The Old Man

"So, it was you..." Auric turned towards the voice and his eyes widened in astonishment.

As Auric turned towards the voice, his gaze was immediately drawn to the striking features of the man before him. Two prominent horn-like protrusions adorned his head, giving him an air of otherworldly presence from the man or he should say old man? It was difficult to discern, for despite appearing to be in his 60s, he possessed an undeniably captivating handsomeness.

Amidst a sea of fiery crimson locks, strands of white hair intermingled, adding a touch of wisdom and experience to his countenance. His face bore the marks of a life well-lived, etched with weathered lines that spoke of both trials and triumphs. The intensity in his eyes revealed a depth of knowledge and a hint of sorrow hidden within the depths of his soul.

Clad in a reddish-dark armor, the old man stood tall and formidable. The weight of his past seemed to rest upon his shoulders, yet his posture exuded a commanding strength. In his hand, he held a long glaive, its gleaming blade reflecting the light with a deadly elegance.

Auric couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and apprehension, as if he stood in the presence of someone who possessed immense power and a story woven through the tapestry of time itself.

But suddenly, a dreadful, murderous aura erupted from the old man and enveloped the surroundings, causing Auric to feel an undeniable sense of impending doom. He knew with certainty that death loomed ominously if he were to cross paths with this formidable old man.

"Oi... where did you get that ring?" The old man's voice sliced through the air, each word dripping with icy coldness. Auric's body trembled, a chill coursing down his spine, as if icy fingers had wrapped around his throat, constricting his breath. His instincts screamed at him to be cautious, as if his very existence teetered on a knife's edge.

Meanwhile on the periphery, Ellie watched in confusion and concern as she observed her brother's distress. She couldn't fathom what was happening, unable to comprehend the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Just moments ago, an old man had appeared and effortlessly dispatched the monsters, but now her brother knelt before him, struggling and in pain.

"Brot-" she began to call out to him, but before the words could fully escape her lips, she was abruptly knocked down. The force of the blow silenced her, leaving her unconscious on the ground, her world plunged into darkness, leaving her momentarily incapacitated.

Through his blurry vision, Auric witnessed the old man vanish from his previous position and reappear with eerie swiftness behind his sister. With a swift and precise strike to the back of her neck, the old man rendered Ellie unconscious, her body falling limp to the ground.

As Auric's vision darkened, his heart sank at the sight of his sister falling to the ground. Despite his own struggles, he mustered every ounce of strength to rise and reach her side, desperate to assess her condition. However, the suffocating aura emanating from the old man held him in its grip, rendering his attempts futile. Each movement felt like pushing against an impenetrable barrier, his limbs heavy with the weight of his powerlessness.

"Y...ou....bast...ard! W...why did y...ou hi...t h...er?" Auric managed to gasp out the words, his voice strained and filled with a mixture of anguish and fury. He trembled with a mixture of emotions, unable to comprehend why this stranger had targeted his sister, inflicting harm upon her without a moment's hesitation.

As Auric's vision blurred, a mixture of relief and confusion washed over him upon hearing the old man's chuckle. "Don't worry about her," the old man spoke, his voice laced with a strange mixture of amusement and indifference. "She is not hurt. I merely rendered her unconscious by gently applying pressure to her carotid artery. Rest assured, she is unharmed."

Auric's racing heart gradually began to calm, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as the oppressive weight of the old man's aura lessened. He still felt the residual effects of fear, but a glimmer of hope flickered within him. He knew if the old man meant any harm, both him and his ssiter would be dead without even noticing they died. Maybe they can escape from this darn forest.

"Huff... huff... huff..." Auric struggled to catch his breath, his chest rising and falling in rapid succession. He felt the physical and emotional toll of the encounter weighing heavily upon him, yet he mustered the strength to face the old man's approach.

'Why did such a weak brat venture into this forest with his puny body?' the old man's thoughts echoed within his mind as he observed Auric's exhausted and disheveled state.

Drawing closer, the old man crouched in front of Auric, gently lifting his chin to meet his gaze. Auric's eyes met the depths of the old man's intense, deep red irises, and a surge of fear coursed through his veins. The profound wisdom and untold power he sensed within those eyes were enough to send shivers down his spine.

***

"Now, I am asking you for the third time... Where did you get that ring?" The old man's tone was firm and demanding, also held a hint of impatience.

Auric tried his best to avert his gaze from the old man's eyes, their intensity feeling as if prolonged exposure would shatter his mind. He felt acutely aware of his own weakness in comparison to this formidable figure. Even the use of his appraisal ability would likely yield nothing but question marks, as if unable to comprehend the true nature of the old man's power.

"I-I got it from... m-my aunt. She claimed it was my mother's keepsake," Auric managed to stutter, his voice strained and trembling. Each word was a struggle to articulate amidst his labored breathing.

"Hah?" The old man's face contorted into an expression of disbelief and disdain. "You expect me to believe that? Your mother's keepsake, a human's possession? That ring?"

"Tsk!" A hint of annoyance crossed the old man's features as he clicked his tongue disapprovingly. His gaze turned icy, drilling into Auric with an unwavering intensity. "You better speak the truth," he warned.

[ Trying to resist the mental external force!! ]

[ERROR!!]

[ERROR!!]

[ The force is too strong! Cannot be resisted! ]

Auric found himself overwhelmed by a mental and external force, resisting which seemed futile. The system notifications blinked in his mind, signifying the strength of the impact, but he was too preoccupied with the imminent threat to pay them much attention. His very life hung in the balance.

"I-I am... saying the truth!" Auric stammered, his words faltering under the pressure exerted by the old man's piercing eyes.

The old man pondered silently, his thoughts shrouded in a cloud of doubt. 'Hmmm... So he is saying the truth huh... I don't believe this brat possesses enough strength to resist my eyes and lie,' he mused to himself, a cold calculation coloring his features.

"So what is your mother's name?" the old man inquired.

Auric hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Her name is Evangeline Everlight."

As soon as the old man heard the name, his eyes widened in profound surprise. He stood stunned, his gaze fixed on Auric for a prolonged moment. Sensing the weight of the old man's thoughts, Auric refrained from interrupting the old man's contemplation, unsure of what was transpiring within his mind.

Inside the old man's head, a whirlwind of emotions erupted. He couldn't comprehend how this connection had come to be. Laughter bubbled up from deep within him, echoing through the air. It started as a chuckle, then escalated into full-blown laughter, leaving Auric puzzled.

"Ha! Hahah! Hahahaha!" The old man's laughter echoed like a cacophony of madness. Auric watched, his confusion deepening. Why was this old man laughing so uncontrollably? The mirth seemed to radiate from him, filling the atmosphere with an aura of intrigue and mystery.

Auric couldn't fathom the reason behind the old man's sudden fit of laughter. Why was this elderly figure, who moments ago exuded an intimidating aura, now laughing as if possessed by madness? The confusion etched itself upon Auric's face, while questions swirled in his mind.

Meanwhile, the old man, still chuckling, lifted his left hand to cover his eyes, relishing in the humor of the situation.

"Is this coincidence or fate? Destiny, perhaps?" The old man's laughter subsided, his expression shifting to one of intrigue. "Whatever it may be, it certainly is interesting! Hahaha!"

Auric's mind whirled with a mix of bewilderment and curiosity. Though he harbored a glimmer of understanding, he couldn't shake the feeling that what the old man hinted at was impossible.

Nevertheless, as the old man's gaze settled upon him, a radiant smile formed upon his face. Shivers cascaded down Auric's spine, a tangible sense of something being set into motion. Deep down, he knew that even though the old man bore no ill intent, something significant and life-altering was about to unfold.