Root of corruption(1)

We all entered the forest.

The sun was covered by leaves.

[Activating skill: Mana sensing(A-)]

'Huh, I feel that there is more mana here than outside. I guess that's a given.'

I briefly thought about this so called ancient magic.

'A type of magic that can affect its surroundings for generations. I guess it could be a type of curse as well.'

That was the most common magic that could persist for a long time.

'But it would still be amazing even if it was a curse. I heard that it has existed for at least 2000 years. It's strange how ancient magic was so powerful.'

I could probably find the answer if I became as strong as [Fince] or the goddess.

'She still seems to be a big shot.'

I sighed lightly looking forward.

There was still a long way to go.

"So, you use a sword?"

Samira asked while looking at my sword.

I found it quite amusing since she already knew but decided to play along.

"Yes, I'm not the best but I'm strong enough to cut down a tree without aura."

"Ohh~ you seem to be about high B rank then. Although I haven't seen an A rank adventurer before. Unless we count Alius here."

She lightly nudged Alius. Alius' face crumpled a little at the word 'adventurer' though.

'Does he not like adventurers?'

"But I don't think ranks really matter anymore after that weird propaganda."

I nodded seriously before stopping.

'Hold on.'

"Huh? Is there anything wrong?"

Samira asked and Alius just looked at me curious as to why I stopped.

"Do we even have a solid location? Is our plan just to look around until we find something?"

At this important question both Samira and Alius flinched.

"..."

A brief silence commenced.

"About that. We have a general location."

Alius sighed to himself and Samira pulled out a big map.

'Huh? That's it?'

But all that was on the map was a single tree and a dot drawn with ink.

'Such a big map for so little detail?'

I was immensely disappointed.

Seeing my expression Samira sighed.

"That's all we really have."

I thought about it for a while before sighing.

'Is that the only answer right now?'

Switching avatar and trying to sense corruption.

Since my avatar seemed to have a constitution that suited mana, it would be possible to sense anomalies.

'Ughhh, is there another way?'

I continued thinking and looked at Alius for a while.

'He discovered everything so far, but when he did it disappeared....'

Now it was time to go into detective mode. Not that I had one.

"Where did you find all the traces?"

I asked Alius.

"Hmm, the first one was at an adventurer's board in Westray. Then I decided to ask people until I found an info merchant."

'Data brokers? I guess info merchant is technically correct as well.'

I chuckled slightly at the simplified name and let him continue.

"He told me that there have been a few reports of strange occurrences like that in dungeons. I decided to enter one and then I met with Samira. She had been searching for similar things for quite a while."

I nodded and looked at Samira.

'So she knew something was suspicious, but didn't have enough evidence?'

"I'll elaborate. My friends acted strange after completing some quests they even ended up hurting others. I was researching the reason why, and eventually I found out that it probably had something to do with disappearing items."

"Couldn't you report it?"

I asked confused.

"I tried but I didn't have enough solid proof. Except for this…"

Samira sighed and took something out of her backpack.

[Authority: Slash that purifies(none) is reacting!]

'Huh, I guess I should purify it?'

It was a seemingly regular dagger. But my authority said otherwise.

"This dagger was engraved with some strange words after one friend went mad. Alius didn't find anything strange with it. Do you feel anything?"

I nodded and was handed the dagger.

'It feels slimy.'

This dagger was weird.

[Obtained item: adventurer's dagger(D-)]

[Authority: Slash that purifies(none) detects corruption!]

[The description of adventurer's dagger(D-) has changed!]

Alius looked curiously at the dagger, it seems he also got a notification.

'So the system updates on both sides?'

[Corrupted dagger(B+)]

Effect: Passive skill [Power creep(A+)] become stronger with time.

Effect 2: With time your sanity will be taken by ?????????? to maintain effect 1 or you can offer sacrifices to maintain effect 1.

Description: Previously a standard issue dagger sold by the adventurer's guild. But now it has become more powerful due to the influence of ?????????? 

"This is dangerous. Give me a second."

I said to Samira before swinging it.

[Activating authority: Slash that purifies(none)]

*Swish!*

A golden light was emitted by the dagger while it was swung.

[Purifying item: corrupted dagger(B+)]

'As expected, it's getting purified.'

Its power was like an aura sword but different. Instead of simply containing or releasing power, this light radiated it like sunlight.

'A radiating light? Is that my authority?'

I briefly contemplated what my authority was.

I continued swinging the dagger until something caught my eye.

'I feel like I've seen that engravement before?'

I didn't remember it but it felt familiar.

"Huh? Tha-

"Throw the dagger!"

Alius also seemed to realize something was off and tried to warn me.

[Activating item effect: self destruction(?)]

*Splugtch!*

A disgusting sound was released from the dagger and someone's or something's eye appeared on it and stared at me.

'Shit! I have t-'

[Activating item effect: hostile take over(S-)]

My right hand was covered in some darkness, it didn't take long for my entire arm was consumed.

It reminded me of what happened to Raijin, perhaps this was something similar.

"Shit!"

Alius quickly got in a punching stance and practically teleported in front of me.

'It's as good as dead! I'll have to remove it before it grows further!'

[Activating authority: Slash that purifies(none)]

I tried to quickly take the threaded sword and slash my arm but I lost consciousness before that.

I couldn't even hear the punch Alius presumably threw.

[You have lost control of your avatar]

[Tip: Due to having multiple avatars you can switch between them in case one gets taken over by another entity or dies]

[Tip: Dead avatars regenerate after between 24 hour to 30 days]

[Do you wish to switch avatar?]

[Y/N]

'Oh shit.'

I looked shocked at the new messages and quickly said yes.

[Switching avatar....]

'What the hell's happening?'

*******

I woke up inside the forest of wishes.

The sun was still shining brightly. But if there was a difference it would be my running.

*Rustle!*

'What the hell was that? Do I have to fight myself? '

I was reminded of that gross eye that appeared and the darkness.

'Darkness, darkness, oh! It's definitely corruption! It was the same when Raijin was taken over!'

*Boom!*

*Creaak!*

*Thud!*

I heard a tree fall in the distance and immediately ran towards it.

"Crap! Wake up Kazumi! Urgh, Samira get the hell out of here already!"

There I heard Alius yelling.

"I can't just leave you two to fight! I know I'm not strong enough but at least I can dodge attacks!"

I saw Alius and Samira fighting, me?

'I look like a mess!'

"My" clothes were torn and "my" completely black hair was extremely messy. "My" eyes were also completely black.

'I have to kill it!'

I quickly ran towards "it" and punched it.

[Activating skill: Physical enhancement(D+)]

*Boom!*

"It" blocked with its sword. No, it blocked with my sword.

"W-who are you!?"

Samira asked while yelling.

'Yeah I switched bodies didn't I?'

But I didn't have time to think.

*Swish!*

It slashed extremely quickly towards my throat.

'Ah, t-'

I should've been more careful.

*Clank!*

"Oi! Can you try not to meddle in our business!"

Alius in that short moment came in between us and blocked its attack.

'He was this fast?!'

He was displaying an incredible level of power just by getting in between us in that short moment.

"Sorry about that but he's also my business!"

After I said that I saw Alius visibly flinch and look at me.

'Huh? Did I say something weird?'

It felt like a misunderstanding was created.

*Grr!*

I quickly created distance and glared at it.

"Alright fine! Do you have a plan!?"

Alius quickly got behind it and asked.

"Not yet! Give me a second!"

I quickly checked my skills and authorities.

Authority: [Slash that purifies(none)] [Slash that protects people(none)] 

Avatar skills: [Swordsmanship(C+)] [Swordsman's blade(C)] [Mana circulation(D)] [Physical enhancment(D+)], [Mana sensing(A-)], [Mana breathing(D-)], [Mana cultivation(C)], [Cooking(D-)]

'Crap, I don't have any proper attack skills!'

*Splugtch!*

While thinking it created an eye on "my" forehead.

'That's still disgusting. I-'

It stared directly at me.

"Ah."

[You have been affected by corruption!]

'This?!'

I immediately activated my title's effect.

[Activating title effect: Saviour of corruption(EX+)!]

[Authority: Slash that purifies(none) is resisting!]

[The corruption has been removed!]

'Ah, mana breathing!'

"Cough! I need a weapon!"

I coughed out some unknown black liquid and yelled while looking at it.

[Activating skill: Mana breathing(D-)]

[Accumulating mana....]

*Swish!*

"Do you have a plan!?"

Alius asked as he dodged an attack. His speed was still incredible and it seemed that it was the same for his attacks.

But maybe due to not wanting to injure "Kazumi" he hadn't seriously injured it.

"Yes I have a plan!"

'Charge up a bunch of mana and destroy it.'

I had to try and purify or remove the corruption. But I needed firepower.

"Over here!"

Samira yelled as she threw something towards me.

'This, is a dagger.'

[Activating skill: Physical enhancement(D+)]

I enhanced my hand and caught the knife.

"Argh! Ahh!!"

Meanwhile "it" screamed loudly.

[You have been exposed to corruption!]

[Activating title effect: Saviour of corruption(EX+)!]

[Authority: Slash that purifies(none) is resisting!]

[Accumulating mana...]

"Are you two alright-?!"

I was about to look around but "its" eye was looking at me ominously.

I got an immense sense of Deja vu and quickly put up a defensive stance.

"Haa, haa, what the-"

*Boom!*

*Swosh!*

Suddenly a massive burst of wind was released from it.

'Shit, it's stronger.'

I was quickly pushed back and used a tree to stop myself.

[Accumulating mana...]

[You have been exposed to corruption!]

'Ah crap.'

My throat started heating up quickly and my senses dulled.

'I wanna throw up!'

[Activating title effect: Saviour of corruption(EX+)!]

[Authority: Slash that purifies(none) is resisting!]

I continued absorbing mana even though I also absorbed corruption.

'I have to…. overwhelm it.'

[Corruption has affected your body!]

[Accumulating mana...]

I started losing strength and nearly fell over.

'How is Alius doing?'

I looked at Alius fighting.

His expression was grim. He briefly looked at me as if asking if I had an answer.

'Alright, I have enough mana.'

"Damnit, let's start."

I forced my body to move and started running towards it.

[Activating authority: Slash that purifies(none)!]]

[Activating authority: Slash that protects people(none)!]

[Activating title effect: Saviour of corruption(EX+)!]

[Resisting corruption!]

[Accumulating mana...]

The plan was simple. Kill "it".

"Alius distract it!"

I yelled while running towards the disgusting three eyed abomination.

Its arms have grown bigger, the sword was missing and its hair was moving as if alive.

It was quite frankly, disgusting.

"You have a plan now right?!"

Alius yelled while punching away its hair, along with some trees.

*Boom!*

"Yeah I do! I have a skill to remove it from him!"

Its eye locked on to me. 

'Shit.'

A light shockwave was released towards me.

Although my intuition doubted that it was just that simple.

'It contains corruption!'

I immediately swung the dagger to cut the shockwave.

[Activating authority: Slash that purifies(none)]

I was slightly pushed back but didn't get affected otherwise.

'I can still cut it!'

I ran forward again without stopping almost closing the distance.

'Just die already!'

But then I flinched.

'What are you doing here?'

"Huh? Why are you attacking me? Did I do something wrong?"

In front of me stood Samira looking at me confused.

Yeah, there was no way she could resist the corruption for long.

She was definitely under the corruptions control.

'Shi-'

Before I could pull myself together something hit me.

*Thud.*

It wasn't powerful. It was a soft breeze, but I felt weak.

'Ah, it was all voluntary right?'

I was a fool.

'Why did I reject it?'

I grinned and tried to get up.

'Why am I doing this? Why am I fighting something that has infinite power?'

"Hahaha, I'm such a fool."

I laughed lightly and took out my items.

'I don't need them. It's all going to end now.'

[Dropping: Wolf core(C)]

A useless core that was only C rank. Pathetic.

[Dropping: Suspicious mushrooms(?)]

Useless mushrooms, why did I even hold onto them?

[Dropping: medicinal herbs (F+) 29x]

My natural regeneration would do better then these weeds.

[Dropping: Berries(F) 32x]

I'm not hungry.

I hesitated slightly when it came to the last item.

[Legendary sword shards(S+) 5x]

'Who am I?'

I asked myself that question while looking at "something."

-You're you.