Proof Of Progress

Nightfall cloaked the forest in a suffocating stillness. The only sounds were the distant rustle of leaves and the low hum of unseen creatures. De-Reece stood at the edge of a narrow path, his gaze fixed on a cluster of trees where he had first caught a glimpse of the silver-backed monkeys. Their red-striped faces and husky markings were seared into his mind—creatures as territorial as they were vicious.

But tonight, he wouldn't wait for them to find him.

The creature at his side moved in silence, a shadow with glowing violet eyes. It mirrored De-Reece's stance, its movements fluid and deliberate, as though it had absorbed the essence of his Phantom Shadow Steps without a word exchanged between them. It wasn't just following him—it was learning.

De-Reece's fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, the weight a familiar comfort. His Domineering Demon Swordplay was untested in real combat, but hesitation would only invite death. He let a thin thread of Qi trickle through his leg meridians, the energy buzzing just beneath his skin. Each step was silent, his form shifting and flowing with an unpredictable rhythm as he advanced.

He didn't have to search long.

A soft growl echoed from the trees ahead—then a flash of movement. A silver-backed monkey dropped from a branch, its crimson-striped face twisted into a snarl. More followed, their numbers swelling in moments until half a dozen beasts formed a loose circle around De-Reece and his companion.

The lead monkey bared its teeth, a guttural hiss filling the air. De-Reece didn't flinch.

With a sharp exhale, he moved.

His footwork blurred—a seamless fusion of Phantom Shadow Steps and his own domineering slashes, each movement fuelled by the urgency that clawed at his chest. Every step, every strike wasn't just a display of skill—it was a declaration of his intent to carve a path forward, to grow strong enough to find his brothers and face whatever lay within civilisation. The foundation of the Heavenly Demon Swordplay still pulsed beneath his actions, but De-Reece felt the shift—this was his swordplay now, moulded by his hands and sharpened by his purpose. His blade carved a ruthless arc, severing the closest monkey's arm in a single fluid motion. It shrieked, but De-Reece had already vanished, reappearing behind another as his sword thrust forward, skewering the creature's chest. Blood sprayed, dark and hot against the cool night air.

The rush came almost immediately. As the monkey's life faded, De-Reece felt a thin thread of energy surge into him—subtle, yet undeniable. It was the same as before—each kill, each death, seemed to feed him, the energy trickling into his Qi reserves like a stream flowing into a larger river. It was a dark, unspoken rule of this world—strength could be taken, devoured, from the fallen.

The monkeys responded in kind—darting with alarming speed, claws flashing. De-Reece sidestepped, his footwork a chaotic dance, every movement flowing like water yet striking like a hammer. His sword didn't just follow a pattern—it bent to his will, adapting to the frenzy of the battle.

A flash of black fur shot past him. The creature lunged at one of the monkeys, its jaws snapping with brutal efficiency. Where De-Reece's attacks were calculated, the beast fought with savage grace—tearing into its foes without hesitation. And yet, De-Reece noticed how it moved in tandem with him—how it shifted its position whenever he did, keeping the flow of combat unbroken.

A monkey broke from the circle, screeching as it bolted into the underbrush.

Panic flared in De-Reece's chest. If it escaped, the others would know his location—his secrecy, his advantage, would be lost.

He surged forward, Qi flooding his legs as he pushed his Phantom Shadow Steps to the limit. His form blurred, then reappeared in front of the fleeing beast. With a vicious swing of his sword, he cut through its neck. The monkey collapsed mid-sprint, a lifeless heap on the forest floor.

Another pulse of energy slithered into him, a small but satisfying addition to his reserves. It wasn't enough to break through a meridian, but he could feel the gradual accumulation of strength.

Breathing hard, De-Reece scanned the area. The remaining monkeys were either dead or too injured to move.

He wiped his blade clean, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline—but beneath that, a simmering sense of pride. His Domineering Demon Swordplay was more than just a concept now—it was a weapon, forged from the Heavenly Demon's foundation but sharpened by De-Reece's own hands.

And the creature…

It padded back to his side, blood staining its fangs, but its violet eyes were steady—fixed not on the corpses, but on De-Reece himself. It had moved like him, fought like him.

He met the creature's gaze. "You're picking up bad habits," he muttered.

The beast merely flicked its tail, unbothered.

The battle was over—but the path ahead was only just beginning.

The forest seemed to darken as De-Reece moved deeper into the monkeys' territory. The air was thick with an acrid scent—dried blood, rotting leaves, and the pungent musk of beasts marking their domain. The deeper he went, the more clawed-up trees he passed, their bark shredded into jagged strips. Bones, both animal and humanoid, littered the underbrush.

He didn't hesitate. This wasn't just about testing his strength—it was about dominance. If he wanted to find civilisation, to grow strong enough to face whatever lay beyond this forest, he had to crush the creatures that stood in his way.

The creature padded beside him, its black fur rippling with each smooth step. Its violet eyes gleamed in the gloom, ever watchful, ever silent.

De-Reece halted as a crude clearing opened before him—gnarled roots twisting out of the ground like claws, forming a natural arena. The stench was worse here. In the centre, a hulking figure loomed.

The boss monkey.

It was twice the size of the others, its fur a matted silver-black with streaks of crimson along its face. A jagged scar split one eye, and its fangs glistened with old blood. Two smaller monkeys flanked it—lieutenants, judging by their wary but aggressive posture.

De-Reece's fingers brushed the formation flags tucked into his belt. He had prepared for this.

In a blur of movement, he flicked the flags outwards, Qi pulsing through his fingers as they embedded into the ground in a rough triangle. The moment the last flag struck soil, the formation activated—a Mirage Formation. The air rippled like water, his figure splitting into five illusory copies that mirrored his every move.

The boss monkey roared, the sound shaking the trees.

The two lieutenants leapt forward, but De-Reece was already in motion. His Phantom Shadow Steps carried him through the illusions, his form flickering as he weaved between the monkeys' attacks. His sword lashed out—a brutal slash aimed at the closest lieutenant.

Blood sprayed as his blade carved across its side, but it wasn't enough to kill. The creature shrieked, spinning with surprising agility, claws raking through one of his illusions. Another flicker—De-Reece appeared behind it, his sword thrusting forward, this time skewering its heart.

The moment the life left its body, a pulse of Qi surged into De-Reece—less than he'd hoped, but still noticeable. His own energy swirled, greedily absorbing the essence left behind by the slain creature.

One down.

But the boss monkey didn't idle. With terrifying speed, it closed the distance, a massive clawed hand swiping at De-Reece's head.

He barely dodged—too slow.

Pain bloomed across his shoulder as the claws tore through his robes, blood soaking the fabric. Gritting his teeth, he fell back, his free hand flicking a second formation flag into the air.

A sharp pulse of Qi—

The offensive formation burst to life, a web of glowing lines trapping the remaining lieutenant. The monkey thrashed, darting from side to side in a desperate attempt to break free, its claws raking against the glowing barriers. Spears of energy shot up from the ground, but the beast twisted, narrowly avoiding the first volley. De-Reece's jaw tightened—this one was faster, more cunning than its fallen companion. Channelling more Qi into the formation, he adjusted its flow, forcing the spears to strike in unpredictable patterns. The monkey let out a furious screech, its movements growing frantic. Finally, a spear impaled its leg, pinning it in place. Another followed—then another—until the last strike pierced through its chest, ending its struggle with a final, echoing shriek.

As the lieutenant's life slipped away, another rush of Qi flowed into De-Reece—stronger this time, more potent. His meridians flared with the sudden influx, his muscles tightening as his body greedily absorbed the energy. The difference in strength between the two underlings was clear.

Only the boss remained.

It howled in fury, slamming its fists into the ground with enough force to crack the earth. The formation trembled but held. De-Reece's heart pounded—he couldn't let the beast shatter the array.

His footwork flowed between Phantom Shadow Steps and his own unpredictable movements—slipping, twisting, and striking with the ruthless precision of his Domineering Demon Swordplay. His sword became an extension of his will—slashing in wide arcs, darting in with quick, merciless thrusts.

Then, the boss monkey feinted.

It lunged, but instead of aiming for him, its clawed hand shot past his defence—toward his unprotected side.

De-Reece saw it too late.

A blur of black fur.

The creature launched itself at the boss monkey, sinking its fangs into the beast's arm. The monkey roared in pain, its free hand glowing faintly as it gathered a thin layer of Qi around its claws, raking them viciously across the creature's side and sending it sprawling. The blow should have broken bone, but the black-furred beast scrambled back to its feet almost instantly, baring its bloodied fangs. The distraction, though costly, was enough—De-Reece seized the opening.

Qi flooded his legs—

Phantom Shadow Steps.

He reappeared behind the boss, his sword a flash of silver in the night.

With a brutal swing, he cleaved off the boss monkey's arm, a spray of blood misting the air. The beast let out an ear-splitting roar, its remaining hand crackling with a faint shimmer of Qi as it lashed out in a wild fury. De-Reece barely managed to twist away, but not fast enough—claws raked across his side, a sickening crunch echoing as pain flared through his ribs. He staggered back, gritting his teeth, blood trickling down his torso. The boss monkey was losing blood rapidly, its breathing ragged, yet the Qi in its strikes seemed to grow sharper—each attack more precise, more deadly, as if the creature's desperation was fueling its power.

De-Reece knew his own reserves were dangerously low. The constant drain from maintaining the formations and fighting the lieutenants had left his Qi flickering like a dying flame. This had to end now.

The creature at his side, sensing the shift, let out a low growl. It darted forward, a blur of black fur, its movements oddly familiar. De-Reece's eyes widened—was it mimicking his Phantom Shadow Steps? The creature weaved in and out of the boss monkey's reach, biting at its legs, retreating, and striking again with almost surgical precision. The boss monkey bellowed in rage, gathering Qi into its claws and slashing wildly. One strike connected—the small beast was flung across the clearing, slamming into a tree with a dull thud. De-Reece's heart clenched at the sight of the creature's limp form, but he forced the pain aside.

In that moment, something within him sharpened—his focus becoming a blade of its own. He channelled every ounce of remaining Qi into his legs, feeling the familiar pulse of Phantom Shadow Steps, but something shifted. His movements blurred—not one shadow, but two mirrored his form.

Low, medium mastery.

He surged forward, his twin shadows flanking him, confusing the wounded beast. The boss monkey's bloodshot eyes darted between the flickering forms, but it couldn't keep up. De-Reece closed the distance in a flash—his sword a streak of silver in the moonlight. 

De-Reece's blade cleaved through the boss monkey's neck. The severed head tumbled to the ground with a sickening thud, blood spraying in violent arcs. The beast's body shuddered once—twice—before collapsing like a felled tree. A savage pulse of Qi exploded from the dying creature, far stronger than anything De-Reece had felt before. It struck him like a wave of fire, his meridians flaring with the untamed energy. His core roared in response, greedily devouring the influx of power, each thread of Qi more potent than what he had gained from the lieutenants. For a moment, his vision blurred, the sheer intensity almost too much to contain. But he forced it into submission, teeth gritted, claiming the wild strength of his fallen foe.

Silence.

The beast's massive body swayed, then crumpled to the ground. Blood pooled at De-Reece's feet.

A violent pulse of Qi, far stronger than anything he had felt before, rushed into him. It was wild, raw, and nearly overwhelming. His meridians drank in the energy, his core stirring as the boss's death granted him a surge of strength unlike the others.

His chest heaved, every muscle screaming from exertion, but he remained standing. The fight was over.

The creature limped back to his side, blood staining its muzzle. It didn't whimper, didn't shy away—it simply watched De-Reece, those violet eyes steady.

For a moment, they stared at each other.

De-Reece let out a shaky breath, a rare smile flickering at the corner of his mouth. "You really do pick up bad habits."

The creature's tail flicked.

The boss was dead, the lieutenants slain. Their lair now lay open for him to claim—or to plunder.

And De-Reece knew this was just another step on his path—one carved by his own hand, with the blood of his enemies marking the way forward.

The night was thick with silence, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves as De-Reece approached the mouth of the cave the boss monkey had been guarding. The entrance was a gaping maw in the rock face, partially obscured by overgrown vines and the faint scent of decay. Blood still slicked his sword, the crimson droplets falling like whispers onto the stone floor as he stepped inside.

The creature padded after him, its black fur blending into the darkness, those ever-watchful violet eyes gleaming in the faint moonlight filtering through cracks in the rock. Despite its limp and bloodied side, it kept close, a silent shadow at De-Reece's side.

The air grew heavier the deeper he went. The stench of unwashed fur and rotting meat mingled with something else—a faint, sweet aroma that tugged at his senses. His grip on the sword tightened as he moved past piles of bones, scraps of discarded fur, and tattered remains of the monkeys' victims. But then, his gaze shifted to the back of the cave, where the real hoard lay.

A crude nest of dried grass and leaves had been built against the far wall, surrounded by an array of items the boss monkey had hoarded. Unlike the withered herbs and half-eaten fruits scattered at the cave's entrance—likely the scraps passed along to the alchemist—these were different. These were vibrant and potent.

Clusters of glowing herbs, their leaves shimmering with faint Qi, were piled alongside fruits that radiated a quiet power. De-Reece's breath caught as his gaze fell on the centrepiece of the hoard: a single, dark blood-red fruit resting on a bed of withered grass. Its skin seemed to pulse softly as if a heartbeat thrummed within.

"This…" he murmured, kneeling beside the fruit, his fingers hovering just above its surface. The alchemic tome's teachings whispered in his mind—this was no ordinary fruit. It reeked of untapped potential, condensed vitality and raw, untamed Qi. A Bloodshade Fruit. Consuming it recklessly could spell disaster, but refining it into a pill could grant incredible strength.

De-Reece's gaze darkened.

The boss monkey hadn't been a fool. It had kept the best for itself, hoarding power while tossing mere scraps to the alchemist. A selfish king ruling over its lesser subjects.

Without wasting time, he carefully gathered the herbs and fruits, his mind already racing with possibilities. The Bloodshade Fruit would require time and skill to properly refine—time he didn't have right now. But the body-tempering pills could be improved further, and perhaps, if he studied the properties of these herbs closely, he could even start laying the foundation for a weak bloodline pill.

The creature watched him work, its head tilting as De-Reece inspected each herb, mentally cataloguing their uses. Despite its injuries, it didn't rest. Instead, it prowled around the cave's entrance, its violet eyes flickering toward the forest beyond, as if guarding him from unseen threats.

With his spoils secured in his pouch, De-Reece rose. Pain still flared through his broken ribs, but the surge of Qi from the boss monkey's death kept him upright. Every kill had strengthened him—the lieutenants' Qi had been potent, but the boss's essence had nearly overwhelmed him.

It was brutal, primal energy—a reminder that survival in this world meant taking from others and absorbing their strength.

"Let's go," he muttered to the creature, his voice rough. It flicked its tail in response and fell into step beside him.

As the moon climbed higher into the sky, De-Reece made his way back to the Heavenly Demon's cultivation cave, his mind a storm of plans—stronger pills, refined techniques, and the unyielding desire to carve his own path forward.

The Bloodshade Fruit throbbed softly in his pouch, a promise of future power.

The familiar stillness of the Heavenly Demon's cultivation cave welcomed De-Reece like a silent guardian. Shadows clung to the walls, and the faint pulse of ancient formations rippled beneath his feet, protecting the secluded haven. He moved with purpose, placing the herbs and fruits on a stone table near the alchemic tools he had salvaged.

But before anything else, there was a more urgent matter.

The raw Qi he had absorbed from the boss monkey still churned within him—a raging storm barely contained. It wasn't just a matter of cultivating it slowly; he needed to break through, to push past his limits.

He sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, his sword resting at his side, and focused inward. The Qi spiraled within him, pressing against his meridians, threatening to tear them apart if left unchecked. His spleen node—it was on the verge of opening. A vital point in his cultivation path.

Channeling the absorbed energy, he directed the swirling Qi toward the node, gritting his teeth as pain flared through his core. It was like shoving a boulder through a narrow gap—excruciating, unyielding.

Then—

A snap.

His spleen node burst open, and a flood of power surged through him. It was different from before—this wasn't just Qi enhancing his physical strength. This was something deeper, something that awakened a raw, predatory instinct within him. His senses sharpened, his muscles seemed to coil with new potential, and his blood roared in his veins like a caged beast.

De-Reece's breath came in short gasps, his vision blurring for a moment before clearing. He clenched his fists, feeling the new power coursing through him. The spleen node was no longer a barrier—it was a wellspring.

But there was no time to bask in the breakthrough.

He turned his focus to the herbs and fruits he had gathered. Sorting them into piles, he began grinding, mixing, and infusing Qi into his concoctions. Hours passed in a blur as he worked—refining the body tempering pills into something stronger, more potent.

Finally, he crafted two sets of pills: a batch of advanced body tempering pills and a pair of low-level patterned bloodline spiritual pills—one for himself, the other for the creature. The Bloodshade Fruit remained untouched—its power was too great for this moment. It would have to wait.

He placed the bloodline spiritual pill before the creature. "Here," he said softly. "Let's see what this does for you."

The creature sniffed the pill, then swallowed it in a single gulp. Almost instantly, a violent wave of Qi erupted from its small body, its black fur standing on end as raw energy crackled through it. Its violet eyes flared brighter, and a low growl escaped its throat as the Qi surged uncontrollably. Then, just as quickly, the creature's body sagged, and it collapsed into a deep sleep, its breathing steady but its energy still churning beneath the surface.

De-Reece watched in silence, a flicker of satisfaction in his gaze.

Then, he took one of the advanced body tempering pills himself.

The moment it dissolved on his tongue, a new energy erupted within him—sharper, more refined than before. His meridians ached from the sudden influx, but they held firm, and the storm of power settled into his core.

He then takes the spiritual patterned bloodline pill, the moment it touches his tongue, a surge of power unfurls within him—a sensation far more potent than the body-tempering pill. It wasn't just Qi flooding his meridians; this was something more primal, more ancient. His blood seemed to simmer beneath his skin, a strange resonance building deep within his core. His veins pulsed in time with an unfamiliar rhythm, each beat stirring something long dormant within him

And then—

A deep, reverberating throb that resonated through every fibre of his being. It was as if his very blood was responding to an ancient call, a distant echo of something greater hidden within him. The sensation wasn't just a pulse—it was a promise, a whisper of untapped potential. His veins hummed, his Qi trembling under the weight of something primal, something older than his own understanding.

A throb.

From the pendant around his neck.

It pulsed once—twice—each beat echoing in time with his own heart. De-Reece's eyes snapped open, his blood suddenly singing with a distant, ancient rhythm. Something within him shifted—an awakening.

His bloodline had stirred.

The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. This wasn't just some passive inheritance—it was powerful, wild, and perhaps even dangerous. His bloodline wasn't meant to lie dormant; it hungered, clawed at his very core, demanding to be recognized.

Before he could fully grasp what this meant, a low rumble echoed beside him.

The creature stirred.

Its body, once small and nimble, had grown noticeably larger—nearly the size of a dog. But the most striking change was the third eye now opened at the center of its forehead, glowing with an ominous violet light. Its regular eyes, now more intense than ever, locked onto De-Reece with an unspoken understanding, a shared intensity.

And then he noticed something else—the way it moved, the way it blinked—subtle, but undeniably familiar. It mirrored him. His emotions, his energy, his very essence—it was as if the bond between them had deepened in ways he couldn't yet comprehend.

Despite the raw power coursing through him, De-Reece felt a sudden, sharp pang of loneliness. This cave, this endless wilderness—it was no place for him to stay. Not if he wanted answers.

The pendant throbbed again against his chest, and memories of his brothers—flashes of their faces, their laughter—rushed through his mind. The need to find them, to uncover the truth of his bloodline, grew unbearable.

It was time.

He would find civilization. And he would find his brothers.

The decision settled within De-Reece like a stone sinking into a deep pool. He couldn't stay hidden in the Heavenly Demon's cultivation cave any longer—there were answers waiting for him beyond the wilderness, and his brothers were out there somewhere. He would find them.

The following hours were a flurry of preparation. He gathered the herbs and fruits he had taken from the boss monkey's hoard, carefully storing them alongside the Bloodshade Fruit in his pouch. His alchemic tools were packed methodically, every item wrapped in cloth to prevent damage. Though the cave had served him well as a place of refuge and growth, it was clear now—it was merely a stepping stone.

Before leaving, De-Reece reinforced the concealment formations around the cave. His fingers traced the lines of ancient runes, his Qi flowing into the symbols to strengthen the barrier. He didn't expect to return anytime soon, but if fate ever led him back, the cave would still be hidden from prying eyes.

As the final formation shimmered faintly and then faded into invisibility, De-Reece stepped outside into the wilds. The air was cool against his skin, the last vestiges of night still clinging to the horizon. The creature padded beside him, its three violet eyes glowing softly in the dim light. Though it didn't speak, its presence was a silent comfort.

Their journey began in silence, De-Reece moving with a newfound confidence, his steps more sure than ever before. The energy from his opened spleen node coursed through him, enhancing his physical strength, while the spiritual patterned bloodline pill had left a deeper mark—his bloodline had awakened, stirring an untapped power that simmered just beneath the surface.

Hours bled into one another as they navigated through dense forests and rocky outcrops. The creature moved in tandem with him, its movements oddly synchronized with his own—when De-Reece slowed, so did it; when he tensed, sensing danger, the creature's fur bristled in response. Their bond was no longer just a matter of proximity—it was something more instinctual, more profound.

As the sun began to dip lower, hunger gnawed at De-Reece's stomach. Without a word, the creature suddenly darted ahead, a blur of black fur and violet light. Moments later, it returned, two limp ware rabbits hanging from its jaws. De-Reece let out a low chuckle, both impressed and grateful. He quickly cleaned the rabbits with a practiced hand, his sword slicing through fur and flesh with precision. A small fire crackled to life, and soon the rich scent of roasting meat filled the air.

As they ate in silence, De-Reece studied the creature—the way its third eye flickered with a faint glow, the intelligence in its violet gaze. It wasn't just an ordinary beast. It was something more, something… boundless. Like the very cosmos—ever-expanding and mysterious.

"Solar," he murmured softly, the name slipping from his lips like a whisper to the stars. "That's what I'll call you."

The creature—Solar—tilted its head, as if considering the name, then let out a low, approving growl.

By late afternoon, the dense wilderness began to thin. The towering trees grew sparser, replaced by rolling hills and narrow dirt paths—signs of human presence. De-Reece's heart quickened. Civilization.

It wasn't long before he spotted it—a small village nestled at the foot of a distant hill, smoke curling lazily from thatched rooftops. It was no grand city or bustling town, but it was the first human settlement he had seen since awakening in this harsh world.

A strange mix of anticipation and wariness settled in his chest. This village might hold answers—or it might be yet another step in a longer, more treacherous path.

De-Reece tightened the strap of his pouch, his sword resting lightly at his hip. The creature let out a low, rumbling sound, its third eye flickering with faint light as it too fixed its gaze on the distant village.

"Hide it," De-Reece said softly, his gaze locked on the village. "We don't know how they'll react."

As if understanding, Solar blinked once, twice and the third eye slowly dimmed, its glow vanishing beneath a thin veil of fur.