The First Transmigrat

"I'm invincible! Hehe!"

Aside from that damned deer, no one in this so-called Endless Forest can even touch me now.

With the black ring finally under my control, I stored away my baseball bat, my old PC, my cheat-code USB drive, and everything else from my previous life. Even my dented soda cans. Junk to most—relics to me. A strange kind of peace settled over me—not the peace of stillness, but the peace of power.

I roamed freely now. No tension. No fear. Beasts came and went, and I hunted them down like flies. But instead of devouring their cores immediately like I used to, I began collecting them. Letting their energy simmer and settle inside the ring. Storing them like fine wine, waiting for the right moment to drink deep.

The lightning wolf's core was the crown jewel of my collection. Hard to digest, sure, but I could feel its power slowly fusing into my bloodstream. These days, I could casually toss out lightning bolts like some third-rate villain in a superhero flick. I wasn't a master yet, but give it time—I was getting there.

As a trophy, I made myself a cape from its hide. Rudimentary? Yeah. But stylish as hell. I looked like some barbarian warlord crossed with a forgotten god. The claws, fangs, even a few bones—I kept them all. Who knows? Might need to forge something later. Or just use them to scare the hell out of someone.

Eventually, I stumbled upon the survivors' shelter again.

It had changed.

What used to be a scrappy little camp was now a fledgling outpost—over 300 people. Makeshift barricades, watchtowers, patrols. Primitive, but growing. Evolving. I walked in like a ghost from their nightmares—or maybe their salvation.

They knew about the battle.

How could they not? Half the forest had been glassed over from the lightning wolf's death throes. Trees turned to ash. Craters like something out of a warzone. The survivors had seen the aftermath and pieced together the rest.

When they realized it was me… they asked me to lead them.

I laughed.

And I refused.

What would I do with that kind of burden? Babysit them? Hold hands and sing songs around the campfire? Nah. I'm no shepherd. I'm the thing that makes wolves run in fear.

Still… it was kind of nice having lackeys.

I gave them one job: "Find that deer."

They nodded like zealots hearing divine scripture. They took it seriously. Like their lives depended on it. Maybe they were right.

I didn't lift a finger, and they scattered into the forest—scouring every inch of undergrowth, overturning stones, searching for any trace of it. I lounged in a borrowed tent, occasionally sipping something close to tea, while they did the legwork.

Meanwhile, I finally cleaned myself up.Shaved. Washed. Burned my old, dirt-covered rags in a fire.

Put on a plain T-shirt, some pants, and shoes that didn't smell like death. No idea what brand they were, but they fit. For the first time in what felt like years, I looked in the mirror and saw a human again. A civilized man. Sort of.

When I stepped outside, the survivors stopped and stared.Some bowed. Others just watched in silence, like they were witnessing a legend.

Feels good… being in power.

They moved when I spoke. They listened when I pointed. It was intoxicating. I wasn't just strong—I was important. Revered. Like I'd become a story they were afraid to wake from.

Still, I never gave them more than crumbs. I'm not their savior. I'm just passing through.

But I'll admit…For a moment, it felt good to pretend.

Some of the original six founders were still around. Two, to be exact. One was named Noah. The other, Cecil. Noah asked if I wanted to rest. I said nothing—but I stayed. That old man from way back was there too. I asked his name. He said, "Philip." That was all. No fuss. No past.

Six people ran the place, and none of them dared look me in the eye—except Noah. That guy still had some spine left in him. Respect.

As I walked through the camp, I caught glimpses of familiar faces. Survivors I'd crossed paths with long ago. None recognized me. Or maybe they did and just didn't believe it. That suited me fine.

This was my domain now. Not by law or title. But by right. The right of strength.

And yet, beneath it all… I knew this was just the beginning.

The deer was still out there.

So was he—Aldrick.

Who—or what—he really was, I still didn't know. A name whispered in too many places. A figure seen but never caught. A memory wrapped in smoke.

But I was going to find him. One way or another.And when I did…The forest would never be the same.