Everything in the Fifth Forest was massive.
The towering trees were that way, and so were the animals that lived in the forest. Since it was a place optimized for giants to live, everything was bound to be large.
This was especially true because the range a human could perceive was narrow.
Unless a massive explosion occurred, it was not easy to tell what was happening deep inside.
‘They must have thought the same thing.’
They likely carried out their plan after searching the surroundings in their own way and confirming there was no Perception Magic.
To the Black Order, they probably believed they had caught their enemy off guard.
*Whooooosh!*
The area around the Giant’s Temple was being dyed black.
Demonic Power flowed from the swords placed around the temple, while Divine Power flowed from the white circles outside them, preventing the Demonic Power from spreading further.
As time passed, the entrance to the temple, marked by a black circle, grew darker.
[Blessing of Magic (EX) enables you to understand the principles and structure of Demonic Energy Infusion]
[Your Understanding of Magic is high]
[Your Understanding of Attributes is normal]
[You have acquired Demonic Energy Infusion (S)]
Demonic Energy Infusion. It was the process of channeling Demonic Power to corrupt a specific area. Conversely, if one used Divine Power, it was possible to normalize the corrupted region.
‘Recovery won’t be a problem.’
I used detection magic to locate the members of the Black Order nearby. Some were working around the temple, while others were hiding throughout the forest to conduct their search. There was even someone commanding all of them.
I shifted my gaze toward a rock a short distance away from the temple. There stood a man with one ear cut off and a black eyepatch covering his right eye.
[Golden Dragon Eye Activated]
[Kelden Berg (S+)]
– The Captain of the Black Hound, a Knight Order belonging to the Black Order.
– Ambition
– Total Stats: S+
– Potential: SS
– Items: Black Demon Sword (S), Black Stone Armor (S), Bracal’s Cursed Necklace (S)
– Skills: Dark Swordsmanship (SS), Dark Footwork (S)… Advent (S), Faith (S), Corrupted Evil Eye (S)
He was equipped with a sword and armor that maximized the efficiency of Demonic Power, as well as a necklace that could cast curses.
His skills, including his swordsmanship, were all related to Demonic Power.
Among them, the Corrupted Evil Eye was a skill that could place a target under powerful Mind Control. I was immune to Mind Control, so it wouldn’t work on me, but I wondered if it would be effective against Guardians.
‘I should test it out if a chance arises.’
I then used the Golden Dragon Eye on the rest of the personnel.
Most of them were at the A-rank level of skill. However, every member of the Black Hound possessed the skill called Advent — a skill that allowed a member of the Demonkind to descend and possess their body.
Furthermore, in a region corrupted by Demonic Energy Infusion, their stats would likely increase to some extent. Kelden Berg would be considered SS-class, and his subordinates were effectively S-rank.
“The task is complete.”
“Good. Mind control all the giants inside the temple. Send them outside to ensure every other giant is under our control without exception.”
“Understood.”
“Squad 1 will subdue Zeit with me, then move to the main body and report this fact.”
“Understood.”
“Moving out.”
Kelden Berg stepped onto the blackened ground and entered the temple, passing the giants guarding the entrance. The Hounds followed closely behind him.
I could have wiped those guys out whenever I wanted, but what I truly desired was the Black Order’s main body. Specifically, the most powerful being who would be with that main body. I intended to wait until that person arrived here.
“Go ahead and run wild to your heart’s content.”
***
Inside the cave where the Giant’s Temple was located, Kelden Berg moved swiftly with his subordinates. Using Mana to lighten their bodies, they accelerated with every step, pushing forward.
‘It’s damn big.’
True to its name as a home for giants, the cave was enormous.
“It is this way.”
As they followed the subordinate leading the way, giants began to appear. Dozens of times larger than a human, a massive giant looked down and furrowed his brow.
【The Black Order? Where do you bastards think you are!】
Thanks to a ring enchanted with translation magic, the giant’s words were translated and reached Kelden Berg’s ears. The enraged giant clenched his fist and swung. It was a punch aimed at the group of Hounds. They scattered quickly in all directions and then moved simultaneously.
They clung to the giant and thrust their swords into him. Demonic Power flowed through the blades into his body.
【Gugh…】
They prevented the giant’s scream from echoing and finished the job. The giant tribe member was brought under Mind Control by the Demonic Power. With a vacant expression, both of his eyes turned black. One of the Hounds then disappeared into the giant’s hair.
*Ssssss.*
As the final touches were completed, the giant’s eyes returned to their original color. The Hound emerged again and looked at Kelden Berg.
“I will take this fellow and subdue the giants outside.”
“One more thing. After subduing them, move in pairs.”
“Understood.”
“You wait here. The rest of us move again.”
They continued deeper into the cave, subduing every giant they encountered with Mind Control. If it were their first time, it might have taken longer, but these giants had been mind-controlled by the Black Order before. The first time was difficult, but the second time was far easier.
*Ssssss!*
The Hounds, hiding in the hair of the mind-controlled giants, moved outside with them. There were giants who had gone out to scout or hunt for food. If those who were not inside realized the situation at the temple, they might inform the new Lord, so even the giants outside had to be perfectly subdued.
“We are moving out.”
*Thump!*
*Thump!*
Following the Hound’s command, the giants moved quickly. In just a few steps, they traversed the path the Black Hound had just taken. Kelden Berg watched the giants exit the cave at a high speed before turning his gaze back.
Deep inside the cave.
*Dash!*
Thinking of the Lord of the Forest who would be inside, Kelden Berg increased his speed even further.
“To the right.”
“Straight ahead.”
“To the left.”
As they reached the deepest part of the cave, a massive temple appeared. It was the place where the Lord of the Giants resided, a place filled with the forest’s great power. It was also where the Black Order’s laboratory had once existed.
Kelden Berg searched for the Lord of the Giants while walking through the temple, which still bore the traces of their experiments. The target was nearby.
A giant with one arm missing was lying on a massive stone bed. Seeing the giants guarding the area, Kelden Berg gestured. His subordinates moved simultaneously to subdue the guards.
Kelden Berg lightly kicked off the ground and stood on the chest of Zeit, the Lord of the Forest.
“He’s sleeping peacefully, not even knowing we’ve invaded.”
It couldn’t be helped. Although Zeit was the Lord leading the giants, the authority over this forest had already been passed to someone else.
‘He won’t be able to check on us with the Tablet.’
The Lords of the Forest could use the power of the Tablet to check for intruders, but since Zeit was no longer the Lord of the Forest, he could not access that information. This was why Kelden Berg had invaded the temple so boldly. He knew the secrets of the Sleeping Forest.
“Set up a Sealing Circle so Zeit cannot move.”
“Yes, sir.”
The members of Squad 1 moved around the massive stone bed and installed a Sealing Circle to prevent Zeit from taking any action. Once they had trapped him, Kelden Berg sent Squad 1 back outside.
“Go and bring the main force.”
***
The sensation connected to Zeit was severed.
‘Is it starting?’
I turned my head toward the temple entrance and saw some personnel emerge and move toward the boundary line. I followed them secretly to the edge of the boundary.
A moment later, a massive number of people crossed the boundary and entered the Fifth Forest. There were what seemed to be thousands of people, all clad in black armor, heading toward the temple.
‘…Is that person not here yet?’
Using Perception Magic to check beyond the boundary, I detected a few people who hadn’t entered yet and a presence emitting a powerful aura. That person was just standing there, as if they had no intention of coming in right now.
“What about the Bishop?”
“He says he will enter as soon as the interior is cleared.”
“Understood.”
Listening to the soldiers’ conversation, it seemed there was one more task left. The Black Order soldiers moved in a line toward the temple of the Fifth Forest. I followed them once more.
Upon arriving near the temple, the soldiers spread out, carrying flags. They drove the flags into the ground and channeled Demonic Power.
*Whooooosh!*
The Demonic Power began to corrupt the surrounding area.
The Demonic Energy Infusion, which had previously only surrounded the temple, expanded to a much wider range.
Some moved even further out to plant flags that blocked the corruption from spreading outside the forest.
At the same time, the soldiers gathered on the corrupted land began another task.
They pulled leather pouches from their waists and poured the contents onto the ground as they moved. Red blood flowed from the pouches.
The soldiers skillfully created a massive circle, drawing various shapes inside to complete something.
I didn’t know exactly what it was, but I could identify its type.
‘A Summoning Circle.’
A magic circle used to summon something. Considering they worshipped Demonkind, it was likely meant to summon a demon.
“Bring the Sacrifices and finish this.”
They built a Sanctuary in the center of the completed magic circle and installed crosses along the perimeter.
Four soldiers climbed onto the crosses of their own accord.
Meanwhile, the Demonic Energy Infusion had progressed significantly, and the area around the temple was completely corrupted, leaking thick Demonic Power.
‘The concentration is considerable.’
It was so dense that ordinary Divine Power would struggle to withstand it.
It was stronger than I had expected.
I calmly analyzed the situation. I weighed the options while thinking about the current circumstances and what was to come.
Should I finish them off now, even if I lose the Bishop? Or should I let things proceed and capture the Bishop as well?
‘Let’s wait.’
Thinking of my future plans, the being that would emerge from that Summoning Circle was absolutely necessary.
Among the enemies I had to face were those based on Divine Power — the White Dragon God and his Apostles.
To prepare for them, I needed a Guardian who could handle Demonic Power. It would be best if it was a strong one.
If that Bishop fellow summoned a demon through the circle, I could simply make it my Guardian and then take them all down.
Since I had the Dragon God Transformation, I should be able to handle most demons as long as they weren’t the Demon God himself.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
I wondered what kind of monster would crawl out.