The next morning felt normal. Too normal in fact.
I went through my routine without thinking. A jog through the quiet streets, a quick wash, a simple breakfast at the inn. Everything felt steady, grounded… controlled.
But the moment I stepped into the forest again, something felt off.
It wasn't obvious at first.
Just a faint pressure. Like being watched.
I slowed my steps slightly, letting my breathing even out as I activated Mana Detection.
A pulse spread outward.
Then—
"There it is," I muttered under my breath.
"Three targets detected," Travy confirmed. "Hostile intent identified."
I exhaled slowly.
"Three, huh… not even trying to hide."
"Your detection range has improved significantly."
"Yeah. I noticed."
That alone told me something.
Before, I needed a full minute between pulses.
Now? Ten seconds.
And it didn't even strain me.
That meant my control, my mana, and even my Wit were improving together.
Still… that wasn't the problem.
The problem was this.
"Why are there three of them in an F-rank zone?"
"That is… inconsistent with previous data."
I let my guard drop slightly.
Not fully. Just enough to bait them.
It worked.
The moment the wolves lunged—
"Water Slash."
Three arcs of compressed water cut through the air.
Clean, fast, precise.
The wolves didn't even get the chance to react before their heads separated from their bodies.
I stood there for a second, watching the bodies fall.
"…That felt easy."
"Your casting speed and accuracy have improved."
"Yeah… but that's not what's bothering me."
I glanced deeper into the forest.
"This isn't normal."
"Agreed."
I continued forward, finishing my requests along the way.
But the deeper I went—
The worse it got.
More wolves.
Not one or two packs of three or four wolves.
Sometimes more.
By the time two hours passed, I had already taken down over ten Forest Wolves.
And then—
Goblins.
I narrowed my eyes as I wiped my blade clean.
"Forest Goblins… here?"
"E-rank monster detected in F-rank zone."
"That's definitely not normal."
The goblins weren't as fast as the wolves, but they were smarter.
They coordinated, used crude weapons, forced openings.
Still, compared to before…
They weren't overwhelming anymore.
I handled them cleanly and efficiently.
Even so, something felt wrong.
Not just stronger monsters or numbers.
The movement, patterns. Like something was pushing them outward.
"…This is bad."
"Conclusion aligns."
I checked my status briefly.
Mana was stable.
Wit was still around seventy-five percent.
No major strain.
Which meant I could keep going—
But I shouldn't.
"I've finished my requests," I said quietly. "I should head back and report this."
"That is the optimal decision."
I turned—
And then I heard it.
A scream. Sharp and panicked.
Without thinking, I moved quickly.
The sound guided me through the trees until I saw them.
A party.
Three people still standing.
One down.
And six wolves circling them.
The situation was bad.
The archer couldn't get a clear shot. The mage kept getting interrupted.
And the vanguard—
He was barely holding on.
I didn't hesitate.
"Water Slash!"
Two wolves dropped instantly.
Before the others could react, I closed the distance and cut down two more with my sword.
That gave them the opening they needed.
The last two wolves fell shortly after.
Silence returned.
But the tension didn't leave.
I immediately moved to the injured one.
"Heal."
A soft glow spread from my hands as the wounds closed.
Not perfect.
But stable.
He whispered something weakly before passing out.
"He lost blood," I said. "But he'll live."
The mage let out a shaky breath.
"…You saved us."
The archer nodded quickly.
"We would've died if you didn't come."
I shook my head.
"No time for that. We need to move."
I looked around.
"The forest isn't safe anymore."
Their expressions changed immediately.
"You felt it too?" the mage asked.
"I didn't just feel it," I replied. "I've already killed multiple packs. And goblins."
"Goblins?!" the archer gasped.
"Yeah."
That was enough.
Fear turned into urgency.
"Can you still fight?" I asked.
"My mana's at half," the mage said.
"I still have arrows," the archer added.
"Good. I'll carry him."
I lifted the unconscious vanguard onto my shoulder.
We moved carefully.
Slow and alert for every step mattered.
But somehow…
We made it out.
When we reached the plains, the tension finally eased.
I set him down gently.
Then I pulled food from my inventory.
"Eat," I said, handing them sandwiches.
They didn't hesitate.
"…Thank you."
I nodded.
"No problem."
After a moment, I spoke again.
"I'm Artorius."
"I'm Indel," the mage said. "And that's Arnes."
"And him?" I nodded toward the vanguard.
"Dill."
I gave a small nod.
"Good. Then listen carefully. We need to report this immediately."
They agreed without hesitation.
Dill woke up not long after, groaning slightly.
"You're safe," I told him. "Just take it slow."
He blinked, then nodded weakly.
"...Thanks."
We helped him up, then made our way back to town.
The walk felt longer than usual.
Heavier.
Like something was watching us from behind.
But nothing attacked.
Not this time.
When we reached the guild, Sistina greeted us—but her expression quickly changed when she saw our condition.
We were led into a private room.
Then came the questions.
Careful and precise. Each question being verified with a magic tool.
I answered calmly.
Truthfully.
"Four goblins. Seventeen wolves."
The sphere glowed blue.
Truth.
The room went quiet.
Even Sistina looked shaken.
"…We'll take immediate action," she said. "You may have just prevented a disaster."
I exhaled slowly.
"Good."
After that, things returned to routine.
Submitting materials.
Counting rewards.
But even that felt different now.
Heavier.
More real.
When I finally stepped out of the guild, the sun was already starting to set.
I looked toward the forest.
"…This isn't over."
"No," Travy replied. "It is likely just beginning."
I let out a slow breath.
"…Then I need to get stronger."
"You are progressing efficiently."
I smirked slightly.
"Not fast enough."
A pause.
Then—
"Tomorrow," I said. "I'll take alchemy requests."
"A strategic decision."
"If things get worse…" I continued, eyes narrowing slightly, "people are going to need potions."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"That decision," Travy said, "will have significant impact."
I didn't respond.
I just started walking back to the inn.
At the time, it felt like a simple choice.
Practical, logical and necessary.
But later…
That decision would save lives.
More than I could imagine.
And deep within the forest—
Something was already beginning to move.