Demon Being System

(Author's Note: The title for this chapter is chapter 17, when it should have been chapter 15, I purposely did this so the title will be the same with the number of chapters published. Thanks for reading.)

Kaden crouched over the lifeless beast, its grotesque form sprawled on the forest floor. Its hide was thick and unyielding—he'd learned that the hard way during their fight. His fists, no matter how desperate, couldn't penetrate it. Carving through the exterior was pointless. 

If he wanted to eat, he'd have to go straight to the source. 

With a grimace, Kaden shoved his hands into the beast's gaping mouth, fingers navigating the sticky, cold flesh. The stench hit him like a wave, and bile rose in his throat as he pushed deeper, searching for something even remotely edible. 

Suddenly, his fingers brushed against something that wasn't flesh. Smooth. Solid. Cold. His brows furrowed in confusion. It doesn't feels like bone also.

"What the—" he muttered, gripping the object and pulling it free with a sharp yank. 

When his hand emerged, his breath caught. 

In his palm rested a glowing crystal, no larger than his fist. It shimmered with a strange, otherworldly brilliance, as if the entirety of the cosmos was trapped within its translucent surface. Stars twinkled in its core, swirling in a chaotic yet mesmerizing dance. Constellations bloomed and faded as he turned it slightly, the light casting soft reflections on his dirt-streaked face. 

It was beautiful, almost sacred—a stark contrast to the beast it had been pulled from. 

Kaden's heart pounded as fragments of a long-buried memory surfaced. Back in primary school, during one of the rare lessons, his teacher had spoken of something extraordinary: "beast crystals". 

They were remnants of energy condensed within beasts, she'd explained. Treasures. These crystals were sought after by factions, researchers, and adventurers. Their uses were countless—fueling technology, forging weapons, enhancing supernatural abilities. Most importantly, they were the key to ascending tiers of power. When absorbed, beast crystals pushed ability users closer to their potential. 

Kaden stared at the crystal in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly. This wasn't just a find. It was a chance to rise, to grow stronger. 

But what should he do? 

Two options presented themselves. 

The first was to sell it. Beast crystals were incredibly rare in the market. Those who found them rarely sold them because strength was always more valuable than wealth. "What's the use of money if you aren't alive to spend it?" he thought grimly. 

That left the second option: absorbing it. 

His mind drifted to that same lesson from years ago. The teacher had explained how to absorb a beast crystal.

It was rather simple in theory but difficult in practice. The process required swallowing the crystal whole. 

Kaden stared at the glowing object in his hand, imagining it passing through his throat. It was laughable, impossible. Yet, the memory nagged at him, urging him to try. 

With hesitation, he brought the crystal to his lips. His breath hitched as the cold surface touched his skin. Just as he was about to press forward, a sharp "ding" echoed in his mind. 

[Warning: Dangerous object detected.]

Startled, Kaden jerked the crystal away from his mouth. His brow furrowed in confusion. Dangerous? How could it be dangerous? He thought back to the teacher's lesson. Beast crystals were supposed to enhance abilities, not harm. 

"What do you mean dangerous?'" he muttered aloud, directing the question to the AI. 

He asked the system directly, his voice shaky. "What happens if I absorb it?" 

The system's response was immediate and chilling: 

[Death.]

Kaden's eyes widened in alarm. His fingers loosened reflexively, and the crystal tumbled to the ground. He scrambled back, putting distance between himself and the glowing object. 

He stared at the crystal, his chest heaving. Why was it dangerous for him? What made him different? Beast crystals were supposed to be the path to power. If he couldn't absorb them, how was he supposed to ascend tiers? 

For several long moments, he stood there, the weight of the system's warning pressing down on him. But curiosity and determination soon overpowered his fear. Slowly, he stepped closer, his gaze locked on the crystal. 

Bending down, he picked it up again. This time, the system remained silent. There were no warnings, no flashing messages. It seemed holding the crystal was safe—it was only the act of absorbing it that posed a threat. 

Kaden sighed, his frustration giving way to acceptance. "Fine. If I can't absorb it now, I'll just store it for later," he muttered. 

He sighed and sent a mental command to the system. "Store it in the inventory." 

The crystal vanished from his hands in an instant. Kaden blinked, surprised by how seamless it was. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 

"That's… cool." 

The inventory was another feature the AI had explained earlier. It was like a personal spatial storage space, capable of holding inanimate objects. The current size was limited, comparable to a travel bag, but it would grow larger as Kaden leveled up. 

The system had restrictions, of course. Only non-living items could be stored, and larger objects were out of the question for now. But the practicality of it made Kaden feel a small spark of hope. 

Rising to his feet, he glanced at the spot where the beast crystal had been moments ago. He clenched his fists. 

If he couldn't absorb the crystal now, then he'd find a way later. For now, survival was the priority.

"And the first step to that is to go grill this crap meat." He thought looking at the beast.