The Farlios Forest grew silent again after the final scream of the black-eyed monsters faded.
Thin smoke rose from their fallen bodies. The scent of wet soil mixed with monster blood lingered in the air.
Abdullah brushed the dust off his robe, twirling his karambit around his finger before sliding it back into his belt. His breathing was steady, his expression calm as if nothing had happened.
Irsyad adjusted his hat with a long exhale.
"Finally… it's over," he muttered.
But Abdullah suddenly stopped moving.
His body stiffened.
He turned his head slightly to the left.
His eyes—still hidden behind his round black sunglasses—seemed to pierce through the dense forest ahead.
The wind grew heavier, as if resisting something.
Abdullah (soft, deep):
"I've been sensing… a strange aura."
Irsyad blinked, confused.
"A strange aura? I—" he raised his hand, trying to feel anything— "I don't sense anything at all."
Abdullah didn't answer.
He stepped forward once… then again. His shoulders rose and fell lightly, a sign of heightened awareness.
He narrowed his eyes toward the dark forest on the left.
Abdullah (low voice):
"Something's wrong. Over there."
He was about to sprint—
—but Irsyad quickly pressed his arm against Abdullah's chest to stop him.
Irsyad forced a smile, though his jaw was tight.
"Abdullah. Trust me. There's nothing strange out there."
The wind shifted again, carrying the faint crack of snapping branches deeper in the woods.
Abdullah lowered his head slightly… then looked straight at Irsyad.
Even behind the sunglasses, his gaze felt sharp like a blade. His jaw tightened.
With one slow but firm motion, he pushed Irsyad's arm away.
Abdullah (cold):
"Sorry, Irsyad. My instincts are never wrong."
Then—BWOOSH!
He dashed into the trees, feet barely touching the ground, his figure moving like a dark shadow. Leaves scattered in his wake—his speed far beyond any ordinary human.
Irsyad let out a long exhale, shoulders dropping.
Irsyad (quiet mumble):
"I knew he would force his way anyway…"
He turned to the right side of the forest.
Among the trees—
the thin mist parted.
Someone was standing there.
A man in a black coat with a violet tie.
A wide black hat hid his face, his features blurry like a living shadow.
He didn't move, simply watching Irsyad as if reading his thoughts.
Silence tightened around them.
The man tilted his head slightly—like a wordless greeting.
Then he tapped the tree trunk with two fingers… and vanished into the mist, dissolving like smoke absorbed by the earth.
Irsyad didn't look surprised.
There was no fear—only a heavy quiet.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Mist curled around his feet before the forest became silent again, as though nothing had happened.
---
The wind in Farlios Forest felt heavy, as if the trees themselves knew what was coming. Moonlight trembled through the leaves, shuddering like a frightened breath. Dew covered the ground, and the grass twitched with every small shift of Ardelle's steps.
Mireya stood across from her, the hood of her gray hoodie fluttering gently—her green eyes now replaced by glowing white X-shapes. Atharlez energy wrapped her like swirling pale mist.
Ardelle drew in a deep breath.
Her body leaned slightly to the side—one foot forward, one foot back—the traditional stance of elves before dancing into battle.
Ardelle (in her mind):
(Her speed… it's increasing rapidly. Every second she grows stronger. I need to read her rhythm.)
Mireya lifted her chin slightly.
Mireya (cold):
"Are you ready?"
Ardelle didn't answer with words.
She tightened her grip on her slender blade, the edge glowing with soft pink light.
In an instant, the air in front of Mireya cracked like shattered glass.
A small explosion—BANF!—burst beneath her feet.
Mireya vanished.
Ardelle saw only a single streak of white.
— WHOOOOSH!!!
Ardelle twisted her body, spinning her slim waist like a dancer.
Mireya's karambit sliced past her cheek by mere centimeters, cutting three strands of her silver hair.
The ground split from the attack, forming a dark straight line as thin smoke rose from it.
Ardelle leapt back, rolled, and landed on one knee.
Ardelle (in her mind):
(She's… too fast. Even my eyes can't track all her movements.)
Mireya reappeared behind her.
— TING!
Ardelle swung her blade backward without looking, clashing against Mireya's silver karambit.
Sparks curled like swirling fireflies.
They spun in a tight circle, blade and karambit clashing rapidly—ting-ting-ting like a chaotic silver chime.
Mireya dropped low and kicked upward.
Ardelle bent backward like a bow to dodge.
The shockwave from the kick alone toppled a sapling behind her.
Zeydan and Lina, watching from afar, stumbled.
Lina (trembling):
"That speed… she's not human."
Zeydan:
"…Mireya?"
Ardelle kept struggling.
She summoned her natural elf energy—leaves trembled around her as green light seeped into her body.
Ardelle pushed off the ground — TAP! — and dashed forward, swinging three arcs of pink light.
Mireya blocked all of them with a single karambit.
Mireya:
"Too slow."
She flicked her wrist.
Ardelle was blown backward, thrown five meters before slamming into a large tree. The impact rippled through the roots.
Ardelle dropped to her knees, one hand pressing against the ground.
Ardelle (panting, bitter):
(Damn… even with my natural enhancement, I'm still… far behind.)
Mireya walked toward her, footsteps calm, unhurried.
Ardelle gathered her courage and tried to rush forward, but Mireya disappeared the moment she moved.
A harsh blow struck her right side—
— BAM!!!
Ardelle was flung like a ragdoll, tearing through bushes and leaves before crashing down beside Zeydan and Lina.
Her small body trembled.
Ardelle (gasping):
"I… can't fight her. She's too strong for me."
Zeydan and Lina helped her sit up. Ardelle's face was flushed from the pain.
Mireya stopped ten steps away.
Her face remained composed.
Her gaze cold.
Atharlez aura spiraling like a white vortex around her.
Mireya (calm, cold):
"You won't be able to escape from here."
The forest air grew heavy.
Zeydan grabbed his head.
Zeydan:
"Ugh… my vision…?"
He suddenly dropped to his knees.
As if all strength drained from his body.
Lina panicked, grabbing his shoulders.
Lina:
"Zeydan! What's wrong?! Hey!"
Ardelle cupped Zeydan's face, trying to stabilize his energy.
Ardelle:
"His breathing is unstable! This isn't a physical injury!"
Zeydan didn't hear her.
The world around him faded.
Total darkness.
No ground.
No sky.
No sound.
Only himself… and the void.
Zeydan looked at his hands as they slowly dissolved.
Zeydan (soft):
"I'm… useless. Even now… I can't protect anyone."
A deep, heavy voice suddenly echoed behind him.
Mysterious Voice:
"Do you desire a power… that no one else in this world possesses?"
Zeydan jolted, searching for the source.
Zeydan:
"Who are you?! Show yourself!"
No form.
Only an echo.
Mysterious Voice:
"I am… The Shadow.
I can grant you power beyond any element… except Atharlez.
But in return… the creatures of this world will hunt you.
Do you accept this?"
Zeydan fell silent.
His breathing sharp.
He clenched his dissolving fist.
Zeydan:
"If that power can save the people I care about… then I don't mind.
I can still return to my original world."
The voice chuckled softly. Low. Echoing.
The Shadow:
"Then… allow me to take control of your body."
Darkness swallowed Zeydan.
Ardelle shook his body violently.
Ardelle:
"Zeydan! Wake up!"
Lina slapped his cheeks in panic.
But Mireya was approaching.
Calm steps.
Karambit spinning lazily in her hand.
Ardelle forced herself to stand, her body trembling.
She stepped in front of Lina and Zeydan, ready to block.
They were exactly ten steps apart.
Ardelle:
"Lina… protect Zeydan. I'll hold her off."
Mireya lowered her head slightly.
Mireya:
"You still want to try?"
Ardelle readied herself.
Mireya leapt forward, her body stretching like a white arrow.
— SHRAAAK!!!
Her karambit streaked toward Ardelle's neck.
Ardelle (in her mind):
(Damn! This… this is a decapitation strike! I can't move! My head's going to—)
Suddenly—
A black shadow shot in from the side like dark lightning.
— TING!!!
Mireya's attack was deflected.
For the first time, she staggered back a few steps.
Ardelle froze.
Ardelle:
"Z-Zeydan…?"
Zeydan stood in front of her.
His body straight.
Dark aura swirling like smoke.
His eyes glowing pure white, pupils erased.
He smirked.
Zeydan (deeper voice):
"Finally… a worthy opponent."
He vanished.
Reappearing right in front of Mireya.
— BOOM!!!
A brutal fight erupted.
Zeydan, who normally fought with light steps, now moved like a dark predator.
Every punch sent shockwaves.
Every kick tore the earth upward.
Mireya defended herself, but for the first time—her expression shifted.
Disbelief.
Ardelle stared in shock.
Lina grabbed her arm.
Lina:
"What element is that?! Zeydan doesn't have an element that strong!"
Ardelle slowly shook her head, eyes wide.
Ardelle:
"That's… not an element."
"It's a CURSE."