Into the Unknown

Before I left, my master placed an amulet in my hands—an unassuming trinket, but one that would monitor my progress in the Essence Gathering Realm and alert her the moment I reached its peak. Without a second thought, I fastened it around my neck.

I stood at the forest's edge, my gaze lingering on the shadows of the trees. For a brief moment, doubt flickered. This trial was meant to challenge me, to harden my will and sharpen my resolve. I breathed deeply, silencing the hesitation, and stepped into the dense woods.

The forest was alive, every rustling leaf and shifting shadow hinting at hidden dangers. I moved cautiously, searching for a place to call home—somewhere safe, where I could regroup and plan. My mission was clear: eliminate every demon beast in this secret realm. But the task ahead would take time, and I needed a stronghold.

Hours of searching led me to a barren clearing, devoid of animal life. It was quiet—perfect for my purposes. I set up my base there and began the grim work. Hunting. Killing. Crafting traps from the remains of the beasts I slew. With every kill, I earned cultivation points that nudged me closer to ascending through the Essence Gathering Realm.

Days bled into weeks. I grew stronger, slaying demons from the low and mid Body Strengthening Realm with ease. Yet, luck was not on my side; I found no cores. With a frustrated sigh, I harvested what I could, storing the meat in my new home. The cycle became routine—hunt, kill, craft. It was monotonous, but it worked.

One month passed. My cultivation advanced rapidly. I had already slain beasts as strong as those in the mid Essence Gathering Realm. The progress filled me with hope. Maybe, just maybe, in two more months, I could clear the entire realm and escape this endless war. The thought of returning to a life beyond combat was intoxicating, a flicker of peace in the storm.

But somewhere deep inside, a strange longing stirred. A part of me, perhaps the part forged by this trial, found comfort in the chaos. I pushed the thought away. Now was not the time for such reflections.

Meanwhile, in the shadow of a dark cave brimming with malevolent energy, three demon beasts convened in secret.

The bull demon, radiating an oppressive authority, cracked his massive knuckles, his molten-gold eyes gleaming with disdain. "Hmph. His arrogance blinds him. He does not yet know fear."

The serpent demon coiled around a jagged boulder, its forked tongue flickering, tasting the air. "Ah… but fear is a gift we can grant him."

The spider demon let out a shuddering chitter, its many legs shifting in eerie synchronization. "Then let us weave his demise."

The bull demon nodded, his eyes narrowed with focus. "Good. Tomorrow, we execute the plan."

The others responded in unison. "Yes. Tomorrow."

Unbeknownst to me, as I hunted lesser beasts, three demon beasts of the Peak Energy Transformation Realm plotted in the shadows. If I had known, I would have been astonished—only beasts of the Core Transformation Realm or higher could communicate with such clarity.

The next morning, I woke to begin another day of hunting. After stretching the stiffness from my muscles, I stepped into the forest. But then, the air was split by three earth-shattering roars, their power unmistakable.

I froze, confusion and awe battling within me. Before I could process what was happening, the ground trembled violently. In the distance, I saw it—an endless stampede of demon beasts, charging toward the source of those roars. Tens of thousands of them, their forms blurring together in a wave of destruction.

Terror gripped my chest as I realized I stood in their path. My instincts screamed at me to flee, to run from the overwhelming tide of beasts. But there was something else too. A surge of defiance, of unshakable will.

Fight.

For the first time in two lifetimes, I embraced the madness. My weapons felt heavy, unnecessary. I discarded them, my body and will the only tools I needed. Every step forward was an act of defiance against the very force of survival. No thoughts of life or death. No consideration of peace or the world. There was only me—and the beasts.

Enraged by my audacity, the horde surged forward, their eyes blazing with fury. A single cultivator had dared to challenge them? It was an insult they couldn't ignore.

To them, I was a fool. To me, it was my battle.

The air grew thick with the stench of blood, and the earth vibrated beneath the stampede. My heart thundered in my chest as I threw myself into the fray. The first beast—a massive, horned creature with glowing crimson eyes—charged at me. I sidestepped, channeling my essence into a single, decisive punch. The force shattered its skull, sending it crashing to the ground.

Before I could even catch my breath, three more beasts descended upon me. My body moved with a speed and precision I didn't think possible—dodging claws, fangs, and crushing tails. My fists, hardened by months of brutal training, tore through their hides with brutal efficiency. Blood splattered the ground, the metallic tang sharp in the air as more beasts fell.

Time blurred. Hours passed in a haze of violence. Day and night faded into an endless rhythm of survival. My body screamed in agony, muscles burning, wounds bleeding, but still, I fought on. Each strike, each kill, shattered something inside me, something I couldn't name.

And then—something strange stirred within me. My essence, which had steadily grown stronger through this trial, surged with an intensity I'd never felt before. But along with that power, there was something else. Something breaking.

I couldn't stop. I wouldn't stop.

Far in the distance, the three apex demons watched, their eyes cold and calculating.

The serpent demon flicked its tongue, its voice low. "This one is no ordinary cultivator. His will is monstrous."

The spider demon's mandibles clicked in eerie agreement. "Indeed. But no matter how strong his will, he is still a mortal. He cannot survive the horde."

The bull demon shifted, his golden eyes narrowing as he assessed the battlefield. "Do not underestimate him. If we let him continue, he could pose a threat—even to us. We must act."

With grim resolve, the three demons nodded in unison.

"We can execute the plan now."

The ground trembled beneath me once more, far stronger than before. I looked up, my breath caught in my throat as three massive forms emerged from the shadows of the forest. The bull demon, towering and radiating primal power. The serpent demon, sleek and venomous. And the spider demon, grotesque and deadly.

Their combined presence was suffocating. I staggered, the weight of their aura pushing against me. But my feet remained planted. Something inside me—some primal force—refused to yield.

I clenched my fists, my body trembling with a mix of fear and anticipation. A smirk tugged at my bloodied lips as I met their gazes.

"Three of you against one? You must be afraid."

The demons stilled for a brief second. Then, I laughed. A low, bloodstained laugh that sent a ripple of unease even through their monstrous forms.

The battle had begun.