I continued deeper into Valsmeer Forest as daylight fully settled in.
The light grew clearer, but that did nothing to ease the pressure of the forest. The trees here were taller, their trunks unnaturally close together, as if they had been forced to grow within this narrow space. The ground was uneven—littered with exposed roots and small pits that could turn any misstep into a fatal mistake during combat.
I was no longer in the scattered monster zone.
This… was shared territory.
I noticed the signs before I saw anything. Claw marks on the trunks. Multiple footprints. The lingering stench of old blood that hadn't fully dried.
Rank E monsters don't leave this kind of mess.
I tightened my grip on the sword and slowed my pace.
Moments later, the trees ahead shifted.
Two monsters emerged at the same time.
One resembled a massive wolf, its hide dark and its eyes devoid of emotion. The other was closer to a ground lizard—thick tail, short limbs, muscles tightly coiled beneath its scales.
Rank D.
I didn't smile. I didn't retreat.
The wolf moved first.
It lunged faster than expected, so instead of meeting it head-on, I shortened my movement—sidestepped, let it pass, then severed the tendon in its rear leg with a short slash. It didn't fall immediately, but it stumbled.
The lizard attacked at the same instant.
Its tail lashed out like a whip.
I blocked with my sword, but the impact traveled straight into my arm. The strike wasn't lethal… but it was heavy. I stepped back, twisting aside just in time to avoid a direct bite from the wounded wolf.
The fight tightened. Closer. More dangerous.
I didn't amplify my strength. I didn't pressure my mana.
I relied on one thing alone: timing.
When the wolf charged again, I didn't move. I waited for the moment its jaws opened—then drove the sword straight into the roof of its mouth. Its body collapsed almost without a sound.
The lizard froze for a split second.
A mistake.
I took one step forward, targeted the joint at its neck, and ended the fight.
I exhaled slowly.
That was the first real battle of the day.
And it wouldn't be the last.
As I advanced, the encounters became more organized—unsettlingly so.
Monsters moving in small groups. Covering each other. Retreating when the first strike failed.
They weren't intelligent. But they weren't chaotic either.
I fought three more times against Rank D monsters, and each time I came away with minor injuries or further exhaustion. A scratch here. A bruise there. Continuous mana consumption, even in the simplest movements.
Then I noticed something troubling.
The forest wasn't redistributing monsters randomly.
The closer I got to a certain point, the denser they became. As if there were a center. Something drawing them in.
"So… the sword isn't buried here without reason."
I stopped by a narrow stream, bent down, and washed my face. The water was cold—refreshing—but it didn't ease the weight in my chest.
I sat for a moment.
Mana: below seventy percent. Physical condition: decent, but it wouldn't hold at this pace for long. Injuries: superficial… for now.
Acceptable.
I stood up.
After another hour of cautious progress, everything changed.
I didn't hear movement. I didn't sense intent.
The silence simply… broke.
A deep, low roar rippled through the air.
I froze.
This wasn't an ordinary Rank D.
From between the trees emerged a massive bulk of muscle and dark fur. A creature resembling a deformed bear—longer limbs, a broader chest, eyes burning with pure aggression.
Rank D+.
I breathed slowly.
This type doesn't fall to clean strikes. And it allows no mistakes.
The beast took a single step. The ground trembled beneath it.
I didn't wait.
I dashed to the side, using a short burst of mana to boost my speed. The stomp it unleashed shattered a tree trunk behind me.
If that had hit me… I didn't finish the thought.
I attacked from behind, targeting its leg. The blade cut through flesh—but didn't reach bone.
The beast roared and spun faster than expected.
The blow caught my shoulder, hurling me several meters away. I rolled across the ground. The pain was sharp—but nothing broke.
I stood immediately.
"Strong… but slow."
I couldn't afford a prolonged fight.
This time, I used mana.
One burst. Focused. Brief.
My speed doubled for an instant. I closed the distance and struck directly at the neck. The sword sank deep. The beast tried to grab me—but its balance failed.
It fell.
Silence returned just as suddenly.
I stood there, panting.
My mana had dropped noticeably. My shoulder throbbed.
But I was alive.
I sat near the corpse for a moment.
That fight confirmed one thing.
I was now deep within the forest. And more importantly… I still hadn't reached the heart.
I looked ahead.
The trees there were denser, the light thinner. A heavy, subtle pressure pressed against my chest whenever I stared in that direction.
"If the sword is there…"
I tightened my grip on the blade.
"Then it won't be alone."
I stood, adjusted my stance, and continued forward.