Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

This feeling was not unfamiliar to Fang Zheng.

A bone-chilling cold streamed down his veins all the way to the depths of his soul, bringing pain that felt as if he were being burned. The darkness within his heart began to stir and emerge, as if a bomb had been thrown into the burning fervor of a fire, simply waiting for the right moment to explode...

This was the power of the Abyss, the dark side of humanity, the power of the Dark Soul.

Indeed, burning him was the right choice.

While enduring the erosion of this power, Fang Zheng secretly rejoiced deep within his heart. The Abyss, darkness, and evil existed in every world. Where there is light, there must also be shadow, and this was why he had initially chosen to also preserve the Fire of the Abyss. Fang Zheng did not intend to become a saint. Everything has two sides. In front of children like Midori and Natsuse, he would certainly show his gentle and calm side. He would tell bedtime stories to Yoshino or go to a coffee shop to enjoy a cup brewed by Satono.

However, on the other hand, when encountering enemies, he would slay them without mercy. Once he confirmed that someone posed a threat to him, Fang Zheng’s first response was to kill the other party and eradicate the threat, cutting the weeds and digging up the roots.

Just like in Shana’s world, Fang Zheng thought Shana was agreeable, but he disliked that maid. Thus, Fang Zheng, using the power of the Prophet Mage, gave her a choice—her death saddened Shana, but for Fang Zheng, it was neither painful nor itchy because he didn’t like that woman and felt no guilt over it either.

Of course, he wouldn’t let Shana know about this because, strictly speaking, aside from changing the direction of the journey, Fang Zheng ”did nothing.”

What makes us human is that we are both kind and evil, both clever and foolish. If one were to reject one side in favor of the other, they could no longer be called human.

Therefore, he must accept it all.

The evil of humanity.

Fang Zheng closed his eyes, and soon, the Ritual Site of the Soul reappeared before him, where the Fire Keeper was already prepared.

”Lord of Ash.”

”I know. Leave the rest to me.”

”Understood.”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s response, the Fire Keeper stepped back, and Fang Zheng approached the altar. He looked at the Soulfire in the center, then reached out and grabbed it tightly.

The next moment, everything around him began to flip.

The originally warm, orange glow of the fire instantly turned into a cold, cyan-white light. The formerly opulent Ritual Site also transformed into a pile of ruined rubble. Unlike the orderly Ritual Site that burned with ”Magic Fire,” ”Life Fire,” and ”Fire of Order,” this place looked chaotic and didn’t even have a proper altar, just a large pile of firewood burning on the spot.

”........”

Fang Zheng’s right hand, tightly clenched, began to tremble. Accompanying his movements, darkness began to flow from the crevices among the ruins, slowly creeping toward the firewood.

This was the Ritual Site he had created using the Fire of the Abyss.

Upon realizing that burning firewood with Soulfire would absorb the essence of souls, Fang Zheng thought of this solution—after all, it is better to channel energies than to block them blindly. If one were to draw an analogy, Fang Zheng considered this akin to vaccinating oneself, cultivating resistance to similar powers by fostering the Dark Soul of the Abyss.

Not only that...

”As expected, they came.”

Watching the black fluids that seemed to be drawn to the Fire of the Abyss flow toward it, the corners of Fang Zheng’s mouth slightly lifted. Like attracts like, no matter what it’s called in any world, whether it’s the evil of mankind or the Dark Soul, its essence remains the same. Therefore, after entering his body, it would seek resonance and merge with beings similar to itself. And this was another purpose Fang Zheng had for setting the Fire of the Abyss.

A trap.

Using the resonance of these chaotic dark powers to attract them, then gradually gathering them all in one fell swoop.

But not now.

Fang Zheng once again opened his eyes, by now the flames had already dissipated.

This place was not suitable for slowly ”grinding” the evil of human nature; it was an enemy’s battlefield, and there were other Servants around...

With this thought, Fang Zheng turned his head to look at Atalanta not far away.

Slender and beautiful, the female Hunter, though her hair was not meticulously done, possessed a wild beauty accentuated by her sharp eyes and lovely face. He wanted to ravage her, pin her beneath him, and tame the wild beast, turning her from a proud lioness into an obedient bitch...

The erosion of the Abyss had already begun.

Forcefully suppressing the fire of desire within, Fang Zheng raised his greatsword and swung it hard at the wall in front of him. The blade flashed, and the thick wall was effortlessly sliced open as if it were made of tofu. The howling cold wind emerged from the cut, and then Fang Zheng took two steps in three strides and rushed out of the breach, leaping directly into the sky above, plunging downward.

”What’s up with that guy?”

Watching Fang Zheng leave, Atalanta furrowed her brows and muttered. Although she didn’t know what he was thinking, his last glance had clearly conveyed a warning, ”Do not follow, or you’ll bear the consequences.” This irked Atalanta, a hero.

Moreover, at the moment she caught his gaze, Atalanta even felt a deep, inner shudder and fear as if what stood before her was not a human but some prehistoric monstrosity.

Although logically she should have turned back, for some reason, the more he didn’t want Atalanta to follow, the more she wanted to go after him. As a Servant, retreating before a human, whether in life or death, was nothing to be proud of for Atalanta.

As for that young priest... Atalanta had never liked him, and with LANCER and ASSASSIN around, there probably wouldn’t be any trouble. So, let me go see who this damned bastard really is!

With that thought, Atalanta too took two steps in three strides to the breach and leapt through.

”Thud!!”

Fang Zheng landed heavily on the ground, the immense impact causing the ground to tremble. He raised his head to look around; this seemed to be deep within a forest, and the shadow of the Castle of the World Tree could be faintly seen in the distance. It seemed that the airborne fortress had left after capturing the Greater Holy Grail, and for now... who the hell cares so much anymore!

Fang Zheng shook his head, then closed his eyes, raising both hands to tightly hold the Pitch Black Greatsword. Soon, the Fire of the Abyss began burning on the blade, sucking up the evil of human nature that the sword had absorbed, like a vacuum cleaner.

For Fang Zheng, this was a very delicate job, akin to using a small knife to peel away the rough husk of a fruit and then gradually breaking these husks into more flammable firewood, to be thrown into the fire—because only like this could he ensure that his Fire of the Abyss could digest this poisonous firewood in a controlled manner, transforming it into powerful energy.

What is he doing?

Hidden in the distant shade of the trees, Atalanta curiously watched the Knight. She thought he would go somewhere specific, but upon finding him, discovered him holding the greatsword, standing still as if in meditation.

”———!”

Suddenly, bright red flames burst forth, enveloping the Knight’s body, and as the flames vanished, the armor that had been covering the Knight’s body disappeared without a trace. In its place stood a young man with black hair... it was him?

Upon recognizing the face, Atalanta was shocked, she would certainly not forget this man. That day when she was ambushed, it was this man, along with ASSASSIN, who had attacked her, nearly killing her.

And he was that Knight? You must be joking!

But no matter what, I will not miss this opportunity.

With this thought, Atalanta raised her longbow, aiming at the black-haired man who had his eyes closed.

This is a return gift, die!

Muttering softly under her breath, Atalanta released her fingers.

In an instant, the arrow charged with immense power darted through the forest, flying towards its target.

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