Demon Hunter and His Cabin
Chapter 847 - 655: The Malice of the World_2

Chapter 847: Chapter 655: The Malice of the World_2

"Only by passing this test, can a Sword Bearer be more than just a tool."

"Do you still remember everything you’ve been through?"

Sword Master Cold Crow suddenly asked.

"You mean those memories?"

"Yes, they are not just my memories, but also part of the choices."

"Over so many years, I’ve screened countless people for the test, but the one who best matches my intentions is you!"

A gleam of sharp light burst forth from Sword Master Cold Crow’s eyes.

"Similar scenarios—Kensumi and Meiryu have also experienced them."

"I have always believed that one’s memories and experiences greatly influence their choices, their judgment, and even the path they will walk in the future."

"Cruelty and gentleness—two differing directions of growth. Originally, I thought these would cultivate the character and consciousness I required."

"But unfortunately, when you strip away memory, emotion, and energy, what remains in a person’s soul is often more crucial."

Hearing this, Roger gained a new understanding of Sword Master Cold Crow’s actions.

Though Yatagarasu Akiryu is his son, from childhood Sword Master Cold Crow never acknowledged him publicly, subjecting Akiryu to endless battles and slaughter during his growth.

The harsh environment honed his will, yet all of it turned out to be deliberate manipulation by Sword Master Cold Crow.

It was like a master training a wild beast—sharpening its teeth, honing its claws.

What an ironic outcome. Initially, Akiryu was unaware of this, but regarding his identity, it was evident that Sword Master Cold Crow had not hidden it from him.

In such circumstances, how could he not harbor resentment?

But what of it?

Sword Master Cold Crow’s presence was like a towering mountain; Akiryu’s struggles were utterly futile.

And Kensumi?

Evidently, the failure with Akiryu led Sword Master Cold Crow to adopt a gentler approach with Kensumi.

In a Garden-of-Eden-like environment, with a pure and conflict-free trajectory of growth, he even concealed Kensumi’s true identity to build his confidence and honor.

Then he wrapped himself in the guise of fatherly love...

At this thought, Roger felt a chill down his spine.

Cold to the extreme, rational to the utmost.

Perhaps there were moments when he showed emotion, but more often than not, his ultimate rationality brought everything back into line.

"Don’t look at me with those eyes."

"Trust me, you would make similar choices."

"We come from the same origins. When the time is right, you will make the correct choice."

"I told you, though the time has been brief, you are the one among all my students who satisfies me the most."

Sword Master Cold Crow waved his hand, and fragments of memories appeared before them.

"Do you know how to truly understand someone?"

He spoke to himself, "Observe how they choose when weak, and what they do when strong."

"That is enough."

Before Roger appeared three identical scenes.

Snow, a desolate mountain cabin.

With just a glance, Roger could discern what these three scenarios signified.

They were the different choices made by him, Akiryu, and Kensumi within the same fragments of memory.

"How do they choose when weak?"

Roger’s expression remained calm, yet the different decisions made among the three indeed revealed much.

The first scene featured Yatagarasu Akiryu.

From the moment he regained consciousness and found himself in the snowy field, he grew highly vigilant.

Akiryu and Roger were vastly different.

Entering the respective fragments of memory, their strength was insufficient to resist Sword Master Cold Crow. In such an environment, they lost their concrete memories, leaving only the essence buried deep within their consciousness.

That was the core purity of one’s self.

In the dimly lit cabin, when the woman shouted Granny Snow’s name and revealed the monster’s characteristics to everyone...

The thin, frail figure became the lifeline of the group.

Eyes filled with guilt bore down on him from all sides.

Then, Roger saw a youth controlled by Akiryu’s subconscious shrink coldly into the corner of the room.

His silence caused a shift in the crowd’s expressions.

Some began to approach him slowly until he was surrounded, and at that moment, Higurashi struggled to make a decision, stepping forward to confront the youth and tremblingly speaking of his predicament.

The boy raised his head, responding with a bright smile.

"For your child?"

The boy glanced around. "It seems I have no choice either."

He extended his hand, "But at least let me face that monster with some dignity. I don’t want to die empty-handed."

The man, guilt-ridden, handed over the hatchet, but before he could say words of comfort, searing pain shot through his abdomen the next second.

The frail youth turned feral like a wild beast, issuing a guttural roar, "You want me to die?!"

Strength drained rapidly from the man’s body. His burly figure collapsed to the floor, abdomen sliced open, intestines and viscera spilling out.

Striving to rise, his efforts were interrupted by gasps behind him. Turning abruptly, he witnessed a terrifying sight.

Like a rabid wolf, the youth lunged at the man’s wife, the murderous intent in his eyes chilling all present. Nearby individuals were wounded by his blade.

The hatchet pressed against the woman’s neck; the boy’s cruel smile surfaced.

"You’re done for!"

"Out!" With a swift motion of the hatchet, a bloodline appeared across the woman’s neck.

"I assume you know what decision to make!"

The injured man clutched his abdominal wound, feeling increasingly weak. Looking around, he found the others cowering in corners, none daring to intervene.

A wave of desolation swept over him as he met his wife’s gaze of terror and despair. Shakily, he stepped toward the cabin door.

"Let her go. I’m going out!"

With that, he slammed the door open.

The wind and snow surged into the cabin. With a boom, the door shut tight, followed shortly by a scream and then a disdainful voice.

"Filthy. His mind was murky; I loathe that stench!"

The group shuddered in fear, while the youth said nothing, his gaze fixed on the woman’s abdomen.

Roger clenched his fist—the choices of ordinary people were unbearably repulsive, yet Akiryu’s actions...

The scene shattered. Roger turned his attention to another scenario—Kensumi’s choice. Faced with the crowd’s coercion, especially the man’s pleas, Kensumi stood firm.

He argued rationally and encouraged them all to confront the monster together, but he clearly underestimated the darkness in human hearts. Unbeknownst to him...

A villager jabbed a rusty pitchfork into his back.

Roger witnessed Kensumi’s still warm corpse being discarded outside. The monster’s hair, like absorbing straws, plunged into his skull.

Gurgle, gurgle.

His brain matter was drained dry.

It truly aligns with each one’s character, Roger couldn’t help but sigh.

At that moment, Sword Master Cold Crow suddenly spoke, "You come from another world. I discovered later that you possess limitations similar to mine."

"We are both outcasts of other worlds."

"I aim to defeat a dragon. And you?"

"What binds and confines you?"

Roger’s face was expressionless, but turbulent waves roiled within.

"Similar limitations... I and Sword Master Cold Crow..."

Roger instantly thought of the Hunter’s Cabin—the rules and operations he could not understand.

If what Sword Master Cold Crow said was true, if he himself was also an escaped fragment from another world, then what exactly was the entity that imprisoned him?

Sixth Tier, Seventh Tier?

An overwhelming sense of dread seized Roger, as if the entire world suddenly exuded malice.

Just as his focus faltered for a split second, Sword Master Cold Crow launched an attack.

"Release your consciousness, surrender your body to me!"

"Once I break free of the dragon’s restrictions, I can ascend to greater heights, and in the future help you overcome what binds you."

"Granting you true freedom!"