Today, I decided to take it easy and do one or two quests. For now, I've selected the "Slay one Firebird" quest. It seems that these Firebirds are always protected by a few Thunderbirds. Now Firebirds are lesser descendants of the Phoenix and the Vermillion. These Firebirds are born like regular birds. As they grow older, their feathers began to appear. Each Firebird will grow bright fiery red feathers...the brighter the feathers are, the more likely for the fire to be more pure and stronger. To prepare, I decided to make some more masks.

Opening Maker's Domain, I take out the 5 ice magic cores I got from the Ice Golems I killed in the previous quests. I then condensed and fused the magic cores into one big ice core. Next, I pressed the core into a sheet and then shaped it into a mask that covers the upper half of my face. Taking the four ice crystals I got from the snow children, I liquefied the crystals and then I washed the mask with the liquid while chanting incantations to enhance the fire resistances, ice resistances, and ice-related attacks. The liquid enveloped the mask and fused with it after a number of incantations.

Next, I take a jar of Rainbow Slime gel and mixed it with a drop of my Maker's Essence filled blood. I lathered the incomplete mask with the mixture to further increase resistances to fire and ice as well as add some resistance to other elements. Finished, I appraised the mask:

Mask of the Frozen Giant: B-rank

No cooldown

Indestructible

No-limit

Enchanted Normal Mask

Stamina Drain 10% per hour

Special Attributes:

Ice Resistance 200%

Fire Resistance 200%

Other Resistances 50%

Special Skills:

Ice Blast - Blast a wave of ice shards

Frozen Touch - freezes a 5 m radius

Ice Javelin - throws a spear of ice

Ice Wall - raises a wall of ice

After making the mask, I began to make another mask. I take the 5 fire magic cores that I took from the Fire Golems that I killed in a previous quest. Like the ice magic cores, I condensed and fused the fire magic cores into one big fire core. Then, I pressed and shaped the core into a mask that covers the upper half of my face. Taking the 4 minor flame herbs, Fire Dragon's nose hair, 10 fire crystals, and the two burns-relief herbs, I crushed and ground the mixture into a paste. Then, while chanting incantations, I applied the mixture onto the entirety of the mask. The incantations increases fire resistance, thunder resistance, and fire-related attacks. Afterwards, I take my last jar of Rainbow Slime gel and mixed it with a drop of my Maker's Essence filled blood. The mixture is then lathered on the incomplete mask, enveloping it and fusing into it. Finally, I appraised the completed mask:

Mask of the Fiery Demon: B-rank

No cooldown

No-limit

Indestructible

Enchanted Normal Mask

Stamina Drain 10% per hour

Special Attributes:

Fire resistance 200%

Thunder resistance 150%

Other resistances 50%

Special Skills:

Fireball - throws a ball of fire

Fire Wave - throws a wave of fire

Fire Wall - raises a wall of fire

Melted Touch - melts anything within a 5 meter radius

Special Abilities:

Fire Eater - eats fire to replenish stamina

After finishing the mask, I realized I should also increase my stats. So, I began taking out all the monster blood I have and began to refine them. I took out the barrel of Yeti Blood and the small barrel of Unicorn Blood. Using blood manipulation, I condensed the Yeti Blood until it became a dark red fist-sized ball of blood. Next, I added a drop of my blood that is filled with Maker's Essence and continued to condense while chanting a few incantations. After finishing refining the blood into a blood pill, I popped it in my mouth and started cultivating. After a few years of cultivating, my strength, defense, and vitality increased significantly. It seems my strength and defense has reached at least B-rank and my vitality has reached peak of B-rank.

Next, I made a blood pill out of the small barrel of Unicorn Blood. After spending a year or two cultivating the Unicorn blood pill, my vitality and speed increased. Now, I feel that my speed has reached B-rank and my vitality has reached A-rank. What of my intelligence? Well, because of the teachings of my master, you can say my intelligence has already reached S-rank. As I packed up and sorted out my materials into my bag, I remembered the unknown Fire Pearl and the unknown Darkness Core. Taking them out, I appraised them:

Flames of Wrath: A-rank

Wrath was a legendary demonic being who was part of the Seven Deadly Sins. Wrath is a natural enemy to all living things. His rage burns forever and won't stop until everything thing is extinguished. The Flames of Wrath is just a smidge of Wrath's rage that a legendary alchemist/mage was able to procure and shaped into pearl form. But, ever since the alchemist died, there was no way to contain the Flames of Wrath. Can be consumed.

My eyes shone at the words "Can be consumed". Hmm, an A-rank divine consumable. Good thing I have my Maker's Domain. With it, I can consume this item without problems. But just to be on the safe side, I dripped a drop of my blood which is filled with Maker's Essence. The drop of blood covers the pearl and fuses with it, making it less dangerous to me. Then, I ate the Flames of Wrath. Intense pain occurred as fiery hot rage burned inside me, covering every pore of my body. I sat down and started cultivating the Flames of Wrath. Centuries past inside my domain...after a very long time, I was able to refine and fully integrate the pearl into my body. My body's capabilities increased by 5 times and I am able to sense that I have a fire affinity now and can use fire magic. Fire resistance tripled and any fire-related attacks have become flames of Wrath...burning until nothing is left.

Then, I picked up the unknown Darkness pearl and appraised it:

Lesser Hatred: A-rank

Hatred was once an Angel called Kristiel. However, she was betrayed by her fellow Angels who were jealous of her beauty and strength. Her beautiful white wings were forcibly torn from her body. Her beauty scarred with many burns and blade wounds. Her melodious voice poisoned and her tongue burnt off. Her meridians were broken and her strength depleted. Cast out of the Middle Heavens she lost her immortality, Hatred brooded daily, her mind filled with revenge and hate until the day she died. Her corpse did not decompose, however, her hatred seeped out of her body and covered her - reviving her, and manifesting her into pure Hatred. Lesser Hatred is a small miniscule portion of the original body's hate that leaks out where ever she goes. Can be consumed.

Seeing that this Lesser Hatred can also be consumed, I smiled at the find. But since it is of Darkness affinity, I feel that my mind is not strong enough to handle it. So, I put it away for later. With my newfound increases in my capabilities, I decided that it was time to head north to go slay that Firebird.

..........

Arriving at a Firebird Nest (cave on a cliff in a mountain actually), I decided to go stealth mode and sneak around for a bit. I grabbed my Ghost Mask and transformed into a ghost. Then, I turned invisible and fluttered in. After some searching, I found my target...or three of them in fact along with 20 Thunderbirds guarding them. The three Firebirds seem to be doing something. I approached to have a closer look.

"Trash will always be trash. Hahaha!" One Firebird (let's call him Firebird A) cackled at what looks to be a black shriveled lump.

"That's right, I still can't believe you are my brother. Oh the humiliation!" Firebird B said.

Of course these Firebirds were speaking in the Language of the Birds, and since I am multilingual, I can naturally understand them. I looked at the black lump carefully and realized that it was alive...it was a bird with shriveled black feathers as if it was diseased or something. Listening more into the conversation as well as the chattering gossip from the Thunderbird guards, I gathered that the black bird is the bastard son of the Firebird Patriarch...a mixed between Firebird and a 100,000 year old Nightingale Demon Bird.

When the Firebirds left the groveling black bird, I fluttered up to it. Looking at it with pity, I muttered, "Pitiful."

"What?! Who said that?" The black bird (let's call him Blackie).

"Crap, did I say that out loud?" I kept talking as my mind raced. "I am a friend."

"Friend?" Blackie laughed in despite, "There's no such thing."

"Whether there is such a thing or not is not something you can confirm in the environment you are living right now."

"What do you mean?"

"The world is vast. Don't determine that there will never be anyone out there that wants to be friendly with you just by how you are treated here. Why don't you leave this place?"

"But...my mother..."

"Your mother? What about her?"

"My mother is still here...she's sick...and F-father said he will cure her when he completes his secluded training. I can't leave until I see my mother healed."

"Hmm, let me see your mother, maybe I can heal her."

"I...I haven't seen her for a long time. The elders say that her disease is contagious and that she is bedridden in that sealed cave over there."

As we talked some more, I was able to understand that because of his mother, he endured insults and beatings from his family. After some more time, someone came by and called for him. When he left, I decided to pay a visit to his mother's room. I was very curious as what type of disease that can cause a 100,000 year old Nightingale Demon bird to be bedridden. Still in my ghost form, I fluttered to the sealed cave that was holding Blackie's mother. No matter how I look at it, this sealed cave doesn't look like its keeping something from coming out...but rather keep something from going in. I walked up to the door and touched it.

*SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS* Sizzling sounds came from the door as I pulled my hand back. It seemed the door is protected by a very powerful fire seal. Good thing I have strong resistance to fire. Gritting my teeth, I pressed forward until I was finally able to phase through. Immediately, a strong stench of rot permeated my senses. I looked around and saw far in the corner a withered, rotting, corpse. Some bones were sticking out, feathers have all fallen, and the flesh had liquefied. The Even though I dealt with a lot of bodies in the past, I still gagged at the sight. It seems the Firebird elders had lied to Blackie. His mother has died for a long time now.

As I phased out of the sealed cave, I bumped into Blackie. Surprised, he looked around, "Who bumped into me? Is it you? The invisible person?"

"Yes, you can call me Khaos. What was your name again?"

"I...I don't have a name yet."

"Hmmm, should I give you one."

"No...no need. I just got back from the elders. Father is going to come out of secluded training today. At that time, he will give me a name."

"I see." I said, "How about I call you Blackie for now?"

"Blackie? Sure, I guess."

"Blackie...I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"You...your mother...she's dead."

"WHAT!!? You lie!"

"It's the truth. I just came from her room."

"NO! I refuse to believe you." Blackie cried out, "That's right, I'll ask Father when he comes out."

I tried to tell him its not a good idea, but he ran off. With a sigh, I followed. This is going to be messy. When I found Blackie again, he was talking to an old, more powerful looking Firebird.

"Father! Please, I want to see mother." Blackie pleaded.

The old Firebird glared at Blackie and growled, "Not possible. Get out of the way."

"Is it true my mother is dead?"

"Who...who told you that?"

"I...I overheard it from the guards."

The old Firebird glared at the Thunderbird guards who bowed their heads not daring to look up. Blackie mistook this silence as confirmation and continued to pester his father. Finally, his father gave in, "That's right! Your mother is dead! Your mother has died for over 100 years now (Firebirds take a long time to mature so Blackie is currently around 100 years of age)!"

Shock from the sudden confirmation, Blackie turned and rushed towards the sealed cave. His father, some elders, and some guards followed. When he tried to open the sealed door, he was struck by the intense heat of the fire seal. Gritting his teeth and blood flowing from his mouth and nose, he pulled the door open. As the smell flowed out and enveloped the surrounding area, he saw there in the corner of the room...his beloved mother's corpse.

"W-w-w-why? WHY? WHY? WHY?! WWWWWHHHHYYYYYY!!!!!" Blackie screamed in agony.

"Hmmph, this whore thinks she's part of our family just because she attracted the eye of our Patriarch." An elder said.

"I'm asking...FFFAAATTTHHHHEEEERRRR!!!" Blackie roared in anger.

The surrounding elders and guards flinched as if they could feel his anger. The Patriarch looked at Blackie and said, "This bitch didn't know her status. She's just a plaything to satisfy my urges."

Upon hearing this, Blackie's eyes flashed with hatred and anger. He turned around and glared intensely at his Father. With a roar, he lunged towards his Father. The Patriarch gave a cold snort and threw out a powerful fire attack at Blackie. *PPPFFFFFFFTTTT* Blackie spat out a mouthful of blood. His body caved in as raging fire burned his body. As he tried to put out the fire, his Father kicked him in the head...snapping his neck in half. Blackie died with anger and pain.

"What should we do with the bodies?" An elder asked.

"Guards, throw them down the mountains." The Patriarch grunted.

"Yes!" Two Thunderbird guards saluted.

The two guards dragged the bodies of Blackie and his mother and threw them in a bag. Flying to the edge of the cliff, they tossed the bag over. The Patriarch looked at the remaining remains of Blackie's mother and cast a fireball at it. As the room burned, the Patriarch and the elders departed. I looked at the burning room one more time and sighed at the pitiful life of Blackie. Then, a black glint caught my eye. Fluttering into the burning room, I found the source of the black glint...Blackie's mother's beak. Picking it up, I stored it into my bag. Then, I floated out of the room.

As I prepared to descend the mountain, I facepalmed myself. I forgot about the quest. As I pondered about who to kill, I overheard two Firebirds discussing Blackie's demise. They were laughing and insulting him and it kind of irritated me. Still in my ghost form, I went towards one of the Firebirds and phased into its body. Due to my Flames of Wrath, I was able to avoid being burned by a Firebird's fiery body. I pulled out my skinning knife and eviscerate its organs from the inside. The Firebird screamed once before dying. The other Firebird was surprised and before it could call for help, I phased inside it and attacked. With the two Firebirds dead, I collected their corpses into my storage ring.

Then, I descended the mountain. Along the way, I saw the bag that held Blackie and his mother. Feeling sorry for them, I decided to give them a proper burial. I revert back to my human form and started burying the mother first. After burying the mother, I was about to proceed towards Blackie when I saw...his spirit floating over the his mother's grave.

In the Language of the Dead, I said, "Blackie...I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." Blackie sighed, "Is...is this your true form?"

"Yes, I am a human adventurer. My goal was to come here and slay one Firebird." I explained.

"Y-you did? That's good."

"You...are you regretting?"

"Yes...I regret not knowing about this sooner. I regret for believing Father...ah no...that bastard for so long. If I could turn back time, I would surely have my revenge."

"You...do you want to live?"

Shocked, Blackie looks at me, "You have a way?"

"Yes. It'll require some of your spirit essence."

"As long as I can live, I'm willing to give you everything you need."

"Ok." I said as I took a vial of his spirit essence. Then, I opened Maker's Domain. Opening the vial of Blackie's spirit essence, I poured it out on my worktable. The spirit essence flowed like oil. I rolled up my sleeves and began kneading the spirit essence while chanting incantations. Once a shape of a bird mask is formed, I added a drop of my blood that is filled with Maker's Essence. The drop covers the mask turning it red and then back to its original transparent color. I appraised the mask:

Soul of the Desolate Beast: C-rank

Transforming mask

Binding mask (can't be removed)

No cooldown

No-limit

Indestructible

No stamina drain

Special Abilities:

Binds Blackie's soul to his body - resurrecting him

Because the ghost is full of regrets - gains Darkness affinity

Spiritual connection with Khaos - due to Maker's Essence fusing with the soul

Satisfied, I deactivated the domain and placed the mask on Blackie's corpse. In a matter of seconds, the mask binds Blackie's soul to his corpse. During the process, black thick energy seeps out and envelops the body. After the successful revival, Blackie was transformed into a dark Firebird with black flames and red eyes. After seeing Blackie's transformation, an idea occurred in my mind. I reach in my bag and pulled out Lesser Hatred. I fed it to Blackie who began cultivating and refining the pearl. Because of Blackie's affinity, he was able to quickly finish his cultivation. With the help of Lesser Hatred, his body's capabilities increased by triple, and his affinity with Darkness increased to new heights. Darkness resistance triples and any Darkness-related attacks triples and can poison the minds of his enemies causing them to doubt.

Satisfied with his new powers, he looked at me and said, "Are you my friend?"

"Yes."

"That's good. Thanks for being my friend. Strange, why do I feel a connection with you?"

"It's because of the resurrection process. Now we can sense each other no matter the distance and our bonds of friendship deepens as well."

Smiling, Blackie looked at the mountain that the Firebirds lived at, "I may not be strong now, but I will have my revenge."

Blackie looked at me and asked, "Blackie...that is the name you gave me right?"

"Yes."

"Then, Blackie shall be my name from now on."

"That's great Blackie. Come let's go home."

"Home? Where is that at?"

"Adventurer's City."

I climbed on top of Blackie and we flew towards the guild. Arriving in a matter of minutes, I walked in to the guild and turned in my successful quest report.