Dian's Secret.

"So… Your system is somewhat special?" Sura's curiosity piqued as she engaged in a conversation with Dian, eager to understand the intricacies of his unique system. Dian began explaining the peculiarities of his system, unveiling a world that seemed foreign and abnormal to the general populace.

One striking revelation was the existence of the Demon system's help menu, which appeared to be exclusive to Dian. Dian learned that no one else had the ability to communicate directly with their systems. For others, the system served a more limited purpose, displaying only their status cards, facilitating level-ups, and providing access to their skills and inventories.

Upon further exploration of his skills and armament, Dian made some intriguing discoveries. He realized that the ability to highlight specific plants using the botanic skill was deemed impossible unless his botany skill reached an expert level. This revelation shed light on the uniqueness of his own botany skill and its advanced capabilities.

Similarly, Dian contemplated the demon armament he had obtained from the Demon hares. While there were numerous armors, bladed horns, and skills associated with these creatures, none of them matched the blades that emerged from Dian's own hands. The nature of his armament set him apart, leaving him with a sense of intrigue and curiosity about its origin and purpose.

Finding respite on a bench in the park, Dian and Sura soaked in the tranquility of their surroundings. The tree above them showered blue leaves, gracefully descending into a nearby pond adorned with vibrant lilies in hues of pink, purple, and red. It felt as if the park was their private sanctuary, devoid of any other visitors, offering a serene and intimate setting for their conversation.

In a moment of contemplative silence, Dian mustered the courage to address a question that had been weighing on his mind. The air between them seemed to hold its breath, waiting for Sura's response. Finally, he spoke, breaking the stillness that enveloped them.

"Why did you want me to conceal the fact that I'm not from this world?" Dian inquired, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

Sura turned her gaze towards him, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment before returning to the mesmerizing sight of the vibrant pond before them. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, choosing her words carefully.

"Remember how we absorb demon souls to nourish ourselves?" she began, her voice laced with a hint of solemnity.

Dian nodded, "Are you talking about leveling up?"

"That's right," Sura confirmed. "By absorbing demon souls, we not only gain strength but also nurture ourselves, allowing us to evolve and become more powerful. It's the essence of leveling."

As her words hung in the air, a revelation began to take shape. Sura continued, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow.

"However, over generations, the act of absorbing these souls has become ingrained in our lineage. We have inherited the capacity to absorb each other's souls, for we are all descendants of those who have embraced the demonic essence. In essence, we are all part demon, some more than others. It is through this intermingling of souls that we continue to grow and level up."

Sura's gaze shifted from the colorful pond to meet Dian's eyes, her expression conveying a mix of concern and understanding.

"But," she responded, her voice laced with a tinge of caution. "You're someone from another world, your circumstances make you vulnerable. You possess no conventional skills or abilities aside from your unique demon system, which cannot be absorbed like our own. However, if word were to spread about your origins, it would attract countless assassins seeking to eliminate you, hoping to obtain any otherworldly skills or knowledge you may possess, even if you possess none at all."

Dian's brows furrowed as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "So, they won't believe that I have nothing of value and will still come after me?" he questioned, his voice tinged with a mixture of disbelief and concern.

Sura nodded solemnly, her eyes reflecting the weight of their predicament. "Indeed," she affirmed. "You only need to witness how the council treated you during your interrogation. Despite the presence of a lie detector, none of the elders believed your assertion that you do not utilize the system, even though you were speaking the truth."

Dian absorbed Sura's words, contemplating their implications, and took a moment to enjoy the serene scenery around them. As he broke the silence, his voice carried a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.

"I see," he replied, his gaze fixed on Sura. "So, what happens now?"

Sura's lips curled into a warm smile as she looked at him. Rising from her seated position, she surprised Dian with her sudden movement. His eyes followed her, filled with a hint of concern and curiosity.

"Well, we're even now," she began, her tone filled with gratitude. "You saved me and my pupil, and in return, I've aided you and protected you from the numerous hardships that would have befallen you had I not intervened. From this point onward, you have the freedom to choose your path. You can join the academy to delve deeper into understanding this world—I happen to be one of the teachers there, so you'll have lessons from me. Alternatively, you can explore the vast knowledge contained within the library to gain a better understanding of the basics of this world. And lastly, you can venture into the Hunters guild to earn a living for yourself."

Dian's eyes widened with surprise, his mind racing to process the array of possibilities before him. Sensing his urgency, he couldn't help but interject, his voice filled with a touch of concern.

"But what about you?" he inquired, not wanting her to depart from his side.

Sura's eyes widened slightly as Dian's words caught her off guard. She arched an eyebrow, a mixture of curiosity evident in her expression. Folding her arms across her chest, she responded with a cool tone.

"Me? I'm a teacher, so I'll be returning to my duties," she stated matter-of-factly. "If you wish to see me again, I've already mentioned that you can find me at the academy. However, for now, we bid farewell."

As Sura turned to leave, her hand was unexpectedly grasped by Dian, causing her to pause in surprise. She glanced back at him, her gaze narrowing with a touch of irritation.

"What is the meaning of this, Mr. Dian?" she questioned, her voice tinged with a hint of anger. She attempted to pull her hand away, but Dian's grip remained firm. Sura's confusion grew, her tone softening as she listened to his plea.

"Wait, please, just a moment," Dian pleaded, his words rushed and filled with a mixture of embarrassment and sincerity. He released her hand, averting his gaze to the ground. The air between them grew tense with anticipation.

"I... umm, well, I haven't revealed everything about myself," Dian confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. He mustered the courage to look up at Sura, his cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment. "Usually, I keep this information to myself, but if you're not in a hurry, could you spare a few more minutes? I'd like to share something with you."

Sura's confusion deepened, her features softening as she observed Dian. She hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly, a glimmer of curiosity replacing her earlier anger.

"Very well," she agreed, her tone gentler. "I can spare a few more minutes. What is it that you wish to share?"

In front of her was a warrior who had been defying odds ever since she had first seen him, it was weird when he had a panic attack from just crossing the streets but Sura had attributed that to the fact that he was otherworldly and whatever he saw was mind boggling to him, but Sura could tell that this was something different.

"What's wrong?" Sura inquired, her voice laced with concern, as she settled back onto the bench.

Dian fidgeted, his hand scratching his head nervously. His next words caught Sura off guard, causing her eyebrow to arch in disbelief.

"Sorry about this..." Dian began, his voice tinged with unease. "But, umm... I'm scared."

Sura's confusion deepened as she stared at Dian, trying to comprehend his words. It seemed almost inconceivable that the fearless warrior before her could experience fear. She wondered if this was some kind of prank or jest, but the sincerity in Dian's eyes left her questioning her initial assumption.

"Your... scared?" Sura repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Dian's voice quivered slightly as he began to recount his untold story to Sura. Apologies filled his words, as if he carried the weight of a long-held secret. This was a tale he had never shared with his comrades, nor anyone else for that matter.

He delved into the depths of his past, tracing it back to a vulnerable age of 10 when he was snatched away from the orphanage by a rebel faction. This group of rebels had orchestrated a meticulous brainwashing campaign, manipulating not only Dian but also numerous others, including children, into believing that the state's values were false and that their cause was righteous. From the tender age of 10 to 18, Dian found himself embroiled in a protracted guerrilla warfare, waging a relentless battle against his own nation. Survival in the wilderness became his classroom, teaching him the harsh lessons of brutality, improvisation, resourcefulness, and the art of living off the land.

However, the rebel group's reign eventually crumbled, and Dian, along with many others, was captured and brought back as a prisoner. It was only then that the state authorities realized the extent of brainwashing that had taken place within their ranks. More than half of the defeated rebel organization had been mere pawns, their minds twisted by false beliefs. Dian and his fellow captives were gradually reintegrated into society, taught the stark contrast between right and wrong. By the age of 19, Dian had made the decision to join the military, where he further honed his skills and acquired knowledge beyond his tumultuous past.

"So you were wronged since your birth? You want me to sympathize with you?" Sura asked confused but Dian quickly shook his head before he explained further.

Sura listened intently, her confusion gradually giving way to understanding as Dian poured out his emotions. His words carried a sense of urgency and vulnerability, as he tried to convey a truth that had haunted him for a long time.

Dian clarified that he didn't seek sympathy for the hardships he had endured since birth. Instead, he wanted to express a profound realization that had dawned upon him during their time together in the forest. All the skills he had employed to ensure their survival, all the instincts he had honed, were deeply ingrained within him from his days as an enemy combatant. It was a stark contrast to his life before—a life plagued by a constant sense of not belonging anywhere.

In that forest, however, something shifted. Dian found a sense of belonging, a purpose that resonated with his very being. It troubled him because he feared the return to those dark days when his existence was reduced to that of a mindless drone serving his enemies. The lessons he had learned in the wilderness, combined with his military experience, had shaped him into who he was now. But there was always a lingering fear that he could slip back into old patterns if he didn't remain vigilant.

"All my life, the only thing I've known is how to fight and survive, I don't know what a regular person does with his normal time. Heck, I don't even know how to talk normally with another person. At least back in the military, everyone else had a past something similar to mine so we could all relate. But if you just leave me alone, I know I'm gonna slip and go to the forest and later become no different then the demons that roam there."

Sura absorbed his words, sensing the weight of his struggle. She realized the significance of the forest, their shared experience, and the sense of purpose it had kindled within Dian. It was a delicate balance, one that required constant self-awareness and the conscious choice to forge a different path.

As the silence settled between them, Sura acknowledged the depth of Dian's journey and the strength it took to confront his past. She knew that their encounter had brought about a pivotal moment, one that would shape their futures in unexpected ways.

"Why tell me about all this?" Sura asked.

"Well…" Dian said as he thought hard about his next words, "I just wanted a bit of help and I guess that I trust you since you've already helped me so much… and you know that I'm innocent."

Sura's initial sigh of irritation dissolved into a warm smile, revealing a genuine concern for Dian's well-being. With a renewed sense of purpose, Sura leaned in closer to Dian, her eyes shining with determination. "Well, I guess as your pseudo-teacher, it's up to me to help my students even if they technically aren't my students yet."