The Forest of Night loomed before me, its dense foliage casting long shadows even in the daylight. Despite its ominous name, the forest was a vibrant green during the day, with towering trees and thick underbrush stretching as far as the eye could see. The air was thick with the scent of earth and leaves, and the sounds of rustling branches and distant animal calls filled my ears.
I had purchased a map of the forest before setting out, ensuring I wouldn't get lost in its vast expanse. According to the map, I was currently at the outskirts, where the terrain was relatively safe. However, I knew that the deeper I ventured, the more dangerous it would become.
As I moved deeper into the forest, my instincts suddenly flared. Without thinking, I shifted my head to the side just as an arrow whistled past where my head had been a second ago. I quickly shifted my position to the left, narrowly avoiding a barrage of arrows that followed.
My eyes scanned the surrounding trees, and I spotted several goblins emerging from the underbrush, their beady eyes fixed on me. Some wielded crude swords, while others were armed with bows. The archers stayed back, preparing another volley, while the sword-wielding goblins charged at me with vicious grins.
I brought my left hand forward, focusing my mana, and muttered the incantation for a spell. "Wind Slash!"
A series of sharp, crescent-shaped blades of wind materialized in the air and shot forward, slicing through the goblins with ease. The front line of goblins fell in pieces, their bodies cleaved apart by the invisible blades. My Wind Slash was powerful enough to cut through metal, and the goblins' crude weapons and armor were no match for it.
The surviving goblins, seeing the fate of their comrades, turned to flee. But I had no intention of letting them escape. Drawing my sword from my spatial ring, I dashed forward, my speed far surpassing theirs. In a matter of seconds, I caught up to them and began cutting them down one by one. Their green blood splattered across the forest floor as I finished the last of them with a swift slash.
Breathing steadily, I sheathed my sword and continued deeper into the forest, my senses on high alert. Although I was strong for my age, I was well aware that the deeper regions of the Forest of Night were home to creatures far more dangerous than goblins. I couldn't afford to let my guard down.
As I ventured further, the sound of a battle reached my ears. The clash of steel, the shouts of men, and the cries of someone in distress echoed through the trees. My curiosity piqued, I decided to investigate.
Running swiftly through the forest, I followed the sounds of the skirmish. After a few minutes, I arrived at the scene, and what I saw made me frown in disgust.
Two girls were surrounded by a group of grown men. One of the girls appeared to be around my age, while the other was a bit older. Scattered around them were several bodies, evidence that they had already put up a fight. The older girl's expression was one of fierce anger, her sword at the ready, while the younger girl looked nervous and frightened.
The men surrounding them made vulgar remarks, their eyes filled with malicious intent. They were so focused on their prey that they didn't notice my arrival.
Without hesitation, I stepped forward, my hand resting on the hilt of my sword. These men were nothing more than scum, and I had no intention of letting them harm the girls any further. The time for hesitation had long passed—I was ready to take action.