Eventually, a week had passed. Kaiser had integrated well into the group, even helping them during their hunts. The others had also gotten used to his presence.
While they were walking around to search for the last prey of the day, Kaiser suddenly asked.
"Why haven't we met other adventurers?"
The group paused, then looked around.
"Indeed, that's a bit strange." Elias said, "Even if many adventurers don't frequent the Black Forest, we should have met some people."
Lugh's eyes narrowed, "Could it be that we're missing out on something? Perhaps there's news that made people leave."
Carrying a backpack, Sera shifted nervously. "That's true. It has been a while we returned to town."
"Town?" Kaiser echoed, casting a curious glance at Kara.
The lady stretched, then smiled sweetly. "You don't need to be worried. It's just where most adventurers gather to rest."
Kaiser nodded, keeping his thoughts hidden. The conversation ended there, and they resumed their search.
Unfortunately, they didn't encounter any creature till nightfall.
"We'll make do with the ones we have."
Miel said, then started the fire. The others immediately began setting the camp, chopping logs of wood for chair and patiently waiting for dinner to be ready.
Strangely, Kaiser sat alone, deep in thoughts.
'They'll be returning to town tomorrow. I doubt they can even return…'
He understood why they hadn't encountered any other human. It was simply because this wasn't reality but an illusion specially created by the Nirad System. Since they were the only humans needed for the completion of the quest, there was no need to create more.
'I need to complete the quest before they try leaving. But I still don't know which one of them is the Voidborne. Or… could it be all of them?'
He had no concrete evidence to back up his suspicions. In the end, he could only resort to a dangerous method that could lead to failure or death.
'When have I ever feared any of those two?'
His gaze sharpened, and he raised his head. Putting on a mask of innocence, he casually asked. "What is a Voidborne?"
The entire group stiffened, then turned to him. Kara turned to him stiffly, her eyes wide.
"What… did you say?"
Kaiser calmly repeated his question. The group exchanged glances, then turned to look at Elias. Seeing their gazes, the blonde man scratched the back of his head.
"Sigh… I'll explain it to you." He started, "Voidbornes are… nasty creatures. According to history, they are beings created by the void. However, they aren't as principled as we humans."
Kaiser listened attentively, trying to gather as much information as he could. He had basic knowledge about a Voidborne, but still wanted to know more.
"They live on corruption, tainting things that were originally pure. History describes those creatures as mad killers who would commit atrocities just for fun. Anyway, they're creatures that aren't good to think about. You should be glad they're extinct by now."
Kaiser nodded, then fell silent. The others had also resumed their respective works, no longer paying attention to his question. He sighed, as it was time to begin the next phase of his plan.
"One of you is a Voidborne."
He said, his voice low and calm.
The group froze, then turned to him with wide eyes. Sera pursed her lips with a nervous expression.
"Hey, Kaiser! You shouldn't scare us like that! What are you even saying?"
Lugh cast a displeased gaze at him. "What do you mean? This isn't funny."
Even the silent Miel frowned. He also didn't like Kaiser's words. Everyone trusted each other, so his accusation lit a bit of indignance in them. Kara turned to Kaiser with a stern look.
"Tell me you're joking."
Although she doted on him the most, she wouldn't allow her friends to be accused. Seeing him turn away without an answer, she took it as quiet admission.
"Sigh, you shouldn't play such pranks in the future."
Kaiser remained silent for a moment, then spoke. "Unfortunately, I'm not joking."
The group cast exasperated glances at him, thinking he was trying to prank them again. One of them tensed, though.
And Kaiser's keen observation immediately noticed it. He turned sharply towards the blonde pacifist of the group, his lips curled slightly.
"So it's you, huh? How unexpected…"
Kara's frown deepened, and she immediately scolded him. Though, her eyes darted towards Elias with an iota of suspicion. Why was he acting weird?
Elias remained silent, staring at Kaiser for a while. His face was expressionless, something unusual. He was always with a small smile. His teammates sensed the shift, turning their attention towards him.
"Hey, Elias. What's wrong?"
Lugh asked casually, though his voice betrayed a nervousness he tried to conceal.
Elias ignored him, his attention fixated on Kaiser. Finally, he smiled… an eerie smile.
"How did you realize it? How did you know that I was the one?"
Kaiser held his inhuman gaze for a moment, then closed his eyes.
"Simple—your reaction just now. Although you did well hiding that fact from me for days."
This was a sincere comment from Kaiser. Elias had been in the middle of his suspicion list. In his mind, the most suspicious and the least suspicious person were likely to be the Voidborne. However, Elias had been able to make himself appear in the middle of the list. It was astonishing.
Kaiser prided himself in his observation skills, especially when he was recognized as the most talented prodigy in the clan. Yet, this man… no, creature… had fooled him.
"Hiding it from you for days? You think that is great?" Elias continued to smile, his expression filled with dark curiosity.
Kaiser nodded, then stood up. "Indeed. You should be proud of yourself."
The others had distanced themselves from Elias, noting he wasn't the person they had long known. It felt like a different person entirely. Kara's expression was grave as she pushed Kaiser behind her. Her armor and weapons had been summoned, and she didn't hesitate to point her sword at Elias.
"Kaiser…" She bit her lips, "You should run. I hope we can handle him… it. Don't come back."
The blue-haired boy gazed at her back, something inexplicable in his eyes. He was about to reply when his pupils shrunk, and he hurriedly distanced himself from her.
Kara's eyes widened in shock as she lost control of her body. Her sword, which had been pointed at Elias, sliced behind her. If he hadn't moved, he would have been beheaded. She tried to scream in confusion, but couldn't. Her whole body had become a puppet, with her consciousness trapped within.
Kaiser's expression was solemn as he watched the five Awakened humans turn to him, their expressions perfectly mirroring each other. An eerie smile bloomed on their faces, then their mouths spoke in unison.
"Come… Kaiser! Let us corrupt each other!"