Desperate cries echoed throughout the woods. They rang throughout the plains, stirring Cain as he slowly woke. He glanced around his surroundings groggily, searching for food. The only thing he found was Dresil at the edge of the cave, oddly staring at Hellion Forest. He asked about breakfast, but was hit with reality instead.
“Breakfast? It’s past noon Master. Don’t worry, our lunch will be heading towards us soon.” Dang, that didn’t sound spooky at all. Cain thought to himself sarcastically. Guess I’ll practice some. Let’s start with this annoying glow from Insect Eraser. I should probably disguise it well to not draw suspicion since it’ll be with me all the time.
Cain walked outside the root cave, blinded by the intense rays of afternoon sun. Oh, that reminds me. Are there still 24 hours in a day here? Cain sat down a few meters in front of Dresil and looked back to ask her about the time. He opened his mouth, about to ask the question, but before the words could escape Dresil responded, “Yes Master, there are 24 hours in a day.”
That’s good, that would mean I just slept close to 12 hours again. Wait, did she just read my mind? I thought she could only do that if her roots are implanted in someone. Oooh, should I try reading minds without an implant? I’ll have to make a mental note to start that experiment later.
Still attempting to wipe away the drowsiness, Cain began to meditate while focusing on the Insect Eraser at his feet. I can disguise my mana to look like natural mana since it has no distinct element. As for the glow, I should be able to just toggle it on and off. It might need a hint of shadow magic though. The problem is mimicking the flow of natural mana…
Meh, let’s just toss some stuff together and see what works. When in doubt, use trial and error. Cain edited the details of Insect Eraser, causing massive shifts in the glyphs along the edges. New symbols replaced those that faded out of existence, old replaced the new. They were constantly rearranged as the circle dimmed, blinded, and disappeared occasionally.
Once he was satisfied, Cain used the mana within his eyes to inspect the artificial flow of natural mana and compare it to his method of disguise. Hmm… Needs some ironing out but should fool most people who don’t have a keen sense. Next is detection magic. I really want to know how far away my lunch is… Wait, what even is for lunch?
Cain closed his eyes again and began pulsing his mana in a 20-meter radius. His notes back at it again, needlessly bringing information to light, simply for future reference.
If I treat this method as a type of echolocation with my mana being the soundwaves, I should get some results. The problem is being able to convert what happens into interpretable information.
Cain shortened the time between each pulse, focusing on what it hit. An image of a 15-meter grasshopper flashed in his mind, followed by an ant going at speeds that should be breaking the sound barrier.
Despite no change in breath, let alone the chemicals related to fear appearing in his brain, Cain’s face reflected the horror simulated in his thoughts. The fault of such perfect mimicry being just that, only a mimic.
Holy crap, that scared me. It looks even weirder because all I can see are outlines of everything, even if it would normally obstruct my vision. There’s no color either. I need to find something roughly a meter long to use as a scale to avoid the insects becoming a new type of Godzilla.
Hmmm… My leg would work, just need to mark where the meter begins and ends… Having my mana float around in this space should work better to prevent a constant drain. Time to set up a new magic circle.
A massive magic circle appeared on the ground with glyphs frantically flying about. Cain used what he learned about disguising Insect Eraser to obscure the detection circle. He replaced all of the natural mana within the spherical space covered by the circle with his own, ensuring nothing here will be able to escape his view.
This should also help with suppressing my enemies since they will only be able to use their own mana unless I allow natural mana to leak in. Sweet, now time to make a long-range detection spell to look for my food.
Cain visualized what type of meat will be put over the fire. Sharp, shrill screams interrupted his fantasy abruptly. The heck was that? Someone better not be stealing my food. Cain stuck his hand out, launching streams of mana that spread out to encompass the depths of the forest. He focused on the feedback of the signals from his mana.
Interestingly, there doesn’t seem to be a noticeable delay. Oh right, food.
200 meters in front of Cain lay the entrance to the forest. The path leading the capital appeared to be at an angle, relative to Cain’s position. One would have to cross the uneven grassy surface if they wanted to get to him. Delighted that he won’t be disturbed by other people easily, he interpreted the signals being sent from within the forest.
150-meters from the entrance, and closing fast, a group of adventurers huddled together in a carriage. They appeared to be hovering over a body; the coach driver often looking back worried. The horses raced with all their might, rocking the carriage back and forth. Tears on the canvas appeared with each passing second, their safe little world about to come crashing down.
Weird… why does one of them seem isolated from the group? Oh well, I just need to find my food. I should try to use mana to interpret sounds as well... Cain directed his senses towards what chased the adventurers, his mana sweeping through the forest. An invisible fog on a hunt for life.
His mana encountered a pack of demon wolves snarling and bumping into each other as they weaved through the trees. Two wolves dash ahead, flanking the carriage on either side. The frustrated cries and orders escaped through the tears on the canvas.
“Hurry! We just need to get out of this damn forest, and they’ll stop chasing us!” A woman holding a bow, desperately fending off the approaching wolves, directed the coach driver.
“I know! I know! Damn… this is all my fault… I shouldn’t have agreed to this earlier.” The coach driver grumbled while ushering the horses to go faster.
A frail girl sobbed over the motionless body. “I can’t… hic… do anything. I have no mana left… Please don’t leave us yet. Who’s going to help us save money if you go?”
The giant body stirred slowly, gasping for breath. “Don’t worry… It’s just a flesh wound.”
Welp… that’s one death flag. Despite not being able to understand what they were saying, Cain could interpret the meaning of their words by using their body language and tone. He spectated the tragedy from afar while leaving a small portion of his mana next to each wolf.
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I'll graciously use these guinea pigs, er wolves, that these people have brought me. If I camouflage my mana as natural mana, I wonder if the wolves would absorb it? A sudden experiment cropped up in Cain’s mind as he directed each cloud of mana to reproduce and envelop the wolves.
With each step that brought them closer to their prey, the wolves unknowingly absorbed Cain’s mana, attempting to use it to hasten their pace. They were unable to utilize his mana though, converting a helpful source of energy into a detrimental one. The wolves gradually slowed down, their mistake in confusing Cain’s mana for natural mana proving to be their downfall.
Woah, that’s an unexpected effect. I can even see the anatomy of each wolf. What would happen if I cut their nerves or tried to stop their heart?
Cain focused on mana within the wolf flanking the right side of the carriage. It lunged at the coach driver, claws primed to tear into flesh. The driver pulled out his dagger and readied his body for a bloody parry. He closed his eyes and waited… Yet nothing happened.
The driver opened his eyes slowly, just in time to glimpse the wolf tumbling down the path, sweeping away two of its companions. Cain had cut the nerves off on the wolf the moment it jumped, causing his jump to be cut short and barely miss the carriage.
The driver momentarily looked back confused. The hell happened? No… That doesn’t matter right now. We just need to get out of this damned forest! He thought to himself as he lashed at the horses, trying to make them go faster.
Current record is two wolves. Time to use the other wolf to go bowling. Thrilled that his experiment worked, Cain focused on the left wolf, the one closest to him. He directed his mana to the arteries surrounding the wolf’s heart, waiting for the moment to interrupt the muscle that controls the pacing of the heart.
The wolf, sensing that it didn’t have long to live, jumped at the carriage prematurely. The woman with the bow braced for impact as the wolf plopped down on top of her. Cain had successfully activated the technique moments before the wolf landed on her, preventing any serious injuries or deaths.
The mage on the side let out a scream as the ranger shoved the wolf into the carriage. The young girl habitually stored the corpse into a ring on the body.
Woah, was that a storage ring? This group is interesting, I should invite them over here. They can also be my pass into the capital without arousing suspicion due to my clothes and lack of ID. While Cain was figuring out how to get the group’s attention, they finally broke through the clutches of the forest.
“Catherine, do something! You’re a powerful mage right?!” The woman holding the bow furiously shouted at the person who was isolated from the group. Catherine was frozen in fear, unable to do or say anything, let alone properly control her mana.
“Damn… should’ve known this would happen. These rich types always leave everything to us to clean up.” The woman mumbled under her breath, letting loose all of her arrows furiously.
The carriage jolted downwards slightly, indicating a shift in terrain. The party collapsed in relief when they saw the border between the grassy gravel road and the somewhat smooth dirt road. A border that signalled the barrier’s location and separated life and death for every citizen within the capital.
Their cries of joy and wails of relief passed through the beaten frames and torn canvas. The coach driver turned around to check on his friend lying in the bed of the carriage, his hope quickly replaced by despair.
One of the wolves stumbled to halt where the barrier was supposed to be, but ended up crossing the boundary. Contrary to the disastrous effects the wolves thought were in store, the clumsy one was perfectly uninjured, save for a few scrapes and bruises from skidding to a halt.
The rest of the wolves hesitantly crossed the border then inspected each other for wounds. One of them howled ferociously, the rest instantly dashed towards the carriage once more. The coach driver witnessed it all, his face paling, sweat whisked away by the win.
The confused group looked back as a wolf lunged towards the woman with a bow. She reached for an arrow, only to grasp air. Is this the end? She thought to herself as she curled instinctually into a defensive pose.
The wolf squealed then lifelessly tumbled across the road. The ranger slowly opened her eyes, witnessing the corpses of all 20 to 30 wolves being covered by roots and sinking into the ground. There were no visible signs of wounds, poison, or blood. The woman could only assume that their heart just suddenly stopped beating, similarly to the wolf that jumped on top of her.
She attempted to trace the source of these roots and found a person waving desperately for them to come over. The dirt path and grassy hill was instantly flattened into a smooth road. Even the capital roads weren’t this flat. The coach driver peeked out one of the tears on the canvas after checking on the body lying still despite the ruckus.
“Do we… go over there?” His voice shook, unable to recover from the shock.
“Do we have any other choice? Maybe that person can save our leader… He’ll die before we get to the capital.” At the sound of the ranger’s sharp words, the girl sobbed uncontrollably. The ranger bent down and tried her best to comfort her as the coach driver directed the horses over to the unknown man.
“Whew, I’m glad they’re coming over here now.” Cain sighed as he plopped back down on the ground. A simulated thought shot passed his consciousness, as not a drop of sweat was produced. That was the most physical activity I had the past few days…
Cain searched for Dresil, realizing that it would be best if she didn’t appear before the adventurers with leaves covering her. She stood behind him, a trace of worry in her eyes as she observed the approaching carriage. Her body spread out into multiple vines as they weaved themselves into Cain’s shirt.
[Master, are you sure it’s alright to bring them here?] A familiar voice echoed throughout Cain’s skull. Dresil? How are you doing that? I know you are residing in my clothes right now, but that shouldn’t give you telepathy…
[Master, unless you think with the intent to talk to me, I won’t be able to hear it. This is a form of thought transmission monsters are able to do.]
Woooaaahhh, that’s another thing added to the list to investigate. [Eh ehm… Test--, testing, 1 … 3…] Cain tried to communicate several times to Dresil before finally succeeding. His subconscious suppressing the fuming curiosity that threatened to expose his facade.
[There you go Master, although it is rough, I can hear you.] Dresil responds in a delighted tone.
[Sweet. As for … answer to your question… The best way to enter … capital without raising suspicion … to go with a group. Especially since my clothes look weird … the average perso… Can you also translate for … in real time?]
[As expected of the Master. Master has thoroughly thought about this. Translating will not be an issue.] Cain sighed from her response, coming up with an excuse to avoid harshly stating the obvious. Not really… This is just common sense for people who have read isekai manga.
A magic circle formed around Cain’s throat and ears, containing Dresil’s knowledge of the native language. Each magic circle used Cain’s knowledge of sound waves and vocals to translate the language. As the two finished their conversation, the worn and torn carriage arrived. An elf hopped out the back, dropping her bow accidentally.
She rushed over to Cain, disregarding her prized possession. “Please, please, save him!” She begged, holding back the fear in her voice. “I’ll do anything for you if you can save him!” Hopefully this will convince him. Most adventurers would never miss the chance to have their way with an elf. She thought while lowering her head to show her sincerity.
The elf looked up at Cain, expecting to see a disgusting expression. She was instead greeted by a face of admiration and unease. Not sure how to react, she froze; every muscle wanting to do something, but unsure of what to do.
Woaaahhhh, it’s an actual elf! Wait, that's not important, she said she’ll do anything… hmm… ah I’ll ask her for the most important thing right now then. Cain cleared his throat and with that, his head.
The elf backed away nervously, fearing what might be said. “I’ll save him if you give me all your demon wolf corpses.” The stupefied elf froze once more, her face contorting in confusion. This unknown man, wearing weird clothes, asks for demon wolf corpses? You can’t even eat the meat due to its violent mana. No, this has to be a trap! The elf sized Cain up wearily. “Are you sure?” Before he had a chance to respond, the coach driver pitched in.