Seed of Destruction

I woke feeling refreshed and revitalized as I stretched my body and released a sigh of content. I stood up and stretched once more before moving toward the mirror, next to the door, and looking at my reflection. My dirty blond hair reached down to the end of my ears and was sticking up everywhere.

My red-gold eyes shone in the little light penetrating the room, giving me the look of a monster, or some villain. I chuckled to myself and fixed my bed head before adjusting my clothes and opened the door. I entered the short hall and walked down the stairs to the living room and saw the red haired woman sitting seiza next to a low-sitting table while sipping tea.

"Morning." I said while waving my hand slightly. She looked up and replied "Morning." before returning to her tea. Suddenly, an idea popped into my mind. "Hey, since you don't have a name...do you want me to give you one?" Her eyes widened and she suddenly appeared in front of me and grabbed my shoulders while asking "Really!? Can you really do that!?"

I steadied myself and pried her hands off of my shoulders and said "I don't see why not...?" She let a beautiful smile spread across her face as she said "Let me go and tell Grandfather about this! Hold on a moment!" before running out of the door. I stood there in a daze as the sound of violent winds filled my ears. The old man appeared literally seconds after the woman had left, and was carrying her in his arms with an excited face.

"Can you really name her!? And, if it is possible, can you name me as well? It will be a big help in protecting the village!" I held my arms out to keep the excited duo at bay and said "it shouldn't be too much trouble to give two people names..." the old man shook his head and said "But, we are not normal people, young warrior, we are Ogres, a B- rank monster..."

I waved my hand and said "Like I said, it shouldn't be too much trouble to give people names. Hell, I could probably do it for your whole village as well." The old man's brow raised as he asked "Young warrior, are you sure you know what you are saying? Naming a monster requires a high amount of Magicules, even more so for us Ogres...are you sure you can handle it...?" I laughed and said "I already said that I would do it, so I can't go back on my word. I'll be fine, even if it takes the so called 'Magicules' to do so." before walking up to the red-haired woman and thinking about a good name.

Suddenly, I had an idea. I plopped my hand into my palm and said "Yona. Your name can be Yona!" As I said this, however, a bright light erupted from her body as my energy was being drained rather quickly. I forced myself to continue standing as the light continued to get brighter and brighter. The light faded away and I was on the verge of collapse.

Yona, who looked feral and rugged before, now looked more Human-like with smooth, fair skin, and a natural strength radiating off of her lithe frame. Her aura had increased by tenfold, and was just barely smaller than the old man's itself. The old man's mouth dropped as he looked to me and then back to Yona before stuttering "S-Sh-She evolved!? And into a Kijin no less!"

I had a look of confusion visible on my face as I asked "Evolved? And what's a Kijin?" This time, Yona looked to me and said "Goblins can evolve into Hobgoblins, and Hobgoblins into Ogres. However, an Ogre can evolve into a Kijin, but that usually takes hundreds of years and is very rare, so it is unthinkable that a young Ogre like me is now a Kijin..."

So, monsters can evolve after meeting a certain criteria, whether it be from getting a name or gaining enough experience through many years. I found myself in deep concentration as the old man continued to ask Yona if she would spar with him.

"Wait, if I was able to evolve Yona into a Kijin, then why didn't you name her earlier since you're much stronger than me?" I looked at the old man, who turned with a small, melancholic smile and said "That is because I have a very limited amount of Magicules. I can barely use most of the Skills that I had gained over the last hundred years of my life..."

The room turned silent for a few minutes before I said "Well, maybe that can be solved if I name you...?" in an unsure voice. The old man chuckled and mused "Maybe, maybe not. However, you seem in no condition to continue standing let alone name someone as strong as I." before moving over toward me and helping me take a seat.

I noticed that my skin was deathly pale and that, if not for my Curse, I would be sprawled out on the floor, either dead or unconscious. I steadied my breathing and let my Curse flow freely through my body. My skin returned to its normal color and I was able to move around and breathe normally once more.

My stamina recovered at a fast pace, so I was able to disperse the Curse running through my body. The old man looked over at me and asked "Young warrior, may I ask you something?" I raised my brows slightly and said "Yeah, ask away." The old man averted his gaze before looking me in the eyes and asking "Are you even Human...? I mean, there have been many Cursed weapon users throughout time, but you are the first one that seems...different. Almost like you ARE the Curse..."

I furrowed my brows in confusion as I muttered "I'm the Curse? What the hell does that even mean? Of course I'm Human, just a little special, that's all..." The old man exchanged gazes with Yona before asking "Young warrior, did you hear the Voice of the World last night?" I nodded my head and said "Yeah, but I don't remember what it said. I was asleep by the time I realized that it was speaking."

He once again looked over at Yona, and then she was the one to say "It had said a Demon Lord, True Dragon, and the fourth Cursed weapon user have all been born. Which means there are now currently four Cursed weapon users alive, while there are five True Dragons, and five True Demon Lords. We thought that this had something to do with you..."

Now that she mentions it, I do recall something like that from when I dozed off last night, but I don't remember doing anything to cause these things to happen. "No, I have no idea how these three beings came to be but, if they pose a threat to your village, I will gladly venture out and find eliminate them, no matter what. It's the least I could do for the kindness that you have shown me." I had a sudden urge to protect these people and their peaceful lives, even though my heart was still plagued by my friends and the man who had killed them.

I wanted nothing more than to reverse time so that I could kill that man over and over again.

The old man shook his head and said "No, no I cannot ask you to do such a th-" Suddenly, a loud roar echoed in the sky, interrupting the man's words. I ran out of the house and looked up, but there was nothing in sight. The noise sounded like a Dragon alright, and I knew how ferocious those creatures were. I had barely survived my first encounter with a damned Wyvern, so there was no way I could compete with a fully fledged Dragon...

Another roar echoed about in the wind, but there were no signs of the creature making the noise. A white line appeared in my vision as I thought about finding the Dragon, tempting me to follow it in hopes of being able to kill the damned thing. But I knew that was a lie.

I wanted to escape from this village, because I was afraid of getting too close to them. I didn't want them to die in front of me like everyone else. I don't want to repeat history.

I turned and saw the people of the village looking up at the sky with fear visible in their eyes as the old man walked up to me with an unnaturally calm face. He glanced up at the sky before asking "Are you going to go? You look determined for some reason." I opened my mouth to speak, but no words would come out.

"You know, I once beat a Dragon. If the one we heard just now is the one that was just born, then I imagine you could beat it with ease." The old man kept giving me hope, and I wanted none of it. I knew if I got my hopes up, I would just fail and get everyone killed, but it's not like I can stand here and do nothing. This old man can't even walk properly without his Curse. If he continues to use it, I'm afraid to see what'll happen.

"Yeah, I'll go and check it out. I'll return as fast as I can. Just...please make sure that you're all alive by the time I come back, okay?" The old man smiled warmly and nodded his head as he pat my shoulder. I saw Yona looking at me from the background with a small frown on her face. She probably wanted to come along, but I would've said no anyways.

If anyone has to die, it should be me, and me only.

"Chief, I promise to come back stronger than before and give all of you names. Every last one of you. I'll grow so strong that you won't be able to hold a candle to me, so look forward to me return..." The old man scoffed and said "Yeah right, like you will grow stronger anytime soon. It will take more than a few decades for you to surpass me, young warrior!"

I felt a small smile reach my lips as I said "Cerrin. Just call me Cerrin. I was improper and didn't introduce myself when we first met, and I apologize. Now, remember your end of the deal. I take this Dragon out and all of you stay alive."

The old man nodded his head as the villagers looked at me with kind expressions, some even going so far as to promise to protect the others with their lives while I was gone. They knew they were weaker than me or the old man, but that didn't prevent them from wanting to do things independently.

And I respected that, especially amongst those I can call my friends. Although we haven't known each other for very long, I felt that each of these Ogres were my responsibilities. They had sheltered me when I had no idea where I was, and treated me with kindness for the most part.

I will be forever grateful, even if I end up dead, for I would be giving my life to let those who deserve to live be in peace.