The forest in Rovia was not vast, but it was dense enough to be a haven for wild and magical beasts. Jack had been hiding among the trees for two days now, constantly on the lookout for any sign of danger. The nights were cold, and the forest was filled with eerie sounds, but Jack had managed to evade both beasts and men. He slept in the branches, high above the forest floor, and sustained himself on fruits he found. However, his water supply was nearly depleted, and he knew he had to find water soon or risk weakening himself to the point of vulnerability.
Meanwhile, in the city, the Guild had conducted a thorough search, leaving no stone unturned. James, a Rank B member with the ability to control both water and electricity, had initially dismissed the idea that the culprit would hide in the forest. But as the search within the city yielded no results, he reluctantly ordered a search of the forest. Leo and Rumi, two determined but increasingly frustrated Guild members, led the search.
James had little faith in the search's success and had summoned Leo and Rumi back to the Guild for a confrontation. The two entered the Guild hall, where James sat with one leg casually crossed over the other, sipping wine and exuding an air of smug superiority.
"Why haven't you found Jack yet?" James asked, his voice dripping with condescension.
"We've searched everywhere," Leo replied, his frustration barely contained. "But he's nowhere to be found."
James's eyes narrowed. "And why are you so incompetent? It's almost as if you don't want to find him."
Leo bristled at the insult, his fists clenching at his sides. He had always resented working under someone like James, who abused his position and belittled those beneath him. "Maybe if you did something other than sit here and drink, we'd have better results," Leo retorted, his voice tight with anger.
In an instant, James's demeanor shifted from mockery to menace. He raised his hand, and a bullet of water shot towards Leo with blinding speed. Leo barely had time to react. He conjured a small, thick shield with three layers to protect himself. The water bullet shattered the first two layers and struck the third with such force that it sent Leo crashing into Rumi.
Rumi managed to stay on her feet, but Leo hit the ground hard. Blood trickled from his ears, and his vision blurred momentarily. James stood over him, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Who gave you permission to talk back?" James sneered. "You pathetic, incompetent bastard. Go and find Jack, and if you can't, I'll make sure you're removed from the Guild."
Leo's rage boiled beneath the surface, but he knew better than to retaliate. He struggled to his feet, his head throbbing with pain, and gave James a cold, defiant glare.
"We'll find him," Rumi said quickly, trying to defuse the tension. "We'll search the forest again."
James's smile widened. "Good. And remember, if you fail again, it won't just be your position at the Guild you'll lose."
Leo and Rumi left the Guild hall, the weight of James's threat heavy on their shoulders. They knew that finding Jack was their only option, but as they walked away, Leo couldn't shake the feeling of resentment and humiliation. He had always sought freedom, but the Guild's privileges had kept him tied to his duties. Now, more than ever, he longed for a way out.
Back in the forest, Jack was growing desperate. His water supply was almost gone, and his strength was waning.
As he moved through the forest, he heard voices in the distance. Guild members were combing the area, and he knew it was only a matter of time before they found him. He had to keep moving, but every step felt heavier than the last.
The forest was teeming with life, both mundane and magical. Jack had managed to avoid any encounters with beasts so far, but he knew his luck couldn't hold out forever. He needed water and a safe place to rest, but the forest offered little refuge.
Leo and Rumi, now back in the forest, were determined to find Jack. They moved through the trees with purpose, their frustration driving them forward. Leo's head still throbbed from the earlier attack, but he pushed the pain aside.
"We need to split up," Rumi suggested. "We'll cover more ground that way."
Leo nodded, though he hated the idea of working separately. They had always been stronger together. "Be careful," he warned.
Rumi gave him a reassuring smile. "We'll find him, Leo. We have to."
As they parted ways, Leo's thoughts drifted to the days when they used to dream about saving the weak.That's why they joined the guild but now staying for other reasons. Those days felt like a lifetime ago, and now everything had changed. The Guild, once a symbol of justice and order, had become a source of corruption and fear.
In a secluded part of the forest, Jack finally found a small stream. Relief washed over him as he drank deeply from the cool, clear water. It was a momentary respite, but he knew he couldn't stay there for long. The Guild was closing in, and he had to keep moving.
As night fell, Jack climbed into the trees once more, hoping to find a safe place to rest. The forest was a dangerous place, but it was his only sanctuary. He thought of his mother, and a pang of loneliness struck him. He had always faced challenges with her support, but now he was alone.
Meanwhile, James sat in the tavern, sipping wine and giving orders to lower-ranked members. He reveled in his power, enjoying the control he had over others. The search for Jack was a game to him, a way to assert his dominance.
Leo and Rumi continued their search, moving deeper into the forest. They knew the stakes were high, but they were determined to find Jack and bring him to justice. The forest was vast, and their task seemed impossible, but they couldn't give up.
--
The forest was a sprawling expanse of shadow and whispering leaves, its dense canopy casting a blanket of darkness over the ground below. Jack, hidden among the branches of a massive oak, clung to the rough bark with tense fingers. His breathing was steady, but his heart pounded with the rhythm of a war drum. The night was still, save for the occasional rustle of nocturnal creatures, and Jack remained vigilant, his senses honed for any sign of danger.
He did not expect anyone to search for him at night. He had chosen this remote section of the forest precisely for its seclusion. Yet, as he crouched on the broad branch, he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps. Someone was approaching, and their gait was deliberate, confident.
Peering through the leaves, Jack saw a glimmer of light. A lamp, held by a figure moving purposefully toward his hiding spot. Panic surged through him. Should he engage in a fight or try to escape? The darkness offered some cover, but not enough to guarantee a clean getaway. He decided to remain silent, watching the figure draw closer.
In his haste to adjust his position, Jack's foot slipped. He tumbled from his perch, managing to grab onto a lower branch at the last second. The sudden movement made a noise, a sharp crack that echoed through the still night. The figure with the lamp—Leo—immediately turned his head, the light casting eerie shadows across his face. He moved towards the sound with the speed and precision of a wolf closing in on its prey.
Jack's heart raced as he tried to pull himself up. He could feel the intense heat of his panic rising within him, a fire that threatened to consume him. As Leo approached, Jack steadied himself, summoning his inner fire. He knew who Leo was—an expert in the Ice element and a Rank C fighter renowned for his cold precision.
The moment Leo's lamp illuminated Jack's form, the battle began. Neither spoke a word. Leo, with eyes like chips of ice, raised his hand and conjured a barrage of ice arrows, each one glinting ominously in the dim light. Jack responded instinctively, creating a fiery shield that incinerated the arrows before they could reach him.
Flames danced along Jack's arms as he leaped from the tree, landing gracefully on the forest floor. He hurled fireballs at Leo, who deftly dodged and retaliated with razor-sharp ice shards. The forest became a battleground of clashing elements—fire and ice, heat and cold—each combatant pushing their powers to the limit.
Leo's movements were fluid and deadly. He conjured an ice spear and lunged at Jack, who countered with a burst of flame, melting the spear into steam. The heat of Jack's fire singed the surrounding trees, casting an orange glow that illuminated the fierce struggle.
Despite his skills, Jack found himself on the defensive. Leo's mastery of ice was formidable, his attacks relentless. Jack's fireballs were deflected, his fiery strikes countered with icy precision. The cold began to seep into Jack's bones, sapping his strength and slowing his movements. Desperation gnawed at him.
With a final surge of power, Leo created a colossal ice wave that crashed towards Jack. Unable to evade it entirely, Jack was thrown back, his body battered and bruised. He lay on the ground, struggling to rise, as Leo approached, an ice blade forming in his hand.
In that moment of desperation, Jack reached into his bag and summoned his last resort: the SS class sword. With a mere thought, the blade sprang to life, cutting through the air with deadly accuracy. Leo, caught off guard, raised his ice blade to defend, but it was too late. The SS class sword sliced through Leo's arm, severing it cleanly.
Leo's scream of agony pierced the night as he fell to the ground, clutching the bleeding stump where his arm had been. His face, pale with shock and pain, contorted as he lost consciousness, the icy blade dissipating into the night air.
Jack, panting and bloodied, forced himself to his feet. He glanced at the fallen Leo, his expression a mix of relief and sorrow. He had not wanted this fight, but survival demanded harsh choices. With the last of his strength, he sheathed the sword and disappeared into the depths of the forest, leaving the wounded Leo behind.