Kai Lorr crept through the underbrush, guided by the sounds of distant battle. Each crunch of leaves underfoot heightened his awareness. His senses, still attuned from the recent fight, were sharpened and alert. As he moved deeper into the forest, the clamor of combat grew louder—a discordant symphony of metal clashing and guttural growls.
As he approached the source of the noise, the forest around him thinned, revealing a small clearing bathed in the cold light of the moon. His eyes quickly adjusted to the scene unfolding before him—a young woman, strikingly beautiful with a cold, determined expression, was locked in a fierce battle against two cloaked figures. Her movements were swift and precise, her swordsmanship impeccable, but it was clear she was struggling to fend off the relentless assault.
The two men were agile and coordinated, their daggers glinting in the pale light as they darted in and out of the woman's defenses. Their cloaks billowed with every motion, obscuring their faces and identities. Despite their advantages, the woman held her ground, weaving intricate patterns in the air with her free hand as she unleashed bursts of elemental magic to push them back.
Kai watched from the shadows, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. He recognized the skill of both sides—the woman's combination of magic and swordsmanship was remarkable, while the men's speed and coordination were formidable. Yet, it was obvious that the woman was at a disadvantage. Her movements were growing sluggish, her breathing labored, and it wouldn't be long before she could no longer keep up with her attackers.
The fight continued, each strike and counterstrike creating sparks that danced in the night air. The woman's magic began to falter, and one of the cloaked men landed a glancing blow on her arm, drawing blood. She staggered back, her resolve visibly weakening as she clutched her wound. The two men, sensing her vulnerability, pressed their advantage, moving in for the kill.
Kai's mind worked quickly. He wasn't a hero, nor was he particularly inclined to involve himself in the affairs of others. However, the situation presented a potential opportunity—one that could prove advantageous if handled correctly. His eyes flicked to the already injured and exhausted man; he could use the distraction to eliminate one of the threats quickly.
With a calculated decision, Kai reached into his pouch and retrieved a small vial filled with a corrosive substance he had created from his slime ability. He stepped forward, still concealed by the trees, and hurled the vial towards the men. The glass shattered at the feet of the already weakened cloaked figure, and the acidic contents splattered onto his legs.
The man screamed in agony as the acid burned through his cloak and flesh, causing him to collapse to the ground in excruciating pain. The other cloaked man and the woman both turned, their surprise evident at the sudden intervention. Kai took this moment to move swiftly, emerging from the shadows. Without hesitation, he lunged at the downed man, his hand transforming into a sharp, translucent blue blade that he drove into the man's chest.
The injured man's eyes widened in shock as Kai's blade pierced his heart, the life draining from him as Kai leaned in closer, absorbing the essence of the man's body through his slime ability. It wasn't a feeling Kai enjoyed, but it was necessary—each life he consumed added to his strength, a power that he would need if he were to survive in this world.
The second cloaked man, now alone and momentarily stunned by the loss of his comrade, hesitated just long enough for the woman to regain her composure. Seizing the opportunity, she sprang forward, her sword a blur of motion as she struck with lethal precision. The man barely had time to react before her blade sliced through him, ending the fight in an instant.
The clearing fell silent once more, the echoes of battle fading into the night. The woman stood over the body of her fallen enemy, her breathing heavy as she wiped the blood from her sword. She then turned her gaze to Kai, her eyes cold and wary.
Kai remained calm, his expression unreadable as he met her gaze. He knew she was suspicious of him—rightfully so. But he also knew that revealing too much could be a mistake. "I'm a Questseeker," he said simply, his voice devoid of emotion. "I heard the commotion and decided to investigate."
The woman continued to study him, her posture still tense and ready to defend herself if necessary. After a moment, she seemed to accept his explanation, though her expression remained guarded. "Thank you for your assistance," she said, her tone equally cool. "But I must warn you—trust is a luxury that can get you killed."
Kai nodded slightly, understanding her caution. "I have no intentions of causing trouble," he replied evenly. "I helped because it was practical. Nothing more."
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, as if searching for any hint of deception in his words. Satisfied—or perhaps too exhausted to press further—she sighed and carefully lowered herself to the ground. From a small pouch at her waist, she produced a vial containing a faintly glowing liquid. She uncorked it and swallowed the contents, her eyes closing as she began to recuperate.
Kai watched in silence, his mind already analyzing the encounter. The abilities he had witnessed—both the woman's and the men's—were far beyond anything he had encountered before. They reminded him of the descriptions he had read in the town's library, detailing the combat rankings of this world. Elemental Mastery, Umbral Condensation, Temporal Dominion… It was clear that these individuals were operating on a level he had yet to reach.
As the woman meditated, her breathing gradually steadied, and the color returned to her cheeks. Kai sat nearby, his presence a silent vigil as she healed. He wasn't particularly concerned about what she might do once she recovered; he had assessed her capabilities, and while she was strong, she wasn't an immediate threat to him. Besides, there was little to gain from attacking someone who had just fought a hard battle.
When the woman finally opened her eyes, she seemed to have regained her strength. She stood, her movements now fluid and controlled, though there was still a hint of weariness in her posture. Without a word, she reached into her cloak and produced a small, intricately designed token, which she held out to Kai.
"Take this," she said, her voice still cold but with a touch of sincerity. "It's a token of Aberthol Academy. If you ever find yourself near the Eternal Forest, present this, and you'll be allowed entry. I owe you for your assistance tonight."
Kai accepted the token, glancing at the intricate design. Aberthol Academy—he had heard of it in passing, a place of great learning and power. The token could be valuable, a potential entry point to knowledge and resources that might aid him in his journey.
The woman didn't wait for a response. She sheathed her sword and, with a final nod, turned and stepped onto the blade. In a smooth motion, she flew up into the air, disappearing into the night without so much as a backward glance.
Kai watched her go, the token still in his hand. He tucked it away into his pouch and turned his attention back to the clearing. The bodies of the two men lay still, a reminder of the violence that had just occurred. Kai was under no illusions—this world was dangerous, and trust was indeed a rare commodity.
The encounter had been unexpected, but it had also provided valuable insights. He would need to be cautious, to weigh every risk and make calculated decisions if he were to survive and grow stronger in this world.
Kai Lorr then eyed the lifeless bodies on the ground. Although it was the first time he took a human life, he still felt calm despite of it. He realized that in whatever kind of world it is, the stronger and rich would survive, the weak and poor would die.
Without hesitation, Kai devour the two lifeless bodies entirely, anticipating the changes it would do to him.