Chapter 955 Unavoidable Path
It took a huge amount of willpower to ask this question to Edward.
Even though Rex seemed to be okay in appearance with meeting him after venting earlier, there was an undeniable other, prominent side of him that felt disgusted to talk or be anywhere near Edward.
His betrayal, siding with the humans knowing what they did still looms in his heart.
But even then, he couldn't let his emotions take control.
Out of the people who were under the Executor's circle, it's an unrefutable fact that Edward is the most accessible. Now that he knew Edward was not fundamentally corrupted, he had to make use of this opportunity to extract information about the Executor.
Regardless of his feelings, he had to do this.
"So you're now another copy of the Executor? Or are you an Ancient Human?" Rex asked.
Edward only replied with a smile, "Enough with this, let's pick up our pace"
Knowing exactly what Rex was trying to do, he cut the conversation short and picked up his pace to reach their destination further. Rex gazed at Edward's back for a second before he also picked up his pace, followed by Ryze behind him.
In a bit, the three finally took their first break in an abandoned village.
Judging from how rough the appearance of the village was, it has been abandoned for years.
"Be back in a minute, I need to take a leak" Rex excused himself.
He exited an intact house at the edge under Edward's and Ryze's gazes who were resting to recover their stamina. Traveling long distances on foot was a problem in the First Breath, their stamina was not unlimited.
Upon reaching a considerable distance, Rex chanted silently, "Damned Spectre..."
Immediately after he recited those incantations, a duplicate of himself emerged from within the cursed realm, crawling out of his body and standing next to him. This unique ability was the one he used to defeat Elder Noskear before.
This duplicate's attack could cross through realms and hit others.
Even though the damage it would cause was weakened, it's still a strong and useful skill.
With a command of thought, Rex controlled the cursed duplicate to head back into the house where Ryze and Edward resided, keeping a vigilant watch over them. Now, I'll see if you're truly on my side, Ryze. I hope you pass this test because I don't want to hurt you.
Shaking his head, Rex then headed onward, into another house and covered his presence.
Inside the living room, he nodded and determined that this would do.
Rex bought the Demon Suppression Barrier and engraved them around the house. He scanned his eyes around, and he laid his hand on the dusted sofa before using his mana to disperse the dust instantly and sit on it.
Just as he was about to do something, he paused for a second.
This shabby house... It somehow reminded me of when Gistella reached perfect human form.
Due to the humble furniture and theme of the interior of the house, as this is a secluded village, he was reminded of that time. He still vividly remembers at that time, Gistella's beauty stunned him as she was previously an Undead.
However, he didn't idle in his thoughts for long and took out one Rastrikan Demon Core.
He had given Adhara half, while the other half was still with him.
<Rastrikan Demon Core>
It's an eighth-rank realm to a ninth-rank realm equivalent item depending on the quality of the Demon Core, and it's also the source of power for the Rastrikan Demons themselves. It contains demonic power and can be used as an enhancement item to strengthen the constitution of a person and also develop the runes of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Upon reading this, it seems there was not much difference compared to the normal ones.
Rex only found that the Rastrikan Demon Core is significantly bigger.
Then again, these demon cores are at least around the seventh-rank realm, so it's expected.
Since the Executor would be going to war against the Demons and Vampires, King John should be there too, right? I need to meet with him. The Witch already consulted with me, and the System found that it's possible. But he would need to be stronger physically or else it won't work on the Executor.
A plan was devised to involve King John in the mix not too long ago.
To further that plan, he would need to meet with King John and make him a bit stronger.
Fortunately for him, the Demon Cores from the Rastrikan Demons supplied the materials he would need to make King John physically stronger. It appeared that the stars were aligned in favor of him, and he couldn't help but appreciate how fortunate he had been.
If everything went smoothly like this, the Executor would suffer defeat without knowing it.
"But first, I also need to make myself stronger" Rex mused and nodded.
Extracting more Rastrikan Demon Cores from the inventory, about a hundred of them, he was now surrounded by big purple glowing cores the size of a basketball. Each of them radiated a potent demonic energy that filled every corner of the house with a thick, smoky hazy.
But the barrier he sets up blocks them from getting out of the house.
Given that the Rastrikan Demon Cores were fundamentally similar to regular demon cores, the process of absorption remained unchanged. He would first have to dilute the demon cores in water, then immerse himself in the demonic mixture.
Finding water now is probably impossible, but it's not a problem for Rex.
Rex controlled one of his weakest elements, the Earth element, and created a jacuzzi-like bath made of wood of considerable size in the middle of the living room. He then filled it with water using his water element before dumping the Rastrikan Demon Cores inside.
Slowly, he saw the demon cores crumble and mixed with water.
Visibly, the water turned from crystal blue to red, dark red, and then eventually, black.
With the preparation done, he took off his black combat armor and got into the water. He then meditated with the water reaching his neck, and soon enough, the veins across his body bulged, indicating the pain had started and it was not a pretty one.
Compared to last time, his expression didn't break from focus.
It was true that when compared to the regular demon cores, the Rastrikan Demon Cores caused even greater pain as the change to his body was more profound. A feeling as though his entire body was seething from within, penetrating the tissue of his blood veins before his regeneration ability retaliated, creating a perpetual, excruciating torture.
Not even people with high pain tolerance could suffer this without a reaction.
Rex, however, is a different breed.
<Useable Demonic Energy is detected!>
<Initiating the absorption process...>
Slowly, the water content started to visibly lessen, his body was absorbing it.
Knowing that he didn't have much time to spare as the others would be looking for him, Rex's forehead creased as he took a deep breath and forced his body to absorb the demonic water quicker than ever.
His body's suction was so powerful that the water started to rotate into a whirlpool.
But this managed to force a groan out of his mouth.
Since he forced his body to absorb faster, then naturally, the pain reached another zenith.
It went on for about two minutes before the water content was completely drained, and Rex stayed in meditation trying to control the enhancements that were caused by the Rastrikan Demon Cores under his control.
<Absorption process finished!>
<Calculating result...>
<Obtained 1,200 Strength Stat!>
<Obtained 750 Endurance Stat!>
<Obtained 300 Agility Stat!>
Rex was pleased by the result, one session equals 2,000 stat points, which is a lot.
Even for him, this amount is nothing to scoff at.
One session already gave me this much, and I still have thousands more in the inventory. But the only problem is where is the limit? Then again, this is all free stats, and I should be happy with this result.
Just then, he remembered that the others should also gain this amount of stats.
A mere notion brought a devilish smile to his face, for his forces would undoubtedly surge and swell in strength after absorbing the Rastrikan Demon Cores. Gaining 2,000 stat points was aking to acquiring the total stats of a sixth-rank realm Awakened. If they underwent multiple sessions, many among them would effortlessly ascend to the seventh-rank realm.
It's safe to say that most would have their own physiques beating their innate powers.
Due to that, Rex was extremely pleased.
He even thought that letting some Rastrikan Demons live was a bad choice on his part.
Oh, yea... I still have the stat points from the Minor Oustification.
Remembering that he still had stat points that hadn't been allocated, he checked his stats and was surprised that the stat points were already reaching a considerable amount while he was not paying attention.
<Minor Oustification>
Accumulated Points: 1,120
Divine Power: 0.1
Upon seeing the Minour Oustification tab, Rex saw the second row and was confused.
System, what does the Divine Power section dictate?
<Divine Power dictates the user's divinity, the higher the value becomes, the closer the user would reach Divinity and ascend to Godhood. The threshold of Divine Power to reach Godhood is incalculable, it's advised to be even stronger to know the fixed rate. But this is a path the user would need to take>
Not expecting this answer, Rex's eyes flared open and his body froze for a moment.
It should be obvious, but being confronted by it was another thing.
G- Godhood...? Essentially, I will not die forever?
For the first time, the prospect of becoming stronger didn't incite him again. Rex found it hard to explain what he was feeling right now, but he felt different when his path was destined to reach the realm of Gods.
Some part of him wanted to embrace it, while the others wanted to deny it.
Just as he was in a momentary trance, the System seemed to sense the emotional turmoil inside of him and followed with another notification. But this time, there were some changes to the color of the words in the notification.
<INVINCIBILITY means quite literally, and the System will assist the user in reaching it>
<NO MATTER WHAT, the user will reach absolute INVINCIBILITY>
Rex was not a dumb man, he knew exactly what the System meant by saying this.
Essentially, despite him not having any ambition to become a God and live forever, he would still ultimately walk down this path. There was no other choice, and it was not like he could stop now with so much at stake.
Any other path would only end in him hurting the others, and couldn't do that.
I- I need time. I'll focus on the present problem, yes, I could deal when the time comes.
Feeling a bit dizzy from the thoughts that assaulted his mind, Rex decided to manipulate himself into not thinking about this matter. He would need to focus, there are other pressing things, and he would put his mind and soul to the present matters first.
Shaking his head, he quickly wore his armor again.
Despite wanting to continue, he couldn't, the others were waiting for him.
...
Meanwhile, inside the other house.
"I'm sorry for suddenly leaving you" Edward suddenly apologized out of the blue.
Even though he wanted to prove himself to Rex that he could do better and help, deep down, Ryze was not comfortable being with Edward. It was due to the fact that he didn't say anything and left.
Additionally, because of Edward, he was blinded and forgot about Rex for a moment.
Ryze regretted choosing Edward over Rex back then.
Upon hearing this, Ryze remained silent his eyes still averting away. He then eventually replied with a whispering tone, "Why did you have to leave me alone? No... more importantly, why didn't you say anything to me before leaving?"
"There are things I could not say. I just want to apologize to you" Edward sighed lightly.
But this only sparks an acute smile from Ryze.
Just as the place became awkwardly silent again, Edward frowned before he turned his head to the window on his right. There was nothing there, but he could oddly sense something was watching him.
'This... This is the same feeling I had at the castle, what is it, really?'
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