Chapter 127: The Secret

Chapter 127: The Secret

The Ancient Tree was starting to act moody with Bran. After playing with fire for a few days, he began to wonder how Bran had killed so many people so quietly.

Bran gave a simple answer: “Sound!”

The Ancient Tree felt a bit angry. This was a lie, this was deceit. How could it be sound if you kill in silence? Bran didn’t explain much more. He just created a cup in front of him, watched it resonate with the sound he made, and refused to say another word.

This would be a secret he kept forever. He always stayed alert to this world. When facing his sister, he thought to himself, what would I do if I met an opponent like her?

From the moment his swords began to hum, he had a general idea. Sound, as long as it can be heard, would have an effect. As his abilities evolved, he started trying to produce sounds that people couldn’t hear — this was the truly deadly part.

After his Mana Web was first established, when he could passively sense the world, he began constantly listening to the sounds inside birds, fish, and insects. His ability already gave him the power of fine control. He just needed to keep practicing, keep experimenting. At first, something always seemed missing, until he met a Fairy. That’s when everything started to turn around.

The hardest part was limiting the sound to a certain range. As his Magic Field expanded, this was no longer a problem. He could separate his Magic Field at will, creating one relatively independent space after another, confining the sound to specific areas, and he could erase them at any time.

This was the source of his confidence. What did it matter how many people came? When he first used it at the gate of Northland City, the effect wasn’t ideal. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed to use harsh noises to finish the job. He always suspected this was a passive defense mechanism created by the high Mana in his body intertwining with his life force. But it wasn’t completely ineffective. At least, those who fell to the ground back then definitely didn’t fall from simple noise. Using the same method on ordinary people left no doubt.

Bran wasn’t too worried even when sound couldn’t directly kill. If absolutely necessary, he could create a loud noise to stun his opponent, then use his twin blades to finish the job. If he couldn’t kill them, it still bought him time to escape. And he believed that as he gained a deeper understanding of this skill, he could defeat most opponents.

His biggest threat still came from Wizards, especially those who strengthened their own bodies. Even when facing the local Wizards Paul and Polly that day, he remained very cautious. Fighting them felt like facing a turtle with no place to strike. Whether they hardened their skin or turned into a small lion, in Bran’s eyes, these were just methods of enhancing the body. If these people could grow stronger, they would all become threats to him. Bran couldn’t help but feel — the revolution is not yet complete, comrades must still strive.

A lump of Dragon Gold kept changing shapes in Bran’s hand. This was his original ability, like a pair of clever hands. Through constant practice with these hands, he could now manipulate more things. Some were easier, some were harder. For those he still couldn’t move, he would try to find a way, find an approach. Many things he couldn’t control directly, he could try indirect methods. He just needed to open his mind and find the direction. And the foundation of all this was — knowledge.

Now he somewhat regretted it. Back then, he really should have: studied hard, made progress every day.

…

No matter how much the Ancient Tree sulked now, a secret was a secret. Bran decided to improve their relationship another way — by telling a story.

A long, long time ago, there was an Ancient Tree who walked upon this land. He had a Northlander companion. Bran signaled not to interrupt or ask questions like: why didn’t the tree stay put quietly, instead growing legs and running around, this hooligan style that goes against tree aesthetics…

This story instantly restored their relationship. Only now, Bran had to face all sorts of questions, like, should I also go for a walk?

Bran had only one answer: “Stay put!”

But he didn’t expect that when an intelligent being gets an idea, gets an impulse, suppressing it would have the opposite effect. So, behind his back, the Ancient Tree harbored a big secret.

…

News about Sandstone City finally spread. This time, it wasn’t limited to the upper circles. And it wasn’t just a vague story known only to a few involved parties. This time, the event was clear. Most of the people who escaped alive from the City Lord’s Manor also managed to flee Sandstone City. Though they scattered in fear, terrified Bran might come after them. As they fled, the truth became known to the world.

Some refugees even exaggerated what happened that day beyond all limits. In their stories, Bran was portrayed as a villain who could control people’s minds. All the chaos in Sandstone City was due to his influence, and he was the one who finally set everything on fire.

Legends of Wizards finally appeared among the people, only this legend was too dark. But compared to rumors, reality is often harsher. A real darkness had already descended upon the ruins of Sandstone City. Some saw the Dead moving there.

After the great fire died out, when all the lingering warmth had dissipated, some people returned to Sandstone City trying to rebuild their homes. However, strange things began to happen. First, there were inexplicable noises, then objects moved for no reason. After that, faint, wispy shadows started appearing around them. In the following days, these shadows quickly grew more solid, almost like living people.

They began moving around in broad daylight. If they came across something that interested them or someone they found interesting, they would follow for a day, even several days. If it were just that, it might have been okay. Some were even happy to see their family members again. But this happy reunion was very short-lived. Soon, people were attacked. The method of attack was very unique — they would let out a howl, and those who heard it would feel their limbs go weak.

When Bran confirmed this news, he sat still under a tree, his face changing, his mood shifting. The secrets this world held far exceeded his imagination. Maybe this was a warning from the world, or maybe it was just another coincidence. He needed to find an explanation, if only to comfort himself. So, he took Huahua and returned to Sandstone City. He came to the city center, in front of a Statue that still stood tall.

When he expanded his Magic Field, trying to find some clues, the Dead seemed drawn by something. They gradually gathered here. More and more of the Dead surrounded Bran. This group of nearly formless beings emitted a vibration similar to the sandstone found everywhere in the city, with just a hint of his own Mana.

It was all a coincidence, Bran convinced himself.

Letting out a long sigh, he changed the Statue in front of him into his own image. A line of words appeared along with it: “May the Dead find eternal peace. The Creator of the Undead — Wizard Bran.”

Then he walked through the Dead and left the place. No Dead attacked him. They just watched him leave without joy or sorrow.

Bran felt a bit stifled. If these could be considered life, then perhaps they would find their own way to survive. If they were just echoes of the past, then they would likely fade away before long. And as for me, I just need to acknowledge this matter and shoulder all the blame.