Hypnotize

Landing back on the ground, Caerleum ignores the massive crater he created from his jump and ponders about the next course of action he should take.

Currently, there are 3 main viable options.

The first option is to continue wandering aimlessly, the second option is to head back to the dome and wait patiently as the panel stated, and the final option is to head towards the City.

The first option, although a little exciting, is unproductive and filled with too many variables.

The second option is the safest choice, with the previous demons somehow massacred, there will be no one to interrupt him from creating a plan to decide his next course of action.

As for the final option, it's as reckless as the first, and perhaps even more dangerous.

Frowning, Cearleum realizes that whichever option he chooses, he feels like something is off. After pondering for several minutes and being unable to come to a conclusion, Caeruleum simply decides to head back to the dome.

Reaching the outskirts of the forest, Caeruleum was about to exit when his heart was suddenly filled with curiosity. Turning around, he resumes walking towards the depths of the forest.

As Caeruleum walks, he finds it strange that the previous orange and vibrant leaves suddenly turn into a dull and gloomy gray.

The closer Caeruleum gets toward the center of the forest the colder the temperature becomes.

Ignoring the cold and creepy feeling Caeruleum continues walking.

[Warning, the host is under a hypnotic state]

[Please purchase the 'Nullify' skill to remove the hypnotic effect]

With the appearance of the panel, a sense of déjà vu hits, as Caeruleum exits from a trance.

Stopping in his tracks Caeruleum narrows his eyes as he carefully reads the first half of the panel whilst conveniently ignoring the second half.

"So I've just been placed under a hypnotic state?" Still staring at the panel, Caeruleum begins asking himself questions in his mind. "Wait, no, this isn't the first time this happened. But, why did I just ignore it?"

Caeruleum's thoughts begin to accelerate. Then, an idea suddenly hits.

Ignoring the panel, Caeruleum turns around and heads towards his previous destination, the dome.

As Caeruleum approaches the edge of the forest. A wave of Curiosity hits him, causing him to want to know what's in the center of the forest.

Without a trace of hesitation, Caeruleum turns around and with what appears to be fanaticism in his eyes, Caeruleum gathers immense strength in his legs and…

Boom

He shoots off, his every stride creating a crater beneath his feet.

Quickly he passes the first crater he made from his jump. As Caeruleum gets closer to the center. The previous creepy feeling turns into fear, horror, and disgust. But, ignoring the constant warning bells, Caeruleum rushes with greater enthusiasm.

Getting closer and closer, the dull and gray trees begin to become sparse. With his keen demonic eyesight, Caeruleum spots a small blurry silhouette in the distance. As soon as he sees the figure, an almost euphoric sense of excitement fills his body.

About to take his final stride, a panel suddenly appears in front of him, causing him to stop in his tracks…

Boom, Swoosh

With the halting of his momentum, the air behind gushes forward, causing Caeruleum's hair and clothes to billow in the wind.

[Warning, the host is under a hypnotic state]

[Please purchase the 'Nullify' skill to remove the hypnotic effect]

With the appearance of the panel, something suddenly clicked inside his head.

Not taking his eyes off the panel, a wicked smile makes its way onto Caeruleum's face as he can finally confirm his conjecture.

One, something, or… looking at the silhouette a distance ahead from the corner of his eye… someone placed him under a hypnotic state.

Two, under the state he is unable to think clearly, and his sole desire is to reach the figure ahead.

Three, the figure most likely doesn't want Caeruleum to leave the forest, indicating that its influence is only within the boundary of the forest.

Lastly four, the way the figure influences him is likely by first dwindling his reasoning skills and then placing a mental suggestion, in this case, curiosity towards the forest and what lies within.

This leads to the panel in front of him, if someone were to tell Caeruleum that the creature ahead has greater power than the annoying panel, Caeruleum would tell that person to become a better comedian in his next life.

With his reasoning skills taken away, the panel, or as it likes to call itself, the 'system,' would be unable to properly communicate with its host. To initiate communication, the system would have to bring back his reasoning ability, negating the hypnotic effect.

As for whether or not his plan would fail, the panel fails to appear on time, or it does appear but has no effect, well…

A smirk reappears on Caeruleum's face as he finally looks away from the panel and stares at the figure ahead.

His true goal was never to rely solely upon the appearance of the panel, in fact, he was merely testing the capabilities of the panel on a whim.

As for his true motives…

Boom

Caeruleum takes his final stride, this time willingly. Approaching the silhouette at breakneck speed, the appearance of the figure gradually becomes clear.

Standing, or in this case, floating in front of him is a 3-meter-tall demon. The demon has the face of a rabbit, a cute puffy mouth, big ears, and deep yet innocent eyes. The demon has a humanoid torso with a golden scarf draped around its neck. Its chest is covered in brass-colored armor. Two dark red belts intersect, forming a cross shape on the armor. Attached to the belts are several knives and short blades. Below the torso, a gray, transparent, cloud-like, floaty substance could be seen. Countless knives and short blades hang on the waist of the demon.

Raising a brow, Caeruleum finds it strange that the demon no longer tries to hypnotize himself anymore. Perhaps the demon feels that it's impossible for him to escape his clutches or some other reason.

Caeruleum no longer thinks about it as his goal is finally going to be accomplished…

To die at the hands of the party that hypnotized him.