Lian Shi's figure weaved through the dense forest, his footsteps growing more frantic. He could feel a flame burning inside him, one that would not be extinguished. The power within him was like the whisper of a demon, constantly trying to devour his reason. No matter how hard he tried, he could not escape the growing desire; it felt as though every ounce of strength was urging him to plunder, to consume, to chase after more until there was no stopping it.
"I must stay calm…" Lian Shi kept reminding himself, but the urge inside him only grew stronger. His fingers gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist—once a symbol of protection and strength from his father, but now it seemed like an unbearable burden.He had once been an carefree boy, protected by his father and the villagers. He could have lived a peaceful and happy life, but all that was shattered by the sudden awakening of his talent. Now, he was no longer the person he once was."I can't let myself fall completely…" He took a deep breath and forced himself to stop, sitting down on a rock and closing his eyes, trying to regain his composure.But at that moment, a sharp sound of footsteps broke the silence around him. Lian Shi quickly opened his eyes, standing up alertly, his heart racing. Was it the scent of a monster, or… someone else? He hesitated for a moment but chose to hide and move silently.Soon, a group of villagers appeared in his line of sight, heading toward the village. Lian Shi looked at them, a mix of complicated emotions rising within him. These were people he once knew—friends and family. Their faces were still so familiar, so warm.But he could no longer connect with them. He dared not approach, afraid they would see the changes within him, because he knew he was no longer the Lian Shi they once knew."If I keep going, one day I'll hurt them…" Fear crept into Lian Shi's heart. He knew he was losing control, growing stronger, but that strength did not belong to him. It came from the monsters, from the bloody plundering, from the endless pain and desire.At that moment, a low growl echoed in his ears, and Lian Shi's heart skipped a beat. He quickly turned around and saw a ferocious beast in his line of sight. It was a huge wolf-shaped monster, massive in size, with glowing red eyes and claws sharp as blades."Damn…" Lian Shi cursed under his breath. His body had already reacted, and without hesitation, he lunged at the monster. His arms had become unusually strong, his speed faster than before, but he didn't stop—his instincts drove him to release his power.Each punch, each block in battle, brought him endless pain. The power of plundering made him feel like he was in hell. Every absorption was accompanied by searing pain, but it made him even stronger."Is this my fate?" he whispered to himself, his eyes filled with confusion and resolution. At that moment, he could no longer tell whether he was fighting for survival or to satisfy that uncontrollable desire.In the end, he defeated the monster, and the power within him swelled again. But this time, he didn't feel the same sense of satisfaction as before. Instead, he felt a deep emptiness and fear, as if he was drifting further from human emotions, closer to a point of no return."What am I doing?" Lian Shi looked down at his blood-soaked hands, overwhelmed with a pain and confusion that words couldn't capture. He began to realize that he was walking a path of no return, a path of unending slaughter.At that moment, a warm presence quietly descended. Lian Shi felt a familiar figure behind him and quickly turned around. He saw a tall man."You don't have to bear this alone," the man's voice was deep and warm, like a gentle breeze that brought long-awaited comfort.Lian Shi was stunned for a moment and then recognized the man—Uncle, one of the few elders in the village who could connect with him. The man smiled kindly, his eyes exuding calmness and resolve."Uncle…" Lian Shi's voice trembled. He had finally found someone who could soothe his troubled heart. Perhaps he wasn't truly alone, perhaps there was someone who could help him find his way out of this lost path.