Chapter 36 linkir'thoughts
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Linkir glanced at her master, who sat cross-legged in the cave, his eyes closed. She sighed. He had told her to go outside if she was bored, as he needed time to study something.
She couldn't help but be curious. What exactly did her master do when he closed his eyes? With that thought, Linkir left the cave, one that her master had created a few minutes ago, and gazed out at the strange new world before her. Seven giant red suns hovered in the sky, accompanied by two enormous purple moons.
Unlike her old world, where the sun and moon alternated in the sky, here, in the Abyss, they were always out together.
The distinct smell of sulfur filled the air. Magma rivers and pools bubbled across the land, while strange, twisted trees grew, some of them even thriving in the scorching magma. Rank 1 demons wandered about. There was an unsettling yet familiar connection she felt to this place—it was her home now.
Linkir moved up to a small hill, gazing out at the realm from a higher vantage point. Her previous world, her family, her home—they were all lost.
"And the contract..." Linkir grimaced in pain. The contract bound her to Void. He used her as a shield because she was native to her world, but the real twist was in the reward—it enslaved her. The contract was one-sided, and though Void hadn't taken full control of her yet, she knew he could sense her location at any moment.
"Just wait... I'll find a way to break free. And when I do... I'll make you pay." Linkir gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, a small shockwave rippling outward.
She remembered the torment Void had put her through. The pain was unimaginable, and it was worse because of her fast regeneration. She healed in mere seconds, giving him endless opportunities to try new torture methods.
One particular moment flashed in her mind—Void had skinned her alive. The excruciating pain still haunted her, but what disturbed her more was the slight smile that always played on his lips. Over time, that smile turned into a grin, and she realized then—he enjoyed it. He relished the suffering he caused.
Desperate to escape, she had once shifted back into her orc form, even trying to seduce him by baring herself. Though petite, her figure was still impressive for her size. But Void hadn't even spared her a second glance, continuing his torture unfazed. She quickly shifted back to her Aeron form in defeat.
Now, sitting cross-legged atop the hill, Linkir gazed at her hand. "This strange, yet powerful body..." she muttered, watching the dark energy swirl around her palm like a black hole, swallowing the light.
"I don't know what to do now," she sighed, falling backward to rest against the ground. Her eyes drifted to the red sky, with its red clouds and flying demons—alongside the Aeron.
Linkir knew she had just reached the lowest rank here—Rank 1, early level. She should challenge an Aeron, but a demon? She wasn't ready for that.
The stories Void told her echoed in her mind—about how countless demons are born and immediately begin killing each other. Their entire race was bred for violence, making them terrifying.
Demons have lived through countless life-and-death battles, sharpening their instincts and killing abilities.
"Brooding over this won't make me stronger, or free me," Linkir muttered, sitting back up. She opened her palm again, letting the dark element swirl ominously. "I'll start with an Aeron. If I use my element, I can sneak in a strike."
With a determined smile, she vanished into thin air. The hill exploded into debris from the force of her departure.
Linkir reappeared near a tall, twisted tree. Ahead of her stood a creature, small in stature but with unnaturally long arms and short legs. Its smooth, wet skin gleamed like that of a fish. It towered at eight meters tall, and its massive mouth was filled with jagged fangs.
She took a deep breath, cloaking herself in her element, which hid her presence and made her invisible. Quietly, she moved in for the attack.
The Aeron turned suddenly, raising its claw with lightning speed.
*Sssshhh*...
A small cut appeared on its arm, black liquid dripping onto the ground, sizzling as it corroded the abyss.
"Damn, its instincts are insane," Linkir thought, retreating and hiding once more.
The Aeron examined its now-healed hand and let out a monstrous roar.
*Rakki... rakki...*
It raised its claw and smashed the ground.
*Boom!*
The earth caved in for hundreds of kilometers, forcing Linkir to leap into the air.
"What a clever beast..." Linkir muttered, glaring at the ground. Her eyes widened in shock as she barely managed to raise her hands before being struck by the creature.
*Boom!*
She crashed into the ground while the Aeron hovered above, preparing to strike again.
"You'll die now," the Aeron growled, diving toward her.
"Damn it... forget hiding, let's fight!" Linkir growled through gritted teeth. She wasn't in her world anymore—these creatures had far sharper senses.
Unbeknownst to Linkir, a figure with two wings watched her calmly from a distance.
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Minutes later, Linkir lay on the ground, panting heavily. Her body was riddled with injuries, the most severe being a deep hole in her abdomen. Beside her lay the half-shattered corpse of the Aeron, its head nowhere to be found.
"So difficult... If I can't even handle this, how will I defeat Void?" she muttered between labored breaths.
"Oh? You have a master?" a voice echoed from behind her. Linkir spun around in shock.
There, standing before her, was a figure all too familiar to her from her world.
"An... angel?" Linkir whispered, wide-eyed.
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"Not an angel, a fallen angel…" A feminine figure stepped out from the shadows. Her body was that of a goddess, her face rivaling the beauty of myths. At her back, two wings, inverted like a demon's, framed her figure, with red eyes peering through. Her armor was elegant, yet fearsome, and as she approached, her long legs moved with grace. Her height dwarfed Linkir's petite frame.
"Who are you? How long have you been watching me? What do you want?" Linkir asked, the questions pouring out in succession.
"Well, I'm Junnie. I've been watching since you arrived. As for what I want... nothing much, just stretching my legs," the fallen angel replied with a playful smile.
"So, are you an Aeron?" Linkir asked, lowering her guard slightly. Junnie had released her aura, and it was as powerful as her master's—if not more so. If she had wanted to harm Linkir, she would have done so already. Perhaps a chat with a fellow Aeron wouldn't hurt.
"The change in your behavior is quite drastic, isn't it? But yes, it seems you know of my race," Junnie replied, dodging the question.
Linkir narrowed her eyes but let it go. "Yeah, I know of them."
"For the record, I'm not an Aeron. An Aeron is a beast converted into a demon. I, on the other hand, belong to the divine race—a being corrupted into the chaos race, specifically the demon race," Junnie explained, standing before Linkir, her eyes examining the smaller figure.
"Huh?" Linkir backed away slightly to get a better look at her.
"Relax," Junnie continued. "Let me simplify it for you. Judging by your faint aura, you were likely part of a religion, worshipping some god."
"How... how did you know?" Linkir's body tensed, caught off guard.
"I told you to relax. Angels—well, fallen angels—are sensitive to that kind of thing." Junnie crossed her arms, which only emphasized her already voluptuous figure.
"Oh... I see. Can you explain more about this race thing?" Linkir asked, still trying to process everything she had heard.
"Well, all races are divided into three main categories: the chaos race, the divine race, and the void race. The chaos race originates from destruction; the demons are a prime example," Junnie paused, observing the shocked expression on Linkir's face.
"The divine race includes gods, angels, and any race with divine blood. Oh, and I almost forgot—beasts that devour universes fall under the chaos race as well. As for the void race, they are beings unaffected by physical entities," Junnie explained.
"I think I get it... sort of," Linkir replied with a stiff smile.
"Sigh... you're too weak. But since this is my territory, how about we go see your master?" Junnie's expression twisted slightly, though Linkir didn't notice. She simply nodded, still trying to digest the information.
"Maybe he'll be an interesting fellow," Junnie thought to herself, eager to meet Void as she followed Linkir. Her hands itched for a fight, and Void was her next target.
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**Back in the cave...**
"System, are you sure these souls aren't enough?" Void asked, staring at the 2 million plus souls he had collected.
(Host requires 3 million souls to break through to peak Rank 1.)
"But I have 2.9999999 million souls. Can't you lend me just one?" Void pleaded, a weary smile on his face.
(Sorry, not within my power, Host.)
"Sigh, guess I'm heading to another world then," Void said, excitement creeping into his voice. He stood up, a grin forming on his lips. "Now, where's that slave of mine... oh, she's here—and she brought a friend," he muttered, sensing their presence as he stepped out of the cave.
Outside, he spotted two figures. Both women were stunning—one petite, the other tall and commanding. "Why is a Rank 2 fallen angel here?" Void asked, his smile widening.
Junnie was momentarily surprised. She hadn't released her aura, so how had he known her rank? Maybe he had heard about fallen angels before, she thought.
"Just taking a stroll," Junnie replied casually, now standing before Void's imposing figure, her eyes locked on his. Linkir remained quiet, observing the tense exchange.
"Cut to the chase. What are you really here for?" Void asked, his tone direct. He had no interest in idle chatter, especially not with a Rank 2 being.
"I have a job for you," Junnie said with a smile.
"Not interested. You can leave," Void replied coldly. Despite her rank, he wasn't intimidated. Demons followed strict bloodline hierarchies, and Junnie's low bloodline wasn't a threat to him.
"You're fascinating…" Junnie's voice trailed off as she suddenly appeared at eye level with Void. "Kneel," she commanded, not even releasing her aura.
Void glared at her, anger bubbling inside. As a Rank 1 primordial demon, was he really about to be bullied again?
"What do you want?" Void demanded, his voice strained, but he refused to kneel.
"I said... kneel," Junnie repeated, this time releasing her aura. Slowly, Void's legs buckled under the pressure.
"Damn it…" Void cursed through gritted teeth. Just as his knee was about to touch the ground, the pressure lifted.
"You're lucky," Junnie clicked her tongue and disappeared, leaving Void seething in frustration.
"Luck doesn't exist for demons," Void muttered as she vanished. He turned to Linkir, who was bowing before him. "Let's go to another world," he ordered, and Linkir followed, her eyes gleaming with a hidden smile.
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**Some miles away…**
Void and Linkir stood before a new portal. On the other side, Void's excitement surged.
"Sun Wukong…" Void whispered, gripping his giant sword, now 21 meters in length—more than half his height.
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