Chapter 22: The Calamity Witch and the Scent of Erosion

The villagers encircled the two, their gazes filled with hostility.

Long-term neurasthenia, born from the terror of the plague, had somewhat dulled their minds. Yet, it did not hinder their capacity for judgment.

“Everyone, please calm down! They are mages, and they’ve come to help us!”

The shopkeeper, desperately craning their neck, finally managed to push through the throng of villagers, stepping into the circle to defend Mo Ya and Akuma.

“Mages? You say they are mages?”

The shopkeeper’s words acted like a powerful sedative, slowly coaxing the frenzied villagers back to reason. A subtle shift occurred in the way they regarded the two.

“Yes, they are here to save our village.”

The shopkeeper endeavored to sway the crowd, yet their efforts bore little fruit. Hope and excitement did not ignite in the people’s hearts. The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only a handful of leading villagers behind.

They cast cold, distrustful glances at Mo Ya and Akuma, their weary eyes betraying a profound lack of faith.

“Even the kingdom’s magic corps couldn’t save us. What makes you think you can? Truly… if only that Calamity Witch would just die.”

With these unequivocal words, they, too, slowly departed. Once more, a profound silence descended upon the road.

Throughout it all, Mo Ya and Akuma remained utterly silent.

“My apologies. The villagers have simply endured the reaper’s torment for too long. They’ve grown wary of outsiders, especially since even the kingdom’s magic corps abandoned us.”

The shopkeeper wiped the sweat from their brow, offering a sincere apology to the pair.

The term ‘magic corps’ was far from unfamiliar to Akuma and Mo Ya. Joining the kingdom’s standing magical army was one of the paths available to them after graduation. Yet, for reasons unknown, neither of them harbored any particular fondness for the unit.

Mo Ya was deep in thought. During that brief exchange of glances with the Calamity Witch, he had distinctly sensed her helplessness and profound loneliness. He had also detected an aura that felt strangely familiar.

Indeed, the girl dubbed the Calamity Witch carried an aura that should not belong to a human. It was unmistakably the essence emanating from an ‘Erosion’—the very scent of Erosion.

However, Mo Ya was certain she was human. He possessed that much judgment. The question then arose: why did she bear the aura of an Erosion, and how had she caused the plague?

If, as the villagers claimed, she was indeed the source of the plague, the problem could be swiftly resolved by simply eliminating her. But… was it truly that simple?

Mo Ya felt a surge of excitement, his interest thoroughly piqued. A powerful instinct told him that the truth hidden beneath the surface was far more intricate than it appeared.

First, he needed to understand why she carried the aura of an Erosion.

Mo Ya took a solitary step, heading towards the forest. Ahead lay the spot where the girl had vanished, the very lair of the Erosion horde.

Akuma, naturally, did not miss his movement. He followed closely beside Mo Ya.

“Where are you off to this time? You truly do as you please.”

“I intend to investigate some things. From now on… it would be better to act alone.”

Akuma paused, momentarily stunned, but only for an instant.

“Alright, alright, I understand what you mean. Conveniently, I also have some things I’d prefer to do by myself.”

Uncharacteristically, Mo Ya did not elaborate, yet Akuma grasped the unspoken meaning of his words. He halted, watching Mo Ya’s figure recede into the distance before turning and entering a narrow alley in the town.

A faint green glow emanated from the alley, and then, a stunning young woman with long hair and ample bosom emerged.

A subtle, alluring smile played on her lips, her eyes gleaming with an even greater excitement than before. Her target, naturally, was the sprawling forest before her.

Akuma’s lips curved into her signature smile, a look both seductive and perilous.

She slowly entered the forest.

“Well then, the game of hunting Erosion begins now~”

***

Mo Ya entered the forest, immediately sensing the presence of a barrier-like enchantment.

It seemed the magic corps hadn’t been entirely useless; at the very least, they had prevented the Erosion horde from invading the village. The villagers’ lives were temporarily secured.

But this was merely a temporary reprieve. As long as the source of the plague remained, the Erosion horde would not disappear. They would only absorb negative emotions and grow ever stronger.

Sooner or later, this barrier would falter. The Erosion horde would erupt, instantly engulfing the unfortunate village. How many would survive then?

Mo Ya’s feet pressed into the slightly damp forest soil. He noticed a small footprint before him, perfectly matching that of a nine-year-old girl.

This was indeed fortunate. Mo Ya could now follow her trail unimpeded, leading him directly to the Calamity Witch.

But with fortune often came misfortune. Just as Mo Ya felt a thrill of excitement, a jackal-shaped Erosion sprang from the surrounding woods.

Its long fangs lunged straight for Mo Ya, seemingly intent on punishing this ignorant wretch, eager to feast on his flesh for lunch.

Then… its proud fangs were swiftly shattered.

Mo Ya had merely given his arm a casual flick.

Here, deep within the forest, there were no bothersome crowds to restrain him. In other words, he no longer needed to conceal his Erosion power.

This jackal-shaped Erosion was pitiable, and foolish. It had failed to comprehend the vast disparity between itself and the man before it, understanding only the humiliation of its broken fangs.

Thus, after a long howl, it lunged at Mo Ya once more.

Originally, Mo Ya had only intended to teach it a lesson; after all, he hadn’t come to this forest to bully the weak.

But… this charging Erosion, whether due to good luck or ill, happened to step squarely on the footprint. The delicate clue was perfectly obliterated by its clumsy action.

Mo Ya’s face instantly darkened, a chill entering his eyes.

The Erosion’s attack did not cease. It leaped into the air, preparing to bite into Mo Ya’s carotid artery.

If this attack succeeded, it would enjoy a delicious meal.

“Never attack carelessly from mid-air… for you will lose all your defenses.”

A hand shot out, seizing the jackal-shaped Erosion directly by the throat. Mo Ya lifted it into the air.

“Goodbye.”

With a sudden surge of strength, the Erosion before him was crushed by Mo Ya’s grip, unable to even struggle.

Blood spurted from its throat, splattering everywhere and drawing the attention of many nearby Erosions. Their eyes gleamed with malice, yet not a single one dared to charge forward. Regardless, their own lives were paramount.

Mo Ya shook the blood from his hand, scanning his surroundings.

“They’re no longer mere aggregations of negative thoughts; they even have bodies now.”

These Erosions clearly possessed a certain level of intelligence. Without sufficient confidence, they likely wouldn’t dare to provoke Mo Ya again.

Mo Ya lowered his head once more, attempting to discern the faint shoe print amidst the disturbed soil.

Finally, still somewhat discernible, Mo Ya followed the footsteps. A towering ancient tree emerged before him. Within its massive trunk, where roots surfaced like cave entrances, sat the girl.

She was ravenously devouring the bread she had just stolen from the town, having been without food for two and a half days.

These two pieces of bread were undoubtedly her salvation.

However, she quickly ceased her frantic eating. She had heard it—footsteps approaching from outside the tree hollow.

A man clad in black appeared at the entrance of the hollow, now staring coldly at her.

She stood, her eyes vacant and emotionless.

“Are… are you here to kill me too?”