I slipped out of the cottage while the morning mist still clung to the ground, leaving behind the suffocating pretense of humanity.
The Whispering Woods beckoned like a promise of freedom—dark, dangerous, and far from prying eyes. Here, I could finally test what I'd become without worrying about witnesses or holding back.
[Environment Analysis: High-mana concentration detected]
[Monster Activity: Multiple A-Rank signatures within hunting range]
[Recommendation: Begin power assessment with moderate threats]
[Warning: Hero party detected in eastern quadrant - avoid contact]
"Hero party?" I muttered, intrigued despite myself as I stepped into the forest's embrace.
[Affirmative. Standard composition: Tank, Healer, Mage, Rogue, Leader]
[Threat Assessment: Extreme - Heroes are natural enemies of Villains]
[Recommendation: Maintain distance until power level sufficient]
Interesting. So this world had Heroes too. That explained the System's villain classification—every good story needed both light and darkness.
But first, I needed to understand exactly what kind of darkness I'd become.
The howl that echoed through the trees gave me the perfect opportunity to find out.
---
The dire wolf pack found me before I found them.
Six massive beasts emerged from the undergrowth, each the size of a small horse with eyes that glowed like molten gold. Their leader—a scarred alpha with silver fur—studied me with predatory intelligence that spoke of countless successful hunts.
[Threat Assessment: Dire Wolf Pack - A-Rank]
[Alpha: Level 38, Abilities: Pack Leadership, Shadow Step, Venomous Bite]
[Pack: 5 subordinates, Level 25-30 each]
[Recommended Strategy: Eliminate alpha first, scatter pack]
"Let's see what a god can do," I whispered, drawing my sword with fluid grace.
The alpha lunged with supernatural speed, but to my enhanced perception, it might as well have been moving through honey. Time seemed to slow as my awakened abilities kicked in, and I sidestepped the attack with casual ease.
My blade found the wolf's throat in a perfect arc, cutting through fur, muscle, and bone like they were made of paper. The creature's head separated from its body before it even hit the ground.
[Combat Result: Critical Hit - Instant Kill]
[Damage Output: 400% above A-Rank threshold]
[Experience Gained: 2,847 points]
[Pack Morale: Shattered]
[New Ability Discovered: Time Dilation (Combat Reflexes)]
The remaining wolves tried to flee, but I was faster. Much faster.
What followed wasn't a battle—it was an execution. My blade moved like liquid lightning, cutting through the pack with effortless precision. I found myself experimenting, testing how much damage I could inflict, how precisely I could control each strike.
The old me would have been horrified by the casual cruelty. The awakened me found it fascinating.
Within minutes, six A-Rank monsters lay dead around me, their blood painting the forest floor in abstract patterns.
[Level Up! Level 1 → Level 2]
[All Stats Increased: +15%]
[Strength: 89 → 102]
[Speed: 91 → 105]
[Endurance: 88 → 101]
[Magic Power: 85 → 98]
[New Ability Unlocked: Predator's Instinct]
[Magic Core Acquired: Dire Wolf Alpha Core (Rare)]
I picked up the glowing crystal that had materialized from the alpha's corpse—a magic core pulsing with contained power. Valuable, according to the System's analysis.
That's when I noticed I wasn't alone.
---
The figure that darted from the bushes was... unexpected.
A female goblin, but not like any monster I'd imagined. She was tall for her species—nearly five feet—with green skin, pointed ears, and a figure that was surprisingly appealing. Her leather outfit left little to the imagination, and her amber eyes sparkled with mischief as she snatched the magic core from my hand with lightning-quick reflexes.
"Thanks for the hunt, pretty boy!" she called over her shoulder, already sprinting away with inhuman agility.
[Target Analysis: Grix'ta - Goblin Rogue]
[Level: 42 - Elite Class]
[Abilities: Stealth, Acrobatics, Theft, Charm Resistance]
[Affiliation: Unknown]
[Threat Level: Moderate]
"Oh, hell no," I snarled, my enhanced speed kicking in as I gave chase.
The goblin was fast, but I was faster. Within seconds, I'd closed the distance, my sword already moving toward her exposed back. No one stole from a god and lived to brag about it.
That's when the world exploded into golden light.
A massive sword intercepted mine with a ringing clash that sent shockwaves through the forest. I found myself face-to-face with a young man in gleaming armor, his blue eyes blazing with righteous fury and divine power.
[WARNING: HERO DETECTED]
[Target: Kael Brightblade - Hero of Light]
[Level: 67 - Legendary Class]
[Abilities: Divine Protection, Holy Magic, Leadership Aura]
[Threat Level: MAXIMUM]
[Recommendation: IMMEDIATE RETREAT]
"Are you hurt?" the Hero asked the goblin, his voice carrying genuine concern despite her obvious monster nature.
That's when I realized this wasn't going to be a simple theft dispute.
More figures emerged from the trees—the Hero's party, each radiating power that made my enhanced senses scream warnings.
[Party Analysis Complete:]
[Kael Brightblade - Hero/Paladin - Level 67]
[Lyra Moonweaver - High Elf Mage - Level 61]
[Thorin Ironshield - Dwarf Tank - Level 59]
[Zara Shadowstep - Human Rogue - Level 58]
[Grix'ta - Goblin Scout - Level 42]
"She stole my magic core," I said, keeping my voice level despite the System's screaming alerts. "I killed those dire wolves fair and square."
The goblin—Grix'ta—laughed, a sound like silver bells with a hint of malice. "He interrupted my hunt! I was tracking that pack for hours before this amateur showed up and scared them into the open."
"Is that true?" Kael asked, his grip on his sword never wavering, divine energy still crackling around the blade.
"Does it matter?" I replied, letting some of my true nature leak into my voice. "Possession is nine-tenths of the law, and I'm the one holding the sword."
[Warning: Hostile intent detected]
[Hero's Divine Protection activating]
[Multiple combat-ready signatures surrounding position]
[Survival probability: 12%]
That's when the High Elf stepped forward, and everything changed.
Lyra Moonweaver was... magnificent. Tall, elegant, with silver hair that caught the forest light and curves that her revealing robes did nothing to hide. But it was her eyes that caught my attention—ancient, arrogant, and looking at me like I was an insect beneath her notice.
"Are you quite certain you wish to threaten us?" she asked, her voice dripping with condescension as magical energy began to swirl around her fingers like living starlight.
Before I could respond, invisible force slammed into me like a giant's fist. My knees hit the forest floor hard, and I found myself completely immobilized by her magic, unable to move so much as a finger.
[Spell Identified: Greater Hold Person]
[Resistance: Failed - Caster level too high]
[Status: Completely restrained]
[Humiliation Level: Critical]
[Recommendation: Negotiate for release]
"Now then," Lyra continued, her tone suggesting she was enjoying this far too much, "are you quite certain about your claim?"
The rage that built inside me was unlike anything I'd ever felt. Here I was, a god among mortals, kneeling helplessly while this arrogant elf looked down at me like I was nothing.
[Villain Evolution: Accelerating due to humiliation]
[New Ability Unlocking: Rage-Fueled Power]
[Target Acquired: Lyra Moonweaver - Priority: Corruption and Revenge]
"Wait!" a familiar voice called from the forest edge. "Please, don't hurt him!"
My blood turned to ice as Aldric emerged from the trees, his face flushed from running. Behind him, barely visible in the shadows, I caught a glimpse of silver hair.
Lyralei had followed us. My corrupted servant was here, watching her Master kneel helplessly before his enemies.
[Crisis Alert: Cover identity at risk]
[Lyralei stress levels: Critical - witnessing Master's humiliation]
[Aldric reputation: Stake in outcome]
[Recommendation: Maintain civilian persona at all costs]
"Sir Aldric!" Kael's expression brightened with recognition. "What brings you to the Whispering Woods?"
"This man is my guest," Aldric said, slightly out of breath. "Raven, what in the Empire's name are you doing out here? I told you these woods were dangerous!"
The Hero's party exchanged glances, and I saw Lyra's magical grip on me waver slightly as she reassessed the situation.
"Your guest?" Grix'ta asked, tilting her head with renewed interest. "He was about to skewer me over a magic core."
"I'm sure it was a misunderstanding," Aldric said diplomatically, though I caught the warning look he shot me. "Raven is... recovering from injuries. He's not thinking clearly."
[Aldric Suspicion: 40% > 55%]
[Cover Story: Strained but holding]
[Hero Party: Reassessing threat level]
"If Sir Aldric vouches for him," Kael said slowly, his divine aura dimming slightly, "then I suppose we can overlook this incident. But your guest should be more careful about making accusations."
Lyra released her spell with obvious reluctance, and I climbed to my feet, every muscle screaming with suppressed rage and humiliation.
"Keep the core," I said to Grix'ta, my voice carefully neutral despite the fury burning in my chest. "Consider it payment for the lesson in forest etiquette."
The goblin grinned and tossed the crystal in the air before catching it with practiced ease. "Smart human. Maybe you'll live longer than I thought."
As the Hero party began to melt back into the forest, I caught Kael's final words: "We'll be in the area for a few more days, investigating some... disturbances. Try to stay out of trouble."
[Threat Assessment: Hero party monitoring local area]
[Mission Status: Compromised]
[New Objective: Eliminate Hero party threat]
[Priority Target: Lyra Moonweaver - Humiliation must be repaid]
---
The walk back to the cottage was tense and silent. Aldric kept glancing at me like he was seeing me for the first time, while Lyralei trailed behind us, her stress radiating through our bond like a physical ache.
"What were you really doing out there?" Aldric asked finally, his knight's training making him probe for inconsistencies.
"Testing my recovery," I said, which was technically true. "You said I was getting stronger. I wanted to see how much."
"By hunting dire wolves? Alone?" His voice carried the tone of someone who'd spent years keeping idiots alive. "Do you have any idea how close you came to dying?"
If only he knew how close he'd come to watching me slaughter a Hero party.
"I can handle myself better than you think," I replied, the words carrying more truth than he could possibly understand.
[Aldric Suspicion: 55% > 60%]
[Lyralei Stress: 90/100 - Near breakdown from watching Master threatened]
[Hero Party: Confirmed ongoing threat]
[New Objective: Accelerate all corruption and elimination plans]
As we approached the cottage, I made a decision. The pretense was becoming more trouble than it was worth. Soon, I'd have to choose between maintaining my cover and embracing what I really was.
And after kneeling helplessly while that arrogant elf looked down at me like an insect...
The choice was becoming easier by the minute.
[Achievement Unlocked: First Humiliation]
[Villain Evolution: Rage and pride now primary motivators]
[New Ability Available: Vengeance Protocol]
[Target Priority Updated: Lyra Moonweaver marked for corruption and revenge]
Tonight, I'd take my frustration out on Lyralei. But soon...
Soon, I'd show this world what happened when you humiliated a god.
The Hero party thought they'd won this encounter. They had no idea they'd just made the worst enemy of their lives.
---
Status Update:
- Raven Level: 2 (All stats increased 15%)
- Lyralei Dependency: 75/100 (Severe addiction, witnessed Master's humiliation)
- Aldric Suspicion: 60/100 (Multiple inconsistencies noted)
- Hero Party Threat: 95/100 (Active in area, aware of Raven)
- Lyra Moonweaver: New primary target for corruption and revenge
- Villain Evolution: Humiliation driving rapid personality changes