Malice and Light

Ruger emerged from meditation and fell into deep thought.

Upon examining it, he discovered that the spell model had undergone a subtle change. No, it should be said that it was a major change. The spell model fixed in his spell slot, already fused with him, had somehow gained an additional node.

Was this a change that could occur on its own without a Wizard Apprentice actively altering the spell by hand?

Was it because the spell fixed in the spell slot had merged with his body and become like an instinct? He made wild guesses, dearly wishing he could ask whether other wizards who had completed spell fixation had encountered the same situation.

If it was uncommon, it would surely arouse wizards' interest. Someone would record it, compile statistics, and study it. For instance, the wizard academy mentioned in Ka Liu's diary probably contained things that could answer his questions. Perhaps in a place like that, this was not even a difficult question.

Would Half-Man know too?

The other's strange, mysterious nature had unconsciously elevated his image in Ruger's mind. At the very least, Ruger believed him to be stronger than those mentors mentioned in Ka Liu's diary.

As for the effects of the altered spell, he already had a rough idea.

He raised his arms and stretched lazily.

After sleeping and meditating, his energy had recovered well, and his arms no longer ached.

He had originally planned to use the remaining two inheritance scrolls, then select a spell from several books to study. Now, those plans had been disrupted by a dream.

He got up and headed straight for the Kobold settlement where Old Gold Tooth lived. He happened to have a few things to discuss with the old Kobold.

The appearance of the Lizardfolk, the inexplicable replacement of the Holy Lord, and those distant relatives from somewhere far away who possessed iron weapons seemed to have had little effect on the Kobolds of this tribe. After their initial panic, everything was much the same as before.

Seeing two Kobolds approaching him, an idea struck him, and he activated the Stinking Skin Spell.

The extra node had affected all the other nodes in the spell model.

From what he could sense, the spell had not been entirely changed. Rather, it had gained an additional function.

He first passed by quietly. As the distance closed, the two Kobolds had definitely entered the spell's range. Yet they seemed perfectly fine, leisurely walking along while carrying crude wooden clubs that they had not even bothered to bind with beast fangs.

Just as he was thinking that, one of the Kobolds turned to glance at him and collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Watching the fellow twitch on the ground, more than half of his conjecture was confirmed.

The corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably once more.

For a moment, he became a smug little Kobold. Unfortunately, their branch had no tails, or he would have raised his as well.

Previously, he had discovered that he could occasionally sense others' malice more clearly. He had considered the Kobolds' wild instincts, and he had considered whether his stronger spiritual power after becoming a Wizard Apprentice had naturally made him more sensitive. Now, it seemed that this was also related to the Zero-Ring Spell, Foul-Smelling Skin, that he had fixed in place.

This alteration to the spell allowed him to sense others' malice toward him more clearly.

And after entering that state, he could spare those without malice toward him from the torment of the foul stench.

Although he had yet to figure out how the change had occurred, it was undoubtedly a fine change.

For a time, he felt like a child who had received a novel toy.

Unfortunately, there was no one with whom he could share it. He truly wanted to find a Wizard Apprentice to discuss and exchange ideas with.

If his senses were correct, the stench reflected back was not the same stench from the original spell. Perhaps the odor had already been somewhat different when he first learned the spell. It came from the spirit—it was the Stench of Malice. The greater and heavier one's malice, the more that foul stench originating from malice itself would be reflected back.

It was both feedback and a gift from evil.

Thud!

The other Kobold collapsed as well.

Simple-minded creatures like Kobolds would immediately feel a surge of malice toward him upon seeing their companion fall and noticing him in the distance.

That was understandable, but this made the spell something he needed to use even more cautiously.

This was a spell that could very easily leave him without friends.

It was even less suitable for careless use in a large city or a wizard academy. After all, who did not harbor some malice in their heart?

If he swung his arms and knocked them all down, he would not see a single friend.

Just like now, he had already deactivated the spell because he was going to see Old Gold Tooth.

Evil came in degrees, and individuals differed in the gravity of the threats they posed. In his eyes, someone like Old Gold Tooth fell into the category of not mattering either way. An old Kobold who could barely move and did not have long to live would have no effect on him, no matter how heavy his malice.

"Young Kobold sage, you have come to chat with Old Gold Tooth again. What stories do you want to hear from Old Gold Tooth this time?"

Old Gold Tooth seemed very happy to see him.

Aisijin was nowhere nearby.

"Little Aisijin took Big Guy out to catch bugs. With that fellow's huge belly, they probably will not be back anytime soon."

As Old Gold Tooth spoke, he fiddled with the Light Threads on his body, looking entirely unconcerned about his impending death.

"You mentioned the sun before." He sat down casually, not wanting to stand over the old Kobold. "Could it be that you have once been aboveground, or that you know the path to the Surface World?"

Old Gold Tooth froze for a moment, apparently not expecting Ruger to ask such a thing.

"Mm, I knew young people would be interested in this," Old Gold Tooth said with a chuckle. "You can even speak of the Surface World. It seems you have some other friends. Before I encountered those dark, pointy-eared people, I knew nothing of such things. When they spoke of longing for the world above, I could not understand them at all. When they mentioned the sun and moon, I thought they were special foods unique to elves."

"However, you will be disappointed, young man. I have never seen any sun. I only heard about it in the little taverns within the pointy-eared elves' territory. Even they did not know how to reach the surface. The Dragonborn Kobolds were the same. Anyway, none of those I met had ever been to the Surface World."

Old Gold Tooth pursed his lips, then twitched the corners of his mouth again. The Light Threads on his face seemed to be making him uncomfortable.

"Oh, right. Those pointy-ears once said that the suns above those human Grotto Cities were enormous, enormous. Every large Grotto City had a sun above it. They said that light could illuminate the entire Cavern Domain surrounding the city, and that after a while, the light would dim, then brighten again after another while. When it grew dark, the humans slept in their nests."

Old Gold Tooth kept marveling at humanity's strength.

Whenever Ruger could no longer hear anything new from him, he would steer the conversation toward another topic. Old Gold Tooth was delighted to oblige, and new subjects continually arose.

Unexpectedly, the old Kobold was like a treasure vault that was difficult to empty, though there were times when he ran out of words.

"Kobold tribes that serve dragons must be very powerful," Ruger guided him. "I previously saw a group of tall Kobolds carrying iron weapons nearby. They happened to encounter a group of Lizardfolk and fought. I wonder whether they came from the same place as you."

"You were right not to let Aisijin go hunting. I never expected the area to have become such a mess. It is a pity I no longer have the strength. Even eating a little meat is difficult..."

Old Gold Tooth rambled on, but he never mentioned his former tribe.