Several days had passed since Yuto cultivated his Heavenly Demon technique.
He started the day early with new activities in the old, shabby house, running to build his basic foundation.
His breathing was steady even after hours of relentless jogging. His body was covered by two intertwining auras in harmony.
'I think that's enough running for now.'
Yuto stopped right in front of the hut, stretching all his joints. Then, he walked towards the side of the door, where a sword leaned against the wall.
The blade was forged with jet-black steel that swallowed light itself.
A deep crimson motif, reminiscent of blood, adorned the hilt all the way to the middle of the blade, giving it a majestic and terrifying appearance.
He obtained the weapon when he checked the small pouch of the former Heavenly Demon.
Not only a weapon, but inside, there were also black clothes, such as hanfu, that Yuto knew from his old world, but which were rarely seen in the current world.
He now wore one of them.
Gripping the cold hilt of the sword, Yuto moved to the backyard.
There lay a freshly dug mound of soil, with a simple tombstone he found from the nearest river.
No name inscribed, just a plain stone indicating that the dead would carry nothing into their grave.
Yuto crouched and offered a silent prayer, which had become his morning routine before starting his training.
"Senior, today too, I will train with all my might."
Standing upright, he walked towards a nearby tree.
Before him stood a towering trunk, carved with a shallow wound from sword slashes.
"This time, I'll definitely succeed."
Those scratches were proof of Yuto's dedication to learning the Heavenly Demon's sword art.
Alongside the cultivation techniques and a diary. The last book left behind by the former Heavenly Demon was a sword technique.
Heavenly Severance Manual.
A twelve-demonic sword technique capable of shaking the heavens.
However, Yuto had altered it. He removed some techniques that were no longer relevant to his path as a Heavenly Demon.
From twelve, they were refined into three.
Techniques full of depth, not too flashy, and depicting the individual himself.
Yuto took a deep breath as his red eyes flashed, channelling red Qi through the sword in his hand, which rumbled in excitement.
'Heavenly Severance Art - First chapter - Demonic Intent.'
The air thickened from Yuto's strong conviction. It leaked out, flooding the surroundings.
Fueled by the demonic Qi within his body, the atmosphere shrieked.
Yuto stepped forward, his stance flawless. His hand blurred, and his sword met no resistance whatsoever.
He sighed sharply.
The aura faded from his body as he gaped, staring at the unscathed tree in front of him.
Raising his sword again, he gently poked the tree.
A loud rustle, followed by a heavy crack, echoed as it revealed that the trunk had been cleanly cut in two.
"...Finally! I succeeded."
Yuto succeeded with a single, decisive slash that could determine the tide of battle.
A technique he simplified to its essence. He only poured all his intent into his sword, and the result was beyond satisfying.
He had created a new martial art, contrary to what was taught.
However, that didn't matter to him.
Instead, this could become his turning point in treading his own version of the Heavenly Demon path.
"I've got to work even harder!"
Not satisfied with the result, Yuto shifted to the next tree and prepared his stance.
Red Qi began to flow through his sword, emitting an eerie hum.
The boy continued his practice until his body was accustomed to it, unaware that day had turned into night.
***
Yuto sat still before the crackling firewood. The warmth that permeated his skin chased away the cold wind that stung his skin.
Yet his expression was grim, filled with anxious gloom.
He turned to the sword resting beside him. Its crimson hue reflected the light from the fire.
"Demonic Qi."
As he uttered that name. Raw emotions surged within him.
Memories of the past resurfaced, showing him an image of being abused, barely clinging to life. The face of Elias' father still left a deep impression on his mind.
Now, those illusions could be shattered into pieces.
His emotions flared like a burning furnace, igniting the raw emotion he most feared: Wrath.
Closing his eyes, Yuto inhaled deeply and channelled blue Qi throughout his body.
A cold sensation slowly washed away the horror in his heart.
"Let's forget about the past …and move on!"
But could he do it?
No one knew.
Taking a long breath, he shifted his gaze to the black sky. His mind drifted to his recent concern.
Whenever he used the red aura in his hand, Yuto felt his consciousness being drained, slowly turning him into something he didn't want to be.
Thanks to the blue Qi that coexisted. He could still suppress that ferocity from getting out of control.
Yuto picked up a small piece of wood beside him and tossed it into the fire.
"Well, if my former family or anyone else dares to stand in my way. I'll make sure they won't see tomorrow."
He fell silent, watching the dancing flames that accompanied him in his solitude.
***
"It's time!"
Yuto stood up and looked at the old hut in front of him.
In the past few days, that weathered shelter had protected him from the scorching sun and the biting night wind.
It was no surprise that he now considered it his home—one of the humble legacies of his deceased senior.
He bowed, then did the same in front of the grave in the back.
"Senior, Thank you for everything. I'll come back later."
A moment of silence passed.
Yuto turned, his steps firm as he reminded himself that this palace was his core.
A strong breeze blew, expressing its sorrow at his departure.
His lips curved upward, and with his new appearance. Yuto stepped into the wilderness.
Onward to the south.
...How far and long he walked, no one knew.
Yuto scanned the area, wary of any unexpected guests.
The thick canopy above blocked the sunlight from reaching the ground and welcomed him unhappily.
The air grew heavy, as if condemning the foreign presence crossing its territory.
Yuto's brow furrowed, his hand instinctively reaching for the sword strapped to his left waist.
After walking a few meters, his eyes jerked to the left.
'They're coming!'
He drew his sword and assumed his stance.
"Gyaak!"
Green-skinned creatures with flat faces and yellow eyes grinned at the sight of Yuto.
Several others followed from behind, and their number reached a dozen in total.
"Wow, how kind of you to welcome me like this."
The goblins let out a wretched cackle. They looked back, and the ground rumbled; something monstrous was approaching.
A bipedal monster emerged. Its bulky body was taller than Yuto's and had the same characteristics as goblins.
It wielded a sharpened tree branch like a spear.
"Hobgoblin? No, it was a Goblin Chief!"
It wasn't over yet; two goblins, taller than a normal one, came out and each held a rusty dagger.
Yuto's face lit up with hope. The first prey he caught must have been swept away by the river days ago.
And now, before him were suitable targets to complete his quest.
"Good, become my materials. Oh, goblins!"
A thunderous roar burst from the goblin chief's mouth, turning the entire forest tremble in fear.
The boy was unaffected and infused the sword with his Demonic Qi.
His crimson eyes gleamed with cruelty. His lips spread, revealing his sharp white fangs.
"Let's go!"