Natsuki looked around at the dead bodies, the smell of their blood was intoxicating.
But it wasn't smelling like blood, instead it smelt sweeter, tastier.
But still keeping his conscious he told the voice.
"Are you insane! I'm not going to eat people!"
"For now, tell me what's the difference between a human and a monster or beast."
"It's just different okay!"
"Or is it just the fact that your human as well, imagine if you weren't human and you were one of the things you've eaten. Would it have been different then."
Natsuki still couldn't stand.
His legs were shaking so hard they hurt but the realisation of what this thing was telling him hit harder than the pain making his legs go numb on comparison.
On cue his heart began beating quickly, goosebumps crawled up his skin and he just sat there in silence.
"Oh what's wrong, finally realised your also a monster."
Finally Natsuki broke his silence.
"Then I won't eat anything else, then I'll stop being a monster."
"That's impossible kid, once you've tasted mana you'll crave it deeply. Plus do you see the ring, that second crack is barely visible."
It was true.
Even now as he sat there all he could think of was devouring the mana in front of him but he was holding back with pure restraint.
Looking at the ring he noticed what the monster was saying was true.
"Yeah and so."
"For every crack fixed they'll be a curse and a blessing that'll be bestowed upon you.
The first curse was soul binding hence why you can't take off the ring, and with it came gluttony, the blessing that allows you to grow stronger by eating and devouring prey for mana."
Natsuki was somehow happy and terrified by this, so every time the ring fixed itself he'll get stronger.
But on the other hand.
What if they drive him over the edge, making him just like a monster that devours anything.
"And so what, it's not completely fixed yet."
"True but the effects will begin to creep in slowly, the curse for this crack is insatiable hunger. You'll never get full or fulfilled by anything ever again. You won't be able to taste things weaker than what you've already eaten. And if you don't eat you'll go crazy on a rampage eating anything on site."
Natsuki stared into nothing.
It was as if his eyes were searching for the thing talking to him.
"You're insane! You can't be serious right."
"Do I sound like I'm joking, although I'd prefer you in that state. No conscious, no fear and no thinking just pure primal instinct to eat. Now that's a holder."
"Well I'm not eating humans, not at all."
"Your so boring, anyway I'm done talking to you. Until next time mortal, I hope next time you'll come to your senses."
Just like that he felt his head get lighter, like what was in his mind just vanished.
Then he stayed seated there.
Still shaking, still scared.
Eventually the sun began to set again and he was still there looking blankly around him like he was traumatised.
Then finally, one of the merchants woke up.
He looked around and saw that the men who had threatened them were laying down on the floor, each of them in a pool of blood and the sight was terrifying.
Still he looked at the man next to his carriage.
He had saved them and so he stood up and walked to him placing his hand on his shoulder.
There was hesitation in his wake.
He didn't know this man but he knew he was dangerous.
He'd just killed five bandits alone when the eight adventurers he'd hired were basically useless against them.
But even though he was grateful for what he did and so resolve came through and he convinced himself that he must be a good man.
Oblivious to what the man was thinking about and still distraught Natsuki just starred up at him, the blankness in his eyes was very unnerving.
This added a flicker of hesitation that was quickly brushed of by the man.
"Thankyou sir," he began, tears forming in his eyes and falling rapidly, "thankyou so much! You have no idea how much this means to me and my brother."
Natsuki didn't respond just looked at the man but still the man pressed on explaining what had happened and why this was so emotional.
"We finally finished our journey to sell offshore in the Azura kingdom. My little girl back home is waiting for me. So I'm ever so grateful for saving me, is there anything I can offer you for what you've done."
Natsuki finally spoke for the first time since the conversation with his ring ended.
"Just a ride to the city is fine."
"That's it?"
The man said surprised and a little relieved because he didn't have much due to paying the guild for the useless adventurers they'd hired to guide them back home safely.
Natsuki nodded in reply and the man then helped him up, his fat frame jiggling from the power he used to pull him up.
"Let me wake my brother, then we shall go. Enter inside make yourself comfortable, I'll be driving us since the one that was driving us now dead."
Without any words he entered inside and sat down.
Leaning his head back on the comfortable leather seat inside the carriage exhaustion finally took its tall.
His eyelids became heavier and heavier until finally he couldn't stay awake and fell fast asleep.
– –
Meanwhile in the forest.
Durak's transformation was finally complete and he was asleep due to the exhaustion.
Though around him stood a sort of cocoon type shell holding him inside while he slept to regain his power.
But even though a red aura was escaping the cocoon.
All around the forest.
The monsters and beast began to stir feeling attracted to the large aura.
The closer they walked the harder it was to resist.
And then they went in front of the cocoon bowing down on their knees as if meeting a king and awaiting his arrival.
Rows and rows and rows of them piled up.
The weak ones dying on their way due to the intensity of the aura.
Then as the last one finally joined the crowd all the animals began to chant in a trance like shape.
"All hail Durak! King of the forest!"
They shouted it constantly.
Due to the influence of their combined chants, the ground beneath them began to release tremors.
Small ones but loud enough ones to know that something terrifying is happening nearby to the people near this area.
Then within the cocoon Durak smiled.
His insect mouth curving up to reveal a truly disgusting and revolting looking smile.
'The time of my revenge will come soon human, you'll beg for mercy and I'll make sure your sorry for the shame you caused my brother.'