The dark sky stretched out with little light, only occasional flashes from the sparks of Rena's attacks against the monsters. Here, in the lawless territory,
the only sound was the clash of impact.
Clang!!!
A few monsters retreated slightly, intimidated by Rena's attacks.
Not far away, Hero Claire stood on top of a hill, her back to Rena. But her gaze… wasn't directed at Rena. She was looking north—toward the place where the inter-kingdom heroes were fighting.
Then a few more monsters advanced—the first were some skeletons.
Rena, with her cheeks lifted, looked at the skeletons in front of her.
Is this all there is to the danger of the forbidden forest??
Rena moved quickly among the skeletons, targeting their blind spots. Then, with one swing of her great sword—
Swoosh
CRACK!
A single heavy slash from Rena's sword shattered the skeleton's body. Bones scattered, falling to the ground formless.
Seeing that, the other monsters were cornered but still wanted to advance, even if they looked hesitant.
Seeing that, Rena didn't stop after her attack on the skeleton. Her steps pivoted, targeting several distracted monsters.
Whamm!!!
Skasss!!!!!
Swoooshhh!!
Two goblins were knocked back at once. One of them couldn't even stand back up after the next slash. Rena's breathing remained steady. Her focus was sharp. No wasted movements.
When Rena saw the remaining goblins and skeletons, she wanted to move immediately.
But suddenly—
The ground trembled, making Rena slightly alert. From another side, a bit farther from the goblin and skeleton horde, a golem rose with a large, heavy body. Its steps were slow, raising a boulder to throw.
Seeing that, Rena didn't fully shift her attention to the golem; she still kept an eye on the goblins and skeletons.
And sure enough, when Rena looked away, the skeletons and goblins advanced together. Like other monsters, they screamed loudly toward Rena.
Syaaaa!!!
Woooo!!!!!
Seeing that, Rena didn't retreat. Meanwhile, the boulder held by the golem was now aimed directly at Rena.
Seeing that, Rena immediately charged forward toward the boulder. With a fast movement, she gripped her sword with both hands very tightly.
SWOOOSHHH!!!
The boulder split in two!!
Seeing that, Rena quickly released her sword, grabbed both halves of the split boulder, and aimed them at the skeleton and goblin horde, then shouted.
Razor slash!!
Suddenly, the boulders were infused with Rena's mana and physical strength, becoming a very sharp throw—so sharp that it was hard to believe they were the same imperfectly round boulders from before. Their shape remained the same, but the impact was clearly not that of an ordinary stone throw.
And finally—
Slasshhhh!!!
Boomm!!!!
The horde of goblins and skeletons didn't even have time to scream.
Meanwhile, Rena didn't stay still. She kept running toward the golem—this time without even holding her weapon.
Straight toward the golem itself!!
Seeing that, the golem became very confident, causing the other golems to not rise and leave only itself.
And this time, Rena got closer, and the golem also approached with its large hands.
And when the distance was close—the golem about to swing both its hands like a pushed pendulum—
Suddenly,
her great sword appeared in her right hand, then quickly
raised with both hands, Rena shouted.
Power slash!!!
Rena's sword, now in her hands, was infused with her mana, and the unique nature of the sword itself supported her powerful slashing movement, eventually creating a curved wind from her slash—even before it hit the golem.
And finally—
SHREEKKKKK!!!!
SLASHHH!!!!!
The golem's body was now split in two. But not a rough split—very neat, like someone cutting paper with scissors, very precise, with no cracks at all. And that was a golem!!
Instantly,
the golem's body crumbled.
But Rena wasn't done yet!
From her blind spot—
A hissing sound came from the top of a hill near the forbidden forest, a little far away. But that shadow moved fast—a giant spider leaped down. Fast. Slippery. Heading straight for Rena!!!
In a fraction of a second, it lunged to grab Rena, like a spider ready to strike its prey caught in its web.
With Rena's instincts—honed from her time in the outer territories, from someone who had often sensed bad things because of how harsh life was out there—
Rena had already moved first. With confused eyes, she muttered.
Is there really nothing special about forbidden forest creatures???
Then instantly, Rena spun her body, dodged half a step, and quickly swung her sword from below upward—so that the sword released.
Razor slash!!!!!!!
The creature was split before it could even think of moving away. As if the sword Rena used suited her perfectly. The Razor Slash itself felt too fast—faster than when Rena threw the boulders at the goblin and skeleton horde.
Finally,
silence returned. Only the sound of Rena's breathing could be heard—not because the battle was heavy, but because of how easily Rena had defeated all the monsters, not even breaking a sweat.
Then Rena stood in the middle of the aftermath: dust, debris, and monster bodies no longer moving.
Then Rena, seeing that everything was finished, looked for Hero Claire—who was now on a hill far from the forbidden forest, gazing toward the northern region.
Slowly, Rena walked toward Hero Claire, her brows arched, and thought to herself.
I hope if I walk slowly, another monster will attack me…
Then, with trembling lips, Rena stared at her hand holding the sword, wearing a shadowed face. Her left hand was now tucked into her large robe pocket.
If this is all…
I… won't be able to find the Headmaster or my secret admirer!!
I have to get stronger!!!
Meanwhile, Hero Claire remained—
Her eyes were sharp, observing, as if trying to read something from that distance. Then she muttered, her eyes squinting.
…if everything goes according to plan…
She paused for a moment. But her tone wasn't entirely confident.
…it should be enough.
Then, with sparkling eyes, her great bow suddenly appearing in an instant, she said.
I hope I can wait here for him…
To come pick you up.
She paused for a moment, reassuring herself, then said.
Anna…
I'm waiting for you!!!