Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster’s Power

The instant the green divine orb hits the open air, the compact threads within continue their violent unraveling.

With the Demon nowhere to be seen, shadow stepping my way in the darkness, I don't waste any time and swallow the strange prize from the first floor.

The Vermillion Family Demon materializes in a black and purple mist, towering over me as he swings his blade.

All possible paths I can take using my foresight skill show the next few milliseconds ending in the fall of the human world...

I still attempt to block and twist out of the way, but the moment my Soul Sword clashes with his, I feel myself being overpowered by an astounding degree. A dangerous pulse comes from my chest.

Instead of the green orb unraveling in the open air, it's been swallowed, now sitting at the center of my chest, unraveling inside me.

An absurd amount of pressure squeezes my core, like I'm having a heart attack; but at the same time, sharp energy explodes throughout my arms, legs, and even shoots into my brain.

It's both the most pleasurable and most painful feeling I've ever experienced.

It feels like the times I tried to absorb green threads in the past, eating the divine fruits, and absorbing the green serpent's aura—but as if I'm doing thousands at once.

It's impossible to tell how much divine energy was in that orb. Now, as it tears my real body to shreds but simultaneously empowers my Astral Form, I let out a blood-curdling scream and swing my blade back at the Demon.

From the center of my Astral Form, an eruption of green light spreads outward like dye dropped into pure water.

My strength skyrockets as my Astral Form expands, instantly matching the Demon's height at just over 1,100 meters tall.

His strike, meant to kill me, is instantly negated, and the Demon is hit across the chest with a fiery green slash, blown back to the opposite side of the room.

Just because I've managed to fend off this strike doesn't mean the battle is won.

As the green light in my core continues to expand, not even my Astral Form is large enough to contain it.

My physical body is being torn away faster than I can heal it, and the small green orb keeps unraveling more and more, with a seemingly endless amount of divine threads.

The pleasure I felt at the start of this process is quickly overwhelmed by far more pain and a sharp ringing in my ears.

Cracks in my Astral Form explode outward with dense waves of green divine threads, and I continue growing in size, struggling to stay upright and conscious.

All I hear over the ringing is the Demon yelling in a rage-filled tone.

"Disgusting. That much green divine energy in a True Core that isn't fully saturated will only lead to your demise! It takes years to assimilate with the throne—you have taken the coward's way out!"

This is all I hear through his laughter as my Divine Core struggles to process all the green threads being forced through it.

Large portions of the threads aren't even processed and are just shot out into the atmosphere. But enough stay within my core to change its tint from bright yellow to pale green.

I feel my links of loyalty skyrocket, breaching 80 million after this stunt. Through the pain, ringing, and hazy mind, I rely on my foresight ability to guide my next movements.

More cracks in my Astral Form break open as it grows, but I need to take advantage of this strength while it's at my fingertips.

Lunging forward, I clash with the Demon again, bouncing off his sword and countering to leave another green fiery slash across his flesh, sending him flying to the back of the room.

He tanks the hit, growing in size with me, holding his blade with both hands. Letting out a yell, he jumps back toward me.

"Still holding on? You know what? Maybe this is the proper way to go out. I commend you for giving everything you had until the very end!"

The eye on his purple blade pulses, and a bright Demonic Aura makes his Soul Sword grow in size, matching the 1,500 meters in height his wielder now stands at.

The Demon's roar surrounds his entire body with strange Demonic Soul Energy, and he swings his blade forward to collide with my red blade, now tethered with green divine threads.

The gravity wave of this Demon's fully unsealed form, and my chaotic green Astral Soul Sword, make all other moves we've thrown so far in this battle pale in comparison.

We're on equal footing again, but the green orb in my chest is far from finished.

My mind is shutting down, and the small percentage of flesh left on my physical body is hanging on using divine energy-tethered self-regeneration to stay in the physical world deep within my Astral Form.

All I can do is rely on my instincts and fight back, because the world depends on it.

Above us, as my links surpass 85 million, two dragons continue to spew energy waves at each other, while a wave of green divine threads rises up from below.

Ember thinks to himself, 'It was a necessary move... However, I cannot do the same. I believe you will attempt to save your physical body, so I will follow suit and save that item for when this life's body can handle it.'

The Demonic Dragon sends another wave of dark matter at Ember, and with less size and speed, it is impossible to dodge.

He takes another injury to his Astral Form, leaving a second massive black stain.

The Demonic Dragon laughs and taunts Ember.

"Your human has chosen to blow himself up. Even if you use your sealed power, it is over. We have won! Good luck on the next planet that connects to the system!"

Ember smirks, unsealing a far larger portion of the silver threads locked within his Immortal Core.

Before, just a thin layer around his claws was enough to complete all the trials and fend off his enemies. Ever since his True Core awakened, using this small amount of power has been enough to wield continuously without needing to rest from fatigue.

The golden threads could end this battle in an instant, but using a large amount in combat of this magnitude would do far more damage than the last time he used just a small amount as a sonar in Celia's construct.

As silver light erupts from the center of Ember's Astral Form, he yells back at the Dragon, who believes it has claimed its first world.

"Don't underestimate that human. A little green divine energy won't be enough to kill him. Honestly, I doubt it'll even leave a scratch on his physical body once we're done here."

Ember's entire Astral Form starts to shimmer silver, as the density of divine threads shifts. Almost a full tenth of the energy making up this yellow dragon in the sky is filled with a weakened form of the energy this very tower is made of.

His speed skyrockets, and in the blink of an eye, deep silver claw marks open up in the Demonic Dragon's underbelly, sending it flying upward with a screech filled with fear and unease.

Ember releases a strong wave of disintegrating flames from his mouth, filled with yellow and silver threads, following his prey upward as the wave of green threads from below fills the tower.

---

Links of loyalty surge past 100 million as my mind completely shuts off. I rely solely on my foresight ability and battle instincts, while my conscious mind focuses on withstanding the horrible ringing in my ears and maintaining even a single drop of blood in my physical body to avoid losing touch with this world.

Clashes of gravity waves that could destroy worlds twice the size of ours continuously echo through the tower.

Tens of clashes go by on equal footing, but the green threads from the green orb I consumed just keep making me grow larger and larger.

More and more of my Astral Form cracks away, allowing plumes of green energy to pour out. However, my True Core transforms from a pale random mixture of yellow and green; to a much brighter green outer layer and a yellow center settling into its natural state.

I surpass two kilometers in height, and a single sword strike that overpowers the Demon snaps my conscious mind back into reality.

This is not only because I've landed a third hit—one so powerful into the Demon's stomach that it hesitates to attack for a moment—but the best thing about this exchange is that I feel the green energy expanding within me begin to slow.

The violent orb loses its spherical form, and moments later, the source of all this energy finally stops producing more.

I can finally breathe.

With my conscious mind aware, as if I've just opened my eyes, I lunge forward and strike the hesitating Demon with ruthless speed in the exact same spot.

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My green flaming sword shoves all the way through the massive Demonic Form, and it coughs up blood, its eyes wide.

"H-How... You've fully absorbed this many green threads in mere seconds..."

It tries to counter, but I throw the Demon to the side. Deep within my Astral Form, from the small drops of blood and bits of flesh remaining of my real body, I begin to regenerate my body.

It's still extremely painful, as the green threads coursing through me are still tearing the newly grown flesh to bits the moment it returns to reality.

However, there is no new energy attacking me at the source.

My True Core has processed all of the pure green threads available to it. Now my body is just dealing with the aftermath.

The excess threads that I can't even use are seeping out of my Astral Form. Even the cracks all over me start to heal now that I don't have to use every spare bit of power merely to stay alive.

My True Core is still yellow, but in an instant, it's pushed over halfway to breaking through to green. Now I can take advantage of this power that is all mine.

I laugh and swing my blade across my body with unfathomable speed and fluidity, colliding with the Demon's purple sword and deflecting it aside to land another hit across his torso. I immediately counter again, leaving an additional gash in his leg.

We're both blown back from the force. In this moment, the Demon sees my green-and-yellow Astral Form completely heal.

"You're a monster... you can't be a human. Even a Noble Class world can't produce talent like this—how—"

I don't waste any time, sending another flurry of attacks his way, leaving three fiery green wounds on his side, back, and left arm.

My gaze is focused, my mind is clear, and my physical body has completely reformed, now adapted to the constant stream of green threads ravaging through it.

The mutation that started within that divine construct has just been pushed to a whole new level. I'm not giving up on the physical world.

We circle the small pillar in the center of the room as my links of loyalty surge higher and higher, surpassing 120 million, then even 130 million. Each surge adds to my base stats, which are further elevated by the green threads coursing through my veins, widening the power gap between us with every second that passes.

The Demon is fully on the defensive, and the entire world watches as I leave countless near-death fiery slashes all over his dark Demonic Form.

I yell for the world to hear, as every nation, day or night, watches and feels the magnificent battle that will decide the fate of the world.

"Without every single one of you, this wouldn't have been possible. I, the Flame Emperor, have vowed to protect humanity. I will not let you down for as long as I live!"

The Demon's unwavering confidence and noble presence shatter in his mind as he hears these words. Simultaneously, a massive flash of silver light erupts tens of kilometers above us.

His Demonic Dragon's pain-filled roar, and the massive green Astral Soul Sword coming its way, do not seem real.

This result was an impossibility.

Raised on a Noble Class world, brought to the Demonic Realm as a chosen General to serve the Vermillion Family and become one of its Lords in the Upper Realms for hundreds of years.

It was always a well-known fact that no monster could ever rival a demon of this caliber in pure strength alone.

Especially not a human of a Third-Class world.

This was supposed to be a simple stepping stone to a long life of nobility and luxury.

Now, he watches two halves of his Soul-Bonded Demonic Dragon fall from the sky, covered in claw marks and silver wounds.

The last thing he feels is a two-kilometer-long fiery Soul Sword slicing through his head and shattering his Divine Core.

---

The explosion of Demonic matter and the threads of his True Core surge through the tower, filling it with thick, hot, and violent light.

My yell as I throw this final strike is paired with over 140 million gasps and cheers all over the globe.

Before I can even see again, notifications echo through my inner ear. I realize—I really did it.

I won.

---

[Level Up] x8396

[Use Absorption]

Skill: Body Double

Upgrade: Divine Grade

[YES][NO]

[Use Absorption]

Skill: Demonic Energy Manipulation

Upgrade: Supreme Grade

[YES][NO]

[Use Absorption]

Skill: Shadow Step [Divine Grade]

[YES][NO]

[Use Absorption]

MCP: 189,299,458,901,262,190

[YES][NO]

[Use Absorption]

Stat: Strength

Points: 144,230

[YES][NO]

[Use Absorption]

Buff: Noble Bloodline Transformation

[YES][NO]

---

My level reaches 25,102, but I have far more than just the stat upgrades on my mind. I accept them all and try to look upward to see Ember, as it seems he has finished his fight with a victory as well.

But my vision is filled with black, purple, yellow, and green energy. The pure yellow threads that pour into my Divine Core strengthen my Astral Form even further, unintentionally growing me a few hundred meters taller.

There is so much divine energy pouring into my body that it is taking far longer than usual.

Simultaneously, an odd phenomenon occurs, as I feel the True Core ability I gained from defeating Beckman's black horse activate.

It's unclear exactly what it's doing, but it feels like it's absorbing far more than just pure divine threads, like my absorption skill.

I ponder this phenomenon while, in the same instance, I feel my Astral Soul Sword hunger for the falling purple blade with an eye on its handle.

Before the Demon's entire body or Greater Form's Excess Energy completely falls, I push my blade closer. It turns the Purple Sword to glowing liquid and consumes it whole with ravenous hunger.

---

[The Divine Emperor's Soul Sword Evolution Attribute has reached Lv. 2!]

---

The blade pulses red, then shifts to its black dormant state the moment it senses there are no more enemies and no more powerful Soul Weapons to consume.

As Ember flies downward from the ceiling, deactivating his Astral Form, I set my sights on the large black Ascended Demon's Core in the center of the falling Demonic remains.

____________

Post Chapter Status Update:

____________

Current Links of Loyalty: 146,921,008

Additional Base Stats Added:

Strength: 5,759,303,513

Speed: 5,622,910,040

Agility: 5,999,016,284

Defense: 5,809,312,595

Mental Strength: 5,700,945,818

+14,398,258,784 Additional Hp

+14,398,258,784 Additional Mp

[Status Open]

____________

Name: Jay Soju

Level: 25,102

Hp: (125,515/125,515 + 14,398,258,784/14,398,258,784) = 14,398,384,299 Max Hp

Mp: (125,515/125,515 + 14,398,258,784/14,398,258,784) = 14,398,384,299 Max Mp

Strength: (229,065 + 5,759,303,513)= 5,759,532,578 Base Strength

[+82649292494] [+131778105385] [+147904796603] [+127746432580] [+87544895186] [+173073953969] [+138919925781] [+115478628189] [+2879766289] [+5759532578] [+57595325780] [+416932563321] [+14398831445] [+14398831445] [+23038130312]

= 1,545,858,543,935 Total Strength

Speed: (93,976 + 5,622,910,040)= 5,623,004,016 Base Speed

[+90361674537] [+91317585220] [+156431971725] [+124774459115] [+105656245461] [+136638997589] [+179879898472] [+110098418633] [+167565519677] [+2811502008] [+5623004016] [+56230040160] [+390348938791] [+14057510040] [+14057510040] [+22492016064]

= 1,673,968,295,564 Total Speed

Agility: (85,953 + 5,999,016,284)= 5,999,102,237 Base Agility

[+93226048763] [+113922951481] [+162395697556] [+146618058672] [+105284244259] [+152737142954] [+211168398742] [+122681640747] [+131500321035] [+2999551119] [+5999102237] [+59991022370] [+393541106747] [+14997755593] [+23996408948]

= 1,747,058,553,460 Total Agility

Defense: (62,112 + 5,809,312,595)= 5,809,374,707 Base Defense

[+81389339645] [+139076430486] [+127922431048] [+108461025780] [+89812932970] [+200016771162] [+141167805380] [+115316087934] [+2904687354] [+5809374707] [+58093747070] [+362446887970] [+23237498828]

= 1,461,464,395,041 Total Defense

Mental Strength: (97,060 + 5,700,945,818)= 5,701,042,878 Base Mental Strength

[+113564774130] [+115731170423] [+142526071950] [+118980764864] [+119778910867] [+158603012866] [+212420857634] [+131694090482] [+146288760249] [+2850521439] [+5701042878] [+57010428780] [+405344148626] [+14252607195] [+14252607195] [+22804171512]

= 1,787,504,983,968 Total Mental Strength

____________

Skills:

Absorption [Divine Grade]

Swordsmanship [Mythic Grade]

Combat Magic [Supreme Fire Summoning]

Inspect [Mythic Grade]

Enemy Detection [Mythic Grade]

Body Hardening [Mythic Grade]

Self Regeneration [Mythic Grade]

Spatial Magic [Item Storage]

Plunderer [Mythic Grade]

Telekinesis [Mythic Grade]

Appraisal [Mythic Grade]

Conceal [Mythic Grade]

Berserker [Mythic Grade]

Dungeon Walker [Legendary Grade]

Intimidation [Mythic Grade]

Dagger Mastery [Mythic Grade]

Stealth [Mythic Grade]

Bloodlust [Mythic Grade]

Equivalent Exchange

Combat Magic [Superior Wind Summoning]

All-Seeing Eye [Mythic Grade]

Extreme Strength [Mythic Grade]

Dual Wielding [Mythic Grade]

Telepathy [Legendary Grade]

Final Breath [Mythic Grade]

Combat Magic [Superior Earth Summoning]

Combat Magic [Superior Mana Manipulation]

Life Steal [Mythic Grade]

Hibernation [Mythic Grade]

Combat Magic [Supreme Demonic Energy Manipulation]

Combat Magic [Supreme Ice Summoning]

Body Double [Divine Grade]

Lie Detector [Legendary Grade]

Hush [Mythic Grade]

Craftsmanship [Mythic Grade]

Extreme Speed [Mythic Grade]

Combat Magic [Superior Water Summoning]

Screech [Mythic Grade]

Phantom Step [Mythic Grade]

Flare [Mythic Grade]

Confusion [Mythic Grade]

Blast [Mythic Grade]

Bind [Legendary Grade]

Bloodweaver [Legendary Grade]

Poison Mist [Mythic Grade]

Iron Fist [Mythic Grade]

Extreme Stamina [Mythic Grade]

Combat Magic [Superior Lightning Summoning]

Combat Magic [Superior Dark Summoning]

Blink [Mythic Grade]

Cocoon [Mythic Grade]

Imbuement [Mythic Grade]

Barrier Creation [Mythic Grade]

Flight [Mythic Grade]

Area Buff [Mythic Grade]

Mind Palace [Mythic Grade]

Astral Spears [Mythic Grade]

Flash Step [Mythic Grade]

Call of The Void [Mythic Grade]

Crystal Creation [Mythic Grade]

Heavy Hand [Mythic Grade]

Combat Magic [Superior Light Summoning]

Spirit Anchor [Mythic Grade]

Echo [Mythic Grade]

Metal Creation [Mythic Grade]

Final Strike [Mythic Grade]

Dark Mist [Mythic Grade]

Enrage [Mythic Grade]

Foresight [Divine Grade]

Shadow Step [Divine Grade]

____________

Items Equipped: [20 Slots Available Post 3rd Rank Up][Currently Items 14/20 Equipped]

Platinum Ring of Visual Manipulation [Blood Bonded] [+1992% Mental Strength][+1607% Speed][+1554% Agility][+1435% Strength][+1401% Defense][+750% Perception][Illusion Attribute]

The Behemoth's Platinum Amulet [Blood Bonded] [+2394% Defense][+2288% Strength][+2030% Mental Strength][+1899% Agility][+1624% Speed][Hardening Attribute]

Enchanted Boots of Extreme Speed [Blood Bonded] [+2782% Speed][+2707% Agility][+2568% Strength][+2500% Mental Strength][+2202% Defense][Wind Attribute]

Enchanted Ice Serpent's Pendant [Blood Bonded] [+2444% Agility] [+2219% Speed][+2218% Strength][+2087% Mental Strength][+1908% Magic Resistance][+1901% Ice Magic Resistance][+1867% Defense][Ice Attribute]

Platinum Ring of The Blue Ogre King [Blood Bonded] [+2101% Mental Strength] [+1879% Speed][+1755% Agility][+1546% Defense][+1520% Strength]

Berserker King's Armor Set [Blood Bonded] [+3443% Defense][+3005% Strength][+2782% Mental Strength][+2546% Agility][+2430% Speed][Hardening Attribute][Earth Attribute]

Cloak of Total Darkness[+3726% Mental Strength][+3520% Agility][+3199% Speed][+500% Perception][Blood Bonded][Hidden Passive Ability][Concealment Attribute][Dark Attribute]

Enchanted Lightweight Gauntlets [Blood Bonded][+2430% Defense][+2412% Strength][+2310% Mental Strength][+2045% Agility][+1958% Speed][Hardening Attribute][Earth Attribute][Fire Attribute]

Storm King's Dagger Set[Blood Bonded][+2980% Speed][+2566% Mental Strength][+2192% Agility][+2005% Strength][+1985% Defense][Lightning Attribute][Wind Attribute]

Greater Demon's Core [+50% All Stats]

Arch Demon's Core [+100% All Stats]

Ascended Demon's Core [+1000% All Stats]

Celia's Purple Core [Living Ring Artifact] [Divine Limiter][Hidden Ability]

Divine Emperor's Soul Sword [Soul Bonded][Evolution Attribute: Lv. 2][Fire Affinity][Dark Affinity][Demonic Affinity][+7239% Strength][+7110% Mental Strength][+6942% Speed][+6560% Agility][+6239% Defense]

[EMPTY SLOT]

[EMPTY SLOT]

[EMPTY SLOT]

[EMPTY SLOT]

[EMPTY SLOT]

[EMPTY SLOT]

____________

Skill Buffs:

[Berserker] +250% Strength + Mental Strength

[BloodLust] +250% Speed + Agility + Mental Strength , +100% Perception

[Extreme Strength] +250% Strength

[Extreme Speed] +250% Speed

[Final Breath] ~ +400% All Stats (Exact % will vary, conditions & circumstances apply)

Permanent Buffs:

Rising Emperor's Domain[Hidden Ability][Passive]

Rising Emperor's Greater Form[Hidden Ability][Active]

Master of Illusion [Hidden Ability]

[Divine Elemental's Astral Form]

[Noble Bloodline Transformation]

*Stat Increases shown do not account for Greater Form, Astral Form, Noble Bloodline, Qi, Demonic Energy, Mana Control, or Divine Core Power Increases.