Shortcut to hell? [III]

Among the stack of explosives I had given her, I had hidden one special concoction—a powdery compound so volatile, so dangerously potent, it could tear through an entire section of the valley. It wasn't just any explosive.

This one was my masterpiece, a creation I had refined over time, a disaster waiting to happen. I knew it would be catastrophic, and I was certain it would make its mark.

Chang Li would never know, not unless she tried to use it. To her, they were all just explosives—tools to survive the bandit raid. But I knew better. I had infused that one with a higher concentration of volatile ingredients, and the effect would be far beyond anything she'd expect.

She'd only find out when it was already too late. But for now, she was still unaware of the gift I had send.

I leaned back in my chair, allowing a small, satisfied smile to tug at the corners of my mouth. I'd used up most of my savings for this.

The potions, the materials, everything. But it didn't matter. There was no feeling of regret, no lingering doubt.

I felt... joy.

It was the only thing that made sense in this chaotic world—focusing on one thing, one goal, and manipulating everything around me.

I had made the first move, and with it, I had ensured that at least a small crack would appear in the smooth surface of the story. I had changed something, disrupted the flow, and as long as I could keep doing that, I would find a way to take control of my fate.

I knew it wouldn't be easy. Maybe Aron would convince her to join his so-called hero team.

I couldn't predict everything, but at least I'd made it harder for him. And that was enough for now.

As long as I could disturb the narrative, I would keep pushing. I wasn't just going to wait for the story to unfold.

I would change it, corrupt it, tear it apart from within. There would be a time when Aron, with all his so-called destiny, would deviate from his path.

And when that time came, I would be there, ready to take everything from him.

But just as I allowed myself to revel in my plans, something changed. A sharp, burning sensation spread across my vision.

I grimaced, my body instinctively tensing in response to the pain. For a moment, it felt like my very soul was being pulled in different directions, and the world around me seemed to warp and twist.

I staggered to the mirror, my breath shallow. Staring at my reflection, I saw it.

My left eye was no longer its normal color. It had changed, the iris now a deep, unsettling shade of purple. And as I focused on it, I could see something else—something that wasn't there before.

The flow of mana.

I could see it—rippling and twisting through the air, like an invisible current. It was as though the world itself had revealed its hidden thread to me, a secret I hadn't been meant to understand.

A blessing, perhaps. But I knew better. This was no simple gift.

This was a temptation.

I clenched my jaw, trying to push the thoughts aside. The more I used this newfound power, the more corrupted my soul would become. I could feel it, deep down. The more I allowed myself to sink into this power, the more I would lose myself to it.

The devils tempted me with power, with knowledge. But at what cost?

I had to be careful.

But I had no intention of turning back. Not now. Not after everything I'd sacrificed. My resolve hardened.

I would keep pushing forward. The corruption... it would have to wait. For now, I had work to do.

The group of caravan creaked and groaned as it made its way through the rocky, one-way pass carved into the towering mountains.

Chang Li rode near the front, leading her mercenary team. Her sharp eyes scanned the jagged cliffs above, her instincts screaming danger. She kept her voice steady as she issued quiet orders, ensuring her team was ready for any sudden attacks.

The path was narrow, barely wide enough for the caravan's wagons to squeeze through single file. Steep cliffs loomed on either side, their jagged edges casting eerie shadows in the fading light. It was a trap waiting to be sprung, with no escape except forward into the valley or back the way they came—neither option promising safety.

A faint rustle echoed from above, and Chang Li's stomach twisted. "Ambush!" she shouted, drawing her blade.

The attack came with brutal precision. From above, arrows rained down, while hulking, golem-like monsters leapt from the cliffs, their massive forms shaking the earth. Chaos erupted as her mercenaries drew their weapons, forming a defensive perimeter around the wagons.

Chang Li's heart pounded as she slashed at a bandit who had leapt from the rocks. "Hold the line!" she bellowed, her voice cutting through the cacophony of battle. Her crew fought valiantly, but they were outnumbered and overwhelmed.

When the first wagon went up in flames, she realized their position was untenable. "Fall back to the choke point!" she commanded, her tone sharp and unwavering.

The survivors regrouped at the narrowest part of the pass, the cliffs looming like prison walls on either side. The monsters closed in, and the bandits tightened their grip, their cruel laughter echoing ominously.

"Explosives!" she ordered, pulling a handful of glowing vials from her satchel—the potions Vendel had entrusted to her. There was no time to question their potency.

Her second-in-command, Tarek, grabbed one and hurled it at the advancing bandits. The explosion tore through the ground, sending bodies flying and buying precious seconds.

"Keep throwing!" Chang Li shouted, her voice hoarse. One by one, the mercenaries lobbed the vials at their attackers. Each explosion shook the cliffs, dislodging rocks and collapsing sections of the path.

But it wasn't enough. The monsters were relentless, and the bandits were too many. Chang Li's jaw clenched as she reached for another explosive—a vial unlike the others, its dark hue setting it apart.

"Chang, that one…" Tarek began, but she silenced him with a glare.

"It doesn't matter. Throw it!" she snapped, her voice steady despite the chaos. She hurled the vial at the largest monster—a towering beast with razor-sharp claws.

The resulting explosion was unlike anything she had ever witnessed. A deafening roar echoed through the valley as the ground trembled violently. A massive section of the cliff collapsed, burying the monster and a dozen bandits under tons of rubble. The shockwave knocked everyone off their feet, and for a moment, the world was silent.

When the dust settled, Chang Li staggered to her feet. The narrow pass was choked with debris, completely blocking the path. The surviving bandits fled, their morale shattered, while the monsters lay dead or dying.

She turned to her crew, her chest heaving. "Is anyone left?"