Elemental Beast of the Forest

Walking to the shadows of the towering trees, Vivian just made sure that she was being careful in every move she took. Though this forest was frequented by hunters, it doesn't mean that the wild beasts inside it diminished. Added to that was the traps that most of the hunters put on certain places.

That was why she needed to be extremely careful. Well, it was not like that she was not aware of the mechanism of some traps since when her father was alive, she often watched her father assemble some of these traps, at the back of their house. Using her observation skills, she easily learned those tactics and moves that need to be performed.

Her destination right now, was the heart of the forest. Where a clearing could be seen. Based on the game, there was a huge mural stone on it. Where ancient writings were written. It was unclear what forest was exactly in the game, but based on her dad's statement, she was certain that the Elemental Beast of the Forest was in this place. Even though everything was still uncertain, she didn't have any choice but to take that risk to be in this forest.

She brought out one item in her bag. It was a compass which she asked the butler of her mother to be made for her by an artisan, many days earlier before she went to this place. Though Vivian was not certain if the same magnetic fields applied to Earth in this world, she was glad that it did. Since the developers of the game based mostly the setting in a medieval setting, this world could be a duplicate of Earth in some ways. With that, she was grateful after having that information with her, when she knew she could use the compass on her journey.

Like how there was still the same sun and moon, and the constellations and arrangements of the stars didn't differ either. The reaction of the butler as well, seeing a compass for the first time was such a sight to behold.

Though she had read many stories of how these people reacted to the things modern people created, it was a bit astonishing seeing those reactions first hand and in person. Vivian shook her head at such irrelevant thoughts at the moment. She could deal with these things once she was done on the first things she needed to do.

"Follow the Southern Stars and you will meet the guardian of the forest."

She glanced at her compass that was pointing steadily on the South. She sighed as she felt her legs getting tired from the seemingly endless walk.

' Ugh! This is not cool though.'

"To think my stamina is this low despite starting to do regular exercises since I retained my memories. I guess the results would not be easily applied to my body yet."

"Hah. But I don't want to take any unnecessary breaks yet." Vivian continued to strode forward. There were two things she was holding right now, a bronze compass on her left and a long wooden stick on the right. The main reason why she was holding the stick was simply to check for any potential traps that could be hidden in some steps she would take and a first weapon for defense she could use in case something would jump out of her.

"It's amazing, how you travel in this forest Dad. As always, at the end of the day you never fail to salute you on how wise and capable you are when it comes to this situation. despite not having any compasses with you. If not for the compass, it would certainly be hard for me to travel in this place."

After a long period of time, she didn't even know how long she traveled. Sometimes she could hear some growls of animals, however, it didn't seem that it was near her location. She also took some frequent rest to eat some snacks and drink water to gain her strength and stamina again. She can feel that even she takes her time to gain more strength, she can't hide the fact that she still feels the tiredness and weaknesses on her physically and emotionally.

She continued her trek until… the hand of her compass started spinning all of the sudden. "So here it is, I finally arrived huh." She glanced up to the skies that were windowed from the tree branches. She closed her eyes and feel the beat of her heart while she was taking a few deep breaths. " Ugh! The fresh air from the forest never failed me to calm my nerves in any unknown situations.

She opened her eyes again and looked above her as she saw the colors of the sky were already tinged with red and orange. It clearly shows that the night would soon befall to the lands. Then her gaze landed on her front view. When she looks at it her expression of being irritated and impatience can't be hidden on her face. There was only a long path of endless trees and there was no clearing at all.

A sudden grin escaped on her lips. 'To think that what I thought would really work. The only thing that could interrupt magnetic fields were things that were filled with magic. Fascinating.' Though there was the heart of the forest where one could meet Eclio, however, it was covered by Eclio's magic so that it would be hidden from ordinary humans or creatures that would want to bring harm to the beast. Now, I realized that this forest was indeed not just ordinary, it was covered with magic and unknown.

Vivian hid the compass on her brown bag, then brought out a knife. "Guardian of the Forest, Eclio, I am here to request to make a contract with you. I do not bring harm or any that can cause to destroy the forest, my intention was pure." She said out loud, however a moment passed and there was no response.

It was a brief moment but to be able to open this magic, blood must be offered and with the intention of forming a contract. The blood that would be offered would be used to test whether there were other hidden destructive thoughts of the person who offered. The blood that the person carries indicates their hidden intentions.

Vivian let go of the stick then she switched the dagger to her right hand. Then she brought another thing from her bag. It was a pouch, containing a green powder. She threw the contents of the pouch in the open air and a strong tangent of medical herbs that was close to oregano lingered in the air. She opened her right palm and with one quick movement, she sliced her palm with the dagger.

Vivian winced, but she closed her eyes once again and squished the blood out more. It trickled to the ground.

The reason she brought out those powder was simply because she used it to hide the smell of her blood from the beast that would be roaming around the forest. Since she knows deep inside of her that having to fight with a beast is a big loss for her because she was a weak person right now, she would do everything to be cautious.

But it was strange. Despite how long she had walked to the forest, she didn't encounter any wild beasts. She simply pushed that thought back to her mind. The important thing was she was still unscathed from any potential dangers in the forest that can cause more harm to her.

Just then, the ground started shaking. However, there was not a single fear in Vivian's face. The front view started distorting. Vivian couldn't help but grin even wider until the place that she badly wanted to see, finally revealed itself.

The Heart of the Forest.