In the prohibited Ancient jungle, in centre of the city
Junyeok moved quietly between the dense trees, brushing past clusters of strange plants growing wildly in every direction. The ground was uneven, covered with twisted roots and patches of damp soil. Every now and then, a distant growl echoed through the forest, reminding him that this place belonged to monsters.
This place is filled with so many plants… and monsters, he thought, scanning a patch of rare herbs with sharp interest.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
With the Ultimate Monster Food Maker Tournament for first-years coming soon… I need to win that.
His stomach gave a small, impatient growl.
And that's why I have to collect ingredients.
He wiped the corner of his mouth, realizing he was practically drooling at the thought.
But then his expression tightened as he glanced around at the warning markers carved into the trees and the faint barrier lines shimmering between them.
"This place is way too protected…" Junyeok muttered under his breath.
He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"What a pain, seriously. If it wasn't prohibited, I could just come and go whenever I wanted."
His eyes sharpened with determination as he stepped deeper into the shadows.
"But instead… I had to sneaked in."
The jungle grew quieter the deeper Junyeok went.
He slowed his steps, lowering his presence as much as possible.
I have to win it… for the first prize, he thought, eyes gleaming with determination. The reward wasn't something he could ignore—not in his current situation.
He crouched slightly, scanning the trees and underbrush.
"Let's see…" he murmured while searching around carefully.
The rustling of leaves reached his ears.
He immediately slipped behind a thick tree trunk, hiding his presence completely. Even his breathing became shallow.
Good thing I didn't bring Nyxara, he thought. She's strong… but not exactly subtle.
A shadow passed between the trees.
Then he saw it.
A bird stepped into the clearing.
Its feathers shimmered in rainbow colors under the filtered light. Its body was roughly the size of a large dog, supported by long, muscular ostrich-like legs. When it opened its beak, rows of sharp, jagged teeth glinted inside—far too many for any normal bird.
Junyeok's eyes narrowed.
"Found it…"
A faint grin spread across his face.
"The Rainbow Carnivorous Bird Monster… Rainbow Teetasaurus."
The creature pecked at the ground, unaware.
Junyeok moved.
His dagger left his hand at terrifying speed.
A sharp slicing sound cut through the air.
In the next instant, the bird's head separated cleanly from its body. It flew briefly through the air before hitting the ground with a dull thud. Blood burst from the severed neck, spilling rapidly across the forest floor.
Junyeok didn't hesitate.
He dashed forward immediately, kneeling beside the body. With quick, practiced movements, he pulled out several small bottles and began collecting the blood before it soaked completely into the soil.
"Perfect…" he muttered under his breath.
Once finished, he wiped his blade clean.
"Open item space."
A faint shimmer appeared in front of him, and the bird's corpse vanished into his subspace storage.
He let out a small sigh.
I'm seriously broke right now…
He grimaced slightly.
After spending everything on two more skill cards just to upgrade my Bronze skill ecoe subSpace to Silver into item space…
For a moment, he felt the sting of his empty wallet.
Then he smirked.
But it was worth it.
His eyes hardened with confidence.
I'll recover all of that money… and more… from the tournament.
A low chuckle escaped him.
"Hehehe… The reward is way too good to leave alone."
He stood up, adjusting his coat as his expression returned to focus.
Without another word, Junyeok continued deeper into the jungle.
A sudden rustle echoed from above.
Junyeok's eyes flicked upward.
"Oh… gotcha. Another one."
He bent his knees and jumped.
Midair, he twisted his body and activated his weapon skill.
"Hellfire."
Flames burst along his dagger, wrapping the blade in violent crimson heat. The fire reflected in his eyes as he rose above the treetops.
Below him stood a massive plant monster.
It towered several meters high, thick vines twisting like serpents around its body. Thorn-covered tendrils writhed in the air, and clusters of delicious-looking yellow-golden fruits hung temptingly from its branches.
Junyeok's gaze sharpened.
Carnivorous man-eating plant… there are so many varieties. This is one of them.
The vines shot upward, aiming to pierce him midair.
Junyeok swung his flaming dagger.
The vines ignited instantly, shriveling into ash before they could touch him.
He landed lightly on one of the thicker branches near the top. The plant trembled violently.
Then—
A massive eye snapped open in the center of its trunk.
It locked onto him.
More thorns erupted from every direction, shooting toward him like spears.
Junyeok didn't hesitate.
He dashed forward along the branch, flames trailing behind him. His dagger moved in clean, precise arcs—slicing through thorns, burning vines, cutting a path straight through the chaos.
The smell of scorched plant flesh filled the air.
The eye widened in fury.
Junyeok leapt again, driving his flaming dagger deep into the core near the eye.
The plant shrieked silently as fire spread rapidly through its body.
Within moments, it collapsed inward, blackened and burning.
Junyeok exhaled slowly, extinguishing the flames.
He began quickly collecting the golden fruits before they could be damaged.
Carefully, he stored them.
"Open item space."
The fruits vanished into the subspace.
He rolled his shoulders slightly, feeling the lingering surge of power in his body.
I'm glad I borrowed some money from Yunji and bought that limited-time stat increase buff….those top-grade silver pills.
He clenched his fist.
It really worked.
His movements had been sharper. Faster. Stronger.
Then his expression shifted slightly.
…But do I need to pay her back soon?
He paused, staring at his hand.
Or am I the biggest trash for using her as my wallet?
A conflicted look crossed his face.
After a moment, he clicked his tongue.
I'll win the tournament. Then I'll return everything properly.
"But first, to my next… and final target," Junyeok muttered, glancing at his hand as he felt the strength from the buff slowly beginning to fade.
"I have to finish this before the effects wear off."
-------
At the center of the jungle stood a tree unlike any other.
It was enormous—its trunk so wide that ten people linking arms wouldn't be enough to encircle it. The bark was dark and ancient, layered with moss and glowing veins of faint green light. A massive hollow opening yawned at its base, large enough to swallow a house whole.
Junyeok stepped inside.
The air immediately changed.
It was cooler. Heavier.
The sounds of the jungle faded as if something had muted the world outside.
He swallowed quietly.
"…Guard of the Ancient Jungle," he said faintly.
His voice echoed softly within the hollow trunk.
"…Dryad Mother."
The moment the name left his lips—
A chill ran down his spine.