Increase Talent: Become More Stronger!

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Impossible...

Maybe it's true—I could never fall in love with Lilith.

But still, another part of me refuses to accept that Lilith would marry someone else.

Without delay, and without thinking twice, I asked the system.

I wanted to know—curious as to why the system sent me back to the past.

"System, tell me—why was I sent back to the past?"

[Sorry. The system is currently undergoing maintenance. Please ask another question.]

"Tch. Are you serious? I really need you, and you can't even help me?"

Fine, fine! I get it!

I thought this was a mistake on the system's part.

Then again, it's not impossible that the system forced me back into the past on purpose.

And now? It's confirmed—I was indeed sent back from the Demon Realm.

As I glanced around, my eyes landed on a man.

It's true. That man—he was one of Sieg's companions.

If I recall correctly, his name was Fried?

Fried... he really reminded me of Ian.

Ian... I wonder if he's doing okay?

Forget it.

Regardless, I now knew I couldn't just stand around doing nothing.

"Are you okay? I didn't expect the Demon King's castle guards to be so brutal. Look—I even got injured by their attacks."

"Haha... I'm sorry. I didn't think our plan to take Lilith away would fail. I never expected this to happen," I replied, unable to show any expression on my face.

If I had to say it, I'd admit I had completely lost all emotion.

"You... Didn't I already tell you not to act impulsively? And now? We've been completely thrown aside."

"..."

Honestly, from Fried's perspective, he could see how truly lost in grief I was.

If it wasn't for losing Lilith, I wouldn't be feeling this much pain.

"I understand... But please, don't act like the world has lost all hope. Get up—we can still save Lilith."

"Fried... you're truly a good friend. But don't worry—I can handle this on my own."

"But you—"

"It's fine. I don't want to involve anyone else in my problems. Good luck."

What's going on with Sieg? Has he changed?

Impossible...

But somehow, I felt like I had met Sieg in the past.

For a moment, Fried's memories flickered with the image of Sieg attempting to escape from the Demon Realm.

Surely, Fried knew I wouldn't have just stopped and turned back.

But who would've guessed? I actually decided to return to the demon side with him.

With that alone, Fried realized I wasn't truly Sieg.

On the contrary—he knew I was completely different from the Sieg he once knew.

Maybe that's why Fried suspected I was possessed by some evil spirit.

Fortunately, what Fried feared didn't actually happen.

"Useless... Even the system can't help me. Are you serious?" I muttered, no longer knowing what to do or how to act.

If I could, I wouldn't have stayed still.

But unfortunately, there was no way I could defeat the demon named Asmodeus.

Therefore, I didn't even consider trying to take Lilith back from him.

'He's a Demon King… That means he's equivalent to a human King-level cultivator. There's no way I can defeat a monster like him…'

As I walked aimlessly, I didn't even realize I'd bumped into a horse-drawn carriage.

Thud!

"Ouch! Who dares block my path?!"

Huh? That voice... Is that Sieg's father?

As if I'd realized what had happened, I instinctively called out from my mouth.

"Father?! Is that you?!"

"Hm? Oh... It's you, you little brat. What now? Did something happen again? And what's with all those injuries?"

"Oh? This... I just happened to fight one of the Greater Demons."

For a moment, Sieg's father showed a hint of admiration on his face.

Even though I was injured, I had proven myself capable of fighting a Greater Demon.

Surely, there was no way Sieg's father wouldn't want to praise his son.

Even though the one who fought that Greater Demon... wasn't me.

"Good. Why don't you get in? Let me take you back."

"Of course. Thank you, Father."

Step!

Finally, as I sat down in the carriage seat, I let my body relax.

I had to admit—I couldn't withstand the pain coursing through my body.

If it weren't for my training, I wouldn't have survived the pain.

"So... Care to tell me what you were doing inside the Demon King's castle? I know you and Fried were planning something."

"Uh... Father, please don't get mad. I just wanted to see Lilith. But I don't understand why they kicked me out."

"Princess Lilith? Her again... Do you really like her that much? Do you even know who she is?"

Unexpectedly, Sieg's father showed a look of hopelessness on his face.

For some reason, he knew Lilith's true identity.

Being one of the Demon Realm's commanders, it made sense that he would've heard something.

"Isn't she the daughter of one of the 72 Pillars of the Demon Realm? Why?"

"Brat... Her identity is far beyond what you imagine. I can't tell you the details, but one thing is certain. I want you to stay away from her."

"Is she really that special?"

"Yes. You and her live in completely different worlds. I suggest you focus on becoming stronger."

Father... Do you really want to crush your son's pride?

He's already lost the woman he loves. And now you're telling him to forget her?

"I'm sorry, Father. But I can't. Please help me—tell me how I can become stronger."

"You... You're really serious about this. Fine. Let me train you myself."

"Yes! Please guide me, Father!"

...

Time passed, though I wasn't sure how long—maybe a year?

If I had to guess, I'd say I was now in some sort of spatial dimension.

Just look around—white mist surrounded me on all sides.

Maybe this mist was a manifestation of spatial and temporal distortion.

"Hah... Ha... Father, you're so strong. I still can't land a hit on you. How am I supposed to defeat you? It's impossible," I said, forcing myself to acknowledge my father's strength.

To explain it simply, I knew my father's power was on par with a Ruler-level cultivator.

There was no way I could push him back.

"You brat. Giving up already? We've been in cosmic dust for about 24 hours—that's two years here. I hope you can last longer."

"Ck! Damn you, Father! Come on—let me defeat you already!"

"Good! That's the spirit! Don't give up! I know you can grow stronger!"

Without hesitation, I once again raised my sword and charged at Sieg's father.

As our blades clashed, he didn't seem troubled at all.

On the contrary, he kept smiling—clearly proud of me.

But deep down... I wasn't sure if I could ever defeat him.

Maybe that's why I wanted to give up on saving Lilith.

'Damn it… How could I lose? My power has reached the peak of the True Mage Stage! This is impossible!' I thought, completely lost.

If I could, I wouldn't want to train for much longer.

"What's wrong? Use everything you've got! I know that's not your limit! Show me your demonic form again!"

"Damn it! It's useless! I've already used all my trump cards! I can't!"

"Hah! Then you're not fit to live! Goodbye!"

As his sword closed in, I wondered—was this how I would die?

Suddenly, I was once again submerged into the inner world within my body.

For some reason, I saw a black misty figure in front of me.

"Huh? What are you doing? Did you lose? Come on, get up. We are demons—beings of destruction. We are different from them. Both he and Asmodeus are no match for us."

"Shut up... I don't want your help. I want to fight my own battles."

"Is that your principle? But what if you die? What good is Lilith then? Don't be naive. This is life—the strong rule, the weak suffer!"

I know...

Only the strong have the right to command the weak. The weak will always be oppressed.

That's the cycle of life—one of the most basic truths.

"Stop... I don't want to..."

"You're the one who needs to stop. Regret always comes last, and you can't afford to carry it—just like how you lost your beloved senior. Do you want to lose someone again?"

"I... I don't want to... I just thought borrowing someone else's strength is cowardly. That's why I can't ask you for help. I'm weak."

Exactly. You are weak.

If it weren't for you, Liliana wouldn't have died to that Greater Demon.

You're a murderer...

"A murderer... That's what your senior was called. How does it feel? To be labeled a killer? You know it's your fault."

"..."

"Alright... Since you're not denying it anymore, I'll lend you my strength. I hope it brings you happiness..."

In a split second, I felt a terrifying power surge through my veins.

If I had to describe it, I'd say it was the same power I first used when I awakened my demonic form.

"What a pity... You couldn't pass your trial. This was your most important test—and you failed. Maybe I need to find another successor?"

"Huh? What's going on...?" For some reason, Sieg's father saw the mist around him turn to darkness.

Then, he sensed a terrifying presence right behind him.

"You... Why are you...? No. Is that your inner demon? But this... This is different. Who are you?"

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