Chapter 351
Devilborn
It was around midday… after hours of fighting and killing countless creatures of various appearances, the group had not only grown bigger, but they had also begun to settle into a rhythm, naturally adapting to the system IAM had created.
Methodically, the group moved from one ordeal to another, each battle refining them further as they became more accustomed to the pressure of facing the creatures, their confidence steadily growing with every fight they survived.
IAM could be seen seated on a small stone, his posture relaxed as he looked around almost lazily, his eyes drifting across the battlefield as if he wasn't particularly invested. Every now and then, he would call out a command—short, precise, and always at the right moment.
He licked his lips.
It had been over a day since he had last eaten.
There was no edible food or water to be found in the forest, leaving them with no choice but to endure the hunger and continue moving forward.
If one were to ask about people with path methods that could create water, the answer was simple. As novices, their control over their methods—even as geniuses—was far from perfect. What they produced as "water" was not truly water, but rather mana tainted by their understanding.
It might look like water.
It might even act like water.
But in truth, it was a mixture of mana and understanding, something that couldn't truly satisfy thirst.
Of course…
That might not be the case for masters.
"look at them with their prideful and accomplished faces… they think it's so easy to take down creatures… they will be in for a nasty surprise when they encounter real ones." IAM muttered to himself, his tone low and almost indifferent.
Indeed, if IAM had to compare…
The creatures in this illusion could only display about twenty percent of the baleful energy that real ones naturally exuded. That missing weight, that oppressive presence, was what truly made those creatures so terrifying to most ascenders.
To IAM…
These ones were hard to take seriously.
They looked like puppets being dragged along invisible strings, their movements lacking something essential, something real.
They behaved like animals. But real creatures…They weren't just animals.
There was something deeper.
Something more primal.
More absolute.
They felt… pure.
Yes...
That was it.
They were completely pure in what they were. They could not be defined as anything else.
There was no "I am."
There was only "Is."
As IAM began to get accustomed to this new world, the more his curiosity grew about these creatures. Where did they come from? How did they come to be? Why were they so different from each other? Why did they suddenly appear out of nowhere in places abandoned by humans? Why did their mere existence corrupt the holem? Did they even procreate?
Questions upon questions.
But none of them would be answered anytime soon.
He would need to grow stronger first.
Only then could he begin to uncover the secrets hidden beneath everything.
Speaking of…
With the addition of Reuel, the group had received another significant boost. They couldn't quite explain it, but there was a clear feeling among them that he was just as special as Natsuki and Yohan. The way he moved, the way he fought—he decimated creatures with ease.
It left many of them wondering.
Just what kind of pheromones was IAM releasing to be surrounded by such beasts in human form?
As the group grew bigger, there were also growing feelings of unrest regarding IAM's lack of direct contribution. Some began to question it quietly, while others even attempted to voice their doubts or challenge his authority.
A single glance from Yohan or Henry was enough to shut them down.
But the dissatisfaction didn't disappear... And there was no one more aware of it than IAM.
IAM let off a faint smile.
If they had a problem they wanted to voice…
Then he would simply give them more work.
So much work that they wouldn't even have time to complain!
As he watched yet another battle unfold before him, his decision was made.
It was time.
Some time later, when everyone had settled down and were resting, their earlier tension simmering beneath the surface, Reuel leaned in carefully, lowering his voice as he spoke to IAM and Yohan.
"I managed to get some more information from some of the girls from Natsuki's class!"
"And why?" IAM asked plainly.
"Huh? Aren't you interested in such information?" Reuel replied with a cheeky grin as he poked a finger into IAM's chest. "You're usually hard to read, but you often glance her way and stare for some time, you know?"
IAM grabbed Reuel's head.
"whoa! whoa! wait! I'm sorry! I swear! no!!!"
Reuel's words turned into panicked yells as IAM ruffled his hair violently, messing it up completely.
Reuel immediately clutched his head like it had been fatally damaged, rolling around in anguish as tears streamed down his face. "I took so long to fix it! You evil incarnation! Spawnling! How could you!"
"You are so annoying, Reuel." IAM replied simply, completely unfazed, as Yohan crouched down to comfort the victim.
After he recovered from his grievous injury, Reuel leaned back in again, his voice dropping as he returned to gossiping. "apparently, Natsuki is a total icon in class. She's not only attractive but also considered the strongest in her class. She didn't take long to establish herself as the top dog. A lot of people are interested in her in many ways, but she's a total ice queen to guys. She doesn't mind girls too much, but the only person that's really close to her is that Zara… anyone else—especially guys—she keeps at least ten metres away."
"...and why exactly are you telling me this?" IAM said.
Reuel's face carried that same innocent look as he answered, "Isn't it obvious? It's to tell you that you have no chan—oh!... There's no need to punch me in the stomach…"
He hunched forward slightly, a hand clutching his abdomen. Then, as if nothing had happened, realization flickered across his face.
"Oh… I get it…" he muttered, straightening just enough to look at IAM again, a grin slowly forming. "You like them hard to g—uwoh!"
IAM pulled his hand back, flexing his fingers as a dull sting ran through his knuckles. Then he casually massaged his wrist...
"Anyways," IAM said flatly, cutting off whatever nonsense Reuel had been about to finish, "there's something I need you to announce. We should have a decent amount of people now to move along with my plan."
Yohan's head snapped up immediately. "What plan?"
Reuel, still recovering but already slipping back into himself, glanced around at the scattered group. He began counting under his breath, pointing lazily from one person to another.
"How many people are even here… Let's see… one, two, three…" He paused, recounting with a squint. "Eight… nineteen in total, including us…"
His brows lifted slightly. "That's most of the people out of the thirty-three…"
"That's exactly why it's time…" IAM said.
His gaze shifted, landing briefly on Natsuki at the back.
"…to finally utilise the flag we have in our hands effectively."