Matthew cautiously approached the temple, his steps becoming slower as he drew closer to the entrance. Intricate murals and carvings adorned the walls, depicting strange and captivating images. They were covered in a mesmerizing pattern that exuded a serene and healing presence. Enticed by their allure, he found himself increasingly drawn to the mysterious carvings until finally, he gathered the courage to step into the temple's entrance.
Suddenly, the tranquil atmosphere dissipated, replaced by an intense and formidable energy that sent shivers down Matthew's spine. A verdant hue enveloped the surroundings, filling him with terror. Frantically, he attempted to dodge or flee, but to his shock, he found himself immobilized. Trying to activate his abilities, panic gripped his heart as he realized his connection to the gray mana gem had also been severed. Despair seeped into his thoughts, "It's over," he lamented, "I knew I shouldn't have given in to curiosity. After all, curiosity killed the cat." In the midst of his depression, two figures materialized before him.
The figures bore a resemblance to human guards, but instead of metallic armor, they were suited with bark swords and wood armor, with green engravings on them similar to those at the entrance. Their eyes emanated hostility as they looked at him with suspicion. Matthew felt as though his entire being lay exposed before them, his secrets laid bare, intensifying his fear.
After a moment, the figures glanced at each other before speaking in a majestic tone, "Young man, you have not passed the first Trial of the Nature God, nor have you received the Blessing of the Nature God. You are not permitted to remain here. We have spared your life for now, sensing the presence of a blessing from a being of light within you. However, be warned that if you return without completing the trial and receiving the blessing, you will face immediate annihilation. Leave now." With those words, Matthew found himself transported back to the temple's entrance.
Filled with fear, Matthew swiftly rose to his feet, activated his magic, and fled as though his life depended on it. After running for several miles, he halted, panting heavily as sweat streamed down his face and stained his clothes. "Man, that was a close call," Matthew gasped, his body covered in goosebumps. "If it weren't for the help of the little unicorn, I would have surely died back there. Well, I suppose good deeds do reap rewards." After regaining his composure, Matthew continued his journey in search of civilization or an escape route.
Days turned into weeks, and Matthew found himself deep within the vast expanse of the Corrupted Rainforest. He encountered neither signs of civilization nor of an exit. The dense rainforest seemed to stretch endlessly,the wilderness teeming with corruption and monstrous beasts, fiercely guarding magical treasures or hunting for prey. Fifteen days had passed, and while Matthew's mana gem had grown slowly, inching towards the third stage of the Official Mage, he had made no progress in his goal to escape the Corrupted Rainforest. However, as he explored further, a tremendous tremor suddenly rippled through the ground.
Sensingdanger, Matthew quickly activated his abilities intending to escape. Suddenly, an enormous explosion erupted a few miles away, obliterating everything in its path. Terrified, Matthew swiftly summoned an earth and wind barrier, the strongest he could muster, to shield himself from the explosion. Yet, the explosion shattered his barrier, sending Matthew hurtling through the air.
Though his barrier had crumbled, Matthew emerged with only minor injuries. As he surveyed the source of the explosion, a chilling shiver rippled through his soul. Amidst the clearing created by the blast, a creature reminiscent of a dragon revealed itself. Its scales shimmered with iridescent black hues, its roars bellowing with fury as it spewed forth toxic gasses. Engaged in combat with the dragon-like creature was a Corrupted Unicorn, its horn pulsating with malevolent energy, casting illusions to confound its opponent.
Realizing the tremendous strength of these creatures, Matthew swiftly retreated deeper into the massive forest, yet unable to tear his gaze away from the unfolding battle. The dragon-like creature wielded its mastery over shadows, incessantly harassing the Corrupted Unicorn with the shadows, while also unleashing beams of poisonous fumes. At times, the unicorn would become enraged and manifest an energy-infused darkness domain, destroying the shadows and toxins that attacked it. However, the dragon-like creature would retreat, only to return with more attacks.
Driven by fury, the unicorn utilized its horn to hurl spears of malicious energy, piercing the dragon-like creature who was in the middle of retreating and inflicting severe wounds. Enraged, the creature manipulated its shadows, gathering them all together to form a gigantic spear of darkness, which it hurled toward the unicorn. Simultaneously, it released a concentrated beam of poison towards the unicorn as well. The unicorn swiftly manifested its protective domain, repelling the assaults of shadow and venom. However while the unicorn was defending against the attacks, the dragon-like creature gathered an immense reservoir of shadow energy, coalescing it into a colossal prison that ensnared the unicorn.
Trapped within its confines, the unicorn made a desperate attempt to break free, but before it could succeed, a scythe formed from shadow energy materialized above the cage, descending in a swift and merciless strike like an executioner before killing the criminal.