St Chaos Healer

I woke up to the sound of growling beasts and immediately sprang up, on guard. As soon as my eyes opened, I found myself in front of a cage-like barrier where two enormous monsters were locked in a savage struggle. One was a massive tree creature, its roots and branches stretching like tentacles, trying to ensnare its opponent. The other was a dark purple slime, a goo-like beast that had latched onto the tree.

It looked like a cage fight between two creatures trying to destroy each other. The tree monster occasionally emitted glowing orbs from its leaves that burned the slime, while the slime responded by consuming chunks of the tree and regenerating. Despite having never seen such beasts before, there was something unsettlingly familiar about them.

Beneath the battling monsters, I noticed a glowing barrier, eerily similar to the one Damien had drawn back in the cave. I had no idea where I was or what this strange place was supposed to be.

"This is your meridian plane," a voice suddenly echoed from behind me.

I spun around and saw a giant, floating eyeball hovering a few meters away, its gaze fixed on the barrier.

"What the—" I backed away quickly, startled by the sight.

The eyeball shifted its attention to me for the first time, its golden iris narrowing. "No need to be alarmed. I thought you were already expecting this... our fated meeting," it said, its tone oddly calm.

I took a few more cautious steps back, trying to make sense of the creature before me. The eyeball had a golden iris with a slit pupil, like the eye of a beast. Despite its unsettling appearance, the creature seemed intelligent and, for the moment, non-threatening. Strangely, though it lacked a mouth, it spoke as if it could read my thoughts.

"Who are you? And what is this place?" I demanded.

The eyeball floated around me, moving slowly as it answered. "Of your two questions, I’ve already answered one. This place is your meridian plane." It turned its gaze back to the barrier, observing the monstrous battle. "To simplify things, the tree creature you see is the Fabled Eternal Dendrite, a Divine-class spirit. Its opponent is the Malicious Spirit, an Undead Morbid Legion, which takes the form of slime."

I turned to look at the beasts again, realization dawning. The tree monster’s wooden texture and leaves looked unnervingly similar to something I had seen before. My mind raced, and I quickly glanced down at my own arms. They were back to normal, but my body had a semi-transparent quality, as though I were some kind of ghost.

"So... this place is inside my body?" I asked, my voice rising in frustration.

The eyeball nodded. "In a manner of speaking, yes. The battle you're witnessing is between two powerful spirits. It will decide who takes control of your body. For now, the barrier Damien created is working, minimizing the damage and keeping your mana core from collapsing completely." It paused and gestured toward the sky with its gaze. "You can already see the cracks in the sky—those are signs your mana core has sustained significant damage."

I looked up, and sure enough, black cracks split the otherwise pristine white sky, like dimensional rifts that seemed to pulse with the threat of destruction. The sight sent a chill through me as if I were staring into an endless abyss ready to swallow me whole.

"Okay, this feels like a nightmare. I can’t believe this is real," I muttered, my thoughts still reeling in disorientation.

"I know it seems unreal, but this is the truth," the floating eyeball responded in its unnervingly calm tone, almost as if it found my confusion expected.

I frowned, still trying to process everything. "Well, who are you?" I asked, suspicion creeping in. "If this place is inside my body, what are you doing here?"

The eyeball hovered silently for a moment, its golden iris narrowing slightly before it answered. "I go by the name Lysanthera, the former ruler of the spirits."

"Ruler of the spirits?" I echoed, taken aback.

"Yes," Lysanthera confirmed. "Once, I was king of spirits like those battling before you. However, most of my powers are sealed now. But even in this weakened state, I have just enough strength to keep those spirits from devouring your body entirely."

I furrowed my brows, recalling a conversation I’d nearly forgotten. "I see. Damien mentioned you back in the cell. He said I’d meet you."

Lysanthera’s gaze flickered slightly. "Yes, it was I who ordered them to rescue you in the first place."

I straightened, irritation flaring up at the memory. "Alright, I appreciate the rescue, but I haven’t forgotten that Damien stabbed me in the chest. What was that about?"

The eyeball gave a soft chuckle, as if amused. "That was necessary to save you. Don’t hold it against him—there was no time to explain at the moment."

I crossed my arms, my suspicion growing. "One thing I’d like to know—why are you going through so much trouble to save me? What’s in it for you?"

Lysanthera nodded thoughtfully as if considering my doubt. "It’s good to be cautious. To be clear, I’m not helping you out of the kindness of my heart. Of course, I have my reasons, and your assistance would be quite valuable to me."

I let out a small sigh of relief, oddly comforted by the honesty. "Glad we’re being upfront. I prefer people with motives—it’s better than someone offering help without a reason. So, let’s hear it. What do you want?"

The eyeball floated closer, its golden iris gleaming faintly in the dim light of the plane. "I appreciate your pragmatism. And this isn’t the first time I’ve helped you, you know."

That caught me off guard. "What?" I stared at the floating eye, my mind racing. There was something vaguely familiar about it, something I couldn’t quite place, but I didn’t remember meeting it before.

Lysanthera seemed to sense my confusion. "I heard you calling out for power during the trials," it explained. "You sought to become a powerful mage, and during that time, your soul wandered into my personal meridian plane. That was when I first saw the true depths of your ambition. It was also when I decided to lend you my mana core."

I blinked, trying to piece it together. "You’re telling me... you gave me my mana core?"

The eyeball bobbed slightly. "Indeed. I couldn’t stand by and watch someone with such potential be wasted as an ordinary human. You craved power, and I offered it. But, as you must know by now, all power comes at a price."

I frowned, my frustration rising. "At the cost of my life? What good is power if I die before I can even use it? Why didn’t you just give me a normal core like everyone else?"

Lysanthera’s iris darkened, its tone growing colder. "As I told you, my powers are sealed. In my current state, I can only manipulate a few cores, and the only one I had left was corrupted."

I sighed in exasperation. "Then fix it! Isn’t that why you’re here?"

The eyeball’s gaze sharpened. "I will—once the two spirits weaken each other. But before that, we must discuss the terms of our contract. I cannot interfere in the mortal realm directly. The only way I can act is through those I make pacts with. If you agree to my terms, I will save you."

I couldn’t help but laugh, though the bitterness in it was clear. "Ah, there it is. Now we’re getting to the real reason. So, what’s the price?"

Lysanthera’s voice dropped, taking on a darker edge. "I need your help to overthrow the Heavenly Virtues, who have ruled over the mortal realm for centuries. In return, I’ll lend you my full support—and help you achieve the power you’ve always dreamed of."

I took a step back, my mind racing with alarm. "I’m not getting involved in some war with the Virtues. I’ve got enough problems as it is without making enemies of divine beings."

The golden iris of Lysanthera’s eye glowed faintly, its gaze boring into mine. "I knew you would refuse at first. But I also know the secret you've been hiding."

My heart skipped a beat. The secret. How could it know? I hadn’t told anyone.

"What... what are you talking about?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Lysanthera’s gaze didn’t waver. "I know that you were once a Demon Overlord, betrayed and killed by your own men. Your soul reincarnated 700 years later into this mortal realm, in the body of a human. Now, you seek power to exact revenge on those who betrayed you, don’t you?"

My brows furrowed in anger. "How do you know that?!"

The eyeball’s tone remained calm, almost indifferent. "So, it really is you. No wonder your soul reeks of an ugly stench—one not so different from my own."

"I’m asking how you know my identity!" My voice trembled with rage.

"Look there," Lysanthera said, its gaze shifting.

I turned, and in the distance, I saw it—a large purple cube, ominous and out of place. Before I could react, my vision blurred, and suddenly we were standing directly in front of it.

"What is this?" I asked, my tone wary.

The cube was unsettling. Morphed faces and hands were sculpted across its surface, like countless people trapped inside, struggling to break free. Thick chains wrapped around it, pinning it down, securing it to the ground. It looked less like an object and more like a twisted monument to suffering.

"This," Lysanthera began, "is the sealed essence of your emotions from your past life. It holds all your regret, guilt, anger, sadness, hatred, and fear—locked deep within your consciousness. If these emotions were unsealed, you would likely lose control, succumb to madness, and destroy yourself. Usually, when a soul reincarnates, its memories and emotions are wiped clean. But somehow, you managed to retain your memories, sealing these emotions away. This is the first time I’ve seen such a phenomenon."

My previous sealed emotions? No wonder I had mellowed down compared to my past self. I tried reaching out and touching the cube, but suddenly. "I would advise against touching that, so please keep your distance," warned the eyeball.

I felt a cold shiver down and stopped my hand,
"So you know I’m the former Demon Overlord, you should understand that I’ve already got enough enemies to deal with. I don’t have time to pick fights with the Virtues or the archangels."

The eyeball’s golden iris narrowed slightly. "Your demon generals used the aid of the Heavenly Virtues to kill you. They’re as guilty as your traitorous generals, wouldn’t you agree?"

My patience was wearing thin. "I know they used the Virtue’s weapons to kill me. But what’s the point now? The Virtues who orchestrated it are long dead. The current ones have nothing to do with it, and I doubt they even remember what really happened."

"The real Virtues know the truth. Hence why they’ve twisted the story to retain their power. They’ve made a mockery of your legacy, and you have a duty to rectify it. To show the world the truth and their ugly side."

I clenched my fists, my voice growing colder.
"You don’t get it. I don’t care about any of that! The Virtues were enemies back when I was a demon, and I wouldn’t have minded dying at their hands. What I can’t forgive is my own men stabbing me in the back and killing my wife and child in front of my eyes..." I trailed off, the pain still fresh after all these centuries. "Those demon generals are likely still alive, walking free in the demon realm leisurely. Seven hundred years is nothing to them. What I want is to return to my realm and end each of their lives with my own hands."

Lysanthera’s eye studied me closely.
"I see. So that is your one true desire. I understand.”

“So you finally get it?” I asked.

“Yes. It only strengthens the argument that you should join me in defeating the Virtues." the eyeball replied.

"Did you hear anything I just said?" I spat, my frustration boiling over.

The eyeball remained silent for a moment before responding, its tone measured. "I did. But I also know you need power to accomplish your goals. And as a human, you currently lack the strength and longevity. Your meager lifespan alone will be your undoing. Before you even find a way back to the demon realm, your life will end... and your revenge will remain unfulfilled."

I gritted my teeth. As much as I hated to admit it, there was truth in Lysanthera’s words.

"If you choose to help me," the eyeball continued, "I will provide you with the power and knowledge you need to achieve your goals. All you must do is cooperate with the Havoc Guild and aid in the removal of the Virtues’ order, once and for all."

I stood there, staring at the grotesque purple cube before me—the physical manifestation of all my sealed emotions, the regret, the hatred, the torment. Centuries had passed, yet my desire for revenge remained burning inside me. Now, this strange entity, Lysanthera, was offering a path that could lead to what I’ve long sought... at a cost.

But still, I knew nothing about this creature or this Havoc Guild he mentioned. Should I really trust this being? Could I afford to let him use me?

"Of course, I am not using you; we are mutually benefiting from each other," Lysanthera said softly as if reading my mind. "You will be assigned missions from time to time, and you must complete them. But beyond that, you’re free to act as you see fit."

I scowled, a wave of irritation surging through me. "Stop reading my mind!"

Lysanthera’s golden iris flickered with a hint of amusement. "Well, you can’t blame me. Inside this meridian plane, your thoughts are as clear as day."

"Fine! I’ll take out the Virtues," I snapped, feeling cornered, "but I hope you’ve got some badass power waiting for me if that’s what you want."

The eyeball seemed to brush past my outburst, its focus shifting to the battle between the two spirits. "It’s about time I subjugate those spirits," it muttered.

I narrowed my eyes, suspicion mounting.
"Why do I feel like you’re dodging my question? What power am I actually getting out of this?"

The battle between the monstrous tree and slime had reached a fever pitch. Their forms, once distinct, were now a grotesque blend of bark and sludge, entangled in a savage struggle. The tension in the air was palpable as if the plane's very fabric was being torn apart by their conflict.

Lysanthera standing before the barrier seemed to have chanted a spell. Then, without warning, the magic circle beneath the spirits flared, glowing fiercely. A swirling vortex of mana formed, sucking the two creatures into it like a grinder. The violent whirlpool of vortex thrashed both the spirits and combined them into one.

In a matter of moments, they were no longer tree and slime, but a thick, churning liquid, swirling violently in the center of the barrier.

Lysanthera, unfazed, manifested a small straw doll in its energy field. It uttered a strange incantation before tossing the doll into the center of the vortex. As soon as the doll touched the liquid, the swirling mass began to shift, taking form. Slowly, it molded itself into a hulking figure—a golem, its body pulsating with raw energy, glowing eyes burning with a malevolent light. It loomed over us, its presence heavy, like a new spirit had just been birthed.

"Don’t worry," Lysanthera said casually. "This is just a temporary dummy spirit. A placeholder golem, actually. The true fusion of the two spirits will take time. When it fully matures, you’ll have a new, far more powerful spirit at your disposal. Until then, you’ll have to make do with this."

I frowned, not sure whether to feel relieved or even more uneasy.
"And what does that mean for me?"

"You’ve inherited a mix of powers from both spirits," Lysanthera explained. "Some you’ve gained, and others... well, you’ve lost. For example, you now possess rapid healing abilities and enhanced strength, but you've sacrificed your ability to perform exorcisms or lift curses. However, thanks to the Eternal Dendrite’s life energy, you can now manipulate plants and trees with incredible ease."

I raised an eyebrow, unsure how useful that would be in the coming battles. "And the slime?"

"From the Malicious Spirit, you've gained the ability to regenerate—even from severe, nearly fatal wounds. However, there's a significant trade-off," Lysanthera continued. "You’re no longer entirely human. You’ve become something closer to an undead."

I froze. "Undead? What the hell do you mean by that?"

Lysanthera’s golden eye glinted with amusement, though his tone remained unnervingly calm. "You’re still very much alive, but your essence has evolved. You now belong to a species closer to the undead—though don’t worry, you can still die, just like anyone else. You retain most human qualities, including reproduction, but your body is now more resilient, less prone to decay."

I frowned. "I just hope I can roam the human realm without being hunted."

Lysanthera’s gaze softened slightly. "You have no reason to worry. Most won’t notice any change at all. You can live a normal life, undetected, unless someone studies you very carefully. It shouldn't impact you negatively—if anything, your new form will increase your lifespan beyond that of a typical human."

I crossed my arms, processing this unsettling revelation. "So, let’s recap: I’m an almost-undead human with rapid healing and regeneration, and I can manipulate plants?"

"Correct," Lysanthera confirmed.

I scoffed, sarcasm dripping from my words. "And you want that on your team to fight the Virtues? What’s the plan here? Am I supposed to be a punching bag for them, or spawn some ivy to give them a good itch? Is that your grand strategy?"

Lysanthera chuckled softly, clearly amused by my skepticism. "Listen, young Demon Overlord. Have you forgotten your own teachings? A true warrior doesn’t complain but uses what he has to achieve his goals. You’ve dodged death twice now—more opportunities than most ever get for vengeance. Instead of whining, harness this power to your advantage. And don’t worry, I have contacts who can help you train."

Just as I was about to respond-

Suddenly, a ghostly form flickered into existence before Lysanthera—a blurred figure that resembled Damien. It appeared for only a moment before vanishing just as quickly. Lysanthera’s eye snapped shut, alarm flashing across his features.

“What was that?” I demanded, but he didn’t respond immediately.

A few tense seconds passed before the eyeball opened again. "Those fools... they actually went ahead and killed one of the Virtues. This changes everything."

“Wait, what are you talking about? And that thing just now-” I asked, confusion rising.

Lysanthera shifted focus back to me. "Oh, times up for now. Listen, you haven’t officially joined the Havoc Guild yet, so for the time being you are safe. But you need to head to the Jarla Forest and find the Immu tribe. They live by the riverbank. Mention my name, and they will assist you in honing your abilities."

“Immu tribe? Wasn’t I about to join the Havoc Guild?” I asked, more confused now.

“The Havoc Guild is as good as dissolved at the moment," Lysanthera said bluntly. "After killing one of the Virtues, the others will be hunting them down, one by one. Before the Virtues are fully deployed, I’m sending what’s left of the guild into hiding. They’ll resurface with a new name one day, but until then, your best option is to keep your head low and focus on getting stronger.”

My mind raced. “But what about going back to the demon realm? And also where are my parents?”

Lysanthera’s tone softened just slightly. "Your parents are safe. As for the demon realm... it’s not the right time to tell you. You’ll learn more in due time."

"But how can I contact you again?" I asked, desperate for clarity.

“If you ever wish to summon me again, just place yourself at the edge of death," he said cryptically. "You’ll know when the time comes."

Before I could ask any more questions, Lysanthera pushed me forcefully. My vision blurred, and the world around me began to dissolve.

Suddenly, my eyes snapped open, and I found myself back in the cave. To my astonishment, my wounds were gone, fully healed. Debris and scattered rubble lay everywhere, remnants of a recent battle.

"Am I back?" I muttered to myself, surveying the destruction. I glanced down at my belly, where I had been stabbed. No wound. Not even a scar. My arms and legs were completely normal again.

I quickly sprang to my feet. “When did that happen?”

I noticed two new holes in the cave as if a powerful blast had struck. It felt almost like I was in a different place altogether. The cave was eerily quiet, the aftermath of chaos still lingering in the air.

“Alright, where did the two of them go?” I muttered to myself.