Chapter 22: Level 10 and New Skill

Ding!

[Level up!]

Gulp!

"About bloody time," I growled, licking my lips as I swallowed all of that salty essence in one big gulp. The warm and musky taste made my eyes roll to the back of my skull.

[Congratulations, you have reached Level 10]

"Tsk... a whole damn week just to reach level 10," I grumbled in annoyance, glaring at the now-sleeping black panther.

After days of working hard and the nonstop slaughtering of every low-level ghoul, I could find in this forsaken place. My level increased only to eight. The experience those ghouls gave was lacking. And only hunting stronger enemies could make me gain levels quickly, fortunately, since I'm a succubus, sex is rewarded with a great exp bonus.

With every devouring session and every night with Umbra, my levels rose steadily, especially the Lust part. The progress was insane, however, without the panther fucking the shit out of my ass every time we had sex I wouldn't reach this level this quickly.

[Congratulations you have completed a hidden achievement.]

[The First Step: reach Level 10 in less than a month and without your health dropping below 50%]

"Oh... there are achievements too," I was genuinely surprised and excited, reading the system's notification. "Guess the system likes to keep things interesting."

Immediately after finishing reading the message, a new one popped out, a notification that made my day and boosted my morale and my horny nature.

Ding!

[Achievement rewards: 10 Free Attribute points, and one free unique Skill ticket!]

I could barely keep a lid on my excitement as I stared at the glowing text. Free attribute points were always welcome, but a unique skill ticket? That was a game-changer. I used one before in my old world and gained one of the most overpowered skills second only to my devour. And if I'm lucky enough maybe I could gain that skill again.

"System," I said, my voice laced with excitement, "what kind of skills can I get with this ticket?"

Ding!

[The unique skill ticket allows the Host to acquire a skill outside of the standard succubus skill set. However, since you're a Nephalem, a creature of light and dark, there is a chance that you'll receive skills from both sides of the spectrum.]

"Holy shit," I breathed, my eyes widened in disbelief as I read the text, a skill outside of the standard set was already amazing. But one from the light and the dark side. It's... I don't even know how to describe it, this is fucking awesome, and my demonic side was purring like a kitty in pleasure.

"System, what are the chances of getting a skill from the light side versus the dark side?" I asked, my voice trembling with anticipation.

[The chances are evenly split, Host. But the skill levels would be random]

"A gamble?"

I rubbed my temples, a headache forming at the base of my skull. I hate gambling, ever since I lost a damn good sword to a man in my old world, well he cheated so I ended up severing his left hand and taking back my sword. I learned an important lesson that day, never play against shady bastards if you don't have the strength or the guts to kill them.

Ding!

[Would you like to use your Unique Skill Ticket now?]

"Guess I'll have to take a chance, then." I sighed, my hand rubbing my bulging abdomen from all of those devoured ghouls as I tried to clear my mind.

"Use it," I commanded, my voice a husky whisper. No hesitation. This was the kind of opportunity that could change everything.

[Rolling…]

[Processing…]

Ding!

[Congratulations, Host. Three unique skills are available. Please choose one of the following]

My heart raced as the system displayed the options before me. Three unique skills, each one more tantalizing than the last. This was it—the moment that could define my path forward. I took a deep breath, my eyes scanning the glowing text as I read through the descriptions.

...

[Celestial Grace (Unique): A divine skill that grants the Host the ability to heal themselves and their allies, as well as purify any dark energies. This skill also enhances the Host's natural charisma, making them more persuasive and alluring to those around them.]

...

"Not a bad skill." The description was similar to a skill I gained when I devoured a fallen angel in my past life. Healing and purification was a good package and it could definitely be useful, but the drawback of this skill is noticeable. It couldn't really fight, even from the name itself its focus was more defensive than offensive. It has a lot of potential and I can't waste this unique chance on a skill I could acquire from devouring the right monster.

...

[Infernal Flames (Unique): Grants the Host the power to summon and control flames of the underworld. The flame of this skill has a corrupting effect, burning and melting whatever it touches. Those affected will be affected by a 'madness' state for the duration of the flame's effect.]

...

Another one of my old skills–I know... I know... I had thousands of skills before so I know most of them, but the addition of 'corrupting flames' in this skill gives it a twist. But in a demonic realm where you're surrounded by people corrupted by darkness, it'll be less useful. However, this skill can be deadly to the right enemies.

...

[Cinder of Souls (Unique): The Host gains dominion over the souls of the fallen, calling them forth to serve in undeath. Those devoured through the unique skill 'Devour' can be summoned as powerful undead or their souls could be stored to feed the Host]

...

And here's the best fucking skill ever created. Necromancy is an all-rounder and super OP skill. With legions of the undead, I was able to solo the entire demon king's army without problems, it was such a destructive force that my enemies knew when they saw that army of the dead just flee in terror, and this skill was even more powerful.

The necromancy I had before summoned only the skeletons and the different types of the undead and was very effective, however, this is the highest tier of it. Dominion over souls, not just the bodies. It means I'll be able to summon the creatures that I devoured. If I had this skill before, well... summoning demons, angels, and dragons would have been too much for the poor demon king.

"Cinder of Souls," I whispered, the name resonating with a dark power that sent a thrill through my veins. "This... This is it."

I mean there was no better choice and the fact that I'm a solo warrior who was used to a similar skill in my previous life gave the feeling of comfort and familiarity. The other two skills were great, but who needs protection when a horde of undead could slay everything for you?

"System, I want this skill."

A new surge of power shot through my body as the text dissolved in thin air, I shivered, the foreign energy settling in my bones and infusing itself deep into my soul, the strange yet familiar feeling leaving me breathless.

Ding!

[Skill Acquired: Cinder of Souls]

Type: Dark

Rank: Unique (upgradable)

Cost: 100 MP for each summon.

Stored Souls: 00/10

"Oh... an upgradable skill! Nice!" This was exactly what I needed. A skill with the potential to grow and become more powerful with each use. I wanted to use it but currently, I didn't have a single soul stored.

I devoured every single ghoul from my hunt, hoping to raise the skill level, since 'Devour' is an upgradable skill too and the way to level it up is by devouring more and more beings. It doesn't matter the level of the creature, in leveling the skill what matters is how many creatures I devoured. 

Right now I reached the max of what I could receive from devouring the ghouls, and even though I gained like 2 or 3 points in health points or mana, I still go out hunting for more ghouls to devour. And when I level up the skill again, that limit will get reset allowing me to gain more benefits from devouring the same creature again.

"Umbra, could you please go out and hunt one ghoul for me?" I asked the big cat. He just looked back at me with curious looks, before shaking his big head and bringing me close to my round, hot tits giving them a nice long lick before disappearing into the shadow, to find a weakling for me to devour.

"Damn... why are you so cute and sexy?" I giggled, staring at the spot where he was, before biting my lips hard to stop moaning loudly. "Fuck, I'm horny again."

"I need to ride his spiny cock tonight." I licked my lips with lust, my right-hand diving deep into my pussy, wet and gooey, leaking its juices that looked and tasted delicious.

I was about to close the system interface to enjoy my own cunt, when I noticed another notification flashing in the corner of my eye. With a heavy sigh, I stopped my lewd fun and opened it just to be stunned again.

Ding!

[Congratulations on reaching Level 10]

[You have received one beginner treasure chest]