hotmtlnovel Chapter 140 A Flame in the Dark
Chapter 140 A Flame in the Dark
Liria stood alone in the training grounds, her sword at her side, the once-bright silver of her hair now consumed by an inky blackness that seemed to absorb the very light around her. The change had started subtly strands of silver replaced by black but now, her hair was midnight, framing her pale, angular face in stark contrast. She hadn't even bothered to tie it back today. What was the point? No one dared approach her anymore.
[Status Update Requested.]
Liria sighed, willing the display to appear. The familiar blue interface materialized in front of her, but even its glow seemed muted, the words sharper, more clinical.
[Status Update:]
Name: Liria Silverthorn
Race: Half-Human, Half-Demon
Level: 17
Experience: 500/10,000
Health: 3,500/3,500
Magic: 2,800/2,800
Attributes:
Strength: 53Agility: 51Endurance: 49Intelligence: 40Magic: 60
Abilities:
Swordsmanship (Level 5)Endurance Training (Level 5)Fireball (Level 5)Ember Swipe (Level 4)Blade Mastery (Level 4)Inferno Burst (Level 3)Hellstorm (Level 2)Water Ribbon (Level 2)Earth Sense (Level 2)Stone Shot (Level 2)Earth Wall (Level 2)Spectral Binding (Level 2)Nightflame Shield (Level 2)Shadowflare Blade (Level 2)
Her stats had jumped dramatically since her last dungeon. The grueling battles, the endless pain it was all paying off. But as her power grew, something else had started to change.
She flicked her wrist, dismissing the interface. Her hand trembled slightly, and her eyes narrowed in annoyance. Not because of exhaustion no, she was stronger than ever. But there was a coldness inside her, an emptiness that seemed to spread with every passing day.
"You're quiet today," she said aloud, breaking the silence.
[I thought you'd appreciate the silence for once.]
She scoffed. "Since when do you hold back? What's wrong? Afraid I might snap?"
["Observation: Your tone has become increasingly hostile. Emotional instability detected."]
Liria clenched her fists. "I'm fine."
[Denial. Would you like me to play back your last six emotional outbursts for comparison?]
She didn't answer, instead tightening her grip on her sword and swinging it in a wide arc. The movement was precise, deadly, but mechanical devoid of the fiery passion she once wielded.
The system didn't press further, and for once, she was grateful. She glanced at her reflection in the still pool at the edge of the training grounds. Her heterochromatic eyes one amber, the other vivid green looked dull, their vibrancy muted. The sharp angles of her face, once softened by a mischievous smile or a glimmer of hope, now seemed unyielding, as if carved from stone.
The black hair suited her, she thought bitterly. It matched how she felt inside: cold, unrelenting, and distant.
The doors to the training hall creaked open, and a familiar voice broke through the quiet.
"There you are," Enara's voice called out, her tone edged with both concern and exasperation.
Liria turned slowly, her expression blank. The young demon princess approached, her raven-black hair shining under the dim light of the torches.
"Training alone again?" Enara asked, crossing her arms. "You know, you could join us for once. The others are starting to think you're allergic to companionship."
Liria shrugged. "I don't see the point."
Enara's brows furrowed. "What's gotten into you? You've been acting... off."
"Nothing's gotten into me," Liria snapped, her voice colder than she intended. "I'm just focused. That's what you wanted, isn't it? For me to stop fooling around and take this seriously?"
Enara flinched but quickly recovered, her midnight eyes narrowing. "I didn't mean for you to turn into... whatever this is. You're not even you anymore."
Liria laughed dryly, a sound devoid of humor. "And who am I supposed to be, Enara? The naive girl who thought she could joke her way through a fight? The one who almost died every time she stepped into a dungeon? This is what I have to be."
Liria sat up, watching the former demon queen carefully. Daena was rarely hesitant she commanded every room she walked into with an effortless confidence. But tonight, she seemed... uncertain.
"You're not here to talk about training, are you?" Liria asked, crossing her arms.
Daena let out a low chuckle, though it lacked her usual warmth. "No, not tonight."
The silence stretched between them, heavy and uncomfortable. Liria could feel the weight of whatever Daena was holding back, and it only made her more curious.
"You've been different lately," Daena finally said, breaking the quiet.
Liria raised an eyebrow. "So I've been told."
"It's more than just your hair or your power," Daena continued, her tone softer than usual. "You've changed, Liria. You're colder, more distant. And I think I know why."
Liria's heart skipped a beat. She kept her expression neutral, careful not to reveal anything.
Daena sighed, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees. Her massive horns cast long shadows across the room. "I've been avoiding this conversation because I didn't think you were ready to hear it. Hell, maybe I wasn't ready to say it. But after everything that's happened... I can't keep it from you anymore."
Liria tilted her head, feigning confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Daena looked up, her glowing violet eyes meeting Liria's. For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, as if searching for the right words. "Do you ever wonder why you're... different? Why your power feels so overwhelming, so unnatural at times?"
Liria shrugged, her expression carefully guarded. "I just thought it was because I'm a half-demon."
Daena shook her head. "It's more than that, kid. You're not just any half-demon." She paused, her jaw tightening. "You're the daughter of the Dark Sovereign."
Liria blinked, forcing a look of shock onto her face. "What?"
Daena frowned, misinterpreting Liria's reaction. "I know it's a lot to take in, but you have to understand this changes everything. The Dark Sovereign was the most powerful being in existence, and her blood runs through your veins."
Liria stared at her, letting the silence stretch. She couldn't tell if Daena was testing her or if she truly thought this was a revelation. Either way, Liria decided to play along.
"You're serious?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Daena nodded solemnly. "I didn't want to believe it at first. When Verida and Nyssara brought it up, I dismissed the idea. But after seeing the black scales on you during the fight with the Hellbeast... there's no denying it anymore. You're her daughter."
Liria ran a hand through her hair, pretending to process the information. "The Dark Sovereign... the one who nearly destroyed everything?"
"Yes," Daena said quietly. "She was sealed away centuries ago, but her power... it's not something that just disappears. And now, it's manifesting in you."
Liria leaned back against the wall, her expression carefully blank. Internally, she was amused at how long it had taken Daena to figure it out. The system had informed her months ago, but she'd kept the knowledge to herself, waiting for the right moment to use it.
"What does this mean for me?" she asked, her tone laced with just the right amount of uncertainty.
"It means you need to be careful," Daena said firmly. "That kind of power... it's dangerous. It could consume you if you're not careful. And there are people powerful people who will do anything to use you, or worse, destroy you."
Liria nodded slowly, keeping her expression serious. "So what do I do?"
"You keep training," Daena said, her voice hardening. "You get stronger. But you don't lose yourself in the process. You're not just her daughter, Liria. You're your own person. Don't let anyone take that from you—not even her legacy."
The words struck a chord, and for a moment, Liria felt a pang of guilt for deceiving Daena. But she quickly pushed it aside. She couldn't afford to be sentimental.
"I'll try," she said quietly.
Daena stood, her massive form casting a long shadow over Liria. "I'll be here if you need me. No matter what happens."
Liria nodded, watching as Daena left the room. The door closed with a soft thud, leaving Liria alone once more.
She leaned back against the wall, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Well, that was dramatic."
[Observation: Your acting skills have improved significantly.]
"Thanks," she muttered. "But I didn't need her to tell me who I am. I already know."
[Acknowledged. However, it is advantageous to let others believe they are enlightening you.]
Liria chuckled softly. "You're not wrong."