Chapter 13 - First Step Towards Revenge

[ALERT]

[It will be very easy to do that. Would you allow me to tell you how?]

Suddenly, a message appeared on the system screen, offering a solution to Heo's predicament. It detailed how he could orchestrate the perfect revenge, leaving Eun in a state of agonizing despair.

"How?" Heo asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

[ALERT]

[Check your status. You haven't examined it since leveling up]

"Status," Heo muttered, hoping to find something within his status that could aid him in seeking revenge.

Name : Heo Dae Level : 15

Age : 24 HP : 2000

Class : Demonic Judge DE : 1000

Title : Lord of Judge

Rank : F Innate Skill : Soul Devourer

Points : 5

Skill : Verdict of Truth, Banishment's Embrace, Bone Spear, Soul Drain, Mask of Deception, Mind Palace

"What are the Mark of Deception and Mind Palace skills?" Heo inquired, curiosity etching across his face as he sought to understand these abilities better.

[ALERT]

[Mark of Deception : Change the facial features at will, making it extremely difficult for anyone to recognize you]

[Mind Palace : Create an alternate mental space within someone's mind, where you can store or manipulate memories ]

"Why didn't you inform me about this earlier?" Heo questioned the System with a mixture of frustration and curiosity in his tone.

[ALERT]

[Your journey is meant to be a learning experience, and sometimes discovering things at the right moment can be more impactful]

"What have you been thinking for so long? Did the mere mention of Eun Young's name send shivers down your spine?" Dong interrupted the conversation between Heo and the System, his tone laced with mockery.

Heo's gaze shifted to Bong, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of defiance and determination.

"No, I'm not scared. In fact, her name has ignited a fire within me, a fire of vengeance. I'll make sure she pays for her sins," Heo replied with a chilling resolve, his voice steady and unwavering.

"What? What are you even saying?" Dong's expression shifted from malicious amusement to a hint of surprise upon hearing Heo's response.

"You didn't need to know You'll die without knowing anything." Heo replied, his voice carrying a cold and calculated tone. His eyes bore into Dong with an unsettling mixture of malice and satisfaction.

"You're experiencing what I once felt - dying without reason, curiosity leading to your demise more than death itself," Heo explained, his voice laced with a malicious laughter that reverberated throughout the room. A sinister smile danced on his lips, while his body seemed enveloped by an eerie, dark, pitch-black aura.

Heo clenched his fist, triggering the Banishment trap. It swiftly separated their souls from their bodies, severing their connection to the physical world. He then activated his skill "Soul Devourer," drawing in their sinful souls to fuel his own power. Their anguished cries and pleas for help fell on deaf ears as Heo remained resolute, driven by his unyielding desire for vengeance. This was just the beginning, a small victory on his path. Dong had become a mere stepping stone in his grand plan to purify the corrupted world. His determination burned brighter than ever.

[ALERT]

[LEVEL UP]

[LEVEL UP]

[Innate Skill Reveled: Demonic Cleansing ]

Name : Heo Dae Level : 20

Age : 24 HP : 3000

Class : Demonic Judge DE : 2000

Title : Lord of Judge

Rank : F Innate Skill : Soul Devourer, Demonic Cleansing

Points : 5

Skill : Verdict of Truth, Banishment's Embrace, Bone Spear, Soul Drain, Mask of Deception, Mind Palace

"Demonic Cleansing" Heo asked, to tell more about the skill

[ALERT]

[You need to purify sinful soul and pass the judgement using Demonic Cleansing]

["Demonic Cleansing" taps into your demonic nature to purify and cleanse sinful souls. With this skill, you have the ability to draw out the malevolent energy from a soul, effectively neutralizing its darkness and corruption. By using a touch or focused intent, you can guide the soul towards a state of purity. The purified soul is then freed from its burdens and can proceed to the afterlife or a cycle of rebirth.

Furthermore, "Demonic Cleansing" not only facilitates the purification of souls but also grants you a portion of the absorbed energy. This infusion of energy enhances your own power and abilities, making you stronger with each cleansing. This skill is a testament to your unique nature as a Demonic Judge, allowing you to wield your innate darkness for a just and cleansing purpose.]

"Impressive. You've given me a skill description that's more detailed than usual," Heo remarked in surprise.

[ALERT]

[It was necessary. This innate skill allows you to perform your duty as a Lord of Justice]

[When you purify the soul, you will gain stats which you can use to level up attributes, such as Agility, Strength, Stamina, Intelligence]

"Demonic Cleansing," Heo exclaimed, his excitement evident as he promptly activated the skill, eager to enhance his attributes through the process of purifying sinful souls.

[ALERT]

[Total Soul: 205]

[Purifying Soul]

[Soul Purified]

[Stats Obtained : 20.5]

"How can I view the attributes?" Heo inquired, eager to find out.

[ALERT]

[Say the word 'Show Attributes' ]

"Show attributes," Heo commanded, instructing the system to display his attributes.

[ALERT]

Agility : 5

Strength : 10

Stamina : 15

Intelligence : 20

Heo stared at the attributes displayed on the screen, his eyes widening in surprise and disbelief. His fingers tapped against the interface as he read the numbers again, as if expecting them to change miraculously.

"Agility: 5? Only 5 agility? That's incredibly low, " He muttered to himself, his voice a mix of shock and disbelief.

"I mean, Strength and Stamina seem decent, and Intelligence is higher than I thought, which is good for my skills. But agility... I'll have to work on that." He mumbled, trying to find a silver lining.

"Well, time to put stats on attributes, " he said with a determined smile, his fingers hovering over the screen as he considered his options for improvement.

[ALERT FROM DUNGEON]

[The dungeon gate will close in 60 seconds.]

Heo's eyes widened as the alert flashed on the screen, his heart racing. He had little time to spare.

"Only 60 seconds?" He muttered to himself, feeling the pressure of the ticking clock. He quickly assessed his surroundings, making sure he wasn't leaving anything behind. The loot from the defeated boss and the fallen hunters was important, but he knew he had to prioritize his escape.

Heo swiftly moved to gather the spoils of his victory, not wanting to miss out on anything valuable. As he hurriedly collected items and materials, his mind raced. The dungeon gate closing meant that if he didn't make it out in time, he would be trapped inside. He looted everything, putting all the loot in his inventory, and sprinted towards the exit.

"Allocate 15 stats to Agility," Heo instructed, adding the 15 points to his Agility to increase his running speed.

As Heo reached the gate, his heart pounded in his chest. He was just in time. With a final surge of effort, he burst through the gate, his body bathed in the eerie light of the portal. And as the gate closed behind him, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"Now it's time to execute my plan. No one will discover the cause of Eun Young's brother death, and she'll be left frustrated, searching for answers about her brother's demise. It'll be a sight to behold. I only wish I could witness the expression on Eun Young's face," Heo mused with a sinister satisfaction. His lips curled into a malicious, sinister smile, and a chilling, malevolent laugh escaped his lips. His eyes glowed with a dark red hue, an eerie contrast to the darkness that surrounded him.