Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

"Oh?"

Surprised by Horen's words, Eren turned to his right to look at him as they walked. "Are you a fan of visiting new places, big guy?" he asked casually.

"Naah," Horen shook his head as he continued.

"You're familiar with my Vajra Body Tantra, right? Gathering the necessary resources for my Tantra is a real headache for me. Not to mention the exorbitant prices in Menaka's Market.

If you haven't noticed this about me already, let me tell you. I'm always broke. Like, sometimes I have to team up with C-Ranked peeps to get some chump change.

Some of the herbs and consumables I need for my Tantra practice are really hard to find. Sometimes you can't even find the thing you are looking for in the Market because nobody wants to sell them through the Mesh.

Getting them through local networks and connections is also a bitch. And don't get me started on the quality of resources I get from shady black market deals.

It's always better to use Mother Nature's gifts when they are fresh and in their natural habitat. Only those who walk on the Path of refining their bodies know this and understand this.

But things are different now. As a Demon Slayer, I can finally lay my hands on those resources with ease. I heard there are many stores run by Demon Slayers here inside this void dimension. Needless to say, I'll fucking enjoy the privileges I get with this badge," he added, rubbing his hands together eagerly. The joy of successfully clearing the test and attaining Demon Slayer status radiated from him.

As an A-Ranked Diamond Body Cultivator, Horen faced significant hurdles in advancing along his Body Cultivation Path.

He was more than 200 years old and still stuck in the Diamond Body's Initial Stage. His progress had basically halted after attaining the A-Rank status. Compared to Eren, his chances of breaking into the next rank were getting slimmer by the day.

The abundant resources within the void dimension, coupled with convenient access to remote locations, promised Horen a pathway to streamlined progress.

"I see," Eren nodded thoughtfully as he strolled away from the recently used teleportation circle. The intricacies of Tantra practice were becoming apparent, particularly the challenges faced by those who pursued body refinement through their respective Paths.

Horen's insights into the complexities of body refinement struck a chord with Eren, who was contemplating the selection of a Body-strengthening Art for himself. After all, one of the reasons he had decided to join the Corps was because he wanted to get a suitable Tantra for himself.

Eren often experienced physical strain when unleashing his divine powers against adversaries. His mortal body wasn't well-suited for the use of Edict Over Water, resulting in internal injuries during recent encounters, such as redirecting Raif's attacks.

The necessity of altering his strategy and compromising with Jen arose from such limitations.

While Eren had successfully turned challenges to his advantage in the past, he was keen on avoiding a similar predicament. Realizing that achieving godhood was a distant goal, given his current understanding as a demigod, he opted to fortify his body.

The goal was to enhance its resilience, enabling him to better withstand the side effects of wielding his divine abilities. At the very least, he wanted his divine powers to not become a hindrance during his battle.

Of course, Eren had his concerns related to choosing a Tantra that focused on Body Refinement. He had exceptional Elemental Attainments in every element. So he wanted to choose a no-conflict Tantra for himself that would act as a "best of both worlds" balancer for him.

Eren, Horen, and Vasco discussed various things with each other as they approached the Arcane Archives– their first destination in order to avail themselves of suitable resources.

***

The Arcane Archives stood as a majestic testament to the profound foundation of the Corps, an imposing tower adorned with floating books that danced in an ethereal ballet around its towering structure.

Situated in the heart of Demondeath Island within the void dimension, this grand edifice served as the ultimate repository of arcane wisdom for all the Demon Slayers associated with the Kaisaayan's Demon Slayer Corps.

The exterior of the tower was an intricate blend of mystic symbols and runes, pulsating with intent-based magic that resonated with the magical essence within. The towering structure seemed to reach into the very fabric of the void dimension, its spire disappearing into the infinite expanse above.

Floating books of various sizes orbited the in-house tower in an enchanting display, their pages flipping autonomously as if driven by some unseen force. Each book– each scroll contained profound insights into various topics.

From the information related to demonic beings, their dark rituals, and the most effective strategies for countering their malevolent influence to some mysterious Tantra manuals that had been tried and tested by the previous generations of the Practitioners, Arcane Archives had it all. The covers of these mystical tomes shimmered with iridescent hues, hinting at the ancient knowledge held within.

As one approached the entrance, a grand portal adorned with ancient sigils beckoned those seeking enlightenment or some simple know-how before they embarked on their respective missions. Upon crossing the threshold, visitors were greeted by an expansive, labyrinthine library that seemed to stretch endlessly into the tower's core.

Staircases crafted from shimmering crystals led to various levels, each housing an array of knowledge spanning Tantra practice manuals.

The ambiance within the Arcane Archives was one of hallowed reverence as if the very air resonated with the accumulated wisdom of centuries. Dimly lit by the soft glow of magical orbs suspended in the air, the shelves of books exuded a faint, mystical aura.

The facility housed insights into forgotten or lesser-known Skills, Array Formations, potion recipes, and incantations. It even had spell manuals that were seldom used by almost anyone in Labh Salem.

The Tantra practice manuals, kept under protective enchantments, were a coveted collection accessible only to the initiated Demon Slayers. These manuals, bound in leather adorned with mystic symbols, contained the secrets of various Paths, providing invaluable insights to those dedicated to their personal growth.

In the heart of the tower, a sacred chamber housed the most ancient and powerful grimoires, protected by wards that only permitted entry to those with necessary clearance tokens.

Illuminated by an ethereal radiance, this inner sanctum was a sanctuary of esoteric knowledge, safeguarded for the benefit of the Kaisaayan's Demon Slayer Corps.

As Eren, Horen, and Vasco delved deeper into the mysteries of the Arcane Archives, their fascination grew in tandem with the wealth of knowledge surrounding them. It took them three days to sift through the vast repository and hone in on their specific interests.

By the culmination of this immersive exploration, each of them had made informed decisions, selecting a Tantra manual that resonated with their individual Paths.

Alongside this pivotal choice, they secured additional items and insights, maximizing their utilization of the initial privileges granted to them as novice Demon Slayers.

However, they were well aware that to get further benefits within the void dimension, they would need to carry out missions sanctioned by the Demon Slayer Corps.