Black hair and eyes are traits of demons. It's true that they come in all sorts of colors, whether it's eyes, hair or skin, but at least it is more often seen in demons rather than humans in this continent.

The time Ark was just starting his journey, when he was just eight years old, was hell just because people kept accusing him of being a demon blood. He had to fight and sometimes kill other humans, otherwise he'd be dead.

Since the only quality he shared with demons were his eyes and hair, it should have been easy to prove his human lineage, but they didn't want the correct answer. They wanted the answer they thought was right.

His appearance was one cause for their assumption. The bruised figure didn't help. Rather, all the wounds he suffered surviving surpassed the level of gaining pity straight to gaining disgust. He was just a rat in the gutter, infected and unsightly.

The main reason is, unfortunately, his stupidly shitty luck.

Ark'd always found himself fighting a strong monster that shouldn't be there, criminals and gangsters, mutatnts, outbreaks etc. The frequancy of even rare events was enough to make others notice the dangers he bring.

"Ark, are you a demon blood?"

"No, I'm not. My paternal great-grandparents are simply from a different continent, I also met immigrants so I'm sure. It's just... the truth hardly matters for the ignorant."

He was falsely accused by villagers living in rural regions. There was no trial, no test for confirmation, just madness and paranoia. If chasing the little kid helps, he was a demon. If not, it must have been his doing, ergo a demon.

"They looked at me like I killed their parents or something. Even if kids ganged on me, fighting back would make me at fault. I hate them."

Whether or not it was his fault, Ark was still just a young boy trying to survive. His misfortunate wasn't within his control.

Liliana was deeply surprised. Whenever they were together, Ark was easy going and calm. He also never seemed distrusting or cautious when dealing with the people from the village near the order. It was a natural behavior of someone who experienced no trauma.

The river released muffled tinkles from afar.

"I didn't know."

Ark frowned at her words. "Why are you here, Liliana? If the commander gave me a letter, I could've come here myself."

"I... I don't..." She couldn't find the answer. "How can you live fine like they don't bother you?"

Liliana couldn't let go of the past, and it still haunted her. If only Ark could give her his answer, maybe she will get a clue to her own. She had that thought.

Unfortunately, she and Ark were fundamentally different.

"There's no 'like'. They don't bother me. I only ever hated them, never did I fear. It borderlines on indifference, and I've been through too much to care about random, small-time villages."

(It was also fun whenever I injured them while on the run. Serves them right, those fuckers.)

He was petty enough to hate people for bumbing into him on the streets, and narcissistic enough to view everyone is inferior to himself. It wasn't a mindset that would help a sane person with an ounce of humility.

The crooked personality wasn't born of trauma, but was rooted deep within Ark long before he ran away from home. It was partially the reason he survived against humans, having no qualms using violence in self defense.

"I don't think I can do that."

"Our situations are different. You should find your own answer."

No one would come and magically deliver the answer she is looking for. The current Liliana annoyed Ark, and he only hoped she would finish her businesses before it will make her permanently annoying.

Liliana quietly left Ark by the riverbank. It was their most honest conversation so far, and it left both of them shaken.

The two didn't see each other for the two days to follow.

◇◇◇

Ark meditated at the riverbank, gathering water-type mana from the river.

What Kenrik had failed to see was that Ark had no attribute, therefore he could contain all the elements inside of him. It wasn't his fault though, as he didn't pry and no attribute was unique to Ark.

Although he could contain all the elements, it doesn't mean that would be the most efficient. They might hinder and weight on Ark in the healing process. So he tried choosing a single element that is most useful for healing.

The answer was obviously the water element. Of the four main elements, water is the only element with a direct access to healing spells. It represents balance, healing and flow. So long as a moderate amount is absorb, there is no damage. Although it won't heal him directly, it helped raising the efficacy of the spring.

In a couple days, Ark won't just make a recovery, but a full recovery. It's an unexpected result as Ark was already making plans to conquer the dungeon not at peak state.

As a result, Ark decided to focus on hasting his recovery as soon as possible, and gathered as much water-type mana as possible.

His very soul was overflowing with mana. The current is soft and smooth, hastened in a gentle manner like calm ripples at a lake.

In addition, using magic became possible so long as he doesn't utilize his original reserves, which were inconsequential to begin with.

"Aqua Potentia."

Light blue energy surrounded Ark as he activated the strengthening magic of water.

In fact, Aqua Potentia was the least favorite among the Potentia magic series. It provided equal increase in power, speed and durability, but Ark wanted the extreme, so it was often neglected in combat.

He used it against Qin because of the enhanced reflexes and reaction speed, but inwardly thought it was a waste as he wasn't injured during the fight. More power or speed would have been a greater help.

Even still, the water spell had one advantage: its lesser mana consumption.

"I need to limit the outflow of energy."

Ark's mana control is oddly terrible. For this reason, his body was damaged and magic power was unnecessarily wasted.

The blue energy flowed out of the body and with it Ark felt his magic power depleted. He tried manipulating the energy to stay within him, but utterly failed.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

He deactivated the magic and resumed meditation. However, it was hard as he felt frustrsted from the failure.

(Damn this non elemental body. It's always pissing me off!)

The mastery rate for every element is slow, half the normal speed of a single attribute holder, and dividing the time between the four elements causes his rate to be eight times slower than normal.

There's a reason quadra magicians were appreciated. For those extremely rare individual with all four attributes, there is a synergy in growth making it four times faster than Ark.

If Ark wants to truly master the four elements strengthening magic and use it properly, it would take him years.

"Well, that's why I hate training it in the first place..."

"What are you mumbling to yourself?" A green-haired elven girl—Anna—interrupted his thoughts.

The water mana drifting towards him stagnated and dissipated, to Ark's displeasure.

He almost muttered a complaint aloud, but soon shut these thoughts as he saw Anna's attire.

Without doubt, it was an attire made for combat.

"Monsters started to invade the outer ring of the village. Wanna tag along?"

There was only excitement in her voice, so the situation was probably rare, but not dangerous.

Anna must've never had the opportunity to experience real action before. It meant her personality is strange among the elves as they were usually peace lovers.

"I'd love that, but I can't really do anything right now."

(You'll have to carry me through this one. How about it, feel the honor?)

There's hardly any honor in fighting for someone like Ark.

There's no honor being Ark.

"No problem. It's probabaly nothing serious anyways, a one-time accidental intrusion or something." Anna held her chest with pride as if she would defeat whatever it was by herself.

Considering Ark's streak of misfortunes, it might turn to be a demons' attack, but he brushed off the possibility as if he forgot what his luck is.

Grabbing his sword just to be safe, Ark joined the subjugation team: a bunch of girls under the leadership of Anna.

"Is he that human who caught your arrow with his bare hands? Doesn't look much."

A swordswoman examined Ark with a half doubting glance. She had lean, sleek muscles fiiting a speed-type warrior, yet the way she handled and carried her sword made Ark guess she was a novice.

"He doesn't have that much mana either."

"Not to mention he doesn't seem loved by the spirits."

A mage carrying a long staff evaluated based on his magic power, which is the level he gained after days of meditation. The assassin looking woman brought up his lack of connection to the spirits as supplementation to the mage's assessment.

Since he was just being berated by three strangesrs, Ark profusely swore at them with the worst insults he could think of inside his mind. More than that, however, he was exasperated.

(Why does it have to happen every single time? Is looking down on me that fun?)

He'd been underestimated all the time, even though he'd always come out at the top. Now that he is less a conditional strongest he used to be, it was frustrating dealing with people like this group of women.

"Come on, girls, don't be like that. Gramps himself said we need to be hospitable, so no more rude remarks."

The girls mumbled an agreement reluctantly, and Ark started to imagine himself beating them to a pulp.

"Let's go!" Anna called with endless enthusiam.

And they entered the outer ring.

The outer ring of the village was still affected by the natural magic. Although it should prevent any living being from reaching the divine tree, elves are unaffected due to the will of the tree accepting their presence and guiding them. However, Ark proved it possible to bypass the natural magic by pushing through where the illusion diverting you from. That's because of his skillset, though, and few could replicate this feat.

When it comes to monsters, it should require a dragon level of intelligence or special sensory abilities. The list was short.

"I can't detect any monster. My spirit is trembling, so there is something, but it won't leave my side so I don't know where." The assassin acted as a scout and was in charge of navigation.

Clearly, she wasn't doing well.

"What about you, Tris?"

The mage frowned. "From animals, not monsters."

The group seemed lost. It was confirmed by the spirits that something was there, but they couldn't find where. They couldn't ask the spirits as they were trembling and buzzing, making communication impossible.

(Useless girls. Are you making me work on purpose, huh?!)

Ark spoke up. "Mage girl, what direction are the animals you sensed?"

"There, but what's that got to do with anything?"

Ignoring her, he treaded toward the direction she pointed. While the mage sensed the magic power, Ark couldn't, so it was relatively far. But that was fine. There was no need to hurry.

"The exact species of the monsters that invaded is unknown, so we should try everything out, unless you all want to stay here all day."

With no better idea of their own, they followed Ark.

(Also there's an intent of monsters the same way, but I ain't dumb enough to let you make me your personal radar.)

With great power, comes using it for self gain and pleasure. That was Ark's idiotic moto. He hates being exploited, even if it's just a small favor.

It was a pack of non-monsterous wolves they encountered first. Nothing abnormal. They were common component of the forest's inner parts absent of ferocious monsters.

Except of the black fog and unnaturally shining violet eyes, all normal. Yup.

"What the heck!?" The mage screamed in confusion, making everyone raise their weapons.

The wolves stormed at the group like rabid dogs. No coordination could be seen, just a blind charge.

Even the monster wolves under the influence of Orcus had some level of cooperation. It was the usual trait of wolves. Ark found the lack of this trait disturbing.

"Boost."

The swordswoman didn't hesitate. She used light footwork to dodge two wolves. After slashing the first, she swiftly stabbed the second.

"Pressure Blade ×5!"

"Rain Shower!"

Compressing wind into a thin blades, the assassin aimed the projectiles at the sides and effectively pierced five wolves. The blades exploded upon impact and focused the wolves to a narrower path, perfect for the spell of Tris prepared.

The barrage of water shots was denser, therefore stronger. The kinetic energy almost halted completely the wolves' advance and wounded everyone.

The group's eyes slightly shifted to Anna, who prepared the final blow.

"Mana Arrow. Threefold Enchant." She calmly chanted.

Mana concentrated on the tip of the arrow. Three elements were contained in the mana: earth, water and wind. It swirled and colored three trails of mana coming from the tip.

She released the bowstring.

The arrow instantly reached the target, causing a small explosion of elements.

The wolves were safely subjugated.

(No no no, they were just normal animals! These girls went too far!)

Ark subsequently remembered the boar hunt with Liliana. The smiles of satsifaction of the group overlapped with the red-haired elf, who know nothing when it comes to holding back.

Elves are reputared for being peace lovers, so why none of these kids have the slightest aversion from violence? Ark pitied the elves' future.

One of them even said: "It's a shame it ended so fast."

(Psychotic girls! Am I a psycho magnet or something?!)

No, it was just a smile of relief caused by the lowerwd tension.

(Well, opposites attract, as they say.)

Incidently, Ark was just as crazy. He often made the same smile after killing all the enemies. He simply lacked the conscience to admit it, vanishing the memory from his mind.

"Hey, Ark, do you know something? I really can't make anything out of this situation." Anna seemed lost as she asked for help.

Ark pondered over his words. "As soon as they noticed us, they rushed to attack. It was with the clear intent to 'destroy'. The black fog is almost parasitic. It erodes the mind leaving the host wanting only destruction."

It was a situation he had never experienced before, so Ark was lost. A chilling premonition hovered over his head.

"The corruption wasn't done intentionally, or I'd know. So it wasn't a demon, or a brainwashing monster... or anything I can thing of. I don't know."

The world is vast, lurking with myriad dangers in many forms and shapes. But Ark thought he had experienced enough to identify at least the type of being it was.

But this confusion didn't last long.

The ground beneath their feet trembled. Smells of rot and evil burned the nostrills and caused a headache to the group.

Tris shouted. "A large horde of animals is coming! Monsters in the mix too!"

Different animal howls and roars confirmed this information soon after. The girls quickly arranged their formation and started chanting magic.

"The spirits are too frightened to communicate with! Don't bother and just go full power!" Anna ordered them with a serious expression.

Meanwhile, Ark had a reveleation regarding the source of this peril.

(So it was that. I had no idea it had this sort of power, but it makes sense.)

However, he wasn't happy in the slightest. His heart sank, drowning with despair.

(We are fucked.)

Even without the spirits, the girls had at least B rank level of mana. The three who had ranged attacks prepared the spells with the greatest destructive capabilities, focusing on numbers and wide range.

Monsters found this forest disorienting, so they rarely lived there. All the animals corrupted by the black fog weren't too different than normal, just more ferocious. The qualified group of elven girls were strong enough to wipe the entire group almost completely.

Even so, the source wasn't there. Unless they deal with the source, the forest may transform into a deadly place like the Aracnum Forest, or even worse.

"It's here. The source."

Ark sounded grim. As the figure emerged in the horizon, his fear only grew.

He activated his spirit. Even if his healing regresses, it's better than dropping dead.

"What is this?"

Everyone trembled at the human figure dyed in the darkest black.

"Death." Ark whispered.

It was a Calamity. The embodiment of destruction.