Chapter 14

The early morning light filtered through the window as Akira stirred from his sleep. His body felt alive with energy, but he pushed that sensation aside. He had more mundane matters to attend to—like buying ingredients. Standing up, he stretched, shaking off the lingering feeling of power humming beneath his skin. After dressing, he headed to the market.

The vibrant streets bustled as vendors called out, and people went about their business. Akira swiftly gathered what he needed: fresh vegetables, rice, and some high-quality meat. After paying, a sudden thought crossed his mind—he had promised to meet Shinobu and Mitsuri this morning. Glancing at his map, he saw the two women waiting at the village entrance. He dashed through the streets, his feet barely touching the ground, moving with speed that caught a few eyes.

When he arrived at the entrance, there they were—Shinobu and Mitsuri, waving energetically. Akira slowed down, walking towards them with a grin.

"Before you guys leave, how about joining me for breakfast?" Akira asked, hopeful.

Shinobu and Mitsuri exchanged glances and shook their heads. Akira sighed, but there was no resentment. Instead, he pulled out two amulets and handed them over, along with 200 food pills each. The girls took them with smiles and thanked him before setting off.

Akira watched them go, the weight of their departure heavy on him for a moment. Then he turned on his heel and headed back home, eager to test his newfound cooking skills.

Akira's House

By the time Akira began cooking, the mouth-watering aroma of sizzling steak and freshly baked bread had already wafted through the village. Unbeknownst to him, villagers outside had started gathering, drawn by the heavenly scent. Inside, Akira moved effortlessly, immersed in the process, his hands quick and precise. He had perfected a steak cooked to perfection, the juices sealed within, and a golden-brown crusted bread still warm from the oven.

Ten minutes later, Akira had everything laid out on the table. He seated himself, clapped his hands together, and said, "Itadakimasu," before savoring his meal. Each bite was divine, as though his own culinary abilities had transformed overnight. After finishing, he clapped again, muttering, "Gochisousamadesu," grateful for the feast.

Only then did he realize the crowd outside. He chuckled softly at their persistence, but there were more pressing matters. He needed to leave soon. Slipping into his demon slayer attire, katana at his side, Akira teleported to the village entrance, avoiding the curious crowd entirely.

Nightfall

As Akira walked towards the south village, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of purple and orange. It was then that the system chimed in his mind, disrupting the peaceful evening.

[Quest: Kill 10,000 living beings. Rewards: Unlock The Hidden Power of the Immortal Body.]

Akira stopped in his tracks. "10,000?" he muttered, his brows furrowing. "Is my hidden power... evil?" Thoughts swirled in his mind. A task like this seemed unthinkable—until a plan surfaced, something he'd read in a manhwa recently.

With newfound determination, Akira sprinted toward the forest. Opening his map, he searched for an ant nest, and soon found ten scattered throughout the area. He approached the first one swiftly.

Ant Nest

In the bustling world of the ants, life seemed as normal as any day.

"Dear, do you think we can survive this winter?" a female ant asked her mate, worry lining her voice.

"We will survive as long as we're together," the male ant responded with affection, locking eyes with her.

Just as they shared a tender moment, the male ant gently nudged her. "You should go home and rest. I'll handle the work. You're pregnant after all."

The female ant nodded, retreating to their nest. By sunset, the male ant finished his duties and returned home, but the scene that greeted him froze him in place. From inside, he heard familiar voices—moans of pleasure, the unmistakable sound of betrayal.

"What...?" His heart pounded as he recognized the voice of another male ant, one who had tormented him for years. Desperation filled him as he stepped into his home, only to find his wife with the one who had always humiliated him.

"Why?" he screamed, his voice lost in the air.

But before he could do anything, a flood of water rushed into the nest, drowning all the ants inside.

Akira's Perspective

Akira stood over the ant nest, his hands raised, forming a barrier to prevent any ants from escaping. He watched dispassionately as they drowned, ensuring that none survived. After confirming the deed was done, he moved swiftly to the other nine nests, repeating the process.

[Ding! Quest Completed: Kill 10,000 Living Beings. Rewards: Unlock The Hidden Power of the Immortal Body.]

Excitement surged through Akira. "Claim it!" he shouted eagerly.

At once, power erupted within him. His senses sharpened, and the world around him slowed. Even the animals nearby appeared to move in slow motion as they tried to flee from him. His body began to glow, and Akira rushed to the nearest lake, gazing at his reflection. What he saw astonished him. A halo floated behind his head, and a mark appeared on his forehead. His hair had grown longer, and most striking of all, his eyes—they glowed like blue suns, blazing with uncontainable power.

The animals around him collapsed in fear, their bodies trembling from his overwhelming presence. Akira exhaled and withdrew his energy, marveling at how the system not only unlocked his power but also imbued him with the knowledge to control it.

Time had slipped away. It was now fully night as Akira continued his journey towards the south village, power flowing through him like never before.