NOVEL SIMPLE 0051 – Tangible Killing Intent
As the intent to kill took form under the guidance of her mental power, it became malleable, pliable like clay in her hands. What kind of sensation was this?
The killing intent, which would typically spread from point to point or diffuse indiscriminately, had undergone a transformation. Zoe Carter felt as if she had returned to her childhood days, molding clay into various shapes. Under her control, the killing intent solidified into forms: rod-like, disk-like, block-like...
There was no need to target a specific enemy; the killing intent could be shaped into a tangible object and linger in a spot for an extended period. Zoe directed this tangible killing intent, constructing a four-sided wall of malice within a box containing white mice. The space for the mice to move in was immediately compressed. As soon as they touched the invisible, untouchable walls of killing intent, they recoiled as if electrocuted.
Watching this scene, Zoe couldn't help but turn her investigative gaze towards Platinum, who was curiously peeking beside the table. With a mere thought, she erected numerous half-meter-high walls of killing intent on the vast living room floor, forming a labyrinthine structure.
Then, Platinum, who had been wandering aimlessly, reacted as if he'd seen a ghost, sensing an invisible oppression in the air around him. Fear and confusion clouded his eyes. Instinctively avoiding every wall of killing intent that he could only feel after bumping into it, Platinum stumbled through the maze. Zoe watched as Platinum finally emerged from the relatively simple maze through trial and error. A smile curved at the corner of Zoe’s lips.
"This form of killing intent is quite intriguing," she mused.
Continuing her experiments on the tangible killing intent, Zoe gathered numerous conclusions thanks to the selfless contributions of the white mice and Platinum.
Firstly, the tangible killing intent could naturally take the shape of not just walls but any form. However, the larger the form, the weaker the intensity of the killing intent. This was because the total amount of killing intent that could be released in a given time was not infinite. Additionally, it was impossible to control the killing intent into overly intricate shapes.
Secondly, once released in a shaped form, the killing intent could last for about a minute at most, not indefinitely. It would gradually dissipate and vanish.
Lastly, this tangible killing intent could coat any object like a film. Once an object was coated in this manner, it appeared almost enchanted. Zoe tested this by covering a needle with a layer of killing intent and then using it to pierce a white mouse.
She observed that the mouse exhibited unprecedented levels of pain, far more intense than from a mere needle prick. Clearly, the enchanted killing intent inflicted a devastating blow to the emotions of living beings, flooding their spirits with pain. This torment was far more excruciating than direct physical piercing.
Although this enchanting ability didn't offer much utility to Zoe, who could directly unleash killing intent upon other beings, it was an interesting feature nonetheless.
Having roughly tested the various effects of this tangible killing intent, Zoe smiled faintly and murmured to herself, "With this kind of killing intent, I should be able to create a domain of malice, shouldn’t I?"
Reflecting on her thoughts, Zoe attempted to unleash her domain of killing intent. Previously, her killing intent would spread like an instantaneous shockwave, but now, it manifested differently, maintaining its presence for a longer duration. The killing intent spread around her, persisting for a full minute.
As she expanded its range to match the scope of the Transparent World 2.0, the intensity of the killing intent decreased to a level that could only repel insects. Thus, by releasing the domain of killing intent every minute, Zoe created a space around her where no insects could intrude.
Although this might not seem impressive—more like a toy—it was still quite convenient for Zoe. After all, even if insects couldn't harm her, they could certainly disgust her. Moreover, Zoe believed that this ability wouldn't stop here. The duration of the killing intent's persistence would undoubtedly increase, and its total intensity could also be amplified.
In time, weapons permanently imbued with this enchanted killing intent would become highly sought-after treasures. Similarly, a domain of killing intent that could last longer, with higher intensity and greater range, would be far more than just a pest control tool.
With her killing intent domain activated, Zoe could potentially wipe out an entire city's worth of minor enemies in an instant. She could both destroy wherever she went and create areas so dangerous that no one could approach.
Hopeful about the future development of her killing intent, Zoe temporarily concluded her experiments. She looked at the table, now mostly filled with deceased white mice. Gathering the dead mice into a box, she swiftly ended the lives of the remaining terrified mice with a burst of killing intent, placing them all in another box. Compared to the methods used in many laboratories, her approach was quicker, safer, and more humane.
Her previous experiments on the mice were purely for research purposes, not out of any sadistic tendencies. Staring at the box filled with dead mice, Zoe realized she needed to dispose of the bodies soon to prevent decay and foul odor in her home. Although she could store them in the refrigerator, she had no desire to do so, despite not needing to eat anymore. Instead, she preferred to find a simple burial spot for them, as a sign of respect.
The nearby Tomb Hill, with its ample forested areas, seemed like a suitable place for disposal. Thinking this over, Zoe checked the time on her phone. She had been experimenting for quite a while, and it was now past seven in the evening. The scenic area of Tomb Hill had already closed. However, who said she had to enter through the main gate of the scenic area?
Just like every scenic spot with secret passages, Zoe, living nearby, knew of several hidden paths. Of course, she had never used them before. Firstly, the entry fee was only twelve euros. Secondly, there wasn't much of interest in the decrepit Tomb, with its relics, underground palaces, and forest scenery. If not for Benny insisting on visiting when she first moved here, Zoe wouldn't have bothered to go even once.
With these thoughts, Zoe retrieved a small shovel she had bought for outdoor barbecues last year with Benny, and emptied a suitcase of its clothes. The shovel was for digging, as she didn't want to use her formidable fingernails to dig holes. The suitcase was to discreetly transport the transparent box containing the dead mice. Dragging a suitcase was far less conspicuous than carrying a box of dead rodents.
After placing the shovel and the box of mouse corpses into the suitcase, Zoe left the house directly.
