Chapter 31. Forest The city continued on for a couple of kilometers but at one point it just cut off. From there a lush, dense forest began. You couldn't see through all those trees and I doubted that even sunlight properly got through and touched the forest grass. "Tonight we stay here. In the morning we will enter the forest for one hour and return back to the base camp. Get enough rest, it is gonna be a long day." "I did not sign up for this. I ain't goin' in some weird-ass forest just because you said I have to." "Yeah me neither." Some of the warriors that had volunteered protested. "You have two choices. One, stay here and wait for us or go back on your own. Two, shut up and follow." "Why did I even accept this, staying would be the best choice. 'Adventure' my ass. Going back to the camp alone would've been better...." He kept muttering such things after we entered the forest. I was actually impressed that he could continue from where he left off after getting interrupted by monsters and by also not ever repeating the same line. This guy had some serious talents in literature. Leaving them aside, we had entered the forest half an hour ago and there was nothing special that caught our eyes. There were more monsters when compared to the city but this place was also a lot more open. There were tall buildings in the city and honestly demolishing them wasn't that hard either but the chain reaction that one building could cause by falling onto another building would be disastrous. And in the trial, these people had built a town out of nothing in a forest just like this. Keeping this in mind I would prefer if everyone moved to this forest after we found some good builders. I too was used to living in a forest. You had unlimited trees, meaning unlimited material for building. 'This can actually work.' Everyone paused. A roar shook the forest and it was close to us. "Is this where you run?" Someone said from behind. I really wanted to fight this thing, not with these people around. Fighting and protecting at the same time was not something that I had done and I did not want to risk their lives just because of my curiosity. "Stay here while I take a look. If you hear me shout run, then run. Don't wait for me and run back as fast you can to where we camped last night. Wait there until I return." "What if you don't ever come?" Arthur asked. He was being rational in this situation and not emotional, I liked seeing that. He did have the traits needed to become a leader. "Arthur how could you-!!!" "3 hours. If I am not back by then go back to the camp and tell them that I died. And stay away from the forest after that." Lucy raised her voice but I interrupted her mid-sentence. Luke just looked into my eyes and dragged Lucy away from me. They were going to wait near the entrance and only run if they heard me shout. I would like it if things did not get there but being cautious was always better than doing nothing. I followed the roar and moved towards its origin. The monster that waited there was nothing to scoff at. [Twin Headed Wolf] [A monster that has been exposed to high concentrations of mana and has survived. It is a mutated being.] It lay under a tree and stared at me, following my every moment with alertness. I did not have my weapon as it was still in its slumber. But it looked like did not need to worry about it. "Are you finally ready for some action partner?" I said after feeling something move in me. I bit my hand to create an opening and let some blood flow out, but what came out wasn't blood but a thick blackish-red liquid. My weapon had finally decided to come out of its rest. It then divided into two parts which solidified into two weapons. It was just that they were not the same. Previously I had two axes and now what was before me was different. A sword and an axe. A long black sword with a blood-red edge and a black axe that was similar to the previous ones I had. The axe was heavy and the blade was light. [Demonic Bloodthirster] [A metal infused with demonic properties that perfectly matches with it and made for the user that provided those properties. Now infused with a drop of blood from an ascended beast.] 'That man, no beast. What was he?' The being I had met after completing the final floor, was an 'ascended being.' Maybe I was using the word 'ascend' too lightly. The wolf drew my attention once again as it roared but there was greed in its eyes. Every morsel of caution was lost from my eyes as it started my weapons. 'It looks like that drop of blood is really important for these beasts.' The wolf dashed towards me. It was fast but not fast enough to avoid my sense. Perception was the stat I had invested in the most and half of my skills enhanced that attribute further. I just stood there, waiting for it make the first move. I was not as fast as that wolf and could only match its speed after using [Sprint], but that would leave me vulnerable if I missed, so I just stood waiting. It stopped behind me and dashed to tackle, as it entered the area one meter around me I could feel, sense its every moment. Thorn, my sword, slashed as I moved aside to dodge its claw. A cut appeared on its torso and it screeched. This wolf just needed a catalyst to evolve and it would reach the same strength as that of the hobgoblin. I wondered were there stronger monsters deeper in the jungle. "What? How is he so strong?" One of the old men said. We were worried after hearing the second roar and no response from our teacher. But seeing what was happening before us, I understood why my brother asked him to teach us. When Teacher warned us, I thought he was just going to observe, I never imagined that he would fight that monster. And treat it like a child on top of it. The wolf was not able to land a single attack. It ended when the wolf attacked from above. Teacher blocked it with his sword and brought his axe upwards right into the wolf's neck. It staggered for a few steps and fell down to stop moving altogether. Our teacher was strong, probably the strongest on this entire planet. Finally. [Killed a Twin Headed Wolf. Experience gained] [Blood mage: Level up] [Blood mage: Level up] [Learned 'Sword Mastery'] [Blood Mage: Class skills available] ----------- [Status] Name: Ray Species: ??? Bloodline: Demon of ??? General Skills: Identify lvl 19, Mantra of ??? lvl 25, Demon's martial arts lvl 24, Axe Mastery lvl 23, Dual wielding lvl 23, Sword Mastery lvl 1, Mana Control lvl 21, Focus lvl 7 Strength: 45 Agility: 45 Endurance: 50 Vitality: 50 Dexterity: 40 Intelligence: 20 Wisdom: 20 Perception: 70 Bonus point remaining: 10 ----------- [Primary Class: Demon Fighter] Level: 45 Skills : Active - Bloodlust lvl 8, Sprint lvl 23, Cleave lvl 21, Carnage lvl 9 Passive - Demon's Perception lvl 25, Demon's Control lvl 24, Demon's Sense lvl 23, Demon's Flexibility lvl 23 ----------- [Secondary Class: Blood Mage] Level: 17 Skills: none -----------