“There once was a human man, with great power. The man was known to everyone as the 'Hero of the Blade' for his skill with the sword and his charming personality. Back then, the hero was really happy and his life was perfect in his eyes! After all he did not only have power and fame, but also a loving and beautiful wife who bore him two equally beautiful children.

On one faithful day, all of it ended. An allied nation attacked the kingdom our hero was in and drove him into a corner! With his family behind him he was desperate to protect them. “Why?! Why are you attacking us?! Are we not friends?” he asked. “This may be, oh hero! But our king desires the riches and lands that your kingdom holds!” he answered. That enraged the Hero and he raised his blade in anger as he stepped forward, only killing on his mind.

And killing he did. After cleansing the town of those invaders no one cheered at him and the Hero was confused. “Why are you not cheering? I saved us all!” he yelled. It was then that he noticed what happened. Blinded by rage he did not only kill those who opposed him but also the ones that surrendered themselves and threw away their weapons. “So, what?! They all deserved to die for attacking us!” he screamed. But no one agreed. Angry he turned around to face his family, only to be shocked once again. “Leave! I don't want you near my children, demon!” his wife cried. “Demon? So, that's what I am in your eyes? Very well then,” he said as he drew his still bloody blade once again and slew his wife in one strike. He then turned around and left the town while saying, “But mark my words! You will regret forsaking me!”

And thus, the King of Demons was born.”

-From Tales of the Dark Kings, Wrath.

*Sirius POV*

“Erm, can I ask you a question?” (Bird Girl)

“You just did, what is it?” (Sirius)

“Oh, you're right! Silly me. Anyway, erm... if we are searching for the one corrupting the forest, why do you want me to fly you towards the western Cave of Origin?” (Bird Girl)

“*sigh* Do you remember what I told you two hours ago?” (Sirius)

“Do you mean the planning thing or the thing involving the birds and the bees?” (Bird Girl)

“Urgh, never bring that up again! I'm of course talking about planning. Come on repeat what I taught you.” (Sirius)

“Erm... Okay! 'Since I most likely have a serious mental illness, or just fell of my bird too many times, I should not make decisions and also not question yours' ...is what I think you told me” (Bird Girl)

“Exactly! So, you DO still remember my words? Well done.” (Sirius)

“Hehehe Something like this is easy for me!” (Bird-brain Girl)

Wow she is seriously happy because I sarcastically praised her? She is one tense idiot...

Well, at least thanks to her bird monster I will easily be able to get to the Origin caves before the Elves find me. Rot told me that this girl is a so-called Fae, something like a Forest Spirit that got herself a body. Fae are wise and very intelligent beings.

…

At least that's what they should be. None of the fairies that are currently flying around me ever met the Fae, so the only thing they know are stories. Fae are also supposed to be pretty strong, which she is. Another Everbeast attacked us, a blue one this time. This gorilla was more than twice as big as the first one and a single punch of him easily shattered my Ice-Barrier! Luckily, Miss wanna be Fae was here to my rescue. She easily cut the Everbeast into mincemeat by using incredible fast and agile movements while being in a full plate armor! It took me another five minutes of randomly rambling to come up with a reason why the Everbeast attacked us by the way.

In the end, she believed me that it was corrupted as well. Fae are also supposed to be very, very old and blessed holy beings. Or in other words, she will be very tasty once I think of a way to kill her. I wonder if she'd die if I pushed her of this bird? Well it's very likely that the bird would shake me off himself the moment I push her, so let's not do this.

“Say, what's your name anyway? Sorry for not asking earlier, but I don't care” (Sirius)

“Huh? I'm Ayaeqlarune Shalana Faerondaerl!” (…)

“…you are Aya.” (Sirius)

“Huh?! B- But my name is Ayaeql-“ (Aya?)

“You. Are. Aya.” (Sirius)

“…Okay.” (Aya!)

Good. It's really great that she's so dumb and obedient, otherwise I would probably be dead.

“Am I allowed to ask for your name?” (Aya)

“Sirius.” (Sirius)

“Hm? I heard this name before... I can't remember where though.” (Aya)

“Don't think too much, you are going to hurt yourself.” (Sirius)

“Oh! Thanks for the tip!” (Aya)

“…” (Sirius)

I wonder if should feel pity for her.

Well, I don't.

After another three hours of mind-numbingly stupid questions and random equally stupid answers, we finally arrive. Now comes the next problem though, how do I explain to her that I need to take the tiny divine soul inside of this cave? Thinking rationally about this I guess the best way to do this is by not having her enter the cave at all.

“Aya, listen to me! I have something very serious to say.” (Sirius)

She turns towards me and makes a questioning face.

“There's something only you can do, Aya! Do you understand? If you don't do this for me, we will never get the Corrupter!” (Sirius)

“Wh- what is it?! Tell me! Quick!” (Aya)

“Listen Aya, you have... to Keep watch over the cave while I enter it! Let no one inside while I search for the corrupter in there!” (Sirius)

“I understand! Don't worry Sirius, I will not disappoint you!” (Aya)

Wow, she's really pumped about this!

“I trust you Aya to not fail me, alright?” (Sirius)

“Yes, Sir!” (Aya)

Oh, so I'm her supervisor now? I'll take it.

I enter the cave and find out that it looks exactly like the last one. The debuff got a bit weaker though, instead of 96% it's only 81% now. The Fairies are right behind me.

“...Are you going to kill Aya, lord?” (Rot)

“Hm? If I find a way, yes.” (Sirius)

“Pl- please don't! She is so friendly... I also kind of feel sorry for her.” (Rot)

“Aren't you a bit too nice to be a Dark Fairy, Rot?” (Sirius)

“Well, it's not like Dark Fairy is our real species name.” (Rot)

“Huh? What do you mean?” (Sirius)

“We are actually called 'Primal Fairies' but since gods consider a fairy without a divine soul as dark, we are called that by the ancient magic.” (Rot)

“... What?! Gods can influence the ancient magic?!” (Sirius)

“Only a little bit... You are also not really corrupting us, but freeing us! Sorry for not telling you, I thought you would stop if you knew.” (Rot)

“I don't care about that as long as I can get more souls.” (Sirius)

“I realized that as well a while ago...” (Rot)

Interesting information. So, I guess I shouldn't trust this magic anymore? I think I can actually still trust it, but I do have to be careful about what it says.

“So about Aya...” (Rot)

“We will see.” (Sirius)

“…” (Rot)

I arrive at the core of the cafe and just simply absorb the tiny divine soul into my ring, which fills a bit more than half of it up. Satisfied I feel how the debuff leaves me and I exit the cave.

Aya is currently standing outside with her weapons drawn.

“He's not in here! Let's continue to the next cave.” (Sirius)

“Hm? Is that so? Alright let's go Sir!” (Aya)

I really need to think of a way to kill her soon. After getting the last soul I'll ask her to get me out of this place and then... And then what? She is dumb as hell but also pretty strong, at least Rank A. So how am I supposed to kill her? Maybe I just spare the girl since it's not really worth the trouble...

We get back on the bird and fly to the third and last cave while talking. I can literally feel how my braincells are dying every time she speaks. If I were still alive I'd probably either find her adorable or would have already lost my mind and beat her death by using a chair.

Why a chair? Don't ask, just accept it.

After nine very uneventful hours we arrive. It's night time now and I realize that the caves are actually glowing. We land and get off the bird, Aya is already holding her sword in her hands.

“Don't worry boss, I know what to do!” (Aya)

“…Right.” (Sirius)

I walk inside and shortly after arrive once again at another soul.

“Finally! Go lord! 'Corrupt' the last cave!” (Rot)

I absorb the soul into my ring and reach 104%! Luckily, it seems like 4 more percent won't make this thing unstable. Good I have no Idea how to explain Aya the coming of a hundred fairies...

“AHHHH!!!” (Aya)

Huh? Aya screamed in pain? What happened?

I quickly leave the cave and see something very strange. All around us the Soul-trees change color as if I'd taken their souls! And Aya is lying on the ground while shacking and screaming in pain. Even the fucking bird went crazy and is making strange sounds. What's happening?!

Congratulations! By 'corrupting' all Caves of Origin you successfully ruined this place! Do you wish to turn it into a dungeon?

I look away from Aya to take a look at something more important. A dungeon? I can make a dungeon out if this place? I heard of a few outside Dungeons, but a whole forest? Will I get anything out of it? Well, it doesn't seem like it costs me anything, so let's do it.

Congratulations! You successfully turned 'Everbloom Forest' into the Dungeon 'Neverbloom Forest'!

Beginning transformation...

...

Transformation finished! 5937 Dark fairies were given the job Dungeon Mob! 426 Everbeast were turned into Neverbeasts and given the job 'Boss' The Strongest being inside the forest (Ayaeqlarune Shalana Faerondaerl) was given the job Endboss!

What? How strong is she?! To be even Stronger than Fully grown Everbeasts...

I look around and see that the whole forest is changing. All Soul Trees have already changed color by now and it looks like a red veil is hanging above the whole place. It’s quite sinister looking.

I notice that Aya stopped screaming as well and look back at her. She is slowly standing up while being inside a now completely black plate armor.

Hm?

Damn...

I don't feel a soul inside of her any more... and with the gods forsaking this whole place, her bones won't be very divine either, huh?

“You alright Aya?” (Rot)

“Yep, everything Okay! Though I do have the desire to stand at one spot and wait for people to kill...” (Aya)

“…Okay?” (Sirius)

She seems completely fine to me.

Congratulations! The Gods from down below watched you actions and are very pleased! One of them wants you to serve directly under him! Accept Divine Protection? Y/N

Wow, Divine Protection?! Yes, finally! This is going to hel-

…

Wait a minute, serve?

…

I already said this at the very beginning of my journey. I do not want to serve. I will not serve. So fuck this, I cho-

Congratulations! Primal God Lucifer, God of Pride is very pleased with your decision to not stand beneath anyone! He wants you to be his Champion! Accept High Divine Protection? Y/N

…

Now that's more like it! Finally, someone who isn't rude!

I accept immediately and start to feel a strong pain inside of my very being. Shit, the pain is crushing me! ah... Why does it hurt my soul so much to get a Divine protection?

…

I don't feel so good.