Ch 3 Jacob's tragedy

Jacob was a close combat fighter who due to his admiration for a martial technique where one on mastering it achieves the power to cut seas and break mountains.

He desired to master those techniques, but his unique physique proved incompatible with the demands of learning such extreme powers.

Therefore, to establish his martial art "The art of war joker", an evasion and movement type combat skill, he created after many difficulties and to spread its fame all over the continent, he used to explore all sorts of hell-bent places, dangerous places, maze, and ruins.

To increase his proficiency and develop his technique, he learned from different masters in many fields.

After much perseverance, he finally achieved mastery, ascending to the rank of Semi-Grandmaster in the art of movement techniques.

However, tragedy struck when Jacob heard rumors of the Black Blood Saber. Driven by curiosity to witness it firsthand, he ventured into the depths of the Dark Cave.

-------------------------

Evan on finding the Black Blood Saber, almost goes unconsciously to grab it but comes out of his stupor timely and knows, it is an evil weapon.

"What the hell, I was almost going to grab it"

"Luckily, due to my smartness, I stopped in time"

"Well, my target is not this saber but Jacob who came here and got caught in a curse when he grabbed that sword"

"from the game story, he goes mad due to a curse but somehow maintains his reasoning "

"But after a month, he goes on a rampage, and attacks the Night Vale market"

"His technique 'The art of war joker' makes him very hard to target and catch and it leads to a lot of casualties"

Seeking his bearings within the dark cave, he surmised that his location must be near the saber. After thoroughly examining every nook and corner, Evan, unable to uncover any new paths, attempted to recall the game's prelude, but his efforts proved futile.

"I don't want to waste any more time," he said, ready to leave. As he stood up, he heard a faint cry he almost missed.

kk...k...argh

He followed the voice until he reached a wall. It crumbled down immediately after hitting the wall with a hammer a few times.

"ooh, so it was a decoy"

kkakaakakakakakakakkakakkakakakaaa

The crying sound got louder the more you moved forward, and at the end, there was a large chamber, where the roof height reached 10 meters.

Bound by chains to a massive silicate rock, his limbs contorted at impossible angles, his tattered body bore the marks of torment. The sole identifier of his identity lay in the unique half-cracked jester mask adorning his face.

Seeing the scene, Evan was horrified and asked

"Jacob ?"

As reality dawned upon him, the bound man lifted his face, his visage twisted with visible madness.

Witnessing this scene, Evan pieced together the grim puzzle before him.

Jacob, ensnared by a curse, had descended into a state of madness. Perhaps driven by his inherent character, a fragment of reason compelled him to bind himself, preventing harm to others as he faced his inevitable demise within the cave.

However, there remained the possibility that he had managed to break free, only to succumb to his frenzied state, wreaking havoc before meeting his end at the hands of fellow hunters.

It was indeed a tragic and pitiful conclusion to Jacob's tale.

"Get ou tt of here or you willl dieee"

"runnn awayy"

His bloodshot eyes emanated a chilling aura of murderous intent, yet beneath the surface, a glimpse of his torment was discernible to those who dared to look.

Evan found himself rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by a flood of thoughts. Despite the turmoil, he endeavored to maintain composure and grasp the gravity of the situation. It was clear that leaving now would only invite tragedy, potentially costing the lives of the innocent.

With resolve in his heart, Evan refused to retreat. Ignoring the looming danger, he pressed onward, determined to confront the unfolding crisis.

Observing Evan's unwavering determination, Jacob was taken aback. He could sense that Evan was not a formidable powerhouse; perhaps he was merely an ordinary civilian. Surprised by this realization, Jacob found himself compelled to inquire.

"Why are you advancing?"

Jacob queried, acknowledging the overwhelming intensity of his bloodlust which he could not control due to insanity. He understood that enduring such a force was no small feat, especially for a mere mortal on the brink of madness.

With each step Evan took, it felt as if he were traversing a path strewn with thorns, yet his determination remained unwavering. He possessed morality but was no saint; he harbored a fear of death but understood the necessity of greed for power in a world dictated by strength.

"I need more power to safeguard my beloved from impending danger," Evan declared resolutely, his words laced with determination.

Jacob, intrigued by Evan's resolve and reasoning, felt a newfound admiration for the young man. He recognized the importance of power in their world and found Evan's purpose-driven greed intriguing.

"Hey, young one," Jacob began, a hint of challenge in his voice.

"I have a proposition for you. If you emerge victorious, I will entrust my legacy to you. However, if you fail, death awaits. Are you prepared?"

Upon hearing those words, Evan understood instantly. While he had encountered it numerous times within the game, this would mark his first real-life encounter with the enigmatic phenomenon

Soul Domain.

Soul Domain generally refers to the phenomenon of utilizing one's soul as a conduit to manipulate reality within a specific realm. This grants immense power but also entails significant risk. It involves laying bare one's foundational essence, soul, and techniques, demanding the sacrifice of an entire life force. Typically, only those in higher realms dare to attempt it, yet even then, safety is not guaranteed. The process carries a substantial risk of soul corruption. Although much is still not known about it.

As Jacob attempted to utilize the entire dungeon as his domain, Evan's realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. With a cry on his lips, he attempted to halt Jacob's reckless endeavor.

"Hey, stop—" Evan's plea was cut short by a blinding eruption of purple light emanating from Jacob. The world around them transformed into a chaotic frenzy, with the earth trembling and space itself seeming to fold in on itself.

Amidst the chaos, Evan struggled to maintain consciousness. When he finally regained his senses, he shouted in frustration, "Hey, if you proposed a challenge, you should at least listen to my answer before deciding on your own!"

In that moment, Evan felt the sympathy he had shown before had been squandered in the face of Jacob's heedless actions.