"What am I lacking?" Moku asked himself.

But Foras, maybe hearing him, replied, "The domain you’re using is called Vivid Dream, right? Why does it feel like it’s not a domain?"

Hearing that, Moku’s eyes widened.

"As you know, the ability of a domain is the ability to control the world’s law within the scope of a domain.

"Mages who master a domain are those who have a close connection with Mana, so Mana trusts them to regulate a fraction of the world’s law.

"When I met the mages on this continent, I felt a bit strange about them.

"As I mentioned earlier, we demon species are born strong. Not because of genetics or anything that comes from our parents. But because the demon species is a special species!

"The demon species is the most beloved by Mana!

"When we are born, we immediately receive Mana God Form without needing to meditate for decades like the mages on this continent. When we reach Level 4 Core Demon, we will directly receive a pseudo domain without needing to carve it ourselves like what the mages on this continent do.

"This inherent superiority and strength are what make our demon species refuse to be called Mana Species, like humans, elves, and warbeasts on this continent. The closeness of our species to Mana cannot be measured only by Constellations like the mages on this continent use.

"Our closeness to Mana is the core that is born with us in this world. That’s why, to show our love for Mana, we call this level of closeness Mana Core!

"We demon species are the most beloved by Mana. We are born from Mana and will return to Mana!!!"

(A/N: Oh, just to remind everyone, what Foras means by Mana here is Daemon, the first demon and progenitor of all demon species. Demons believe that they are born from Daemon and will return to Daemon. So, it can be said that demon species believe that they are Mana and will return to Mana).

Moku gulped hard, seeing the madness in Foras’ eyes.

But it wasn’t the first time he had seen those same eyes.

Several mage zealots devoted to their gods also had the same eyes when explaining their beliefs. Even Nezena, his beloved wife, had the same eyes when explaining about The One to the young monsters in the religion class she taught.

Moku never knew what these faithful people were thinking.

He himself believed in the existence of gods because he couldn’t accept that things just happened on their own.

He was sure there was a powerful hand controlling it all.

But that didn’t mean Moku had to bow his head to the one in power.

Moku only acknowledged their strength until one day he would also have equal strength.

However, despite that, Moku could acknowledge that Foras’ words held some truth.

All the powers and miracles that mages could perform were due to Mana.

Thus, for a mage, closeness to Mana was far more important than anything else in the world.

They might willingly sacrifice family, possessions, and everything they held dear in this world just to get closer to Mana.

Mage trust in mana was much greater than a husband’s trust in his wife or a child’s trust in their mother.

If Mana had its own consciousness, then perhaps it could control the entire world at its fingertips.

Until now, Moku had always suspected if Mana had its own consciousness, especially considering what happened when an orc evolved into an asura or opened their evolution gate. Moku could vividly feel the underlying anger and fear in Mana.

Mana was the core of this world, so it was true that monster species without a speck of Mana in their bodies were cursed species.

If this world had Mana as its controller, then could it be possible that the Mind Realm also had its own core energy that controlled everything?

When that question arose in Moku’s mind, he felt as if a light bulb had turned on in his head.

Moku smiled and concentrated on feeling his connection with the Mind Realm, but this time, Moku didn’t use the Pandava as a mediator; instead, he connected his consciousness directly with the Mind Realm.

The Mind Realm is a dimension where all ideas, dreams, imaginations, and thoughts of all sentient beings converge.

Therefore, as a sentient being, it was easy for Moku to connect with the Mind Realm; he just hadn’t realized it until now.

And in a very short time, Moku could feel it.

"You finally realize it," a gentle voice of Garuda sounded, devoid of its usual condescension.

Garuda is the embodiment of the Mind Realm.

However, Garuda is not the owner of the Mind Realm; he is just its main ruler.

The true owner of the Mind Realm is the Mind Realm itself. Therefore, it means that the real owner of the Mind Realm is the ideas, dreams, imaginations, and thoughts of all sentient beings.

Moku smiled at Foras and said, "Do you mind giving me guidance to become stronger like this?"

Foras just shook his head and replied in a neutral tone,

"You are a strange creature.

"Even though you can use spells like a mage, I can’t sense the slightest bit of Mana in your body. Maybe you think you can trick mages with your imitation but we demon species can see it clearly.

"If we demon species are the most loved creatures by Mana then you and all members of your species are the most hated creatures by Mana.

"I should have reported the existence of your species to my father and grandfather. But that will only make me no longer able to fight with you.

"The demons will stop attacking the mages and focus on destroying your entire species until there are none left. But to me that is a pity.

"I can see from you that you people hold the same values as the demon species. It can even be said that we are closer culturally and way of thinking to you people compared to the so-called Mana Species.

"Like a coin that has two sides. You and I are two different sides of the coin.

"If I am loved by Mana then you are cursed by Mana. How nice it would be if I could fight and defeat you with all your potential unlocked!

"I don’t need weak enemies! I want them to be strong and able to match me! I want an evenly matched battle of the two sides of the coin!

"THE BATTLE BEETWEN THE BELOVED AND THE CURSED!!! THE BATTLE OF FATE!

"And you will fulfil my wish! If not, I will kill you and find your heir! I hope they are not boring..."

At that Moku’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. He felt a feeling that had long been missing before. A pleasure so intense it was like finding an oasis in the middle of the desert, finding shelter during a storm.

"fufufufuhahahahahahaAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

Moku’s laughter sounded so loud it filled the whole of the devastated forest.

"Foras, you really are a surprising person!

"I’m proud to fight with you!

"FROM THIS DAY FORWARD I DECLARE YOU ARE MY RIVAL!

"I will not stop until I kill you and defeat you with everything I’ve got!

"My friend, thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet you!

"I am Moku, the Ku of Wilwatikta Kingdom, the progenitor of asura, the ruler of monsters, the sovereign of Bog Forest! My species name is asura, the only race that will survive all other monster species in the future!

"Foras, the demon of doom, the son of Furfur, the grandchild of Mamon, the sin of wrath!

"I WILL SHOW YOU HOW STRONG THE ASURA SPECIES IS AND WHY WE ARE THE CURSE OF THE WORLD!"

"Vivid Dream: Mind Realm!"

As if they are both transported to a realm of boundless imagination and endless possibility.

A swirling vortex of shimmering colours and ethereal mists envelops Moku and Foras surroundings, drawing them into a surreal dreamscape that exists solely within the realm of the mind.

The laws of reality are bent and twisted.

They are both surrounded by a kaleidoscope of vivid landscapes, each more fantastical than the last. From towering mountains of crystalline ice to vast, endless oceans of shimmering light.

The boundaries between dreams and reality blur, as the various animal forms of legend pass above the sky, on the surface of the earth, and beneath their feet.

Moku can smell the unique air and energy that he can only find in the Mind Realm. His coporal body becomes transparent in the blink of an eye as Moku transforms into his Mind Body form without needing to do anything.

A round object shone brightly in place of the sunlight that had begun to fade due to the black smoke that filled the sky.

It was Pandava’s Orb Intent.

But the real effect of Vivid Dream: Mind Realm was to bring the law of Mind Realm to this world.

Moku felt the effects of the Palm of Wrath dissipating slowly from his body.

He no longer felt like his supply of dragon pranas was like a leaky bag whose hole widened with each use. He was released from the influence of the Palm of Wrath.

Although doom belonged to the category of control of fate but in reality Foras was not really able to control fate. He only changed the power of rage which was part of the Sin of Wrath into the essence of doom.

So, in short, the power of Foras is part of the Sin of Wrath and the main characteristic of the Mind Realm is to corrode all the Sin (desire) in it.

"Let’s start round two!!! RING THE BELL!!!"