CP: 1 - Eastern Forest

[The chapter has been rewritten! Don't forget to add it to your library. New chapters will continue to be released at a rate of 2-3 chapters per day.]

The harsh gust of wind was shaking the slender branches of the trees. The branches collided, creating a rustling noise.

The Eastern Forest seemed to warn Elijah. Yet, he continued fleeing deeper into the forest. This escape was his evasion from death.

Elijah was born in a village near the Eastern Forest. He lived with his family in the village until the age of 6, then was given up for adoption to his uncle. Until the age of 16, he hadn't had the chance to see his biological parents.

During these 6 years, his uncle taught him the art of trading in the city. He had the opportunity to closely observe human relationships.

Encountering farmers, wizards, and more in the city broadened his world. The customers he met in the city expanded his knowledge and experience. With the information and experience gained from 6 years of city life, he could lead a moderately comfortable life for the rest of his days.

A few days ago, he had returned to his village for a short family visit. However, his reunion with his family would be disrupted by the Crimson Altar Cult.

The Crimson Altar Cult was notorious for its pillaging activities. In this world, pillaging was considered quite normal because the powerful claimed authority over the weak.

Usually, cults didn't kill people in the areas they plundered. They would take villagers' belongings, winter provisions, beautiful women, and sometimes children as loot.

After the pillage, they would stay in their regions for a while, then raid again based on their needs.

Besides, there were clans that pillaged for the sake of pleasure, enjoying killing defenseless people.

The Crimson Altar Cult, with over 500 disciples, was a sizable cult. To cover their expenses, they often pillaged and seized people's belongings. They also conducted considerable arbitrary pillages.

The reason for Elijah's escape was his involvement in a game played in the regions raided by the Crimson Altar Cult. According to the game, three young individuals, the "Prey," were chosen from the inhabitants of the raided area.

If one of the three managed to escape until morning, the rest of the village would survive. But if they were caught, the rest of the village would be burned and killed.

Elijah and his two brothers were chosen as the "Prey." They were given one hour to escape. When the time was up, the hunt would begin.

Typically, more than 270 disciples participated in this event. The prize was often given from the plundered items. Disciples competed among themselves for valuable weapons and rare items.

"AGGGHHHHHHH!!!!"

A scream echoed through the forest. The sound was filled with pain, resonating through the entire forest.

Elijah knew the owner of the scream very well; it was his younger brother. Tears welled up in Elijah's eyes. His steps slowed.

He continued running, knowing he would die. Racing against a regular cultivator was nothing short of absurdity. The idea of hiding was a comedy.

Some disciples could sense auras and energy among them. Thus, hiding was not a solution. Running until death seemed to be the best option.

As night fell, Elijah's vision weakened. Massive trees with their branches obscured the moonlight, leaving only darkness. The only light source in the pitch-dark forest was the full moon.

He was aware that he shouldn't slow down, but running too fast would undoubtedly lead to injury. Moreover, he had already started feeling thirsty and tired.

While Elijah continued his escape in the Eastern Forest, he suddenly encountered the figures of several cult members surrounding him.

Emerging from among the trees, the Crimson Altar Cult members, dressed in black, enclosed Elijah. Unfortunately, his escape ended here.

The cult leader looked at Elijah with a cold smile and spoke, "I hope you're more resilient than your brothers." The other members surrounding Elijah awaited, laughing, ready to burn him.

Despite Elijah's attempt to resist with the last glimmer of hope, he was helpless against the cult. He had been dragged on the ground by a disciple who stood at 3 meters tall. As he continued to be dragged, other disciples started kicking him.

The gravel stones on the ground were cutting Elijah's skin as he was dragged. After a few minutes, every inch of Elijah's body was covered in wounds.

The Crimson Altar Cult had started digging a pit for Elijah. This pit was the infamous Deadly Abyss of the Crimson Altar Cult.

The Deadly Abyss was specially designed to inflict the most agonizing death upon people. It was a pit dug to a depth of 150-180 cm, imbued with magic.

The pit was intentionally not dug too deep. The person inside would try to escape the pain, but the disciples would push them back in.

Sometimes restorative spells were cast on the victim, and supportive spells were used to prolong their suffering. Of course, that wasn't the only feature of this pit.

Elijah, covered in blood, was thrown into the pit. The fire emanating from hell was burning the depths of his soul.

The cult members at the edge of the pit watched Elijah's struggles with pain. Deep burns were starting to form all over Elijah's body. His screams echoed throughout the entire forest.

"AGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!"

In the deep pit, Elijah's body was covered in wounds. The cult leader spoke with a cold expression, "Break the 3rd Seal!"

The cult leader, with a disgusting smile, had given orders to his disciples. The disciples quickly carried out the leader's command. When the 3rd Seal was broken, the color of the fire in the pit changed.

Elijah was confused, but the fire around him didn't extinguish; instead, it intensified. For the first time in his life, Elijah witnessed white fire.

White Fire was melting Elijah's bones. His body had lost its strength. The revenge and pain within Elijah were thoroughly consumed.

With a final smile, the cult leader spoke, "I will break all seals for you!"

The last seal had been broken by the disciples. Even the disciples were astonished in front of the fire in the pit. Some of them had stepped away from the pit.

When all the seals were broken, Elijah's entire body had melted. His body no longer felt pain. However, drowning in the feeling of helplessness, aware that he was about to die, overwhelmed him.

The disciples were impatient to inflict punishment on the villagers for the "Prey." Everyone hurried toward the village.

The cult leader was aware of what the disciples desired. After taking one last look at the pit, he turned around and headed towards the village to join his disciples.