Becoming the Dark Lord

Angie stepped closer to Luke and opened her system interface. “I have news to share with you. My first class evolved, and my second class awakened.”

“Evolved?”

When they had killed the oni, she had been level 48 in her primary class.

“You and Charlie made some progress while I was gone,” he said. Luke himself had barely shown up around camp lately.

“Charlie and Layla went out to train, my lord. I stayed behind. I wanted to wait for you to tell you this.” She hesitated for a moment. “And I can’t gain any more experience right now. My first class is locked at level 50.”

How long has she been waiting here for me?

Angie brought up the class window. “My second class has fully awakened.”

[Cleric]: A Cleric is one who devotes their faith absolutely to an individual, entity, deity, philosophy, or concept. This devotion is not shallow. It is intense, deep, and unshakable. Such faith naturally connects the Cleric to sacred mana, allowing it to manifest through healing, light, or subtler spiritual powers. Clerics stand as pillars for those who share their belief, offering support, protection, and hope on the battlefield. Yet that same faith can make them merciless toward anything that opposes what they venerate. To a Cleric, doubt is weakness, and heresy is a sin to be corrected. Whether sustaining allies with blessings, dispelling curses, or stepping forward when faith demands direct action, a Cleric does not fight with weapons or magic alone. They fight with conviction. Their strength is born from belief, and the firmer their faith, the farther they can go.

Attribute Bonuses per Level: +4 Wisdom, +3 Willpower, +3 Vitality, +2 Endurance, +2 Toughness, +1 Strength, +1 Perception, +2 Free Points.

“A Cleric…?” Luke muttered, intrigued.

I was sure she’d awaken an archer class. This is unexpected.

A Cleric was devoted to something, or someone. Looking at Angie, he realized her devotion to him ran far deeper than he had ever assumed.

[Angie has acquired the Cleric class!]

[Unlocking class skills. Please wait…]

“I thought it would be an archer class too,” Angie admitted. “But I’m happy with this.”

The class took a few days to awaken. Charlie awakened her second class in minutes when it was her turn, mine took a few hours, and Angie’s took the longest. Is there an explanation for that?

He concluded it might be due to compatibility. He himself had an unusually high affinity for mana, which was why classes like Sorcerer or Mage had been within reach.

The delay isn’t a flaw. If anything, it might be because of her intellect and the fact that she’s a higher life-form. She probably has compatibility with a wide range of classes.

Luke tapped the skill Angie had unlocked.

[Basic Magic Conjuration (Common)]: The Cleric learns to evoke sacred mana, gaining instinctive control over magic tied to faith, light, and healing. This allows deliberate channeling and manifestation of such mana, awakening natural skills associated with the sacred and the spiritual. This foundation enables the manipulation of mana for different purposes and the activation of spells stored in scrolls or divine artifacts. When channeled through sacred symbols, staves, relics, or magic-conductive weapons, the mana becomes more stable and potent, amplifying both effect and consistency.

It’s similar to my Witch skill. She’s basically a mage.

“Looks like we’ll need to get me a second weapon.”

“A wand should do the job,” he said. “I picked up a few from the corpses back at the abyss base. Artemis has them. When you see Charlie, talk to her.”

Charlie had taken the necklace with her.

[Evolving a skill…]

A new notification appeared.

“That’s new,” Angie said.

[Your Lesser Valkyrie Healing has evolved]

The message unfolded before her eyes.

[Valkyrie Lesser Heal] -> [Basic Heal]

And beneath it, the full description followed.

[Basic Heal (Common)]: The Cleric receives initiation into the manipulation of restorative mana, channeling simple magic to treat minor wounds and stabilize allies in combat. This skill provides a reliable means of keeping the party alive, gradually restoring health and preventing fatal collapses during prolonged engagements. When channeled through wands, staves, or other focus items, the magic gains increased potency and effectiveness, further amplifying its healing effects.

“Heal?”

What might have pushed Angie toward the Cleric path was likely her natural affinity for restorative magic, paired with her devotion. There was also a strong chance she resonated with sacred and light-based mana.

“My lord, look,” she said.

Angie raised her palm, and it glowed with a vivid green light. Before, the glow had been faint, barely noticeable. Now it was brighter, alive, with small green particles drifting around her hand.

“Now let’s see what kind of Valkyrie your class evolved into,” he said.

***

Vaelor came to, with no idea how much time had passed. He only knew that something had happened. The consciousness inhabiting that body had somehow been frozen in time. He could feel the discontinuity echoing from his true body in another universe. When his senses returned, he found himself staring at Sovereign Azazel and another figure standing beside him.

“Hello, little ghost,” the stranger said casually. “I didn’t introduce myself properly before. My name is Asmodeus.”

Asmodeus?

His thoughts were still fogged. Even hearing the name, his mind refused to process it.

“Sorry about that,” Asmodeus went on, snapping his fingers. “Looks like my presence-erasure was getting in the way. There we go. Now you can think without Forgetting creeping in.”

“Asmodeus?!” Vaelor shouted as everything suddenly clicked into place.

The name echoed in his mind. The God of Chaos. A Primordial. A master of deception.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Two Primordials? I met two Primordials in such a short time?!

Vaelor could barely believe it. Not even the Demon Emperors had achieved something like that, at least not this quickly. None of the Demon Emperors had ever met Sovereign Azazel. Of that, Vaelor was certain. And now both Primordials were standing right in front of him.

“Yes, it’s really me,” Asmodeus said with a grin. “The kindest and most humble demon to ever exist. And unfortunately, I’m no longer signing autographs.”

He tossed a bottle toward Vaelor.

“Vaelor Vath’Ironak,” Azazel said.

He spoke my full name.

Vaelor always felt a quiet pride whenever that happened.

“Can this be added as an ingredient when we forge Luke Moon’s core?” Azazel asked.

“Sovereign, I’m not worthy of such a question. You already know the answer better than I do,” Vaelor replied.

Or is this a test?

He didn’t know. He looked down at the bottle. Inside, a single drop of blood floated, suspended.

“A drop of blood… and it’s clearly something special,” Vaelor murmured.

“You are the expert in forging a core capable of awakening a Spectral Beast,” Azazel continued. “Would adding something like this, along with that special eye, be dangerous?”

Vaelor examined the blood more closely. It resisted full analysis.

“A Spectral Beast is a form of Wraith,” he said slowly. “It is born from fear, manifesting in forests and other shadowed places. During the core-forging process, a Spectral Beast is created from the individual themselves, shaped and nourished by whatever strengthened the core, granting power to the beast.”

He paused, then continued, “For Luke Moon to tame it, he will have to face it within his own soul. A clash of will, or a battle in the purest sense. Both will try to devour the other in the process. Only one can win.”

Vaelor lifted his gaze from the blood. “The more powerful the ingredients, the more powerful the beast becomes. That can be either a blessing or a curse.”

“So we may be creating something that could kill him,” Azazel said thoughtfully.

He rested a hand on his chin. “I analyzed this blood. It’s safe, at least there’s no hidden trap from Asmodeus. It will act as a catalyst, amplifying the other ingredients. That said… it may amplify that eye too much.”

“The only trap is the act itself,” Asmodeus said calmly. “If he survives, I’ll accept him into the family. Consider it a test.”

Azazel glanced at him. “I still don’t know how the System allowed you to bring this here.”

“I have an arrangement with that thing,” Asmodeus replied lightly. “I owe a few favors.”

“If this works,” Azazel said after a moment, “it could help Luke Moon immensely.”

“A good uncle should spoil his nephew,” Asmodeus said with a shrug. “Either way, I come out ahead.”

***

Luke stepped back into the temple. The doors stood open, inviting him inside. When he reached the chamber, he found Asmodeus, Vaelor, and Azazel already there.

“Four demons gathered in one place,” Asmodeus said. “On your planet, I believe you call that politics.”

The demon with serpent-green eyes laughed at his own joke.

“That was funny. You have to admit it.”

“Did you push Jonathan into killing Allison?” Luke asked.

“Push is a very strong word,” Asmodeus replied calmly. “I merely talked. What that man chose to do was his own decision. Words can’t hurt anyone, right? And every individual answers for their own actions. That’s the law where you come from, isn’t it?”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Come on, nephew. You need to learn how to forgive. I had to help another god recruit someone foolish enough to join his order. Someone not too bold, not too weak, easy to manipulate, and who could be sacrificed later. That man fit the requirements perfectly.”

“Asmodeus brought a gift as an apology,” Azazel said, holding up a bottle. “This can help enhance your beast’s power. I can’t tell you what it is. And it’s almost certain it could kill you, both during the fusion and during the act of subjugating the beast. But if it works, you’ll gain something truly powerful. What will you do?”

“I accept,” Luke said.

“You accept?” Asmodeus blinked. “And here I thought this would be complicated.”

“Let’s begin. I want to complete the core fusion as soon as possible.”

“Start the preparations, Vaelor,” Azazel ordered. “Luke Moon will stand between life and death.”

***

Luke helped Vaelor prepare the chamber. It was the smallest room in the temple, and the darkest, with no windows at all. A wraith needed prolonged darkness. He had warned Angie and Charlie ahead of time that he would be gone for a while. At the very least, a month.

Angie had been tasked with choosing her Valkyrie class options on her own. Luke had given her that responsibility.

“The healing potion is the foundation. We start with that,” Azazel instructed.

Half the process relied on ancient witchcraft techniques. The slightest mistake could ruin the ingredients, and Luke had no way of acquiring another Eye of Sariel. He used serpent hearts and fangs, strands of his own hair, a drop of his blood, even a clipping from his nail. Azazel’s method replaced half of Vaelor’s original process.

Following Vaelor’s guidance, Luke shattered multiple cores into fragments, added rare metals, bones, and even one of his own teeth. Thankfully, that would grow back. He melted the metal down, threw in shards from Abyss Prince cores, and poured the potion Azazel had taught him to brew into the molten mixture. Mana flowed constantly through the process as he poured everything into a round mold.

At the end, he dropped in the eye. It hurt. The item was far too valuable to lose. If it was gone, it was gone forever.

“It’s your call, Luke Moon,” Vaelor said. “If you add that drop of blood, your chances of survival fall from ten percent to almost zero. Ninety-nine point nine percent chance of death.”

Luke poured the blood into the molten metal without hesitation. “I like challenges.”

“It’s your life, young demon. And you only get one.”

The artificial core formed, dull and gray. Luke sealed the mold and submerged it in cold water, letting the metal harden as the room fell silent. A full day passed as Luke prepared the temple chamber. In the small, lightless room, there was a hollow carved into the stone. He poured water into it until it resembled a shallow pool.

“Good luck,” Vaelor said.

Only the Demon Blacksmith remained. Azazel and Asmodeus had left Luke alone once the preparations were complete.

“Sound body, sound mind,” Luke murmured.

He lay back into the water, leaving only his face above the surface. The door closed and locked, sealing him in darkness. In his hand, he held the core.

It was a small sphere, a semi-transparent black glass orb. At its center rested the eye, still intact. Thin, root-like filaments spread from it, winding through the rest of the core. Luke tightened his grip, poured mana into it, and the sphere unraveled into black mist. He guided it toward his abdomen. His body there dissolved into mist, and he pushed the core inside.

Wraith Form was pure mana, drawn directly from the source of the soul. Luke focused, tracing that flow back to its origin. He felt the core of his soul and fitted the sphere of mana, the second core, into it. Something on the other side grasped it.

Then he rematerialized his body. The core was gone. Dissolved. Converted into mana that flowed back into his soul. The burning sensation hit him.

“Yeah… this is going to be a long ride, and I’m stuck in the front seat.”

Then the pain exploded.

Luke squeezed his eyes shut. For hours, there was nothing but agony, as if a nail were being driven into his skull again and again with a hammer. When the first part of the core finally struck the center of his soul, his consciousness gave out.

He blacked out. When he opened his eyes, he was somewhere else. He stood in a vast, familiar place. He recognized it immediately. The tutorial capital.

“I need to find my Spectral Beast.”

Now it was a hunt. And only one of them would survive.

***

Vaelor stared at the sealed door where Luke Moon lay.

“Now it’s up to the little demon. If he devours it, he wins. If he’s devoured instead, the beast will emerge, having taken his body and using it as a vessel to materialize.”

“I trust Luke Moon,” Azazel said.

He and Asmodeus turned and walked toward the temple’s main hall, resuming their conversation.

“M-may I ask something, Lord Asmodeus?” Vaelor said carefully. “That blood… what creature did it come from?”

It was something immensely powerful.

“Oh, that drop of blood?” Asmodeus replied casually. “That was my blood.”