Sovereign of the Forgotten Era

After landing in the vast grasslands, Azrael looked around, only to find an endless stretch of empty land. There was nothing in sight for thousands of kilometers—not a single tree, not even a boulder to break the monotony of the terrain.

"QiQi, where is the nearest settlement of any living beings?"

[Host, the nearest settlement of living beings is 5,000 kilometers from your current location. However, if you are referring to a human settlement, it is approximately 34,789 kilometers southwest from here.]

"Oh… so there are humans in this world?"

[Yes, host. Humans are a unique species—the very foundation of evolution itself. In every world, they exist as a fundamental part of life. Even you were once a human. Only after experiencing life as a human can a being truly begin their journey to gaining greater power.]

"Huh, that's new information for me."

After a brief moment of thought, he made his decision.

"Let's head toward the human settlement first."

Fifteen Days Later…

After traveling for fifteen days, Azrael finally arrived at a bustling city. It was filled with the chatter of humans, the sounds of merchants haggling, and the distant clang of blacksmiths forging weapons. The streets were alive with activity—children ran through the alleys, beggars sat on the corners pleading for alms, and arrogant young masters flaunted their status, throwing their authority around like a weapon. Noblewomen, draped in luxurious silks, walked gracefully through the marketplace, attended by their servants.

Azrael observed them closely. Despite their ordinary human-like appearance, he could sense traces of Origin Core energy within them.

His eyes narrowed.

"How can this be? They have Origin Core energy inside them… Just what on earth is going on here?"

"QiQi, do you have any explanation for this?"

[Host, QiQi does not have enough data to analyze this anomaly.]

Azrael frowned, deep in thought.

"There's only one way to find out…"

"Hmm… let's kidnap some people and extract their memories."

Nightfall

As the sun dipped below the horizon, two moons rose into the night sky, illuminating the land with an eerie, silver glow. Their radiance was so bright that they resembled miniature suns rather than moons.

Under the cover of darkness, Azrael moved.

Within a short time, he had kidnapped three humans—one young man, one young woman, and an elderly man, likely in his seventies. The old man, strangely enough, had the highest concentration of Origin energy among them.

Right now, they were deep underground—in a cave Azrael had personally created near the city using his power.

The three captives were bound to special chairs forged from his abilities. Their restraints were no ordinary chains; they were energy bindings, seamlessly connected to the chairs themselves.

The girl struggled violently, her muffled cries barely escaping past the restraints.

"Hnn! Hnnf!"

The young man, on the other hand, had already passed out, his body slumped forward in unconsciousness.

As for the old man… he sat calmly, his sharp eyes studying Azrael as if he had experienced situations like this before.

Azrael glanced at the young man and sighed in annoyance.

This man was Struggling too much and was making too much noise

"Tch. You are making too much noise."

Without hesitation, he slapped the young man across the face.

SMACK!

The impact was so thunderous that the young man's entire body jerked violently, before his head slumped over again, completely knocked out cold.

"Tsk, weak."

Azrael sighed, then casually waved his hand, conjuring a sofa for himself. Sitting down comfortably, he turned his gaze toward his captives.

First, he released the restraints on the young woman.

The moment she was freed, she lunged at him without hesitation, summoning an energy sword in her hands.

Azrael raised an eyebrow.

"Does she not understand what kind of situation she's in?"

With an amused smirk, he muttered, "Women… such peculiar creatures."

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" the woman screamed, her voice filled with rage. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM?! I AM A NOBLEWOMAN! HOW DARE YOU KIDNAP ME?!"

Without another word, she charged at Azrael, slashing her energy sword straight toward his throat.

Azrael sighed, completely unimpressed.

"Tsk… Another fool who doesn't understand her situation."

He didn't move.

He didn't dodge.

He didn't counterattack.

He simply spoke:

"Move."

The instant his voice echoed through the cave—

BOOM!

The woman was blasted backward, her body slamming into the far wall with a deafening impact. The sheer force of his aura had crushed her attack instantly—sending her flying in the opposite direction.

Her body slumped to the ground, completely unconscious.

Azrael exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples.

"Sigh… Oh well."

Then, his piercing gaze shifted to the old man—the only one left awake.

Despite the terrifying display he had just witnessed, the old man remained calm, his expression unreadable.

Azrael released his restraints as well.

But the old man did not move.

He did not attack.

He simply sat there, waiting.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Azrael's lips.

"I see… so you understand your situation."

His voice was low, filled with amusement.

"Good."

Azrael leaned forward slightly, his glowing eyes locking onto the old man's.

"I just have some questions for you."

He tilted his head, smiling darkly.

"Answer them… and you're free to go, old man."