Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Path of Evil, and Oh Heon's Path / Prologue - Ending
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Day 10, the day of the first event.
I stepped out of my lodging into the dark morning.
The movements of the crowd visible through the window became even clearer as he descended to the first floor.
The village square was already bustling with people early in the morning.
The previous silence was nowhere to be found.
I began walking slowly toward the village square.
Thanks to his unassuming appearance, he slipped through the crowd without drawing any attention.
It was possible only because the newbies with low Agility stats couldn't make out faces in this dim morning.
Mixed on most faces were tension along with vague anticipation for the event that day.
Some were busy polishing their weapons or intimidating the new recruits to assert their hierarchy.
Just then, Siron was grabbing the collar of one of the newbies who had joined on day 9 and yelling at him.
Siron was drilling discipline into the newbie group.
He looked like he hadn't slept well the night before, sharply pointing out each of their postures with piercing eyes.
"Stand up straight! This isn't a playground!"
The newbies flinched at his booming shout and straightened up.
Siron clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and swung his arm dramatically to the left.
It was an exaggerated motion to demonstrate.
I tried to pass by Siron, who was enforcing discipline.
Right then.
Thud.
Siron's arm bumped into something and stopped.
Siron reflexively turned his head, ready to hurl curses at whoever had brushed past his arm.
"Which bastard...!"
But he couldn't finish his sentence.
What entered Siron's eyes was the face of the absolute ruler staring back at him with emotionless eyes.
Siron's face turned ghastly white in an instant.
He froze on the spot, forgetting even to breathe. The terror of death gripped his entire body.
Cold sweat trickled down his back.
All eyes in the crowd turned toward them.
There was only one person in this dimension who could make Siron, at the top of the hierarchy, stiffen like that.
The noise in the square died instantly.
Dwin was the first to regain his senses.
Dwin rushed forward hurriedly and bowed deeply before him.
"You've arrived!"
Dwin greeted him hastily, and he responded with a mere glance.
He completely ignored Siron's blunder.
Only then did Siron's rigid body relax.
He too hurriedly stood beside Dwin and bowed deeply.
But despite all the greetings, there was no response.
As promised yesterday, he was going to share various information.
This wasn't mercy. It was the minimal investment for efficiency.
He cut straight to the point without any fluff.
"Goblins are different from wolves."
His voice was low and calm, yet it rang clearly across the entire square.
"They use traps and swarm in groups. And there's a higher specimen mixed in among them."
Based on the experience gained from [Grasp Complete] yesterday, I began explaining the goblins' key characteristics.
Of course, I didn't share everything.
I only selected and relayed the information they needed to survive and operate at minimal efficiency.
"Traps are concentrated along the roadsides. Move down the center one by one, always watching your feet. You'll need at least one shield to block arrows."
"Their swarms are straightforward. Ignore the one drawing attention from the front and take out the flankers first."
"If you see a big one, leave it to Dwin or Siron. The rest of you can't handle its strength."
His explanations were utterly ruthless and practical.
There wasn't a single word of emotional comfort or encouragement.
Just a listing of facts for survival.
Yet his words carried more weight than any encouragement could.
The 18 slaves present focused intently, not missing a single word.
This was directly tied to their survival.
Now I explained how to move when hunting monsters, sharing the various techniques and motions I had internalized.
In truth, I should have been at a disadvantage in combat skills compared to the later arrivals. As an ordinary person.
But monsters didn't exist in this world until now, rendering much of Earth's martial arts useless.
[Grasp Complete] already encompassed goblins within its scope, and I had surpassed expert level regarding them.
Moreover, [Grasp Complete] imprinted optimized movements into my body, making it the ultimate teacher on how to counter monsters.
Of course, I only selected techniques safe to share with others.
Anything beyond that wouldn't stick even if explained, without bodily assimilation.
Finishing the explanation, I spoke to Dwin and Siron.
"Starting today, we hunt in Zone 3. Lead your groups and move as efficiently as possible."
"Five will go out hunting. Only Dwin hunts five and returns immediately. No more than that."
"After hunting, report at the same spot as yesterday."
With that, he turned without lingering and headed toward the meadow.
Probably for personal training.
Dwin and Siron kept their heads bowed until his figure completely vanished.
As he left, the frozen tension in the square began to thaw.
People started murmuring about the upcoming hunt based on the information they'd just heard.
"Hear that? Dodge the big ones no matter what."
"Traps... Just thinking about it is horrifying."
Fear laced their voices, but something systematic—absent before—had taken root.
Siron cut through their chatter with a shout.
"Quiet down! Save the chit-chat for later! Reorganizing groups now!"
Noon was approaching.
I stood alone in the sparsely populated meadow, eyes quietly closed.
Demi-god power was nearly depleted from the recent training, but my mind was clearer than ever.
I opened my status window to check my condition.
Lv. 21. Stats nearing 30.
Inventory held over ten thousand gold, various items, and the [???] Key.
I was confident I could defeat anyone in this Transcendence world now.
But my gaze didn't linger on myself alone.
I thought of those gathered in the village square.
Livestock. Slaves. Tools for my growth.
Yet they were living humans.
Beings with their own desires and survival instincts.
Finally, the clock in the village center struck noon.
As expected, the spawn point glowed, new people appeared, and system messages popped up before everyone's eyes.
This means...
Individual battles.
The perfect setup for me.
No interference, claiming all rewards with my own power.
And I'd naturally choose the highest, level 5. Greater risk, greater reward.
I clenched my fist in joy as my long-desired scenario became reality.
Though I'd trained Dwin's group somewhat, joining them would likely prevent solo rewards.
A system judging pure individual skill felt like an ally.
I quickly regained my cool composure.
Needed to rethink tower difficulty.
I always pursued maximum safety.
Yet my actions sometimes weren't safe.
Like choosing the risky top difficulty blind.
Rewards had to justify it.
But cowardice was worse folly.
Especially for the top ranker like me.
Losing first place was a massive threat.
In a world where power was everything, someone stronger was absolute danger.
Maintaining overwhelming lead required big rewards.
Big rewards meant big risks.
Thus, I deemed not challenging the greater risk.
Ultimate safety pursuit led to constant challenges.
That was my decision-making.
And...
Who else but me would pick 5?
No reason not to.
I checked yesterday's experience again.
The viewer was still valid.
Current EXP:1172 / 1200 (to Lv.22)Total EXP:5872
I calculated today's gains roughly from the EXP.
Just shy of Lv.22.
Likely reachable Lv.24 today.
With this spec, even level 5 should clear smoothly.
As calculations wrapped up.
Hm...?
I paused in thought.
Something felt off, very subtly.
...
...
...
Wait, no way...
Thought halted briefly, but I snapped back.
Looking out, I saw four new arrivals today.
Excluding wolves for Dwin and Siron's group, the rest handled other monsters.
I had already finished Zones 1 and 2.
Watching a wolf corpse dissolve to dust, I checked EXP again.
Current EXP:248 / 1400 (to Lv.23)Total EXP:6148
My expression hardened slightly.
I headed quickly to the next zone.
Had to finish hunting before the event.
Only Zone 3 goblins left.
Goblin hunting speed was far faster from the start.
[Grasp Complete] had maxed on all normal goblins yesterday.
Excluding five for Dwin's group, I raced along the dirt path, massacring everything in sight.
Roadside traps meant nothing now. All mapped.
Traps were identical to yesterday.
I no longer dodged; I just stepped through.
Spike pits sprang up—I kicked them apart.
Logs flew—I smashed them with fists.
Reaching the outpost, I charged the wooden gate without hesitation.
Boom—!!!
Same thunderous crash as yesterday; the base became a slaughterhouse.
I swept through, tearing apart every goblin in view.
Finally, achieving Lv.23 with my third awakening.
The intense pain and ecstasy of cells reconstructing.
Like before, I was briefly defenseless.
I instinctively knew not to fight in this state.
A few nearby goblins seized the chance and rushed me.
Their crude weapons struck, but my overwhelming Defense left no mark.
But if it had been a goblin shaman now?
Its dark red energy orb could have landed a solid hit on awakening me.
As changes completed, power incomparable to before surged through my body.
Stamina and Agility lagged, causing slight imbalance. Fortunately minor.
After clearing all of Zone 3, I checked EXP one last time.
Current EXP:1198 / 1400 (to Lv.24)Total EXP:8498
As expected...
My calculations were spot on.
Result unchanged.
Just shy for Lv.24.
This EXP...
Killing one person would level me up.
The one I meant.
Was Dwin.
Kill him.
Finishing all hunts, I headed to the promised spot at the forest entrance.
Dwin and Siron's full group already waited.
Standing before them, I looked at Dwin.
Sensing my gaze, Dwin reflexively bowed.
Absolute terror still lingered in his eyes toward me.
I was silent for a moment.
Soon, hearing his report, Zone 3's first hunt succeeded.
I returned to the village square with them.
Unlike before, fear in their eyes toward me had lessened.
The square's people now glimpsed hope.
My attitude shift and the tower event, probably.
I pondered deeply.
Kill him here, before everyone?
Or call him aside quietly?
Either fine.
Public kill reaffirms dominance; quiet one reduces excess fear/rebellion risk.
Both pros/cons. A couple extra deaths? Fine.
For my growth, any sacrifice acceptable.
But suddenly.
Another thought flashed.
'Is this really the only way?'
Killing Dwin easiest, fastest.
But not the only.
I recalled a forgotten item.
[Monster 100 Summon Scroll].
Consumes 5 Soul Origins to summon 100 current zone monsters.
Core to my rapid growth.
Plan: 1 Soul Origin left. Need 4 more.
Kill 4 unknown newbies besides Dwin.
Their spots refill tomorrow.
Thus gather enough Souls.
But...
I glanced at the village clock.
20 minutes to event.
Impossible to summon/kill 100 monsters and level in time.
Wolves insufficient; need Zone 3, too time-consuming.
Plus, losing 4 means daily quest EXP loss.
Killing Dwin: minimum 200 EXP short-term.
Level guaranteed.
But he was now useful tool.
Manager controlling 22, securing resources.
Kill him, restart from scratch?
New manager, training, hierarchy—waste of time.
Siron? Could he replace?
I kept weighing.
Which more efficient?
Conclusion clear.
Now.
Decided to kill Dwin.
Leveling first.
Lv.24 crucial.
Tower difficulty unknown.
Especially max for me—max power now.
No perfect prep.
So prepare best.
Then, I spotted Dwin alone in square.
No one beside.
Slowly... very slowly approached.
Drew sword from inventory.
Moment's chance, easy kill.
Dwin's neck close before me.
From directly behind, without hesitation, I swung at Dwin's neck!!
No...
Tried to.
Sword halted just before contact, in mid-air.
Why... exactly...?
I felt my sword hand tremble faintly.
Truth was, I knew.
A reluctance to kill him had been growing bit by bit.
Me, this weak?
Hesitating to slaughter livestock after mere days together.
This is arena of competition. Pity is luxury.
Killing natural.
Natural...
I tensed my trembling arm to strike again.
But hesitated once more.
Right then.
"Dwin!!"
Manab's desperate cry sliced the square.
He'd witnessed me about to kill Dwin.
His shout drew all eyes to us.
Horror and shock on faces.
Dwin turned, grasping situation, stared at me in disbelief.
"Why..."
All in square watched only me.
Situation spiraling oddly.
My mind flooded with chaos.
That instant.
Alignment: Evil?
A cold energy swept through me.
Instantly.
All emotional fragments churning my mind evaporated.
Hesitation, pity, weakness.
All gone, leaving only cold reason.
I turned ruthlessly cold.
Killing Dwin now trivial.
Utterly rational for growth.
Without hesitation, I swung the halted sword.
Slash—!
Sensation of severing Dwin's neck no different from a monster.
A massive fountain of blood erupted skyward, staining the square's stone red.
Dwin's head separated, rolling on the ground.
His eyes fixed on me to the end, disbelieving.
Square filled with screams.
But amid the uproar, I felt something entirely new.
Cold rage.
Not moral fury at evil deed.
Rage at system arbitrarily meddling in my emotions and actions.
And at my own weakness, unable to decide without it.
True fury boiled within.
Then.
Sudden Unique Ability aid.
But rage persisted, sharpening.
No longer cold, my fury pierced toward something.
Manab glared murderously and yelled.
"You crazy murderer bastard!"
Led by him, several charged with weapons.
Rebellion sparked by crossed line.
Siron desperately shouted at Manab attempting madness.
"Manab!!!"
But those transcending fear heard nothing.
'No... must save others at least...'
Siron, deeming it too late, yelled at the rest.
"Don't move if you want to live!!"
Some heeded his earnest plea, staying put without joining or fleeing.
But rebels already over half.
Amid it, Siron kept shouting this highest survival odds.
Watching all.
I swung at every rebel.
. . . . .
Thus, since Transcendence world began.
The most horrific scene unfolded.
Rebels' limbs severed, heads exploded.
Square turned hell of blood and flesh instantly.
[Alignment: Evil] influence fully gone.
This purely my will.
Siron and followers watched horrors in terror.
'Dwin... Manab...'
Some sobbed, some retched and collapsed.
And some...
I felt it.
Irredeemable evil attained.
This new evil felt dimensionally different.
He.
Set eternal unchanging goal.
Now.
This moment.
It was.
Most selfish, pure evil.
Devouring world.
Becoming god—endlessly vast desire.
And...
True intent to finally achieve Transcendence...
Despite horrific events, Siron sensed not just fear, but something special.
Awe at pure evil.
Humanity's pinnacle ideal.
Siron felt he'd witnessed life's pivotal moment.
Unconsciously murmured.
"...Who are you...?"
Hearing, he turned to Siron.
Still expressionless.
But eyes utterly changed.
Before: ruthless, rational.
Now: laced with madness, purity.
He said.
"...My name is..."
"Oh Heon. Call me Oh Heon from now on."
The eyes Siron saw.
So dark.
Already containing a universe.