Forbidden Ground (1)

As Devin ventured further into the forbidden ground, he couldn't help but feel the heavy and oppressive aura enveloping him. Strange murmurs and deranged laughter echoed through the air, accompanied by fleeting shadows darting around.

With a steadying breath, Devin activated the light orb, casting a brilliant glow that illuminated his chaotic surroundings, pushing back the darkness.

Just as the light orb revealed the area, Devin caught sight of a swift shadow hurtling towards him. Reacting swiftly, he relied on his heightened senses to activate the absolute domain, fully aware that these shadows posed a grave threat.

The shadow collided with the domain, getting repelled by its powerful force. In that moment, Devin was able to discern the figure within the shadow. It was a dwarf, their body grotesquely misshapen with bent bones and a hunched back. The dwarf, with its pitch-black eyes and skin, radiated a fierce and ferocious aura.

Sensing another assault imminent, the dwarf charged at Devin, relentlessly attacking the domain once more. With a primal roar, rows of razor-sharp fangs and long claws emerged from its distorted mouth, becoming formidable weapons in the dwarf's assault against Devin's defenses.

Without hesitation, Devin tapped into his newfound abilities, activating his transformation. Having merged with the second seed, Devin now possessed greater control over his transformation, a power that seemed to resonate deep within him. Although unsure why, the memory of this specific transformation and why he knows it is the first transformation, everything felt instinctual, as if it had become an integral part of his being.

The dwarf charged at Devin, emitting another shrill shriek. Devin wasted no time, swiftly thrusting his sword forward and decapitating the dwarf with one clean motion. As the dwarf's head fell, Devin noticed a squirming worm within it, attempting to escape. Without hesitation, a branch from the origin tree swiftly enveloped and devoured the worm.

"You can consume them, but remember to save three for me. They will be useful for my research," Devin instructed the origin tree, which rustled its branches excitedly in response.

Continuing his mission to exterminate these deformed creatures, Devin pressed on. Suddenly, a piercing sound cut through the air. He looked up to see a sharp arrow hurtling towards his head with remarkable speed and accuracy. Reacting swiftly, the branches of the origin tree sprang into action, intercepting the arrow before it could make contact with its intended target.

"So, you're one of the few who managed to stop my arrow," a different dwarf proclaimed, distinct in appearance from the deformed creatures. This dwarf donned armor and wielded a bow and arrow, their eyes gleaming malevolently as they stared at Devin.

"It seems that some of you still retain a hint of your humanity," Devin remarked, curiosity piqued by the dwarf's demeanor.

"Don't compare me to those failed beings," the dwarf retorted.

"What difference does it make? You're all wretched in my eyes," Devin coldly replied.

The dwarf's expression turned into one of annoyance. "I had planned to spare you and have you keep me company. But now, I promise you a gruesome death," the dwarf threatened, a wicked smile curling their lips.

Devin tightened his grip on his sword and launched an attack. "You talk far too much."

The dwarf's agility proved noteworthy as they skillfully evaded Devin's strike, retaliating with quick maneuvers of their own. To Devin's disgust, the dwarf unleashed a grotesque, snake-like tongue from their mouth, eliciting a disgusted reaction from Devin.

Devin refused to waste any more time dealing with the deranged dwarf and swiftly wielded the sword of emptiness, beheading the creature. Despite its severed state, the dwarf's head continued to speak, taunting Devin.

"You're dead now. The mark of prey is upon you. Every dark creature in this place will hunt you down," the dwarf's head laughed sinisterly.

"Ah, that's actually quite convenient," Devin replied with a sinister smile. "It saves me the trouble of hunting them down myself."

Seizing the opportunity to assert his dominance, Devin used one of his arrows to fashion a pike, impaling the dwarf's head upon it. Commanding the origin tree, he instructed it to create a barrier to enclose the head. With a flicker of green light, a protective barrier materialized around the severed head.

Devin's grin grew even more mischievous as he addressed the head. "Now you have a VIP seat to witness how this plays out."

[Player Devin has been marked with the mark of prey. All infected creatures in the forbidden ground will relentlessly seek out and attack him for the next hour. Players cannot log out during this hour, and every infected creature killed will earn the player 50 Exp.]

Devin saw the advantage in this situation. Instead of having to search for the infected creatures, they would come to him naturally. He only needed to prepare for their arrival.

"Buddy, get ready for a hearty feast. Don't let any of them escape, but be sure to save two for me," Devin instructed the tree, which had gained a level of intelligence and responded by shaking its branches. While it couldn't communicate through words, Devin could sense its emotions and intentions.

Devin decided to take a moment to rest and deactivate his transformation. While the mode granted him immense strength, it also consumed a significant amount of his mental energy. Sitting down, he entered a state of meditation, realizing that he had neglected to truly practice the Origin Sutra during this period.

Fortunately, the dark aura surrounding him had no adverse effect. In fact, Devin could inhale it and feel it being purified within his being. The Origin tree, having consumed numerous souls during their fight, had shared pure spiritual essence with Devin. This extraordinary energy enabled him to delve deeper into his meditation and make a breakthrough in the Origin Sutra.

In this revelation, Devin learned a technique that allowed him to control the branches of the tree, transforming them into various forms at his will. He visualized the branches turning into armor, arrows, and even a whip. The only limits to these transformations were Devin's imagination and the amount of energy he could harness.

Exhaling gently, Devin's eyes sparkled with a newfound determination. He saw the impending arrival of infected creatures as an opportunity to practice and refine his skills.

Devin carefully surveyed his surroundings and spotted approximately fifty creatures gathering together, each wielding different weapons and donning varying sets of armor. Some held axes, maces, and swords. Devin couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the quality of these weapons. They would fetch a good price if sold.

"Boy, you're about to meet your demise," the severed head taunted, relishing in its own sinister laughter.

Devin chuckled, resisting the excitement bubbling up within him. "We'll see about that," he calmly responded.

The dark creatures, their gazes fixed on Devin, drooled with anticipation while others chuckled maliciously, their voices mumbling, "Fresh blood, warm soul."

Devin donned his first awakening transformation, recognizing a change in the voice surrounding him. "It smells delicious," the voice declared. Devin surmised that just as these dark creatures served as food for the Origin tree, they were also a delectable delight for these beings.

Recognizing the displeasure emanating from the tree at his conclusion, Devin smiled slyly. "My apologies. They are the only ones who serve as sustenance for you."

Utilizing his glide stride ability, Devin leaped into the air as illusory branches lifted him above the clamoring creatures. Looking down at them, he wasted no time and retrieved ten alchemy bombs, swiftly tossing them into the midst of the gathering. Activating the absolute domain, Devin was shielded by both his own powers and the protective branches of the Origin tree.

The impact and subsequent explosion of the bombs reverberated through the area. Though Devin remained unharmed, the noxious smell emanating from the aftermath threatened to make him retch. Amidst the chaos, mangled flesh littered the ground, accompanied by the haunting shrieks of severed heads.

Devin skillfully maneuvered around the dismembered bodies, directing the branches of the Origin tree to relentlessly attack and finish off any lingering threats. As he moved about, Devin gathered the surviving weapons and armors, storing them safely.

Devin observed the dwarf's head, its complexion now pale. The reason why a severed head could still turn pale remained a mystery to Devin.

"How was that for a show?" Devin taunted the head, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Thanks to your marking, you inadvertently aided me in killing your comrades. It seems you must harbor a deep hatred towards them and utilize me as a tool of destruction," Devin theorized, a realization dawning upon him.

"What the hell are you talking about? It's you whom I want to kill!" the head shouted in defiance. However, before another word could escape its lips, a sharp arrow pierced through the protective shield of the Origin tree, impaling the head. The sudden and unexpected attack served as a warning to Devin. If the arrow was meant for him, he wouldn't be killed, but he would undoubtedly suffer significant injury.