Chapter 83: Subject #1

Black Order’s Greed Branch.

Giant Tribe Research Lab.

Black Order Priest Tens, who oversaw this place, stared intently at the Communication Orb before him.

Wuuung!

A flash of light burst from the orb, forming the silhouette of a person.

A pot-shaped face, full of greed.

A man adorned with expensive-looking ornaments on his ears and nose.

The instant Tens saw him, he straightened his back and bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle, shouting loudly.

“I greet the Bishop of Greed!”

-How’s the research going? Is it almost done?

“Thanks to your arrangements, Bishop, the research is progressing safely. I believe we can finish within a month.”

You believe you can finish?

“I’ll finish within three weeks!”

At Tens’ answer, the Bishop of Greed nodded and lifted something.

A piece of fruit headed for his mouth.

It was a rare specialty cultivated by the Beastkin, something even kings rarely tasted.

-Slurp, so, how far has the research come?

“I have injected Demon Blood into Test Subject No. 1, who shows the highest compatibility rate. If there are no issues during today’s stability test, I plan to implant knowledge of Swordsmanship and Magic.”

-What about Test Subject No. 2 and No. 3?

“We are maximizing their compatibility rates. Their numbers are lower than No. 1, but continued research is steadily raising them.”

-Hmm. So, it means mass production will be possible?

“Yes. It is possible.”

Tens answered with confidence.

All the countless humans sacrificed as offerings so far, and the Giant’s body that had been studied for a long time.

Thanks to that, even Test Subject No. 3, who originally had the lowest compatibility, had been raised to above 80%.

With all this research data, and as long as the Giant Tribe existed, they could create countless special humans with the traits of giants.

-Continue progressing as planned. Have you gathered any information about the Sixth Forest?

“We have confirmed that the deployed giant and Wyvern Lord have died. Currently, the surviving Emperor is leading the Wyverns.”

-Slurp, the new Lord’s identity?

“I apologize. We have not yet confirmed it.”

-Hmm.

Wiping juice from his lips, the Greed Lord spoke.

-Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll be making moves in the other forests.

“Yes. Since we’ve taken over two forests, we should be contacted soon.”

-Brainwash the elite giants you’ve captured perfectly. Since Zeit cannot be used. We’ll have to use those fellows for negotiations.

Other giants could be subjected to Mind Control.

But as for Zeit, Lord of the Forest, Mind Control was impossible.

So, they had restrained Zeit using a powerful Soul Weapon.

Since they couldn’t send Zeit to the gathering of the Forest Lords, they had to use the elite giants dear to Zeit.

“Understood. I’ll brainwash them perfectly so our presence won’t be exposed.”

-You always understand ten things when I say one. Do it like that, and you can rise higher.

Moved by the Bishop’s praise, Tens once again lowered his head deeply, eyes brimming with emotion.

“I will do my utmost!”

-Then, until next time.

As the orb’s light faded, the bishop’s figure disappeared as well. Yet Tens’ gaze remained unchanged.

If anything, it burned even brighter.

A chance to rise above the rank of Priest. To seize that opportunity, he would have to fulfill his given mission flawlessly.

“…I must be perfect.”

As Tens opened the door and stepped outside, the scene of the ongoing research lab unfolded before him at a glance.

The great Lord of the Forest.

Zeit.

A massive giant lay collapsed on the ground, unable to move an inch, all sorts of tubes stuck into his body.

The sight filled Tens with a strange sense of satisfaction.

He moved, looking into Zeit’s half-closed eyes.

Just then, a Researcher approached.

“Tens-nim, all preparations are complete.”

“Is that so?”

Together with the Researcher, Tens walked to where Test Subject No. 1 was housed—a transparent capsule.

Supplying oxygen.

Enhancing physical abilities.

Inside a special liquid made with a unique formula, Test Subject No. 1 lay with eyes closed.

“Begin.”

“I’ll begin now.”

As the Researcher gave the signal, black liquid began to flow into the capsule holding Test Subject No. 1.

Top-grade Demon Blood.

A rare material obtained from a demon contracted by the Bishop of Greed.

Just seeing the blood would drive an ordinary person mad due to its overwhelming demonic energy.

They had to handle it with the utmost caution.

“Injecting top-grade Demon Blood. All readings are normal. Test Subject No. 1 is accepting the blood into his body.”

Bubbles formed in the blackened capsule.

Bubble bubble.

As Test Subject No. 1 struggled to survive while absorbing the Demon Blood, air escaped.

Thunk!

Something struck the capsule.

Thunk!

Thunk!

“What are No. 1’s readings?”

“Test Subject No. 1’s numbers are within the normal range.”

“Continue.”

Tens calmly watched the capsule.

All the research up to now.

According to the data, Test Subject No. 1 could sufficiently accept top-grade Demon Blood.

Thunk!

Crack crack!

A fist slammed into the capsule, causing a faint crack. The Researcher raised a finger and traced a small circle.

Kwoong!

An Iron Cage perfectly fitted the capsule, descending from the ceiling to surround it. A safety measure in case of an unexpected rampage.

Thunk!

Thunk!

With every punch, the cracks spread wider. Everyone nearby held their breath.

And then, the black liquid within the capsule began to fade.

Like pigment washing away, the blackness receded and turned pure white. As the inside cleared, the figure of No. 1 slowly emerged.

Black skin.

Horns growing from the head.

A tail sprouting from the hips.

All the traits of a demon capable of wielding demonic energy had manifested. Accepting the power of the demonic energy fully, Demonization had succeeded.

“All readings are normal.”

“Mind Control poses no issue.”

“The demonic energy levels are stabilized as well.”

As these reports came from all around, Tens’ lips curled upward.

A perfectly successful experiment.

Tens used Mind Control as he looked at Test Subject No. 1 inside the capsule.

“Awaken.”

Test Subject No. 1 opened his eyes.

Flash!

Dark, blood-red pupils turned to Tens. That enchanting gaze made Tens’ smile twitch again.

“Are the giants ready?”

“Yes. They’re standing by in the testing arena.”

“Let’s see just how strong it is.”

At Tens’ gesture, the capsule floated up.

He walked along with the capsule in tow.

A testing arena set up a short distance from the Research Lab.

A makeshift Mini Arena, one could say.

A place surrounded on all sides by an Iron Cage imbued with a special power that sealed giant strength.

Inside was one of the Giant Tribe’s elite. Tens waved his hand and sent the capsule into the arena.

“Begin.”

“I will begin.”

The magically sealed capsule opened, and the liquid spilled onto the floor. Test Subject No. 1, eyes wide open, walked out.

At the same time, Mind Control on the giant was released.

[Where is this…….]

“The conditions are the same as the others. Kill the one before you, and you’ll be spared.”

[…You think I’ll do as you wish?!

“Then die.”

Tens issued a mental order to Test Subject No. 1.

To kill the giant before his eyes.

Test Subject No. 1 exuded intense demonic energy as he approached the giant.

Gwooooo!

The demonic energy he radiated was nearly on par with a top-grade demon. The giant before him frowned at the sensation.

[Demon?]

“…Die.”

No. 1 stretched out a hand toward the giant.

Wuuuuung!

A black orb formed, then shot straight ahead. Like spewing a breath attack, a black wave surged at the giant.

Feeling the threat, the giant threw himself aside.

The black wave swept past where he’d been.

Ssssssss!

Everything touched by the black wave melted away.

The Iron Cage and stone walls sagged and dripped to the ground.

The giant hastily rose and crossed his arms.

At that moment, No. 1 appeared before the giant in a flash and threw a punch.

Kwaang!

Unable to withstand the force, the giant was sent flying back into the Iron Cage.

“The demonic energy usage is excellent, and there appear to be no major problems in utilizing the giant’s strength either.”

At the Researcher’s intrigued report, Tens licked his lips with his tongue.

A giant of the Giant Tribe, something even a Sword Master or Archmage couldn’t kill alone.

Yet, Test Subject No. 1 overwhelmed such a giant with sheer power.

And he hadn’t even unleashed half his strength.

“With this power, unifying the forest will be easy.”

Not to mention, it hadn’t even learned Swordsmanship or Magic yet.

Once it acquired the Secret Techniques held by the Black Order, it would possess truly tremendous power.

“Finish it.”

Tens ordered No. 1, who moved accordingly.

Once more, demonic energy gathered in his palm.

Wuuung!

The powerful demonic energy gathered in his palm shot at the giant lying on the ground.

Kwaaang!

An explosion erupted, black smoke filling Tens’ vision. The sudden turn of events made him cover his mouth and stretch out his hand.

“Demon Lord’s Wing.”

With Tens’ incantation, black wings appeared, stirring up wind.

The black smoke before him vanished.

“You lot……”

What Tens saw were the elite of the Giant Tribe, who should have been locked up.

They glared this way, exuding menacing auras.

Yet Tens felt no fear.

They were all fitted with special devices for Mind Control.

“Kneel.”

But the giants didn’t even flinch at Tens’ order and gathered around their fallen comrade instead.

“…What is this… I said kneel! Kneel!”

“Te…Tens-nim, the Mind Control shell is gone.”

“What?”

Tens’ gaze fell on the neck of one of the giants looking back.

The shell that should have been attached was missing.

“I don’t know whose doing this is. But you’ll regret coming here.”

If it were up to him, he’d have killed them all.

But he had the Bishop of Greed’s orders.

Tens commanded Test Subject No. 1 to subdue them.

No. 1, having been smashed into the wall, broke free and charged the giants.

Just then, someone appeared and conjured a translucent barrier.

Kwaaang!

A blow nearly as powerful as that of Zeit, Lord of the Forest, was blocked. Standing there with a relaxed smile was a black-haired—

A person wearing a strange mask and weird clothes never seen before.

“Go on, take your revenge. I’ll take care of this one.”

[Uwaaaaaaaah!]

[Save Lord Zeit!]

[Time to avenge our fallen comrades!]

The giants roared and charged into the Research Lab.

At that moment, the Black Knights on standby in the lab drew their swords and rushed out.

Elite knights raised at great expense by the Bishop of Greed.

Their actual skill wasn’t at the Sword Master level.

But their equipment made them stronger than even a Sword Master.

“Wipe them all out!”

“It’s the Priest’s order. Eliminate them all.”

The giants and the Black Knights clashed.

An unwinnable fight for the giants.

They had already lost to the Black Knights before.

“Foolish idiots.”

As he sneered at the stupid giants who’d learned nothing from failure—

A blue Portal formed behind the giants.

From within, hundreds of Monsters rushed out.

Wyverns, Elves, Goblins, Orcs, and more.

A middle-aged man with an extraordinary presence gave them an order.

“Exterminate everyone except the giants.”