The Villain has Perished

The rays of emerging dawn reflected on the lake's serene surface. The lake's water was sparkling unnaturally. Around it were hordes of monsters. Some were resting, some frolicking, while some were playing with each other.

Unlike the rest of the forest where monsters fought for supremacy against each other, the surroundings of the lake painted a peaceful picturesque scene.

My brows furrowed looking at the scene. I was standing on top of a tree to scout the situation from far away.

pαndα,noνɐ1,сoМ 'The number of monsters is over 200. It's more than I anticipated.'

In human settlements, the rumors of Lake of Purity foretold about the lake's ability to purify evil beings by burning them. However, that was a lie. The lake had no such ability.

Those rumors were created and spread by the ruling class, the nobles, to hide its actual ability. Although the monsters guarding the lake prevented stragglers from using the lake and finding its worth, the nobles' cautious nature made them weave the rumors and manipulate the public into believing them.

'I should get to work.'

The sun was peeking from the horizon and I decided to climb down. However, I didn't move for a few good minutes.

'I climbed the tree easily, but how do I climb down?'

—

I was massaging my back while rushing through the forest. Indeed, I skipped the narration of my descent down the tree. But I did not do that because I almost broke my back after falling. Nothing like that happened, definitely not.

Through the corner of my vision I could see a considerable number of monsters only a few hundred meters away. Yet, the monsters did not attack me. Part of the reason was the sound-nullifying trait of forest and part was the lake itself.

Lake of Purity can dissolve magic stones and the mana they contain into itself. This allows those who enter the lake to absorb mana directly from the water. Absorbing mana with this method shortens the time needed for advancing through Mortal Awakening ranks.

Advancing from 1st Mortal Awakening to 2nd Mortal Awakening can take anywhere from 3 years to 5 years, depending on one's talent. Likewise, the amount of time required for reaching 3rd Mortal Awakening after 2nd Mortal Awakening is roughly 5-10 years on average. If correct conditions are met the lake allows one to reach 2nd Mortal Awakening within 1-5 days! And 3rd Mortal Awakening in 3-5 weeks!

The lake was the reason why the Empire and its nobles clear the outer section of the forest of the monsters regularly. Under the guise of protecting civilians, they use the lake to advance their loyal subjects and heirs in a short span of time!

It wasn't all rainbow and sunshine, though. There was a reason why the Empire used the lake only occasionally. The cause were the monsters. The monsters using the lake rotate daily with those in the middle section. In other words, a new batch of monsters come to the lake every day.

Even if the Imperial army defeats the monsters guarding the lake, they will have to fight new monsters the next day, and again new monsters the next day and again and again. Not only does this cycle continue, but it gets worse. The ascended rank monsters come out of the middle section if the horde of monsters going to the lake keep getting killed. When that happens, the Imperial army no longer has a chance to win. They'd get slaughtered.

Thus, the Imperial army and the nobles only attack once every few years to avoid enraging the ascended monsters resting inside the forest.

It took me a few minutes to reach my destination. I was hiding behind a tree with an enormous trunk. Behind me were two small hills. The path between the hills blocked anyone from attacking from the sides and I was planning to use it.

I took out the Crown of Massacre from my bag… and wore it.
"Ag..rghh"

My eyes turned bloodshot. Veins protruding on my neck almost seemed to burst. My breathing turned heavy and a cacophony of strange noises erupted inside my mind.Kill Burn Murder Destroy Rage Annihilate Demolish Obliterate Decimate Wreck Devastate Ruin Shatter Smash Crush Ravage Desolate Conquer Consume Overwhelm
Murder Kill Kill Destroy Kill Murder Kill Destroy Kill Kill Destroy Murder Kill Burn Murder Burn Destroy Burn Murder Burn Burn Burn Murder

To stop the voices from dominating my mind, I held my sword in inverted grip. I took deep breaths.

Haaaah—! Haaaah—!

And with a swift motion plunged the blade into my right thigh.

"!!!"


Unbridled pain shot through my body. Waves of intense heat pulsed through my body with the injury as a central point. I clenched my jaws tightly to stop myself from shouting.

After what felt like an eternity the voices dulled.
|| +250 Life Points ||

The monsters were infuriated! The peace in the vicinity of the lake was broken! Their anger turned to the boars and they stomped on them… but the boars vanished into thin air!

They searched for the enemies but found nothing! Amidst their confusion, a distinct shout echoed. It was a human voice.

"I'm here, my points!"

A black haired human was taunting them!