Lord Of The Lost

William didn't waste any more time with the witch. After a brief glance at her, he turned and walked out of her hut without a word. The witch was busy with her own thoughts, muttering about the possible implications of the Demon Wolf's legacy, but William had no intention of engaging further.

As he stepped back into the foggy forest, the thick mist curled around him, feeling almost... familiar. Though William hadn't spent much time in the Misty Forest, there was something about it that tugged at him. It wasn't just the dense, ethereal fog that made the place seem alive, it was a deeper connection, something far more profound.

Ever since he had unlocked the power of the Demon Wolf, William suspected that the Misty Forest had more to do with his transformation than he realized. There was an undeniable link between the place and the inheritance he'd gained. This forest was not just a setting for some magical quests; it was deeply intertwined with his destiny.

The inheritance of the Demon Wolf had unlocked a world of power within him, and William could feel it growing, pulsing beneath his skin. It wasn't just the physical strength that had changed, it was something deeper, more fundamental. This power didn't just elevate his body; it elevated his essence. And he could sense that it was evolving with him.

The greatest benefit of the inheritance was its ability to help William master his extraordinary abilities faster. There were six core competencies tied to his new path, each one more potent than anything he had experienced before. In fact, just one of these abilities could outclass the entire set of skills from his previous path as a thief.

"It's going to take time to master all this," William thought, but there was no rush. With his new power came a much larger understanding of his surroundings, his senses, his physical strength, and even his mental abilities had all been heightened.

The most noticeable game change, however, was the complete overhaul of the game's mechanics. William had expected the removal of the experience points system. It had been an imbalanced system for a long time, and it was finally phased out. Players could no longer level up by simply earning experience points through kills.

The experience system had always been broken. To reach level 10, players needed 1,500 experience points. But for most, that was an unattainable goal. Even when they hit level 10, what came next? Level 11? Who knew how many experience points that would require? It was unsustainable.

Metatron, who had often been his voice of reason in these matters, had mentioned this during the early beta stages. This change was meant to help players get through the initial phases, but beyond that, players would need to find other ways to progress.

And then there was the attribute point system, which was also removed. At first glance, it sounded like a setback, no more extra points to distribute to strength, agility, or other attributes after each level. However, the focus had shifted. Now, level-ups were more about honing the mysterious properties within the body, which directly impacted the player's abilities.

This new approach to development was both liberating and daunting. William realized that as long as the mysterious properties in his body grew stronger, he would automatically become more capable. Physical traits, like strength and agility, would improve naturally with regular training and proper nutrition. There was no need for additional points or grinding; simply putting in the effort would yield results.

As a level 10 player, William could already move with surprising speed and strength. With a bit of focused training, he could lift several tons. He was on a path where his physical limits were far beyond the ordinary, and it was only the beginning.

He reflected on the ancient heroes who were capable of incredible feats, like generals who could lift enormous cauldrons and show unmatched bravery. But most players didn't realize that kind of strength didn't come from just adding attribute points. It came from pushing the body to its true limits, from discovering the hidden potential within.

"But that's not the path most players take," William mused. "They rely on the welfare system, where things like attribute points are handed to them easily, without effort."

Most players, William thought, never truly pushed their bodies. They didn't train or condition themselves in the real world. Why would they? The game gave them everything they needed to get stronger without effort. But William wasn't like most players. He knew that true strength came from within, and he intended to uncover every bit of potential his body could offer.

Still, the game was designed to make things easier for newer players. It was a safety net; providing experience, attribute points, and a system that protected them from harsh consequences. But the moment you ascended to the transcendent path, all those protections faded away. From that point forward, every step forward would be the result of your own development.

As William reflected on the path ahead, he could sense the growing pressure around him. The players were growing more anxious by the day, rushing to uncover their own extraordinary powers, and eager to exploit every opportunity for strength. The desire to ascend was palpable, like a mountain of gold sitting just out of reach, irresistible and consuming.

It was easy to forget about the real world when there was so much to gain here, in the magical world. And William understood that obsession. After all, who wouldn't go all in on a treasure like this?

But for him, there was something even more pressing. Something far darker.

As he walked out of the forest's edge, William's senses suddenly tingled. He stopped, his brow furrowing. There were eyes on him; two figures hidden in the shadows, watching his every move.

"Thieves," William thought, recognizing their presence immediately.

Without a sound, he stepped behind a large tree and vanished from their sight, blending into the surroundings with practiced ease. His body was already attuned to his new abilities, and in that moment, he was completely invisible, silent as the fog itself.

The two thieves, unaware of William's presence, circled around the tree, scanning the area. They looked confused and frustrated.

"Where did he go?" one whispered, peering around the trunks of trees, scanning the mist.

The second thief grunted, shaking his head. "Forget it. It's getting late. We'll just head back and report this."

William's eyes narrowed. He had them exactly where he wanted them.

He could have easily struck them down in an instant; his new abilities made him a dangerous predator, but he held back. Something in the way they spoke caught his attention, and he decided to wait.

As the two thieves turned to leave, William stood silently behind them, feeling the pulse of dark energy simmering in his veins. "Let's see what happens next," he thought, his hand drifting to the hilt of his knife, preparing to strike if needed. But for now, it seemed there was more to this encounter than just a simple ambush.

The night was full of mysteries, and William was starting to uncover them, one step at a time.

The two thief scouts walked ahead, oblivious to the shadow that followed them. William kept his distance, moving silently between the trees as he trailed them, his movements almost imperceptible. Every few steps, he would step back further into the forest, carefully making sure to stay just out of sight. The two thieves had no clue that they were being followed.

In the daylight, it was an odd sight. Three figures walking through the forest, yet there were only two shadows cast on the ground.

This was the gift of the Demon Wolf's legacy; the ability to obscure one's presence, to hide in plain sight. William's new abilities allowed him to reduce his own visibility and sense of presence to the point that he could walk undetected, even under the scrutiny of experienced eyes. He was testing his powers now, seeing just how far his new skill could go.

The two thieves continued their trek, unaware of the danger creeping behind them. William didn't make a move immediately; he was curious, testing his limits. After walking a few miles, the path ahead opened up into a dense, mixed forest, a gathering spot for thieves. William stopped following the scouts, instead deciding to explore this new area.

The forest was alive with activity, the sound of murmured voices, the clinking of metal, and the crackle of a fire. Around thirty to forty thieves were gathered in small clusters, either lounging or keeping watch. Some were enjoying their meals, while others were on guard. There was a chaotic, disorganized feel to the place, as if these thieves were more about surviving day by day than planning any grand heists.

As William walked deeper into the forest, he noticed the thief leader, a grizzled man with a weathered face, addressing a group of thieves huddled around a fire. The thieves were busy eating their dry rations, but something seemed off.

"Wait a minute," the logistics officer shouted. "Who took an extra portion of food? Stand up!"

There was a pause, and then an awkward silence. The thieves exchanged glances, not sure what to make of the accusation. The food distributor's face flushed with frustration.

"I'm serious! Who took it?!" he yelled again, more impatiently this time.

The thief leader's eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward. He began counting the people present, his voice growing more serious.

"One... two... thirty-five, thirty-six... there are thirty-eight of us here, including me and you."

He paused, his eyes flickering to his second-in-command, who had been the one responsible for the food distribution. The thief leader's face twisted with suspicion.

"Are you sure you counted everyone? There are only 37 of us here!" the leader barked.

The second-in-command's face turned pale as he realized what the thief boss had noticed. "Wait... What do you mean, there's an outsider?"

A chill ran through the leader's spine. "Someone's here. Someone's been sneaking around!" he growled. "Everyone, start watching each other. We have an intruder!"

The thieves immediately became alert, scanning their surroundings as they murmured nervously. The leader and a few of the more seasoned thieves began to look for clues. They checked the trees, the underbrush, and the surrounding area.

It took several moments before the leader noticed something.

In the far corner of the clearing, leaning casually against a tree trunk, stood a young man. His arms were folded across his chest, his expression relaxed as he observed the scene unfolding with a hint of amusement. He looked completely out of place, almost as if he had nothing to do with the group of thieves.

But, strangely, no one seemed to notice him. Not one of the thieves even glanced his way, their eyes skimming over his figure as if he didn't exist.

William couldn't help but smile to himself as he realized he had been completely undetected. His special ability was working perfectly, he was a ghost in their midst.

The thief leader froze for a moment, his instincts kicking in. His eyes darted to William, and for the briefest second, he locked eyes with the young man. William grinned, flashing a set of sharp white teeth.

"You're quite impressive," William said, his voice casual, almost conversational. "A high-level thief, I'm guessing? Level 8 or 9?"

The thief leader's heart sank. He had been so focused on the food issue that he hadn't noticed the presence of this outsider until now. His gut told him this was no ordinary thief; no, this was someone dangerous.

Before the leader could react, William stretched his body lazily, his long limbs unfurling as if he had all the time in the world. Then, without warning, he sprang forward, moving with a speed that was almost a blur.

In an instant, he was in the midst of the thieves, weaving through them like a shadow. His movements were so fluid, so precise, that it looked as if he were simply gliding through the chaos. He didn't draw a weapon. He didn't need to.

One by one, the thieves fell.

Throats were crushed with a single swift motion, skulls cracked with a brutal strike. It was an execution, not a battle. The thieves barely had time to scream before they were silenced forever.

William moved with terrifying efficiency, each motion calculated, each strike deadly. His new strength and agility; enhanced by the Demon Wolf's legacy, made him a predator among prey. His bare hands became instruments of destruction, leaving no one alive.

In less than a minute, thirty thieves were dead, their bodies littering the forest floor.

Only the thief leader remained, kneeling in the center of the clearing, his face twisted in fear and disbelief. He had barely had time to react before his entire crew had been wiped out.

The leader scrambled to his feet, panic written across his face. He fell to his knees before William, clutching at his hands in desperation.

"Spare my life! Please! I can be of use to you! I'll do anything!" the thief boss pleaded, his voice cracking with fear.

William tilted his head, considering the man before him. "Why should I spare you?" he asked, his voice cold.

The thief leader's desperation was palpable. "If you kill me, you'll gain nothing. But if you spare me, I can introduce you to our commander-in-chief! We can work together! You're not from Border Town, you have no loyalty to them, right? You can take all the wealth you want: women, treasure, whatever you desire!"

William's eyes narrowed. The man was trying to bargain with him, but William wasn't interested in riches or power.

"You're wrong," William said softly, his voice laced with amusement. "You think I care about your treasure? I don't need your wealth or your women. I only want one thing."

The thief leader's eyes widened in hope, but before he could speak, William's hand shot forward. A flash of dark energy erupted from his palm, a blade of pure force slicing through the air.

[Slash!]

The thief leader's body was cleaved in two, his cries of desperation cut short. In the blink of an eye, he was dead, and William stood over him, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"I mean it when I say I won't gain nothing," William murmured to himself as he wiped the blood from his hands.

He glanced at the talent prompt flashing in front of his eyes.

0.01 Talent Acquired

"A little can go long way in long term," he thought,.

"Killing one person is a crime, but killing a thousand makes you a hero."

He paused for a moment, rubbing his temple as he turned to leave, disappearing into the fog once more.

"The thieves recruited me... recruited players, huh?"

With a final chuckle, William vanished into the mist, ready for whatever came next.