Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100

Max frowned faintly, but didn't respond immediately. He stood calmly, his hand casually resting on the hilt of his Blue Dragon Sword.

"Alright," he finally said, his tone curious rather than submissive. "I can give you the demonic blood. But you'll have to answer one question for me first."

Kevin's brow arched slightly, his patience thin. "You're in no position to ask me anything."

"I've heard of demonic beasts," Max continued, ignoring the sneer. "But not demonic blood like this. It didn't feel like beast blood. So tell me... what is demonic blood exactly?"

Kevin's laughter was cold and dry. "Do you think you have what it takes to negotiate with me?" The moment the words left his lips, his aura surged like a tidal wave.

The full power of a 6th level Legend Rank expert burst outward, pressing down like a mountain. The surrounding air warped, the ground cracked beneath their feet, and even the lingering traces of frost in the cave began to melt away under the sheer intensity of his spiritual pressure.

"You're on the Void Soul Tower's death list," Kevin said with a sneer, taking one slow step forward. "You killed June. I don't care how you managed it—but by doing so, you signed your own death warrant."

The coldness in his tone deepened, and his hands were already faintly gathering violet-black energy. "You're not walking out of here alive."

Max raised an eyebrow and shrugged like it didn't matter, but the moment Kevin's killing intent surged again, he casually pulled out a crystal vial filled with dark crimson liquid.

The blood inside shimmered strangely under the cave's light, thick and viscous, like molten rubies laced with smoke. He held it up between his fingers—casually, like it was just some trinket he didn't care about. "Either you tell me what this demonic blood really is," Max said calmly, "or I destroy every last drop."

"You dare?!" Kevin's expression twisted in fury, his voice booming through the cave. His body leaned forward as if to strike—but then he stopped.

The moment of hesitation was telling. He didn't think for a second that Max was bluffing. The demonic pool behind them was completely dry. No energy, no traces left. Max had to have bottled the blood. There was no other explanation.

Max's voice remained level, even amused. "Just tell me the origin of the demonic blood, and I'll hand it over. I'm not stupid. I know when something is worth bargaining over."

He paused, tapping the vial slightly. "Besides… how do you think I survived this long, facing so many Legend Rank experts while only being at the 9th level of Master Rank? I have ways. If I want to escape, even you won't be able to catch me."

Kevin's eyes narrowed into slits, but he didn't immediately move. The threat was too real, and he didn't want to lose as precious as demonic blood just because of his impatience.

After a long moment of silence, Kevin exhaled sharply through his nose, suppressing his rage. "Fine."

He looked around once more at the empty blood pool, then turned his attention back to Max with a cold glint in his eye. "The demonic blood… comes from demons. Not demonic beasts. Demons." His tone turned heavier, each word layered with weight. "The origin of these creatures is shrouded in mystery, but what's certain is this—they're not from our world. They don't belong to Acaris. They're outsiders. Invaders."

Kevin walked slowly toward the edge of the blood pool, his gaze distant. "Before the Nulls ever descended on the Middle Domain, before their corrupted armies tore through the heavens ten thousand years ago… humanity faced a different nightmare. Back then, our greatest enemy wasn't the Nulls. It was the demons."

He gestured toward the ground beneath them. "They invaded long ago. No one knows how or from where, but they came—and they brought chaos. The old records speak of blood-red skies, of voices that could twist a man's soul, and creatures that defied logic. Humanity somehow won that war… barely. But winning didn't mean extermination."

He turned, meeting Max's gaze with a serious expression. "Many of those demons couldn't be killed. So they were sealed. Imprisoned. Scattered across Acaris in hidden places—forgotten by time. Some even escaped hiding somewhere in the Acaris. But they're not gone. Some of their remains, their energy, their blood… still linger."

He nodded toward the dry pool. "That blood… that's the remnant essence of a demon. And that's why it's valuable. It holds power not of this world. And that's also why the Hunter Association was formed—not just for the Nulls. But because of the demons. They know the threat is still there, buried, waiting. That's why they hold more influence than even the Seven Overlords of the Middle Domain. Because in the end, they're the only force positioned to deal with what still lurks beneath Acaris."

Max's eyes flickered as Kevin's words echoed, and his mind briefly wandered. 'Demons…' The term stirred old thoughts. He recalled the Devil God Nation and the beings they worshiped—devil-blooded humans with terrifying powers.

For a second, he wondered if there was a connection, if perhaps the demons and devils were one and the same. But the thought didn't sit right. He shook his head, thinking to himself, 'No… The people of the Devil God Nation were still human in origin, tainted by the Devil God Bloodline. But the demons Kevin speaks of… they are foreign. Invaders. Aliens to this world.'

Kevin's voice brought him back to the present. "Now that I told you everything," he said, his tone calm and composed on the surface, "you should hand over the demonic blood."

But Max could see it clearly. The cold calculation in the man's eyes. He had no intention of letting Max live, even if he complied.

Max smiled casually. "Sorry, buddy. I don't have the demonic blood." He held up the vial again, and with a flick of his hand, crushed it. Blood splattered across the icy floor in messy drops.