On The Other Side: I Quit Being Human

[Storyteller's POV]

Just a few seconds before Layland realized that he was undergoing his Awakening, the people who were watching him undergoing it were silently looking at his motionless body. All of them wondered about what made him that tranquil.

It is a well-known fact that anyone who undergoes Awakening will be spasming intensely or, at least, screaming incoherently as their body endures the excruciating pain the ritual brings them.

Layland however, even though his entire body was covered in bulging black veins that should make him feel pain, didn't even show a slight indication that he was in pain. He just looked like someone who sleeps while standing.

While Millonia and Valeria were looking at that Layland in slight worry, Ilschevar was pondering about what could possibly happen inside Layland's Mindscape.

As a Demon himself, he had undergone Awakening himself—he knew what actually happened in Awakening. Once you met the manifestation of your true nature, your Origin, that is when you begin to accept it.

"I wonder if he decides to accept or reject it."

"He will do anything to gain strength—I believe he won't be stupid enough to reject his Origin."

"Awakening for a Demon, you see, Valeria, is not only about accepting our Origin and gaining power. It is also about accepting one's true self and becoming a new person."

"I am quite confused about what you are hinting at, Lord Ilschevar."

"Layland, from what I have seen, is a very original person—he has accepted himself since a long time ago. It is very probable that instead of accepting his Origin that is the real him, he will be thinking it is trying to corrupt his mind."

Valeria became silent at Ilschevar's words. As the person who had spent the most time with Layland, she could now see the situation where Layland rejected his Origin.

For someone who loved and accepted himself wholeheartedly, seeing the nature he didn't know he had must be a tough experience for him.

He wouldn't immediately believe that it was the manifestation of his nature, furthermore, if said nature, the Origin, suddenly appeared in his Mindscape like someone who owned the place.

Layland had said to her many times that he didn't like whenever his mind was being read—he felt like he was violated. Given how the Origin showed up in his most private place, it was highly likely he would react violently.

At least, that is Valeria's take on what was happening then. She didn't know that Layland didn't even know he was being trapped in his Mindscape together with his Origin.

"Once you accept your Origin, you will no longer be the same person. It is way more serious than accepting oneself, because you can sometimes feel that you are not yourself."

"Over the years, you will eventually get used to it, am I correct?"

"Yes, you are correct, Valeria. However in my experience, I didn't like the uncomfortable feeling I first felt when I accepted my Origin; it felt like as if I was letting someone live inside my body ... I wonder if Layland would be comfortable with that."

"... I don't think so."

"I think so too." Ilschevar smiled slightly. "Either way, I am fine with whatever his choice will be. He has grown so much in the past two months even though he is still a human, so I believe he will do just great as a Demon without Origin."

Hearing Ilschevar's words, Valeria felt it would be unfortunate if Layland really decided to reject his Origin.

No one had said it to him, but for the past a month and a half when he thought that he had been a half Demon was just a lie. He was just a human whose growth was boosted by Mana rich foods.

Valeria and Ilschevar had made him believe that he was already Demonic enough to call himself a Demon because they wanted him to not feel down. They had intended to make it become his motivation to get stronger than his friends, the Heroes.

It was much to their pleasant surprise that even though Layland was still a human, his growth was still as monstrous as any talented Demon, and being a half Demon wasn't his motivation to keep getting stronger.

Layland was aware of his shortcomings, and he didn't really care about his identity—whether he was a human or a Demon, he would still train like crazy. He was determined to finish his failed revenge.

"Just imagine what that kind of a genius can do when he becomes a Demon. Even without having an Origin, he has already earned the right to become a Demon King." Ilschevar laughed lowly. "I am excited to witness what he can achieve."

At this point, Valeria had already accepted no matter what choice Layland chose, he would still exceed her expectation, so she didn't retort Ilschevar.

She turned her gaze back at Layland whose pressure was becoming heavier in each second, and paid closer attention to him.

...

In Layland's Mindscape, his nature manifestation, the one who he named the armored bastard was standing in front of him while looking at him in fascination.

Said manifestation simply couldn't believe how easy it was for Layland to figure out his test as he held Layland's hand.

His integration process with Layland had become faster. His power was profusely entering Layland's body through his veins, and he was simply excited as he thought about the great things he would achieve with Layland.

"Now, it is about time for him to call my name." Even though he sounded as flat as ever, one could still feel the anticipation in said manifestation's tone. "I wonder if he could figure out my—"

"Ah, you're too loud."

At Layland's sudden interruption that the manifestation didn't expect at all, he took a step back in surprise. Layland had opened his eyes that had now turned completely black while still grasping the manifestation's hand.

"Fucking bitch—you got me, eh? It was fucking hurt, you know? What are you injecting into my body anyway?" Layland cracked his neck then stared at his veiny arm. "Sheesh. These black veins look like a spider web in my body."

"You... How could you—"

"It's simple, bastard. You are trying to devour my consciousness, aren't you?"

"That is not what I am doing," the manifestation replied as if he was offended.

Layland waved his left hand nonchalantly. "Chill, I am not accusing you. I am just saying what I think is happening while considering what I am experiencing." Layland snorted coldly. "Bastard, you are trying to take over, aren't you?"

"I have already told you that—"

"Too loud."

If the manifestation's eyes were visible to Layland, he would be able to see them widened the moment he grabbed the manifestation's head.

Bam!

Everything happened too quickly—the manifestation couldn't immediately move after his body was slammed into the ground.

Layland, on the other hand, wasn't planning to stay idle, and he was about to do something no one had ever attempted before. He pried his right hand off the manifestation's hand, then grabbed the manifestation's head with it.

"Listen, bastard, I have endured getting my abdomen opened countless of times for the sake of gaining power, so I don't want to let some bastard take over my body after the sufferings I have endured."

Layland, who had learnt how to do the reversed thing that the manifestation had done to him, channelled his Mana to his Demon King's Mark, and gradually absorbed the manifestation.

"I, Layland Kleinhaus, hold grudge. I don't know who you are, and I don't care who you are—even though you are a Demon God—but the moment you decided to take something away from me is the moment I am going to take away everything from you."

"Name..."

"What?" Layland lost his smirk as he looked at the manifestation weirdly. "Did you hit your head or something big guy?"

"My name—call my name!"

"Your name? Do you want me to call you by your title or your real name?"

This time, upon hearing Layland's words, the manifestation was surprised; he couldn't understand what Layland was talking about. He was just telling Layland to call the name of his Origin, and he didn't expect that answer.

"What title?"

"My Origin is your title, isn't it?"

"Huh?"

"Ku-ku-ku. Acting clueless in that armor doesn't suit you at all, bastard." Layland chuckled coldly as he stared at the slowly dissipating manifestation. "Someone of your caliber must know what I am talking about, Lucifer."

Boom!

The manifestation, who was revealed to be Lucifer, was simply too mind-blown to properly react or vehemently retort Layland's accusation. He was simply astonished that Layland could figure out such a thing even though he shouldn't suppose to know it.

When Lucifer looked at Layland's hand however, he finally understood that Layland was really taking everything away from him. Instead of getting angry however, he laughed lightheartedly.

"Hahaha! What a unique Demon you are! I allow you to eat me up, so show me the greatness you will achieve!"

"Hey, stop being so corny and shut up. I'm trying my best to ABSORB you here."

Lucifer laughed lowly uncaring to Layland's annoyance. Layland merely shook his head at that but he was thankful Lucifer didn't put up a fight.

Another couple of seconds passed and Lucifer was finally fully absorbed. Layland could feel the immense power inside him as he closed his eyes, and when he opened them he was back to the outside world.

Upon looking at the astonished people watching him, he held his head high. He had finished his Awakening, obtaining Pride as his Origin.