The wilderness stretched endlessly before him.
For the first time since his rebirth, Lian breathed air untainted by walls, chains, or screams of the oppressed. But freedom carried its own price.
The Forest of Whispers loomed ahead—a sea of towering trees shrouded in mist. The locals called it cursed, claiming spirits of the dead lingered among its roots. But to Lian, it was nothing more than the first step toward conquest.
The system pulsed:
[New Environment Detected: The Forest of Whispers.]
[Warning: Area Level – 10 to 20.]
[Current Level: 6.]
Lian smirked.
"So… I'm prey here? Then let's see how long the hunters survive."
As he stepped beneath the canopy, the world grew silent. No wind stirred the branches. No birds called. Only whispers floated through the air, faint voices brushing his ears.
"…turn back…"
"…your blood will feed the roots…"
The voices pressed against his mind, cold and persistent. But Lian's will was forged in fire and sin. He pushed forward, spear gripped tightly, shadows curling at his heels.
Hours passed. The mist thickened. Then, the ground shifted beneath his feet. Roots burst from the soil, writhing like serpents, coiling around his legs.
A guttural roar echoed through the trees.
From the shadows emerged a monstrous form—a wolf, larger than a horse, its fur black as tar, its eyes glowing sickly green. Its fangs dripped with venom that hissed when it struck the ground.
The system chimed:
[Beast Detected: Venomfang Direwolf.]
[Level: 12.]
[Elite Monster.]
Lian's grin widened.
"Perfect. Show me how strong this world really is."
The wolf lunged, venom spraying from its jaws. Lian twisted into a Shadow Step, vanishing as the ground sizzled where he once stood. He reappeared behind the beast, spear thrusting toward its spine.
But the wolf moved faster than he expected. Its tail whipped around, slamming into his chest. The impact sent him crashing into a tree, the bark splintering under the force.
Pain tore through him, but he laughed, blood dripping from his mouth.
"Yes! That's it. Struggle harder!"
The wolf's eyes narrowed. It circled him cautiously, its growl reverberating like thunder. Then, with a snarl, it pounced again.
This time, Lian didn't dodge. He surged forward, shadows spiraling around his spear, meeting the beast head-on. Steel met flesh, venom clashed with darkness.
The wolf's claws raked across his shoulder, tearing deep, but his spear pierced its flank, spilling black blood that hissed as it struck the earth.
[HP Dropping: 42%.]
[Warning: Poison Detected.]
Lian's body burned, the venom searing through his veins. His vision blurred, but his grin never faded.
The system whispered again:
[Sin Points Available: 320.]
[Skill Suggestion: "Blood Feast" – Absorb vitality from slain foes to heal yourself.]
[Cost: 300 SP.]
His eyes glowed crimson.
"Yes… I'll take it."
[Skill Unlocked: Blood Feast.]
Darkness surged through him, craving flesh. He struck again, spear plunging deep into the wolf's chest. As the beast howled, shadows wrapped around its body, draining its life essence.
Black blood flowed into Lian, wounds knitting, poison burning away. His laughter echoed through the forest as the wolf's body shriveled, collapsing into a husk.
[Elite Monster Defeated.]
[Reward: +800 EXP, +200 Sin Points.]
[Level Up! Current Level: 8.]
[Blood Feast Passive Activated: +10% HP Regeneration on Kill.]
The whispers in the forest grew louder, almost frantic.
"…a sinner walks among us…"
"…the forest will fall to corruption…"
Lian tilted his head, listening to the voices with a cruel smile.
"So even the dead can sense it. Good. Let them watch."
He pressed deeper into the forest.
The trees seemed to close in around him, roots twisting into grotesque shapes. Strange lights flickered between the branches—pale flames that danced without heat. And then he saw it:
A stone altar, covered in moss, standing at the heart of a clearing. Upon it lay a cracked mask, carved into a twisted smile.
The system pulsed violently:
[Special Quest Triggered.]
[Relic of Sin Detected: Mask of Hollow Laughter.]
[Objective: Claim the Relic.]
[Warning: Guardian Approaches.]
The ground shook. Trees groaned as something massive moved through the mist.
A colossal figure emerged—a treant, its bark-blackened, roots dripping with blood. Its hollow eyes glowed red as it towered above him.
[Guardian Detected: Corrupted Forest Warden.]
[Level: 15.]
[Boss Monster.]
The warden raised a massive arm of roots and stone, bringing it crashing down. The impact split the clearing, shaking the altar.
Lian stood firm, spear in hand, shadows writhing around his body. His crimson eyes burned brighter than ever.
A savage grin split his face.
"Good. A stage worthy of my first relic."
The Lord of Sin advanced.