Anon, with unwavering determination, extended his index finger and touched the colossal spherical rock. But, much to his initial frustration, he felt nothing happening.

‘Why can’t I harness this power? Ion made it sound so simple – a matter of sheer willpower,’ Anon thought to himself, refusing to give in as he continued to poke the massive rock. .𝒐𝙧𝒈

“Umm… Human? Just what in the hell are you doing?” the demon dared to inquire.

“Me? Oh, I’m simply poking this colossal rock. Got a problem with that?” Anon replied with a chilling demeanor, turning his gaze toward the demon.

“Problem? Me? No, no, please, proceed. But I couldn’t help but wonder if you ever plan on leaving this place,” the demon muttered hesitantly.

“I told you, when someone comes to rescue me, I’ll be on my way. Besides, once I’m out, you promised to make me immortal, didn’t you?” Anon retorted.

“You, you damn right. Yes, I’ll make you immortal, but don’t fool yourself thinking anyone will swoop in to save us in the next century. We’ve got to help ourselves escape from this hellhole. Think you can endure a century in here? You’d rot long before you attain immortality,” the demon sneered, trying to intimidate.

Anon’s grip tightened on the cold, iron rod at his side, and he advanced menacingly. “What were you saying? I don’t think I heard you clearly,” he remarked, ominously drawing the iron rod back.

“I-I-I was just jesting. I meant someone will undoubtedly come to our rescue very soon. You’ll gain immortality, and I’ll gain my freedom,” the demon hastily shifted to a more humble tone.

“Good,” Anon replied coldly, lowering the iron rod, his intentions now masked behind an impenetrable fa?ade.

‘I’ve endured centuries in hell; a few more moments here won’t be my undoing. Let’s see how long this human can keep me locked up,’ the demon mused with a sense of foreboding.

Meanwhile, Anon, his attention no longer on the demon, harbored but one burning question: ‘Why can’t I unlock the Auric Energy?’

Anon had exhausted every approach, every attempt, and still, the Auric Energy remained elusive. Two more relentless days slipped by, Anon’s resolve unbroken but his frustration mounting.

On the third day, Anon focused his formidable concentration on the very center of the chamber.

“Alright, this is it. Human, get me out of this forsaken room this instant. I can’t endure another moment in this godforsaken place,” the demon pleaded in a raw, authentic tone.

Anon remained unfazed, his unwavering focus undisturbed.

“Oi, I’m talking to you! Worthless sack of flesh. Get me out of this room, now! Can you even hear me?” the demon bellowed directly into Anon’s ears.

Anon, undeterred, continued his concentration.

“Fine, you want the truth? You’ll never be granted immortality. I can’t make you immortal. Now, release us from this infernal prison!” the demon shouted vehemently.

Unperturbed by the revelation, Anon maintained his concentration.

“Fuckkkk…. You vexatious human. Either you awaken right this instant, or—” the demon threatened, scanning their surroundings for any potential salvation.

Suddenly, the demon’s gaze fell upon a substantial 10kg dumbbell. Swiftly, he grasped it, menacingly suspending it above Anon’s defenseless head.

“Oi, if you don’t heed me in the next five seconds… I’ll drop this 10-kg reminder of your impending demise. Believe me, I’ll do it… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…” the countdown concluded, but Anon’s concentration remained resolute.

“Damn it all…” the demon cursed, releasing the dumbbell, allowing it to plummet toward Anon’s head.

In the nick of time, a brilliant white aura burst forth from Anon, encasing him in an impenetrable shield. The dumbbell shattered into countless fragments, all harmlessly repelled.

Booom

Anon, slowly opening his eyes, basked in the aura’s warmth enveloping his being. He examined his outstretched hand, witnessing the ethereal Auric Energy enshroud his fingers in a radiant mist, like an avenging specter.

‘So, that’s how it’s meant to work. The Auric Energy, a guardian of my very being, triggered spontaneously when danger drew near,’ Anon pondered with a wicked smile.

“What the hell was that? I thought mana was off-limits in this forsaken place,” the demon exclaimed, its voice tinged with disbelief and awe, yet beneath it all, a hint of fear.

Anon, without uttering a word, approached the massive spherical rock that had vexed him for days.

“H-Hey… where are you going ? Are you going to poke that rock again ?” The demon asked with a confused expression.

Anon ignored him again.

*Thump*

As soon as Anon passed from the demon’s side, he felt a very strong aura coming from Anon’s body.

‘This energy… it’s the same energy that I felt inside this elf but it’s so much stronger now. What on earth have I done ?’ The demon’s body immediately vibrating as soon as he realised that he Awakened that terrifying energy by dropping that Dumbbell over Anon’s head.

With newfound resolve, Anon lightly touched its surface, infusing the very core of his being with the enigmatic Auric Energy.

He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled with purpose. “Puff…” Anon breathed out, his eyes reopening, as he channeled the concentrated energy through his palm into the heart of the stone.

BOOOOM

As the energy reached the epicenter of the colossal sphere, it detonated with cataclysmic force, reducing the obstinate rock to mere particles that scattered into oblivion.

The rock, once an insurmountable obstacle, was obliterated in a blaze of electrifying power.

“OH FUCK…” The demon stood in awe, silenced by the cataclysmic display of sheer power and resolve before him.

A smile appeared on Anon’s face.

‘This Aura is keeping my mind very calm and helping me think very clearly.’ Anon thought as he turned around and looked at the demon.

“H-Human… listen to me. I was just kidding when I said that I can’t grant you immortality… I can still give immortality. Just help me get out of this place.” The demon said in an alluring tone.

Anon started moving towards the demon.

“H-Hey, don’t you dare come near me.” The demon said as he started walking backwards. He picked up two weight plates from the ground and throwed them towards Anon.

*Booom*

*Booom*

As soon as the metal plates touched Anon’s body, they got destroyed immediately into thousands of pieces.

“Stay… away human. Don’t you-” before the demon could’ve said anything else, Anon grabbed his neck tightly and started applying pressure.

“Noo… Hu…Man.”

*chk*

Before the demon could’ve said anything else, Anon blasted his whole body into nothing.

“You speak too much.” Anon said as he started walking towards the gate.