Year 273

In the glimmer of the moonlight, on a snowy weather, a man in his forties was sitting cross-legged in front of a lake. The lake was like frozen mirror reflecting the clouded sky. Steps could be heard behind the man before they stopped few meters behind him. The man didn’t bother to turn his head or stand up. He already knew who was behind him.

“So, you came. I thought you would have stayed there forever. It seems that it was a success.” Said the man in a low voice, but loud enough for the person behind him to hear it.

No reply came after his sentence, only a ragged breathing could be heard. The man finally decided to turn its head to look at the person behind him.

It was a youth. The youth seemed to be 17 due to his 180cm height but was in fact 15. His unruly black hair gave him a rebellious look which was emphasised with his blue eyes. With his angular face and greek nose he could be considered handsome, if not for his pale skin which was due to lack of nutriments. His clothes were tattered, blood could be seen in the corner of his mouth. He was holding in his hand something which shouldn’t be of this world. A handgun, a desert eagle model precisely. Though it didn’t work with canon powder and standards bullet, the outer appearance was the same.

The youth looked at the man in front of him with eyes devoid of emotions. This man gave and took everything from him. It was his father and the one who killed his only sister. He lived a life worse than hell to be able to stand his ground against him. He was too weak before to defy him, he could only follow without complaining. Vengeance is better served cold. He raised his gun and pointed it at his father head. The latter started to laugh.

“Look at you… Aren’t a grown up now? I can’t believe that the one who is going to kill me is the one who I saw crying for his mom when she left him for few minutes.”

“She’s dead.”

“I know.”

Both voices were cold, enough to give goosebumps to anyone who is unprepared. They looked at each other eyes without moving an inch. The son wanted to kill his father, and the father didn’t plan to retaliate. He had finished most the things he needed to do.

“Why… Why did you do this?”, though he intended to not let his emotions get the better of him, the youth couldn’t hide the sorrow in his voice.

“This? What do you mean? Why I killed your sister?”

“Your own daughter!”

Anger and pain could be felt this time. His hand holding the gun was shaking a little but stayed resolute to press the trigger at the moment he judged it necessary.

“Because she was weak. Her core was killing her anyway.”, said the man like if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Why did you put it in her in the first place? You could have made her stronger without doing this!”

“I don’t want my children to be stronger. I want them to be the strongest. And there is no other way. Humans, demons, beast men, dwarves, elves, none of them have a core. But, magical beasts, monsters, dragons, those walking disaster have one. We don’t hunt dragon, they hunt us. 274 years ago, when God offered us the opportunity to start a new, people though it was a blessing, they saw hope. Do you know what I see? Someone who comply to those who shall die their last wish. Our ancestor was lucky enough to have escaped the brainwashing partially and left us with some ancient knowledge, so we could have a broader view of what was happening. Every race thinks they know have enshrined themselves in this new world, and thrive. They are blinded by peace. You saw it for yourself. Beasts are getting stronger. Monsters are getting more cunning and villainous. It won’t be long before dragons start rampaging through our world. And do you think that a strong human or demon or whatever is going to save us?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Though his voice was cold at first, it got warmer and warmer with the more words he spoke. The man didn’t have any proof for his claims if not for the beasts rising in power, but he was certain of what he said. God didn’t want to save humanity. He sent humanity to its doom.

The youth stayed silent. His father was the bastard who deprived him of everything. The one who sent him to hell to be stronger. He never made a mistake, but now, he couldn’t believe him. The races weren’t staying idle too. With the years, people have managed to become stronger, and have a better understanding of their ability. New weapons were constructed every day. Weapons capable of cutting down some middle and high beasts like butter were created. Magic has been studied and its depth was being understood. The races were getting stronger too. The cities, kingdoms, empires developed a better defence. How can they face extinction in a night? Even if a dragon woke up, at most he would attack cities in the outskirt, a dragon couldn’t pass the defence of a capital. It was simply insane.

“You’re not even 60 and you’re already insane.” Said the youth with disdain.

The man laughed. Even his son didn’t believe him. But it didn’t matter. If he couldn’t convince him, he was sure that time could. His son wouldn’t die. At least not right now. He trained him to the utmost of his capabilities. He created just for him the deadly weapon of a forgotten time by adjusting it with his new world rule. And he thought that with time his son will only get stronger. And the only thing which will stand in his way was the same thing that stood in humanity way a long time ago. He raised his head and looked straight at his son's eyes, waiting for him to make his move.

The youth faced his father eyes and saw his determination. His feelings were swayed a little before he regained control of himself. He couldn’t falter here. From now on, he couldn’t let someone lead his life, he couldn’t let someone take everything which was precious to him away. He promised his mother that he’ll find a good wife and be considerate to her, he promised his sister that he will live in happiness and not be drown by sorrow, and he promised himself that when he will be strong enough, he will kill his father.

The gun locked onto his father head. Mana was poured into the magical array in it. His index pressed the trigger. And a piercing sound could be heard. The head exploded into a pool of blood, scattering the remains everywhere, painting the snow in a scarlet colour. His father body stayed cross-legged despite missing its head, showered in blood.

The youth lowered his gun and looked at the cloudy sky. Tears formed in his eyes. Bloody tears, since it’s been a long time since he couldn’t produce any normal tears with his eyes.

He fell on his knees, he no longer had the strength to stand up. He finally did it. He was finally free of his father’s clutch. But, he didn’t have a family anymore.

“Status.”

Name Grey Cromwell    Race Nephilim   Level 64 Class Void Walker   Mana 4241/6000 Strength 84   Agility 122 Dexterity 114   Endurance 98 Will 167   Intelligence 105 Wisdom 70  

Attributes Ice magic (Grade: Emperor) Darkness magic (Grade: Emperor) Void magic (Grade: God)