Eldrin's library thrummed with mana, crystal shelves casting prismatic light across the Tablet's runes. Beelzebub stood before it, aura a twenty-meter shroud of cold dominance, doubled by his Devourer profession. Level 13, 1475 EXP, stats a monument to Gluttony—Strength at 359, Speed at 295, Luck and Charisma at 90. The runes' message burned in his mind: "Eternal Realms holds a secret. Gods guard it. Break them." A challenge he'd devour, but the voices—Wraith's wails, Sentinel's hums, Wisps' pleas—clawed louder. Who… are… you? His head pulsed, a crack widening in his calm.
"I'm Beelzebub," he snarled, aura shattering a shelf. "That's all." The voices dimmed, but the strain lingered—memories not his own, identities bleeding into his. He smirked, cold and defiant, shoving it down. Doubt was for the weak.
A new quest pinged: "Challenge the Arcane. Slay the Arcane Drake in the Crystal Peaks. Reward: 250 EXP, 100 Copper, Favor (Mage Guild)." His grin sharpened. "A dragon's worth taking."
The Crystal Peaks loomed north of Eldrin—jagged spires piercing the sky, mana storms crackling. Beelzebub ascended, aura scattering lesser beasts. The Arcane Drake perched atop—Level 20, scales shimmering with energy, wings sparking. Its roar shook the peak.
"Bow," he commanded, King's Roar booming (Mastery to 7/10). The Drake flinched, then dove—claws slashing. He flickered with Phantom Step (Mastery to 3/10), dodging, then struck with Razor Rush, Speed at 295 carving its flank. Scales cracked, but it breathed—mana fire searing his arm, HP dropping 20%. Minor Life and Magic ticked it back slowly.
"Trash," he growled, aura surging. Horned Frenzy spiked Speed to 442 for ten seconds—Mana Surge flared, Mana at 333 briefly. Basic Slash (10/10) and Necrotic Pulse (Mastery to 5/10) tore into its wings. It roared, tail whipping—Defense at 235 tanked it, HP dipping 5%. He laughed, cold and cruel, then Phantom Step flickered him above—Strength at 359 driving the Steel Sword through its skull. The Drake collapsed, mana dissipating.
"Ding! Arcane Drake defeated. Absorbed: Strength +60, Speed +50, Defense +40, Mana +70, Luck +5, Charisma +5, Arcane Breath (Skill). Loot: Drake Scale x5, Copper x500."
Strength: 419 Speed: 345 Defense: 275 Mana: 292 Luck: 95 Charisma: 95 Skills: Arcane Breath (Unleash mana-charged fire, Mastery: 1/10)
"Ding! Quest Complete. Reward: 250 EXP, 100 Copper, Favor (Mage Guild Trust +10%)."
"Ding! Level Up! Reached Level 14. EXP: 1725/1600."
The voices hit—Sky… power… mine—Drake's pride now, fierce and wild. His vision swam, a roar not his own echoing in his skull. He staggered, aura flaring uncontrollably—crushing a boulder. "Enough!" he roared, shoving it down. The strain pulsed—Gluttony devouring too fast, too much. Was he still himself?
POV Shift: Ryn, the Assassin
Ryn watched from a ridge, cloak shadowing her scars. Beelzebub's aura was a storm—Level 14 now, a force beyond reason. She'd trailed him, trust at 25%, drawn by his power. Once a player, now an NPC—her past a wound he might heal or widen. "He's breaking something," she muttered, dagger glinting. "Or breaking himself."
Back in Eldrin, Beelzebub traded Drake Scales for 200 Copper, aura simmering. Elara met him at the square, her trust at 20% wavering. "You're… louder still," she said, voice soft but tense.
He leaned close, Charisma at 95 weaving charm into menace. "Loud enough to drown your goddess, priestess." She flinched, but her eyes lingered—fear and pull warring.
The twins approached—Lia at Level 9, Mira at 10, Rogue profession gleaming. "Level 14?" Mira asked, rivalry sharp. "We're closing in."
"Dream on," he teased, winking. "Power's mine—chase fame if you want." Lia smiled. "Maybe… we'll ask for help soon." Her ambition glowed; Mira's edge hardened.
Kael stormed by, Level 12, Warrior's armor dented. "Dragon-slayer now?" he spat. Beelzebub's aura splintered a stall. "Trash barks loud. I'll end you soon." Kael retreated, fury masking dread.
The Mage Guild summoned him—trust at 15% now. The priestess offered a tome: "Rune Lore: Gods bind the Realms. Shatter their chains." Beelzebub smirked, cold and flirty. "I'll shatter more than that." Her trust ticked to 12%—unease growing.
POV Shift: Beelzebub's Mind
The voices clawed—Fire… sky… who?—Drake's will clashing with Wraith's, Sentinel's, more. His head split, memories flooding: a Ghoul's hunger, a Wisp's light. "I'm me," he growled, aura flaring in the guild hall—cracking crystal. Was he? Gluttony's cost gnawed—identity fraying. He smirked through it, pride unshaken. "I'll take it all—then decide who I am."
A new quest pinged: "Face the Storm. Slay the Tempest Wyrm in the Peaks. Reward: 300 EXP, 120 Copper, Favor." He headed back, aura a warning. Ryn shadowed him, silent. "Following me, Blade?" he called, flirty yet sharp.
"Watching," she replied, trust ticking to 28%. "You're… interesting."
"Stay close," he teased. "You'll see more."
The Peaks roared with storms—mana and thunder. The Tempest Wyrm loomed—Level 22, scales crackling with lightning. Beelzebub grinned, aura a storm of its own. "Bow or break."
Tracker
Level: 14 (EXP: 1725/1600)
Stats: Strength: 419 | Speed: 345 | Defense: 275 | Mana: 292 | Luck: 95 | Charisma: 95
Talents: Gluttony (Error) – No stat gains from leveling; absorbs all attributes, skills, bloodlines, blessings from defeated beings; duplicates enhance mastery
Powers/Skills: Horned Dash (5/10), King's Roar (7/10), Horned Frenzy (1/10), Basic Slash (10/10), Razor Rush (1/10), Shadow Cloak (2/10), Bone Ward (4/10), Necrotic Pulse (5/10), Phantom Step (3/10), Mana Surge (1/10), Arcane Breath (1/10)
Profession: Devourer – Gluttony absorption +50%, Devourer's Mark (Aura potency x2)
Bloodlines: Human
Blessings: Minor Life (+5% HP regen, 1/10), Minor Magic (+5% Mana Regen, 1/10)
Harem: No bonds yet (Twins Lia and Mira intrigued, Priestess Elara at 20% trust, Assassin Ryn at 28% trust, Magic Priestess at 12% trust)
Recent Gains: Strength +60, Speed +50, Defense +40, Mana +70, Luck +5, Charisma +5, 1 Skill
Loot Drops: Drake Scale x5, Copper x800 (total: 3060), Health Potion x1