V3 Chapter 30

Droplets of sweat rolled down from his forehead and wet his eyebrows.

Cian wiped it away with his sleeve to prevent it from seeping into his eyes.

Absorbing the sweat, his sleeves turned heavy. Impatience sent magic power flowing through his entire body, and the magic power blew off some of the sweat sticking on him. The battle lasted for quite a long time. More than expected, actually. Though WindWolves are not a problem for him, the number was indeed a little bit troublesome.

They started appearing one after another. And Cian almost thought there would be no end. In the end, even other monsters came, attracted by the sound of battle. WindWolves, Thunderbird, and even humanoid ones such as Goblins, and Orcs, charge at him like idiots. Fortunately, a monster comparable to that of the JaggerJaw didn’t appear.

It would be a problem, otherwise.

Looking at the corpses of monsters in front of him, Cian couldn’t help but smile wryly. The corpses littered on the ground, almost cover the forest. Though most of them were giant wolves, so vengeful they wanted to kill him no matter what, not even thinking of escaping. There are also other monsters; bird of prey and strange, looking monstrosities. However, once again, he’s lost.

He didn’t want to disturb Leona’s rest, so he went in another direction, but it seems like this enchanted forest can really easily make someone lost.

But fortunately, this time, it’s not a problem. Since Leona was connected by him through the Familiar Magic of the Darkness Attribute, a similar skill to [Slave Seal], he can call out to her anytime he wanted. Lamia, though, is not, but since Leona is there, it’s not a problem. The only thing that is in his mind now was this enchanted forest, that even his God’s Eye can’t do anything to keep him from being deceived.

Though the enchanted forest didn’t affect him too much, unlike most participants in the ruins this time, however, its influence cannot easily be ignored. It’s like a predator that pounced on him, the moment he lets his guard down. The feeling of danger he was feeling from it was no joke. It's as if he was already standing inside a giant monster's jaw. How annoying.

Cian looked around the area. The atmosphere was damp, dull, and dark. Anyone in this forest would surely feel as if there were invisible eyes staring at them, keeping their nerves high. The stench of rotten leaves lingered within the somber Enchanted Forest.

While walking inside, one would be pounced by a sinister beast that let out low and obscure howls at any time. Some hissing sounds were heard from the inside or somewhere around the forest, further deepening the anxiety and fear one would feel. It’s as if the forest itself is feasting on the fear that appears within the people lost in its embrace.

Feeling curious and interested in this enchanted forest, Cian collected the corpses of Monsters he had killed while walking through the forest and then, immediately left, not daring to stay in one place.

After, perhaps, two to three hours of the massacre, most of his magical power had been expended. Now was the time for him to replenish his energy and rest.

In the forest, at a riverbank devoid of any creature and people, Cian appeared. He then took out a small fist-sized orb from his storage rings. Channeling some magic on the crystal orb, a layer of blue light suddenly extended from it and a huge light curtain around twenty meters wide was formed. In this instance, a barrier formation was set at the river bank.

This Crystal Ball was a Magical Item that contains a High-rank Magic Barrier that could defend against the combined attack of two to three Marquis rank Demons. More so, it has an illusion effect that covers anything or anyone within the barrier from the outside world. Thus, Cian can somehow feel safe behind this barrier.

Taking the opportunity to rest, he gasped in the air while sitting cross-legged. He took out some Magic and Stamina Potion and started recovering his energy and magic power. While he was recovering, he tried calling out to Leona, but it seems like the Manticore is still deep in her slumber, and had yet to awaken.

Well, she should be fine, since Lamia is with her.

Cian then turned his attention to the spoils he had obtained on his way here. As expected of the infamous Ruins of the Gods that the Werebeasts and the Humans are desperately competing for. The treasures one could find in this world are not so simple.

[Poisonous Toad Tongue Grass- a long strip of grass that looks like a toad’s tongue. It always produces a sticky enzyme that covers its stalks. It’s a plant that should never be eaten. If you take it even once, in the end, you will instantly die from poison. Unless you have poison resistance or poison invalid skills, this is something that cannot be consumed. However, once prepared with proper procedure and materials, this is a good material for a high-level detoxifying potion.]

[Magic Dew Grass-a rare grass that looked similar to Healing Grass. However, this does not heal the wound but restores magic power. Can only grow to places where magic power density is extremely high.]

[Ice Orchid- A purplish-blue flower that was wrapped in thick ice and looked unremarkable. However, it’s an extinct Magic Plant that can be used to create Ice Magic Enhancement Potion that doubles Ice Magic Damage for an hour.]

[Flame Queen Bee’s Magic Core- [Rare) The Flame Queen Bee’s Magic Core can be used as a material for Flame Magic Enhancement Potion that doubles Fire Magic for an hour.]

[Magic Healing Beans- Legendary mystical beans with incredible magic and healing properties. Currently extinct.]

[Golden Wolf’s Fur- a fur of an extinct variant race of wolves; [Golden Wolf]. it’s a magic material that can be used to create a high-grade armor with 20 to 30% all elemental resistance.]

[Peach Bells- Large extinct Peaches that have insides that are partially hollow and appear to possess a clapper-like formation inside, making it sound and look like a bell. Consuming this fruit can give the ability to steal memories from sentient creatures once.]

[Hallucination Mushrooms- a rare type of magic plant that is said to be extremely delicious no matter how you cook it. However, consuming it induces intense hallucinations.]

[Blood Spirit Flower- an uncommon red flower that loved to grow in lands that were filled with dark and bloody influences and had gone through great periods of carnage. Consuming this flower can increase physical strength and combat in a short amount of time. However, there is a danger of going berserk when consumed. Extinct.]

And these are just a small part of the treasures he had obtained.

To think that most of the things that could be rarely found in the mainland were littering in this forest as if they were cabbage. This Ruins being called a Treasure Trove was not an exaggeration at all.

Finding the Black Lands and entering this Ruins is really a very great fortune.

Cian smiled happily, already satisfied with the spoils he managed to obtain up until now. Just how many, and what kind of treasures would he find and gather in this short amount of time being here?

He couldn't help but feel excited from the anticipation of the near future.

Cian rested beside the river for a long time.

Took off his boots and socks and plunged his feet into the icy water, it’s a source of bubbling from darkness, too deep in the forest to be warmed by the sun. Or rather, the sun itself had never warmed it due to being absent for long. Nevertheless, the cold water was incredibly good for his tired, and exhausted body.

He leaned over and took long drinks from the pure water--even the water of this river has the power to reinvigorate his mind. Though, not as good as the water of clarity, nor was its effectiveness significant, but its restorative properties make it an incredible treasure as well.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

A good water material for Alchemy, no doubt.

Just what kind of place is this Ruins of the Gods?

Is this really the World of the Gods?

With so much treasure in this place, this might actually be true.

Cian splashed water on his face and leaned into the soft grass clinging to the bank. He then watched the night sky, somewhat feeling lonesome. Perhaps, this was the first he had been alone in the night for this much long?

Now that he looks back on his life after coming into this world, he was never alone. Either it’s Ruka or Sibyla, or it’s his Elder Sister; Oriel, they are always by his side. Then, when he entered the Black Lands, he had Amadea, Harley, or Cornelia with him. Then, Asceius came…giving him a friendly company, in which he had never experienced nor felt before, even among his two lives.

He never has someone he can truly call a friend. Nor he wanted to befriend with. Like him. This is why, for some strange reason, the sense of camaraderie between them is somehow moving his heart. And he felt that the cold block of ice was a valuable 'friend'. Though, if it was the him from before, the notion of having a friend would certainly be absurd.

I guess I'm changing... huh.

Even I who had been thinking the world would never change was slapped painfully when I was suddenly thrown into this world. How cruel. Now, the punishment is change...

And it's not just the world is changing... it's me.

Cian shook his head with a wry smile.

Being alone seemed to make him think of useless things. And with that solemness of the surrounding, this foreign of feelings is really creeping into him.

Now that I think about it, isn't this the first time I was left alone in this world like this?

Cian smiled wryly. For someone who liked being solitary in the previous world, after coming into this world, he had actually never been alone. He had truly changed so much after becoming Aanuel. Whether the transformation was intentional or was it an inevitable fate, he was becoming something else entirely.

I would never feel bored like this, even if I'm left alone by myself.

But now... why the hell am I acting like a lonesome kid on a field trip with no friends?

How shameful.

But this feeling of loneliness is really weighing him heavily, no matter how much he denies it. What a load of bull.

Fine...whatever. I guess it's time to call her...

Cian shrugs his shoulder. Using the [Imagis Realis] transformed into a black dagger, he cut the center of his palm. Red blood started to come out from his flesh wound. He then clenched his hand, and the blood dripped onto the ground.

“Amadea, for the covenant we’ve made, answer my call-”

The dripped blood suddenly shone in crimson light, and red sparks cackled at the center. As if responding to his call, the blood dropped on the ground, wriggled like a living being, and formed into a small circle, followed by strange runes that started appearing from within.

“You’ve made me wait for so long, you demon imp,”

Immediately after, a familiar voice rang out from within the magic circle filled with crimson light.

Hearing this voice, his lips curved into a faint, gentle smile. He watched in amusement as a small flower started to bud in the ground, then growing rapidly, eventually becoming a big flower. The flower was so big that it was the size of an adult human.

“Don’t you think you should say, I missed you, master?”

Then, the flower moved. It started to blossom. Petals by petals spread, and from within, a hand came out. Slender, beautiful fair arms, with long, smooth fingers. The hand seemed to reach out and stopped in front of his face. The long fingers stroking his face in a loving, affectionate manner. After the arm was a brilliant crimson hair and a pretty face. Then, her torso along with her incredible chest proportions, and legs.

The flowers in the area seemed to have been dyed in red, and red, ivy and vines crawled out from beneath the flower.

“You’re being cocky for someone who left me alone without saying anything,”

Adorned with crimson flowers and vines, what, or who showed up in front of Cian was a bewitching beauty that wore something that was a cloth only by name. The wind gently blows her crimson hair that seemed to comes down to her hips. Her beautiful skin, which is white as snow but not sickly pale looks very remarkable.

Beautiful that’s the only word to describe her in one word. In fact, not only her appearance but also the noble atmosphere around her can fascinate even those with icy-cold hearts.

Amadea.

The beautiful Blood Alraune.

A monster born from the corpse of the God Beast: The Heaven Demon Fox.

And also his lover.

With Amadea’s status as both his blood relative, due to the blood of the Heavenly Demon Fox, as well, as familiar after signing a slave contract, like Leona, Cian can call out to her anytime and everywhere he wanted. Though, because her true body is that of a Tree, the one who can only answer his call was nothing but an incarnation. A clone, something like that.

“Well, I know I’m guilty but it’s also out of my control this time. I didn’t know I would be trapped in this Ruins for who knows how long.” he grumbled, looking clearly not apologetic.

Cian grinned at her, then suddenly he pulled her down so that she straddled his lap. His hands gripped her waist, making it clear she was not going anywhere. Amadea looks at him with a frown, but she didn’t fight against it, nor complain. Her face beet red, as she could feel his heat between her legs and was sure he could feel hers, too. In an instant, she was open to him, layers of clothing notwithstanding.

“I know you didn’t call me because you miss me,” she grumbled in annoyance, as she reaches forward to prop herself on his shoulders, to resist that last little bit of contact. This is not the time for a good reunion. If she couldn't scold this idiot, then she would not be able to vent her grievance. She glared at him.

“But I did miss you,” he said. Cian completely ignored her pouting lips and leaned over, kissing those lips .

“In fact, I was just thinking about you, and that I want to hold you in my arms like this,” as he said that, his arms tightened around her waists. He didn’t lie, however. He was indeed, feeling lonely just now. Lonely enough he was having a denial of himself. Those strange thoughts and feelings of change, whatsoever, surely is because he was missing the taste of flesh. The flavor of love- the thirst of a woman's warmth, and the scent of their smell.

Now within her arms, Cian's mind was now full of thoughts around him. And he was certain, as expected, he was aching to love her body. Now, he found himself, even counting the ways he could touch her, wanting to catch up to the times she was not beside him.

“Really?”

Amadea groomed the black hair strands on his forehead. With just those words from him, all the anger, the grievance she had suffered from worrying about him, all seemed to disappear in an instant. As long as she can hear those words from him, strangely everything doesn’t seem to be too significant anymore.

A sweet smile appeared on her face. And to Cian, she looked so beautiful that it was out of this world. His eyes flashed with a lewd light, no… It flashed with divine light, seeing her smile. Her face resembled a blooming red flower and was extremely pretty. Though her importance didn’t equate to that of Ruka, or Sibylla, nevertheless, she was someone who he would surely look back in his life and admire.

Such a beautiful woman who was above this secular world was actually his love slave. Thinking about it, his luck with women is really incredible. Perhaps, not only Night but the God of Love is looking out for him as well? Giving him beauties as much as he desired?

That would have been wonderful. So wonderful, he would surely think that God with all his heart for his blessing on the day he saw him.

“Yes,”

Cian answered with a smile, loving her hands on his hair, feeling comforted by their intimacy, which he had missed for a very long time. The bloody battles he had experienced in this Ruins made his spirit worn out. And the love of a beautiful woman like him is the only cure he knows could relieve his weary soul.

“It seems like you’ve undergone quite a lot in the short amount of time, I haven’t seen you,” she looked at him lovingly. Then, she ran her thumb between his slanted eyes to dissolve the frown and his face relaxed, his lips forming a small smile.

“I don’t know, but you should have called me earlier…It hurts waiting for you, without knowing what you are doing, or whether you are safe,” she said several moments later, her thumbs caressing his cheeks, her fingers burrowing in his hair under his ears.

“At least, give me a word of relief,”

“I’m sorry, it wouldn’t happen again.”

Cian pecked the corner of her lips.

“Well, the most important thing is, you are now in my arms again,”

“You’re really not sincere, are you?”

Amadea rolled her eyes. However, she just made a sign and didn’t pursue the topic anymore.

She knows better than to scold him, with his ears open at the other side.