EVIL SYSTEM

Rudolf was no idiot, and taking advantage of Ben's apparent distraction, he mobilized his magic and attempted to create and throw stones.

He tried, because from Ben's body emerged streams of electricity accompanied by a mysterious blue aura.

[Lightning Field]

Names held power—an unbreakable rule of magic. Therefore, to cast a spell, everyone without exception had to say the spell's name.

Though it didn't have to be said aloud, it could be done as Ben did, in a whisper.

[Stone Spear]

Rudolf tried to create a stone spear, but the spear began to form with great slowness, and he had to focus all his attention on it.

When Rudolf lost concentration for even a second, the spear split in two.

"What's happening?" Rudolf panicked. "Why isn't my magic working?"

He looked at Ben, who was bathed in lightning and watching him with amusement.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing." Ben stretched his body, feeling incredibly powerful and full of energy.

'So this is the intermediate level!'

Ben had to admit that the vast difference between the elemental and intermediate levels was enormous.

Now he fully understood why intermediate-level mages were so respected and valued in society.

"Don't lie! What did you do to my magic?!" Rudolf pointed at him with a half-formed spear.

"I already told you, I did nothing." Ben practically ignored Rudolf and with great ease, pulled the spear from his chest.

Blood gushed from his chest, but only for a few brief seconds.

Ben watched in amazement as the wound stopped bleeding and even the pain practically disappeared. Though it didn't heal, the wound now felt like a mere prick to him.

Injuries that once felt massive and unbearable now seemed like ordinary wounds. The burns no longer stung, and the smaller wounds closed completely.

"I simply leveled the playing field." Ben looked at the horrible wound on his hand, which, even with his newfound strength and vitality, wouldn't close. "The Lightning Field is a spell that creates an area where the lightning element is abundant and others are scarce. That's why it's so hard for you to form your magic. After all, being without a hand and injured puts you on equal footing with me. Doesn't it?"

Rudolf stared at Ben for a few seconds before dropping his spear and running away.

"That's a good choice!" Ben's voice echoed from everywhere, and before Rudolf could pinpoint its source, he lost his balance and suddenly fell to the ground.

"If you manage to escape my Lightning Field, you'll be able to use your magic normally." Ben looked at Rudolf lying on the ground. "But I don't think you ran for that reason. I think you were just... scared."

Rudolf tried to run again but found it impossible.

He looked down, his eyes wide open, and was met with the shock of his life.

Arrrrrrggggggggggg!!!!!!

Both of his legs had been severed, blood pooling beneath him.

He grabbed the stumps in disbelief and let out the scream of his life.

"No! No! No! This can't be happening!! Noooo!!" Tears streamed down his twisted face. He seemed oblivious to Ben's presence, who watched him with an impatient gaze.

"Why are you such a crybaby?" Ben grabbed him by the hair and dragged him. "You seemed so brave when you forced a child to kill for fun."

"No! No! Let me go!! You don't know who I am!! If you don't let me go, you'll regret it!!"

Ben ignored his screams and threw him against a head that was still on the ground.

"Do you see that head?" Ben asked.

Rudolf looked at the head, not particularly disgusted or impressed, even though it was the head of one of his nephews.

Ben approached and showed him two more heads.

"This will be your fate!"

Rudolf's eyes widened in terror.

He looked at Ben and in his eyes, he saw pure indifference toward his death.

There was no doubt or fear of the Bergil family's reprisals in those eyes.

"I should have killed you when I had the chance!" Rudolf whispered, almost without thinking.

"Yes." Ben nodded. He raised his axe and without a moment's hesitation, brought it down. "You should have."

Arrrrggggg!!

Rudolf's right arm was severed in a single strike, and blood gushed out, painting Ben's face with crimson.

"Arrrgg What are you doing?" asked a horrified Rudolf, clutching the stump that was once his right arm.

Rudolf thought death had already claimed him, but he never imagined opening his eyes to find his arm severed and suffering such agonizing pain.

Ben ignored the question and cleaned the axe with what remained of his pants.

Approaching Rudolf, he stepped on his hand and aimed the axe.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Rudolf asked, his voice filled with evident fear.

Ben wiped the blood from his face and slowly knelt beside Rudolf.

"Look closely at this face." Ben stared directly into Rudolf's eyes. "Because this is the face of the demon you created."

Even as they locked eyes, Ben swung his axe, and Rudolf's agonizing scream echoed.

"And what do I want?" Ben grabbed Rudolf's severed hand and rubbed it across his face. "I simply want to make you suffer the hell you made me endure."

Rudolf's face was a mess of tears and blood.

"Please!! Please let me go!! I'll give you whatever you want!!" Rudolf begged in his agony.

"The only thing I want." Ben grabbed Rudolf's face and pulled it close to his own. "Is to kill you all!!"

Rudolf's eyes widened in horror as he felt Ben's overwhelming strength on his head.

Lightning coursed through Ben's body as his eyes turned completely blue.

With all his strength, he pulled and tore Rudolf's head from his torso. The spine was still connected to the head, its eyes wide with terror and fear.

Raising the head to the sky, Ben smiled with madness.

"I am the demon you created, and I come with a hell of pain prepared for you."

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