The Life of Lust Demon

Owen leaned back, his eyes distant as he stared out of the window. His mind wasn't on the conversation happening inside the car—he was plotting how to deal with Anos once they were out of sight. The quiet hum of the engine did nothing to calm his nerves.

Anos sat across from him, his gaze unwavering as the city lights slowly faded behind them. Flower City at night was alive with movement, the bustling streets full of life. But once they left the city limits, the world outside was swallowed by darkness. The only light came from the pale moon above, barely illuminating the rugged landscape. The eerie glow of the monsters' eyes, red and green, flickered through the trees, their presence felt rather than seen. The occasional flare of energy from martial artists battling monsters sent bursts of light across the blackened forest, illuminating the fight in a dazzling display of power. The air was thick with tension, as each strike of their energy could be felt in the ground beneath them. These martial artists were no mere hunters—they were warriors, wielding terrifying strength and devastating abilities, fighting for survival.

Despite the discomfort of the rough road, Anos felt oddly calm. The journey was long, but it wasn't the terrain that concerned him. It was what lay ahead.

The road they traveled on had been here long before the world had changed. Horizon Down had once been a thriving planet of peace, where humans and nature coexisted in harmony. But that peace had been shattered. The monsters emerged without warning, their rampage sudden and unrelenting. In the chaos that followed, humans began to change—something within them awakened, but no one knew how, or why. Some believed it was a blessing, others thought it was a curse. What was undeniable was that, as their powers grew, so did their darker impulses.

Once they were no longer ordinary, the boundaries between right and wrong began to blur. For many, the surge of power brought a sense of superiority, a feeling that they were chosen, above others. In their lust for more strength, some humans turned their powers toward more sinister purposes. Entire factions of corrupt martial artists, greedy for dominance, began to rise. They no longer fought for survival—they fought for control, for conquest. They exploited weaker settlements, crushed rivals with their strength, and indulged in darker arts, all in the name of their own ascension.

While the monsters were still a threat, it was the humans who had become the true enemy. It was said that power corrupted even the purest of hearts, and that had proven true. With the arrival of the God's Blessings, the line between hero and villain had become a blurred mess of ambition and bloodshed. Now, it was no longer just monsters that people feared—it was other humans.

The bumpy road beneath them jolted him back to reality as the car's tires crunched against the gravel.

"Anos," Oscar's voice broke the silence, pulling him from his thoughts. He glanced over, his expression curious. "I've been meaning to ask... why are you heading to Chillwater Valley? It's a dangerous place, even for someone like you."

Anos straightened up slightly, his fingers lightly tapping against the window. "I'm going there to find Chillwater Shards," he replied, his voice steady but carrying an underlying determination.

Oscar's eyes widened, a slight frown forming. "Chillwater Shards? You know how rare those are, right? The Chillwater Valley is practically empty of them now. Martial artists have stripped it clean over the past few years. You'll be lucky if you even find a single shard left. And it's not just the scarcity—those shards are found in the most inhospitable places. The valley's temperatures are so low that most people can't last more than a few hours out there before freezing."

Anos smirked, the faintest spark of challenge in his eyes. "I'm aware. But the Chillwater Shards are the only way to enhance my strength further. I don't have much choice." He paused, glancing at Oscar. "Besides, I've heard there's more to the valley than meets the eye. People say there are parts of it that haven't been fully explored... areas that even the monsters stay away from. There's a reason it's called 'Chillwater.'"

Oscar raised an eyebrow. "You're not just looking for shards, are you? There's something else you're after in that valley, isn't there? I've heard rumors. Some say the valley is hiding something ancient. Something powerful. You could be walking into something far worse than a few leftover shards."

Anos chuckled softly, his gaze focused on the endless stretch of darkness ahead. "Perhaps. But isn't that what makes it interesting?"

Oscar shook his head, a mix of admiration and concern in his eyes. "You're either brave or crazy. But don't say I didn't warn you."

Anos turned to face him, a glint of resolve in his eyes. "I don't have the luxury of hesitation. I've made my decision. If the Chillwater Shards are my only way forward, I'll face whatever the valley holds."

Anos suddenly paused, a thought crossing his mind. He turned to Oscar and asked, "Wait a minute... the Chillwater Valley is known for its extreme cold, right?"

Oscar nodded without hesitation, "Yes, it's one of the coldest places in the region. We've all packed extra layers for the journey. Didn't you?"

Anos shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes gleaming with quiet confidence. "I'm not too worried. The cold won't be an issue for me."

Owen, who had been quiet up until now, spoke up with a hint of concern, though there was something more in his tone. "That's not enough. We're heading into the heart of Chillwater Valley, the temperatures there can freeze even a warrior solid. You need to be at least a Stage-Seven in the Elemental Foundation Realm to withstand the cold without proper gear. Are you at Stage-Seven yet?"

It was a question wrapped in faux concern, but Anos could feel the subtle edge beneath it. It wasn't about the cold; it was a challenge.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Anos looked back at him with a knowing smile. "I'll be fine. I've faced worse conditions. I'm not as concerned about the cold as I am about the company." He glanced meaningfully at Owen, his voice turning slightly teasing. "At the end of the day, it's not the strength that matters, but the moments spent with those who matter most. What do you think, Brother Owen? Wouldn't you agree?"

Anos' words were like a sharp arrow aimed directly at Owen, each syllable dripping with hidden meaning. The implication was clear: "You may be stronger, but I've already taken the one you desire. What are you going to do about it?"

Owen's expression flickered for a moment, his fists tightening. His eyes betrayed a flash of anger, but he quickly masked it with a smooth, almost forced smile. "You're right, Anos. I'll let you handle it your way."

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But inwardly, Owen's mind churned with thoughts of revenge. You may think you've won, but you'll regret this. I'll make sure you never make it out of Chillwater Valley alive. The thought of Anos' smug smile, knowing that he had taken what Owen had once believed was his, ignited a fire within him. The cold of the valley would be nothing compared to the depths of the vengeance he planned.

Anos furrowed his brow, a sudden realization striking him. He glanced at Oscar and asked, "It doesn't make sense. The climate here is temperate, so how does a place like Chillwater Valley exist? Any idea why it's like this?"

Anos had now unlocked mastery over all Elements with the help of System, but to gain full control, he needed the corresponding spirit item tied to each Element. Chillwater Valley, however, presented an anomaly that seemed to defy all logic. It was like stumbling upon an ice field in the heart of the desert. Impossible, right? Though not quite as extreme, it was still a mystery. Even in the coldest winters, the temperature usually stayed just around freezing, rarely dipping below it. Summer had only just ended, but this valley, at this time, was covered in a blanket of snow and ice. Anos was certain that there was something more to this phenomenon than just natural weather patterns.

Oscar thought for a moment before answering, his tone thoughtful, "You're right, it doesn't add up. As far as I know, some scholars and martial artists have looked into it before, but no one's been able to figure out why Chillwater Valley is so cold. There have been rumors, though—some think there might be a rare ice-type treasure buried there, or that it's the result of a powerful ice-type spirit item. Whatever it is, it's something incredibly strong to cause such a massive, unnatural cold. Many have searched for it over the years but have come up empty-handed. It's one of those things that's probably best left alone."

Anos nodded, his mind still racing. He was beginning to piece it together. If an ice-type Spirit Item were responsible for the valley's freezing temperatures, it would have to be something extraordinarily powerful—probably a Heaven Treasury item. Such a treasure could explain the unnatural cold stretching across such a vast area.

Anos' lips curled into a smile, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "A Heaven Treasury item, huh? If that's the case, then it's worth investigating. The Ice Element is tied to water, and if I could absorb the essence of something so potent, it would be more than just useful. It would allow me to permanently activate the water Element within me. But..." He paused, his gaze narrowing as he thought about the danger. "Many have tried and failed to locate it, so the odds aren't exactly in my favor. Still, maybe it's just a matter of fate."

Oscar raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Anos' response, but he didn't press the matter further. "You really think you can find it? A Heaven Treasury item is no small thing, and it's likely heavily guarded. But... if you manage it, you'll have one of the most powerful treasures at your disposal."

Anos smirked, his confidence unwavering. "It's all about perseverance. The rarest treasures are often the hardest to find, but the rewards are worth the risk. Let's see if I can't change fate."