"You understand what I mean?"
*It nods.
"Haha, not bad. Maybe I'll be kind enough not to kill you once you're useless. Try to work hard."
*It nods again, this time with a clear expression of fear.
"...Haha..."
This sensation... The sensation of controlling another being, of holding their fate in the palm of my hand, is truly not bad. This is what true power feels like.
Suddenly, the calm, emotionless voice that had been my only companion so far rang in my mind.
"Huh?! What? Evolved?" I exclaimed, startled. "Is my deepest desire to control others?"
I paused for a moment, pondering the meaning of the answer. A mental change. Perhaps it was true. This world had changed me. The old me, who only wanted to survive, now had a desire to dominate. To no longer be the prey, but the predator. If this evolution was the fruit of that change, then it was no problem.
I don't care about the changes in my attitude or mind. The only thing that matters is power. Anyone who dares to block my path, or becomes a nuisance, will be destroyed without mercy.
"Hey, Fat Snake," I called out to the scaly creature walking beside me—a giant black snake that, somehow, for some reason, obeyed my commands. "Find monsters within a two-kilometer radius. If possible, don't kill them, just injure them or bring them directly here."
*It nodded, then sped off, its large body moving with surprising speed through the trees.
Seeing it disappear behind the leaves, an idea crossed my mind. I turned to the strange entity that was always with me.
"Libertas, is the Unique Skill: Manipulator only limited to living creatures?" I asked.
"Hmm, quite capable," I muttered, thinking of its potential. Manipulating energy and substances...
I focused my mind, summoning the magic energy around me. Instantly, a bright orange fireball appeared in my palm, dancing ferociously.
"Interesting..." I said, my curiosity piqued. "What if I add the overflowing energy from within me, this strange energy..."
I visualized the cold, dark undead energy within me, and then injected it into the fireball. In an instant, the orange flame changed. The bright fire faded, replaced by a deep crimson glow that looked terrifying, radiating an aura of darkness. The air around it felt heavy, filled with the scent of death and destruction.
I extinguished the Chaos Fire in my palm, feeling the power I had just discovered. I now understood. This skill not only gave me the ability to create and control fire, but also to combine different magical energies to create something new and more powerful.
Of course, I was aware of the limitations of my power. The greater the power I released, the greater the cost I would have to pay. For now, my main focus was to become stronger and survive. As Libertas said, manipulating souls was still beyond my reach. I had to train myself and gather more power.
The night in this barren land was truly silent, shrouded in deep darkness. The dark sky was dotted with twinkling stars and a faint crescent moon, creating a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere. The gentle night wind whispered among the dark trees, and the distant sounds of nocturnal animals added a magical, peaceful touch.
This world... is incredibly beautiful. Far more magnificent than my previous worlds.
I looked up, my heart filled with hope and longing. The stars twinkled softly, as if dancing across the vast sky, hinting at endless possibilities and dreams. My gaze swept over the unreachable beauty of nature, and in that silence, I felt a strong desire to break free from the shackles of life that bound me.
I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of my existence.
Two hours later, the Black Snake returned. It was dragging a bull-like creature that appeared to be severely injured. Its body was covered in bruises and scratches, its eyes filled with terror.
"Good job," I said with a satisfied voice. "And now..."
I raised my hand, a marble-sized ball of Chaos Fire shot towards the bull. Instantly, the Chaos Fire consumed it. The bull screamed, its voice filled with unimaginable suffering, before its body turned to black ash.
As the bull's body vanished, a mysterious strand of energy flowed into my body. It felt like a warm, radiant light that burned away the coldness of fear and doubt, breathing new life into my weary soul. With each drop of that energy, I felt an unexpected power rise from within me.
"Good job, Fat Snake," I said. "Hunt for more monsters like this."
Alright, let's continue. The path to power is still long.