Chapter 8: The Forest Chronicles
Five years passed in the blink of an eye. The boy who had once been an ordinary high school student was now an eighteen-year-old survivor in a world that had both blessed and cursed him. Yet, despite daily battles and unrelenting challenges, my power progression had not reached the heights I had hoped for. The forest that had been my battleground for years offered only weak enemies—fodder for my skills but never the challenge I truly needed.
I had carved out a base deep within the forest, a sanctuary surrounded by nature's beauty and beasts' ferocity. Silverfang and Lira, my two loyal bonds, stood by my side, their strength growing alongside mine. Both had reached Level 9, their abilities far beyond what they had been when we first met. Silverfang's mastery of lightning turned him into a living storm, while Lira's ethereal magic could reshape the battlefield with ease. Despite their growth, the forest remained too tame to push us further.
The system's voice resonated in my mind, delivering a status update that felt more like a reminder of my limits than a testament to my progress:
"Status update:
Orion Valor.
Age: 18.
Curse of Dominion at 5% integration.
Bonds: 2 Level 9 entities.
Combat proficiency: Intermediate.
Skills: Beast Command, Elemental Resonance, Shadow meld, Arcane Pulse.
Additional skills unlocked:
Vitality Absorption (minor health recovery from defeated enemies)
Precision Strike (enhanced critical damage against weak points)."
Beast Command: Allows communication and coordination with bonded beasts, enhancing their combat effectiveness.
Elemental Resonance: Establishes a magical link with elemental forces, amplifying the strength of elemental-based attacks.
Shadow meld: Grants temporary invisibility and the ability to move undetected in low-light environments.
Arcane Pulse: Releases a wave of arcane energy that stuns enemies and disrupts weaker magical formations.
Vitality Absorption: Converts a portion of defeated enemies' vitality into minor health recovery.
Precision Strike: Targets weak points with enhanced precision, delivering critical damage.
The list was a reflection of countless battles, yet I knew it wasn't enough. My Curse of Dominion ensured that beasts and magical creatures were drawn to me, but the forest's inhabitants lacked the strength to truly test my limits. I needed more—stronger enemies, greater challenges, and a way to break free from the invisible chains of mediocrity.
I stood in the clearing that had become my training ground, the morning sunlight filtering through the dense canopy above. Silverfang prowled nearby, his silver fur catching the light as sparks of electricity crackled around him. Lira hovered in the air, her radiant glow illuminating the area as she prepared a spell.
"Silverfang, target the dummies," I commanded, my voice sharp and authoritative.
With a snarl, he unleashed a barrage of lightning bolts, each one striking the wooden targets with pinpoint accuracy. The forest echoed with the sound of splintering wood as the dummies were reduced to ash. Lira followed up with a spell that sent tendrils of light weaving through the air, slicing through the remaining targets with surgical precision.
I joined the fray, my movements fluid and deliberate as I unleashed a flurry of strikes with my blade. Each swing was imbued with the energy of Dominion's Call, amplifying the force behind my attacks. The ground shook beneath my feet, a testament to the power I had cultivated over the years.
Still, it wasn't enough.
I sheathed my sword, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "We've hit a wall," I muttered, glancing at Silverfang and Lira. "This forest can't push us any further."
The system's voice interrupted my thoughts, offering a glimmer of hope:
"New quest unlocked: Reach the Azazeer Forest.
Objective: Uncover the secret of Azazeer Forest.
Reward: Curse integration increased by 10%."
Azazeer Forest. The name alone sent a shiver down my spine. I had heard whispers of it—a place shrouded in mystery and danger, said to hold the key to unparalleled power. But the promise of greater power was too enticing to ignore. If I wanted to break free from the stagnation that plagued me, this was the path I had to take.
"It's time to leave the forest," I said, my resolve firm. Silverfang growled in agreement, while Lira's light pulsed with anticipation. They had been with me through every hardship, and I knew they would follow me into whatever lay ahead.
We set out that day, leaving behind the forest that had been our home for five long years. The journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but I welcomed it. If the world thought it could keep me in the shadows, it was gravely mistaken. With my bonds by my side and the curse as both a burden and a weapon, I was ready to carve my path to power.