CH: 16: Career Planning
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*****
{Chapter: 16: Career Planning}
Dex was not wasting a single moment in these crucial days.
With the unique three-to-one time flow advantage, he had an abundance of time to refine his skills, strengthen his abilities, and systematically sort through the chaotic inherited memories that flooded his mind. These memories, remnants of knowledge passed down through his bloodline, were a treasure trove of power and insight—but only if he could properly harness them.
Rather than letting them remain as dormant fragments in his subconscious, Dex actively worked to filter out the most useful pieces of information, absorbing them into his very being. He refused to be just a vessel for knowledge; if he didn't truly process and integrate these memories, they would forever remain foreign entities, mere accessories attached to him rather than becoming an intrinsic part of who he was.
However, the sheer volume of knowledge was overwhelming, and his capabilities were not unlimited. He had to prioritize. Thus, Dex focused almost entirely on combat-related insights—anything that could enhance his strength, sharpen his spells, or push the limits of his physical abilities.
Most of his time was spent exploring the depths of his own bloodline, uncovering its hidden potential, deciphering the intricacies of spells, and forging himself into a true force of destruction. Every day, he experimented with new applications of his demonic heritage, refining both his magical prowess and physical combat techniques.
And this relentless pursuit of power was precisely why Salt and the others remained so obedient. It was not just fear that kept them in line—it was awe. Dex's rapidly growing arsenal of curses, mental spells, and sheer dominance made rebellion an unthinkable risk.
As mentioned before, demons thrive and grow stronger through bloodshed, slaughter, and the devouring of souls. Their entire existence is built on these primal, violent acts. However, another path exists—one that separates the mindless brutes from the truly formidable: the pursuit of knowledge.
Unlike many mortal species that must painstakingly seek out and gather information on extraordinary professions throughout their lives, creatures such as demons, devils, dragons, elementals, and titans possess a vast reservoir of inherited knowledge within their blood. While much of this knowledge is basic and conventional, it still provides them with an immense advantage from birth, setting them ahead of most other beings in the multiverse.
But for demons, there is an alternative route to acquiring advanced knowledge—one far more sinister. If a demon desires higher-level wisdom beyond what their bloodline naturally provides, they can obtain it in one of three ways:
1. Exchanging knowledge with other beings, a method rarely chosen since demons are more inclined to steal than trade.
2. Plundering knowledge through conquest, seizing spells and techniques from fallen foes.
3. Earning the favor of the Abyss itself, a path that involves endless carnage, destruction, and unholy devotion.
The Abyss is not merely a place—it is a malevolent force, an infinite chasm of chaos and evil. Unlike the Nine Hells, which operate under strict hierarchical laws, the Abyss is pure, unrestricted madness. It is an ever-expanding, constantly shifting dimension of chsos, spawning infinite layers, each ruled by monstrous entities of unimaginable power.
Though it lacks true self-awareness, the Abyss possesses an instinctive form of sentience. Over the eons, it has amassed an unfathomable collection of arcane knowledge, cursed relics, and forbidden secrets—treasures that, to the Abyss itself, are meaningless. Yet, to those who serve it with sufficient bloodshed, devotion, and land these rewards become attainable.
For demons, this system is both a blessing and a curse. It means they do not need to be scholars or innovators. The path is laid out before them: kill enough, destroy enough, and they will be rewarded with power beyond imagination. But it is also a cruel and unforgiving path—one where countless demons perish before ever receiving their reward, their bodies torn apart and used as raw materials for spells, experiments, or twisted creations.
This chaotic existence breeds some of the most bizarre warriors in the multiverse. Since demons rely less on structured learning and more on instinct, their professions often take strange and unconventional forms.
For example, there exists a Balor—a towering, fiery demon of destruction—who, rather than wielding whips or claws like his brethren, has chosen the path of a swordsman. His weapon? A beheading sword over ten meters long, forged in the flames of annihilation.
Then there is the infamous eight-armed snake demon, who, upon realizing that his anatomy granted him unparalleled versatility, decided to walk the path of a martial fighter. With eight arms—and even a ninth if one counted his massive serpentine tail—he wields a different weapon in each limb, creating a unique and terrifying combat style.
Perhaps strangest of all are the whispered legends of the Holy Light Demons—creatures born in the Abyss yet wielding the divine power of holy light, purging evil with celestial flames. The mere existence of such beings is a paradox, yet in the Abyss, even impossibilities can become reality.
Dex had no intention of following in the footsteps of these bizarre figures. Instead, he sought something far more refined—a profession that suited his unique strengths while granting him absolute versatility in battle.
Unlike most demons who relied solely on brute force or raw spellcasting, Dex wanted something more. He craved the perfect balance of physical and magical destruction—a hybrid that would allow him to dominate at any range.
A melee spellcaster.
A Magic Knight.
The kind of warrior who could shatter mountains with his fists while unleashing devastating meteor storms with a mere flick of his fingers. The kind who could send hurricanes tearing across the battlefield with a single kick, blending overwhelming physical power with arcane mastery.
His physique, reinforced by his demonic lineage, was too valuable to waste on pure magic alone. Likewise, his intellect and inherited knowledge were too vast to be squandered on mindless brawling.
So, he would become both.
A monster who could crush his enemies with raw strength—and obliterate them with sorcery.
And in the abyssal battlefield, where only the strongest survived, this path would ensure that Dex stood above all others.
As for this, can it be called a magician?
Dex had always approached things with a simple mindset.
"As long as I can cast spells, no one can say that I am not a mage."
A demon like him—hardworking, stubborn, and studious—never let labels or definitions hinder him. If the world didn't recognize him as a magician, then that was the world's problem, not his.
"If something goes wrong, it's not my fault. It's the world's fault."
This was his philosophy, an unshakable conviction that had carried him through the Abyss so far.
Determined to refine his learning efficiency and expand his arsenal of attacks, Dex set out toward the ancient forest at the border. He moved with a singular purpose, setting several controlled fires—not to destroy, but to cleanse, purging the land of mundane obstructions while protecting the more valuable wildlife from stagnation. The strong survived, the weak perished; such was the natural order of things.
Then, with the borderlands suitably disturbed, he ventured into the more remote, unclaimed regions. There, where the Abyss bled into the edges of reality, he harvested power the way only demons could—through combat, through domination, through the relentless pursuit of evolution.
Over days, perhaps weeks, Dex methodically collected every evolution point he could from his surroundings, all without disrupting the greater balance of the region. By the time he was finished, he had gathered more than 300,000 evolution points.
Enough to shape his future.
He directed his hard-earned points toward four critical abilities, each selected with precision:
[Cast at Will]
Effect: Your mastery over spells reaches an instinctive level, allowing you to manipulate and cast them with unparalleled flexibility and precision, as if they were an extension of your own body. (41,500 evolution points)
Dex refused to be just another spellcaster who followed rigid formulas. Magic was not some stiff, preordained mechanism—it was fluid, dynamic, and personal. With this ability, he would wield spells as naturally as breathing, shaping magic with a mere thought.
[Innate Skill – Combat Prodigy]
Effect: You are born for battle. Any fighting technique you encounter can be learned at an accelerated rate, and with enough experience, you can refine and surpass the original skill, making it uniquely your own. (65,500 evolution points)
Brute force and reckless aggression were the hallmarks of lesser demons. Dex would be different. Every battle he fought, every enemy he observed, every technique he encountered—he would absorb, refine, and master them.
[Overclocked Brain]
Effect: Your brain operates beyond natural limits, activating dormant regions and entering an overclocked state. This greatly enhances learning speed, information processing, and perception, allowing you to grasp complex knowledge and react with unparalleled clarity. (74,500 evolution points)
The Abyss was a place of chaos, but Dex would navigate it with precision. While other demons relied on instinct alone, he would sharpen his mind into an unparalleled weapon, processing knowledge and experience at speeds that others could not fathom.
[Source of the Death Plague]
Effect: You wield disease as an extension of your very being, turning plagues into a force of absolute devastation. With a mere expenditure of magic power, you can conjure, manipulate, and reshape the very essence of contagion, crafting afflictions tailored to your will—capable of withering flesh, corroding souls, and spreading despair like an unstoppable tide. You can create plague and change the nature and characteristics of the plague according to your own ideas by spending magic power. (87,900 evolution points)
With this power, death would not be just a moment—it would be a lingering, agonizing process. A whisper of his will could create plagues that rotted flesh, eroded sanity, and dismantled entire civilizations from within.
With these abilities ingrained into his very being, Dex began shaping a more structured plan for his future. Power alone was meaningless if wielded without focus. Even with the evolution system at his disposal, he could not afford to be reckless. He had to be deliberate, methodical.
*****
Despite sending a support email, my SubscribeStar profile remains stuck under review, displaying the same message: "YOUR PROFILE IS UNDER REVIEW. Keep checking your [email] inbox for possible inquiries from our Screening Team. Until your profile is approved, uploading/posting capabilities are limited to text and photos only." Weeks have passed, yet I haven't received any response or update.
If anyone has experienced something similar or knows a solution, please share any advice or possible workarounds. Your help would be greatly appreciated!