Nathan felt like he was swimming in the deep end for the first time. That sinking sensation when your feet gradually leave the sloped bottom, inching further until water rises past your chin. He remembered placing one foot too far, causing his entire body to flounder as water rushed into his nose. In that single moment, the suffocation sent him into panic—arms flailing, mind spinning.

This moment was no different. Even breathing required him to make his body remember this basic function.

Within minutes, waves of realization crashed through his mind. He'd only been in Emberwood for two days, yet the place seemed ready to implode. And now he was trapped amidst this massive upheaval. Instead of a swimming pool spanning just a few square meters, he'd been thrown into a raging storm, becoming merely a droplet swept along by the current.

He recalled Gideon seemed to have something he wanted to ask. A reason for inviting Nathan to join the mission. A detail left unspoken to clarify things.

The village's past remained unverified. The villagers lived so isolated that information was frustratingly sparse and ambiguous. Nothing was clear. It only took one encounter with [Poison Processing] to pierce the veil.

With more time and thorough investigation, things wouldn't have escalated so rapidly.

While Nathan fretted, Qingfeng suddenly collapsed, clutching her chest and groaning in pain.

"What's wrong?" Nathan knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

The heat radiating through her clothes startled him.

Qingfeng writhed, her body contracting, unable to speak.

Nathan panicked, unsure what to do.

As a precaution, he'd given her the antidote stored in his spatial ring. Since the exact toxin remained unknown, this was his only option. He'd thoroughly neutralized what was already in her system before analysis. Yet he still couldn't determine what afflicted his teammate.

One thing was certain, his approach had failed. Trying additional remedies would serve no purpose.

Qingfeng coughed dryly, her breathing constricted, eyes wild. Her hair began to sway as mana leaked from her body.

Seeing smoke rising from her form, Nathan remembered how Darkan had once examined his body.

"I'm sorry," he said through gritted teeth.

He clasped his hands together, coating them with mana, and directly touched her neck. Through spirit vision, he saw strange smoke-like emissions. They resembled mana out of control, yet different, as if infused with some foreign element.

He exhaled sharply, moving his hand downward to place it directly on Qingfeng's chest.

His spirit vision made him shudder.

Qingfeng's Mana Core was being enveloped by a dark energy. It contaminated the mana she produced and showed signs of corroding deeper.

Nathan was dumbfounded again.

Why was he unaffected while Qingfeng had such an extreme reaction? He concluded the poison hadn't had time to wreak havoc in his system to produce this black substance. But Qingfeng—due to his oversight—had only received the antidote after questioning and night watch. By then, enough time had passed for lasting damage.

While contemplating this, he failed to notice the dark smoke escaping Qingfeng's body and lunging toward him.

By the time he realized he was infected, it was too late.

He released the girl, falling back. Frantically, he touched himself, as though that gesture held some meaning.

Using spirit vision, he observed his internal world.

To his astonishment, his core remained uncontaminated and unaffected. The black smoke had been separated by the black hole. On one side lay his core; on the other, tiny black particles swarmed.

When he attempted to bring his spirit closer, these black particles didn't cause discomfort but instead created a strange, inexplicable affinity. It felt like a fundamental aspect of existence he'd only now encountered for the first time.

He tried directing this strange entity, and it obediently complied. Looking at his rotating core, he wondered why it resided here. Neither the Lunar Shadow mark nor his contract with Argentius shared this space with this lake of stars. They each had their own domains.

But now wasn't the time to explore this mystery. Qingfeng's pain intensified. She couldn't even moan anymore—her body rigid, blood vessels darkening, lips turning pale, sweat drenching her skin.

Nathan extended his hand, imagining the way he absorbed mana and essence for cultivation, activating his absorption mechanism with tremendous force. The dark energy multiplying inside Qingfeng was captured and violently drawn into his body. He'd intended to keep it outside, but when suspended, it would either attack him or return to Qingfeng, so complete absorption was his only option.

After a minute, Qingfeng stopped convulsing. Her body softened, muscles and joints no longer contorting as though she'd stepped out of a possession horror film.

Nathan was still examining the floating black particles inside his body when Qingfeng weakly whispered.

"What happened?"

"I don't know," Nathan turned to reply, offering her water to recover. Her mana seemed depleted by the recent ordeal. "Now's not the time for this conversation. I need to return to the village immediately."

Qingfeng struggled to sit up, speaking with a parched voice.

"We have orders to wait for reinforcements. A police unit with a Tier 3 is on the way. Inner Sect Disciples too. Acting rashly will jeopardize everything!"

"But the kids, Qingfeng," Nathan said, his face contorted.

The girl froze at his words, as if reliving her recent nightmare. After a few seconds, she spoke urgently.

"What do you mean? Could this be happening to them too?"

"It could be even worse," Nathan replied grimly.

"Then go," Qingfeng didn't hesitate. "Go and try to save them. I'd only be a burden following behind. I'll guide reinforcements to you when they arrive."

Nathan nodded, springing to his feet.

To Qingfeng's amazement, Nathan vanished using Night Walker from Lunar Shadow's skill orb. He'd been continuously absorbing lunar essence from the beginning. Now it sufficed for his needs.

He avoided using Cloud Glider, fearing the plump bird would alert their enemies. A stealthy approach was essential.

Qingfeng heard no explanation, only seeing dirt and rocks flying upward as they were struck by an immense force.

Nathan leaped into the night, returning to Emberwood.

Before the ancient, revered shrine of Emberwood, all villagers had gathered in the spacious courtyard.

Their faces were fervent, eyes gleaming. Hands clasped, they muttered words that weren't their everyday language. All gazed at the withered, twisted tree piercing the roof. They prayed to their deity.

Only Gideon seemed lost. Standing before the crowd, he felt bewildered. Nearly a thousand people chanted incomprehensible words. Though born and raised here, he'd never heard of special scriptures for Emberwood's deity. Comparing this deity to stories he'd heard, it was hardly different from a Tier 2 Cultivator.

He looked toward Meida, but her eyes remained fixed on the tree. Lamplight and newly lit torches flickered across her wrinkled face.

She was avoiding Gideon.

Realizing the woman who had raised him wouldn't budge, he looked at others he'd met since arriving. People who had embraced him, welcomed him. Taru, the friend Gideon had reluctantly questioned because of their shared past. He was kneeling now, showing more fervor than anyone. Meave and Farras were equally dramatic—waving arms, shouting loudly, spittle flying with each word.

And the children. Their drowsy, vacant faces. They didn't understand what was happening or why they'd been pulled from warm beds. Yet instead of tugging at adults' clothes with questions, they were unnaturally obedient. Just standing there, curiously watching everything. As if this had been planned, prepared for by parents and elders.

As if tonight had been foretold.

Even a fool would sense something was wrong. Gideon trembled as he turned toward the frail but steadfast figure he'd always known—the man who had been his pillar, his guide, the hand extended to bring him home when he had nowhere else. When everyone turned against him, this seemingly weak person had been his support.

"Elder An," Gideon spoke hesitantly.

"Shut your mouth, ungrateful wretch!" Elder An's voice carried none of the frailty it had shown in recent days. Instead, it rang with vigor, defiance, and decisiveness.

Gideon froze, his entire body shaking involuntarily. He wanted to speak but gulped cold air, nearly choking as he forced down words that reached his throat. He feared his last shred of hope would simply vanish.

Without turning, the village head muttered, hands waving erratically.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Where did it go wrong? What went wrong? Was it that meddling boy? But how did he know? How did he force me to use the master's proxy only to have everything fall apart? And why did the master insist? Because that boy needed eliminating? Even so, sacrificing a spirit beast that way only made the plan harder to control."

Elder An suddenly stiffened, hurriedly bowing toward the tree.

"Forgive me." His voice lost its authority, gaining a servile tone. "Who am I to dare evaluate your decisions, master? I am a servant who will follow your every noble and powerful command."

Gideon stood straighter, stepping forward. Whatever was happening, he had to intervene.

"Elder An." He summoned his courage. "Tell me what's going on."

The village head turned, his cloudy eyes clearing. His face seemed younger by a decade. His back straightened into an unyielding posture. His black and white hair fluttered in the night breeze.

"You have no right to demand or command," Elder An sneered, flicking his fingernail dismissively. "But I'm too angry to send you peacefully on your final journey. I want to torment you further by telling you."

Gideon suddenly wanted to cover his ears and flee. He wasn't stupid. For nearly twenty years, he'd imagined every possible scenario in his mind. Every single one. But he'd refused to accept them. He'd wanted Emberwood's beauty untainted by his persistent doubts.

Then Elder An's words pierced through every defense Gideon had constructed. His inner soul, only protected by pieced-together broken glass, shattered completely.

"You were merely a tool," Elder An said coldly. "We never loved you. Did you think I could forgive you when your parents killed my daughter? Never. I had to be first in line for the chance to strangle you while you were still small."

Gideon's face turned ashen, his body going limp, barely able to stand.

"It can't be." He refused to accept.

Elder An turned to one side, looking into empty space.

"Well, young man? Will you just stand there watching your friend being humiliated without doing anything?"

Gideon wearily turned his head to see Nathan stepping out from darkness, surrounded by a white haze.

"You truly are talented," Elder An mocked. "Causing us nothing but unnecessary trouble."

"You flatter me," Nathan replied coldly.

"So what now? You've returned to save these people? To save that animal?"

"If I'm judging you correctly, haven't you prepared for this?"

"Clever boy." Elder An nodded, smirking. "If you act, I'll immediately kill everyone. You're quick and skilled, but not enough to stop me from doing that."

Nathan gritted his teeth, forced to remain perfectly still, not daring to move.

He had entered the dark using Night Walker. He'd thought he could use it to infiltrate and launch a surprise attack. Then his passive skill once again prevented him from acting rashly.

Triggered [Tingling Sense]. One credit given.

Triggered [Adrenaline Boost]. One credit given.

Triggered [Tingling Sense] x 10...

Triggered [Adrenaline Boost] x 10...

From the moment he entered the village, he'd been trapped, regardless of being invisible to others.

"Very good," Elder An applauded. "Consider it a bonus to have another audience for my old man's story. Let me tell you, Nathan, how much disruption you've caused."

Nathan immediately messaged Qingfeng, warning that the situation was escalating uncontrollably. She absolutely must not approach, only wait for reinforcements.

Gideon collapsed to his knees with a thud against the ancient stone floor. His gaze toward Elder An was shattered, all light extinguished in an instant. From childhood to adulthood, he'd always clung to the ledges of a deep pit, climbing upward, only to be kicked back down by the person he trusted most upon reaching the surface.

Nathan looked at the young man, unable to say anything. He could understand why someone would become so helpless, but claiming true empathy would be hypocritical. This was something he couldn't even dream of experiencing—a twisted confrontation, a cruel enjoyment of fate.

"That's right, break down all you want. To pieces is best," Elder An said contemptuously. "I've endured all these years. Each time I saw you, I wanted to gouge out my own eyes. Every time you touched me, I had to use the strongest cleansers until my skin burned. You! You! Wretched existence. Abomination!"

Spittle flew everywhere, landing on Gideon's vacant face like putrid tears.

Nathan grimaced at the scene, his mind desperately seeking a solution while updating Qingfeng on the situation.

The support team would arrive soon.

"The irony," Elder An continued, pointing at Gideon. "You possess wood-aspect mana, compatible with our master." He flung his arm backward toward the gnarled branches sketching crooked patterns against the night canvas. "None of us have it, nor the strength to reach Tier 2. So I was ordered to keep you alive, to let you grow, open your spirit world, and bring you back here. Back here for your final judgment."

From Elder An's sleeve emerged a small writhing creature. Its bright red and black shell glistened under lamplight and fire. Its mouth lifted, baring mandibles now only finger-sized.

"It—" Nathan stammered.

"Our deity," Elder An snapped. "Show some respect."

Nathan went rigid. He continuously used spirit vision to monitor the children who remained oblivious.

"This is why you exist, Gideon," Elder An said. "The master allowed you to live until now, to experience love from everyone. Now, it's time to repay that kindness."

"I... I... will be the host?" Gideon uttered lifelessly.

"Exactly! From now on, you'll truly live with our care and affection. This entire village is tired of pretending you're the golden boy everyone loves. Taru, your friend. We arranged a different father for him to hide from you that his real father was killed that cursed night."

Gideon trembled, turning toward the young man chanting with the most fervor and devotion.

"Nobody in this village loves you, Gideon," Elder An laughed. "Not even Meida. Her daughter was slaughtered before her eyes. Taking you in, I worried her hatred would consume her. But that woman complicated things by speaking with that troublemaker."

Nathan narrowed his eyes at being mentioned, not feeling particularly pressured. What truly weighed on him were the lives around him. The enemy knew this and continued toying with him relentlessly.

"Mom..." Gideon moaned. "This can't be true!"

"Nothing could be truer." Elder An spread his arms wide. "We should have waited longer. But no matter. Everything we needed to do is done. Hundreds of years of preparation for this day. Our deity will descend. And in him, we shall live forever."

"In him?" Nathan asked warily.

"Young one," the village head said cheerfully. "What do you think we're doing?"

"A sacrifice," Nathan realized.

He had no more time. Reality was unfolding before him, regardless of his disbelief. Emberwood was a cult site with fanatical worshippers and a leader evil enough to lead everyone down a path of destruction.

The poison was unique, Nathan had determined after analysis. Once fully transformed, no antidote could neutralize it. None of his information identified its source, suggesting it likely originated from somewhere mysterious—the source of this cult.

He stepped forward, asking fearfully.

"At least release the children!"

"No!" Elder An roared. "The deity needs all necessary nourishment tonight. They were born for this moment. They're living with purpose."

"You beast!" Nathan raged, then tried reasoning. "How much can children contribute? Take me instead, release them. Let me take this position."

Elder An curled his lip, bemused.

Gideon beside him still mumbled, immobile.

Then the village head laughed loudly, his long, loose hair shaking wildly.

"You want that badly, don't you?" His voice screeched unpleasantly. "But I refuse! What will you do if I don't let you?"

Nathan remained silent, gathering strength in his legs. Everything from mana to passive skills to berserker mode required just a thought.

A painful, childish cry rose behind him.

Turning, he saw the child who had appeared at the doorway two days before writhing on the ground, his condition mirroring Qingfeng's.

"Stop!" Nathan shouted.

"Don't be rash, young man," Elder An said calmly. "Though I'm weak, my deity watches you always."

The small centipede wiggled its mandibles as if gloating over forcing Nathan's compliance.

"How strange," the village head tilted his head thoughtfully, addressing Nathan as the centipede leaned in the same direction. "You're quite peculiar. That short girl must have suffered from our deity's essence, which explains her absence. But why are you unharmed? You were always cautious, yet still drank the water we provided?"

Nathan remained silent, letting his opponent monologue.

"Oh!" Elder An straightened. "That night, the flaw in our plan. Damn it all! The plan didn't include you, so we never considered you're a chef. Your tongue must be sensitive enough to detect poison, yes?"

The centipede perched on his shoulder nodded as if approving the analysis.

"So you called Gideon back just for this?" Nathan spoke, trying to buy time.

"What else?" Elder An replied. "Never expected two companions. Verdant Spire Sect is truly troublesome. Other sects send one person for such trivial matters. Yet three arrive. Don't you know that's wasteful?"

"You needn't teach a Tier 5 how to work," Nathan snorted.

"Indeed," the village head clicked his tongue. "But I enjoy complaining. To stop you, the deity sacrificed a proxy yet still failed. You forced us to accelerate our timeline, reaching this point."

"Don't speak as if these people die because of me," Nathan growled.

"Oh, not at all." Elder An waved dismissively. "Without you, they'd still die. It's our duty."

Nathan couldn't use [Bad Juju] now. Otherwise, he'd grasp at that tiny percentage to find a loophole. He truly didn't know what more to do.

"A righteous young man, isn't he, master?" Elder An stroked the centipede's shell. "Still trying even now. Naive, truly naive. The plan to bring Gideon back was hastily created and implemented. Hence the flaws you exploited. But resurrecting our deity has spanned centuries. Do you think we'd allow errors?"

Then, Elder An pointed in one direction. Looking closely, it was where Qingfeng waited.

"Reinforcements," the village head said coldly. "I know full well."

Hearing this, Nathan's face fell, truly feeling helpless. He was back in Maelivar's square, completely restrained. Though he now possessed the greatest power here, invisible chains still wound around him.

Gideon finally managed to interject.

"That night," he said weakly. "My parents weren't bandits."

"Oh?" Elder An feigned surprise. "You remember now?"

"They happened upon this village, learned it worshipped something evil, and intervened. But you relentlessly blocked them, forcing them to kill. You forced them."

Elder An spat on Gideon's head.

"Don't twist concepts." Elder An's voice thundered across the courtyard. "They shouldn't have meddled in others' affairs, should have just left. Damn it! If not for them, we'd have reached paradise long ago."

This time, Nathan was the one who became vacant. He lowered his head toward Gideon, who was utterly broken despite remaining unharmed. Wearing villagers' clothing, Gideon looked smaller and weaker. The embodiment of a tragic life.

"That day," Gideon spoke to no one in particular, "when fighting Nathan, I saw a terrifying manifestation. A figure shrouded in darkness and blood. Something hideous and putrid."

Nathan started, his mind reviewing every encounter with Gideon.

[Internal Trauma].

That was the skill Nathan acquired before being matched against Gideon. The staff-wielding young man had fought valiantly, his chances of victory high despite Nathan possessing [Martial Arts Mastery] and [Titan's Descendant]. But in the final moment, Gideon lost control, becoming fearful and causing his own defeat. No one realized Nathan had induced a hallucination with [Internal Trauma].

What disturbed Nathan more was how such an incident had triggered today's event. This must be one reason Gideon invited him specifically. The desire to understand the terrifying vision in his nightmare, to identify what or who that entity was, had compelled Gideon to contact Nathan. If not seeking truth, then seeking healing.

Passive System, what are you? Nathan wondered bitterly. The system's name seemed to describe not just skills but his entire life. Passive and forced.

Then he realized there must be a reason for everything to unfold this way. A plan within a plan. By someone—he didn't need to know who. He needed to solve this.

"It was you." Gideon raised his head, saliva streaming down from his tangled hair. "Elder An, it was you?"

The tone shifting to a question at the end made Elder An smile even broader.

"Finally remembered? No lightning or deity struck. I used the deity's power to kill your parents."

The village head's face relaxed, eyebrows curving upward. He was reliving that glorious moment with supreme satisfaction.

"Their pleas still echo in my ears." Elder An began mimicking. "'Spare the kid!', 'Let him go, please!', 'We're sorry!', 'Don't hurt our child!'. On and on and on. Truly tiresome."

Gideon jumped up, eyes burning red. Only now did he truly weep. Tears for his life and his parents. Ironically, he had to kneel again unwillingly.

The poison had fully permeated his body.

When Nathan moved to intervene, children's cries again stopped him.

"The time has come," Elder An announced. "You think you're stalling, Nathan? I'm the one doing that."

Stunned for a second, Nathan turned in horror. By now, everyone knelt. They convulsed uncontrollably, mouths agape, releasing black smoke.

"What now?" the village head gestured, black smoke also emanating from him as he continued addressing Nathan. "Before departing, I want to shatter your mind too, young man. I can only control the poison in one or two people. Had you acted earlier and been willing to sacrifice a few lives, I would have failed. How's that? Proud of your stupidity and indecision?"

Nathan advanced, roaring.

"You fucker!"

"Nathan!" Gideon shouted nearby.

Nathan ignored him, continuing forward, but a shockwave sent him flying backward. Using all his [Amplifying Strike], [Flowing Strikes], risking 33% Berserker, he still couldn't close the distance.

"You have to stop them," Gideon struggled to say. "They're demons!"

Before Nathan's astonished eyes, the centipede shot like lightning into Gideon's mouth.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.