RISE OF THE HOLY DEMONIC GOD

[You've found a lead to comprehend a new path for the ability, <DARKNESS>. Ding! You've gained a new sub-ability, <Darkness Manipulation> (F-).]

Rey was delighted as he saw the information, but his excitement waned when he noticed the rank of the sub-ability.

He was no longer pleased as this sub-ability was also low in proficiency, unlike the EX+ rank of the ability itself, as he opened the ability page again.

[<DARKNESS> (EX+)]

[Proficiency: 0.1%]
[Tier: 0]

[Description:
A transcendent ability that embodies the highest authority over darkness, surpassing all conventional limitations. DARKNESS (EX+) is not simply a mastery of darkness but the foundation of an ultimate force, waiting to be shaped by its wielder. Unlike fixed skills, its growth is not predetermined—it evolves solely through the host's experiments, understanding, and mastery over darkness itself.

This ability holds limitless potential, but it starts as a blank slate—the true power within remains sealed until the host discovers how to wield it. Every use, every breakthrough, and every test will unlock new sub-abilities, molding the darkness into a force that aligns with the host's will.

The direction of evolution is unrestricted—it is neither bound by tradition nor confined to any existing rules. Whether it becomes a devourer of existence, an all-consuming abyss, a supreme authority overshadows, or something beyond comprehension is entirely up to the host's journey.]

[Sub-Abilities]

[ ↠ Darkness Manipulation (F-~EX+) [0%] → A fundamental sub-ability of DARKNESS, allowing the user to control and shape darkness at will. At its current stage, the manipulation is basic, enabling the user to move, condense, and spread darkness within a limited range. As proficiency increases, control will expand, allowing for more precise, powerful, and versatile applications.]

Rey looked at the description and found the sub-ability of the ability.

"Well, getting to start somewhere is good enough than being stuck at zero," he said as he resumed his ability.

As his proficiency increased in manipulating his, by the time his sister returned from school, his proficiency the sub-ability had risen to the F+ entry level, [11%].

He was sitting in his room, while a few items from his table were floating around the room as if controlled by someone.

If someone saw the room right now, they might assume a ghost had possessed it. But inside the room, Rey was sitting around, bored, as he couldn't do anything now with Emmy in the house. If she saw this happening, he might be doomed one way or another.

"What should I do now? I can't practice my abilities, and even my weapon proficiency can't progress in this situation. So, what is left for to?"

"No, have some work to do right now. Don't you need to prepare to sneak inside the center and find evidence of illegal damaged items being used there as practice weapons?" Aiden told him as he appeared in front of him.

"But what should I prepare? I have that armor which is still inside Zero, and the dagger and wooden weapons to deal with if someone interrupts us."

"Is that so? Then what if your wooden weapons break against their real weapons and guns? What if your dagger gets stuck or you lose it in a fight with a strong opponent? Then what will you do?"

"I will maybe use my hands and sneak away right after using my ability to distract them," he said with obvious common sense.

"Oh, so you're trying to be oversmart. What if a stronger opponent comes in front of you and doesn't let you run away?" Aiden said with a grinning gaze.

"I will... yes, you are with me, right? Then what's to fear?"

"Huh, what, me? No, we won't be helping you anymore. Survive by yourself; that's the rule now," Aiden said as he backed away, unable to assist any further since he couldn't babysit him all the time.

"So, then what? What do you expect me to do?"

"We have to prepare, buy some items again for the later scene."

"So, again~~ spending money on stuff? Why don't you let some money rest in my account?"

Rey said with a pained expression but still reluctantly opened his desktop and started to open the website where he had previously bought the items.

The loading screen appeared welcoming him with the text 'Welcome Dragon Knight 0x0,' the same name Aiden had used back then to sign in.

He still remembered the shame he felt when the delivery guy asked his name to verify if he was the real user or not.

Two options came into view as the site had been updated with two sections where people could filter and choose from the categories.

One was for martial warriors and the other was for martial cultivators. He decided to select both options.

As he didn't know if he would be able to access the other option after choosing one.

The home page opened, displaying many newly listed items, including a vast number of weapons and gears.

The images of weapons were also posted on the page.

Rey started to browse the page, seeing many items for warriors and cultivators.

So he checked the categories, which contained various types.

This site contained various items like cold steel weapons, guns, bombs, cultivation drugs to boost the efficiency of cultivation, and even meat of-grade monsters Stage 3 high and peak ones, various cultivation manuals that were very expensive, with even the basic ones costing hundreds of thousands of Dracins. Basic weapon manuals were also included.

He didn't think any more and entered the cold weapons tag to see the items.

The first thing he saw mystic sword priced at fifty thousand Dracins, reputed to cut even the hide of a mid-tier Stage 2 beast.

Rey then scrolled as he began to look for suitable items he could buy right now.

The most item he found was a spear priced at 5,600 Dracins, formed with a Qi beast of Stage 1.

He was confident that he could efficiently find items like this one at a low rate, which equates to less spending.

"So which type of weapon are you going to buy: sword daggers, hammer, shield, or spear. Let me know and I will search using filters," Rey said as he asked Aiden, who was immersed in looking at the items displayed in the site.

"Huh, what are you talking about? We are buying every weapon listed in your Dark Arsenal. Do you think with just one or two weapons you can bring out the true potential of the ability, which is now more upgraded? I can't predict the effect you will get when all weapons are with you," Aiden said, contemplating something.

"Huh what do you mean, what effects?"

"No, I won't tell yet. Just buy all the weapons, and we will talk about this later," Aiden said as he started to describe every he had.

Rey, without any way to stop him, reluctantly began to search for every weapon he mentioned.

More than one hour later, Rey was choosing every weapon Aiden requested.

The cart was filled with ten different items which consisted of the following:

[↠ Ravager Claw: A straight sword, approximately 3.5 feet in length, with a very slightly pointed curved blade. It is forged from the claw of a High-Grade Stage 1 Ravager Beast. The weapon retains traces of the beast's ferocity, making it a fearsome choice for those who wield it.]: [4380 Dracins]
[↠ Ironfang: The Ironfang Spear is a 7-foot-long weapon crafted from the sharpened horn of a Peak Stage 1 Steelhorn Stalker. The spear retains the natural hardness of the original material of the beast strong and durable pointy horn, allowing it to puncture through tough hides and reinforced armor with ease. Its balanced weight and sturdy build make it a reliable weapon for both precision thrusts and powerful strikes.]: [6500 Dracins]
[↠ Jackal Guard: The Jackal Guard is a compact, one-handed shield forged from the reinforced bone and hardened hide of a High Stage 1 Duskridge Jackal. The shield is lightweight yet durable, designed for swift maneuvering while offering solid defense taking the properties of the beast. Its slightly curved shape aids in deflecting blows, and the natural properties of the beast's materials grant it enhanced resistance to piercing and slashing attacks.]: [2300 Dracins/150000 Phoenix Points]
[↠ Shadowbranch: The Shadowbranch Bow is a finely crafted weapon made from the reinforced tendons and flexible bone of a Dusksprint, a Mid Stage 1. The bow's frame is reinforced with the beast's resilient horns, offering both durability and flexibility, while its string is fashioned from the beast's own sinew, enhancing its tensile strength. Designed for precision and power, this bow delivers arrows with remarkable speed and stability, making it a favored choice for hunters and skilled marksmen.]: [7800 Dracins]
[↠ Howlcleaver: The Howlcleaver Greatsword is a massive weapon forged from the fanged bones and reinforced hide of a Thunderhowl Beast, a Mid Stage 2 predator known for its raw power and lightning-fast strikes with heavy weight of 72 kilograms. The blade retains a faint trace of the beast's lingering energy, making it exceptionally durable and well-suited for heavy blows. Though slightly worn from use, the sword remains in excellent condition, capable of cleaving through armor with ease. The current owner is looking to sell it for some certain issues, offering a rare chance to wield a weapon crafted from such a formidable beast.]: [15000 Dracins]
[↠ Stormweave: The Stormweave Gauntlets are a pair of lightweight gloves crafted from reinforced steel plates woven seamlessly with durable beast-thread cloth of a low tier Stage 1 beast. Designed for flexibility and protection, they offer a perfect balance between speed and defense without sacrificing mobility. Despite their light weight, the gauntlets boast impressive durability, capable of withstanding repeated impacts while allowing for precise hand movements. Ideal for those who prefer agility over raw strength, they provide a reliable defense without slowing the wearer down.]: [1200 Dracins/100000 Peak Points]
[↠ Ironbrand: The Ironbrand Pistol is a finely crafted, single-handed firearm designed for both durability and versatility. Made from reinforced alloys and tempered steel, it can withstand the strain of energy-infused rounds without compromising accuracy. Its balanced weight allows for easy handling, making it a reliable sidearm for those who wield swords or other melee weapons in tandem. Built for endurance and precision, the Ironbrand Pistol remains a trusted choice for warriors seeking both firepower and adaptability in combat.]: [2500 Dracins]
[↠ Tremor Maul: The Tremor Maul is a massive, two-handed war hammer forged from the reinforced bones and dense hide of a Peak Stage 1 Ironback Brute. Weighing approximately 80 kilograms, it is an extremely heavy weapon that demands immense strength and endurance to wield effectively. The hammer's colossal head delivers devastating blows, capable of shattering boulders, caving in armor, and sending shockwaves through the ground with each strike. Its long, reinforced handle, wrapped in thick leather, ensures a firm grip, allowing the wielder to control its immense power. Designed for those who favor sheer brute force, the Tremor Maul is a weapon that will dominates the battlefield through raw destructive might.]: [4600 Dracins]
[↠ Silent Fang: The Silent Fang is a sleek and deadly katana forged from the refined bones and fangs of a Duskscale Panther, a Mid Rank Stage 1 beast known for its agility and razor-sharp claws. The blade is remarkably light yet incredibly durable, designed for swift and precise strikes. Its edge is honed to perfection, capable of cutting through flesh and bone with minimal resistance. The hilt is wrapped in dark leather, offering a secure grip for fast, fluid movements. Crafted for those who favor speed and precision over brute strength, the Silent Fang is a weapon that excels in swift, decisive combat.]: [8000 Dracins]
[↠ Nightfang: The Nightfang Dagger is crafted from the fangs and reinforced bone of a Low Rank Stage 1 Shadowfang Scorpion, a beast known for its agility and hardened exoskeleton. The blade has a sleek, almost organic curve, with a faint dark tint that hints at its origins. Its sharp edge and durable structure make it a reliable weapon for swift, precise strikes. The lightweight design ensures ease of handling, making it an excellent choice for those who favor speed and efficiency in combat.]: [1350 Dracins ×5]

And that's it, Aiden didn't think any more purchases were necessary for now.

But for Rey, it was something his poverty-stricken heart couldn't handle. In his entire life, he had never spent even one thousand Dracins on anything. The first time, Aiden made him pay eight thousand, and now it was about fifty-nine thousand thirty Dracins (59,030 Dracins) for all these ten items. When converted to Dragon points, it's about 100 times the current amount.

He couldn't even imagine how his life would be affected by these spirits.

"Why are you crying over such stuff? Aren't we going to raid the center? Raiding means loot, and loot means a massive amount of money. So just think of it as a little investment to gain a higher profit."

"But I am not a thief."

"Huh, then why are you using this money too? Isn't this money also robbed? Should we throw it away or hand it over to the police?" Aiden said with a straight face as he started to take away the card, but Rey quickly pulled it back.

"Wait... but..."

"Listen, Rey, robbing a person's house isn't a bad thing in my eyes if he is a bad person who is leeching people money for his own good. If you still think that you won't do it, then it's okay. But don't ask why we share the loot that we 'personally' are going to loot in between us." He said while giving extra weight on the personally word. As Rey mind was in conflict which side to choose but he decided after choosing the advantage side.

"Argh, okay, but don't think I am like you, okay? I am just doing it to get back my money with some massive amount of interest." Rey said, getting ready to proceed. Why shouldn't he, as just dipping your whole body in it but leaving the head out wouldn't be a good thing. So, if he is going to get into muddy situations, he should completely submerge himself in it.

"That's my boy."

Aiden said this, and Rey realized how calculative Aiden was when he saw him picking up items for him.

Everything he chose was the best of the best he could find anywhere for him.

Ravager Claw, the sword he brought for him, was chosen with precise calculations after checking everything to fit his hand. He formed the copy with the help of Zero and let him try it, as this blade was the only one, he found suitable for his hand.

Ironfang, the spear, was chosen after examining all the data just like the sword. After finding the perfect match, he agreed on it, as even the balance of the spear was measured by him, which he said was a major part of handling the spear.

Jackal Guard, the shield he chose after checking hundreds of shields posted on the website, was the only one he thought was good and matched with his physique.

Shadowbranch, the bow he chose for him, a weapon had not used yet, as his proficiency with the bow was still zero. However, Aiden found some similarities with the shadow element in the bow, so with even a 0.01% chance that the bow might have a relation to the shadow path, he brought it for him. The bow met all the requirements he set, but the grade of the beast material was low. Even that could be overlooked with Zero matter ready to fuse with it.

Howlcleaver, a second-tier beast weapon, highly favored and must at least be valued at 100,000 Dracins, was being sold for 15,000 Dracins due to three major factors. First, the weapon was old and second-hand, which lowered its price. Second, its weight was very high even if someone could handle it, they might not appreciate the grade of Stage 2 beast. Therefore, the user needed to be at least at Peak Initiate or Apprentice level to exploit every benefit from it, but most martial artists at this stage would struggle with it, increasing the danger in battle. Third, the item had been listed for about four years without any buyers, reducing its price from the original 40,000 Dracins to the current price. Aiden chose it for Rey because, despite its worn condition, Zero's ability could repair it. Additionally, even though the sword weighs 72 kg, Rey's stats would increase, allowing him to handle it effectively and gain significant advantages in certain battles later on.

Stormweave, plain-looking hand gloves or gauntlets, were not made fully from beast materials but rather from the thread cloth of a low-tier Stage 1 beast. Aiden chose them for Rey to get the buff effect from Arsenal ability. The cost was relatively low compared to other items, so Aiden bought them and added them to the cart.

Ironbrand, a custom pistol with a mix of old and modern design, was purchased by Aiden for its unique property of withstanding energy-infused rounds. This was the sole reason Aiden bought the pistol, as its price was not very high.

Tremor Maul, a giant hammer approximately 5 feet long and weighing over 80 kg, was acquired by Aiden for its low cost and good weight balance, which can be quite beneficial in battles. The leather-covered handle was excellent, increasing the grip, a feature not commonly found in other hammers, and the quantity was not widely available in the weapon.

Silent Fang, the katana primarily chosen by Rey himself due to its cool design and darkish touch on its blade. The sharp appearance of the blade was also quite menacing. Aiden also agreed to purchase it, even though the qualities were good but not the best. However, seeing Rey's eagerness to buy it was the reason Aiden agreed upon it not to hurt his feelings.

Nightfang, a set of five daggers made from a shadowfang scorpion, known for its stealthiness in nature. The daggers were taken by Aiden to let him train in Umbral Telekinesis. The daggers were also cheap because of the low-grade material used in crafting them.

{A/N: The grade of Beast in Rey's world is as follows: (Warrior Cultivation → Beast Level) 
Initiate → Stage 1 Beast, Apprentice → Stage 2 Beast, Acolyte → Stage 3 Beast, Disciple → Stage 4 Beast, Master → Stage 5 Beast. Beasts are also divided into four stages of Low, Mid, High, and Peak, just like the martial warriors and beast are slightly higher in combat power than humans due to their body structures.}

As the order was completed, Rey's eyes fell on the final payment line, and he was shocked as the total cost of the weapons was 59,030, but the final price was 59,830. He checked the charges and found that the extra eight hundred was due to shipment charges and the large number of items listed in the order, which required additional labor.

"Yes, take it, not just eight hundred but take ten thousand more under the guise of charges. Rob me in daylight, you scammers," Rey said, but still, he paid the whole bill and received a code which should be given to the delivery agency when they delivered the order with the first item check facility too.

"Aiden, why aren't we buying more bullets? You only took two rounds of bullets that were free with it. Do you have some other way to buy or make bullets, or are we not using that Ironbrand pistol much?"

"No, we are, but we won't be buying more as we have the Item crea... no, Genesis ability to form more of these."

"So why don't we create the weapons too with it?"

"Because you don't have enough mana nor enough matter to sustain them while maintaining armor too."

"I don't understand, but now it's pointless to talk about it. The arrow is already shot, and the money can't be returned," Rey said as he shrugged his shoulders and closed the site after checking the order data.

The date was the 2nd of May, and now he had to wait for a few days to receive the order.

"So, what should I do? Maybe I should go and hang out with James while there is nothing to do," Rey said as he walked out of his room and went outside to meet with his friend.

-<To be Continued>-