After opening my eyes, I found the book had vanished from my hand. I didn't know where it went. I didn't feel anything.
"Special Skill Learned."
"Inner Domain Skill Learned."
Inner Domain Skill: You can store anything you touch in your inner domain. Your domain expands to accommodate anything, without a set limit.
I looked at Yama, a strange, foolish smile on her face. She was happy.
(Well done, you learned the skill very quickly.)
This was the first time this damn woman had praised me.
But I was used to this kind of praise throughout my life. I was a gang leader, surrounded by hypocrites, power-hungry sycophants, or cowards, so I didn't care what she said.
"Now, how do I get this book out of that domain?"
(Simply think of its form and that it's in your hand.)
I thought about the book's form and found it in my hand.
I gave it to Yama.
"The book has left the domain."
"Do you want to memorize the book's contents?"
I thought the word "Yes."
I felt like I had read this book a thousand times.
This book tells the story of the first Demon King, how he united the demon tribes and waged a great war against humans. It tells of the many treasures he amassed, hidden in a place no one can reach.
There's also a secret code about the location of the treasures, which I noticed because I had memorized the entire book as if I had read it a thousand times.
In my past life, I was the unluckiest of men.
But in this life, I think the heavens bless me.
I told Yama that I wanted this book.
She refused, saying it was her only copy and an important book.
I'm used to not asking for anything twice, so I kept quiet.
I am, as she said, a respectable man, hahahahahaha.
(Come on, we'll return to the usual training rhythm.)
And so I continued training for another ten continuous days.
Until the last day of the month arrived.
I was in the library, pretending to read, but all I was doing was storing important books in my inner domain and quickly memorizing them. I learned a powerful warrior skill and a powerful mage skill, but they require high levels.
However, I learned a forbidden tamer skill:
"Consciousness Transfer."
Consciousness Transfer: You can transfer your consciousness to any beast under your control, but if the beast dies, you feel the sensation of death with the same level of pain.
I looked back and found Yama waiting for me. She told me today that I would go to the forest and live there for seven months, relying only on my own strength.
She asked me for five gems from inside white tigers.
Three gems from inside night wolves.
A gem from the orc.
And a gem from the black lion.
I refused because I felt she was ordering me.
But when she told me that I was doing this to increase the power of my shapeshifter and tamer classes, I immediately agreed. I want to increase my power.
So, I headed into the forest with her. The path was long and winding. We talked the entire way about the elements: fire, water, earth, and air. And the two rare elements: darkness and light. Only a few, wielding legendary weapons, could control them. How could a sorcerer manipulate these elements?
But before we reached the forest, Yama stopped abruptly and looked at me, asking, "Joker, what would you do if the whole world turned against you?"
"I would stand against the world too."
"And do you think you could defeat everyone alone?"
"I would die trying, but I would never bow my head to anyone."
"I didn't even try. I gave up."
She said this, then fell silent and continued forward without another word.
I was really starting to get used to this damn girl by my side. I would definitely make her my slave, or a follower.
We reached the forest. Before entering, I looked at her and said, "How long have you been in this prison?"
She looked at me with a hint of sadness.
"Two years."
Two years! Alone? This girl was truly strong.
"I'll see you in eight months. Goodbye."
After saying farewell, I looked at the forest. I didn't know what my fate would be, but whatever it was, I was ready.
That's the last thing I remember. After that, I killed some firecats and found a large tree.
I rested my head on one of the tree's roots and decided to sleep.
Suddenly, while sleeping, I felt my danger sense warning me of impending danger. I quickly woke up.
I summoned the ancient sword, the Sword of Athena, from my inner domain.
I whispered, "Flame of Fire."
A flame enveloped the sword, and in front of me were five white tigers surrounding me.
I was now level 22, so I had only increased my strength, magic, and durability.
The white tiger monster was level 25. I had killed my first monster a month ago with difficulty, but now the situation was different.
I infused my sword with the power of Ki, and its shape changed rapidly. Its black aura appeared along with the flame.
I whispered, "Warrior's Cry."
It increased my durability. I had learned this skill from a book about warriors; it increased durability by 10%.
Then, I moved towards the first tiger using Shadow Steps, and when I reached it, I swiftly used the sword.
I whispered, "Severing Strike."
I severed the head of the first tiger with a single blow.
Another tiger leaped at me from behind, but I was ready for it before it reached me.
I whispered, "Earth Serpent."
A sharp branch emerged from the ground, resembling a serpent. It pierced the tiger from below, suspending it in the air.
I didn't wait another second and severed its head as well. Blood splattered on my body. For over a month, I hadn't seen blood. I truly missed that sight.
I felt ecstatic now.
I wanted more.
More.
I rushed towards the third tiger with all my speed, and the fourth tiger was beside it.
I whispered, "Lightning Sword."
The sword turned the color of lightning. I thrust it forcefully into the ground, and a light emerged from the earth and headed towards the two tigers, charging them with electrical power and immobilizing them.
I held the sword, a smile on my face and blood on my clothes. I was at the peak of euphoria.
"Shadow Steps."
"Snatching Sword."
I moved the sword in swift, distinct white strokes that severed the tigers' limbs.
Then, the sword moved towards their necks.
At that moment, the fifth tiger tried to escape.
"Transformation."
I transformed into a white tiger and chased it, then leaped.
I reverted to my human form and stabbed it in the head with the sword while in mid-air.
I returned to my spot under the tree. The corpses wouldn't go anywhere.
I spent my first night in the forest drenched in blood.
I think I fell in love with this forest.