(13) Demonic path!

As Mangrel willed it, white particles began heading toward his soul, similar to snowflakes. The region around the soul barrier was dark, the sudden appearance of these flakes illuminated the surroundings. 

These particles were ownerless spiritual energy, which was present in the atmosphere. 

Shortly, the wild spiritual energy came in contact with the grey barrier, which blocked them. For a while, the same process continued, spiritual energy gathered around the barrier. 

Finding the soul barrier to have reached the limit, Mangrel stopped. And instead concentrated on the barrier itself. 

At that moment, once again white particles started appearing, this time within the barrier. The function of the barrier was simple: to protect the soul from impure spirituality, it would absorb any impurity that came in contact with it. That way, the barrier grows stronger with the soul. 

The ownerless spiritual energy entered Mangrel's soul, merging with no resistance, thanks to the prior purification. 

Phuu~ 

Mangrel exhaled, feeling the disgruntling pain in his head. He was trying to add a foreign spiritual energy to the soul, causing immense pain. Mangrel continued breathing sharply as the pain intensified. 

After five minutes, Mangrel stopped hurriedly. It was not that his mind reached the limit, instead, his soul could not take it anymore. Mangrel's soul stopped accepting any more spiritual energy. 

Mangrel's soul, which was dim in the beginning, appeared a little more clear, compared to before. 

'Normally, ten minutes should be my limit, but I seem to have underestimated my aptitude. With such slow progress, it would take me five years just to become a one-star spiritualist.' 

The calculation put Mangrel's mind under pressure. There was no way he could survive till then!

A wave of dizziness hit Mangrel, making him waver in his sitting position. After every session of cultivating the soul, one has to rest to specify the worn-out soul. 

Forced by the circumstance, Mangrel laid down, placing his head on his arm. 

Originally, Mangrel was thinking of stopping before reaching his limit, but because of his potential, he hit the limit in just five minutes.

In silence, time continued to flow ruthlessly, not at all disturbed by external matters. 

After five hours of sleeping, Mangrel's eyes fluttered open. The moment his eyes opened, a dazzling light entered his sight, prompting him to close his eyes immediately. Feeling the heat on his skin, Mangrel's heart skipped a beat. 

Mangrel immediately got up with his head heavy and filled with dizziness. His body swayed with instability, and the soreness in his throat was a clear sign of dehydration too. 

Looking around, Mangrel found a shade to sit in quickly. 

The place he slept in was covered in the sunlight, unlike the time he fell asleep. 

The sun appeared to have crossed the middle of the sky, appearing slightly on the other side. This caused the sunlight to reach Mangrel, leading to his current situation, having multiple health symptoms. 

'I would have normally noticed such a problem, however, in that situation, it was unavoidable.' Mangrel did not blame himself, circumstances are hard to rule out after all. 

As the body's temperature slowly returned to normal, Mangrel started feeling comfortable again. In a while, leaving dehydration, other symptoms like headache, dizziness, and skin numbness vanished.

Mangrel could only smile wryly to himself at this. According to natives, drinking the water from the river in the purple month seems to be dangerous, and Mangrel could somewhat understand the reason behind it. 

Purple month represented the poison path. In this month, the poison around the world receives a boost in growth and power. The other months gave out corresponding effects too. 

There were eight months in total, from what Mangrel knew through his messed up memory. 

'I need to quickly get my hand on the origin stone. I can't delay it for long, I have a limited amount of lifespan too.' There was already a vague plan in Mangrel's mind, which could be used to get the origin stone. 

After resting for a few minutes, Mangrel moved to meet the kids, from the ones he met in the morning. 

Most of the memories related to these kids were restored. Mangrel was confident in manipulating them easily.

'Not just them, If I used everything available as a means, controlling the whole beggar organization is not impossible! But is there any worth in doing that?' 

Even if Mangrel took over the organization, he would only be chained down by it. The reaction and suppression from the city lord would come like an unstoppable eruption of a volcano. 

Not to talk about the position of the organization leader, even the city lord position did not interest Mangrel. In the end, this city was supervised by a sect for sure too, nothing but problems would be sent to anyone at the top. 

The path Mangrel wanted to walk was decided a long time ago.

The demonic path! 

Not moved by death and unrestrained by worldly matters! To move freely in the world, wreaking havoc anywhere they went!

A sinister smile formed on Mangrel's face as he crossed over the alleys, through the gap between houses. 

Walking on the demonic path was filled with difficulty and dangers, but it was the path he chose with all his being. To achieve his goals, he was ready to do anything, moral and whimsical desires could not stop him. He would rise to the top trampling over others' dead bodies. 

'Many hardships are awaiting me in the future, but they can never bring me down.' Mangrel's mood returned to tranquility as he reached the bridge. 

Finding the shadow of the house, Mangrel waited there, it was the meeting place that everyone had set, to meet once when everyone's task was completed. While waiting, Mangrel got lost in his thoughts.

The first goal Mangrel set for himself was — to become a body practitioner. Only after that can Mangrel join the beggar organization. 

No matter where, the backing of an organization was necessary to rise in life. It was a disgusting fact that Mangrel hated in the past, but now he had become indifferent towards it. 

Only idiots don't succumb to their circumstances. Not everything could move in favor of a person, only by accepting the situation and planning forward, can a person move forward. 

Beggars and workers walked past Mangrel, crossing the bridge to the other side. He felt thirsty, but it did not reach the level he could not withstand anymore. 

Not long after, Mangrel sighted familiar people walking near. It was Meren, Along with Devis and Veneir. Another kid with them from the morning was nowhere to be seen. 

All three of them saw Mangrel, moving towards him immediately. Veneir held bread in her hand, which was for her brother.

"It's a rare sight to see you complete your task first," Veneir commented with interest. 

Mangrel gave a slight smile, just like from his memory, and spoke lightly: "I received an easy task today, it's just luck." 

Mangrel lifted two of his hands helplessly, with slumped shoulders. 

Devis interrupted in the middle: "We were thinking of looking around the city today with everyone. Is there somewhere you want to go?" 

Mangrel was stunned internally, to think Devis would bring up such an opportunity for him!

On the surface, Mangrel appeared to think for a second and responded: "How about we go see the narrator in the evening?" 

"Ohh! Good choice! That place is quite famous around here recently!" Meren appeared enthusiastic, after hearing the word narrator. It could not be any more clear that he liked hearing stories. 

Hearing Mangrel's suggestion, Veneir and Devis saw no reason to reject it. They liked to hear stories too.