Chapter 96: The Forgotten

The mirror image Ace walked to the sharp stone and tried to pry the dried right hand open but could not.

If he were to force it open, the entire right hand’s bones would likely shatter. He picked up the entire right hand, still gripping the sharp stone, and etched the number ‘6’ after 3.141592.

He bowed to the skeleton and then continued his exploration.

High movable pulley systems, massive cogs, ingenious levers. The more Ace saw, the more dead bodies and desiccated skeletons he found.

Finally, he arrived at the largest building in the settlement.

It was a grand hall. Ace ignored the piles of dead bodies and desiccated skeletons, quietly focusing on the patterns etched into the gigantic Monster hide in the center of the hall!

The beautifully alluring Lesser Mana #3 Rune lay in the center of the hall, seemingly speaking silently of something.

The fallen corpses lay strewn everywhere.

Some clutched Monster hides. Others held short swords.

The mirror image Ace opened one of the hides. A clear coordinate system was visible. A rune structure, drawn with Monster blood according to the coordinates, lay quietly on the hide.

The mirror image Ace analyzed this spell. Upon activation, it would emit a small electrical energy beam, traveling about 10–20 meters.

And the short sword, carved with beautiful patterns, revealed an embedded rune structure upon careful observation, also drawn with Monster blood.

This short sword expressed the essence of the wind element: swiftness, sharpness, and cutting.

Undoubtedly, this was a settlement that had been destroyed, one where a group of people, or an organization, had once been active in researching supernatural power.

“You are the true pioneers of this world, or rather, this cycle of civilization.”

The mirror image Ace stood still and bowed to the skeletons present. He then walked out of the hall and used his Grimoire to send a non-danger signal to the host body.

The host body arrived at the settlement gate, where the mirror image was waiting. Their eyes met, and their mental frequencies began to synchronize.

“I understand now. These are the pioneers submerged in history. They were no longer mechanically imitating supernatural creatures but were researching them, searching for the laws of the supernatural. Although their methods were rudimentary, they were on the correct path.” The host body Ace said with emotion.

“But they were also annihilated, becoming dust in old papers, the forgotten ones.” The mirror image Ace said with a trace of sadness.

“Let us continue to look around. We might find clues to all of this.” The host body Ace said solemnly.

The two separated. They carefully sensed and searched every corner.

The host body Ace found a dusty parchment scroll in one of the rooms.

Ace’s lips trembled, emitting a rhythmic cadence. Mana pulsed. “Fresh and Clean!”

The dust and stains on the parchment scroll vanished. The entire scroll looked as if it had just been bound.

Ace opened the parchment. Rows of familiar handwriting instantly made his eyes widen!

“20th November, 26th Year of City Founding, Heavy Snow

The weather in the Northern Marches is always so terrible. The war is finally over.

I secretly hid several barbarian witchcraft hides. It’s a good thing the Captain General didn’t discover them. Studying witchcraft privately is a serious crime! Hmph! They are Divine Descendants, born with the supernatural. Of course, they want to monopolize every channel.

My experiences over these past few years have taught me that Heroes cannot be trusted. I must gain supernatural power that belongs to me.”

“20th January, 27th Year of City Founding, Blizzard

I hear barbarian tribes are still active in the Monster Wilderness.

Hehe. I am proficient in the barbarian language and script. I have also mastered their clothing and customs. Disguising myself as a wandering Shaman should not be a problem.

Monster Hunters are a bunch of foolish riffraff. The Nobles are too lazy to clear out low-level Monsters, which is why there is fertile ground for them to breed.

But they still don’t understand that the lack of supernatural power is the greatest original sin in this world. Mortals are ultimately weak and powerless.”

“15th February, 27th Year of City Founding, Sunny

A rare sunny day. I finally found a surviving tribe in the Monster Wilderness.

Their Shaman had already died in battle, leaving behind the tribal Sacred Item and several scrolls of Monster hide.

I demonstrated the Shaman’s Bloodlust Spell and smoothly inherited all the deceased Shaman’s property. Heh! Some of them must have been suspicious of me, but they had no choice!”

“30th April, 27th Year of City Founding, Heavy Snow

The weather in the Northern Marches is always so terrible. I still haven’t figured out the secret hidden in this tribal Sacred Item.

Mental perception cannot observe the internal structure of the Sacred Item. What exactly is this black horn, and what is its use?

I have figured out the remaining Monster hides left by the deceased Shaman. I now know what these mysterious patterns express.

Based on their effect, I named these witcheries: Mental Chaos, Trembling Shock, Frost Ray, and Steel Lungs.

Although I haven’t figured out the function of the horn, it has been a huge haul.”

“21st August, 28th Year of City Founding, Cloudy

I should have realized this sooner. These mysterious patterns all come from Monsters!

There is absolutely no need to painstakingly search for barbarian tribes. By directly hunting Monsters, I can find more types of mysterious patterns!

Simply using the Source Power Pattern is no longer effective enough to enhance my mental and physical constitution. I must search for more patterns, find more naturally occurring pattern designs on Monster bodies.

There is no need to stay with this barbarian tribe any longer. Although I will miss the enthusiastic girls, power is more important to me!”

“5th April, 29th Year of City Founding, Blizzard

I was almost killed by an avalanche today, but fortunately, I learned a new technique!

The newly discovered patterns are absolutely incredible. They have given me the speed of the wind. I have decided!

This new witchcraft will be called Son of the Wind.

In addition to the new witchcraft, I discovered a new mysterious pattern that can greatly reinforce the Source Power Pattern, siphoning natural power to a greater extent. This is my lucky day!

I have a feeling that the mysterious gate to the supernatural world, closed by the gods and Heroes, has been pried open a crack by me!”