Noah had become a regular visitor to the Hargrave Forest. The once-daunting expanse of trees, shrouded in an ominous aura, now felt like a second home. Over time, his repeated ventures had forged a bond between him and the forest. He had faced countless weak monsters—goblins, slimes, kobolds, and horned rabbits—and emerged stronger after each encounter. His combat instincts sharpened, his reactions quickened, and his mastery of psychokinesis became more refined.
But Noah's reasons for visiting the forest weren't limited to honing his combat skills. There was something far more significant buried within its depths—a hidden dungeon.
According to the novel, this dungeon was not just a random occurrence. It had been discovered by a criminal fleeing the guards. The fugitive, desperate and with no other option, had stumbled upon the dungeon and decided to conquer it. The dungeon itself was moderate in difficulty, home to goblins, hobgoblins, and a goblin shaman acting as the final boss. The reward for clearing it was a treasure vault containing gold, gems, and an unassuming magic gem.
The gem, as the novel described, radiated an otherworldly aura. Upon touching it, the villain had felt a strange surge of power—a fleeting moment of satisfaction and strength. However, his inability to properly harness its effects led to his downfall at the hands of the protagonist.
But Noah wasn't the villain. He knew the importance of such opportunities. In this world, the purity and vastness of mana determined one's potential for strength and survival. The magic gem was a stepping stone toward that goal, and Noah was determined to claim it.
Noah had decided that today was the day. He had grown confident in his abilities, not arrogant, but aware of his limits and how far he had come. Flying objects through the air with precision had become second nature. His senses could detect life forms in the area, their presence resonating faintly in his mind like ripples in a pond.
The Hargrave Forest wasn't just home to weak monsters. Beyond its outer edges lay its true challenge—the inner forest. Here, the monsters were stronger, more intelligent, and more territorial. It was in this dangerous zone that Noah suspected the dungeon was located.
As he ventured deeper, the dense canopy above allowed only faint streaks of sunlight to penetrate. The air grew heavier, charged with corrupt mana that made it the perfect breeding ground for monsters. Noah focused his senses and soon detected a cluster of presences ahead—three large ones and several smaller ones.
He crept closer, hiding behind the thick trunks of the trees, and observed the scene. It was a battle between two groups of monsters—ten orcs and three ogres.
Orcs were brutish, humanoid creatures wielding crude weapons. They relied on numbers to overwhelm their enemies. Ogres, on the other hand, were far more formidable. Standing over twice the height of an average man, they possessed immense strength and resilience. But despite their might, the ogres were outnumbered, and both sides bore visible wounds from their ongoing skirmish.
Noah waited, letting the monsters wear each other down.
The fight raged on, and after several grueling minutes, the orcs emerged victorious, though at great cost. Only five remained, and all of them were injured.
Seeing his opportunity, Noah moved into position. From his hidden vantage point, he focused his psychokinesis on one of his daggers. The blade hovered silently in the air before shooting forward with immense force. It struck the heart of an unsuspecting orc, killing it instantly.
The remaining orcs were startled, their gazes darting around in search of the attacker. Before they could react, another blade flew through the air. This time, an orc managed to deflect it with its wooden club, but the sheer speed and force of the attack left it visibly shaken.
Noah decided to test the limits of his abilities. Channeling his psychokinesis, he focused on one of the orcs, lifting it into the air. The creature flailed helplessly, its club slipping from its grasp as its body floated several feet off the ground. With a sharp movement of his hand, Noah sent a blade hurtling toward it, piercing its chest and ending its life.
The remaining orcs, now panicked, turned their attention to the direction of the attacks. But before they could act, their movements were restricted by an invisible force. Noah had seized control of their bodies, locking them in place. With calculated precision, he dispatched the remaining orcs one by one.
The fight was over.
Noah stood amidst the aftermath, breathing heavily but unharmed. The battle had confirmed his growth—not just in strength but in strategy and composure. He wasn't the scared child he had been when he first entered the forest. He was adapting to this world and its dangers.
He ventured further into the forest, sensing other presences along the way. Most were solitary monsters, weaker than the orcs or ogres, and he dispatched them without much effort.
By the time he returned home, the sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the city. He was exhausted but satisfied. His strength was growing, and with it, his determination to survive and thrive in this world.
But there was still more to be done. The dungeon was out there, waiting to be discovered. And Noah was ready to face whatever lay within.