Inside the Humming Damned Forest, a man seems to be hunting cursed creatures.
But unlike a mere hunter, his attire was too regal and grandiose.
Ever since his conversation with Elder Tilrith last night, Rex has been inside the forest to hunt as many cursed creatures as he can and put them inside the Jar of Malice where their cursed energy will be amplified for him to absorb later.
Growl!
Sensing malice from above, he brandished his sword, cutting a cursed squirrel into two.
<Killed a mid-sixth rank cursed creature, obtained 9,000,000 Exp!>
Due to the red force that was covering his body, the squirrel's blood didn't reach him.
After killing the cursed squirred leaping at him from a tree, he then raises the sword in his head that is shimmering with red hue before nodding his head in acknowledgment. 'Not bad, it hasn't even shown any sign of breaking yet'
Earlier this morning, he heard that the first batch of weapons was made.
Rex decided to try one out and he was not disappointed.
Under Dindora's supervision alongside permission from Adhara, the people that have decided to contribute to work in the forgery managed to produce their very first batch of weapons made of Red Prudian that he supplied.
For simplicity, it will be called the first version of Prudian Arms.
<Prudian Sword - Imperfect>
A deep-red sword that has remarkable metal composition, granting an ethereal lightness without compromising on its resolute strength. Its edge, curved and hone to perfection, is capable of cleaving through even the most impervious obstacles.
Properties: +7,000 Strength and Agility stats, and Heat Resonance
Imperfections of the sword exist due to the inexperienced blacksmiths, and it's fine.
Having to use the sword for hours and hours already, it doesn't seem like it was about to break any time soon. Rex doesn't mind this for the first batch, this will at least help strengthen his army.
But the product is too high-quality, and weaker guards wouldn't be able to wield it.
Despite not being made by any mana, moonlight energy instead, the Red Prudian materials still contain some resemblance of mana. It contains heat energy, and this made those weaker than the sixth-rank realm unable to wield it.
Currently, the blacksmiths were trying to figure out to lower the product quality.
In addition, some of the strong Awakened were the ones axing down the trees for materials.
Aside from weapons and armor that the forgery needs to produce, farming tools also needed to be made to make farming more effective. Humming Damned Forest provided a great place to get materials to make those tools.
Swoosh!
Opening the Jar of Malice the size of his hand, it shot energy that pulverized the squirrel.
Upon turning it into cursed energy, the jar absorbed it all.
"Royal Black Prince, you need to hurry up. It's been set, and we don't know how many chances we would get before the Executor realized" Appearing like a spectral, the Witch of Chaos manifested beside him.
Not even glancing at the Witch, Rex shrugged, "Then help me rather than nagging, Witch"
"I already told you, the only way I could help you is if I could stimulate the Eternal Curse inside of you. The Eternal Curse is a two-headed coin, that Vampire, Princess Calidora needs to be close with you. But she's not here now is she?" the Witch said for the third time this day.
Certainly, hearing her say that over and over again annoyed Rex a bit.
Rex still ponders her sudden departure back, and it has been stuck in his mind ever since.
But then again, there was nothing he could do.
Just before he passes out, he already specifically told Calidora to stay until he wakes up. In truth, at that time, Rex even finds it unnecessary to tell her that, expecting her to always be with him to win his attention.
However, he was wrong. She left when he was unconscious.
'She's making me crazy...'
Even the thought of Calidora alone makes his head throb, she was a lost cause, an enigma that couldn't be understood. Rex thought that he already grasped her motives, yet she does the complete opposite.
Massaging his forehead, he then sighs, "Can't you at least gather the cursed creatures?"
Remaining silent, the Witch instead moved her hands in a pattern of chants.
A vortex of cursed energy materialized around her, coalescing into a crystalline core. Soon enough, a maroon crystal took shape in front of the Witch before she gently planted it into the ground with a light motion of her hand.
Upon being planted in the ground, the crystal started pulsing in the surroundings.
It was akin to a beating heart.
Granting Rex's request to gather the cursed creatures, the Witch then turns around as her body gradually becomes translucent, "If you're done, take it out and give it back to me. Also, make sure to not wait until that jar is full and absorb the cursed energy. It'll tear your curse source if you're overwhelmed with cursed energy"
On the other hand, Rex looks around sensing many movements in the surroundings.
Seems like the crystal is taking its effect.
Just before she completely vanished once again into her Cursed Zone once again, she continues with a grim tone, reminding Rex of the stake of his predicament. "Remember, the Executor is unhinged. His ego is fragile. If he finds out before you reached the appropriate epiphany, then you can already imagine what would happen to her"
But instead of being pressured, Rex smile mischievously as he chuckled.
"Don't worry about that, the deception of the mind is a powerful thing. He won't realize it"
Pausing for a moment, the Witch eyed Rex from behind.
'I know that he's the best bet to defeat the Executor right now, even more so than the other awakened Supernatural Elders but... he scares me. Not only does he have power, but he also has the enigmatic wits to boast'
'Maybe I'll need to talk with the others, he's the next threat after the Executor...'
Upon thinking that, the Witch vanished from the spot.
Oblivious to her vision as she could only eye him from the back, Rex has a deranged smile on his face. His eyes remained fixed on the edge of his vision, a chilling glint in them, as if converting a silent message to the Witch.
'A grave mistake, Witch. An utterly... grave... mistake...'
<Killing Intent!>
The Witch of Chaos has harbored a malevolent intent toward the user! No being should dare cast their tainted desires upon the chosen bearer of invincibility. It falls upon the user's shoulders to ensure that those who transgress face severe retribution. Kill the Witch of Chaos or mete out a penalty equivalent or surpassing death itself!
Rex was not expecting a killing intent notification to appear.
As he readied himself to confront the encroaching cursed creatures lured by the crystal's pulsating allure, his mind was an empty canvas, dedicated solely to the impending battle. However, amidst his singular focus, a sole notification appeared.
It surprised him for a second before he quickly collected himself.
Despite not knowing what makes the Witch bore killing intent, it must happen right now.
Maybe something that he said earlier made the Witch want to change the dynamic of their mutually beneficial relationship into something else, a relationship where one stabs the other after reaching their goals.
But he has no high expectations for her, so he was ready for something like this to happen.
Growl!
Feeling a sense of elation inside of him, Rex charged forward.
Dozens of cursed creatures below the fifth epiphany came towards him, baring their damned claws and fangs from all sides. It doesn't faze Rex, he has always been attacked from all sides and this much is nothing.
Harnessing his red force, he managed to kill four of them with one powerful swing.
<Killed a mid-sixth rank cursed creature, obtained 8,750,000 Exp!>
<Killed an early-sixth-rank cursed creature, obtained 5,000,000 Exp!>
<Killed a mid-sixth rank cursed creature...>
<Killed an early-sixth...>
In addition, the remaining ones that were about to reach him has their hopes crushed when a sudden weight pressed down on their bodies. Alpha Bearing was activated, pinning the cursed creatures on the ground.
Not one of them was able to reach Rex, he was too powerful for them.
Rex could then leisurely kill them one by one easily and puts them into the Jar of Malice.
Although it was quite easy for him to do, as it was only the body that got suppressed by the First Breath, not the mind, the cursed creatures were still able to offer him a little surprise due to the uniqueness of their energies.
'The First Breath suppressed everything, beings and energy alike, right...?'
<Yes, the First Breath is a powerful suppression tool for the world>
'If that's the case, why are these cursed creatures only got weakened slightly?'
<Cursed creatures, or cursed energy is a unique power separated from the structural power of the world. It contains different properties and can be manipulated infinitely to do a myriad of things. Thus, even the First Breath couldn't properly suppress it>
'I know that they are unique, but not to this extent'
Shaking his head in aghast, Rex then glanced to the side as he sensed someone nearby.
"Flunra..."
"Yes, my Lord"
One call is all that he needs to instantly appeared from thin air.
Rex turns around to glance over at Flunra who was kneeling behind him, he then puts the Jar of Malice back into his inventory and asked with a raised brow, "I'm curious, have you told Adhara or Evelyn about our plans?"
"No, my Lord. Until you deemed it, I will not say anything" Flunra denied swiftly.
Upon hearing this Rex nodded his head.
Flunra's loyalty and strength have already been tested, but this situation also served as a litmus test for the extent of Rex's influence over him. And it seems, his influence prevails in the end as expected.
But by observing his response and countenance, it seems something happened.
It was quite apparent that an event had transpired while Rex is unconscious, 'I guess it was Evelyn that causes him to be like this. But just to be sure... System, between me and the Luna, which one has more influence over the pack members?'
<In a normal Werewolf pack, the Alpha has the most Authority Influence over the pack>
<Bit influence other than Authority Influence, the Luna triumphs over the Alpha as the pearl of the pack. Social influence, emotional influence, psychological influence, generational influence, and even religious influence has the Luna as their center>
'Okay, if it's my pack? Considering the authority you induced on the pack members?'
<Considering the System's influence over the user's pack members, the nature of the pack hasn't shifted much. In simpler terms, the Alpha has 40% influence over 60% of the Luna if she wields it correctly>
'Huh... is that so...?' Rex thought in surprise.
At the very least, he thought that he would have the upper hand in this pack dynamic.
However, his assumption proved incorrect.
The Lunar's influence remained paramount due to her position within the pack and the potency of her energy to influence. 'This makes it even more impressive. Enduring Evelyn's influence... As expected, Flunra's mental fortitude is very strong'
Nodding his head in acknowledgment secretly, Rex then averted his gaze away.
"How is the Slave Mark going? Have you cracked it yet?"
"It's harder than I thought, the Slave Mark is quite intricate and detailed. Ancient human magus proves to be quite intelligent, the Slave Mark is very difficult to copy much less tweaked"
"Okay, I'll meet you at night here. Keep hiding so that the others wouldn't be suspicious"
"Yes, my Lord"
Waving his hand lightly, Flunra then disappeared once again.
Rex's gaze turned towards Dargena City, his expression pensive. The thoughts of Adhara and Evelyn lingered in his mind. "Should Flunra return, they would undoubtedly ask questions on how Gistella got kidnapped. Both have shown signs of changing, but I still can't tell them. Revealing this now might trigger unnecessary reactions"
"For now, let's have Flunra stay out of the city" he thought before he started hunting again.
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