"Even the most taboo knowledge shouldn't trap a person in a village; it's that dark mass that's the real culprit, isn't it?"
When the Hero pointed out the crux of the issue, Grandfather nodded in relief.
"That is an Elemental Life—a Knowledge Hunter.
"As the name suggests, it's a magic creature that hunts for knowledge—but that's not quite the case."
After stating the name of that dark mass straightforwardly, Grandfather continued with complex emotions revealing the truth.
"It is the purest preacher, a Conceptual Lifeform born to prevent the loss of knowledge.
"—Regardless of how evil and forbidden that knowledge is."
[Conceptual Element Life: Knowledge Hunter R7]
LV:D50+29=d50(19)+29=48
[Knowledge Hunter R7]
A Conceptual Element Life, its observable appearance is an amorphous darkness.
When communicating with intelligent beings, one can barely hear the sound of pages flipping, leading to the belief that its true form might be a book.
Legend has it that they hunt for scholars' souls, seizing the precious knowledge that scholars regard as life itself.
Although this saying isn't entirely wrong, it's somewhat different from the truth.
These magic creatures only appear when a piece of valuable knowledge is born but not disseminated and on the brink of annihilation.
If a scholar keeps this knowledge to themselves and does not teach it to others for their entire life, the Knowledge Hunter will claim the scholar's soul just before death, incorporate the knowledge within itself, and then disappear.
In the following years, in places unknown, the Knowledge Hunter will reappear and whisper the knowledge to others.
Once the knowledge has been fully conveyed to a certain number of intelligent beings, the Knowledge Hunter disappears once again, in search of the next piece of knowledge on the verge of being lost.
The Knowledge Hunter doesn't distinguish between good and bad knowledge or select its audience based on virtue or vice.
As long as the listener's wisdom meets the requirements, they generously gift abundant knowledge.
Occasionally, they also impart other sought-after knowledge.
However, scholars' taboo knowledge that they desperately wish to take to their graves—
is often too burdensome for this world.
As Conceptual Element Life, Knowledge Hunters don't truly die and won't attack scholars aggressively,
unless they are defeated by the knowledge holder, they will not give up their hunt.
But at the same time, they are also of Fantasy Species level, and scholars targeted by the Knowledge Hunter are often powerless to resist, only able to delay by passing on the knowledge to just one person in a secretive manner.
Passing it on, but never revealing it, with only one person ever knowing.
However, as a consequence, the Knowledge Hunter will lurk around the Inheritor's vicinity almost perpetually.
Although in this state, the Knowledge Hunter does not actively seek out knowledge, but once discovered, it signifies to those nearby that a Taboo Inheritor exists.
Hence, families inheriting taboos mostly live in isolation.
A great scholar said: "Knowledge should be disseminated", as a scholar, I cannot refute this statement—but as a member of humankind, we should hold a different view.
[Special Event: Unknown Whispers, the writhing darkness within the tree hollow LV48]
[Special Event Unlocked: Taboo Legacy LV]
"Knowledge Hunter... Elemental Life... Taboo Knowledge."
The Hero's expression turned dizzy as Grandfather, with a serene demeanor, revealed the family secret.
Despite trying hard to understand, a stream of unresolved questions kept surfacing one after another.
Just less than half a month ago, she was merely a girl living carefree times with her best friend in the big city.
Although she had her share of family-related concerns, being born into a Noble family, she thought such issues were unavoidable.
At the very least, she didn't have to worry about the basics of life, living a materially abundant life with servants at her beck and call, without the troubles other Noble Ladies faced, being seen as tools for marriage alliances.
But after her best friend suffered a misfortune, although she lit a small fire of vengeance and embarked on the path of revenge, she was only a weak Hero entangled with Goblins.
Forget her parents and brother, even the Guards from the Border who were soundly asleep downstairs, they all held contempt for Goblins—unless their numbers were in the four digits.
She is a trivial being...
Although her best friend often told her otherwise, the Hero always subconsciously thought this way.
But just less than three days away from home.
She first encountered the White Snake on the road, from that powerful Magic Creature capable of inciting an Arcane Surge, tearing cities apart, she received a gift of a Fantasy Species.
Then she snatched the World's Blessing from the Elf Rabbit and was endowed with the legendary Phoenix Power.
And finally, upon reaching the countryside, Grandfather told her that their family possessed a Taboo Legacy that could potentially shake the world, and now it was to be passed on to her!
How, how strange is this?
But even in a dream, I've never seen such a bizarre dream, right?
The Hero felt as if her head was boiling.
[Hero's Comprehension (Intelligence +25)]
Note: Informative about some Taboo Legacy details will be unlocked above 84.
"Alright, don't think too much, it's okay not to worry so much."
Seeing the Hero's strained expression, trying hard to understand, Grandfather comforted her with an anticipatory attitude.
"My body is still fairly strong, I won't need you to take over any time soon, and besides, it might be a bit too early for you right now."