After a leisurely lunch within the bustling confines of the kingdom's city, Mitsuki and her three classmates embarked on their journey toward the lush and enigmatic Silva Verana Forest.
As the hands of time moved swiftly, precisely 25 minutes had elapsed since they departed from the city's gates.
The sun cast dappled shadows through the leaves of ancient trees of Silva Verana Forest, painting the forest path with a mosaic of light and shade as the quartet pressed forward, eager to uncover the mysteries concealed within the heart of the woodland.
As they continued their trek through the dense forest, the towering trees cast dappled shadows upon the narrow, winding path.
Their footsteps were muffled by a carpet of fallen leaves, and the air was filled with the earthy scent of moss and damp wood.
Eventually, they came to a specific spot on the trail, marked by a curious arrangement of moss-covered stones and a shaft of sunlight that pierced the canopy, illuminating the ground like a spotlight. Here, they paused, captivated by the natural beauty that surrounded them.
"Okay, everyone," Kazuhira instructed his classmates, "let's split up here. Just follow my directions, and we'll be all set."
Following this, the entire group proceeded to divide into two distinct teams, each assigned the task of conducting a comprehensive reconnaissance of the Silva Verana Forest.
***
Kenji's POV
Kenji and Murasaki, a determined duo on a mission to find and intercept a hostile force within the forest, ventured down separate paths.
As they proceeded, Kenji couldn't shake the eerie stillness that enveloped them, an odd and unsettling calm that hung in the air, considering the menacing threat that lurked within the woods.
"I don't like this feeling," Kenji murmured nervously, his voice barely above a whisper, as he glanced around the eerily silent surroundings.
Nervousness gripped Kenji as they trod deeper into the forest, where the very idea of a monstrous presence sent shivers down his spin.
In stark contrast, Murasaki remained composed, her senses honed to detect any impending danger. She clutched the hilt of her sword, eyes peeled for any sign of trouble.
Their journey led them to a meadow that bore signs of prior occupation, evident from the parked carts. Murasaki cautiously entered the meadow, her guard up, while Kenji followed closely, his anxiety palpable.
As they probed further, a pungent scent of iron assailed Murasaki's senses, making her grimace and cover her nose, a testament to her heightened olfactory abilities. Kenji, intrigued by her reaction, scanned the surroundings and noticed crimson stains on the ground and damaged carts.
The place was strewn with swords and torn clothing, all tainted with the same red hue. It seemed like a horrific battle had taken place here, a clash of epic proportions. Yet, strangely, there were no corpses, hinting that they had either been concealed or devoured by some unknown monstrosity.
"Smell of blood... What a disgusting scent," Murasaki muttered, her face reflecting her displeasure.
"Blood? I don't detect any trace of that scent in the vicinity," Kenji remarked, his brows furrowing with concern as he scanned the area. His words were directed at Class Representative Murasaki, acknowledging her keen sense of smell.
Murasaki possessed not only a reserved personality but also an extraordinary sense of smell, capable of discerning intricate details about anything – be it personality, secrets, locations, emotions, or intentions – all with her keen nose. This unique ability had earned her the role of class representative back in Japan.
Murasaki possesses an exceptional sense of smell, finely attuned to even the subtlest of scents. Furthermore, her perceptual abilities are remarkably acute, enabling her to discern intricate details from scant evidence.
Her intelligence shines brightly, making her a stimulating conversationalist, though it's worth noting that her direct and unfiltered demeanor might appear unusual for someone of her youthful age.
Kneeling down, she examined the bloodstains on the dirt with a practiced eye and inhaled the unmistakable aroma of blood – a sight and scent that troubled her deeply.
Kenji, growing increasingly anxious, sought answers. "What happened here?" he asked, his voice quivering.
It was evident that something had transpired before their arrival. Perhaps a fierce battle between adventurers and monsters explained this gruesome scene, but this violated the strict protocols and prohibitions set by the Nivaria Kingdom, which had warned against entering the Silva Verana Forest due to reports of magical disturbances and unchecked monster activity.
"Why would adventurers come here when they knew the danger?" Kenji mused, grappling with the puzzle.
After careful observation, Murasaki stood up, her expression grave, and turned to Kenji.
"Bandits," she stated flatly.
Kenji was taken aback by her curt response. "Bandits? What do you mean, Class Rep Murasaki-san?" he asked, puzzled.
Murasaki elaborated, "Bandits sought refuge here but met a swift end at the hands of the monsters."
"But the authorities warned everyone to stay away, right? They must have known the dangers," Kenji protested.
"They likely had no knowledge of the monsters' presence," Murasaki replied calmly.
As they continued their investigation, Murasaki's acute senses detected a peculiar scent in the air. She suddenly froze, her eyes scanning the vicinity, and then knelt down, her hands hovering over the ground as if sensing invisible threads.
Kenji, uncertain about what had caught her attention, watched her intently, his anxiety mounting.
After a moment, Murasaki confirmed her discovery, her voice tinged with concern. "Magic roots... strong ones. They lead east, not far from here."
Kenji tried to comprehend. "Magic roots? Are these connected to something like 'Ley Lines'? Why would such ancient magic be in this forest?"
"Somebody has tampered with the flow of magic in this forest, likely with little knowledge," Murasaki explained, her seriousness deepening.
"But why meddle with something so dangerous if they don't know what they're doing?" Kenji wondered aloud.
Suddenly, Murasaki sensed impending danger and paled with unease. She rose swiftly, her eyes fixed on Kenji, alarm in her expression.
"They're in trouble. We have to alert them that they're within the core of a Ley Line!" she exclaimed urgently before rushing deeper into the woods.
Kenji, stuttering in surprise, hurriedly followed. With monsters lurking and an ominous aura surrounding them, they couldn't afford to be left behind.
They had to reach Mitsuki and Kazuhira in time, whatever peril lay ahead.
***
Mitsuki's POV
As they continued down the forest path, Mitsuki couldn't help but gaze at the lush surroundings, taking in the beauty of the woods. On the other hand, Kazuhira strolled along, seemingly unconcerned about safety.
Despite the scenic view, Mitsuki's mind was preoccupied with her dissatisfaction about being paired with Kazuhira. She found him arrogant and couldn't shake off her resentment, especially since he was the one responsible for Yuichi's disappearance in the dungeon seven weeks ago.
That lingering grudge weighed heavily on her heart. She simply couldn't forgive him or forget what he had done. However, Mitsuki chose to conserve her energy and remained silent, focusing instead on their mission: unraveling the cause behind the magical disturbance in the forest.
As they strolled through the forest, suddenly, two slimy creatures oozed out from the thickets, inching closer with hostile intent.
Without a moment's pause, Mitsuki swiftly stretched out her hand, fingers pointed at one of the slimes. Her palm ignited with an eerie, icy-blue glow, a clear sign that she was about to unleash a blast of freezing magic.
[Skill: Frostbolt]
Mitsuki used her powerful ice magic to freeze the slime until it couldn't move anymore. While she was doing this, a screen appeared in front of her face.
[You have slain 1 Blue Slime]
[You have earned Solo EXP 5]
[EXP Progression [118/9000]
As she stood motionless, scanning her surroundings for any potential threats, her eyes suddenly locked onto Kazuhira.
With swift determination, he lunged headlong into the viscous slime, drawing his gleaming sword in a fluid motion.
With a precise, sweeping arc, he slashed through the noxious creature, its grotesque form writhing and convulsing before ultimately succumbing to his skillful strike.
However, she remained distinctly unimpressed by Kazuhira's actions, a visible disinterest evident in her demeanor. Swiftly, she adjusted the fit of her gloves, the meticulousness of her movements revealing a deliberate attempt to divert her attention away from him, as if he were but a mere phantom in her world.
Kazuhira casually mentioned, "We only spotted Blue Slimes in this area. There haven't been any sightings of Shadow Wolves anywhere nearby."
Mitsuki dismissively ignored him, showing no interest in his words, and continued to walk as if nothing had happened. Kazuhira, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment, let out a scoff. He had expected her to be so cold towards him, and he decided to follow suit, matching her indifference with his own determined stride.
Mitsuki and Kazuhira have a deep-seated dislike for each other. Mitsuki harbors strong resentment towards Kazuhira because she believes he's responsible for Yuichi's death in a dungeon. This resentment fuels her intense hatred for him.
Her grudge is unwavering, and she refuses to forgive Kazuhira. Back in Japan, Mitsuki used to protect Yuichi, who was her childhood friend, from Kazuhira's bullying. However, this situation is different; it goes far beyond typical bullying for her.
As they continued their walk through the forest, Mitsuki suddenly felt a curious tingle on her right side. She turned her head towards the source and discovered a fascinating sight.
A captivating and otherworldly aura, resembling a misty, spherical rainbow, hung in the air. The atmosphere around it was incredibly potent, and the enigmatic energy seemed to shroud itself in an alluring shroud of intrigue.
She couldn't help but be captivated by the mysterious sight before her, prompting her to approach it with an air of cautious intrigue. As she drew nearer, an inexplicable tension enveloped the atmosphere, causing her body to react in strange and unpredictable ways.
After some contemplation about this unusual sensation, she arrived at the unwavering conclusion that some form of magic was scrutinizing her very being.
Squinting her eyes, she focused her gaze upon the enigmatic sphere of energy, and at that moment, a translucent screen materialized right in front of her, seemingly in response to her presence.
[Warning: A Ley Line has been detected in your vicinity. Exercise extreme caution and employ Nullification Magic to safely disperse it.]
A Ley Line is not just an ordinary line; it's a sphere of ancient, mystical energy that spans a metaphysical realm. Hidden deep within Eldoria, these magical conduits are said to connect powerful natural landmarks, ancient temples, and mystical sites. They are the veins through which the world's spiritual energy flows, like a pulsating sphere of life force.
But disturb the delicate balance of a Ley Line, and you risk awakening its wrath. These magical roots, intricately woven through the fabric of the world, hold the key to unimaginable power. When disrupted, they can unleash a chaotic force, a pandemonium of energy that knows no bounds.
Once awakened, a Ley Line can summon forth unpredictable and malevolent creatures from the darkest corners of the universe.
These monsters are a reflection of the line's ancient, untamed magic, and they obey no laws of nature. From colossal, roaring behemoths to elusive, shadowy specters, the creatures that emerge are as diverse as they are deadly.
Attempting to control this summoned army is futile; they are bound only by the Ley Line's unpredictable energy. To confront such creatures is to dance with the unknown, to risk everything for the sake of power and knowledge.
And in this unpredictable dance, it's not always clear who will emerge victorious: the one who awakened the Ley Line or the monsters it has unleashed.
However, there's only one type of magic that can battle the ancient magic.
Nullification Magic possesses a unique and potent ability, as it is solely capable of halting the wild and uncontrollable energy surges of Ley Lines.
This mystical art focuses on silencing the ancient magic at the heart of Ley Lines, rendering them dormant and preventing the chaotic summoning of unpredictable monsters.
While other spells may struggle against the formidable power of Ley Lines, Nullification Magic stands as their ultimate foil, offering a safeguard against the unpredictable forces they harbor.
Mitsuki wondered aloud, 'Is this the Ley Line they mentioned? It looks quite mysterious.'
'I'm not sure how to use Nullification Magic to break apart this Ley Line, but I can feel it's dangerous. How did it end up here?'
Mitsuki paused to think, her mind filled with curiosity about the Ley Line. She glanced around, using her passive abilities to carefully examine her surroundings.
Kazuhira stood casually, his sword in hand, scanning the surroundings. He absentmindedly whistled when, unexpectedly, he felt an unusual surge of magic beneath his foot.
Intrigued, he crouched down to investigate, but that curiosity quickly turned to alarm as an invisible force seized him, as if he were being pulled into a dark abyss.
"SHIT!" Startled and on high alert, he swiftly straightened up, his sword gripped tightly, prepared to swing it in a panic.
Mitsuki heard Kazuhira making loud noises and turned to see him raising his sword toward something unusual.
She didn't understand what was going on at first, but then she noticed the magic root beneath them. In her understanding, Ley Lines relied on these magical roots, which were spread throughout this ancient place.
She knew that messing with these roots could lead to a disaster that would be deadly for everyone.
Mitsuki's frustration boiled over, her teeth clenched in a tense grimace as her fingers dug into her palms. In a voice trembling with urgency, she shouted at Kazuhira, her tone unwavering, "Kazuhira, stop!!!"
However, her desperate plea hung in the air as Kazuhira's sword descended upon the ancient magic root.
The blade cleaved through the stillness of the forest with a swift, deliberate motion, and a faint, ethereal mist erupted from the ground, like a ghostly breath escaping captivity.
Kazuhira, taken aback by this unexpected reaction, instinctively stepped back, his sword held defensively before him, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
In a tense moment of quietude, Mitsuki and Kazuhira exchanged worried glances. Suddenly, a luminous screen materialized before them, casting an eerie pallor across their faces. The message displayed on the screen sent shivers down their spines, its urgency impossible to ignore:
[Warning: The mystical equilibrium of a Ley Line has been disrupted!]
Mitsuki said with a sense of hopelessness, "What have you done...!"
As the system displayed a warning screen, a low, guttural growl echoed ominously behind Mitsuki. The sound startled her, causing her expression to pale in astonishment.
Slowly turning around, she was met with a haunting sight - dark magic swirled and danced among the trees, casting an eerie shadow over the forest. From this malevolent aura emerged a mysterious creature, a monster shrouded in maleficent enchantments.
Reacting with lightning reflexes, Mitsuki narrowly evaded the sudden, vicious assault. She sprang away, quickly adopting a defensive stance, her senses honed to confront the impending threat. With a piercing gaze, she examined the grotesque creature before her.
It was a humanoid abomination, its sickly green skin contrasting with its hideous countenance. Its malevolent white eyes gleamed with malice, and its mouth displayed two grotesquely overgrown teeth. Mitsuki recognized it instantly; it was a rogue goblin.
'Rogue Goblins!? These creatures are quite a trouble to deal with!' Mitsuki said to herself.
She extended her trembling arm towards the goblin, her fingertips tingling with magical energy, poised to unleash a devastating projectile attack. However, her plans were abruptly interrupted as more goblins began to materialize from the depths of the sinister woods.
The situation escalated rapidly, and beads of sweat formed on Mitsuki's furrowed brow. This was not the encounter she had expected.
Mitsuki was surrounded by a large number of opponents, making it seem impossible to defeat them all without difficulty. However, she knew that she couldn't afford to let herself be defeated by them. So, with determination, she readied herself for the upcoming battle.
'Fuck this! I have to kill them here before I get myself killed first!' She thought and prepared herself.
Despite the mounting danger, she gathered her resolve, her demeanor unwavering. Her stance shifted from fear to fierce determination as she prepared to defend herself against the growing horde, fully aware that she might need to eliminate them to ensure her survival.