Andrew had emerged from the hidden dimension of Aeon with a sense of unease.
The sudden appearance of the demon queen's projection had sent shivers down his spine, reminding him of the dangers ahead. He knew that his victory over Anabel might have triggered the ire of more demons, who would now be thirsty for his blood.
Andrew had wasted no time and taken a detour, venturing deep into the treacherous Ashwood Forest. The forest was notorious for its dangerous wildlife, with rumors of giant spiders, venomous snakes, and packs of magical creatures that roamed its depths. But it was also the perfect place to conceal his presence and throw off any potential pursuers.
Andrew was pensive as he ventured deeper into the mysterious woods. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, imagining all sorts of possible threats that might emerge from the shadows.
He pondered whether the demon queen would unleash her deadliest underlings to pursue him or if she would activate her hidden agents within the human community to track him down. He also realized that he must remain vigilant and be prepared to fight for his survival.
As he continued venturing deeper into the unexplored wilderness, a mixed blend of excitement and fear coursed through him. The morning sun had already painted the horizon with its golden hues, but the dense vegetation and twisted tree branches seemed to hide it from view.
The forest's orchestra played its beautiful symphony in his ears, from the rustling of leaves to the sweet chirping of birds, and he couldn't help but feel vulnerable yet alive. The fresh, earthy scent of the forest filled his lungs, and with each step, he pushed deeper into this mysterious and uncharted territory, eager to throw off any pursuer that might be on his tail.
Before long, he arrived at the banks of a broad and turbulent river that ran through the heart of the dense forest. He readily jumped into the water before allowing the strong currents to take him downstream.
Holding his breath and gathering his courage, he summoned his innate power and cast the [greater invisibility] spell. The sorcery enveloped him in a cloak of concealment, rendering him nearly impossible to detect. With the river on his side, he was confident he could mask his aura and evade the notice of any potential pursuers.
As he drifted further into the Ashwood Forest, the currents lulled him into a serene state of mind. The river was a magical place, full of life and wonder. He encountered several aquatic creatures, each radiating a unique and powerful magical aura within the waters.
The scenery around him was absolutely stunning, but he knew better than to let his guard down. He used his sharp sorcery skills to stay hidden and safe as he journeyed down the river.
It seemed like an eternity, but eventually, he realized that he had journeyed many kilometers away from the entrance to Aeon's secret dimension. With a leap out of the water, he cast a spell that allowed him to float effortlessly through the air and into the forest. He remained vigilant, leaving no trace of his whereabouts to avoid being followed by any potential pursuers.
As he wandered through those deeper sections of the dense forest, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of trepidation. He knew that dangerous magical creatures lurked about and that any misstep could mean certain doom. Despite his fear, he felt a sense of excitement, knowing that he was one of the few who possessed the innate spells needed to brave the dangers of the forest.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He focused and cast the rank-one [greater invisibility] spell, allowing himself to blend into the surroundings and avoid detection. Next, he invoked the 'nimble' grace of the rank-zero [cat's agility] spell. This sorcery allowed him to move with effortless ease through the dense underbrush.
The forest was alive with the sounds of wildlife, but he remained vigilant, his senses honed, and his reflexes sharpened. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, was noted and analyzed as he continued his quest into the forest.
After hours of searching, his determination paid off. He stumbled upon a well-hidden cave shrewdly masked behind a cluster of bushes. He examined the entrance, taking note of its size, and realized that it would make a suitable hideout for him.
Andrew bravely stepped into the cave, his heart pounding in his chest. His hand firmly grasped the Shadow Fang saint dagger, ready to defend himself against potential danger.
The darkness was oppressive, but he didn't falter. With a deep breath, he summoned his courage and expended a unit of mana and mentality to cast a rank-zero illumination spell.
Suddenly, a radiant orb of light burst forth from his hand, illuminating the inky blackness. Andrew surveyed his surroundings, and his eyes quickly locked onto a massive lizard nestled in the far corner of the cave. The beast was slumbering, but Andrew knew he couldn't let his guard down.
[Shadow Jump]
In a split-second decision, Andrew sprang into action and summoned his magical powers to cast the [Shadow Jump] spell. He spent five units of his precious mana to execute the spell, and in an instant, he appeared beside the giant lizard's head, concealed within a shadow. However, the creature's heightened senses quickly detected the intruder's presence, and it opened its menacing eyes, poised to strike.
Andrew didn't flinch. With lightning reflexes, he plunged his Shadow Fang dagger deep into the beast's skull, cutting short any chance of a counterattack.
He repeatedly stabbed the rank-one magical creature and eliminated its life in seconds. It had been peacefully slumbering in its cave moments ago, but Andrew's swift action ended its existence.
"Phew..."
Andrew exhaled deeply, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. Although the battle had only lasted a few seconds, it had drained him mentally. His mind was a bit exhausted, and he needed a moment to recuperate.
After a few more seconds, he finally recovered. He stowed away the giant lizard's remains in his storage ring, and once he finished, he took a deep breath and surveyed the cave once more.
His eyes darted around the place until they landed on a hidden crevice at the cave's deepest end. His heart raced as he realized it was the perfect spot for his needs.
His intention moved, and he summoned his magical pagoda from the depths of his soul space. With a simple flick of his wrist, a dazzling ray of light emanated from the spot between his eyebrows, eventually consolidating into a stunning miniature pagoda that floated before him. He couldn't resist smiling at the spectacle, for there was nothing quite like the feeling of commanding raw magic at one's fingertips.
He carefully placed the tiny pagoda into a concealed crevice at the furthest end of the cave. He then contacted the newly awakened spirit of the artifact through their telepathic link. "Little Hydra!" he exclaimed. "Let me in quickly."
"Yes, Forefather," the feminine voice of the pagoda spirit echoed in his mind. A beam of light shone from the pagoda, enveloping Andrew's form. In an instant, the light vanished, transporting him into the pagoda space, which was as vast as ever.
"Wow!" Andrew gasped in amazement as his figure materialized from the mirror portal on the pagoda's fourth floor. "This is similar to the concept of a whole world contained in a tiny speck of dust!"
He had used his soul connection with the pagoda to shrink it to the size of his palm and hide it away in a crevice, but he couldn't believe that the interior space was still just as massive as before. It was a mind-bending experience that left him wonderstruck and at a loss for words.
As Andrew was lost in thought, a voice broke his reverie, and a ghostly figure materialized before him. It was Little Hydra, the spirit of the pagoda. Her eighteen eyes were fixed on Andrew with genuine affection. "Forefather, welcome back!" she exclaimed, her warmth apparent in her voice.
"Thanks, Little Hydra!" exclaimed Andrew, beaming at the pagoda spirit. "I need your help with one more thing. Can you activate all of the pagoda's concealing arrays right away? We have to lay low for a while."
"Of course, Forefather," replied Little Hydra, springing into action. With a swift movement, the pagoda spirit activated the arrays, and in an instant, the pagoda vanished from sight. It was as if it had never been there in the first place, hidden safely within the crevice in the cave.
Andrew exhaled a deep breath of relief, feeling reassured by the magical pagoda's impressive powers. With its protection, he could finally relax, knowing that no one could snoop around and invade his privacy.
What he had to do next was to continue improving his powers. But first, he had to take care of his grumbling stomach. The thought of the giant lizard he had just slain made his mouth water, so he headed to the kitchen on the fifth floor of the pagoda.
There, he spent hours cooking the creature to perfection in a magical cookstove. As he savored the delicious meat, he could feel his strength returning. With his hunger satisfied, he left the kitchen, feeling energized and ready to continue his quest for strength.