The Northern Forest is just a couple of kilometres from the city. Taking the city's north gate is a wise choice here. But before the stroke of midnight, the gatekeepers will close the gate leading to it. Even so, I could sneak out of it if I chose to. Then again, better not. I might as well go through the proper channel. I showed them my adventurer identification pendant and waited for the guard's approval.
"Mr Rannier? I bet you are doing some late-night quest again huh? You ought to take it easy." One of the easy-going gate guards said that.
"Let him be. Thanks to him, our city is relatively safe. You should be thankful."
"Well...It's a request by Miss Holly after all. It's nothing special. But enough of that. I shall take my leave."
"Sure thing. You be careful out there. Good luck and farewell."
When I am a distance away from the gate, I make my preparations. I buff myself with magic, which mainly strengthens my body. It will be a long way, and I need to save up my strength and possibly my mana, just in case.
Physical Strengthening. Stamina Boost. Swift Foots. Frontier Barrier.
Magic circles materialize from the top before going down to the ground and slowly dematerializing. Immediately, I dash towards the direction of the forest. With near lightning-fast speed, the wind will shred my face. That is why I cast the barrier, protecting me from the incoming debris and cutting sensation of the wind. After a while, the forest came into my sight. I stop my track by the edge of the forest. Thankfully, the night is accompanied by the light of the full moon. Illuminating the forest itself. Though there are some parts, I may need to illuminate them. Speaking of that, I cast three orbs of light before sending them into the forest and separating them by 25 meters at least. It moves as if it has a will of its own. Manoeuvring through the forest and swaying aside before it comes into contact with a tree. With this, I am covered from any potential attack or ambush that may come my way.
It is too quiet. Usually, there are bound to be some noises, like crickets. Strange.
Still, I remain vigilant of my surroundings before I sense something—the presence coming from my side. Then it stops, coming to a halt as if observing me from behind one of the many trees. Then, among the darkness further away from the orb of light, red eyes glow from within—a pair, then another and another until it becomes a dozen. The orbs of light retreated from whatever these things were—hovering above me before revealing who might be these things all along.
Large insects? Wait. Praying mantis?
These insects are not meant to be here. To be precise, they are supposed to dwell deep inside the forest, near the foot of the northern mountain. Migration? No, unless something spooks them into moving into this area. Whatever it is, I must stop it, or travellers taking the nearby forest roads will be targeted. Fighting these bugs from afar is a wise choice. Considering these creatures tend to go up close and personal.
"Frost. Resonating within me."
Small magic circles circulate my forearms, forming a blue particle of light as they illuminate my arm. With this, I am ready to cast my magic.
"Frigid Lance."
I swipe my hands in the air to the front. Numerous lances made of ice materialize to my front. Choose my targets visually before sending the package. The lances sway and turn. Confusing the enemies, it struck right on its heads or, for some, managed to swipe its heavy, razor-sharp claw and destroy the lances. Without hesitation, the surviving four insects rush over to me. Going from left to right as if it is going for a flanking manoeuvring. These insects sure are intelligent, but I won't let them. I retreated. Casting Physical Strengthening and Swift Foots.
"Water. Be my torrent."
Small magic circles conjure on both my index fingers. Forming a finger gun before firing next with a hail of high-speed water bullets. Barrage after barrage, and it squares right on the targets. It relentlessly destroys some parts of the insect's body. Stopping them before they could reach me. But there is one who manages to close up the distance. Even though it is riddled with puncture wounds, it desperately swipes its claw, although sluggish and slow. Dodge to its rear before readying my next magic.
"Wind. Swirl with me. Gale Cutter."
I swipe my arm a couple of times to the front as strong; razor-sharp wind slices the insect's legs before the body is cut in half next. Leaving its guts and blood sprawling around the forest ground.
"Great. I should have frozen them over and shattered them in bits. Oh well. I can't complain about what's done."
I might as well hide the dead bodies. I would not want to attract scavengers or creatures to eat the carcasses. I'm pretty sure that will bring another set of problems later on.
Earth. Spread thine nature abundant.
With a tap of my foot, the ground shakes. The carcasses are then slowly swallowed by the earth. Buried deep into the ground, they will provide nutrients and fertilize the trees. When that is done, I can continue my investigation to see if this forest has any danger. Before proceeding further, another presence could be felt from amongst the tree. Just what is it this time? But for some odd reason, I do not feel killing intent from this presence. Something friendly, perhaps?
"Who goes there? Show yourself." I call out whoever this thing may be.
The anticipation is thrilling me. Whoever it may be, I ready my magic for another set of fights. Hopefully, it won't be anything dangerous.