Everyone had already entered the forest.
The forest was completely silent… and that kind of silence was always the most dangerous. It felt as if the jungle itself was watching them, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
They kept moving forward carefully.
At the front was Nyra, holding her map and guiding everyone with sharp focus. Beside her were Kio and Alex, both alert, their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, ready to react at the slightest movement.
Behind them walked Zorath, while the villagers stayed in the middle—nervous, frightened, and completely out of their element. None of them had ever stepped into such a dense and eerily quiet forest.
At the very back was Leo, alongside Maya, and the guards who were carefully protecting the group.
For a long time, no one spoke.
Only the faint rustling of leaves echoed in the still air.
Then Maya broke the silence.
"So… how did you defeat that Orge King?"
Leo paused, his expression turning slightly distant.
"…I don't really remember," he said quietly. "I was badly injured… everything after that is just a blur."
Maya looked at him, then nodded softly and stayed silent.
After walking a little further—
Nyra suddenly stopped.
Everyone froze behind her.
Without turning, she said in a serious voice,
"We're about to enter the territory of the Wild Orges… stay ready."
The villagers immediately tensed up. Fear spread among them, their steps slowing down.
Zorath turned around and spoke calmly,
"Don't panic. We're close now. And we have guards with us… no one will be left unprotected."
His words gave them some courage.
But even he knew the danger ahead.
"This path… was our only option."
His gaze shifted toward Leo—and the horn at his waist.
A white, bone-like spiral horn, glowing faintly with blue energy lines. Its surface was rough and ancient, while the silver mouthpiece carried engraved symbols.
The Beast Repellent Horn.
Zorath exhaled slowly.
"Giving it to him… was the right choice."
They continued forward.
Suddenly—
Leo stopped.
"…Something's coming."
Before anyone could react—
Fwooooom!
He blew the horn.
A deep vibration spread through the air.
The villagers froze.
And Leo—
Vanished.
Right in front of Maya.
Her eyes widened in shock.
An Orge charged toward the group—
But before it could even take another step—
Slash!
Its head dropped to the ground instantly.
Blood splattered across the forest floor.
The villagers stood frozen… stunned.
But it didn't end there.
From the shadows—
More Orges emerged.
One… two… then three.
Their heavy footsteps shook the ground.
Maya whispered in fear,
"T-There's more…"
Before panic could spread—
Leo reappeared.
Right in front of them.
His blade already drawn.
The first Orge swung its massive arm—
Leo dodged effortlessly, his movement almost invisible.
He stepped in—
Slash!
A clean diagonal cut across its chest.
The Orge collapsed instantly.
The second one roared and charged.
Leo jumped forward instead of stepping back.
At the last second, he slid under its attack, his blade coated with a thin, sharp aura.
Slice—
Its legs were cut out from under it.
Before it could fall completely—
Leo spun mid-air—
Final strike.
The Orge's upper body split apart.
The third Orge hesitated…
For the first time—fear appeared in its eyes.
Leo looked straight at it.
Cold. Focused.
"Run… if you can."
The Orge tried to escape—
But Leo was faster.
In a flash—
He appeared behind it.
One precise cut.
Silence returned.
The villagers stared at him in disbelief.
There was no fear left in their eyes now—
Only awe.
Zorath let out a quiet laugh.
"How many times is this boy going to impress me?"
Leo walked back calmly.
Maya looked at him, completely amazed.
"Wow… you're not just fast… you're unbelievable."
Leo gave a small smile.
"It's just training."
He glanced at her hands again.
"Your healing magic is really good too."
Maya blinked.
"…You think so?"
Leo nodded.
"You should join our academy. You'd be great at healing."
For a moment, her face lit up—
Then it faded.
"I don't have money… and I need to stay here. These people need me."
Leo looked at her.
"…Your parents?"
Maya lowered her head.
"They died… during an Orge attack."
Leo went silent.
A faint pain crossed his expression.
Suddenly—
Another Orge rushed in from the side!
Leo didn't even look surprised.
He drew his blade—
Aura wrapped around it instantly.
This time, his movement was even sharper.
Flash—
The Orge didn't even get a chance to react.
It fell in two pieces.
Leo exhaled slightly.
"You guys are really starting to annoy me…"
Zorath shook his head with a smile.
"This boy…"
Then he raised his voice,
"Keep moving! Don't stop here!"
Evening had fallen.
Darkness slowly consumed the forest.
Nyra continued ahead, but visibility was getting worse.
Leo called out,
"Nyra! How much farther?!"
Nyra replied, slightly irritated,
"How would I kno—"
She suddenly froze.
Her eyes locked onto something ahead.
A faint glow…
She stepped forward slowly—
And then she saw it clearly.
A massive tree… burning with flames.
Her face lit up.
"We made it!!"
Energy surged through everyone.
They moved faster toward the light.
And as they got closer—
The flames became clearer…
A burning tree, standing tall in the middle of the dark forest.
Like a beacon.
Or a warning.