The Demon of Desire: the rise of the slum rat

The journey out of the Hollow Verge was eerily quiet. Without the oppressive weight of its corrupted magic, the twisted forest seemed almost lifeless, the air still and heavy with an unnatural calm.

Mikhael moved at the front of the group, his crimson eyes scanning the path ahead. The artifact pulsed faintly against his chest, quieter than it had been in days. Its whispers were muted, but Mikhael knew better than to trust the silence.

Koneko walked beside him, her golden eyes flicking to his face occasionally. She hadn't said much since the battle with the Verge beast, but her presence was grounding. Kael brought up the rear, their notebook in hand as they jotted down notes about the area.

"We should be out of this place by nightfall," Kael said, their voice breaking the silence.

"Good," Mikhael muttered. "The less time we spend here, the better."

System Notification: Progress Achieved

As they neared the Verge's boundary, Mikhael felt a familiar sensation—a faint pulse in the back of his mind. A glowing blue interface appeared in his vision, its text clear and concise:

[System Notification: Level Up!]

Level: 20 → 21

[Rank Up: Nominally Bronze Rank Achieved!]

You have demonstrated exceptional ability and surpassed expectations. Your guild rank has been adjusted accordingly.

[Rewards Earned:]

Skill Points: +10 Free Stat Points: +40 (x4 due to rank milestone) New Skill Slot Unlocked

Mikhael blinked, the notifications fading from his vision as quickly as they had appeared. He felt the familiar surge of energy that accompanied a level-up, his body tingling with renewed strength.

"What is it?" Koneko asked, noticing his brief pause.

"Just... sorting a few things out," Mikhael replied, brushing her concern aside.

He opened the system interface briefly, allocating his new stat points with practiced efficiency:

Strength: +15 Agility: +10 Durability: +5 Wisdom: +5 Intelligence: +5

Satisfied, he closed the interface and continued walking.

Arrival at the Guild

The Guild Hall loomed ahead, its towering spires casting long shadows over the bustling square. The sight was a welcome change from the oppressive gloom of the Hollow Verge.

Mikhael and Kael led the way inside, Koneko following close behind. The hall was alive with activity—adventurers exchanging stories, guild staff organizing missions, and merchants peddling their wares.

"Feels like it's been years," Kael muttered, glancing around.

Mikhael smirked. "Let's see what the guild has to say about our little trip."

Rank Recognition

The group approached the front desk, where a bronze-ranked guild attendant was sorting through paperwork. She looked up as they arrived, her eyes widening slightly when she recognized Mikhael and Kael.

"You're back," she said, her tone a mix of surprise and respect.

"We are," Mikhael replied. "And we've got a report."

The attendant nodded, quickly summoning a higher-ranking guild officer. A man in gold-rimmed armor approached, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group.

"Mikhael, Kael," he said, his voice steady. "We've been hearing whispers about the Hollow Verge. Tell me—what did you find?"

Kael stepped forward, presenting their notebook. "Corruption. Something ancient and powerful, tied to the land itself. We neutralized the immediate threat, but the Verge isn't done. There's more buried there, and it's dangerous."

The officer frowned, flipping through Kael's notes. "This is... concerning. The guild will need to send a proper team to investigate." He glanced at Mikhael. "And you?"

Mikhael shrugged. "We handled it. Barely."

The officer studied him for a moment before nodding. "Your performance has been noted. Effective immediately, your rank has been adjusted to Nominally Bronze Rank. It's rare for someone to achieve this through unconventional missions, but you've proven yourself."

Guild Interaction

After the formalities, the group moved to a quieter corner of the hall. Mikhael leaned back in his chair, watching as Kael sorted through their notes and Koneko sipped a small cup of tea.

"You're moving up fast," Kael said, glancing at Mikhael.

"Fast doesn't mean easy," Mikhael replied, his tone sharp.

Koneko tilted her head. "What's next?"

Mikhael smirked faintly, his crimson eyes glinting. "We rest. For now. But there's always another job waiting."

Foreshadowing the Next Step

As the group prepared to leave, a new notification appeared in Mikhael's vision:

[New Quest Available: Ascension of the Pieces]

Objective: Unlock and activate your first Evil Piece.

Rewards:

Enhanced Artifact Synchronization Unique Skill Slot Unlocked

Mikhael closed the interface, his smirk widening. "Always another job," he muttered to himself.

The chapter ends with the group leaving the guild, the weight of their accomplishments tempered by the promise of even greater challenges ahead.