Beast Evolution Forge - Chapter 132

Chapter 132: Cain 1
“before I begin, let me say this. You are all either brave or incredibly stupid, regardless of that, I will not try and change any of your decisions but do be warned, only 10 people have it back alive from this dungeon… ever. And even they didn’t clear it, they said the monster let them leave, to send a message.” She gave Vell a side eye before continuing.

“You are all rivals in this competition but just this once, i advice you all work together in there. You are given a month to clear the dungeon, clearing it faster earns you extra points of course.” The contests where happy about the extra point part, Vell on the other hand was mainly focused on the dungeon, its really fascinated him.

“Well, seems you are all eager to go, you can go in but remember, be careful, I heard its a whole world in there.”

Everyone went in one by one. When Vell entered, his body teleported, something he experience only in one other dungeon. He appeared on a path, only he was there and the path lead to a small village surrounded by massive walls.

He looked around for a bit, on both sides of the path was a forest and after expanding his mana zone, he could sense many people closing in, trying to jump him with weapons but they were too weak for him to care.

“Now now, that’s not the way to greet a guest.” He stomped his foot on the ground, sending mana pathways to each of the people watching him, locking them in place.

[Oh, that’s neat, never seen that one before.]

“Just learned it, it will come in handy for sure.” He walked over to the one giving off more mana, clearly he was the boss.

The man he approached wore tattered armor, his face half-hidden beneath a hood. Despite being pinned by the mana threads, his eyes burned with defiance and he had the scent of a warrior who has seen many die. “You think binding us will save you?” he spat. “This place doesn’t forgive trespassers. The trees breathe, and the ground hungers. You’ll die here like the others.”

He crouched in front of him, the mana in his palm flickering like a dying star. “Cute speech. But let’s skip the theatrics. Who sent you? No, better question, what is this place, tell me everything you know.”

The man was not intimidated at all, “Fuck you.” Big mistake on his part.

“Oh?” Vell smirked like a mad man before forming a mana ball in his palm, “I was hoping you would just explain, people really do love pain huh? Well, who am I to deny them what turns them on.” He pushed the mana ball into the man’s body and he instantly felt his insides being eaten.

“Painful right? That’s only the 5th painful thing I can do to you right now.” He watched the man with a warm smile, not fit for the situation at all.

The man coughed up blood and his eyes were completely red, if this was not stopped soon, he would die. His composure cracked as his body convulsed. His breathing became ragged, his defiance fading with each passing second. “Stop… Stop it!” he gasped, his voice strained and desperate.

Vell’s smile remained, his eyes glowing faintly as he leaned closer. “Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. You see, I’m not one for theatrics either, but if you force my hand, I can be… persuasive.” He tightened his grip on the mana threads, causing the man to howl in agony.

The other ambushers, still bound by his mana pathways, began to panic. Their eyes darted around, looking for a way out, but there was none. One of them, a younger man, finally shouted, “Please! Let him go! We’ll talk! Just… stop!”

He glanced at the young man, his expression softening slightly. “You should’ve started with that. It saves us all so much trouble.” He released the mana ball, withdrawing it from the leader’s body. The man collapsed to the ground, not moving.

“Good,” he said, brushing off his hands as if he’d just finished a chore. “Now, who’s feeling chatty?” His eyes scanned the group.

The younger man stepped forward hesitantly, his hands trembling. “We… we’re just scavengers,” he stammered. “This path leads to the Village of Whispers. It’s ruled by a tyrant—someone none of us can defy. He controls the monsters, the forest, everything. If we don’t bring back something valuable, we’re as good as dead.”

Vell crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. “Village of Whispers, huh? Sounds charming. And this tyrant… what’s his deal?”

The young man hesitated, glancing nervously at the leader, who was still not moving. Vell raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers, tightening the mana threads on the others to remind them of his control. “Don’t make me ask twice.”

“The tyrant’s name is Cain,” he blurted out. “He’s… not human anymore. Something’s wrong with him. He’s been here for centuries, they say. The village survives because he keeps the worst of this place at bay, but his price… it’s unbearable.”

“Centuries, huh?” His interest piqued. “Sounds like he’s bound to this place. Maybe part of the dungeon itself. Tell me more.”

The young man nodded frantically, words spilling out in a rush. “Cain was once an adventurer like you. But this place… it changes people. Warps them. Some say he made a deal with it. Others think he became its puppet. Either way, he’s more monster than man now. If you’re going to the village, you’ll have to face him eventually.”

He let the information settle, his mind already strategizing. This Cain sounded like a key figure—either an obstacle or an opportunity. He glanced at the scavengers, their faces pale with fear. “Alright, you’ve been helpful. I’ll let you live. But if you cross me again, well…” He gestured toward the leader. “You know how it ends.”

He released the mana threads, and the scavengers collapsed to the ground, gasping in relief. Without another word, he turned and began walking toward the massive walls of the village.

As he moved, the voice of the system in his mind echoed with curiosity.

[Cain might be worth investigating. A being tied to the dungeon could hold valuable insights—or power.]

“That’s the plan,” he muttered, a faint smirk on his lips. “Let’s see if this tyrant is as scary as they claim.”

Didn’t take him, he arrived at the entrance where two monsters were guarding it. “Lizardmen? Interesting.” He whispered to himself as he approached.

The two lizardmen stood tall, their scaly bodies covered in crude armor pieced together from scraps of metal and bone. Each of them gripped a jagged spear, their sharp, reptilian eyes locked onto him as he approached. They hissed in unison, their forked tongues flicking out to taste the air.

“State your purpose, outsider,” one of them growled, his voice guttural and low.

He stopped a few paces away, his expression calm but calculating. “I’m just a traveler passing through. No need to get worked up.”

The second lizardman snarled, baring rows of jagged teeth. “This is the domain of Cain. No one passes without tribute—or blood.”

He sighed, shaking his head. “I’m guessing you mean my blood. That’s unfortunate because I’m quite attached to it.”

The first lizardman raised his spear, pointing it directly at Vell’s chest. “Then turn back, or prepare to die.”

“Die?” He chuckled softly, rolling his shoulders as if warming up. “You’re not the first to make that promise today, and I doubt you’ll be the last.”

Without warning, the second lizardman lunged forward, thrusting his spear with alarming speed. Vell sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid like water. As the spear passed by, he grabbed the shaft and pulled, yanking the lizardman off balance.

Before the first lizardman could react, he extended his free hand, sending a pulse of mana that struck him square in the chest. The impact sent the creature flying backward, slamming into the wall with a loud crack.

The second lizardman tried to recover, but he twisted the spear out of his grip and spun it in his hands like a seasoned warrior. “Nice weapon,” he remarked, examining the crude craftsmanship. “A little rough, but it’ll do.”

The lizardman snarled and leaped at him barehanded, claws outstretched. Vell sighed again, planting the spear into the ground and raising his hand. A wave of mana rippled outward, freezing the lizardman mid-air.

“You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.” He walked up to the frozen creature, studying its fierce but helpless expression. “Now, let’s make this simple. I’m going into that village, whether you like it or not. If you two are smart, you’ll stand down.”

The lizardman struggled against the mana binding him, but it was no use. Vell released his grip, letting the creature drop to the ground with a heavy thud. It scrambled to its feet, glaring at him but not daring to attack again.

“Wise choice,” he said, retrieving the spear and tossing it back to the lizardman. “You might need that.”

The first lizardman groaned as he got back up, clutching his chest where Vell’s mana blast had struck. He glared at him but stayed silent, clearly weighing his options. Finally, he growled, “You’ll regret this, outsider. Cain will devour you.”

“Maybe,” he said with a smirk, walking past them toward the massive gates. “But that’s what makes it fun, doesn’t it?”

The lizardmen didn’t follow or stop him. They simply watched as he approached the gates, their eyes filled with a mix of fear and hatred.

As he stood before the towering gates, they began to creak open on their own, revealing the interior of the Village. The air was heavy, carrying a strange scent that seemed to be alive but apart from that, it looked like a normal village with people.

“Alright, Cain, Let’s see what kind of tyrant you really are.”

[Mission: Defeat Cain]

[Reward: Gold card]

[Mission Rank: C]

[Time limit: None]