Mind Demon's Path of Domination

How does a Tier-0 Demonling evolve to become a Lower Demon?

To evolve from a Demonling and become a Lower Demon, you need an intense desire to grow stronger.

When that happens, you will feel a sense of synchronization with your Soul Space.

When that happens, you will fall into a daze, and you will, for the first time in your life, come to contact with the core of your being as a Demon—the Soul Space.

When he evolved, Mark had exactly gone through that.

He had suddenly become immensely frustrated at his slow growth and became incredibly greedy for more. He wanted to evolve so badly that he was ready to hurt himself for it.

More. More. More. More!

And then, that feeling resonated with his Soul Space.

The Soul Space was a conglomeration of demonic instincts. It had an innate attitude towards life—to gain more, get what it didn't have, and grow stronger.

It had an insatiable greed for more.

To store as many souls within itself as possible. To be bigger than any other space.

Now that he had evolved, Mark knew why he could only evolve if he had an intense desire to grow stronger. The sheer greed to have it all.

Only when his emotions resonated with that sentiment did he finally sense the Soul Space for real.

It was like oil mixing with oil. Until then, his Mind was water and the Soul Space oil, but when he understood his intense desire, he became capable of accepting the oil.

Thus, like a trigger had been pulled, he was yanked into the depths of his mind and he saw deep within himself a dark space.

That was his Soul Space.

When both the mind and body became one in that desire, the Demonling became a Lower Demon. He evolved.

As long as a Pinnacle Demonling had the same desire, they would evolve, too.

Evolving didn't really change a Demon much. It wouldn't magically increase their stats to go up the metaphorical roof. In fact, Evolving would only increase your stat by a single point.

But it would, in fact, reveal all the hidden potential in the body—like Mark's wings. It also removed the 10-point limit that Demonlings had. Mark could now grow stronger.

…

Mark floated amidst empty darkness.

It was emptiness everywhere except for a few shining spots. He floated in the midst with a heart that was full of serenity.

This was his Soul Space.

After moving away from Yuri, he traveled far and hid himself near a 'familiar' School. He knew he wouldn't find the Trio Hunters here. In fact, due to the school closing down after the suicide incident, not even many students were around.

Only some nerdish ones were going to be present. Yet, he had some plans for coming here. But for now, he was looking into himself. Into his newly sensed Soul Space.

He was understanding himself before messing with others.

The wings and his increased body limits were all just side effects of becoming a Lower Demon. It was a huge deal indeed, but it was not what most attracted his attention.

For one, he had gained Soul Sense and the second skin around his skin that acted as a protective field. For another, he had gained a new demonic trick.

Both of those were important things. It was not because of evolving itself that he got the Soul Sense and Defensive Magic Skin, though—he had always had them.

When his stats reached (10) points, these two things had developed their seeds.

It needed (11) points to manifest fully, and when he removed the limit and evolved, he actually gained it due to his stats having reached that.

That must mean that in certain milestone numbers in his stats, he was going to gain more new traits like that. Most probably.

He was somewhat curious and, at the same time, apprehensive of that. The Soul Sense had been a pretty bad experience before it fully manifested. That had made him see his surroundings as chaotic images, and his head had hurt a lot.

What 'worse' would happen when he gains another non-fully-manifested trait?

That made him shiver lightly.

But the Defensive Magic Skin… that had him excited.

Without breaking this second skin of his, nothing could hurt him. Nothing.

That was overpowered enough to save him from the likes of Shiden and his ability as long as the youth was a weaker-tier Hunter.

With the Defensive Magic Skin that automatically protected him at all times, he didn't have to worry about enemies who were not of at least a bit of strength. Fodders could be entirely ignored.

Of course, a stronger enemy could break his Defensive Magic Skin, leaving him vulnerable to an army. But even then, he did have his Resistance, too. Moreover, he was going off of luck mostly, so he would need some practical tests.

I'll have to do more thinking on this, but for now, let's investigate the Soul Space.

Golden eyes gleaming, he looked at his dark surroundings and focused on a violet light in the middle of it all. It stood out like the sun in midday.

This was probably the source of his violet screen. The violet light had the same uncanny shade of the color, and the feel was the same.

So, it had been in his Soul Space all along.

The violet screen was residing in his Soul Space. He thought of moving towards it without a second's delay, and he was immediately beside the light. Inside his Soul Space, travelling was indeed much quicker.

What was inside the light?

Thump. Thump.

Thump.

His heartbeat quickened.

Within the soft violet light, a violet... mirror faced him.

It was archaic, old in design, and incredibly… enchanting.

Mark looked at it with a complex expression.

Inside the mirror, his appearance was clearly visible. It was not the appearance of a Demon. There was no red skin, no black wings, no horns, no incredibly well-crafted muscles. This was his previous life's appearance.

Is this… my soul?

He wondered.

It made sense for one's Soul to reside inside the Soul Space. So, his soul still looked like the body from his previous life?

But looking at it deeper, he could see small changes slowly appearing. It was turning somewhat demonic. For one, his eyes had a golden tint to them.

After a long, contemplative moment, he shook his head with a chuckle.

He had come to like his demonic appearance more and more lately. As a human, he was far too weak. Far too restrained.

But now?

He was strong. Strong enough to threaten lives. Being a Demon was what he preferred now. That gave him the confidence to chase his dreams. Not to mention, his human form just felt way too average.

Mark's gaze focused back on the violet mirror, and his mind drifted off to its implications.

This is probably the source of the system—

His eyes turned incredibly focused.

—And more probably than not, it was also the source of his reincarnation.

Thump. Thump.

He tried to touch it.