Evolution begins with an ant colony

Chapter 121 • A Fallen Failed Hero: A Turly Pathetic Reason For Revenge

ken's face beamed with happiness as he stood before the group, exuding a sense of contentment. john's confusion was visible in his furrowed brows and quizzical expression as he asked, "ken, is that you?"

the mysterious figure nodded slowly, confirming his identity. "it's me, in the flesh."

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chris stared at ken, his curiosity and concern warring within him. his eyes flicked back and forth, taking in ken's changed appearance. "dude, what happened?" he blurted out, worry coloring his voice. "the horns, the mark... and you look, well, like you aged ten years overnight!"

mina, her gaze unwavering, wasn't about to let ken off easy. her voice held a steely edge as she pressed him, "ken... tell me you didn't do what i think you did."

ken's lips curled into a knowing smile, a mixture of happiness and determination in his eyes. the group sensed a weighty revelation in his smile.

mina's frustration turned into surprise as she realized the truth. "so you did then," she declared, her voice filled with amazement.

john, sensing that something significant had occurred, turned to mina with a furrowed brow. "hey, mina, what did he do?"

chris, equally puzzled, added, "yeah, what did he do?"

mina met their inquisitive gazes, her voice reflecting her surprise. "he sided with the demons," she disclosed, her tone tinged with astonishment. "the aura i can see around him is chaos mana, something i learned about back in the magic tower. it can only be found on demons and their kin."

the group stood in stunned silence, coming to terms with the unexpected revelation about their friend's transformation and the choices he had made.

in the background, the guards and adventurers watched the tense exchange unfold, their faces reflecting a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

john's confusion was palpable as he asked, "so, wait, you've sided with the demons?"

ken's response was filled with an air of smug confidence as he admitted, "indeed, i have, and i've gained unimaginable power." he flexed his muscles, which crackled with the chaotic energy of chaos mana, emphasizing his newfound strength.

the shift in john's expression was noticeable as he inquired further, his tone growing serious. "and what was the catch?"

ken, puzzled by the question, asked, "excuse me?"

john's laughter filled the air, an unexpected and bizarre response to ken's sinister intentions. his body language and expressions conveyed his disbelief and mockery, creating a surreal moment amidst the tension.

amidst the surreal tension that hung in the air, john's voice remained steady, his words dripping with a strange mix of mockery and criticism. his gestures and expressions emphasized the absurdity of the situation. he gestured broadly, sweeping his arm as he spoke. "honestly, even the villain in a fantasy novel written by a 12-year-old would have better motives."

suddenly, a palpable shift occurred as john's tone transformed from mockery to an unwavering seriousness. he locked eyes with ken, his gaze unyielding. "that just means you're seeking revenge because of your sense of insecurity, lack of self-confidence, inferiority complex, your fragile ego, and your poor life choices," he declared, his gestures and expressions punctuating each accusation.

"honestly, if you really want revenge, you should just go kill yourself."

the shock of john's words rippled through the onlookers. laughter erupted from the group behind john as the brutal truth of his words sank in. they found themselves united in amusement, a shared realization of the absurdity of ken's vendetta.

ken's teeth ground together, his anger intensifying as he struggled to contain his emotions.

john wasn't finished. his voice remained unwavering as he continued his critique. "and i'm not saying you're weak as you are now, quite the contrary. you're very strong. after all, it's no small feat to command a horde of undead like this one." his body language changed as he casually reached for his sword, unsheathing it in one fluid motion.

the blade gleamed in the eerie light, and he raised it to point at his neck. "but let's be real," he said, his tone unwavering. "it's all just borrowed power. you didn't work hard to achieve it, so, in a sense, you still haven't accomplished anything."

as he spoke, john's face remained stern, reflecting the seriousness of his words. his stance was resolute, and his unflinching determination was palpable. with a chilling finality, he added, "and i would rather die by my own hands than by the hands of someone as pathetic as you are." his actions and words made his intentions unmistakable, emphasizing the conviction behind his bold statement.

chris and mina's voices intertwined in a frantic chorus as they cried out in unison, "john, noooo." their faces displayed a mix of anxiety, disbelief, and concern, with their gestures reflecting their distress. chris clenched his fists, while mina's hand reached toward john as if reaching out to stop him physically.

john, however, held his ground, his voice resolute as he reassured his friends. his gestures were confident, with a firm stance that mirrored his determination. "relax, guys," he calmly stated, his face showing a hint of a reassuring smile. "i won't go down without a fight. i'd only consider that option if i noticed i was already in bad shape and stood no chance of winning."

just as the tense atmosphere began to ease, an adventurer approached from behind john. this newcomer, with a rugged appearance and a hint of gray in his beard, cut a striking figure.

he was clad in worn, weathered leather armor, marked by years of use and countless battles. his hair, once a fiery auburn, had faded with time but still held a warm chestnut hue.

his eyes, an intense shade of green, gleamed with wisdom and experience. the scars on his face bore witness to a lifetime of confrontations with monsters and adversaries.

with a confident and reassuring tone, the adventurer spoke up, taking charge of the situation. "alright, young man," he said, his voice steady and firm, "you're not going to die today. let the adults do that. we're leaving you guys in charge of handling the demon king in the future." his hand made a sweeping gesture to encompass the young heroes and the future they represented.

"we can't have you kicking the bucket now."