Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter!

"What the—" Vincent exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise as a notification echoed in his ears. Violent, dark energy surged into his body, causing him to groan softly at the strange sensation.

"Are you alright, young man?" Uncle Gold's voice sounded from behind.

Vincent nodded once he calmed himself, though his mind was still reeling from the unexpected experience.

"Let's move, then," Uncle Gold said.

Not noticing anything unusual about Vincent, he led the way, guiding him and the siblings forward. The stunned Origin Warriors around them instinctively parted, making way for the group.

No one dared to block their path. The very presence of Caelius, with his striking golden hair and commanding aura, was enough to instill fear and awe.

But just as they advanced, a calm, deep voice interrupted them.

"I apologize, but no one is allowed to leave this place!"

All eyes turned toward the speaker—Gorak, the current leader of the Thrygians.

The other party leaders exchanged confused and displeased glances. Before anyone could voice their concerns, Caelius' voice cut through the air, cold and laced with irritation.

"Too noisy."

Three shadows moved in an instant, and the next moment, Gorak found himself surrounded by three figures, weapons drawn and pointed at him.

A nervous gulp broke the tense silence as all eyes focused on the trio cloaked in gold.

Uncle Gold and the siblings stood poised to strike, their weapons gleaming with a deadly light. Gorak, despite his size and presence, couldn't mask the fear in his expression as he stared at the cold, threatening stares of his assailants.

"Leader!" his party members shouted in alarm.

The scene had unfolded too quickly for anyone to react. Gorak had barely spoken a sentence before being surrounded. The killing intent radiating from the trio was suffocating.

Caelius' voice echoed again, calm yet commanding, "What did you mean by that?"

Gorak hesitated, his eyes darting nervously between the gleaming weapons pointed at him. He could feel the power emanating from them, each one capable of ending his life.

Caelius' fan, Karl, barked aggressively, "The young master asked you a question. Answer!"

Gorak's face twisted with indecision. His young master had ordered him to prevent anyone from leaving the chamber, but now he was caught between his master's wrath and the deadly trio before him.

'Damn it! Better to face my master's punishment than die at the hands of these lunatics,' he thought bitterly.

"I-I apologize. I misspoke," Gorak stammered, gesturing toward a group of mixed-race warriors.

He added hastily, scratching the back of his head, "We're in a temporary party. We need to rest before deciding whether to continue or retreat."

"I see. That makes sense," Caelius replied simply, prompting Uncle Gold and the siblings to lower their weapons.

Gorak immediately bowed his head in gratitude.

"Thank you for understanding, young master Caelius."

But even as he spoke, his mind was racing. He was already planning how to report the presence of Caelius' group and how to deal with them.

His scheming thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Caelius' next words.

"Do you think I'm stupid enough to believe that?"

"Wha—"

Before Gorak could finish, a sharp golden light flashed, slicing through him and his party members.

In the blink of an eye, purple blood sprayed into the air as their bodies were cleanly severed, collapsing to the ground.

Gorak's expression froze in shock as his vision darkened.

'Demon…' was his final thought.

Thud!

Vincent, who had watched the entire scene, remained silent, his expression cold.

He had been shaken the first time he killed the Thrygians who had targeted him, but he was now fully aware that their deaths weren't real. This was a digital world. His emotions had numbed, and he viewed it simply as the strong dominating the weak.

As silence filled the chamber, the corpses of the Thrygians dissolved into particles of digital light, leaving behind several loot items.

The other Origin Warriors stared at Caelius, their thoughts unanimous: He's a demon.

A murmur broke the silence.

"Will he kill us next?"

Fortunately for them, Caelius' next words were a reprieve.

"Collect the loot. We're leaving."

The tension in the room eased as Caelius and his group departed.

"Sigh… That demon is finally gone. He's even scarier than that massive Blackrat man," someone muttered.

"Check the surroundings! There's no way that monster didn't leave any drops!"

"Forget the loot. How are we supposed to leave this place now?" another voice cried.

"Oh, we're doomed!"

— — —

Vincent's party ascended a spiral staircase, heading upward.

Now that they had a moment of calm, Vincent focused on the new skills he had somehow acquired.

Name: Primal Regen

Quality: Rare

Effect: Recovers any physical injury for a short amount of time.

Consumption: Primal Energy—depends on the severity of the injury.

Name: Primal Boost

Quality: Rare

Effect: Increases all attributes by 50% for 90 seconds.

Consumption: Primal Energy—10.

Name: Primal Strength

Quality: Rare

Effect: Increases strength by 50% for 5 minutes.

Consumption: Primal Energy—50.

"This is amazing, but…" Vincent thought, frowning as he reviewed the details.

"I still don't know how to recover Primal Energy or use it effectively without consequences."

As he pondered, Caelius sidled up beside him.

"Yo, you really surprised me back there. Aren't you a genius like me?" Caelius said with his usual smile.

Though suspicious of Caelius' intentions, Vincent replied casually, shaking his head.

"I'm not a genius. I only awakened a C-rank talent. I'm far from someone like you."

His response made Caelius and Uncle Gold pause, both giving him a doubtful look.

Their expressions seemed to say, Who are you trying to fool?

Caelius chuckled, shaking his head.

"It doesn't matter. I know a genius when I see one."

He then added, "Why don't we meet in the real world next time?"

Vincent halted, curiosity and suspicion flashing in his eyes. Why would Caelius suggest such a thing?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"If I'm not busy," he replied noncommittally.

Fiona, who had overheard their conversation from behind, bristled.

"You should be grateful the young master is inviting you—"

"Fiona!" Caelius cut her off sharply.

She immediately lowered her head, chastened.

"Don't mind her," Caelius said to Vincent, his tone warm.

"Just let me know whenever you're free."

Vincent nodded curtly and resumed climbing the staircase.

— — —

In the throne room of the Crimson Castle, a dark figure sat upon a shadowy throne, its crimson eyes glowing ominously.

A black snake coiled around its shadowy arm, hissing in pain as the figure clenched it tightly.

The figure's voice, deep and hoarse, echoed through the chamber.

"I don't know what's happening out there, but whoever killed my minions will die by my hands."

It suddenly sensed several presences beyond the throne room door.

"So, I finally have visitors after all this time," it murmured with a hint of dark amusement.

Outside the door stood a group of ten individuals.

At the center was a towering purple giant—Grarik Blackthorn—flanked by four more Thrygians. Opposite them stood five cloaked figures, their features obscured.

Grarik spoke first.

"This is the boss room. Follow the plan, and I'll give you what I promised."

One of the hooded figures stepped forward, his voice old and rasping.

"Hehe, I believe you. After all, you know the consequences of displeasing our organization."