Son of Chaos

Waiting.

Waiting...

I've been waiting here for years... I can't even remember the last time someone came here...

The door has opened. Someone has entered again.

Another failure...

They can't even pass the first test. They're not worthy.

After another year of waiting, someone finally entered the trials. He passed the first round.

Another Failure... Not a single worthy candidate.

Oberving the people who entered my trials in the last hundred years... Human rankers had gone weak.

...

Someone has entered again. He seems young.

He was the fastest to pass the first trial. But I think he won't pass on the second one.

Interesting... He passed the second one.

Now let's see how you defeat yourself.

'...'

He's starting to fight at it... A peak E-rank. Not bad.

Mana, wisdom, and strength

What a suitable body... He might be the one I'm looking for.

Imperial Family, I'll start the countdown for your days...

.....

"Congratulations, my inheritor."

Staring at the ghastly figure across from me, I couldn't help but feel the uncanny charm that was radiating from him. Gray hair, a muscular but aged physique, and his shining emerald eyes.

'How can a remnant spirit maintain this form for over a few decades?'

'Only an evil spirit could linger this long... They are fueled by their negative energy.'

'This is really suspicious.'

'Maybe he was a transcedental ranker when he was alive... But I can't really remember his name or face in any of the history books in the original timeline.'

I wondered if his existence had been intentionally hidden or erased from history.

As the ghastly figure spoke, his voice echoed through the dimly lit room. "After what seemed like eternity, an inheritor has arrived."

"I am Damascus, the owner of this inheritance."

"Didn't ring any bells?" I shook my head, still unable to recall any mention of Damascus in my studies. The mysterious, ghastly figure continued, "Only the imperial family and my close comrades know my name."

"Damascus may not be a name that is widely known or mentioned in historical records, but my alias is surely known and feared throughout the whole world."

"I was once known as the Son of Chaos. I am the only human in history who has wielded the power of Chaos."

'Chaos sorcerer... An S ranker and the mysterious leader of the circle of chaos. An organization under the imperial family that does the dirty things for them.'

'Centuries ago, the mysterious leader, the Son of Chaos, suddenly disappeared.

'The seated emperor at that time ordered a purge on all the members of the circle of chaos.'

Everyone is confused and curious about the sudden disappearance of the Son of Chaos, as well as the motives behind the emperor's decision to eliminate the entire organization.

Rumors and speculation spread like wildfire, fueling a sense of conspiracy and mystery surrounding the Imperial family and their connection to the enigmatic Son of Chaos.

'Chaos is the indirect symbol of the imperial family because their founding father has an Akashak snake as a familiar, and an Akashak snake is the most known creature that has the power of chaos.'

'Maybe the current emperor at that time felt threatened.'

"Seems like you know history well." Damascus spoke, seeing Adrian's thinking expression.

"I only know a few bits and pieces." Adrian replied modestly while keeping his guard up.

"Are you poisoned by the emperor?"

"Looks like my pet snake has already told you... I'm the emperor's right hand man. He was jealous of my talent and saw me as a potential threat to his power. So, he tried to eliminate me by poisoning me."

"I have been waiting for an inheritor for a very long time. And now you came. My only wish after you inherit everything that I've left is the imperial family's downfall."

"If you've been waiting for a very long time and have been dead for years and centuries. how is it that your are is still somewhat full of mana?"

"You're not a remnant spirit, aren't you?"

"Remnant spirits are weak and have no features. They are usually unable to possess mana or have any form of power."

"But I can feel mana inside of you."

"Oh... a sharp one. I thought that only high-ranking people had this kind of knowledge. How come a weak ranker like you has this kind of knowledge? Are you from one of the great families or-"

"Or maybe you're from the imperial family." An immense amount of mana instantly filled the room, suffocating Adrian. The pressure was overwhelming, causing Adrian to struggle to catch his breath. It became clear that he had unknowingly stepped into a realm far beyond his understanding.

"You really are an evil spirit." Adrian spoke with a shaky voice, his words barely audible amidst the suffocating mana.

'I already had my suspicions ever since I entered this room.'

'This pressure is bearable... It's not even close to the pressure Maroth exudes. No... Maroth's pressure was like a tree, while this evil spirit is just a sapling.'

Adrian acted as though the pressure Damascus was applying had a big impact on him. He knew that he couldn't take the evil spirit head-on, so he resorted to using his wit and deception.

'I'm glad that his power is not as great as he was once made out to be... I guess that all those years of being stuck here have weakened him. But I can't let my guard down just yet because his power is comparable to that of a peak C ranker.'

"Yes! That's more like it, you puny human. Kneel before my power." Its sinister laughter echoed through the whole room.

'Come closer.'

Adrian coughed up blood as the evil spirit's power surged through his body. Despite the pain, he mustered a defiant smile.

"I'm done toying with you, puny human. Now give me your body." the evil spirit hissed, its eyes glowing with malice.

The spirit inched closer to the kneeling figure of Adrian and raised its hand, ready to possess him.

'[Knowledge is Everything.]'

But just as it was about to make contact, an unseen force suddenly erupted from Adrian's hand, sending the evil spirit flying across the room.

The force that came out of his hand seemed to be fueled by the knowledge that he had acquired from the original timeline.

But as Adrian was about to celebrate his victory, he realized that the evil spirit was not yet defeated.

His eyes widened in surprise as he saw the chaotic appearance of the evil spirit. Its face is deformed, and black energy floats around it.

'Shit, it seems like the knowledge I've sacrificed is not enough to vanquish this spirit.'