'Alright, kid, try doing it yourself. Recreate the feeling you felt when you were absorbing the soul. Ignore the memories, as there's nothing worthwhile to be learned from these guys.'
"Are you trying to kill me? Do you perhaps want to take over my body?"
'What nonsense are you spouting? Did you learn nothing from what I said earlier? This is the best way for you to get strong fast if you're to survive in this game.'
"I already feel strong enough. I doubt if anybody will be able to defeat me as I am."
'Just do as I say; I promise it'll be easier this time.'
"Yeah... right, right."
Jacob hesitantly moved to grab another creature by the head and tried to remember the feeling, searching for the force within the creature that held a high affinity for him.
After a couple of minutes of nothing happening, Jacob frowned. He didn't think it'd be this difficult. After a couple more minutes of nothing happening, he began to withdraw his hand. However, when his index finger lifted about a millimeter away from the creature, he felt a spark of energy akin to the feeling of rubbing your fingers through fabric, generating static electricity.
It was subtle at first, but immediately after, the familiar force ran up his arm even faster than before, settling itself in his glabella all while Jacob experienced its memories. Surprisingly, Lucifer was right. It wasn't as painful as the first time, although it still felt uncomfortable.
After he was done, his onyx eyes glowed a dull shade of violet, his long hair lifted, trying their best to defy gravity, the violet tinge on them glowing brighter with each second.
"I think I've had enough to eat for now," Jacob spoke in an unnaturally low voice as he directly crushed the skull of the creature in his hands.
'Jacob, it's naive to assume everyone in the world would be normal, good even... I say this from experience. These kinds of people make up the majority of your world. The title I hold isn't an avenue to get stronger; it's a punishment, a curse I'm bound to... of which you share.'
Jacob, however, didn't reply but walked away from the scene.
In a large room that looked like the reception of a fancy hotel, a couple of individuals are gathered. They were all dressed in a similar attire of black-violet military uniforms that extended up till it covered half of their faces, black boots, and an emblem of a star hanging from the top end of a crescent moon on the chest of their uniforms.
A man with a huge stature walked to the middle of the room and pulled down his mask to completely reveal his very masculine features of heavy beards and a straight broad nose.
"Now that everyone's here, let's begin. We've been here for a total of two months, and during this time, we've hunted tainted and encountered a few refugees here and there. We've also participated in a few mercenary works. However, during this time, we've not encountered anyone from Grendia, of which was our primary assignment. Due to this, the council has reason to believe the initial thought of their plans to attack is false, and we've been asked to return for now."
"Thank f*cking god."
"Finally, I'm sick of this place."
"Yessir..."
They all expressed their delight and joy at having to return, and it was justified. They were the best in the whole military unit and were treated like royals in the capital, so their frustration in living in this decrepit place for two months was obvious.
"So when are we leaving, Cap?" A familiar man with vibrant red hair asked.
"I mean, right now if y'all are up for it?"
While the rest of them were cheering and being excited that they were finally going home, Arthur had his face in a frown.
'What do you mean I shouldn't tell them about the village?'
'What don't you understand? You're supposed to be a trickster, a deceiver.'
'Yeah, I got that, but how does not telling them "trick" them exactly?'
'You've still got a lot to learn, boy. You should know the more information you have, the more successful your deception would be. You'll have more to rope them in with and consequently more to feed on. There's a crappy saying that goes, the best scheme is one you're aware of but can't change the outcome.'
'...Well, isn't it?'
'NO, it isn't. It's nothing but a desperate attack by an incompetent mind.'
'Sooo... how does this information help me?'
'Patience is a virtue a sloth shouldn't lack. Leave it for now; an opportunity will present itself.'