CHAPTER 65

A hatred formed over the past 24 hours had driven him so intensely toward revenge and liberation from his torment that, upon seeing an opportunity to end it, he did not hesitate. With a dagger that easily tore through the cracked skin of the demonic Arcane, he continued his strikes until purple blood had splattered over his face and body. The same blood dripped onto his wounds, burning his flesh, but with the satisfaction of vengeance and relief from torture, it was as if his nerves refused to report the pain to his brain. They, too, were at ease upon witnessing the death of the creature. But this was not the end.

[Alfred Cape WoodRace: Lower Tree ElfOccupation: Level 3 Hero, Elite HunterLevel: 3 (99/100)Power Estimate: Rank 4 LordSkills: Pain Endurance A, Tracking C, Archery C, Dagger Arts E]

His body was fully healed, including his severed ear. The rank promotion from Elite to Lord was evident, and the growth of his muscles and magical power made it easy for him to feel the changes in his body. Yet, he was confused by such a transformation. However, the people around him were even more bewildered.

The once-kind and sympathetic gazes toward him were now filled with suspicion and fear. This reaction had become infamous ever since the past year when many had slain Demon Kings. However, this reaction only occurred with some of them—those select few who were none other than heroes. Now, Hegna and the squad of sorceresses beside him were certain of what they feared, for those found in the dungeons of the Demon Kings were, in 99% of cases, heroes who had been captured after failing in their attempt to kill a Demon King.

"This is exactly what I was afraid of."

Hegna frowned and picked up the skill stones, handing them to Alfred, who was still dazed, unaware of what the different expressions of his saviors meant. The system window—a feature in most stories—had now appeared before him. And look at this! He was a hero! One day, he would don shining armor and save this world from the Demon Kings!

Yet, the faces of those around him told a different truth. Fear was etched into their expressions as if they were afraid of losing their most treasured possession. In the end, it was his true savior who placed a hand on his shoulder and held out two purple stones before him.

"My child, can you tell me what skills these stones contain?"

Alfred, as if a calm child, took the two stones in his hands and read the windows that appeared for each.

[Curse Eye - Rank AEach of your eyes will randomly inflict a curse on whoever you gaze upon. The curse's level corresponds to the Warlord's power level.Mana Consumption: 100 per use.]

[Telepathy - Rank AYou can mentally communicate with someone you have previously met and marked with this skill.Marks: None.Mana Consumption: Varies based on distance from the target.]

Only when he finished reading did all the sorceresses exchange glances.

"He really is a hero...""Yeah, he can read it.""What do we do now...?"

The elder sorceresses, who had already regarded him as their child, were at a loss for what to do, for they all knew their master would never let a hero live due to his very nature.

"What's wrong, Auntie?"

Alfred turned toward a weeping sorceress.

"Auntie…? No, it's nothing... You just called me Auntie!!!"

She burst into even louder sobs and ran outside while the others, except for one, remained, uncertain of what to do.

"Break them."

Hegna spoke while Alfred still held the two stones.

"Are you sure? They seem valuable!"

Then, Hegna grabbed Alfred's hands and squeezed them until the skill stones shattered in his grip.

"Only heroes and Demon Kings can use skill stones."

With that, Hegna lifted the bewildered Alfred and led him toward the altar.

"Destroy it!"

Hegna's tone was firm because she knew she was putting herself and all the sorceresses under her command at risk. The sight of so many legendary undead had led her to consider Hazard as the god of this world. But now, she was committing an act that could bring divine wrath upon her.

"Me?"

Hegna handed him an ice hammer. Alfred, surprised by its cold but bearable touch, hesitated but remembered what he had been told to do.

He swung the hammer and struck the altar—an octopus-shaped structure rising from the ground with a dark gateway at its center—ten times until the columns cracked and turned to ash as if they had never existed.

But after that, the ashes gathered and transformed into a golden chest.

[Demon King Arcane's Treasure Chest - Warlord Level]

At Hegna's urging, Alfred opened the chest, revealing a black mask with eight red eyes in the front and eight tentacles seemingly designed to grip the wearer's head tightly. Alongside it was a long, purple silk robe.

[Arcane MaskRank: AGrants Arcane Vision+100 Mana]

[Arcane Silk RobeRank: AGrants resistance to magical attacks below Lord rank+50 Mana]

Hegna, after hearing his explanation, forced him to equip them, then turned to the other sorceresses.

"I swear, if anyone speaks a word of what happened today, I will tear their throats out before my death and kill them!"

Hearing such a threat didn't worry the sorceresses, as none of them had any intention of revealing the events. In fact, they all wished the same fate upon anyone who dared to betray them.

But it was Alfred who, after donning the items and feeling like an entirely new person, turned to his foster mother.

"Mother..."

That threat had made Hegna reconsider—the sorceresses should form a team dedicated to eradicating the Demon Kings, and all spoils should be returned to their base. However, by gifting these spoils to him, she was violating the rules and did not wish to be punished for it.

Even so, her actions had once again stirred something within Alfred's heart. Such a level of sacrifice was undoubtedly the mark of a mother prioritizing her child above all else.

These thoughts took root in Alfred's mind as Hegna dismissed the other sorceresses. Forming two icy chairs, she sat on one and gestured for Alfred to take the other. Once he did, she began explaining her plans for his future.