"Have you ever heard of the dwarves?"

[I mean who hasn't? Small, know blacksmithing, long beard!]

"Eh, no they don't all have long beards. Some have no beard at all. Also small, don't underestimate them. They can easily bash anyone's head in should they get insulted."

Dwarves without a beard! Heresy! If this was a novel, readers would be dropping right here!

[So where do I need to go exactly? Also, I'm not going anywhere without Wolfie!]

"That, it won't be possible she's stuck here with us."

[Don't care. I'm not going!]

"We would all die! Quite possibly this continent whole too!"

[Not if I protect her…]

Then I see Wolfie encouraging me to go. She seems convinced that everything will be fine.

[Fine…But I swear! If you cause her any sort of trouble, I will wipe this village off the earth realm! Am I clear enough?!]

"T-that, sure. Alright, someone, get the artifact!"

Before long a villager brings me a small golden…is that a gear? You know what really grinds my gear? When someone gives me something, expecting me to know what this is.

[So…what am I supposed to do with this thing?]

"It will show you the way to the city in the mountain."

[How? Also, that sounds like a really bad name. Would here be Village on the Land?]

"Easy! You just send some mana in it, and it activates!"

[Yeah…easy for you to say. Do I look like someone that can use mana?!]

"Ah?! That's probably why you aren't affected by the curse here! That must be it! It all makes sense now!"

[So what now?]

There is a nod exchange, another villager bolts away and comes back with a small mana core, handing it over.

"This is a mana core from a rank 4 monster. I should be enough to last you all the way there. Simply hold it against the artifact to power it and everything should be fine!"

Just gotta press it there and…wow shiny! Glowing a bit too! A rich and awesome golden light.

"Stop fooling around! You'll waste the mana in it!"

[Eh, fine. So what am I supposed to be getting and how do I come back afterward?]

"Just mention that you are coming from the Village of the End, and they'll know perfectly. They'll even be able to send a guide to help you come back. They used to be old friends of ours."

[Used to? What if they don't remember? What if they are all dead? Normally I wouldn't care one bit, but if Wolfie stays here I need a better way to come back!]

That is when they draw me a map. One that I have trouble reading but I should still be able to get someone somewhere to do it for me. That is when Wolfie gets a necklace! Out of nowhere, as usual.

[A gift?]

She nods. It looks like a wolf fang. I check her mouth, but she seems fine. I won't question it, she's always been special.

[I'll treasure it! Alright, I'm off! I'll be back for sure! With that thing to save this place!]

I leave jogging. The faster I get there the faster I can come back. It is weird how I have no recollection whatsoever of how I got here in the first place. My head wasn't in the right place.

Now I can fully notice the surroundings. It's all boring as hell. Anyway, I just focus on running. I'll get there soon for sure.

****(POV)

"Are you ready to die, old man?"

Hehe, in front of me is a rank 3 swordsman. Usually, these guys would be at the top of the food chain. After all, they are one rank away from the strongest people on this continent.

With the current turmoil, things are getting shaken a bit. For instance, in normal circumstances, I would simply be in retreat meditating. Or even having fun with a few dozen mistresses in one of my villas or simply scouting for my next acquisition target.

Nothing beats the simplicity of melting the current owner and having the servant deal with the aftermath thus making them accomplices. From time to time there will be a courageous and loyal one. Perfect to make an example.

I personally love a bit of resistance. Especially from maidens. Sometimes they will be overreacting with stuff like: You killed my father and my husband you monster! Or even: You just killed my whole family! Ridiculous stuff really.

I'm actually very fair. I mostly give a warning allowing them to vacate the premises before I have my fun. After all, melted human goo stains the carpets. It's not because you are in an evil sect that you can't have a sense of esthetics.

"You are seeing your life flash before your eyes, am I right?"

He's taunting me haha. How cute. Shall I play along?

"Of course! I can see how I killed my mother and father that were dumbasses. I can see how I destroyed the village that wanted to sell me as a slave. I can see how I joined a really fun sect called Acidic Fun Times. I can see how I became its sect leader. I can also see all the fun times I've had up to this point."

He's clearly panicking now. Sweating heavily, he even has trouble keeping a tight grasp on his sword haha.

"Y-you! You're bluffing! There's no way he'd be here!!!"

"Oh? Don't you realize what times we are living in? I was away from the sect on vacation you see. You should know what kind of vacation I'm talking about, right?!"

"S-stay away! Y-you monster!"

"Hahaha, how cute! What happened to me dying? You know I was just going to go back home peacefully but you just had to interrupt me, eh?"

"I-I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"

Then he starts running. Does he think this will do anything at all? I create a huge ball of acid right above my hand. Now time for the fun part!

*THROW! *

*DASH*

What the hell?!

Before it can reach the target, a man comes running out of nowhere.

Then the projectile envelops the idiot completely. Whatever, I just lost a second. Now to target that one initial target and…

[Nooooo!!!! My map!!!!]

What?! How?! The man is still alive! Not only that, but he has no injury whatsoever!

I'm a rank 4 Acid Great Mage!

How?! This is impossible!

Who the hell is he?!