He had assumed it would be inevitable—that once he reached the halfway point, the system would simply force the transformation. But now it was clear: there was a decision to be made. A path to choose. One that might define everything that came after.
"Proto-Demon... half human, half demon... but if there's a choice, that means there's another route too."
Alex leaned back against the tree, the sun casting long shadows across the park as he stared at the floating screen before him.
'System, what other choice do I have?' Alex asked silently.
[ The other choice the Host has is to reach 100% Evolution Progress without undergoing the Half-Demon transformation. ]
[ However, from this point forward, without choosing the Half-Demon path, Demonic Energy comprehension will become ten times harder. This means Evolution Progress will be ten times more difficult to achieve. ]
[ Additionally, once this decision is made, the Host will no longer be able to evolve into a Half-Demon until reaching 100% Evolution Progress. This path is locked until then. ]
[ What is your choice now, Host? ]
Alex stared at the words, heart steady, but mind racing. One path gave him power now. The other promised something more… but at a cost he might not even fully understand yet.
He closed his eyes.
"...So. Become something less human now… or reach for something possibly greater... later."
The System's response cut through his thoughts.
[ The System never said the Host will reach something greater later. It is only a possibility among many. ]
Alex blinked, momentarily taken aback. He was still absorbing everything. His gaze shifted downward as he processed the choice.
'Well, I can always evolve into a Half-Demon after reaching 100%, right?' he asked, uncertain but hopeful.
[ Yes, Host. ]
"Then I can wait. Anyway, I'm learning more and more to control this demonic energy... and when the time comes, I'll be able to adapt to it even if it's hard at first," Alex muttered, feeling a strange peace settle in as he made the decision.
[ Host has made his choice. ]
[ The evolution is delayed until the Host reaches 100%. ]
Alex leaned back, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Hope... this path is rewarding," he murmured to himself, as the system notification appeared before him, confirming his decision.
The notification faded slowly from his vision, but the gravity of his choice lingered in the silence that followed. The wind rustled the leaves above him, casting flickering shadows across the grass—like wisps of thought dancing in the dusk.
[ Evolution Path: Deferred ]
[ Current Status: Human (Enhanced) ]
[ Demonic Energy Compatibility: 50% ]
[ Devil Book Reading Progress: 12% ]
"Huh? It changed from 'Corrupted' to 'Enhanced'?" Alex looked at it, surprised as he noticed the change in his race status.
"Hmm, I guess my next evolution might not be demonic, but rather some kind of enhanced form of human," Alex thought as he exhaled slowly, his focus settling.
Being a twisted human was already hard—it was a fragile balance. He could feel it sometimes, when the void stirred inside him, whispering dark thoughts, tugging at his mind like a tide trying to drag him under.
He wasn't Dante or Vergil—sons of Sparda, born of legendary bloodlines. He was just a man who got burned, then stitched back together by fate and misfortune. No divine destiny, no sacred inheritance—only the cold gift of demonic energy, creeping through his veins.
But maybe that was enough.
Maybe being human—enhanced, defiant, still standing—was the real strength. The beasts that came with demonic power didn't control him. Not yet. Not ever.
[ Host, being an Enhanced Human means more than you think. You will find out at the 100% Evolution Stage. ]
Alex's eyes narrowed at the floating prompt.
"So there is something waiting at the end of this path…" he muttered, fingers curling slightly as the dark mist flickered faintly around his hand. It no longer fought him—it flowed when he willed it, it quieted when he calmed.
"Alright then," he said, standing under the fading light of dusk. "Let's see how far this 'Enhanced Human' path can really go."
The road ahead was long, and far more grueling now that demonic compatibility would climb ten times slower—but he'd already chosen.
No shortcuts. No half-measures.
Only evolution.
"It's like I was born with a massive debuff in this new body… I just hope it's worth it in the end," Alex sighed, resting his weight against his Devil Cane. He rubbed his temple, the low thrum of demonic energy still pulsing faintly beneath his skin.
"Hm... did my base stats increase more?" he muttered, eyes narrowing as he brought up his system screen with a thought and a gesture.
The familiar, cold interface blinked into view in front of him:
[Status Updated]
Race: Human (Enhanced)
Evolution Progress: 50%
Demonic Energy Compatibility: 50%
Devil Book Reading Progress: 12%
Base Stats (Updated):
Strength: 8 → 12 – Slightly above average now. He can probably hold his own in a fight and lift heavier loads without strain.
Endurance: 8 → 12 – His stamina and resistance to fatigue or damage have noticeably improved.
Agility: 9 → 12 – He's quicker, more reactive—better at dodging or moving swiftly.
Intelligence: 30 → 33 – Still exceptional; this fuels his understanding of demonic theory, magic, and abstract constructs.
Willpower: 37 → 42 – This is elite-tier. It reflects mental toughness, resistance to corruption, and sheer grit.
Affinity* (Demonic): 312 → 315 – Progressing steadily, giving him more control and responsiveness with demonic energy.
*Innate high due to Supreme Demon Lineage
"Huh... slight boost across the board," Alex muttered. "Willpower's rising the fastest… figures, considering what I've been forcing myself through. But still, this is slow."
"After all, this is Marvel. Even superhuman-level people are everywhere here," Alex mumbled as he walked back home.
His home was now mostly livable, thanks to the money he took from Sam—just before Sue called the ambulance and the cops. Since then, all the money Alex claimed as 'saved funds' was funneled quietly, letting him slowly rebuild it into his own little hidden haven.
Now, it was more of a normal house than the dump it used to be. Even Alex himself had transformed—from a dark, grim presence into something resembling an average, everyday guy.
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