Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

[The Demonic Sword has acknowledged you as its master.] [You have acquired the skill 'Demonic Absorption'.]

[Demonic Absorption (Passive): Allows the user to absorb demonic energy, converting it into mana.]

William stared at the sword, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions swirling within him. What was happening? Was this voice truly coming from the sword? And what did it mean, calling him a "true heir"? The idea of being associated with demonic forces filled him with unease.

He cautiously picked up the sword again, turning it over in his hands. It felt cold and strangely inert, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that it was somehow...alive.

"Stupid lad, get the sword. You can use it to absorb the toxin from your friend. Damn it, why is my master so stupid?"

William blinked a few times, unsure how to respond. Could he talk back to the sword? He tried to answer it mentally, but nothing happened.

"Now you are trying to speak with me mentally, so funny. You have to speak normally with me. Yes, it might make you look like a crazy person talking alone, but who cares?"

"Damn it," William muttered, glancing at Gorn. "Do you think it will work? Will I get sick if I absorb the toxin?"

"No, everything should be fine. The toxin is demonic energy, so you will just convert it into power. Go ahead before your friend dies. Also, don't say you are a demonic heir to anyone, or that I speak. This will make the church kill you."

William hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. He didn't fully trust the sword, but Gorn's deteriorating condition spurred him to action. He approached Gorn, who was now gasping for air, his face contorted in pain.

With a deep breath, William touched the tip of the obsidian blade to Gorn's forehead. The black veins pulsing beneath Gorn's skin seemed to recoil, retracting as a dark mist flowed into the sword.

William felt a surge of power coursing through him, a strange warmth spreading through his limbs.

Gorn's eyes fluttered open, his breathing becoming more regular. The black veins faded completely, and the unnatural redness in his eyes disappeared.

"What...what happened?" Gorn mumbled, his voice weak but clear.

"I think the toxin made a final push to overwhelm you, but your strong will resisted," William improvised, hoping the explanation would suffice.

Gorn frowned, his brow furrowed in confusion. He seemed to have a hazy recollection of the events. "But why do you have the sword with you, then?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

William's mind raced. "We were just examining it together while eating dinner," he explained, "and then you suddenly got worse."

The story wasn't airtight, but Gorn's hazy memory worked in William's favor. He didn't even recall eating dinner, let alone handling a demonic sword!Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Relief washed over William. Seeing Gorn healthy again filled him with joy. A wave of excitement coursed through him as he considered the possibilities his newfound skill presented.

"I'm feeling great now, hell yeah!" Gorn boomed, his voice regaining its usual strength. "I mean, it was probably the priest's medicine that helped me, so I won't question it..."

William quickly wrapped the demonic sword, concealing it once more. He still had much to learn about this unexpected power, and the idea of being a demonic heir remained unsettling.

'Maybe they're not truly demonic forces,' he mused, grasping for a more palatable explanation. 'Perhaps they're just misunderstood?'

Regardless, both William and Gorn were overjoyed at the turn of events. Gorn slept soundly that night, and the following day, they returned to the church to speak with the priest.

"Your medicine worked wonders," Gorn declared, beaming. "In fact, I think you completely healed me!"

The priest's eyes widened in surprise. He stepped forward, examining Gorn with a practiced eye.

"You are indeed healed!" he exclaimed, astonishment coloring his voice. "That's incredible! I... I didn't expect it to be so effective. May the Gods watch over you, my friend."

They chatted with the priest for a while longer, expressing their gratitude, before taking their leave. Gorn was eager to find Aella, pay her for the mission, and share the good news of his recovery.

They entered the bustling Adventurers' Guild, hoping to inquire about Aella's whereabouts. The same receptionist from their previous visit sat behind the counter. Her face fell when she saw Gorn.

"We're looking for Aella," Gorn announced. "Do you know where she is?"

"Uh, hello," she stammered, her gaze flickering towards the bar. "She's...right over there."

They turned to see Aella nursing a drink, her expression downcast. Gorn and William approached and sat beside her.

"Why are you drinking so much?" Gorn asked, concern lacing his voice.

Aella sighed. "Well, two of my friends died, and you are in pretty bad shape, so..."

Gorn smiled, relief radiating from him. "That's why we came to talk to you. I'm healed! The priest's medicine worked."

Aella nearly choked on her drink. "What? Are you serious?" She scrutinized Gorn, searching for any sign of the black veins. He looked healthy, his energy restored.

"Yes," Gorn confirmed. "The toxin made a final attempt last night, but I pulled through. It's amazing, right? Anyway, I'm also here to pay you for your services."

He handed her the full payment for the mission, including the shares meant for her fallen comrades. Despite receiving more than expected, Aella couldn't shake the bittersweet feeling. Still, the news of Gorn's recovery lifted her spirits.

"Well, thanks," she said, managing a weak smile. "I'm glad I could help your village. I hope we meet again sometime."

It was goodbye, at least for now. Aella had other missions calling her, while Gorn and William prepared to return to Willow Creek.

William was eager to resume his training, his sights set on the magic school entrance exams in six months. But now, a new thirst for knowledge burned within him – a desire to learn more about demons and the powers they wielded.

He briefly considered asking Gorn for money to visit the library and research the topic, but quickly dismissed the idea. It would raise too many questions.

'The magic school will have plenty of books about demons,' he reasoned. 'I'll have to wait until then.'

They decided to depart that very day. William welcomed the idea, eager to return to his training regimen.

He had noticed the sword had fallen silent; he had mentally blocked its attempts at communication. He was the master, after all, and such control seemed to be within his grasp.

'This new skill was certainly helpful back there,' William mused, 'but it doesn't seem all that useful now. Where am I going to find demonic energy to absorb, for starters?'

His lack of knowledge about Demonic Absorption frustrated him. He had no idea what its full potential might be, or what he might learn in the future.

The sword remained wrapped in cloth, strapped securely to his back. Aella hadn't wanted to keep it, and even if she had, William wouldn't have relinquished it. There was a connection between him and the obsidian blade, a link he couldn't ignore.

During their journey back to Willow Creek, William noticed a change in his status. His level remained the same, but after absorbing the demonic energy, all his attributes had increased!

Name: William Velmont

Level: 12

Class: None

Attributes:

Strength: 22

Agility: 25

Stamina: 21

Intelligence: 23

Mana: 18

This unexpected development further fueled his curiosity about Demonic Absorption. What other hidden powers did this skill hold?

He earned around 2 to 3 points in each attribute by just absorbing that small amount of demonic energy from Gorn's body, so what would happen if he found more?

Suddenly, William wasn't that scared of finding more demons...

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