20 November Year 2367

Where am I? I can't remember anything...

Telfer opened his eyes groggily. A bright light entered his eyes.

Ugh. I can't move?

Telfer tried to raise his arm to block the light but found that his arm had been tied down. His entire body had been tied down by ropes onto a table. Moreover, the ropes were presumbably enhanced as Telfer spotted glyphs drawn across the length of the rope. Rotating his head around, Telfer found that he was stuck in a dark wooden house. The only opening was a window from which light could enter. Telfer squinted his eyes and could faintly make out an axe that was hanging on the wall nearby. Telfer shuddered as fear ran down his spine.

Saws, drills, swords... Why do I keep running into fucking psychopaths?

Telfer struggled with the ropes with all his might but to no avail.

*Crunch crunch*

A door opened and a large muscular man entered. He was dressed in overalls and a red flannel shirt. His thick burly arms were at least as thick as Telfer's skull. However, the most shocking thing was the chicken mask that he donned. He picked up what looked like a knife off the wall and started walking towards Telfer.

"GET AWAY FROM ME! DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!"

The man took out a chair and sat beside Telfer. He tossed the knife up and down before holding it over Telfer's neck.

"The sword, where is it?"

A gruff voice sounded out.

"I don't fucking know. Maybe it's UP YOUR ASS!"

Telfer hissed back at the man. The man loomed over Telfer's face and said hoarsely,

"A hundred men. A possible 7th circle mage. We lost that much for that fucking sword. Spit it out, WHERE IS IT?"

The man glared at Telfer with crazed eyes through the mask.

*Ptooey*

"I don't fucking know."

Telfer grinned at the man as he wiped the saliva off his face. The sword was currently hidden within his left arm. It had been absorbed after Caleb was slain. The man, of course, did not know this. The man sat back down on the chair and roared with laughter.

"Looks like you won't speak after all. Think you are so strong just because you are a ghoul huh? Don't worry, we have a paralyzing poison. You won't be able to move from neck down. That includes your ghoul cells of course. You will only keep that absurd recovery rate. Isn't it ironic? Your greatest weapon is now your greatest enemy?"

The man raised a needle and plunged it straight into Telfer's neck.

"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!"

Telfer screamed at the man but the knife had descended straight into his right thigh.

"ARGHHH!"

Telfer cried out and slammed his head against the table.

"Don't worry, we are just getting started. Where's the sword?"

"I DON"T FUCKING-!"

Telfer cried out as the man dragged the knife straight through his thigh.

"WHERE IS IT?"

The man yelled and twisted the knife inside Telfer's thigh.

Telfer's head thudded against the table and he blacked out. However, a slap across his face brought him right back.

"You aren't going anywhere. It's time to bring out the big boys."

The man picked a saw and a drill off the wall.

The man raised his saw and started his sawing away at Telfer's leg while screaming at him. Just like that, 3 hours had passed. Telfer was covered in blood. His body had been nailed onto the table. A few of his body parts were strewn around the table. The man huffed and panted before picking up a needle.

"You're tenacious one. Don't worry, we will have you spit it out soon enough. The poison is wearing off so here's another shot."

Bastard, you are going to pay for this soon enough.

During the 3 hours, Telfer found that he could slowly shift the sword throughout his body. The man leaned over and stabbed towards Telfer's neck with the needle once more.

Now!

The sword shot out of Telfer's mouth towards the man's head. The man jerked back in surprise but the sword had cleanly cut his nose off along with the mask to reveal that it was Bryan.

"ARGHHH, THIS FUCKING BITCH!"

The man clutched his face and scrambled towards a sword on the wall. Meanwhile, Telfer sliced the ropes off his body and leapt away from the man. People had started pouring into the wooden house by the dozens.

"GET HIM!"

Bryan pointed at Telfer and dashed toward Telfer.

"Mass Transfer."

Telfer sprang backwards and crashed out of the wooden house. He found himself in a forest and started running away, using Mass Transfer occasionally.

"He's injured. He can't have gone far. Spread out and search!"

Bryan gnashed his teeth and commanded the men. Meanwhile, Telfer had already climbed up a tree. He opened up his status window.

Status Window Titles: ??? Name: Telfer Berkley Age: 12 Race: Ghoul Gender: Male Alignment: ??? Stats Health: 30/110 Heath regen.: 10/min Energy: 12/60 Energy Regen.: 3/min Mana: 10/40 Mana Regen.: 2/min Strength: 6 Agility: 6 Dexterity: 6 Stamina: 7 Intelligence: 8 Wisdom: 8 Skills

Ghoul:

Mass Transfer

Magic Spells:

Poison Hand (Poison Magic)

Cloak (Illusion Magic)

Self created skills:

Yama's Strike

Looks like I need to rest up first. I'm going to kill him later.

Telfer slouched against the tree and grinned while eyeing the 2 men passing underneath him.

"Find him quickly. Bryan is going to fuck us over if we don't."

The men hurried away. Suddenly, a system notification came.

"Host will now officially complete transformation into a ghoul."

Ugh. I feel sick.

Telfer grabbed his heaving chest. Pain tore right through Telfer and a sea of red appeared within his vision. Telfer clutched his head in agony as the pain tormented him with no end in sight.

"FUCKING STOP!"

Telfer crashed onto ground and writhed as the pain morphed into a blinding light.

"Found him!"

The 2 men from before sprinted towards Telfer. One of them held a rope while the other crushed a talisman. A red flare flew into the sky.

FEED

Telfer stood up with a crazed smile and shot towards the man holding the rope, climbing on top of him. Telfer opened his mouth and with a single movement, tore out nearly half of the man's neck, exposing a broken windpipe. Blood instantly shot out, staining Telfer and the ground red.

"Get away from him! Ice Hammer!"

A massive blue hammer flung Telfer against the nearby a tree. Blood trickled from Telfer's lip but he stood up unfazed and dashed towards the man's companion who was preparing another Ice Hammer.

"Ice Hammer!"

Telfer stepped to the side as the hammer smashed a hole where he once was.

"Mon...Monster! Someone, help me!"

The man fled without looking back. Telfer smirked and closed the gap instantly. He wrestled the man to the ground before joyfully tearing his neck out as well.

"Prepare yourselves. He's not human anymore."

A group of men surrounded Telfer and circled him like sharks. The men started preparing their spells while watching Telfer carefully.

"HAHA, YOU'RE GOING DIE HERE TODAY! CAST YOUR SPELLS!"

Bryan snarled at Telfer while readying raising his hand.

"NOW!"

The men rained a bombardment of spells onto Telfer and a cloud of dust rose.

"HAHA! THE SWORD IS NOTHING IF YOU DIE!"

Bryan yelled triumphantly and approached where Telfer was standing. Or so he thought. There was no trace of Telfer's body.

"Shit, ARM YOURSELVES NOW!"

This was the last thing Bryan said.

In the next second, a shadow was cast over his body. Telfer crashed into Bryan and activated Yama's Strike. Blood shot out of Bryan's head and landed on the remaining men.

"IT'S A MONSTER. RUN!"

A man screamed in terror. A stampede soon followed. Without their leader, the men were like a group of headless chickens. Telfer leapt from body to body. Everywhere he went, someone's neck was ripped out.

"That's no good. You have to learn to control it."

A female voice rang out from behind Telfer.

Telfer spun around and ignored his prey. He swallowed the neck he had just ripped out and eyed the woman behind him. His body trembled in fear unconsciously and hairs stood up all over his body. However, his mind told him to fight her. Crouching on all fours, Telfer skirted to the back of the woman and leapt. Within the blink of an eye, a chop shot out and slammed into the back of his neck.

"Tsk. 0 for approach. You used such a nice technique back there too."

The woman picked up Telfer and walked off.

21 November Year 2367

Telfer sat up with a start. Where was he? The last thing he could remember was going insane from the pain. Telfer rubbed his head and found an awfully sharp rock on it. In fact, there were 2 of those and they were anchored firmly to his skull. Telfer looked around and found that he was in a cave. A fire blazed away nearby. There was also a stream nearby.

It seems like someone brought me here. But who?

Telfer scanned his memories but there was still an incomprehensible empty space. Telfer frowned and looked back at himself. Suddenly, a head popped out of thin air in front of Telfer's face.

What the fuck?

Telfer tried to push himself back but found that his hands had been held in place. Telfer glared at the woman in front of him.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

The woman backed away with her hands on her hips and held her high. A curvaceous body that could not be hidden underneath the military uniform. The black polished combat boots as well as the silver white hair added to her appeal. Beauty that was enough to topple kingdoms. However, the most interestingly part was the ram horns that grew out of her head.

"Nice to meet you. I am the commander of the Demon Kingdom's Ghoul Legion, Sheryl Marrow."

Telfer looked at her suspiciously. Why was she in front of him then?

"I saw a red flare and found you. As a fellow ghoul, how can I sit and watch you go on like this? By the way, you used a really nice technique back there. How about you use it against me right now?"

Sheryl stared at Telfer with sparkling eyes.

Telfer stood up slowly, never taking his eyes off Sheryl.

She's strong. Stronger than anyone I met so far.

"Come on, hurry up."

Sheryl frowned at Telfer and tapped her foot.

"It might hurt."

Telfer looked at Sheryl and tried to scare her off. Sheryl cocked her head to the side before bursting into laughter.

"Hurt me? That's the funniest thing I heard in a long time. Just hit me already."

Looks like there's no way.

"Yama's Strike."

Telfer leapt at Sheryl and flung his palm at Sheryl's face.

*WHAM*

Telfer's body plopped onto the floor.

What happened?

Telfer somersaulted back onto his feet and got ready to fight.

"Not bad. You are actually able to leave a mark. Although I must admit the idea is quite ingenious. No one in the Legion has thought about a move like this. Twisting your arm past normal limits by using your ghoul cells to supplement it. There's even some Poison Magic involved."

Sheryl looked at her palm and gasped.

A mark? That was my killing blow! She even deduced the mechanism behind it from that one blow!

"Hey, how much is it to teach the Legion this technique?"

Telfer stared at Sheryl in a daze.

"You keep saying Ghoul Legion but what is it? How do I even know you are their commander?"

This time, Sheryl stared back at Telfer.

"You truly don't know? Are you not a citizen of the Demon Kingdom? I knew you were a newborn but I didn't expect you to be an outsider. Oh well, I will give you a newbies guide in exchange for the that technique. Understood?"

Telfer could only nod his head. To come out pretty much unscathed from Yama's Strike meant certain death for Telfer right now.

Sheryl picked up a stick and motioned for Telfer to sit down beside her.

"Right now, we are inside the Colossal Grove. As the name says, it is a massive forest. This forest is set on top of the 2 countries, Fruinga and the Demon Kingdom. This is Fruinga on the right and the Demon Kingdom on the left. Since you were being pursued by a group of humans, you should be from Fruinga. Between Fruinga and the Demon Kingdom is the Great Plains, where the Demon Kingdom and Fruinga fought countless battles against each other. We are currently in a cold war as the 2 sides still skirmish although not openly. Unlike humans who focus on combining magic and technology, we demons have instead just focused on magic. Ghouls however, are a special case. Our greatest pride and weapon is our body. Instead of focusing on developing magic, ghouls pour all their time and mana into their bodies. It was said that there was once a ghoul who achieved indestructibility. However, what happened was that his body became a literal weapon. A sleek bone white sword with seven holes down its centre. I believe that it's just a tall tale to get ghouls to work hard. What do you think?"

Sheryl narrowed her eyes, as if she was scanning Telfer.

"A sword? That's funny. Why would anyone turn themselves into a sword?"

Telfer burst into laughter.

A bone white sword with seven holes down its centre. That's clearly in my body.

Sheryl relaxed her gaze and pointed her stick back at the ground.

"Sorry for the digression. Since you are a newborn, you wouldn't know anything. First, those lumps on your head will grow into horns. Larger horns command greater respect. Next, you were in state in what we call Berserk Mode. Every newborn experiences this. After all the body cells have been converted, newborns experience Berserk Mode. It's normal to not remember a single thing while in Berserk Mode. Experienced ghouls can go in and out of Berserk Mode at will. For newborns, this is harder as Berserk Mode will come around every 7 days. Eating human flesh, however, alleviates this problem. However, eating human flesh is just running away from the problem. That's why the Demon Kingdom helps newborns get through this problem as fast as possible. Don't worry, I will help you as well. The last thing I want to mention is that ghoul cells are incredibly potent. They give us ghouls enhanced strength, a frightening regeneration rate as well as incredible defense. These are improved by training. The first 3 levels involve training the body. These prepare the body for the next 3 levels, where ghouls absorb mana to enhance the cells. The last 3 levels are top secret information so I can't share them with you."

Telfer sat in silence and absorbed the information.

"Where's Vestak?"

"Vestak? It's smack right in the middle of Fruinga. We are currently at least 2,000 km away from there. What about Vestak?"

Sheryl looked at Telfer questioningly.

"Nothing, I just have some friends over there."

Telfer brushed aside the question.

"If there are no questions, teach me the technique now."

Sheryl looked at Telfer greedily.

"Ok. This technique is called Yama's Strike. Erm... so you start by twisting your arm until you reach your limit and then have your ghoul cells wind around it to twist it past it's physical limit. The ghoul cells will continue to regenerate your body. The Poison Magic you felt was probably the Poison Hand I layered on top of my palm. Send your palm towards your opponent and let it unwind. If they are weak, they should explode on impact. Either that or their muscles are twisted around the point of impact and the limb will be rendered unusable. The poison will also eat away at them."

Telfer raised his arm and directed it towards a rock, causing the rock to shatter into dust.

"That's pretty good. Unfortunately I think it's too high level for regular ghouls to carry out. Thanks anyway."

Sheryl stroked her chin and frowned.

"Sorry about it."

Telfer immediately apologised. He would be crushed into a paste. No, he would be nothing if she took her anger out on him.

"There's no need to say sorry. I suggested the deal after all."

Sheryl waved her hand and smiled.

Phew. I'm still safe.

Telfer rubbed the sweat of his forehead and shuddered.

However, Sheryl's smile became somewhat dangerous and twisted.

"I said I will help you get through the first week right? Don't worry I will have you train the first 3 levels as well. Let's get started now."

A weird gleam flashed from Sheryl's eyes. A whip appeared in her hands.

*CRACK*

"FIRST THING, RUN THROUGH THE FOREST TILL I SAY STOP!"

A stinging pain tore through Telfer's back as the whip landed heavily on him. He leapt to his feet and started sprinting out of the cave. Sheryl was hot on his heels and the whip landed on his back again.

"I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS!"

Telfer mourned and kept running forward.

"STOP TALKING AND START RUNNING! FASTER DAMNIT! ARE YOUR LEGS FOR SHOW?"

*CRACK*

*************

2 hours later

*************

"WE AREN'T DONE YET! NEXT OBJECTIVE, CHOP 100 TREES NOW!"

Sheryl roared as Telfer panted heavily, falling on his knees.

I'm done for. She's a sadist.

"PUNCHING TREES 1000 TIMES!"

"BALANCING WHILE HOLDING CUPS OF WATER FOR 3 HOURS!"

"CATCHING 20 FISH WITHIN 1 HOUR!"

"PLUCKING HERBS FOR THE NEXT HOUR!"

21 November Year 2367

"The first day is over. Rest up and prepare for the next few days."

Sheryl threw a look at Telfer and walked off to another spot in the cave to sleep.

Why. Is. It. A. FUCKING PSYCHOPATH?

Telfer laid on the ground too exhausted to move a muscle.

The next 6 days were hell on Earth. Telfer suffered under the whip countless times. Everytime he questioned the point of a task, the reply was "It's going to help you control Berserk Mode" and a whip.

At the end of each day, he was covered in cuts and bruises. However, he was slowly able to accomplish the tasks with less difficulty. The number of times he was whipped dwindled down, which brought him much delight. However unbeknownst to him, this 7 day training was something not even some of the veterans of the Ghoul Legion could do. The fact that Telfer could finish it shocked Sheryl tremendously. Of course she did not say it aloud but surprise filled her eyes everyday. Telfer's cockroach like resistance that was developed during his past life refused to let him give up on the training.

This is nothing compared to working overtime and an angry boss.

At the end of 7 days, Telfer's deadline had arrived.

"Eat this."

Sheryl held up a bowl filled with a green smelly paste, like a rotten fish. It had been made from the herbs that Telfer had plucked while training. Telfer dumped the smelly contents into his mouth and swallowed. Almost immediately, the sea of red filled his vision.

"FOCUS! IF YOU LOSE TO IT, EVERYTHING WILL BE FOR NAUGHT!"

Sheryl yelled at Telfer who was currently scrunching his eyes together. The familiar pain tore through his body again.

HOLD. FUCKING HOLD!

Telfer slammed his head onto the floor in desperation but the pain kept gnawing at him.

FEED. FEED NOW.

NO. I WILL NOT LOSE.

Telfer frustratedly rolled around on the floor as he warded off the thoughts. Suddenly, a calming effect emerged from his stomach and spread throughout Telfer's body.

FEED. Feed me. feed me...

Telfer opened his eyes. The sea of red was not there anymore.

"Congrats, you beat it on your first try. Now it won't come out regularly. It will only come out in a life-and-death scenario."

Sheryl's voice rang out in front of him.

I have beaten it huh? Those exercises actually helped...

Telfer closed his eyes and dozed off.

"I guess my end of the deal is done. Farewell, maybe we will meet again somewhere. Time to search for the sword."

Sheryl looked over her shoulder and sighed. The youth behind her was a great talent. She had considered bringing him into the Ghoul Legion the past week but crossed it out in the end as he would never listen to her. Just like that, Sheryl Marrow left the cave in the middle of the night. Never did she imagine that she would meet the youth on the Great Plains in future.

End of Chapter