The path of the Soul Emperor

Chapter 28

Alex strolled through the town, his blazing eyes filled with curiosity and intrigue.

What was it that captivated his attention?

But in the next moment, his expression darkened.

The town, though quaint and beautiful at first glance, revealed a grim reality.

Among the bustling crowd, countless people moved about with slave collars around their necks.

Each sight of oppression stoked Alex's fury, his anger simmering with every step

'Why does this even exist?' he thought.

Even when he was a mafia boss, though he had committed many bad things in the eyes of others, there had always been a moral code—a code built on respect.

In that life, death was expected, so respect for everyone was the main rule. 'If you don't mess with my territory, you're not my enemy.'

That code fostered love and respect not just within the mafia but even toward those outside of it.

To Alex and his people, they were all family. Love and respect were always necessary.

But outside the mafia, people were cruel to each other, as if they only saw others as lifeless, moving corpses.

This realization led Alex to a singular understanding that changed his entire worldview:

'People who have never bled alongside someone will never understand brotherhood, never understand betrayal, and never understand family.'

Many people called themselves family, but neither truly loved each other nor understood what love was.

'If you have never suffered alongside the person you claim to love—whether it's your girlfriend, your friends, or your brothers—you only think it's love, but it isn't.'

And so, the question arises: What is love?

The answer comes from a single source: God.

Alex believed in Him because, while men could not be trusted, the Lord could bring a man who was trustworthy.

'No man has ever made a consistently good choice in his life, whether rich or poor.'

God had always been the solution to every situation in the world because a godless life inevitably led to despair.

It reduced people to treating others as nothing more than slaves, forgetting that they all bled the same blood.

We all die. We were all created by a single being.

God, Alex thought, doesn't send roses to your path.

He sends the devil, because without suffering, you would never understand the meaning of the path you've taken.

Deep down, Alex wanted to destroy this entire village.

He knew he had the power to do so, but he suppressed those thoughts, unwilling to make a big enemy just yet.

However, the next moment solidified his desire for action.

Not far from him, a grown man was trying to force himself upon a child who looked no older than nine or ten.

The girl had orange fox ears and a tail, her wide eyes filled with fear as the man attempted to remove his pants.

'A world without God, where races see themselves as gods—how pathetic.'

Alex appeared behind the man.

[King's Aura Activated]

The ground shook from the pressure of Alex's soul.

The man froze, unable to move or breathe, as he turned and saw Alex's figure looming over him.

"The men who should have led this world have become even more pathetic than women," Alex said coldly.

"You've reached the point of trying to force yourself on a child, of all things."

His voice was distant, but his words were clear.

"I don't hate this world, nor my old one. I just hate people like you—weak men and women."

The man's body floated in the air, violently crushed again and again before exploding into a mist of blood.

His remains scattered across the ground. Alex stood untouched, protected by an arcane mana barrier.

[Ding! Two new skills learned.]

[(B+) Arcane Mana Barrier – Creates a barrier around the user, capable of withstanding any attack as long as the user has sufficient arcane mana, which varies with the power of the attack.]

[(B+) Ruler's Hand – Allows the user to form a hand of arcane mana. The hand's power depends on the amount of arcane mana used.]

Alex didn't care about the new skills.

Instead, he focused on the fox girl, who was looking around in terror. In a calm voice, he said,

"Life is beautiful, and it always will be.

Forget what others have told you about life being cruel and unforgiving.

It's not life that's cruel—it's the people who live in it.

Without evil, good could never exist."

Alex spread his arms toward the bloodied girl with a warm smile.

He wasn't wearing the cloth that usually covered his eyes, and the girl stared at him, stunned.

"Who are you?" she asked hesitantly.

"Just call me Alex. May I help you?" he asked softly.

The girl hesitated, then took his hand, still trembling.

"What's your name?" Alex asked as he noticed her eerie calmness amidst the horror. 'This girl must have seen death before,' he thought.

"Amber," she said, gripping his hand tightly before letting go.

"Sorry for getting blood on you."

"It doesn't matter," Alex replied, lifting her into his arms.

"Let's get you a bath. But first…" He reached for her neck.

Despite the gesture, Amber didn't flinch.

Instead, she smiled—a strange sight, considering her blood-covered state.

Alex placed his hand on the slave collar.

[Ding! 10 arcane energy consumed.]

The collar shattered instantly.

"Why do you trust me so much?" Alex asked curiously.

Amber looked into his eyes and replied, "Because I can only see love from you, big brother."

Alex paused, then smiled. 'This girl has eyes that show her who to trust and who not to.'

"Now you're calling me big brother?" he teased as they walked away from the scene.

'Why does this feel like it's going to come back to bite me?' he wondered.

"Do you mind?" Amber asked shyly.

"No, you can call me whatever you want," Alex said.

"Big brother," Amber repeated, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Yes," Alex said gently, noticing the onlookers staring at the bloodied girl in his arms.

"Thank you. I was scared," Amber said, her voice breaking.

"It's okay," Alex said, sighing. "I just wish this never happens to any other child—or anyone else."

Amber began to cry in his arms. Alex stroked her hair softly as he carried her back to the inn