The Real Monster 10 Pursued By Cruelty Vi

It came night and we made camp or at least they did. I am being watched on a regular shift basis outside of the camp. It's to make it difficult for me I'm sure, and the royal family is sure to be at the first city or town we'll be arriving at. It's literally cold outside since it started to snow about an hour before the sun totally set and they made the camp.

HOWEVER!

Alchemy Master enables me to have mastery over heat, and by that description alone I can control heat. So I can heat up my body with this ability and feel comfortable even in this weather. I don't know to what extent this ability's range can influence from my body as the center and this is the time to actually test that. It seems that this rune-band can only restrict abilities that use mana meaning that I can use my innate abilities of Regeneration and my Kryptonian Genes without problem and it cannot be hindered and guess what; my Alchemy Master ability is also unhindered.

That means that I could deal with the cold however I want. So I imagine some kind of sphere of influence of one meter in diameter with me as the center and willed the heat in that area to rise. I don't know to what degree I can make it go up so I willed it go full power.

*sizzle*

The area of snow one meter with me as the center started to sizzle as if water meeting a surface that exceeds its boiling point and evaporated almost instantly, steam could not even materialize as it also vanished almost instantly. That surprised the h.e.l.l out of me as well as alerting the guards that were supposed to be watching over me. How careless.

[What the h.e.l.l what was that?]

[Wait, what happened? What's with that sizzling sound earlier?] Well of course they'd react that way. So they came closer to me and asked me about what happened. I don't think they noticed that the ground around me is without any snow at all. They are also keeping their distance from me, because even though I'm bound, I am still a hero after all. No matter how trained one's body is, the neck can never be trained to have strength like that of iron's so if I were to get to them faster than they expected and grabbed their neck I could threaten them to break it if they resisted and have them get it off me.

Naturally, they shouldn't know this. I informed them. Again, why? Because I just found out that having this rune-band on me is making me stronger, faster. Just today I checked my stats again and across the board it showed me [Epic] just after [Legendary] which makes my guess totally wrong. So after [Legendary] comes [Epic] and maybe after that is something else as well. And with that valuation my strength apparently raised again and it has not even been a day yet, which means I can increase my power by having this rune-band on me at all times even though I would feel restricted but my strength will continue to rise as I continue to have it adjusted. For that to happen though, I need this rune-band and someone who can operate it for me. That being said, I need someone able to use and chant the ancient language. My target for that would really be that MonHun guy who was following me earlier, keeping a close watch. So for now, I need to submissively and quietly follow them until I find my opportunity.

"I don't know. I'm surprised as well." I told them. If they don't notice it, then there's no real reason for me to say is there? Besides, these guys are currently very wary of me and sooner or later they will know that I have been training instead of being restricted. They'll notice it if they actually made one pair of people to watch me at all times instead of always changing it up to avoid me getting close to them. Logical but as they don't know my abilities, they could not have thought of countering it or at least hindering it. Either way, they can't really keep me here, unless they continuously use that to keep me unable to move a muscle that is. Plus, really, I can use my laser vision to just alter the rune-band's inscription to totally make it ineffective, but that's such a waste of good equipment isn't it?

[Then what was that sound about? It came from your direction so it's definitely related to you!] Why's this guy so nervous? Did the previous guys scare this guy with false rumors or something?

[Yes, and wait, how is it that where you are standing there aren't any snow or even flakes that are falling? If you did not do anything then that would obviously be a lie!] s.h.i.t, the other guy noticed. Think fast Clay.

"I also don't know, is this perhaps because of the band, like a feature of the band to let the prisoner not feel cold even when left outside in the snow?" I put in a lot of emphasis on being left in the cold so maybe my excuse could be seen as the truth.

[T-That could also be, b-but it's orders, we can't disobey them you know.] This guy is kind, however, because he has this kind of job and training, once orders are given they can't disobey huh. I'll be sure to remember this snot-nosed guy; Snot-nose and MonHun huh? That's two, it's important they survive this return home so I can convince them later to come under me and lead a good life, of serving me that is. Fufufufu

"It's okay, I understand your predicament but could you at least throw me a piece of meat or something, bread would also do you know, please?" I pleaded with snot-nose to bring me a piece of bread or meat.

[W-We'll see what we can do, right Jo?] His eyes were pleading for help from the other guy, how predictable this guy is.

[What are you talking about? Of course we'll give him food, since our orders mention to have him alive to the capital wasn't it?] The other guy named Jo, whispered instead of an answer not knowing I could hear him even if he whispered 50 miles away if I focused on his voice.

[H-He says he'll agree to it, so we should be able to give you some in a little bit.] They immediately left after that. I think they forgot about the more important matter of the ground around me not having snow. If they did come close, they'd have been burned. I don't feel the heat since it's my own body that's emitting the heat but the air being heated as well as a result should actually make me feel hot, however, my steel-like skin seem to make me unable to feel pain from this. I'm afraid of a time when I cannot feel pain would ascertain to me that I am alive and that I am still human, to feel pain.

After having that conversation, and a while of waiting, food was brought to me and I ate joyfully, ending the day with meeting new people again.

***

A few days pa.s.sed.

*ROAR*

Low and deep roars, these are what the monsters in front of us are releasing. There're bull-headed monsters in the lead and there're also rounded-body pig-headed monsters in the back, then there are the goblins I finally get to see. By the way, today is the half-month mark of our journey towards the closest town called Hanerton. I heard it from the different guards I had on rotation. As this army is made up of mercenaries led by a middle-aged man called Caltec who commanded close to 300 men, they had enough to spare for rotating them and shifting around themselves. What the actual number is, I don't know for sure, but I estimate that they are at least 350 strong along with the non-combatants. However, even with these numbers fighting the tens of Minotaur and hundreds of Orcs and the innumerable goblins; this troop will still succ.u.mb to annihilation if it were to drag on. Their mission is me, but if they don't value their lives more than their mission, then I'd be disappointed at the so called mercenaries in this world.

Just thinking about the ma.s.sacre they'll be facing just from the Minotaur's numbers is making me feel sorry for them. Well, feeling sorry doesn't mean I want to help them, let's make that clear as day.

I keep wondering about where those two I had my eyes on are. That MonHun guy who practically is the living representation of MonHun in this world, the very first I saw who wore monsters' hides as armor. Then there's that Snot-nose who seemed like a youth that knew nothing but was a bit smarter and cunning than average mercenaries and adventurers his age. I want to convince them to go with me after this mission of theirs under my wings.

Back to the situation; these monsters' numbers are not your typical gathering of monsters. True they horde among themselves when facing a threat to one species, but this is just at a ridiculous situation to think about. What if they were ordered to have an expedition to find some hidden treasures in this territory or even just for trying to gather information about us our defenses and loved ones and even our faith as well? Too much information was never a sin in my vocabulary, so I want to gather even more information than beside the battle reports.

From what I gathered, the captain, they call Caltec, was issuing orders for the troop to charge and annihilate the small fries first to clear the battlefield for the bigger fish to fight on. Are warriors always this reckless and irresponsible of their troop's lives? I don't understand.

Then suddenly the Minotaur started its attacks and brought with it the force to diminish lives from the monster army. Seeing their battle is making me itch in my fingers as if I want to experience the cruelty of war. As the battle heightened, and the spilling of blood peaked, I saw the MonHun guy facing an Orc alone. At first he was doing well but with goblins in the way and his companions as well, he could not fight the Orc and focus on killing it completely, which made him disadvantaged as time pa.s.sed in their clash.

Before he gets into a more dangerous situation, I need to un-cuff myself and the way to go is disrupting the stability of the runes inscribed to the band through laser vision. Just a single depression added to it would make it unusable. That's why I find it a good thing that I can understand the runes and read what it says and the part of it where it says [Seal Mana Movement] can be altered without destroying the whole thing's functions. I want to keep the gravity control so I want it to not be destroyed.

With all those out of my way as the plan came together in my head, I executed it. In the comics, even though there were various ways of how to unlock the laser vision, I remember the easiest for me currently is to be s.e.xually aroused and heating up my desire. With a few nudges in my mind; I have achieved the desired result and my eyes felt hotter as I thought of famous celebrity idols like Sasha, Sora and that Anri. I felt my crotch twitching with vitality after that but what really made me excited more was the prospect of unlocking the laser vision after the xray.

With my simulation of having this power long, long ago, I already have an idea of how to control it properly. When my desires finally reached a peak, my eyes released a very sharp red light that went straight without anything that could hinder its charge. As long as my vision goes it also went, and even though laser is coming out, unsurprisingly, my sight was not in red or even blurry, it was still as clear as normal. I wouldn't really foolishly unleash this while facing the battle as I can see them mixed with the monsters, so I looked up and tried if I can control its emission without relying on getting aroused again. Willing it to shoot out and then to abruptly stop; I managed to get a handle on it. With it I put another character-rune in the band and made the [Seal Mana Movement] into [Silence] which completed the rune to have the effect of sealing mana movement and a lock-up on the throat against a target, it was a complete targeted spell after I finished altering it instead of a restriction for me. This effectively made the band my weapon instead, so I immediately used it designating the people and monsters here as targets to silence.

*Hu*

The wind blew and then it was silent. I could not hear any movement or words while all I could see were the faces of surprise, fear and exhaustion from them. Battle skills could not be used while the monsters' skills could also not result in anything, the casters could not speak and the rest of the people were speechless to begin with as they cowered in fear.

Silence only lasted for two seconds so the battle would continue after the effect wears off. Well then should I announce my goal?

"I am Clay, for those of you who know my name, well done, for those who don't; you'd do well to remember it from now on. I will tell you this now, but I will only save those who would pledge their allegiance to me and me alone and betrayal will be met with the death of your friends and family, not you so that you will suffer in pain for being the cause of the deaths of your own family. However, those who swear loyalty to me will benefit greatly from being under my wing. A single nation cannot hope to stop me and with a little bit of training I will become even stronger than I am now. If you come under my wing I will grant you power and authority as well as prosperity for you and your family, no, especially your family.

"I will not lie to you, you will probably face a lot of dangers while being with me and you will have to sacrifice your ident.i.ty to be with me. Now, if you are willing to come under my wing, you may do so now by withdrawing from battle and standing behind me. I will give you a minute to think, while you fight for your life that is." I gave my speech even while they were clashing. Only the sound of metal slicing flesh and against metal sounded for the duration of the spell [Silence] from the ancient language.

Finally after half a minute, someone I expected came to me right away while panting fresh from defeating the Orc he was facing earlier. With the opening [Silence] gave, he beheaded the Orc and came rushing here instantly. With Monhun, my first goal has been achieved, now where is that snot-nose?

[I swear to abide by your rule and serve you with my life, sir!] MonHun said.

I don't know if that's the custom here or just his way of saying he will agree to my terms but MonHun seems to have been recruited.

"What is your name?"

[I am called Jon sire. Please command me.]

"Okay, we will talk later about your role, I need to find another one as your companion." I turned around immediately from him and surveyed the battlefield for the snot-nose person. In that time people also stopped battling and retreated behind me while those in pursuit of them, the monsters, gave chase. Since I had to do something about it I couldn't help but use the laser on them right at the center of their forehead for a one shot kill each time. I don't know how they'd describe the scene but in my mind I would somehow look like that Tower Defense that features monkeys and that one particular monkey that shot laser from its eyes with great speed.

*chuckle*

Somehow I released a chuckle after killing yet another goblin that was giving chase. I don't know if they really want to pledge loyalty or just take advantage of me, but we'll know soon enough. Finally after a minute of fighting I found snot-nose and gave him a little help fighting off two goblins that flanked him. He traced where that line of laser came from and saw me at the base of it, thereby prompting him to run in my direction. That's good. After snot-nose arrived…

"ENOUGH" I shouted at the top of my lung while focusing on making it as low as possible. Of course I designated the monsters as my enemies and after the shout, came a shockwave that originated with me as the center and totally encompa.s.sing the battlefield. Instantly, results could be seen as goblins foamed in the mouth and collapsed some did not have foams but just collapsed then the Orcs followed and right after them were the Minotaur. I was surprised that not even one Minotaur was defeated and the captain they called Caltec was also behind me, I did not notice him get past me. Well, they really had their hands tied with just the goblins, so I guess I understand if they could not even kill those Minotaur.

Well then, let's have them clean up, shall we?