Chapter 4: Truths

Millen left the room and sat on a box. The emotions that he should be feeling were not a prevalent as he would have thought. He had just witnessed a terrible scene, and managed to get away without breaking a sweat. But that is not a good thing, why didn't he feel as emotional? The thought of losing his humanity scared him, or so he thought.

The fear that he once felt was now gone, only the will to keep on going remained. This body eliminated many of the ailments that he once faced, but it also suppressed him until he didn't even feel like himself. But that was fine, he had given up a lot already, so what is the broad spectrum of emotions to him?

Is it something he truely needs? Is it a necessity in this life? Loss is inevitable.

Millen already knew that a new body would mean new rules, the only thing he can do is to prevent himself from completely succumbing to the mundaneness of the armour. Through living can he make himself feel alive. Even in this forsaken place, Millen still has a friend. But what really is a friend to a Billionaire that spent every minute of his time working? Perhaps it was the assistant that brought him coffee, but he already knew that his assistant didn't view him as an equal. It was like some lowly gangster serving his yakuza boss, nothing more nothing less.

Millen's thoughts became a little clearer with this realisation. From the approach of a realist, it is best to do things when they are the most easiest to accomplish. So it is best to accept his circumstances now, and abandon what cannot be taken back. However, he will maintain what he has left.

The protagonist heard another voice.

[Unique Skill: Adapt, acquired]

[Extra skill: Stone heart, acquired]

He stood up and continued to the exit, leaving behind the leftover corpses. He eventually reached a large wooden door.

"Another wall."

Millen charged at the door, creating a large hole in it as he pass through.

"Little Millen, please do not blame yourself for that brutality." Velmorta said.

"I was too slow, I should have ran instead of walked. The route felt like ages, how long did I spend travelling up there?"

"A month."

"I was too slow."

"Little Millen, make sure to visit every once in a while." Velmorta spoke.

"I will."

Millen found himself in a small clearing which was surrounded by vast bush and trees. He chose to travel straight into the forest, unwilling to wait any longer.

"Sometimes I need to remind myself that I am human, but voices tell me otherwise. The blessings of nature is what I need and desire the most. If I can feel at peace, then maybe I can feel whole again. To do this, I will need to meditate. Meditation is the only option for concentration, I need to focus."

Millen sat down in the bushes as he focused his mind on himself, feeling calm and collected. The coldness of the armour was just as his soul. As time went by, he finally regained his composure, feeling at peace with himself.

The bush around him had already grown by a couple of inches, suggesting that he had rested for quite a while. He got up from his resting spot and decided to navigate the forest on his own.

"Velmorta, is there any settlements nearby my current location?" Millen asked.

"It seems that there is a village 1 kilometre to your left." Velmorta announced.

"Are there any inhabitants there?"

"There might not be soon. They are under attack."

Millen immediately started to sprint through the bush, navigating it with ease as he used his sword to cut through the growth. After 3 minutes of running, Millen finally reached a tree line which overlooked the village. The village only had around 20 small huts, and some of them were already set on fire.

"DO NOT LET A SINGLE GOBLIN LEAVE ALIVE!" An armoured figure shouted.

Immediately the protagonist saw a group of humans gathering the remaining group of goblins, putting them at the centre of the village.

"We have captured the remaining monsters, shall we execute them?" A lightly armoured man asked.

As he said this, a fully plated figure approached from their flank, brandishing a shining curved sword.

"Sir knight, May we ask why are you here?" The commander asked.

"I am here to transfer these prisoners elsewhere." Millen spoke.

"But these monsters are to be killed now." The commander spoke.

"Listen well, if you do not leave right now, the higher ups will have your heads!"

The men started to back off, sheathing their weapons to prepare to leave.

"Thank you for informing us, sir knight." The commander thanked him.

"May I ask, what your squad's objective?" Millen asked before they left.

"We are here to cull the monsters of the Jura forest."

"Very well, thank you for your service."

CHOP

Millen instantly decapitated the commander, leaving his squad of 8 men in shock.

"THE COMMANDER IS DEAD! KILL THEM ALL!"

The humans rushed at the remaining goblins and at Millen, being instantly killed as they all fell to his blade.

"Goblins, you are safe for now."

It seemed that there were only young ones left after the assault on the village, probably none of them were over 20 years of age.

"Thank you Sir knight...are you perhaps a demon lord's General?" One of them asked.

"I am not."