Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Roald, are you ready?"I asked with a delectable desire to kill, steeping over the river of blood and organs. The sounds of bones cracking echoed out as I stepped over the skull of someone creating a massive indent causing his eyes to pop out.

"Who are you?" HE asked, in a calm voice raising his bastard sword that began to glow. Two large runes could be seen as I stopped,

"Sever, Blood," I said aloud as I read the marking to his surprise,

"You can read them...That's impossible... Drulan did not send you, did he?" Roald asked with a cold grimace.

Placing Dragonsbane on my back, I could feel my instincts screaming as I nodded, "No, he did not... but I think we both need to leave." I said, looking into the distance at a powerful aura in the air. I could feel the hairs rising from the nape of my neck as it grew closer at a breathtaking pace.

Sending Roald a smile, I nodded, "I'm afraid our battle will have to wait. Do not worry; I will not kill your people next time. We can have a fair dual." I said aloud, leaping over the bloody fortress with a frown.

Blending into the darkness, I fled, feeling my instincts screaming for me not to stop. Hours began to pass before I looked around, feeling safe. Quickly changing my clothing, I placed a low-grade sword on my waist before making a small fire while also making sure that no blood still remained over my body. Most of my injuries were all but gone due to the souls supplying me an almost infinite amount of vital qi.

Minutes began to pass before a man with long black hair appeared, sending me a scrutinizing glare that made me quake. He spoke, "Where did he go?"

With an innocent gaze, I tilted my head, "Ummm, are you talking about the white wolf mask dude. With a black spear?"

Watching as a twinkle grew in his eyes, the man before me nodded, "that way," I said, pointing in the direction I would have fled if I didn't trust my instincts.

Tossing me a small pouch, the man vanished in a flash, to my surprise. I could not even track his movements as I fell to my bottom, acting in shock.

I knew something was going on with that man, especially that Roald. Aside from Lilith, he was one of the best fighters I ever faced. Although, he was at the peak of Gate of Man. Amazingly, he could battle evenly with me. I figured I could kill those at the Gate of Life, and they should be around the stages of Spirit Realm.

"No matter," I said aloud, feeling a rush of vital qi fill my body. I could feel my power was at the same Peak Stage of Man, but I had yet to break through to the peak stage of my realm. It was quite confusing, but it didn't matter as long I was getting stronger. I was an abomination; nothing like me should have ever happened, so there really isn't some manual for me to follow.

Stretching my body, I gazed at the fire before closing my eyes. I need to pretend; I didn't know if I was still being watched, and my instincts can't tell me everything. At least not yet.

Meditating till the next day, I rose with the morning sun with a joyful smile full of innocence. Hiding my pure disgust for the sun, I left. Exploring the forest of Hallr, since I could not enter the city, at least not yet, I needed to wait till Lilith arrive.

Although a voice in my head was telling me to ignore Lilith and head in, feeling slightly naughty, I gazed at the fussy city in the distance. It may be a bad idea, but I wanted to explore. Licking my lips, I rushed to the city below.

Days quickly began to pass as I drew closer to Hallr, but an unexpected occurrence appeared as I gazed at Roald near the gates of Hallr with a bitter expression. His fist and armor were still stained with blood as he had no way of removing them. Life must really be hard for cultivators who do not use Qi in their everyday lives...Do they shit too?

Feeling my gaze, Roald turned to me, sending me a cold glance as he turned away. Not one to care much, I placed a sphere of darkness around my qi before the Gates to Hallr were finally opened.

Gazing at the guards in the distance, I suddenly frowned as I turned to the man that threw me a pouch of money last night walking close to Roald.

"Nephew, I could not find him. But I think he is just as you said. I will head to the Guild to post his description."

"Thank you, Uncle Arne," Roald whispered.

Acting like I didn't know who he was, I stepped in with a vibrant smile of a county pumpkin. Observing the new lands before me. The streets were blustering with life as I saw elves, Dwarves, Lizardman, and various other races around. Everyone seemed to communicate well with one another, unlike the ruthless killing I experience when I first arrived.

Looking at a pouch that held twenty golden coins, I looked around for some kids to speak to. I needed to know more about his city, and those little shits knew many things adults would not share. Spending a few hours learning, all I could do was sigh, realizing how poor I was.

What I held was called Ore. They were broken up like in some RPG games. Gold, Silver, and Bronze. One thousand Bronze is one Silver, and one hundred silver is one gold.

I needed a mansion before Lilith arrived... I needed to set up the dungeon before she gets here. What is a good way to get money? Come on, Arsene, think... Arsene... Arsene... Wasnt this name of mine the name of a thief in my past life?

SLapping my forehead, I beamed in joy. Since no one used Qi, I had yet to see someone with a spiral ring or bracelet. They just kept their essentials on their person. It was a bit basic, but I guess not everyone...

"Thrall?" voice filled with contempt filled my ears as I turned to a large brawny man with a scar over his eyes. "where the hell have you been?"

Frowning, I shook my head, "I am no slave. Nor am I even dressed as one." I said, pointing to my clothing that looked to be high class.

Smiling, I saw a flash of yellowish-brown teeth that smelled of rotten fish appear as the man spoke, "Speaking back to your master? How many times must I train you?" he said, reaching to clench my throat.

Sending a quick glance around, I frowned at how everyone ignored what was happening. It was if something like this was a common occurrence. Sidestepping, my arm flashed over his incoming palm. Crimson rain quickly appeared as the brawny man looked down in surprise.

THud*

Gazing at his severed arm, I dodged like the wind as blood gushed over the pavement as he gell to his knees. With a brutal smile, I flashed before he could scream, stomping down on his head. Hearing the cracking of his skull, I enjoyed the sweet sounds of his screams. With another stomp, a massive indent appeared as the man began foaming at the mouth.

"Amm mmmm fffff oooooo" He mumbled as I laughed in amusement. It was my first time turning someone into a retard. Looking at how his arm was twitching and flailing around madly as blood pooled from his eyes, I shrugged.

Fixing my clothing in a jiffy, I eyed everyone around me with a frosty smile before going on my way. It was subtle and unnecessary, but I had also taken his wallet. Looking inside at the five silver pieces, I smile, but it quickly faded.

That man seemed to be specifically targeting me...Could it be Roald, or was he targeting me due to my pumpkin expression? I need to lay low...Naw, when has that ever worked, and knowing my luck, it's only a matter of time before I end up in some random shit.

"Either way, I am starting to enjoy the Viking life."