Lord Of The Lost

[Battle Tips: You have encountered a demonized python.]

William stood alert, feeling the tension in the air as the massive creature coiled in the shadows. The python's scales shimmered ominously, a mix of vibrant colors and dark hues that hinted at its demonic nature.

[You killed the demonized python, experience +15!]

He felt a surge of exhilaration as the notification flashed across his vision. He had faced the beast head-on, and now it lay defeated at his feet.

[Your talent of Killing to Prove Your Truth takes effect.]

A rush of energy coursed through him.

[Your physical value +0.1! Your spirit value +0.06! Your energy value +0.07!]

William relished the feeling of power swelling within him as the python's traits began to merge with his own.

[Your talent has absorbed seven points of demonic characteristics.]

[Demon Characteristics: 107/200]

He took a moment to reflect on the monsters lurking deeper in the mine. Their strength had clearly escalated; only elite monsters could survive in this treacherous environment. It was as if the mine itself served as a grand arena, where the closer one got to the front row, the more potent the demons became.

The air crackled with malevolence, a testament to their compatibility with the darkness that thrived here.

These creatures had been forged over countless years, baptized in the "devil's breath," growing stronger as they absorbed more demonic traits. Just like the python, whose thick, leathery skin was tougher than most armors but ultimately vulnerable to piercing attacks.

[Battle Tips: You have encountered a demonic salamander.]

Before he could catch his breath, another beast sprang from the shadows: a fiery, agile salamander, its eyes glinting with malice.

[You killed the demonized salamander, experience +18!]

With a swift strike, he dispatched the creature, feeling the rush of victory once more.

[Your talent has absorbed eight points of demonic characteristics.]

The screen lit up with more notifications, and William's heart raced.

[Your level has been raised to level 8.]

[You have obtained 3 attribute points, which can be distributed freely.]

He paused, considering his options carefully. "I need balance," he muttered, thinking of the path ahead.

William decided to allocate 2 points to energy and 1 point to spirit.

His attributes now stood at:

[Constitution Value: 10.4]

[Spirit Value: 10.1]

[Energy Value: 10.6]

A balanced approach would be key to maximizing his potential. He had learned from the demonized creatures around him that different beings evolved according to their inherent traits. Some were more physically inclined, while others focused on energy or spiritual strength.

He recalled how his own physical value had doubled when he first encountered the devil's breath. It was clear he was well-suited for the warrior path. Yet, he understood there were exceptions to every rule, especially regarding advanced pathways.

"If a warrior demon fell here," William mused, "only warrior monsters would emerge from this mine. No mages, no tricksters; just brute strength." But he sensed something deeper within the darkness, an ancient force that hinted at a transcendent being.

The demons here embodied the full spectrum of evolution for demonized creatures, each one a testament to the raw power that resided in the heart of the mine.

With resolve, William prepared himself for what lay ahead. The deeper he ventured, the more he felt the pull of untapped potential waiting to be claimed. He would not be deterred; the secrets of the mine were his to uncover.

Time slipped by quietly in the suffocating darkness, with only the faint echoes of William's movements breaking the stillness. He could feel the demonic characteristics rapidly accumulating within him, like a rising tide. Before long, he had absorbed over 160 distinct traits, each one settling into his body with a weight that was hard to ignore.

It felt as though a heavy cocoon had formed inside him, wrapping around his core. The demonic energy pressed down on him, creating an overwhelming sensation of being trapped, suffocated. His spirit, once sharp and clear, seemed to be bound by the growing force within his body. He was awake, but a creeping exhaustion clouded his senses, making it feel as though he was drifting on the edge of sleep.

His body no longer felt entirely his own. It was as if some unseen force was trying to pull him away, an irresistible demonic call that grew louder with every passing moment. The temptation to surrender to it was strong, but William's mental resilience was stronger. He dug his heels in, resisting the alluring darkness, knowing that losing control now would come at a great cost.

"I need to slow down," William muttered to himself, forcing his breathing to steady. "You can't rush this."

The demonic traits inside him were stirring, beginning to awaken. What had once been dormant now felt alive, almost sentient, and ready to claim him if he wasn't careful. Just as the pressure reached a breaking point, a prompt from the health system blinked in his vision, urging him to take a break.

Without hesitation, William logged off at lightning speed.

---

The Real World.

William sighed deeply as the real world materialized around him. The familiar surroundings of his dimly lit room grounded him, and the tension in his chest finally eased. He stretched, feeling his muscles relax as he leaned back into his chair.

The dark environment within the game had been perfect for accelerating the absorption of demonic characteristics, but it also carried the danger of overwhelming him. Thankfully, the traits he had absorbed were still relatively pure and inactive, giving him a temporary reprieve.

"When those traits finally awaken," William thought to himself, "I'll be halfway to becoming a demon."

But he wasn't worried. Not yet. With the *Stripping Ceremony* he had prepared, William had the means to extract the demonic traits if necessary, ensuring that he maintained control over his transformation. In fact, he was already thinking ahead, considering stripping the traits early to stay ahead of the game.

"Right!" William suddenly recalled something important.

He crossed the room quickly and sat down at his desk, turning on the computer. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he typed in the name of the game: 'Sequence Game: Lord of the Lost'. Navigating through the site, he accessed the game forum that had been mentioned on the bulletin board. The interface was simple, but it had all the features he needed.

After choosing a language and creating his ID matching it to his in-game name; he found himself on the forum. It was global, as expected, with instant translation for multiple major languages. Despite the potential risks of exposing too much information, the forum's convenience was too good to ignore, and William dove into the posts without hesitation.

It was early; just past eight in the morning and many players were logging off around the same time. As always, there were those among them who were skilled, brave, or simply knowledgeable. These players were already scouting out uncharted territories, paving the way for those who would follow.

William, however, felt no fear. He moved through the forum with confidence, browsing posts and absorbing information, knowing that, in a way, he was also revealing himself to potential hackers. But this transparency didn't bother him. He had nothing to hide.

One post immediately caught his attention. It was pinned to the top of the forum, written by an account named 'Forus Master' the creator of the forum and the one responsible for the bulletin board updates. The post was brief but direct, encouraging players to read it as a must.

It explained the security measures in place, stating that all communication on the platform was encrypted, ensuring that it was safe for players to share knowledge and experiences without fear.

Beneath the post was a collection of essential information about the Game, laying out the basics for newcomers and experienced players alike. William skimmed through it, absorbing the key points. This was a treasure trove of knowledge, especially for those just starting their journey into the complex world of the game.

He smiled to himself, already plotting his next move. Armed with the knowledge he had gathered and the growing power within him, William was ready to continue his ascent. There were no limits in this world: only opportunities.

This is just the starting point, and I encourage other players to contribute their insights. I plan to compile a basic manual later to help everyone navigate the game more easily.

For instance, the concept of a "safe zone" in the Sequence Game is crucial. It refers to the location where you log off; if it's not secure, you might log back in only to find yourself surrounded by monsters or ambushed as soon as you come online. Trust me, that would be a disaster.

If a player dies, they will respawn at their starting location after enduring a death penalty. If that starting point is exposed, it's like blocking a fountain; anyone could attack them immediately. Thankfully, unless there's a serious grudge, players usually don't go that far.

Another important note: if a player's real body is harmed while they're logged in, the game will force them to log out and wake up immediately. Also, if you need to log off mid-game, you'll have to wait about ten seconds without being interrupted or taking any action. It's a safety measure, but it can feel agonizing in the heat of battle.

After reading the pinned post, William felt a surge of understanding. He scrolled down to the player communication posts, eager to see what others were discussing.

"Requesting a map of Border Town!" one post read.

"Which monster gives the fastest XP? Any low-defense, fragile health wild monsters with high experience points?" another player inquired.

"I'm in Black Stone Village. What about you all? Anyone in Border Town?" someone else chimed in.

As the replies rolled in, William noticed many players had indeed started in Border Town. That place was bustling, home to several thousand, maybe even ten thousand inhabitants. It had everything a player could need; resources, equipment, and more; far beyond what the smaller villages could offer.

But there was a catch: all the wild monsters near Border Town had been wiped out. Players eager to level up would have to trek dozens of miles to find the Forest Valley and face wild magical creatures.

"What levels is everyone at? Who's the highest-level player right now?" one post asked, sparking a flurry of responses.

Some players claimed to be at level 5, while others reported level 3. One player admitted he was still stuck at level 2, which seemed suspicious given that the internal beta had been running for almost a week.

Yet, in this community, lying wouldn't gain you anything. If you didn't want to share, you simply didn't post.

The level 2 player then shared more about his situation. "I've been bedridden for years and have poor health in the real world," he explained. "I barely made it past the first palace before dying. The death penalty has really set me back."