magnify his own will. He had no desire to lose himself and become another mindless vessel.

Surveying the scene, Novak recognized many faces from Kong's memories. He now understood the complexity behind their loyalty. Kong had indeed been capable, using a cunning mix of manipulation, coercion, and control. He held sway over these people not just with fear but by holding their families hostage, bending them to his will. And when that wasn't enough, he alternated between threats and rewards, ensuring their obedience.

But Novak had little interest in dealing with them now. His focus was on something far more important—digesting the power he had just absorbed.

[Swallowing special species. Gained exclusive Blacklight virus evolution points: 21 points.]

[Special bloodline detected. You may choose to consume the bloodline or expel it from the body.]

As expected, consuming Orlando had yielded more rewards than just raw power. Though he hadn't gained any new skills this time, he had indeed obtained something valuable—demon blood.

Two items materialized in his hands, both pulsating with a sinister aura:

[Common's Devil Blood Potion (Grade A)] 

[Item—Pharmaceutical] 

—The concentrated essence of a demon's bloodline. Consuming it grants the user a corresponding level of demonic bloodline power. The demon bloodline is extremely potent but comes with significant risks, requiring specific attributes from the user.

—Requirements: Level 10 or higher. Strength + Agility + Constitution ≥ 60 points.

[Inferior Bloodline Essence (Grade B)]

[Item—Pharmaceutical] 

—The distilled blood of a lesser demon, extracted by a specialized virus. Consuming it grants a weaker form of demon bloodline power.

—Requirements: Strength ≥ 15, Agility ≥ 15.

Novak examined the vials with interest. The A-grade Devil Blood Potion held immense potential, but it came with steep requirements. Only the strongest could harness such power without being destroyed by it. The inferior bloodline, while weaker, could be a stepping stone for those who sought to taste demonic strength without risking everything.

Novak's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The real rewards were only beginning to reveal themselves.

The two items seemed nearly identical at first glance, yet their origins were vastly different. The first was dropped by Kong himself, while the second had been synthesized by Novak's Blacklight virus. Bloodline items like these were usually considered rare treasures, but now, in Novak's possession, they felt as common as items from a wholesale market.

He couldn't help but feel a bit amused.

Perhaps, in the future, these could be used as rewards for loyal subordinates or traded for valuable supplies. But for now, he wasn't too concerned about their immediate use. He casually put them aside.

The real prize, however, was something far more significant.

Novak's gaze lingered on an item he'd recognized from his previous life:

[Demon Hunter Job Change Quest Scroll (S)]

[Demons are among the most violent and bloodthirsty creatures. According to legend, a special group exists solely to hunt them. To slay a demon, one must not only understand their power but also harness a portion of it. This special job change scroll only drops after a pure-blooded demon is killed.]

[Task Requirements: After using the scroll, you will be transported to a unique world, "The First Floor of the Abyss." There, you must kill 100 lemurs and 100 fallen demons. Upon completing this, you will automatically gain the "Demon Hunter" profession and be returned from the Abyss.]

Novak took a deep breath, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him.

This was why a mere level-11 demon warrior could drop an S-level job change scroll, whereas a level-12 Hell Messenger would only drop an A-level scroll. The key difference lay in the fact that this S-level scroll was a mission-based one, while the Hell Messenger scroll could be used directly without any extra challenges.

The Abyss, however, was no place to take lightly.

Killing 100 lemurs and 100 fallen demons sounded simple on paper, but the reality was far more brutal. The Abyss was a nightmare, and its challenges were unimaginable for most.

But for Novak, this scroll held a singular purpose: to access the Abyss and seek the path toward the SSS-class special transfer. That was his ultimate goal!

Of course, Novak knew he wasn't yet ready to take on this challenge. He needed more preparation. Before embarking on such a dangerous quest, he had to level up and further develop his Blacklight Virus and Virus King talents. These would be critical for his continued growth.

With this in mind, Novak carefully tucked away the scroll and turned his attention to the group of survivors standing before him.

He had no intention of killing them all. Despite their previous allegiance to Kong, the power dynamic had shifted. Kong's death had scattered their loyalty like leaves in the wind. None of them posed a real threat now.

However, one individual caught his eye—Grim. While the others weren't remarkable, Grim had a keen sense for detection, a valuable ability in a world like this.

Novak slowly approached him. Despite his injuries, Grim tensed up, sensing the shift in the air. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but before he could speak, Novak began:

"Grim. Born in San Redro, Faguna. You live at Unit 501, Building 14, Dro Garden. You have a daughter, don't you? She has an A-level talent for true sight. And you were Kong's right-hand man."

Grim's face went pale. The flood of personal details sent a shiver down his spine, and without hesitation, he collapsed to his knees.

"Brother, no Boss... I swear, most of the terrible things were done under Kong's orders. I was just a regular security guard before all this..."

Novak waved his hand dismissively.

"I know. That's why I'm not going to kill you. Stay loyal to me, and you'll live. For now, take me to San Redro. There's someone I need to find." 

Grim, still trembling, nodded quickly. His life was spared for the moment, but he knew better than to push his luck with this man.