Chapter 9: Absorbing the Count-rank Demon Heart

30 minutes ago...

Variela was running towards the town's barracks. As soon as she reached the building, she quickly opened the door and shouted, "Father! Father! I have some thing to say to you! Where are you? Where is my father? Where is Captain Iriel? Did you see my father? Where is he?" Variela was running her mouth nonstop as the soldiers inside the barracks was irritated and ignored her.

Then Captain Iriel entered the town barracks. He was surprised to see that his daughter is here right now. Captain Iriel then asked Variela," What are you doing here!?"

"Father! Someone defeated Master Eliana! Follow me quickly! I will show you who he is!" Variela excitedly dragged her father like an owner dragging his pet dog. Captain Iriel was powerless against his daughter.

Variela was his only daughter and his wife was already dead. Captain Iriel's wife was an elite earth wizard of their town. Variela once strayed from outside the town, making Iriel and his wife panic. Then a news hit them like a truck, a camulf was roaming nearby the town at this time. This made Iriel and his wife search their daughter. Then the next day, Variela went home alone, holding a hat of her mother. Her mother sacrificed herself for Variela to flee.

That's why Iriel cherished and let Variela do what she wanted. Iriel already knew who the person was as he is the one who told that person to go to Eliana. He just let his daughter drag him as he can saw the excitement and joy written in his daughter's face.

***

Back to the present...

"Captain Iriel, I planned to go to the town's barracks to ask you about the expedition. What are you doing here?" Ardiel asked Iriel that was being held by Variela who was surprised how the stranger knew her father.

"Ugh, my daughter dragged me here after seeing that you defeated Hunter Eliana. I already knew that it was you but i couldn't stop my daughter from dragging me," Iriel said as he scratched the side of his head.

"Wait wait wait, you know this guy father?" Variela asked, wide eyed.

"Of course, this guy right here is Ardiel, the one who defeated three camulfs by himself," Iriel proudly stated.

"My name is Ardiel. What's your name miss?" Ardiel said as he took out his hand for a handshake.

"My name is Variela! I'm the only daughter of the captain of the town guards. Nice meeting you Ardiel! You're really strong by the way," Variela said with beet red cheeks as she shook Ardiel's hand.

Iriel noticed his daughter's reaction so he quickly changed the topic.

" What did you want to talk about? Is it about the expedition? "

" Yes Captain, I'm wondering when do we start the expedition."

"We will leave after a week of preparation , pack lightly as our enemies would be swift beasts. Our meeting place would be the gate that overlooks the Jelsinco Forest. We leave in the morning as they are at the weakest in time of the day. They look like feline beasts with an antler on top of their heads. We call them the Katir and they are quite big. You got what i said? Just see for yourself what the beast looks like. "

"Of course, we'll meet after a week Captain Iriel. I'm staying at the Furieles Inn. If you want to something from me, you can find me there. I'll be going now," Ardiel said as he walked towards a 2-story medieval inn at the side of the street.

"Can I be his disciple?" Variela asked Iriel and Iriel firmly responded with a no.

"Stop playing around and study some books about magic. You got good genes for studying magic thanks to your mother. Stop pursuing the hunter path, it's dangerous for you," Iriel said as he stared at Variela who was still excited about meeting a strong and handsome young man.

" Okay father! I'll be going to the library now! " Variela said as she quickly ran away from her father.

Iriel sighed and he also went back to the town's barracks to discuss their plan about the upcoming expedition.

***

Ardiel was walking towards the building when someone tried to stumble on him. Ardiel swiftly dodge the pickpocket and then Ardiel looked at the pickpocket with cold and murderous eyes.

The pickpocket quickly apologized to Ardiel and ran away as fast as he can from Ardiel when he received that stare. Ardiel then continued to walk towards Furieles Inn.

As Ardiel opened the door of the inn, male eating and female demon serving them food greeted him. Talking and laughing filled the inn with a joyous atmosphere. Ardiel went past the jolly demons as he reached the counter. A female demon wearing a maid's outfit was standing behind the counter.

"How many days would you stay here for my dear sir? Asked the female demon with an alluring voice.

" How much for open room? I'll pay for three days but I think I will stay here for about a week. "

" 5 coppers per day and food is free. Your room is on the 2nd floor. It's room 203. Have fun staying here sir," the female demon said as she gave Ardiel a key with an engraving of number 203. Ardiel put 1 silver and 5 coppers in the counter, dropping his money to 2 silvers and 45 coppers.

Ardiel then walked upstairs and went outside the door of room 203. He used the key given to him by the female demon to open the door. Ardiel then entered the room

The room was pretty big for only 5 coppers. The room has a bed and shelves for clothings. The room also has a weapon rack where you can place your weapons. The room also has a small desk and two stools. Ardiel then noticed a sound proofing barrier around the room when he tried to shout really loud but nobody complained. He changed his plans and he now planned to absorb the Count-rank here in his room. Ardiel left his room and went downstairs to talk to the female demon.

As Ardiel was walking downstairs and someone was staring at him in the corner of the inn. Ardiel noticed the murderous stare but he ignored it as he knows that nobody in this town is his match except the elite shield bearer Captain Iriel and the mayor of this town that he still didn't meet. Ardiel told the female demon behind the counter to never disturb him, even if it is time for dinner or breakfast. The female demon was confused but she nodded and agreed at Ardiel's request.

Ardiel then went upstairs after confirming that no one would disturb him now. He installed a trap in the door and the window to kill someone who enters his room without his permission. Ardiel then organized his things and put his weapons on the weapon rack. Ardiel then pulled out the Count-rank demon heart.

Ardiel took out all his clothes as he was afraid that his body may transform and destroyed his leather armor. Ardiel knows that he doesn't have money to buy new clothes and new armor for him, that's why he is so careful.

Ardiel's body was skinny but his muscles are well defined. His junior is also huge and Ardiel was pleased about it. Ardiel then ate the heart while standing. At first, Ardiel didn't feel anything about his body but after a few minutes. But after a few minutes, Ardiel suddenly crashed his knees to the floor that it shook his room, making the demons below giggle thinking that someone was having their time of their lives. What they didn't know is that Ardiel is now in pain because his body can't still fully absorb the Count-rank demon heart.

***

Hours passed but Ardiel was still screaming in pain as his body absorbs the new heart. Ardiel can now slightly feel that a 2nd heart was growing inside his body.

Ardiel then endured the pain as it assaulted his internal organs. Although it was painful, Ardiel knew that it was helpful to his body as it enhances his body's internal structure.

After another few hours, the sun was now replaced by two moons in the sky. Ardiel's body on the outside has now electricity running around his skin. Ardiel was now sitting in a lotus position to further enhance his absorption rate. It took Ardiel almost a day just by absorbing the heart. Ardiel's next step was to form another heart in order to help his other heart.

More hearts means more power capacity and power efficiency. Ardiel now needs two hearts as his body now surpassed the limits of having only one heart. This process of forming a heart was not painful as it only needs concentration and patience. It took Ardiel three days forming the heart.

The absorbtion of the Count-rank demon heart was done and Ardiel slowly woke up. Ardiel could now feel his two hearts beating and how much power his body have now. He could also feel the changes in his internal structure as he can now move faster than before and his reaction speed increased.

This is maybe the benefits of having absorbed a Count-rank demon heart thought Ardiel as he observed his body. Ardiel couldn't wait to test his newfound powers now.