"Can you take me with you, Please ?" Leena asked with a confused expression as she looked at Leon.
"You want to come with us ?" Leon asked with a confused expression.
"I-I mean... It's not the best live, when you are living inside a dungeon. Maybe god sent you to help me out." Leena spoke as she looked at Leon.
"He didn't believe me and Why should I take you with me ? And aren't you living peacefully here ?" Leon asked with a confused expression.
"Mister, please... I beg you. I am going crazy down here. You are the first person I have talked to in so many years and I was running from the assassins when I fell into this stupid place...
Please I beg you, take me out of here. If you want, I will even sleep with you. I am still a virgin. You can take my first time as a price for taking me out, Please." Leena spoke as she broke down in tears and grabbed Leon's hand tightly.
'I knew it... She was acting this whole time. There is no way a human girl can live in this place for the past seven years without going insane.
She was just trying to hide her desperation by keeping her cool. But, the main question is... should I bring her with me ?' Leon thought with a neutral expression as he looked at her.
"Do you know that the forest above this dungeon is infected with a deadly poison ?" Leon asked as he looked at Leena.
"N-No..." Leena spoke as she wiped off her tears and looked at Leon with an innocent expression.
"Even if I take you out there with me... How are you going to survive ? Do you know any spells that can protect you from posion effect ?" Leon asked with a confused expression.
"I-I don't... But, I can cover my face with a cloth." Leena spoke as she picked up a piece of cloth and started wrapping it around her face.
"Won't work... The poison is so potent that it will kill you the moment you inhale it." Fruela spoke as she looked at Leena.
"Hah... Well, I guess. There is really no way out for me." Leena spoke with a sad expression as she took off the cloth from her mouth.
"I might have a way to get her to the Room... But, I need to know... How much of my books have you readed until now ?" Rees asked as he walked upto Leena.
"A-About... All of them." Leena spoke as she looked at Rees with a hesitated expression.
"Fucking hell..." Rees cursed as he looked at at Leena.
"The things you worked on for your whole life... Now a human girl has read it all. How do you feel about that Rees ?" Leon asked with a smile as he looked at him.
"Okay... Mr. Leon, either we have to kill her..." Rees spoke as he looked at Leon.
"N-No... Please don't kill me. I-I won't share your findings with anyone, I-I swear on my life." Leena spoke with a scared expression as she looked at Leon.
"...or What ?" Leon asked as he looked at Rees.
"... or we have to take her back to the dungeon and keep her there until I find out a spell that can erase memories.
They are the findings of my lifetime, If I let such knowledge into her hands... I won't be able to forgive myself.
I turned into a Lich and gave up my human life in order to gain that knowledge and if it fell into wrong hands, I can only imagine what will happen." Rees replied as he looked at Leon.
"Well... You heard him, Darling. What are you going to choose ? Death or staying in my dungeon until he erases some of your memories ?" Leon asked with a neutral expression as he looked at Leena.
"I-I don't like both of the options..." Leena spoke as she looked at Leon.
"Guess she wants to stay here then... Let's go." Leon spoke as all three of them turned around and started walking towards the room.
"W-Wait... I-I will choose the second option. Please just don't leave me here." Leena spoke as she looked at Leon with a desperate expression.
"Good choice. Now... What method do you have Rees ?" Leon asked as he looked at him.
"Hah... I thought you would choose the first option but I forgot that you are also a human and will do anything to survive.
Here hold this in your hand." Rees spoke as he pulled out a golden coin out of his pocket and gave it to Leena.
"A golden coin ?" Leon asked with a confused expression.
"An enchanted talisman, Mr. Leon. It grants protection from any kind of Poison, Acid and any other effect like Aphrodisiac or whatever." Rees explained as he looked at Leon.
"You can make them ?" Leon asked with a confused expression.
"No, It was gift from a dear friend when I was alive... But, it only grants the protection for about four to five minutes.
So, we have to be quick." Rees explained as he looked at Leena.
"I-I understand." Leena spoke as she looked at Rees.
"Well then... Let's go. I have to sleep as well. It's been two days since I have gotten any good sleep." Leon spoke as all four them walked inside the teleportation room.
"OURA." Rees spoke as gears shifted above them and the same magical gate appeared in front of them.
All of them immediately exited through the gate and noticed that they were out in the forest again.
"That way..." Leon spoke as he pointed towards the south direction and all four of them started walking behind him.
"Wait... I don't think, it was the way that we came from, Master." Fruela spoke with a confused expression as she immediately turned around and noticed something odd.
"Hmm...?" Leon looked at her with a confused expression.
"That tree... It wasn't there when I counted the steps from the gate." Rees spoke as he pointed towards the tree.
"There is no snow over the trees... But, when we entered inside the dungeon, they were covered in snow." Leon spoke with a serious expression as he immediately withdrew his sword from his inventory.
Fruela immediately activated her skill and scanned the forest.
"I can't sense the room around us, Master." Fruela spoke as she also withdrew her daggers.
"W-What is happening ?" Leena asked with a scared and confused expression as she immediately hided behind Leon.
Without wasting another second, Leon used his skill on one of the trees.
[Name: Mephlim Tree]
[Class: Tree]
[Race: Monster]
[Description: Due to the demonic poison mist, this tree has mutated into a demonic tree and they shift continuously around the forest like a living maze in order to deceive their prey until they are dead from exhaustion, poison or starvation.]
"The trees have mutated from the poisonous mist. They are shifting their location in order to confused us and keep us here until we die... So that they can consume us." Leon spoke as he looked at Rees.
"That's a very good explanation but how do you know, Mr. Leon ?" Rees asked as he looked at Leon.
"I don't think that matters right now Rees. Can you figure a way out ?" Leon asked with a serious expression.
"I will search for a way out from above." Fruela spoke as she started walking towards a tree.
"Don't... The trees will try to separate us from each other. Stay with me, I will take care of this." Leon spoke as he used his skill.
"Yes, Master." Fruela spoke as she immediately stopped.
[Please pick a name for the skill...]
"Compass of Heart." Leon spoke in a low voice.
'I saw this thing in a pirate movie back on earth. I wonder if it will work.' Leon thought with a serious expression.
[Skill 'Compass of Heart.' has been created.]
[Rank has been settled to 'F' by default.]
[State the use of skill.]
"Enchantes any object with magic and wherever the user wishes to go, the object will simply point towards it's direction." Leon spoke in a low voice and all three of them looked at him with confused expressions.
"Mr. Leon ? Are you alright ? Because I think we should start moving towards any random direction and we will find a way out sooner or later." Rees spoke as he looked at Leon.
[Processing....]
[Error: Define the time that the object will stay enchanted.]
"One hour." Leon spoke in a low voice.
[Error: Skill's description doesn't match the rank.]
"Fuck... Fifty Five minutes."
[Error:....]
"Fourth Five minutes."
[Error:....]
"Thirty Minutes." Leon spoke with a serious expression.
[Description has been accepted.]
'Fuck yes.' He thought with a wide smile.
[Please select the chant for the skill {Compass of Heart}.]
"Show me the way." Leon spoke as a smirk appeared over his face.
[Chant 'Show me the way' has been selected.]
[Estimated mana cost to use the skill has been calculated, 300 mana/use.]
[Cooldown has been calculated, 2 hours after every use.]
[Would you like to learn the skill or Destroy it ?]
"Learn it." Leon spoke with a serious expression.
[Congratulations! You have successfully learned the skill {Compass Of Heart.}]
****
"Mr. Leon... should we start walking north? I think we should, north is a good place if we have to choose." Rees suggested, glancing at Leon with uncertainty.
"No need," Leon replied calmly as he stepped forward, picking up a small stick from the forest floor.
"Show me the way," he whispered under his breath activating the skill.
As the skill activated, the stick shimmered briefly in a golden light before returning to normal.
'Take me to the dungeon room,' Leon commanded as he closed his eyes for a second.
He then placed the stick on the ground vertically and let go of it.
*Thud*
The stick fell immediately, pointing due south.
"This way," Leon said, already starting to move towards south.
"W-Wha—!?" Rees stammered, completely thrown off. "Mr. Leon, you can't be serious!"
"I am... follow me." Leon spoke and continued to walk forward.
"Let's go," Fruela said to Leena, and the two of them followed Leon without questions.
"Sigh..." With no better alternative, Rees sighed and trailed behind them.
After walking for a while, the group reached a split in the path—three diverging trails lay ahead.
"We should keep heading south since we took the—"
Thud.
Before Rees could finish, Leon dropped the stick once more. This time, it pointed towards west.
"This way, follow me..." Leon declared, changing direction instantly.
"Mr. Leon, you can't seriously be letting a stick decide our path, if this continued... we will get lost so deep in the forest that there will be no going back from there." Rees objected, catching up to him.
Leon stopped and turned to face him with a cold stare.
"Rees... I'm not forcing you to follow me. I am just getting out of this forest." Leon spoke with a flat voice.
"I-I'm sorry, I was only suggesting—"
"How about this," Leon interrupted, his voice steady. "Let's make a bet. If I can't get us out of here within the next thirty minutes, I'll give you everything I know—every secret, every discovery. Knowledge that would take you a thousand years to learn on your own. What do you say ?"
Rees got startled by such a bold move all of a sudden and he didn't knew what to say, that's when these words came out, "W-What if I lose ?"
"Then you'll work under me for life. Teach me everything I want to know. Nothing in exchange, no conditions. You'll follow every order I give you without asking any questions." Leon spoke as he smiled faintly.
'He'll say yes. He can't resist the bait. And once he does... he'll be my little pet, I can use him to teleport from one place to another and get his knowledge without giving anything in exchange . Hehehe...'
"B-But—"
"I have so much knowledge that you will not be able to believe, Rees." Leon spoke as he looked at Rees and tried to bait him even more.
"I-I was thinking-"
"Yes or no, Rees?" Leon asked with a serious expression.
"...Okay. I accept."
'There's no way a stick is going to lead us out. If he is giving away free knowledge, why should I say no to that ?' Rees nodded confidently.
"Good. Keep up then." Leon spoke with a smile as he resumed walking.
Fruela gave Rees a sidelong glance and smirked. "Idiot skeleton."
"W-What?" Rees asked in a confused expression as he looked at her.
---
Five minutes later...
"Ahh... W-What's... Cough–Cough happening to me?" Leena gasped, collapsing to the ground in a fit of coughs.
"Are you alright ?" Fruela asked as she grabbed her shoulders tightly.
"C-Can't Breathe..." Leena replied in a low voice as her body started turning green.
"The talisman! It needs mana—Mr. Leon, you have to recharge it!" Rees called out as he looked at Leon.
Leon stepped forward and pressed his hand on the golden coin clutched in Leena's hand.
[-800 MP]
[-800 MP]
[-800 MP]
...
"This thing is consuming so much mana," Leon muttered with a neutral expression.
"It's a mana barrier talisman. Offers heavy protection in exchange for a heavy amount of mana.
That's why I told you to recharge it... because it takes about three to four days in order to recharge on it's own." Rees explained as the coin regained its golden glow.
Leon stood up. "Let's move. We don't have much time."
The group pushed forward for fifteen more minutes before something caught Leon's eye.
Shhhh—
"That tree... It just moved," he said, pointing towards the tree. "You all saw that, right ?"
"Yes," Fruela nodded with a grin. "That means we're near the exit, Master. The trees shift to trap intruders. But since we are really close to the exit... they must be moving in panic even in front of us."
Leon turned towards Rees and smirked at him. He then started walking forward once again.
As they were walking forward, Leon started thinking about the bet he made with Leon.
'Damn it. What have I done? That bet—he must have known something from the start. It's got to be a skill, but what kind of skill guides you with a damn stick !? Fuck... if we made it to the dungeon room in—'
"Rees," Leon interrupted, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Y-Yes ?" Rees looked up and noticed Leon has stopped moving.
"We're at our destination." Rees turned—and froze. A massive cubical dungeon room stood before them.
"Get in and take us back," Leon ordered with a with a wide smile.
'Fuck... I lost the bet.' Rees thought in his mind.
"Y-Yes, Sir." Rees entered the room without hesitation, followed by Leon, Fruela, and Leena.
Inside, the Frey Crystal began to glow green as ancient runes across the floor shimmered to life once again.
"Whoa... What is this place?" Leena asked in awe as she looked around the room and at the magic circle on the ground.
"Didn't you read my journals ? I have written it there on how to read runic language." Rees replied as he looked at Leena.
"I did and I can read most of the runes in this circle... but what's that rune ? I can't read even a single incantation of it." She pointed to a single line beneath the crystal.
"Don't bother. Even I can't read it, it's written in an unknown or very, very ancient language." Rees said, stepping toward the Frey Crystal—only to catch Fruela's mocking smile.
"What ?" He asked stopping for a second.
"Master is intelligent, Skeleton. When he bet with that confidence... I knew he already had a way out. And yet, you still accepted the bet. Some scholar you are.
Stupid."
'I swear I'm never betting again... not against Mr. Leon. He really knows how to bend his words. He tempted me into the bet by showing me a dumb way to get out.
But, everytime that stick landed on the ground, it showed the correct path... how is that possible ?' Rees groaned mentally as he couldn't understand how Leon got them to the dungeon room.
But putting that aside, He began chanting in the ancient Elven tongue:
"Lani udna temao kunida, valtre omas. Sedrio, neni Kilma." As soon as he finished his sentence, the room rumbled as the runes flared up.
*Grrrrrrr—*
"Whoa! What's going on !?" Leena asked with a confused and worried expression.
Suddenly, silence covered the whole room.
"We're back," Leon said, approaching the door and noticing the stone stairs going down to the next floor.
"Mr. Leon, take the Frey Crystal with you. It's too dangerous to leave it behind," Rees advised as he looked at Leon.
"Right," Leon said as he immediately ran upto it, picked it up and slipped it into his pocket.
"Oh, and Rees..." He turned with a smirk. "You lost the bet, remember ?"
"I remember that master Leon. I'll honor the bet. Ask me anything. I'll obey and answer without questions or asking for anything in exchange."
"Good, but you are still free to do whatever you want." Leo spoke as he vanished in an instant.
"H-How did he-!?" Leena asked as she turned around and looked at Fruela.
"Ask him... You are his problem now." Fruela spoke as she pointed towards Rees.
"Ugh..." Rees groaned as he looked at Leena.
---
Seventh Floor...
Swish!
Leon reappeared, spotting Elaine and Selene mid-discussion.
"Hello, girls. What are you—"
"YOU." Elaine shot to her feet, fuming as she marched toward him.
"This doesn't look good," Leon muttered.
"Why is she here?" Elaine demanded, pointing behind him.
Leon turned—only to find Olga, completely naked, stepping up behind him. Her massive boobs bounced as she pressed herself into him, cupping his dick.
"Hello, Leon..." she purred with a smile.
"Hello... Olga." Leon spoke with a smile as his erection surged up, nearly ripping through his pants.
"Oh my god," Elaine growled. "You're trying to fuck my son now? First you killed your own husband and child, and now this? Leon—step away from this slut."
"Uhm... I might have left out a few more details in the explanation that I have you before," Leon said, slowly turning to her.
"What ?"
"Should I give you a blowjob while you explain it to her ?" Olga asked sweetly, already untying his pants.
"That would help," Leon replied with a smile.
-x-X-x-
-Elf Kingdom, Royal Castle, Queen's Chamber-
"Is it really true, Rendall ?" An Elf woman sitting in a dark corner of the dimly lit room asked as she readed a piece of paper.
"Yes, My Queen. I saw it with my own eyes." A voice came from above.
As soon as she looked up, she noticed a man hanging on the ceiling his eyes shining brightly green.
"Very well then... Call the first Prince to the conference room. Tell her that his mother wants to have a conversation with him." The Queen spoke with a smile.
"As you command, My Queen." The man replied as he started crawling on the wall like a spider and went out of the window.
The Queen slowly opened the piece of paper and looked at it again.
...And the words written over the paper were, 'Southern Border is completely Unprotected. Attack Fast.'
"This will be fun..." The Queen spoke with as she stood up and stepped into the light.
Long blonde hairs coming down to her hips, blue shiny eyes, a very smooth and fair skin tone.
She had huge boobs and a big pair of ass cheeks that can make any man mad with lust.
She wore a royal white and yellow gown and different magical rings in all ten fingers.
...
Ten minutes later, Confrence Room...
The Queen stood near the window and looked outside with a neutral expression.
*Knock-Knock*
"Come in." She replied in a low voice.
*Click*
The door opened up and a young Elf male entered inside the room. He had blonde hairs, blue eyes and a very attractive charisma, just like the Queen.
He immediately went down on one knee and greeted, "Good evening, My Queen."
"You don't have to do that, Alfon. I haven't summoned you here as your Queen." She spoke turning around with a smile.
"I see... How can I help you then, Mother ?" Alfon asked as he stood up and looked at her with a smile.
"Your third brother tried to attack a Human outpost a couple days ago... You may know about it, right ?" She asked with a neutral expression.
"I heard about it. He failed and turned into an even bigger disappointment." Alfon spoke as he looked at her.
"Yes... That's right. He failed to prove himself and now it's your turn, Alfon. Here is your chance... The southern border of the Human Kingdom is completely unprotected and if you attacked right now, I am pretty sure you can easily get inside the kingdom without much effort.
But, I don't believe it... There is a very good chance that this can be a trap at last. So I will leave you with this information now.
Use it however you want, share it with your brothers or don't share it... Take an army and attack the border or just go back and sleep, I don't really care. I am going to go and sleep.
I will leave it to you." The Queen spoke as she immediately walked out of the room.
"Yes, Mother. Have a good night." Alfon spoke as a smile appeared over his face.
"Troy." He spoke in a low voice and suddenly, A man in black clothes appeared behind him.
"Master... You called ?"
"Go and give this to my stupid third brother for me and prepare our armies too." Alfon spoke as he handed over a paper slip to troy.
"As you command, Master." Troy spoke as he immediately disappeared once again.
*Swish*
"How can I go into battlefield without a shield ?" Alfon spoke with an evil smile as he turned around and walked out of the room.
...
Serandor Virelliam's room,
Serandor is sitting on the bed and looking at the map of the human kingdom with a serious expression.
"If this line is secured with this many people... Then there has to be a blind spot on this forest corner.
No, No, No... What if there is a-" Before he could've completed his sentence, he heard something near the door.
*Slide*
"Hmm...?" As soon as Serandor stood up, he noticed a letter that was slided under his door.
He immediately walked upto the letter and picked it up from the ground.
As soon as he opened the letter, the words over it were,
[The southern border of the Human Kingdom is empty and most vulnerable right now. Attack fast if you want absolute win.
- Someone who cares about you.]
"What non-sense ? That's not possible. Why would the humans leave one of their biggest border open for attack ?" Serandor asked with a confused expression.
"Because they are humans, Master." Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
"Hmm...? Are you sure, Troy ?" Serandor asked as he immediately turned around with a serious expression.
"I have confirmed the news with my own eyes, Master. It will be a perfect time to strike." Troy replied in a confident tone.
"Very well... If that's how they want to loose, then that's how I will give it to them. Prepare a army of five hundred soldiers.
Two hundred Mages, Two hundred Archers and Hundred Healers. We will move immediately." Serandor spoke with a serious expression.
"As you command, Master." Troy spoke as he disappeared.
"It's time to prove myself to mother." Serandor spoke with a serious expression as he immediately walked out of the room and noticed Alfon passing through his room.
"Hello, Little brother. You off to somewhere ? It's about to be night you know." Alfon asked with a fake smile.
"Don't that with me... Brother. I know who you are, so when you talk to me... Better take off that stupid innocent mask from your face.
You might not know this, but I have a really big news and you will hear it in about two hours. Just because I failed once... Don't think I am out of the race for the crown." Serandor spoke with a serious expression.
"I see... Well, I will see you after two hours then. I am really sleepy after today's work. Good night." Alfon spoke as he walked away.
"Night won't be good for you, brother." Serandor spoke as he immediately started walking towards the exit gate.
...
30 minutes later,
Outside the Royal Castle, five hundred Elven soldiers mounted on their horses waited for the moving command.
*Clip-Clop-Clip-Clop*
Suddenly, A huge white shining horse with a spectral aura around it, stepped out from back and Serandor was riding on it's back.
"MY SOLDIERS... TODAY, EITHER WE WILL KILL THE HUMANS OR-" Suddenly, he stopped speaking as a confused expression appeared over his face.
"Or What sir ?" The mage general asked with a confused expression.
"OR WE WILL KILL THE HUMANS. THAT'S THE ONLY ONE OPTION WE HAVE TONIGHT. LET'S GO." Serandor shouted as he touched his feet against the horse's stomach and it started running forward.
The other soldiers immediately started following him without any questions.
*Clip-Clop-Clip-Clop*
*Clip-Clop-Clip-Clop*
*Clip-Clop-Clip-Clop*
...
"Why was he shouting so loudly at night ? He didn't even give a good speech to motivate his soldiers.
What a dumbass." Alfon murmured with a smile as he watched everything from above.
"Master... Your army is ready at the backside of the castle. Would you like me to take out your spirit horse as well ?" Troy asked with a neutral expression.
"Let me ask you something, Troy. Where does your loyalty really stands ?" Alfon asked with a smile as he looked at Troy.
"With the Queen... Sir." Troy replied without any hesitation.
"I see... Go and bring me my horse then." Alfon spoke as his smile grew wider.
"Yes, Master." Troy spoke as he immediately disappeared.
"Bastard." Alfon spoke with a smile.
...
40 minutes later, Somewhere in the depths of the Vinceral Forest,
A human like figure was sleeping peacefully on the branch of a very huge tree.
*Flap-Flap*
Suddenly an owl that had eyes all over his head, landed on the branch right next to the sleeping figure.
"Elfs... Elfs... Elfs... El-" The owl started shouting repeatedly but suddenly the man woke up and grabbed the own by it's neck.
*Flap-Flap*
The owl started flapping his wings in order to get out of his grip but all it's efforts were useless.
"Where ?" The man asked in a very deep and scary voice.
"B-Border... S-Southern Border." The owl spoke as he didn't dared to look into the man's eyes even though he had eyes all over his head, he just closed all of them.
"Elven Flesh... It will be delicious, right ?" The man asked as he looked at the Owl.
"Y-Yes... Very tasty and Smooth. B-But they have big numbers... About five hundred of them." The owl informed as he immediately flew away after that.
*Flap-Flap-Flap*
"So less ? I have to eat every part then." The man spoke as he let go of the owl's neck and stood up.
*Yawwwnn*
"Food... I want soft food." He spoke with a very wide and monstrous smile, while licking the corners of his mouth.
*Hup*
As soon as he jumped down from the tree... His figure started to get distorted and before he could've hitted the ground... He disappeared.
-x-X-x-
—Southern Border, Human Kingdom—
*Clip-Clop. Clip-Clop. Clip-Clop.*
The heavy sound of hooves echoed across the open plains as hundreds of armored soldiers rode forward in formation.
"SOLDIERS!" Serandor's voice boomed from atop his spirit horse. "TODAY IS THE DAY WE TAKE DOWN THESE IMBECILES AND RECLAIM THE LAND THEY'VE CURSED WITH THEIR WRONGDOINGS!"
With his bow raised high, he looked ahead toward the Truvale Checkpost. But what he saw made his proud expression stiffen.
The entire outpost was silent. No fires. No guards. No movement. Only a chilling stillness.
The soldiers, however, erupted in celebration the moment they noticed the absence of defenders.
"YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" They roared in unison, their morale surging at the sight of what appeared to be a deserted outpost.
Serandor narrowed his eyes. 'The reports were true... but why? Why would they abandon this checkpoint without a fight?'
His thoughts churned, but his mount did not slow. The rhythmic pounding of hooves continued, pulling him deeper into the quiet checkpost.
---
Behind Serandor's army, Alfon's battalion moved in eerie silence. Their disciplined march contrasted with the noisy excitement ahead.
Alfon watched calmly, his eyes sharp.
"Hmm... They're already that far in. If the humans had laid any traps, they should've been triggered by now."
He paused, voice flat and expression unreadable.
"Looks like humans have truly gone dumb from fucking each other."
He raised his hand in a casual gesture. The army responded instantly, continuing forward with not a single word uttered.
---
As Serandor passed through the gates of the Truvale Checkpost, he noticed figures lying along the sides of the path—long queues of corpses covered in white clothes.
His instincts flared.
"STOP!" he barked, yanking back on his reins. His spirit horse skidded to a halt, snorting in frustration.
*Creeeeak*
The army halted behind him like a steel wave crashing into a wall.
A general approached, his brow furrowed.
"Sir... is something wrong ? Shouldn't we charge forward ? The border is open."
Serandor's eyes remained locked on the shrouded bodies.
"Something is wrong, Almus" he muttered with a serious expression.
Serandor dismounted swiftly, reached behind his back, and pulled his bow free. Without a word, he notched an invisible arrow, magic crackling at his fingertips.
As he drew the string, a wind arrow formed between his fingers, glowing faintly.
"Udna... Hulo."
*Swish*
The arrow soared forward, not to strike, but to disturb. It released a strong wind current as it flew just above the corpses, tearing away the white sheets that covered them.
The moment the cloth was blown away, Serandor's face twisted in horror.
"What in the name of the Gods happened here...?" he whispered, slowly stepping closer to one of the corpses.
The body was mutilated beyond recognition. The eyes were gouged out, the stomach ripped open, and the jaw snapped clean off. It wasn't just murder—it was desecration.
Behind him, the general froze mid-sentence as he caught sight of the same gruesome scene.
"Sir... What is—" He cut off abruptly, stumbling back a step.
"W-What happened to them?" he asked, his voice cracking with disbelief.
Serandor stood back up, his face serious and grim.
"Even monsters wouldn't commit such brutality, General we need to-" he said. As he turned to address the general—
But stopped cold.
There, standing directly behind the general, was a dark figure.
"General! Behind you!" Serandor shouted, pulling back his bowstring once again. A glowing green arrow sparked to life between his fingers. He aimed it immediately.
But the general didn't turn around. He didn't even blink. He just stared forward—eyes wide, frozen.
"General, are you—"
Before Serandor could finish, a thin red line appeared across the general's throat. A heartbeat later, blood sprayed out as his head slid from his shoulders.
*THUD—THUD*
The head hit the dirt. The body collapsed next to it.
"Fucking hell..." Serandor hissed. "Take this!"
He didn't hesitate.
"Kilma Shoun—Invincible Death!" he chanted as glowing sigils raced down the shaft of his arrow. He loosed it.
*Swish*
The arrow sliced through the air at blinding speed, a projectile empowered by advanced magic—designed to pierce through anything.
But the man didn't move. He simply lifted his hand with even more incredible speed—
*Catch*
He caught the arrow like it was nothing and broke it.
*Stitch*
"...What the fuck?" Serandor muttered, lowering his bow in disbelief.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" he roared. "IDENTIFY YOURSELF!"
Hearing his voice, soldiers rushed over from the flank, dismounting quickly.
"What's going on?" one of them asked.
"Something's wrong. Might be an ambush—get ready!" another one barked.
The soldiers fell into formation instantly. Archers drew their bows. Mages began chanting. Healers stood at the ready to heal any injured.
But as they approached and saw the scene clearly, they stopped.
There was no enemy army. No monsters. No ambush.
Just one man. One single man.
Standing calmly in front of Serandor, and beside him, the mutilated corpse of their general.
The archers aimed. The mages activated buffs in order to make the arrows even more powerful. Everyone prepared for a deadly attack.
But, the man didn't even flinch.
*Badump*
Serandor suddenly felt something as he immediately pulled his string again. This time, a red arrow formed—its glow so intense it cast light across the entire checkpost.
---
Far behind, Alfon's eyes widened.
"HALT!" he shouted, raising his hand.
The soldiers behind him froze.
'That light... The Arrow of Juliana? Serandor may be reckless, but he wouldn't unleash that unless he truly felt his life was in danger.' Alfon stared at the distant glow with a hardened expression.
---
"This is your last chance," Serandor said, voice cold, bow trembling. "This isn't just an ordinary arrow. If it touches you—you're dead. So I'll ask again. Who are you? What is going on here? Are you even human?"
The man finally moved.
"Do it."
"...What?" Serandor asked with a serious expression.
"Shoot the arrow. I want to die." The man replied. His voice was low. Calm. Unbothered.
He raised his head, revealing glowing, milky white eyes and a face partly hidden by an untamed beard. But most terrifying of all... was his smile. A wide, wicked grin stretching unnaturally across his face, it was if his smile was going all the way back to his ears.
Serandor's hands began to tremble.
'W-Why are my hands shaking? Who the hell is this guy...?'
His instincts screamed at him to fire now—now—but he couldn't.
The man tilted his head.
"Is it true?"
"W-What?" Serandor asked, still watching his own trembling hands.
"I heard Elven flesh is soft... and tender."
The man smiled wider, revealing jagged, monstrous teeth.
"KILL HIM!" Serandor roared.
The archers released a storm of arrows.
The man slowly turned toward them. Still smiling.
He opened his arms, welcoming the rain of arrows.
*Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab*
His body was covered in arrows—from skull to leg. Dozens of them. No hesitation. No scream. Just stabbing sounds.
He didn't fall even though all the enchanted and buffed arrows hitted their mark.
"Ah... Still nothing." He looked down at the arrows in his body. "Mikael... you still don't feel anything."
His hand grabbed a bundle of arrows and yanked them out in one clean motion. The holes hissed, releasing steam as his body regenerated instantly.
The soldiers stared—some frozen, others trembling.
"SOLDIERS, HOLD YOUR GROUND!" Serandor shouted. "PREPARE URNA'S ARROWS! MAGES—SHIELDS, NOW!"
The archers began forming blue-glowing arrows.
[Name: Urna's Arrows.]
[Description: A cursed arrow. On impact, it explodes and temporarily disables the target's ability to use or absorb magic.]
The mages responded, layering magical shields over the formation. A new wave of discipline replaced the fear.
Meanwhile, Mikael simply sat down, crossing his legs and resting his chin on his hand. Watching them. Smiling. Enjoying the fear in their eyes.
"SHOOT!" Serandor barked. He still held the Arrow of Juliana, pointed at Mikael's back—ready to fire at a moment's notice.
*Swish—Swish—Swish—Swish—Swish—Swish*
*Stab—Stab—Stab—Stab—Stab*
*BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—BOOM*
A wave of explosions rocked the checkpost. Blue smoke erupted from every detonation, thick and blinding.
---
From the rear, Alfon looked on, stunned.
"What in the hell is going on? Who are they fighting?! That's not a skirmish... it's a full-scale barrage! Are they ambushed ?"
He clenched his teeth.
"Dismount! Prepare for combat! We willove on foot from here!"
*Step. Step. Step. Step*
His soldiers obeyed immediately, pulling out weapons and chanting spells as they marched forward.
"Bless me, Mother of All... I summon you—Sword of Justice, Oletta!" Alfon raised both hands skyward. A golden blade descended into his grasp, gleaming with divine light.
---
*Cough. Cough*
As the smoke slowly cleared from the center of the checkpost, the archers' eyes widened.
Mikael was still there.
Sitting.
Smiling.
Not a single wound on his body. Not a single drop of blood spilled.
Only his clothes were torn apart from the explosions.
"W-What is wrong with this... h-human?" Serandor stammered, sweat rolling down his face. "Why isn't he dying?"
Mikael chuckled.
"Hehehehe... Now that the prey knows it can't escape... it makes the hunt more fun."
He stood up slowly and began walking toward the formation of elf soldiers.
He reached the mage barrier shielding the archers and stopped in front of a kneeling female elf.
He smiled down at her.
"You look sweet... Hehehe."
He raised his hand, made a fist brought it down on the magic barrier with full force—then suddenly stopped right before it could've landed.
Instead, he extended his middle finger and—
*Flick*
*Crack*
Hairline fractures splintered across the barrier like glass with just a click of his fingers.
"No... NOOOOOOOOO!" Serandor screamed as his eyes widened in realisation—
And he released the Arrow of Juliana.
The sacred projectile burst forth with an explosive howl, moving faster than sound, flames raging from every angle like a meteor of divine wrath. The air distorted around it, heat shimmering violently.
But just as it reached Mikael—mere inches from impact with his back—
*Crack*
*Catch*
With a casual flick of his wrist, Mikael twisted his hand backward in a creepy way and caught the burning arrow mid-flight without even looking at it.
He stared at it, unimpressed, as if it were some stupid kid's toy.
"Hmm...? This is interesting, I can't feel the heat as well." Mikael muttered, inspecting the sacred arrow of Juliana like it was a dull stone.
Serandor's legs buckled slightly.
"W-W-What kind of c-creature are y-you...?" he stammered, eyes wide with absolute terror. Sweat poured from his forehead, and he instinctively stepped back, his bow trembling in his hands.
Mikael raised his head slowly. His expression twisted—not in amusement, but in pure disdain. "I'm not a creature." His tone dropped, his voice laced with fury. "My name is Mikael."
He began walking toward Serandor—slow, deliberate steps that made the ground feel heavier with each one.
Serandor's breath hitched. "N-No... Stay away from me! S-Stay away!"
His fingers scrambled for control as he tried to draw his bow again and chant a teleportation spell, last desperate attempt to escape. But before he could even release the string—
*Stab*
The very same arrow—his arrow—pierced straight through his palm and fingers. Mikael drove it in, locking Serandor's hand to the bowstring.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Serandor screamed, voice echoing across the checkpost. Blood erupted from his palm, the arrow burning it from within. The pain was unbearable—like his nerves were on fire, his bones melting under divine heat.
From behind, the elf soldiers could only stare—frozen. Not one of them dared move. Not one of them breathed too loudly. All they could do was watch in horror as their prince writhed in pain.
Mikael leaned in close, his face emotionless, eyes glowing faintly.
"I said I'm not a creature," he whispered coldly. "Don't ever call me a fucking creature again. My name... is Mikael. Understand that, you fucking elf ?"
Serandor's entire body trembled. He couldn't even scream anymore.
"I-I-I understand... M-Mikael..." he choked out, tears mixing with blood on his face.
"Good."
Without another word, Mikael raised his arm to chest level, his fingers stiffening like claws.
And then—
*STAB*
*CRACK*
He drove his hand straight through Serandor's armor. Not a punch. Not a blow. Just his hand—piercing metal, flesh, and bone like paper.
"Gwahhh—!" Serandor gagged, spitting out blood as his eyes rolled back. His ribs shattered under the force. Mikael's fingers wrapped around his beating heart.
"You will not kill the Lopez family," Mikael said calmly. "Only I will. I am the only one who will kill them."
*Pull*
"W-Wha—"
Before Serandor could even finish the sentence, Mikael tore his heart out with a savage yank. The elf prince's body slumped to the ground, lifeless, collapsing with a dull thud.
Mikael raised the still-beating heart, glowing with fading life essence.
He placed it into his mouth.
*Munch-Munch-Munch*
"Mnnnhhh~ Very delicious meat," he growled with a sick smile. Blood coated his lips as he lifted his foot and stomped down on Serandor's corpse.
*CRACK*
His boot shattered the elf's skull—crushing the lower half of his face into a grotesque pulp.
Then, with animalistic glee, he reached down, ripped open the top of the skull, and pulled the brain out, chewing it like a delicacy.
The remaining soldiers stood paralyzed. Fear rooted them in place. Their hands shook. Some soiled themselves. And without a single word, they began to run—not scream, not shout—just run.
Silently, desperately, like prey escaping a predator.
But as they neared the checkpost's exit—
Alfon appeared, flanked by his own troops.
"What the hell is happening here? Where is Serandor? Why are you running?!" he barked at the approaching elves.
One of the healers tripped forward. His face was pale, eyes hollow.
"S-Sir... Serandor is dead..." he whimpered.
"What?! Is the human army still inside?!" Alfon demanded, rushing to the healer.
"I-I have to run... I have to run..." the healer stammered, wide-eyed with panic. He shoved past Alfon and bolted in the opposite direction.
"What the—?! Catch him!" Alfon barked.
His guards surged forward, tackling the panicked healer. He kicked and flailed like a madman.
"No—no! You don't understand! He's a MONSTER! Please—I have a family—"
*BITE*
In the blink of an eye, Mikael appeared behind him.
His maw opened unnaturally wide and clamped down on the healer's neck with terrifying force. One bite—and half his neck was gone.
The crack of bone. The gush of blood. The healer died in a twitching mess, his body collapsing like a puppet with cut strings.
The blood splattered onto the surrounding soldiers—painting their faces, their armor. They staggered back in horror.
Alfon's eyes locked onto Mikael.
"What in the bloody fucking hell are you...?" he growled.
Mikael didn't answer. He simply kept chewing—tearing into the healer's corpse like a starving beast, gnawing on organs, snapping bones between his teeth.
"Sir... should we kill him?" one of the soldiers whispered, trembling as he took aim.
"No." Alfon's voice was cold. "Step aside. I want to see him... up close."
"B-But sir—"
"Step. Aside."
"Y-Yes, sir." The soldiers obeyed, reluctantly stepping back but keeping their arrows nocked.
Alfon walked forward, kneeling beside the horrifying sight. Mikael was elbow-deep in the elf's chest, pulling out intestines and chewing them like ropes of meat.
"Do you have any idea what you've done... you stupid human?" Alfon asked, his voice low and sharp.
*Munch. Munch. Munch*
Mikael didn't respond.
*Swish*
Alfon raised his holy sword, pointing it at Mikael's heart.
"You have a heart, don't you? Let's see how you—"
*STAB*
Without warning, Mikael grabbed the sword with both hands... and shoved it into his own chest.
The blade plunged straight through—front to back.
"Wha—what?!" Alfon stumbled back, eyes wide with shock.
"Nothing... useless," Mikael muttered, pulling the blade out casually.
*SSSSSSHHHHH*
The wound sealed shut instantly, his body regenerating like clay reshaped by unseen hands.
He exhaled slowly.
"Fuuuuuuuuu~" A long breath escaped his mouth, releasing a hot plume of steam like a dragon awakening from slumber.
Alfon stood and backed away.
The truth was clear now—Serandor was dead, and this thing in front of him was no man.
'What is he...? He looks human, but acts like a demon. No—no, even demons have rules. This thing is... chaos made out of flesh.'
He gritted his teeth.
'I have to escape. To do that, I must sacrifice the soldiers.'
---
Mikael stood up, licking the blood from his fingers.
"Kekekeke... Elven meat is divine. So tender, so sweet. I might get addicted..."
He grinned.
"But now... I want to eat a female."
A cold wind blew through the ranks. Every elf soldier felt it—a freezing chill down their spines. Some dropped their weapons in fear.
"What do you want?" Alfon asked, forcing composure. "I'm the prince of the Elf Kingdom. I can give you anything with just a flick of my fingers."
Mikael looked at him and laughed.
"You speak big words for food." His voice was cold and condescending.
"But can't you see? There's nothing you can offer. All of you are mine. Tonight, I'll feast. Then I'll sleep."
Alfon's disgust twisted into rage.
"You're fucking sick. I'll kill you tonight."
But inside, he was screaming: 'I need to get out. I can't keep this bluff up much longer.'
Mikael's eyes gleamed.
"You have guts. I'll pull them out—slowly."
He paused.
"But... I'm not heartless. I'll give you all one chance to survive."
He turned to the soldiers.
"Run. I'll hunt you. Maybe... some of you will live."
He grinned.
"Kekekeke..."
The soldiers broke. No command. No hesitation. Just pure panic.
They turned and bolted in every direction.
*Swish*
But before the second step—they froze.
Red lines slashed across their legs—clean, precise.
Then—collapse.
Every one of them dropped as their legs separated from their bodies.
"NOOOOOOOOO!"
"MY LEGS!"
"PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!"
"I CAN'T FEEL MY—AGHHHHHH!"
The snow turned crimson as their blood soaked into the ground. Their screams echoed across the mountains, sharp and desperate.
Some tried to crawl away with just their arms, dragging bloodied stumps behind them.
"Still crawling? Like worms? Hah... They aren't even making as much sound, just like the humans did." Mikael said, watching with amusement.
"Now... what was that about killing me?"
Alfon clenched his fists.
"SOLDIERS! ATTACK HIM! KILL HIM!"
"YES, SIR!" The archers fired instantly, releasing a hailstorm of magical arrows.
Mikael looked at them—and smiled.
He turned to face the volley—
And closed his eyes.
*STAB-STAB-STAB-STAB-STAB-STAB*
The arrows sank into his body. Again. And again.
Still standing.
"Hmm...? Is that all you—"
He stopped.
Alfon was gone.
"Ah... He ran?" Mikael muttered, licking blood from his lips. "Well... time to eat."
He strolled toward one of the surviving soldiers.
Without a sound, he shoved all five fingers into the man's chest.
"N-No—No—NOOOOOO!" the elf screamed.
"Yes."
*RIIIIIP*
The chest split apart like wet paper. Mikael pulled out the heart and devoured it instantly.
Then, he looked toward a nearby female soldier.
"You..." he said with a wide, bloody grin.
"Fuck... no." she whispered.
*Thud*
She dropped her bow and ran.
She glanced back—he was still standing there. Smiling.
She turned again, heart pounding—only to feel a sudden sharpness in her chest.
*Stab*
She looked up.
Mikael was in front of her.
"Are you going somewhere?" he asked softly.
And ripped her heart out in one swift motion.
*THUD*
*Nom-nom*
He began to eat her heart.
-x-X-x-