Leaving the lab could come when Milo was cured. Until then, he just had to occupy himself with researching runes, spells, condensation methods, how to create a Heartguard without needing a split mind, or maybe even how to get the physique of a monster without transforming into one.

After a single breath of fresh air, a world of possibilities opened up to Alec. If he wanted to stay busy, there was nothing stopping him.

The only problem was his hunger. With Moira not having returned in quite a while, it had been some time since he ate. He could feel it gnawing at the inside of his stomach.

He should probably have hunted a monster and finished his other quest while he was at it.

But that would have to wait a little.

Right now, he was more interested in completing a mobility spell since it would allow him to travel around quickly.

Alec fiddled with that until it was time to use the Poem again. He used it after making sure all four monsters and the monster egg were as close together to each other as possible. His gut told him proximity was important, so he maximized it.

Then, he left the lab and went around the forest until he found a monster to hunt and eat. He could finally complete the minor quest and earn the rewards.

The 'Abyssal Guide to Monstrous Gourmet Eating' was a cookbook, light and simple. However, instead of just talking about cooking methods and seasonings, it included different types of mutations for different types of animals and what monsters usually had what mutations.

It was more like a guide about monsters, in general, than one specifically about cooking, but Alec wasn't complaining. He didn't know even half the monsters or ingredients in the book, but being able to spice up his food was a welcome reward. Just charred meat was getting a little stale.

The other reward was a title.

[Monster Muncher. Someone who munches monsters perhaps a little too much.

[Gain stats from eating monsters. More stats from monsters stronger than you.]

Monster Muncher had good Synergy with his Reacher title. At the same time, though, Alec had only seen one monster stronger than him, two if he counted Rita.

It remained to be seen how effective his titles were.

When he was done with that, he returned to the lab and kept himself busy until it was time for the next Poem recital.

When he had recited it, he left the lab and went outside to orient himself, hunt a monster or two, and test a few of the spells he didn't want to test inside the confined space of the lab.

He returned to the lab in time for the Poem before leaving again. He went further this time.

The lab wasn't far from the Academy. It was just as close to Gorao, the Academy City, from which Shim had kidnapped most of his test subjects.

Most of Shim's test subjects had been orphans, but even so, Alec couldn't understand how it had been so easy for him to kidnap so many children and get away with it undiscovered. Dozens of children over the past years, if not more.

People had to have noticed what was going on.

But then again, Alec wasn't unfamiliar with what people thought of orphans and the homeless.

Pity? Sure. Empathy? Maybe. Disgust? Probably. Relief when they were gone? Yeah.

Orphans and the homeless were only problems when they were visible, after all.

If they didn't exist, there was no problem.

Alec had experienced it himself, so he was very well aware of how society regarded missing orphans.

That was why he knew that the remaining ones would be his best bet to learn more about Milo and Alice.

Right now, he hoped that Milo would return. If he did, Alec could lessen his guilt.

But, as horrible as it was, on the off-chance that Milo didn't return, even after his brain was free from the monsterification, Alec wanted to be able to honor him and provide a funeral or last goodbye for Milo and his family. Even if he didn't have any blood relatives, Alec was convinced that Milo had someone who treasured him left.

If he didn't, Alec simply had to take it upon himself to make sure that Milo's goodbyes were something he could be content with.

It was the least he could do after killing him.

If possible, Alec also wanted to provide and take responsibility for the ones Milo left behind.

So, after finding the fastest way to Gorao, Alec returned to the lab, recited the Poem, and then headed to the city again.

It was his second time in the city, the first being straight after transmigrating.

It hadn't even been a year yet, but a lot had happened. Alec felt bone-deep weariness just thinking about how far he had left. An overwhelming urge to just lay down under a tree and curl up into a deep slumber overcame Alec.

Just closing his eyes for a moment or two while he let the afternoon sun bathe him in orange light would probably feel amazing.

He had solved monsterification. He didn't need to rush. He could take his time with the next step.

He was waiting for Milo to recover anyway. A quick nap wouldn't hurt.

'No.'

Alec fought to keep his eyes open.

He was familiar with this feeling of invasion, like hair wrapping around his bones—this feeling of not being in control of himself.

'Did I seriously awaken Sloth just by wanting to rest?' He complained to himself tiredly.

Three Sins was too much. At this rate, it wouldn't be long until he could no longer go about his life without being about to succumb to one or all of them.

'I have to keep moving.'

To avoid going mad with hunger, he just had to keep eating every now and then. To avoid descending into mindless rage, he just had to avoid situations that made him unbearably angry.

To avoid going into slothful hibernation, he had to force his motivation up and rest when he physically needed to, not when he needed the mental escape.

Before he could look back at the patch of grass that looked like a slice of heaven, he walked toward the city with firm steps.

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