I don’t know how long I ran or how many world records I smashed. They say fear makes your eyes pop, but that’s not the whole saying. It also gives you fast legs and wet pants. Only after bolting a few kilometers did I feel kinda safe. Took a shit-ton of effort and mana to control my legs. So now, I let myself collapse onto the ground for a breather. Among the jagged rocks, I found a small nook where I’d be harder to spot. Some demonic critters were roaming in the distance, but they hadn’t noticed me yet. By combining thought acceleration and my twitchy technique, I’d cooked up a pretty effective way to take down these small-time beasts. Later, I tested it on a couple of stray dogs and celebrated the success by chowing down on fresh demon meat and bitter, hot blood. At first, I thought only healing magic kept me alive after that diet. But now, my body’s adapted. Hell, I’m half-demon myself. Alright, I’ll rest a bit and hit the road. Don’t wanna overstay my welcome here. Ugh… If only I had a compass or a damn GPS… I’d love to find the exit quick and not wander this lovely locale any longer than I have to.

  I stepped out into the open. Around me stretched a black field of volcanic rock, littered with hills and pits of molten lava. In the distance, a mountain range lazily rose across the entire horizon. That’s where I was headed. I planned to follow those cliffs in the direction Vyer pointed out. This terrain’s a bitch to cross, but since my legs are on Bluetooth now, I didn’t feel tired. No roads or even paths, of course. There’s gotta be something out there. I don’t buy that Mary dragged my mattress here on foot. Still, better steer clear of any trails. My hellhound-skin sandals were holding up alright. Not exactly Adidas, but thanks for small favors. Shit… Thinking about it made me tear up. Comfy shoes… My beloved Adidas… Maybe not top ten, but definitely top twenty inventions. The top spot’s still a fight between the tractor, the machine gun, and mayonnaise.

  I wasn’t too lonely on my trek. Monsters popped up now and then, but unlike my first outing, killing one didn’t bring three more. It brought zero. So, I racked up a few more dogs on my kill count.

  The mountains’ outlines grew sharper. Just a couple kilometers left. Strolling along with magic in chill mode, I suddenly felt a surge of confidence. Man… What a long road I’ve traveled. All the shit I’ve been through. But those hardships only tempered me. What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. (Note: Nietzsche didn’t know about Dota when he wrote that. Dota sure as hell didn’t make me stronger.) I’m not that spineless rag who cried at the sight of demons anymore. I pictured myself strutting into some bar in the human world, cool as fuck, sidling up to the counter for a drink. All the local thugs staring. The cockiest one walks up and goes, “Hey, kid, who’re you?” And I’m like, “Get lost, punk, you stink.” He’s like, “Whoa, looks like we got a new tough guy, boys. Let’s show him our hospitality.” His buddies pull out bats, knives, brass knuckles, whatever they’ve got. Their faces light up, ready for some good ol’ pointless violence. But fuck ‘em. With a badass look, I snap their spines and say, “Thanks, gents, your hospitality’s to my taste.” Then a stunning 10/10 chick walks up and goes, “You’re pretty cool. Strong guys always turn me on. Wanna slip away for a bit?” And me, like a true gentleman, “A bit? You’re underestimating me, babe.” Damn… I want to believe all the good and bad in life balances out. I’ve come so far… Don’t I deserve something like that? As if to prove my point, I turned back to see the road I’d traveled.

  - FUCK YOUR GRANDMA!!!

  Fifty meters away, two demon beasts the size of hefty hippos were charging at me. Uh… No fighting those things. Strategic, fucking, retreat!!! Forrest, save me!

  I ran like the wind. But they were coming like a slightly faster wind. A wind of change. To change my state from solid to mush. To change my status from online to offline. To… Better focus on surviving than coming up with useless analogies or whatever the hell they’re called. (Sorry, I went to a tech school.)

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  I headed straight for the cliffs. Hate to step on the same rake twice, but I’ve got no chance in the open. I strained my eyes, hoping to spot a cave just wide enough for my ass. Some crevice I could dive into. Hard to believe, but off to the side, I actually saw a dark, narrow passage. There’s hope! My mana was running low. My head was about to spin from the constant strain. But I have to survive. The monsters were right on me. I felt their spit splatter my skin. Just as their massive teeth were about to clamp down, I dove into the cave, arms first. Behind me, just the sharp snap of jaws. Am I saved? Saved… Yeah… Those dreams of strutting through thug central were way too premature. I’m walking a razor’s edge every second.

  After catching my breath, I looked up and glanced around. From one side, three demons stared at me with shocked bug eyes, casually sitting at a table, clutching metal mugs.

  - Is that a human, or am I tripping? – one said.

  - Yeah… Definitely a human. Kalh, what’d you slip in our tea? – said another.

  - Sugar, fuck… – replied the third.

  - A runaway?

  - Runaway? You nuts? This some sci-fi shit? A human escaping? I don’t even know what’d have to happen for that.

  - Well, then we’re all having the same hallucination.

  - Hold up. I heard the master sent two from the new batch for healer training.

  - Oh, then it’s not that weird…

  - So, what do we do? Eat him? I mean, it’s not our problem he escaped.

  - Hey! Hey! Wait! I’m not human! – I didn’t lie.

  - Huh? – said the first.

  - Sure. And I’m not a demon. – said the second.

  - Look, tell us how you escaped, and we’ll kill you quick, no torture. I love a funny story with my tea. – said the third, the cockiest one.

  Fuck… I should focus on something else, but… Where the hell did they get tea?! With sugar?! Are they fucking aristocrats?!

  - No, no, no, dudes, I’m serious, I’m not human!

  - Oh… Oh… Here come the funny stories…

  - Then who are you?

  - I’m, uh… a… half… cough-cough… I’m a… Suuuuccubus… – I dragged it out, half-asking, barely believing my own words.

  - Pfft, hahaha! Kid, you’ve exceeded all expectations!

  - Haha, maybe we keep him alive?

  - Nah, if the master finds out, we’re fucked.

  I don’t know where it came from, but confidence surged back. I got pissed that my half-assed lies were shot down so fast. Best defense is offense!

  - Oh, that’s how it is? Never seen a transgender succubus? Fucking bigots! I’ve got the right to do what I want with my body! And you don’t get to tell me how I should look!

  - What’re you…

  - Enough! You backward cave-dwellers wouldn’t get it. Living in a hole… So out of touch. I ditched my wings and tail myself. I like it better this way. Then I changed my gender.

  - Gender? So, down there?…

  - Partial body transformation skill. Doesn’t use much mana. Phew… It’s kinda hot in here… – To prove the room’s uncomfortable heat, I wiped sweat from my brow, lifting my hair to show off my newborn horns. Oscar-worthy acting.

  The demons were thrown. All they could do was glance at each other. Seems I hit a nerve calling them backward hicks.

  - Alright, sorry…

  - No biggie. (VICTORY!!!)

  - So, why you wandering around looking like that?

  - Training. Not everyone’s lucky enough to be as strong as you guys. Wish I was born like that…

  - That why you were racing those kitties outside? (He means those cute beasts?)

  - Yeah… Sorry for bothering you. I’m honestly too weak. The master sent me to the outer world for recon, but didn’t think about how I’d get there.

  - That’s your problem. The weak die so the strong can snack.

  - Yo, succubus, question. Down there, it’s all human-like, right? – the cocky third demon piped up.

  - What do you mean?

  - You know, down below. In your pants.

  Shit… I don’t like where this is going.

  - Yeah. I guess…

  - Perfect, I’ve got an idea: you help us with our problem, and we’ll help you reach the gates. How’s that?

  - Depends on the problem.

  - The problem is, if you don’t help, we’ll toss you out to play with the kitties. How’s that?

  - Fucking asshole…

  - Well, damn… Barges in without a hello or good evening and still acts entitled. I’m being too nice already. So, let’s do this the easy way. Besides, you’re a succubus. You should enjoy it.

  - Sounds sketchy as fuck, but looks like I’ve got no choice.

  - Awesome. We owe a shit-ton for tea to a pretty nasty figure. Nimus, go fetch Mary. Time to settle up…

  With services rendered…