Samael's eyes slowly opened, blinking a couple times as he narrowed his gaze due to the light.

After some adjustments, Samael's vision finally cleared, revealing what seemed to be a stone ceiling withered by time.

What... Samael felt his body, wincing in pain as he felt a sharp sting on his shoulders and countless aches all over him.

Samael closed his eyes, recalling the events that transpired. The mission, the ambush, Vapad's capture and the giant wolf that attacked him.

How did I get here? And where's Vapad? Samael wondered.

Gathering his strength, Samael slowly propped himself up, clenching his jaw as he ignored the searing pain on his limbs.

After a few seconds, Samael finally managed to lean back on the wooden frame of the bed, realising he was laying on a rather old bedframe with nothing but blankets in between him.

Samael swept his gaze around, absorbing his surroundings.

He was inside a room, or perhaps a house considering there was what appeared to be a kitchen and a table in the far corner. Judging by the fact that the room was still rather warm, someone was here recently.

The walls of the house was rather broken. It almost looked similar to the ruins he saw under the Crimson forest. Albeit slightly better.

Switching his focus towards the table, Samael deducted there was roughly seven people present just a while ago due to the amount of bowls in the wooden desk.

Samael speared a glance at the window and saw the familiar decaying trees which means he isn't too deep in the Georgo road.

Just who lives here? Samael wondered. Even if it wasn't deep, it was still in the forest. Meaning, there was still the possibility of wolves.

Nonetheless, Samael's armor was gone. He was now wearing an old grayish shirt and a long black pants. He could also feel layers of bandages wrapped tightly around him.

Summoning the Codex, Samael checked his condition and his weapon.

[STATS]

Name: Samael

Title: [Loved by the void]...[+]

Species: Void Spawn [+]

Affinity: Void [+]

Rank: Metamorphosis III

Condition: Heavily injured, extremely fatigued

STATS

STR: 5870

SPD/AGI: 5667

CONSTITUTION: 6836

SPIRIT: 6000

CHARM: 50

∆SKILLS [+]

As expected Samael thought.

Crimson Raven on the other hand was steadily recovering. The weapon has been consuming his essence at a moderate pace.

Still, Samael felt confused at the beast he fought.

It was not the presence he felt in the core of the den. It was far weaker but he never sensed it until he faced it.

What was its rank? Samael wondered.

The abomination was definitely stronger than the guardian wolves near the decay spheres, but not too much that it matched the one in the core of the stronghold.

Judging by what he felt, Samael was pretty sure that the beast in the middle of the metal walls was surely a saint. But the one he fought? He is not sure.

It was strong, stronger than him. But it was not invulnerable. Samael managed to harm it and cause some severe damage meaning it's probably a rank or two higher than him.

Samael's fist clenched as it slightly trembled under his grip.

It has been quite some time since he lost. All this time he's persisted, surviving each adversaries he faced. But that abomination... It was overwhelming.

That pure strength and that absurd speed, he who was blessed with great sight had a hard time following the wolf.

If it weren't for Vapad's surprise attack, Samael would surely be... He couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Once again, I am reminded of my weakness Samael thought, the flames of ambition welling in his heart once more.

He had gone too complacent. Thinking he had gained enough strength. But time and time again this happens.

However, thinking back, Vapad's action confused Samael even more.

If Vapad really was a mole, why would the wolves attack him? And why would he go out of his way to help me? Was it not he perfect opportunity to get rid of me? Samael wondered.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

If Vapad was simply faking his injuries then, it wouldn't have been that severe. Enough to nearly kill him.

That being said— where is the priest? When Samael fell unconscious, he still vaguely remembers Vapad's weight on his back. Yet, there is no sign of him now.

Did he not make it...? Samael couldn't help but ask.

Thump... Thump...

Samael's gaze swiftly shifted towards the door, his ears perking up as the footsteps inched closer.

There were multiple, some weak, one strong.

Perhaps children and an adult? A family? Samael thought, his working hand slowly reaching at his side, allowing him to summon Crimson Raven if needed.

As the steps inched closer even more, Samael gently grasped the protruding hilt of his axe.

As the withered oak door opened slowly, producing a creaking sound, it revealed...

"Vapad?" Samael asked, his brows perked up.

"You're awake!" The priest exclaimed as he hurriedly set aside the bucket he was holding, swiftly making his way towards Samael.

"You're alive!" Samael replied back.

"Ah, well, yes. Albeit, not everything is okay," The man said as he tapped the layers of cloth holding his right arm in place.

"I see," Samael muttered. Well, the same can be said to him.

"But all is good! The potion you gave me was enough for me to enable my light purification and rid myself of the decay," The man said.

Not wasting another breath, Samael went straight to the point.

"Where are we? I fell unconscious in the forest and I'm pretty sure you can't bear my weight in such an injured state," Samael said, his brows furrowed.

"I understand your confusion but rest assured this place is safe," Vapad said.

"This is a house located in the safer forest regions. As you can see, it has been abandoned for quite some time now," Vapad said, confirming Samael's suspicions.

"That doesn't answer the question of how we got here. I don't remember there being any house when I fell," Samael said.

"Well, about that..." Vapad scratched his head as a pair of small hands grasped his shirt.

"Kids, don't be scared. Come meet your uncles saviour," Vapad said in a hushed tone as he made way, revealing multiple kids.

The kids were roughly 4-7 years in age. They wore tattered gray peasant clothes and were a tad bit dirty. Not only that, but they had skinny frames but bright burning gazes.

Samael's brows furrowed even more.

"Did they bring us here?" Samael asked.

"Yes," Vapad answered.

"Somehow, they located us in time and dragged us back with pure efforts. If it weren't for them, we might have just faced a harsher fate," The priest said.

"You see, the reason I was out in the woods the last time was because of them," Vapad said.

"These kids have been living here for some time now. I found them when we landed in this camp. They were alone and severely malnourished," Vapad said.

Samael's gaze fell down, shifting to the kids as an image of him flashed in his pupils.

They're like me Samael thought.

"I believe their parents died when the invasion occured and having nowhere else to go, they stayed here. The only place they can call home," Vapad narrated.

"I couldn't just leave them be. My conscience would kill me!" The man said, his face contorting at the mere thought of leaving the kids in a forest possibly swarming with abominations.

"They refused to leave no matter how much I forced them. They would go as far as starve themselves if it means they'll stay," Vapad said.

Samael fell silent for a few moments as he spoke.

"Why didn't you consult the camp?" Samael asked.

"How could I? I'm an outsider. Not to mention, the camp is already running low on numbers. I can't possibly ask them to keep an eye on a few civilians," Vapad said as a bitter smile made its way to his face.

"So the food you bought..." Samael said.

"Yes, they were for them," Vapad said as he tussled the hair of the kid next to him.

Samael's grip tightened, his eyes narrowed down as confusion clouded him.

Vapad was not the traitor. Everything made sense now. His odd behaviour, the reason he kept leaving at night and the bags of resources he dragged with him.

It all made sense now.

He was a fool.

He kept jumping on conclusions. Making up his mind based on meager evidence he possessed.

No.

He was simply too blinded by his rage and prejudice. So much that it interfered with his judgement.

He almost detained an innocent man!

A cracking sound reverberated in the air as Samael's hand tightened even more.

Vapad flinched as he stepped back, dragging the kids behind him. However, one of the kids broke through, sprinting towards Samael as she held him by the hand, attempting to drag his hand away.

"No! Don't break our bed!" The kid screamed as she struggled to even dent Samael's hand.

Soon, the other kids managed to evade Vapad's grasp as they rushed Samael, hitting him and pushing his hand away.

This broke Samael out of his stupor as he blinked a couple times. Shifting his gaze at the kids, Samael let go of the bedframe. Causing the kids to stumble back.

Vapad swiftly made his way over, pulling the kids away as he profusely apologized.

"I'm so Sorry sir Samael! I swear they're not usually like this!" The man said.

"What are you all doing! Stop at once!" Vapad reprimanded.

However, the kids eyes teared up as they heard Vapad's angry voice.

"No, it's okay. Don't scold them," Samael intervened, luring everyone's attention to him.

"I was at fault for nearly destroying their bed. Allow me to repay this mistake," Samael said as he took out bags of meat out of his Dragon horde remnant, shocking the kids and the priest.

"This... We can't possibly accept this!" Vapad said, yet his gaze kept locked at the meat and clean water.

"Take it or I'll burn it," Samael said as he attempted to take the bags.

Seeing this, Vapad lunged at the rations, grabbing it tight to his chest.

"Well, it would be a waste to do that," He murmured.

"Come kids, we'll feast today!" Vapad said.

The kids erupted in cheers, completely forgetting what just happened.

However, one of the kids, the first to run up to Samael, went close.

"I'm sorry for slapping you... I didn't mean it," She apologized in a low tone, her voice nearly amounting to a whisper as she fiddled with her fingers.

A soft sigh escaped Samael's lips as he reached out, ruffling the brown hair of the kid.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Eva," The kid replied.

"Eva. I'm sorry too for nearly breaking your bed," Samael apologized.

The kid looked up at him, her eyes sparkling.

"It's okay! Uncle Vapad said forgiving someone is the virtue of a great person! And Eva wants to become a great person," She replied.

"You're getting there," Samael said as he chuckled.

"Eva! Come on out and help your brothers prepare the meat!" Vapad called.

Eva flinched as she bowed at Samael.

"I will go now mister," She said.

Samael replied with a nod as he watched the little girl run outside.

Now that he was alone, it was time to address the real issue.

Who is the mole?