Transmigrate inside a Web Novel as a Side Character.

Soma's eyes suddenly jolted awake as he found himself facing an endless darkness that stretched far away. The gloomy and desolate air that filled the atmosphere made his eyes knit in annoyance, for he knew where this place actually was.

"Yo, Good morning".

A mocking yet carefree voice came from behind him, which prompted him to tense every muscle fiber in his body and stand up. At first, he saw a desolate land filled with miasma, the ground cracked, withered plants, and no sign of life, only the smell of death.

Soma followed the miasma trace until it connected toward the humongous tree that seemed to be getting bigger and leaking more miasma than usual. As usual, the devil who used Soma's appearance sprawled his body in a relaxed manner on top of the enormous root that sprouted above the ground.

"...".

"Why? You can't even reply to my greetings, huh. What a cold bastard you are".

"...What do you want?".

"What do I want? Hehe, nothing, just wanted to ask you, how was your feeling when seeing your favorite girl die?".

He saw the smirk that was plastered on the devil's face. Soma's murderous intent suddenly leaked, and his body clad in crimson aura, sprouting wings that formed from condensed power from the devil, in the blink of an eye reappeared in front of the devil.

"I dare you to say that again!".

The devil who saw Soma's transformation parted his lips as if he was proud of Soma's growth in handling the devil and saint power.

"I said.. Ghak!".

Without waiting to finish his words, Soma swung his punch, hitting the devil directly in his left jaw. The devil, who had blown away dozens of meters, caressed his throbbing jaw and looked at Soma with a pleased expression. "Good, that is how you are supposed to act in the first place. Don't be a wimp, just act!".

"Hehe, ahahaha… Good Soma, finally you realized how foolish you are, huh".

The devil cracked an eerie laughter that shook the entire place.

"It is because of you who always hesitated and were afraid of taking this power, afraid that you will be isolated, feared, or hurt, and at what cost do you get for becoming a wimp?".

"...!".

Soma knows best what the devil had been mentioned about since earlier. His face remained devoid of expression, and he slowly walked toward the devil, leaking a tremendous murderous aura. His appearance gradually shifted, becoming resembling that of the devil.

Horns started to grow from his side skull, and a pair of menacing bat wings also began to emerge from his back, making his appearance change into something he despised or rather feared, but he didn't care any of that. He also realized what had happened when he hesitated to accept that he was a part of the devil. It cost someone else life.

Soma stopped in his tracks and stood face to face with the devil. The devil, smirking, and Soma with his calm expression, faced each other, staring for dozens of seconds before the devil.

"...You lost her, didn't you?".

"...".

"This is all your fault because you are acting cowardly…".

"...Yeah, that's right".

"Ehehe, ahaha, so you finally admit it. How was it when you saw her figure smashed to the ground. Oh, you didn't see it, did you? You are too afraid to see her final moment".

"...Ah, you are right".

Every word that comes from the devil's mouth feels like a blade that slices his heart slowly to mince, and every time, he is aware of his mistake, without knowing how his connection with the devil deepened. Then, more and more, the devil's power seeped into his being, creating a seed that stayed in his heart, ready to be sprouted any time.

"...But you got it easy, right? Because you have those two other girls that will stay with you, they can act as her replacement, healing you and making you forget about that dead girl…".

Soma, who kept listening to the devil rambling, couldn't take his words in this one. With a swift motion, he choked the devil's throat before lifting his body up, dangling the devil's feet.

"Don't screw around with me! There is no such thing as a replacement".

"Oh! My bad, right, the red one is your favorite all this time. I'm sorry, ahahaha".

The devil's body lightened before he dispersed into a black smoke, passed Soma's body, and returned to the tree.

"...Tch, the time has come".

At the same time, those words came out while clicking his tongue. The devil felt something was wrong; the space shook, and Soma's vision distorted. Then, the desolate scenery that once filled his retina turned into a vibrant land filled with life, putting his boiling heart at peace.

Soma stood in front of the tree that cast a wide canopy below, and he saw the figure of a Martial Saint whose body had turned more transparent the last time Soma saw him.

"...Martial Saint?".

"...Soma, finally you came".

The two of them didn't exchange any words as they stood facing each other, relinquishing the peace that was provided by the place.

A pleasant, cool wind brushed Soma's skin, which calmed his heart, but not long after, his body tensed on guard, and Martial Saint noticed that, urging Soma to come closer.

"Come here, Soma. I have something to tell you".

Soma, without hesitation, moves his feet straight as it brings him closer to Martial Saint. He stood one and a half meters apart from Martial Saint.

Upon closer look, it seems his eyes didn't play tricks on him. Soma indeed saw Martial Saint's body, which was much more transparent, and the aura he exuded dismissed significantly, making him look weaker.

"Martial Saint?!".

When Soma tries to probe what happened, Martial Saint raises his palm and shakes his head to stop Soma from questioning him further.

Soma closed his mouth and waited for Martial Saint to talk. Instead, he saw that Martial Saint looking at him with grief plastered on his face, probably seeing what happened to Soma and his decision to take his evil self.

"...I would not talk much because I have no authority to command you. But, let me tell you this: Don't let it consume you. Be the one in control. I believe you can do that with the skill you have...".

"...Thank you".

"Also this, I have something for you!".

Martial Saint approached Soma and placed his index finger on Soma's forehead, which shone in golden light. The golden light began to flow gently; it entered Soma's head before dissipating.

"...This is? Ukh".

Suddenly, his head started to throb, and information regarding the following technique the Martial Saint had created appeared in his mind. It showed what kind of trial Soma must face to obtain it.

"Use it well, and I hope you can master all of the techniques. This is my parting gift for you".

Soma's body stiffened hearing those last words Martial Saint said. However, he couldn't do anything about this, for he vaguely recalled the time when he lost control, drawing the Saint's power to its maximum potential.

"...I see. Thank you for all the guidance you give, and I will make sure to live up to your name as the Martial Saint Inheritors".

"...Thank you. I would not talk much about your loss, but I hope you can learn from this mistake to cherish your close aides So that you will not have a lingering regret, the same fate as me. Stay strong, Soma and Farewell…".

Martial Saint's body dissipated into a brilliant gleam floating in the atmosphere. Those fluttering lights gathered around Soma's before it condensed into a marble that floated in front of him, radiating a strong holy power.

Using his left hand, Soma gripped the marble floating in front of him as he closed his eyes before he said his farewell.

"...Farewell, Martial Saint!".