Shadow Blood and Fire

Eli, it's your first time visiting Hutton District, I will ask Milly to take you to go to the center to buy some toiletries and groceries. I doubt you will have everything you need at your rental house."

"Thank you." Eli accepted the offer without consulting Milliette Visoki.

Milliette Visoki nodded with an annoyed face. She might agree to the task now, but as soon as she walked out of the house, she would ditch the boy right away.

Dinner was over Eli bid farewell to Auntie Visoki with a smile.

As soon as Eli walked out of the house with Milliette Visoki, the smile on the girl's face evaporated into thin air.

Without even looking at Eli, she said coldly, "I still have something to do, you can go shopping on your own, can't you?"

She paused a second and then she continued, "You know how to get a turbo in the city, right?" Her voice was laced with annoyance. She thought Eli would play dumb and insist on her coming along with him; but to her surprise, she watched as the boy nodded and then said, "Of course I do."

She didn't turn around until Eli's image disappeared behind a row of Staganu trees. Guilt slowly crept into her heart, and she had the urge to catch up with the boy and help him. However, the thought of the huge difference in all aspects of their lives made her think better of her actions. They were not meant to be together, the sooner she made it clear to him, the better for both of them.

"Well, that was fast. Did you even go with him?" Auntie Visoki asked her daughter curiously as soon as the latter stepped into the house again.

Still grappling with guilt, Milliette Visoki said quietly, "He said that he could do it alone."

She then heard her father snorted, "I will not let my daughter hang out with such a loser anyway."

Raiden Visoki's career had hit a glass ceiling. In order to be promoted even further, he would require strong support from those who have significant political clout, such as deputy mayor Danielle.

Luckily for Raiden Visoki, the son of the deputy mayor of Hutton District was not only his daughter's classmate, but he also seemed to be very interested in Milliette Visoki. The deputy minister had even alluded to a potential marriage on multiple occasions. Although it was an opportunity that he couldn't pass up, Raiden Visoki couldn't agree to the proposal so easily, particularly when his daughter was still so young. It would be a sign of desperation if he did.

In the span of a mere six years, Milliette Visoki had ascended to the esteemed rank of a Level 4 Telekinesis wielder, a feat that left many in awe. Her rapid progression was a stark contrast to her kin, Raiden Visoki, who had dedicated nearly twelve grueling years to advance to a Level 3 Earth Manipulator. The path to power was not merely a measure of time but a trial of one's physical limits; the human vessel must be deemed worthy to embrace the next echelon of ability. To hasten this process was to court disaster, for the mind could burn out as easily as an overtaxed engine.

The realm of the extraordinary was a domain reserved for the rarest of individuals. A Level 6 ability was a hallmark of genius, a title bestowed upon one in a million. The echelons beyond—Level 7 and the near-mythical Level 8—were spoken of in hushed tones, for they were the pinnacle of human potential, touched by only the chosen few, and as for those who broke pass the human standard reaching beyond level 10; the Overlords there are only Five in the world

Amidst this hierarchy of power, Raiden harbored grand aspirations for his progeny's suitors, envisioning a match that would elevate the Visoki lineage to new heights. Yet, the encounter with Eli, a suitor of seemingly no potential, shattered these dreams, revealing a chasm between hope and reality.

It was Machine Billy Danielle, the scion of the deputy mayor of Hutton District, who emerged as the beacon of suitability. His prowess and pedigree outshone the competition, marking him as the prime Level 6 ability candidate to stand beside Milliette. It was clear that Billy's ascension alongside Milliette would forge a union of unparalleled strength, promising a future as formidable as it was fated.

He jerked his head towards the kitchen and grumbled on, "Your daughter is still young, don't just bring anyone to our home. She needs to focus on study."

Autie Visoki frowned deeply and rushed out of the kitchen. "Excuse you? She is my daughter, and this is MY house. I can bring whomever I want to here."

Seeing her parents were at it again, Milliette Visoki heaved and went straight to her room. It could have been a nice and quiet evening, but that boy had spoiled everything.

Meanwhile, Eli had already made his way down towards the Yama woods. He wasn't bothered at all by the unpleasant encounter with the father and daughter pair; they meant nothing to him, and he had a much bigger fish to fry.

Eli continued his trek into the Yama Woods, and as he ventured deeper, the Yama Mountain loomed closer. The sight was breathtaking; the mountain was almost entirely shrouded in blue mist, resembling a colossal beast lurking behind a veil. The foliage transformed from green to blue as he neared the mountain, hinting at a process of mutation. Despite the allure of Yama Mountain, Eli knew it would take at least three days to reach its base and even longer to scale its 79,032-foot peak—one of the tallest in the lower plane Estate.

Finding a suitable practice area, Eli stood before a mutated Gambrinus tree. Known for its mottled brown, green, and black bark, the tree boasted six massive branches of varying sizes—four on one side and two on the other. It spanned 98,508 cubic feet, with the longest piece of string, approximately 1.2 million kilometers long, wrapped around it like a scar from a disproportionally giant being. The Gambrinus tree, situated near the northern edge of the Yama Mountain, was conspicuous as it siphoned life from everything within a 12-meter radius, its 24 roots each stretching at least 1,050 kilometers.

"Perfect for a sparring partner," Eli remarked, admiring the tree.

"Skills list," he commanded, and a familiar tab materialized in his field of vision, displaying:

[Hammer (Lv.1)]

[Phantom Step (Lv.1)]

[Shadow Skill: Scout (Lv.1)]

[Blood Skill: Blood Claw (Lv.2)]

[Hellfire Skill: Demon Wing (Lv.1) Locked (Lvl 10)]

[Time Skill: Time Freeze (Lv.1)]

The past weeks confined to the hospital had been challenging for Eli, as he was unable to practice his new skills. He first attempted Blood Claw while hunting a rabbit in the hospital woods, expecting a simple manifestation of blood claws. Instead, five blood-red energies emerged, sharp as knives, dissecting the rabbit into five parts. The energies lacked coordination, nearly missing their mark. Eli attributed this to his unfamiliarity with the skill—it was akin to growing a third limb.

He had to meticulously conceal the claw marks left behind; discovery by the hospital staff could lead to panic and the involvement of the Mutant Resolution Force (M.R.F.), a scenario Eli desperately wanted to avoid.

"I wish there was someone who could teach me how to use these skills," Eli sighed.

As if in response to his wish, a message appeared:

[Request for Combat Lesson Activated] [Hand-to-Hand Combat Lv.1 Will Now Be Shown]

Suddenly, a video began to play before Eli's eyes. A tall, long-haired blonde man stood in a vast, empty room, his hands adorned with powerful-looking gauntlets. His beauty was striking—something Eli had never before acknowledged in another male. But what truly set the man apart were his four muscular arms and the intense glow of his four red eyes.

"Hello and welcome to hand-to-hand combat classes for beginners," the blonde man greeted with a cheerful tone. "I don't know how much time has passed, but if you've come across this video, that means you're one of us. And I hope that the information being provided isn't useless in your day and age."

The man's appearance and words led Eli to suspect his true nature. He had good reason to believe that the man in the video was a Demon.