Seeing children suffering and perhaps even impossible to save their shattered souls.
A black mist began to surround the elf hero's body and soul.
With fire magic blazing in her hand, without a second thought, Myrielle fired a fireball at the people before her.
They were shocked by the sudden attack.
No one realized when Myrielle had arrived.
They desperately tried to avoid the attack.
All the research equipment there was consumed by the flames.
Myrielle's anger and disappointment made her unforgiving to anyone in her path.
Seeing the sudden explosion from underground, the villagers immediately ran for their lives.
After a few moments, the explosion stopped.
However, it turned out that this wasn't a good thing.
Above the cloudy sky, they saw someone.
Using her wind magic, Myrielle flew and looked down at the people. Her gentle gaze was no longer there.
Her white hair fluttered as if a blizzard had struck. Her light magic no longer shone warmly.
Instead, it turned into an all-consuming darkness.
The hero they knew had changed.
Black lightning from her hands began to strike everywhere. Exploding everything in its path.
The explosions didn't stop inside that basement.
The explosions continued to strike almost half the kingdom.
What the nobles had rumored and desired had now come true, the hero had become a villain. But, it did not lead to what they wanted.
Hearing this, the king immediately ordered the troops to act immediately to stop the hero.
However, it was all in vain.
Myrielle, who saw the king's actions, felt even angrier and sank into darkness.
Whether it was the commoners, the soldiers, the nobles, the old and young, and even the king, Myrielle did not care.
In just a few days the elven kingdom had been devoured by a sea of fire.
Two kingdoms had been destroyed by the hands of the hero who was supposed to protect them.
Then, would other kingdoms experience the same thing?
Unfortunately, the destruction almost happened simultaneously to other kingdoms.
The half-human (beastman) race is a race that has unique characteristics.
Actually, they are quite similar to humans with only a few different body parts. But within their bodies flows the blood of two different types of creatures.
Thanks to this, they have an instinctive and physical advantage over other races.
The beastman kingdom, Vargoss.
The king's selection there is almost similar to the elven kingdom. However, it is different.
In the elven kingdom, the king is chosen by the world tree, which they consider the embodiment of their god. However, here, it is not like that.
The king here is chosen based on victory in a one-on-one battle by whoever believes themselves to be the strongest.
Actually, calling Vargoss a kingdom isn't quite accurate, because there aren't even any who could be called nobles.
All forms of government there are carried out by selected individuals who have passed a selection process and are truly capable of carrying out their duties.
If you're strong, you'll rule, but if you're weak, you'll be oppressed.
A place that truly prioritizes strength for survival.
If all the strong people were there, then what would kings and heroes be for?
Wouldn't they be unnecessary?
Strong people are indeed numerous, they can be found everywhere. Anyone can become king if they wipe out all their opponents.
But is that all it takes to establish a kingdom?
Can a strong person without thinking be able to stand before so many?
Although they crave power, they aren't foolish enough to ignore the principles of life.
Or rather, they also want a stable environment or region, economically and otherwise, in which to live and reside.
But well, not everyone shares this mindset.
Within that society, there are still some who think only about strength. They want power and replace the king.
However, because it was quite difficult to do, they formed their own group. They began to form a rebel group in the underworld and threatened the safety of the citizens.
Even though it was their own race, they did not care. They oppressed, enslaved, and committed other atrocities far from the king's supervision.
The hero of the beastman kingdom, a half-wolf, Reon.
Since childhood, Reon lived in an orphanage under the auspices of the church.
Reon's parents left and left Reon alone there.
Reon knew the reason he was left there was because his family was poor and he would be a burden to them.
Although Reon felt sad, he never hated his parents at all. Instead, he was determined to be a better person and maybe one day he could be a helper for his family.
Isn't that a naive thought?
Well, that's something a four-year-old boy can think.
Although wolf descendants are usually a bit angry and aggressive, Reon is a kind and diligent child.
Until finally he was chosen to be a hero. Reon is determined to protect everyone in the kingdom.
Although his life has changed, Reon is still a good and passionate man.
Until the battlefield before him began to change his mind.
His hand, holding a large axe, was covered in blood. Even though he knew he was defending his country, he felt something was wrong.
Was this the right thing to do?
Was this war really necessary?
He didn't know. He just needed to do his duty.
Everyone applauded Reon for everything he did.
In fact, they were only being kind because he was chosen as a hero.
Even his parents, they even returned after learning that Reon had been chosen. But Reon wasn't angry, he was actually happy if what he did brought happiness to people.
Until when he met the other heroes.
Hearing what was said, he realized something.
Yes, heroes exist to protect.
If they can protect from the shadows, isn't that better than slaughtering on the front lines of the battlefield?
Spirit began to rise again from within his heart.
Until then, he learned the truth that he had long ignored.
There are many good people in the world, but there are even more evil people who pretend to be good people.
A mask.
Everyone has their own mask.
Good and evil. Honesty and lies.
In front of him, they smile kindly, but as soon as they turn around, the smile disappears as if it never existed.
Reon thought, he should have known from the start.
Although the people of the Vargoss kingdom do indeed excel in strength, but he never expected there would be such a dark and cruel underworld in the kingdom he protects.
Illegal drug sales, slavery, and even gambling with lives at stake.
"What the hell is this...?" He muttered.
Ever since Reon began disguising himself, he'd heard rumors about a black market on the kingdom's borders.
He initially thought it might be just a baseless rumor and a misunderstanding.
But somehow, his instincts told him something was wrong.
Because the Vargoss kingdom's territory lies between a vast desert that stretches to the forests to the north, the area is highly susceptible to accidents and crime.
Therefore, royal soldiers are assigned to patrol the area.
At that moment, Reon accidentally spotted a caravan traveling. Although it sounded strange, his instincts told him to follow the group.
After passing several guard posts, in a deserted area far from the center of the kingdom, he saw it.
Several people with their hands bound in chains were being lifted out of a large wooden box.
The people looked shabby and exhausted.
They couldn't even stand and had to be dragged by the men carrying the caravan.
After walking a few steps, they arrived in front of a large gate. Knocking on the password, they entered.
Because Reon's abilities were superior to the others, he was able to run very fast without making any noise.
Behind the gate were many shops and crowds of people. Reon began to wonder if this was the rumored black market.
Entering the building that was used as a bar, Reon followed them silently.
Although there were many customers there, no one noticed his presence.
Until they reached the basement.
The spark of enthusiasm in his eyes had now disappeared.