Mistress Of The Evil Forest-Case 206: Goatman.

I've been wanting to do this ever since the serpent incident.

Which is summoning another horror.

Although arbitrary, I can feel that the skill's limit has increased, and the system's display also reflects it. I've just been occupied with other matters for a while.

And... I only decided what I want to call just now.

So, for starters, since we're still short on manpower right now, I need a powerful entity—as powerful as possible. The list is seemingly endless, and it's not like I don't have a few options already in mind.

But not long ago, I experienced a strange phenomenon. It felt as though something was drawing me to it. Like... something was calling me from the void's depths, wishing to be brought into reality.

Void's depths.

Void.

Yeah, it's definitely that Aurora's soul that was speaking to me. Something in her void wants to 'be alive.' I haven't asked the person herself, but from her smile... I'd figured she would leave it to me—whether I choose her horror or mine.

Well, I have my decision now.

Without the other me, I certainly wouldn't be here, after all, and her horror is also my horror. Since... we're the same person.

But before that...

''Why are you guys still here?''

I narrow my eyes at the girls flocking this way. It has been a few minutes since their supposed training session ended, but none of them has left yet.

''We're curious, of course,'' Sierra replies, grinning slightly. ''At least, I am. Your summons are always so... beautiful.''

''...''

Curiosity, huh.

Indeed, even the scaredy cats, namely Claire, Chloe, and Nydia, are hiding behind Sierra, but with their heads poked out.

''Hey, can't you call something more... cute this time...?'' Chloe furrows her brows.

''Cute? Isn't this guy cute enough?''

Following my signal, Blob, who's in its deer form, snuggly steps forward, eyes round and sparkling. Yet, despite Blob's undeniable charms, the girl recoils, shoulders trembling.

''Not in the slightest!'' She yelps. ''M-Make it go away!''

...Right. Chloe's always been scared of the uncanny stuff.

In any case, after instructing everybody to stand somewhat far away from me, I start the process. This time around, even I don't know what's going to descend, so there's a rather peculiar excitement.

''Phew...''

Slowly, I let the void, which has been dormant until now, take over me from the inside out. Feeling the countless creatures crawl out of it, the murky, ravenous arms creeping ceaselessly, like a wall of worms.

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Somewhere in that scene, one entity exerts the strongest will.

One creature, the embodiment of darkness—

''Goatman.''

I unknowingly mutter.

Goatman has many variations, as it is an urban legend, not a fictional creation with known stories attached to it. Needless to say, its form varies.

But the Goatman in front of me stands nearly three meters tall—no, 'float' might be a better word to describe his appearance. Two bright red, gleaming eyes inside a goat skull's eye sockets, with horns proudly flaring to the sides. Most strikingly, his body is a mesh of black, somewhat transparent smoke drifting in the air.

At least, that's what his outer appearance is.

Under that veil of dark magic, he looks like... a goat man. Again, a tall, fur-covered, muscular body with a prominent chest, but a human head instead. He looks like one of those handsome middle-aged hunters in dramas. Stern. Of course, the horns remain, too.

I like this one a lot.

''Hm... as expected.''

Ignoring the girls' screams behind me, I stare into Goatman's blood-red eyes. I'd felt the similarity when he came into existence, but now that I really scrutinize his appearance...

''...You were the one who killed the Witch of Calamity of Skely's era, weren't you?'' I softly ask, expecting some sort of affirmation.

In the undead siblings' memories that I saw some time ago, the two were defeated by a powerful Witch of Calamity. Yet, at some point, I also saw an entity that bore an extreme resemblance to this Goatman tearing apart that woman.

Goatman nods unceremoniously.

If it were the old me, I would have had lots of questions. Now, I know it was probably Aurora's shenanigans again. For reasons unknown, she decided to send Goatman back in time to help the undead siblings, regardless of whether they realize it or not.

Still, if it results in our meeting and eventual friendship, then I won't complain.

Now, there is some exciting stuff I want to check out.

First of all, as a horror summon, Goatman feels rather distinct compared to the other. Perhaps he seems more 'independent,' which isn't to say that our connection lacks depth. He'd just been called and manifested before by the other void in me.

It's like I resurrected Goatman, not birthed him.

''Goatman...''

He probably won't need a new name. Not really my place to name my future self's creation.

''Goatman, what can you do?''

Coolness aside, I also care about performance. It seems that as I progressively get stronger, my summons' lower bar also rises. Evidently, Blob, the Not Deer, is quite powerful despite having a lower level on paper.

Goatman's case is vague.

It is said that he is responsible for many deaths and missing cases, and accounts of his abilities vary, so I can't exactly guess what he is made of. Right now, Goatman's specialty seems to be dark magic—not the kind that demons use, but more similar to fictional dark magic.

As he weaves his shadow fingers along the air, manifesting some sort of wobbly, ink-like spears, I lightly erect an ice wall nearby. Even if I say that, its properties are so pure and powerful that hardly anything can scratch it.

''Oh?''

Despite that, when Goatman hurls those things at the ice block, it readily corrodes away.

''Dark magic encompasses the chasm of human desires. So long as sacrifices are made, it can accomplish anything.''

Or so Goatman explains with a ringing, deep voice.

''What kind of sacrifices?'' I ask.

''Humans.''

Straightforward, huh?

I'll probably have to feed him some of those cultists later. It's been a while since I have encountered them, actually.

In any case, after some meticulous testing, I've grasped Goatman's power somewhat. Dark magic seems really versatile as it allows him to do almost anything. It has attacking capabilities, defensive properties, and powerful utilities like tracking, sensing, camouflaging, and even teleportation to a reasonable extent.

Overall, even at level 1, Goatman is formidable.

''I guess you can greet the others now. You guys get along, alright?''

Without saying a word, Goatman gazes at the horror squad, who sit behind some trees not far away, observing us. Thankfully, the noisy girls are now gone, each having some sort of work to attend to. In short, they got dragged away. A merry Zircon is also good, but nothing beats the grim, tranquil Zircon.

While watching Goatman awkwardly exchanges greetings with his seniors, another important question arises in my mind.

''...Are you there, Aurora?''

Silence.

I guess she's not.

Anyway, I was just wondering if her void, which seems endlessly deep, might just devour mine later. By then... I wouldn't be myself anymore, right?

I can only wait.

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