Point-of-View: Serafine

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"Hey, excuse me, could you get me something to drink, please? This is pretty thirsty work," I remarked, as I stretched my arm up with a sigh.

"Sure, what would you like?"

"Something cold and sweet, like a fruit juice, maybe?" I replied, after mulling it over.

Today’s the 5th of December, and I’ve been working almost non-stop on infusing light energy and creating explosives to use against Demons. It’s been pretty tedious work, but my control and precision over my Magic has improved, so I have adequate motivation to keep at it.

Initially, the plan had been to infuse light energy into powder, but I soon discovered that there was a much more effective option. Canisters of compressed air and a sticky liquid that bursts when the pin is pulled, so basically air and mist grenades.

When they explode, even at close range, the force is about on par with a push from someone with average strength. However, it spread out rapidly once it explodes.

And given its purpose, that’s way more important than the force of the explosion. Once it explodes, its effective range is about a radius of twenty meters or so from the point of explosion, but it continues to spread out beyond that as well.

But when it comes to significantly weakening Demons, they have to be within that twenty meter range to be seriously affected...at least, in theory. We have no way to know exactly how effective they are until we use them.

We’ve also theorized that while inhaling the light energy-infused air will be most effective against them, they should still sustain damage even if they hold their breaths, as the mist formed by the sticky liquid will cling to their bodies...from what I know, the environment in Hell is rich in dark energy, so to the Demons, these bombs could essentially work as toxic clouds.

Kiyana Waller, one of the Category 1s of Harmony, has been providing most of the light energy I’ve been using to infuse into the grenades, and we’ve made over two thousand of them so far.

With the exception of a few days ago, when she was called to a meeting, we’ve been working constantly, only wrapping things up for the day once she’s out of Aura.

It’s been about three and a half weeks since we started, at a rate of about eighty to ninety bombs per day, so it’s decent progress, but we’re probably gonna need a whole lot more of these.

"You good to keep going a while longer?" I asked Kiyana...we’re not quite at eighty yet today, so I’d like to keep going a bit longer.

But it depends on her. I’ve tried working with other Light Skill users, but their mastery over it isn’t good enough and are harder to work with. That Inoka guy was super easy to work with thanks to his high level of mastery and control, and while Kiyana isn’t quite as efficient as he is, she’s the next best option in Harmony.

"Sure, I’ve got enough Aura left for a few more," She nodded in response.

"Great, then let’s keep at it for a bit longer," I replied with a thumbs up.

"If you don’t mind me asking, aren’t you bored at all? I mean, this isn’t exactly difficult, but with no end in sight, I’m pretty worn out just thinking about it," She remarked with a wry smile.

"Well, it helps me with fine-tuning my control over my Mana better, so it’s not so bad for me. But, yeah, it is pretty monotonous and repetitive work," I sighed wistfully, as the guy who I asked to get me something to drink returned, with an apple juice box.

I’ve been provided with people to help me with any requests or whatever, which so far, has been limited to stuff like getting me food and drinks. This process has been going pretty smoothly, after all.

"Not to mention important, this may be one of the best weapons we have against the Demons. Okay, then...let’s keep going," She declared with a determined look on her face.

"Mhm, ready when you are," I nodded, as I held up one of the uninfused canisters...

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Point-of-View: Fenris Hunt

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"Ow...that really hurt," I groaned, as blood streamed down my arm.

"Focus on your healing ability...nornally, a Werewolf’s Recovery technique is far inferior to that of the Vampires’ Regeneration. That applies to me, as well. However, your Recovery has the potential to be on par with Regeneration.

You are not very used to having to require healing, is that correct?" Surmised Fenrir in response, as the gash on my shoulder slowly closed up.

"Well, yeah, I guess so. I mean, I’ve gotten badly injured a handful of times recently, but in the years before that, I pretty much never sustained any serious injuries at all," I replied with a nod.

Yeah, before the first time I fought Lucifer, I hardly ever got injured. And even when I did, it was minor wounds like bruises, stubbed toes and stuff like that.

"Which means that your Recovery remained unused for most of your life. It is quite understandable that you have not mastered how to use it. However, it will be important that you do...you must learn to heal yourself much faster and more efficiently.

As things stand now, your healing is not only too slow, but it wastes too much energy. There is no point in healing if you are weaker afterwards and have less stamina than you did before, after all," He pointed out objectively.

"I mean, if that’s really possible, then yeah, I’ll do my best. But...I still don’t have full control over my Crimson Werewolf form, how do I work on both of them at the same time?" I frowned in response.

"Yes, I must admit, you lose control more than I anticipated when you use that form. I believe that the best way for you to rectify that is to get your body used to it, and eventually, your mind will catch up and you will be able to remain conscious while in that state.

At present, that form suppresses your consciousness and is driven purely by feral instinct. As such, you are little more than a wild beast. Powerful, but no real threat to a high level Demon," He concluded with a shake of his head.

Control over my full power, and mastering the full potential of my healing ability...yeah, those are my clear paths to getting strong enough to be a genuine force against the Demons.

It won’t be like before, they’ll be twice as powerful. And at my current level, I don’t stand a chance against a Demon of Sin. I can’t let the burden fall solely on Aurora’s shoulders.

She’s crazy powerful and all, but even she can’t take on multiple high level Demons at once. And I have no doubt that the other Outliers are also working hard to get stronger...so I can’t afford to fall behind.

"Hey, if you don’t mind me asking...how would you estimate your chances of defeating a full-powered Demon of Sin?" I asked Fenrir.

"Hm, good question. Against even one of them, I would say that the odds are against me, however...I do stand a decent chance of killing them. Against multiple Demons of Sin, on the other hand, I would not fancy my chances or survival, let alone victory," He surmised wryly.

"I see...if I succeed in gaining full control over my Crimson Werewolf form and fully master the potential of my Recovery technique, would I be stronger than you?" I inquired in response.

So far, I haven’t even been able to make him go all out against me. And as powerful as he is, he’s still a minor Deity, meaning he’s weaker than the Elemental Deities.

"I approve of your ambition. And yes, that is certainly possible. However...at your current rate of improvement, it will be quite some time before you reach that level. Unfortunately, it is likely that we do not have that time to spare...I have a feeling that it will not be much longer before Hell makes its move.

Therefore, I am afraid that I must be more extreme in my efforts. You may have to endure a great deal of pain from now on, but that will be the most effective way to improve your progress. Are you willing to do that?" He asked me, looking me dead in the eye with a serious expression. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Well, I can’t say the idea of being put through more pain is thrilling, exactly, but...let’s do it. I came here to get stronger, so I won’t back down," I replied with a grin, as I made up my mind.

"Excellent. In that case, without any further ado...we shall begin right away..."

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