The interior exuded rustic charm. The walls adorned with faded paintings and family photographs narrated stories of past generations. The air carried the comforting scent of wood and earth. In one corner of the house lay a soft mat woven from straw, carefully placed on the earthen floor. He gently laid the baby he carried onto the mat, ensuring their comfort and safety.

The well-used mat provided a simple yet nurturing space for the little one. The room, sparsely furnished, featured a few wooden chairs and a low table displaying a teapot and cups. The simplicity of the house reflected the modest lifestyle of the villagers, who found solace in the beauty of simplicity. Moonlight streamed through the small windows, casting a warm glow on the baby and the room.

He switched on the bulb and glanced at the baby under the yellow light. Then he returned to the table and brought out the old book from his long sleeve, opening it to see if anything had changed. It remained empty. His eyes filled with greed as memories flashed back to when he overheard Quentin telling one of his juniors about the book.

"Whoever possesses it will have the ability to bring their deepest desires to life on its pages," Quentin said.

"Does anyone else know about this book?" another person asked in a hushed voice. Isaac tried to see his face, but he stood in the dark side of the hall, making it impossible to get a clear view.

"Not yet, but the master said the North East coast is in chaos and they searched for it," Quentin replied. "We must find it before it falls into someone else's hands."

"Where can we find it?" the other person inquired.

"When Donovan's family was killed, they buried the book under a sacred tree in the Forbidden Forest," Quentin explained. "Now there is a mysterious aura surrounding that tree, as if the book has found its rightful owner and tried to reach them."

"Don't worry, seniors. I will locate it soon," he assured, bowing respectfully before departing.

Isaac muttered to himself, "Is this the fabled book Quentin mentioned? If it truly possesses the ability to bring desires to life, I must proceed with caution."

Suddenly, a noise grabbed his attention. A cup tumbled off the table and shattered. Hastily closing the book, he turned his head to investigate. Irritation welled up within him at this disturbance. As he glanced over, he noticed Seven Dark Forces encircling the child.

Filled with fear, he rose from his seat and cautiously approached the room. The Seven Dark Forces converged around him, while the child extended a hand, attempting to make contact. They seemed to engage in a playful interaction, the child smiling at the shadowy figures.

Motivated by a sense of responsibility, he summoned his courage and advanced, determined to shield the child from any malevolent intentions harbored by these ominous forces. With each step, his heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing to devise a strategy to confront this foreboding threat. The child’s system activated, and a hologram appeared in the air, shimmering with bright colors and intricate patterns.

[Defense Protocol Activated!]

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

[Your essence is now shielded from the Seven Dark Forces.]

[Welcome, Guardian!]

[Prepare to harness the power of light and defend against the encroaching darkness. Your journey begins now.]

[System Level: 0/12]

[Power Level: 500/100,000]

[Beast Type: Unknown]

[Name: Unknown]

[Age: New born]

[Clan: Unknown]

[Race: Kaelith]

[Blood Type: Verdant]

[Blood Color: Green]

[HP: 100/100]

[EP: 10/50]

[AP: 10 units]

[Mana: 0/100]

[Beast Energy: Unknown]

[Beast Ability: Unknown]

[Beast Race Type: Unknown]

[Skills: 1/70]

[Action Speed: 0]

[Skill Cooldowns: 0]

[Movement Speed: 0]

[Base Strength: 6]

[Damage Output: 0]

[Carrying Capacity: 0]

[State Points: 0/200]

[Mission Briefing: Stand Against the Dark Forces and Unveil Their Secrets!]

[Each victory will illuminate your path, but beware—the shadows are cunning.]

[Are you ready to embrace your role as the Guardian of Light?]

Isaac slowly approached the child and observed his face. The child's eyes glowed, and his lips stretched into a smile. A faint, unique mark appeared on his forehead. He reached out to touch it, but his hand suddenly felt a burning sensation, causing the baby to cry out in pain. Startled by the baby's cry, he quickly pulled his hand back, his heart racing. The sound filled the room as tears streamed down the child's face. Feeling a surge of fear, he stepped back, unsure of what had just happened. The burning sensation in his hand remained, serving as a reminder of the strange encounter. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something extraordinary about this child, something he couldn’t fully understand.

Are you ready to embrace your role as the Guardian of Light?

As the baby's cries quieted, he cautiously approached once more, keeping a safe distance. His gaze fixated on the faint mark on the child's forehead, which now emitted a soft glow. It seemed to pulsate with an otherworldly energy, captivating and mysterious.

Driven by curiosity and a desire to understand, he reached out again, this time hesitantly brushing his fingertips against the mark. A surge of warmth flowed through his veins, spreading from his hand to his entire body. The room brightened, as if illuminated by an otherworldly light.

However, as the glow intensified, so did the baby's cries. The child's pain became tangible, and he swiftly withdrew his hand, his heart burdened with fear. The room returned to its usual state, the mark on the baby's forehead fading back to its faint, almost imperceptible state.

Overwhelmed by curiosity, he knelt beside the child and examined the mark, which resembled two parallel lines with slight curves at their ends, glowing in red, known as the "ZHOREL MARK."

It was said that those who possessed this mark had the ability to shape the world, for better or worse. A surge of excitement and trepidation coursed through his veins. The legends surrounding this mysterious symbol had always fascinated him, but he had never imagined encountering someone who possessed it.

He swiftly fed the infant a peculiar red liquid to calm him. The liquid caused the mark to vanish. Then he began chanting mantras softly into the baby's ear.

"In darkness I thrived, inflicting pain with every stride. Suffering was my art; I tore souls apart. With every act of harm, I strengthened my twisted charm. Pain was my currency; I reveled in others' misery. Innocence I devoured; my cruelty knew no hour. With each cruel deed, I planted a wicked seed. My heart was cold; compassion I withheld. I am the master of torment; my cruelty knows no relent."

These words made the baby cry even louder, while he continued his sinister chant. The cries intensified, becoming more desperate, echoing throughout the dimly lit room. His eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction as he took pleasure in the child's suffering.

"I am the darkness that lurks within, the monster they never saw coming. Their nightmares made flesh."

"Your tears are like nectar, intoxicating and addictive. I crave more, always more. No one can escape my grasp. Your suffering is my ultimate triumph. I am unstoppable."

His voice reverberated throughout the dwelling. He began preparing to wield the knife, ready to offer the infant as a sacrifice for his immortality. With the moon hanging high in the nocturnal expanse, casting an eerie glow upon the aged abode, he stood before the altar, his heart burdened.