Kingsland Arc: Chapter:10 The Zevery Forest Encounter
The Zevery Forest swallowed them whole. Ancient trees, their massive trunks gnarled and thick with moss, formed a dense, unbroken canopy that filtered the midday sun into sparse, dappled patches of light and profound shadow. The air was cool and damp, carrying the scent of rich, decaying earth, the sharp tang of pine, and something else – a faint, wild musk that spoke of untamed life and unseen predators. Ronin's twin blades, Sei and Kuro, felt heavy and cold at his belt, a stark contrast to the lightness of the academy's practice swords. He followed closely behind Rose, her dark, practical cloak a silent ripple through the dense undergrowth, her movements as fluid and silent as the shadows themselves.
The path, barely more than a deer trail, wound steadily uphill, the ascent gradual but relentless. The ground beneath their feet was soft with centuries of fallen leaves and damp soil, cushioning their steps. Birds chirped occasionally, their calls distant and wary, but the overall silence of the deep forest felt more watchful than peaceful, a heavy presence that pressed in on Ronin. His senses were on high alert, his ears straining for any sound beyond the rustle of their own movement, his eyes darting into every dark corner.
Suddenly, a sharp snap of a twig, too heavy to be an ordinary animal, shattered the quiet. It came from the dense thicket to their left, followed by a low, guttural growl that vibrated through the very ground beneath Ronin's feet. A cold dread coiled in his stomach.
Rose froze instantly, her hand flashing to the hilt of her short sword. Her head tilted, listening intently, her eyes narrowed to slits beneath the shadow of her hood. "Stay quiet," she whispered, her voice barely a breath against the forest's hush, yet it cut through Ronin's rising panic. Her hand reached back, gently but firmly pressing Ronin's shoulder, urging him to halt. Her gaze, sharp and focused, swept the treeline. "Draw your weapons, Ronin. Something is coming for us."
The growling intensified, closer now, accompanied by the heavy, rhythmic thud of powerful paws on the forest floor. Whatever it was, it was large, moving with predatory intent and surprising speed. Ronin's heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence. He drew Sei and Kuro, the familiar, cold weight of the blades a small comfort in his trembling hands. He shifted into a defensive stance, his muscles tensing, his eyes wide and fixed on the rustling bushes.
With a terrifying snarl that ripped through the air, a massive beast burst from the foliage. It was a creature like a lion, but monstrously larger, almost the size of a small horse, its powerful limbs ending in abnormally long, razor-sharp claws that glinted wickedly in the dim light. Its fur was a mottled grey-green, a perfect camouflage against the forest, and its eyes – Ronin gasped, a choked sound – glowed with an unnatural, malevolent crimson. This was no ordinary monster. This was the Amaltheon, a beast of legend, said to dwell only in the deepest, most corrupted dungeons. Its very presence seemed to drain the warmth from the air.
Before Ronin could even fully process the sight, the Amaltheon sprang, a blur of muscle and fury. It launched itself directly at him, claws extended, its guttural roar echoing through the ancient trees. Ronin barely registered the crushing weight as he was knocked off his feet, hitting the damp earth with a jarring thud that stole his breath. The beast loomed over him, its hot, foul breath washing over his face, its massive, clawed paw descending for a killing blow.
But Rose was faster. Her short sword flashed, a dark streak aimed at the beast's flank. The Amaltheon, surprisingly agile for its colossal size, twisted mid-air with a grunt of annoyance, its powerful body contorting to evade the strike. The attack, though missed, bought Ronin a crucial second. Rose's lightning-fast intervention had saved him from what would have been a fatal blow.
Rose landed lightly, her eyes wide with shock as she truly registered the beast's terrifying presence. Her face, usually so composed, showed a flicker of grim recognition. "It's an Amaltheon!" she breathed, her voice tight with a mixture of awe and alarm. "A beast from the deep dungeons... an S-ranked beast. Look at its eyes, Ronin – they're not normal. They're corrupted. This must be the one that's been attacking people lately, the one the driver warned us about."
The Amaltheon prowled, its glowing crimson eyes fixed on them, a low, menacing growl rumbling deep in its chest. Its massive head turned slowly, its keen senses undoubtedly picking up every scent, every minute shift in the air, every beat of Ronin's terrified heart.
"Ronin, listen to me," Rose commanded, her voice sharp, pulling him back to the present. She moved to stand directly in front of him, her body a defiant shield. "You don't attack. You stay behind me and help me by using your enhancement magic. Focus it on me."
Ronin, still shaken from the near-death experience, clutched his blades, the shame of his helplessness burning. "Why shouldn't I attack? I can fight!" he protested, his voice laced with frustration.
"Because you're not strong enough yet to defend its attacks," Rose retorted, her gaze unwavering from the beast, her jaw set. "You were lucky to survive that first jump. Your E-rank light magic won't pierce its hide, but a concentrated enhancement might give me the edge we need. Focus, Ronin! Now!"
Swallowing his pride and the bitter taste of his own weakness, Ronin nodded. He closed his eyes for a moment, forcing away the shame and fear. He focused on the faint, pure light energy that was his only reliable magic, the inheritance from his mother's lineage. He pushed it forward, channeling it through his trembling hands towards Rose. A faint, golden glow briefly shimmered around Rose, a subtle surge of strength and speed that only she could feel, but enough to make her muscles hum.
Rose lunged, her short sword a blur. She employed her unique dark magic, sending shadowy tendrils lashing out from her blade, but the Amaltheon was too quick, dodging with effortless grace. Rose then shimmered, her form distorting like heat haze, and she vanished from sight, activating her invisibility spell. Simultaneously, a faint, sickly green sheen appeared on her blade – her potent poisoning magic. She aimed for the beast's exposed leg, hoping to exploit its momentary confusion.
The Amaltheon, however, was not easily fooled. Its massive head snapped towards the precise spot Rose had aimed for, its acute hearing and sense of smell betraying her presence. It twisted, its powerful claws deflecting the invisible strike with a sharp clang. Rose reappeared, a flicker of frustration crossing her face, but continued her relentless assault, her blade a silver blur against the monster's agile defenses. The Amaltheon met each strike with its powerful claws, its movements surprisingly fluid for such a colossal creature.
"Again, Ronin!" Rose called out, her voice strained from the effort, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Ronin focused, pushing more of his limited light magic into another physical enhancement. This time, the golden glow around Rose was slightly more pronounced, her movements gaining a noticeable burst of speed and power. With renewed vigor, she feinted left, then spun right, her blade finding its mark. The tip of her poisoned sword sliced across the Amaltheon's thick leg, drawing a dark, viscous blood that stained its grey-green fur.
The beast roared, a sound of pain and fury that shook the trees, but the wound was shallow. Rose knew the poison wasn't potent enough for a single kill; it would take at least three such strikes to bring down an S-ranked beast. Still, the Amaltheon stumbled, its movements slowing, its glowing crimson eyes flickering with a new, raw pain. It let out a frustrated, desperate growl, turning its massive body to retreat, limping deeper into the forest, leaving a faint trail of dark blood on the damp earth.
"It's weakened! Don't let it get away!" Rose shouted, immediately giving chase, her movements fluid despite the exertion. Ronin, clutching Seikuro, followed close behind, his heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and a growing sense of purpose. He wouldn't be useless anymore.
They pursued the limping beast through the dense undergrowth, the sounds of its labored breathing and the rustle of its heavy body guiding them. Then, a new sound cut through the forest – a swift, rhythmic thwip-thwip-thwip of movement, not from the ground, but from above, agile and impossibly fast. A figure moved with incredible speed through the treetops, a golden blur against the green canopy.
"Here you are," a confident voice boomed from above, laced with a hint of amusement that seemed to mock the beast's escape attempt.
Before Rose or Ronin could react, the figure descended like a hawk. He was clad in gleaming golden plate armor, intricately engraved with symbols of wind and lightning, polished to a mirror sheen. A vibrant scarlet red cloak, made of rich, flowing fabric, billowed dramatically behind him as he landed with a soft, almost imperceptible thud directly in front of the retreating Amaltheon. In his hand, he held a single, magnificent broadsword with a hilt carved like a soaring eagle. A confident smirk played on his lips, revealing perfectly white teeth. Without hesitation, he raised his sword, and a swirling vortex of emerald wind magic gathered around the blade, crackling with raw power. "Wind Slasher!" he intoned, his voice resonating with authority, and with a single, impossibly fast strike, he cleaved the S-ranked beast in two.
The Amaltheon collapsed, a grotesque heap of fur and muscle, its crimson eyes dimming, dead before its massive body even hit the ground. A heavy silence descended, broken only by their ragged breaths.
Ronin stared, captivated. The adventurer's presence was overwhelming, radiating power that felt like a physical force, a stark contrast to his own struggles just moments before. This was true power, the kind he yearned for. A burning desire to reach that level ignited within him.
The adventurer turned, his gaze sweeping over Rose and Ronin, his confident smile unwavering. He was a tall, imposing man, with a regal bearing that spoke of noble lineage and countless battles won. A lock of perfectly styled golden-blonde hair escaped his helmet, framing a handsome, easy smile. He approached them, his magnificent sword still humming faintly with residual wind magic, and extended a gloved hand towards Rose.
"Well met," he said, his voice deep, resonant, and effortlessly charismatic. "I am Sir Kaelen, a Grand Adventurer from the Royal Adventurers' Guild. And it seems I arrived just in time."
[To Be Continued In Chapter 10.5]