Rearing Demons

He sat there for a few hours, simply reading and trying to understand the system. Although Yur had never learned how to read or write, the words displayed through the system seemed crystal clear. Yet, if he copied the exact letters onto the dusty ground, they became gibberish to him. It was as if this "reading ability" only worked when the system itself displayed the text.

Once he finished reviewing the last section, a prompt appeared before his eyes:

[Quest Complete!]

[Rewards: N/A!]

He gave a slight nod, realizing rewards wouldn't come so easily. Still, the very existence of the system amazed him. He had discovered that the system divided itself into two primary sections: Zulmasharr and Afloria—the latter referring to the human world.

Zulmasharr focused on demons, offering methods to grow as demons did, as well as a specialized shop. Afloria involved human cultivation and sold items suited for that path.

Currency likewise came in two forms: Demon Points and Human Points, both earned through system-designated quests in their respective domains.

"It looks like my body's been changed to handle both Zulmasharr and Afloria cultivation," he mused. In normal circumstances, a human absorbing Bahirath—intended purely for demon or twisted influences—would suffer severe deformities. But being the system's host, he was the only human who could survive such a process.

"System, can I give you a name?" he asked, feeling odd addressing it as merely system. "Let's say… Zul? It would be easier to call for you."

[Host does not need to call for me. A mere thought is sufficient!]

"Sure, but it still feels strange," he muttered. "So, what should I do now?"

He was still just a child, lacking any deeper understanding of the world. After barely escaping death, he had no real sense of what his next step should be.

[Zulmasharr Quest: Locate an Area for Shelter!]

[Reward: 5 Demon Points!]

"Oh?" Yur blinked at the small reward. Still, 5 Demon Points were better than nothing. "How do I find shelter?" he wondered. He briefly considered turning the basin area into a makeshift home.

[Shelter Prerequisites!]

[Nearby Food Source: 0/1]

[Nearby Drinking Source: 0/1]

He nodded. Obviously, food and water were essential if he wanted to survive.

"Zul, show me the map," he said aloud. An empty schematic appeared in the corner of his vision, covering a one-kilometer radius around him.

"All right, time to explore," he decided, stepping away from the dried basin where the Bahirath had been. The only real hindrance was the massive walls surrounding him, though they were too far for him to judge exactly how tall or how solid the barrier might be.

"I should look for some kind of water source," he muttered. "Though I'm not even sure water exists here." From the moment he arrived, everything felt oppressively hot. Even now, with his eyes and body adjusted, the red-hued world around him felt uncomfortably dark and stifling. As he walked, the system map filled in excruciatingly slowly.

After a while, he noticed something unusual. "What's that… a tree?" he thought. On closer inspection, the trunk was entirely black, and the "leaves" were actually tiny heads drooping from the branches. The tree itself was colossal—so tall that its top disappeared into the crimson haze.

He approached cautiously, observing the way its branches rustled. Each time they shook, one of those head-like "leaves" dropped to the ground. Some burst into red goop upon impact, while others landed intact, albeit dented.

Upon hitting the ground, one such dented glob sprouted stubby limbs—tiny arms and thick legs pushing out from the mass. "So that's where those little things come from?" he wondered aloud, stepping closer.

[Discovered: Imp Mother!]

"Oh?" A newborn imp, apparently spawned from the falling glob, sat dazed and rubbing its head. Despite its ugly appearance—a squashed, veiny face and awkward, chunky body—Yur found it oddly endearing. "Maybe you guys tried to kill me before, but I'm free now!" he said with a grin, scooping the creature up. "I guess you should be free too."

He toyed with the imp, handling it rather roughly. Unintentionally, he jammed a finger into one of its underdeveloped eyes, causing it to burst with a wet pop.

Kr Kr Kr.

The imp whimpered in obvious pain, but Yur didn't seem to register its distress.

[Food Source Discovered!]

[Imp Mother produces hundreds of Imps every day!]

[Imps are a common food source in Zulmasharr!]

"You can eat these things?" he echoed incredulously. He recalled how foul the blood tasted during that life-and-death struggle.

[Host's body has adapted to Zulmasharr!]

He still felt a flicker of hesitation, glancing down at the creature in his hand.

[Host should eat the Imp! It is now edible!]

Yur swallowed nervously. "Eat this…?" The idea made him shudder a bit, but curiosity nudged him on. "Let me taste the blood again." He carelessly dropped the imp behind him and walked to a spot where another one had splattered. 

Kneeling, he dipped his fingers in the thick puddle. Oddly, just the sight of it made his heart pound and his stomach rumble.

He brought his blood-stained fingertips to his lips, tasting it cautiously. "Wow… this is delicious!" he exclaimed, eyes lighting up with genuine shock. As a slave, he'd survived on stale bread and grimy water; it was undeniably more flavourful than anything he'd ever known.

[Host is recommended to check around the area!]

[Imp Mothers spawn near clusters of Bahiraths!]

He stood, licking the last droplets from his fingertips. "If there are more Bahiraths around, I might find a consistent water source too," he reasoned. Turning, he spotted the wounded imp still squirming. He walked over and plucked it up again, ignoring its pitiful whimper.

He stared at it, his mind wandering back to the taste of the blood.

[Host is recommended to pluck its teeth!]

Without a second thought, Yur shoved two fingers into the imp's mouth and yanked out the small, jagged fangs. The imp shrieked as black blood poured from its gums.

"Now then… how do you taste?" he muttered grimly. Opening his mouth wide, he brought the quivering imp toward his jaws. From the imp's perspective, it was being devoured by a terrifying predator—one far more horrifying than it could ever comprehend.

KR!!!!