The Abused is The Abuser in Another World

Chapter 11: The Binding Scroll

As the evening settled over Elderglen, Noir sat quietly on a low, sturdy branch just outside the elder's hut, his crimson eyes scanning the elven village around him. The soft glow of lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting dancing shadows along the ancient trees that formed the elves' homes. He watched them move about with a sense of calm efficiency, their voices hushed, their movements graceful. The day had been full of revelations, but now, under the cover of night, his mind was alive with thoughts.

So much to learn... so much I don't know yet, Noir thought, his gaze narrowing as he recalled the elder's explanations of the realm—the Kingdom of Arathorne, the County of Durnholde, the Sanctuary of Lumina, and, of course, this very place, the Duchy of Valewood. He felt like a stranger in a vast and complex world, every bit of information both intriguing and frustrating.

Noir glanced at his surroundings once more, ensuring he wasn't being watched too closely, then focused on the translucent dashboard that flickered into view before him. He could see his current skills, the list now longer than before. Let's see what new abilities I've acquired, he mused.

The familiar skills were still there, displayed at the top:

Infectious Touch — Spreads a debilitating infection on contact, weakening and slowly killing the target.
Claw of the Wild — Enhances physical attacks with increased strength and speed, mimicking a wild beast's strike.

Poisonous Fang — Infuses attacks with a toxin that poisons enemies, causing damage over time and weakening their defenses.

But now, there were two new additions glowing faintly:

Primal Roar
Effect: Releases a powerful, terrifying roar that can cause fear or panic in nearby enemies, potentially forcing them to flee or become disoriented.
Description: Derived from the alpha beast of the herd, this roar disrupts the focus of all who hear it, breaking their resolve and scattering their formations.

Predatory Instinct
Effect: Enhances the user's senses, allowing them to detect enemies' movements and anticipate their actions. Provides a heightened awareness of surroundings, especially in dim light or darkness.
Description: The instinct of a predator transferred into the wielder of The Grimreaper, sharpening reflexes and heightening awareness.

Noir felt a grim satisfaction as he read through the new abilities. These could be useful, he thought. The idea of being able to instill fear in his enemies or detect hidden dangers before they struck was appealing. This weapon really does grow stronger with every soul it consumes...

Yet, despite the utility of these new skills, a wave of unease washed over him. He still didn't understand the full extent of The Grimreaper's power, nor did he know how far he could push it. He needed time—time to learn, to understand, to master whatever this world had thrown at him.

As the night deepened, Noir remained in his perch, observing the elves below with keen interest. He could sense the villagers' unease with his presence, but they carried on with their routines—tending to small fires, sharing meals, and quietly speaking among themselves. His thoughts were still filled with the information he had gathered earlier from Elion, and the new skills he had discovered on his dashboard.

As dawn approached, Noir sensed a change in the village's atmosphere. The elves seemed to grow more alert, and he noticed several of them moving toward the entrance of Elderglen. Noir's eyes narrowed as he watched them.

From the shadows, he saw a human figure approaching along the main path into the village. Unlike Noir, this newcomer was greeted warmly. The elves seemed to know him, and many offered friendly smiles and nods as he made his way toward Elion's hut. Noir noticed the man was well-dressed, wearing the fine attire of a servant of high rank, with a badge pinned to his chest bearing the crest of the Duchy of Valewood—a green oak tree on a gold field.