Monsters Only Look Good In Books[5]

"It's not hard to accept that my parents would reject the idea of me roaming the forest alone," I said, my voice carrying a hint of playful defiance. "But it's downright baffling that they'd send me with you." My gaze settled on the figure walking ahead of me, his posture relaxed, almost lazy, as if the dense, shadowy forest around us was nothing more than a casual stroll through a garden.

The path we tread was unfamiliar, a winding trail into the heart of a forest that seemed to breathe with a life of its own. Towering trees, their trunks as wide as small houses, stretched upward like ancient sentinels, their canopies blotting out the sun and casting the forest floor in a mosaic of dim light and shadow. The ground beneath my boots was uneven, a treacherous mix of slippery slopes, jagged debris, and thick underbrush that seemed to writhe with unseen life. Every step felt like a negotiation with the earth itself, as if the forest was testing my resolve. The air was thick with the scent of damp soil and decaying leaves, and the occasional rustle of bushes hinted at the presence of creatures—some harmless, others undoubtedly venomous or worse. This was no ordinary forest; it was a realm of monsters, a place where the unprepared didn't last long.

I glanced down at my uniform, the crisp fabric of my rookie swordsmanship attire now smudged with dirt and sweat. The sheathed sword at my waist felt reassuringly heavy, a tangible reminder of the countless hours I'd spent training. My fingers brushed the hilt briefly, and I straightened my posture, a confident smile tugging at my lips. 

'This much doesn't scare me anymore,' I thought, pride swelling in my chest. The fear that once gripped me in situations like this had dulled, replaced by a quiet determination. I wasn't the same person I'd been when I first arrived in this world. I'd grown stronger, sharper, more resilient. And yet, as I looked ahead at the man leading the way, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of unease. Not because of the forest or its dangers, but because of 'him'.

Ace—my older brother—was a walking contradiction. He moved with a languid grace, his casual clothes and messy black hair giving him the appearance of someone who couldn't care less about the world around him. But I knew better. Those sharp amethyst eyes of his missed nothing, and the lazy demeanor was a mask, one he wore so well it was almost convincing. Almost.

He turned his head slightly, glancing back at me with a smirk that was equal parts teasing and knowing. "I didn't expect this either," he said, his voice heavy with mock seriousness as he imitated our father, Duke Aleric. "But it was inevitable. I've been taking too many holidays from the academy lately. Dad probably thought, 'If he's going to waste his time, he might as well train Vanitas.'" He paused, his tone shifting to something more genuine. "Though, honestly, I'd rather have Uncle Joan here instead of me. That man knows how to handle a forest better than I do."

I rolled my eyes. "You only act hardworking in front of Father," I said, my voice laced with amusement. "And let's be honest, you don't want to go to the academy because you think it's too much of a hassle, right, Ace?"

He didn't answer, but the way his shoulders shook with silent laughter told me everything I needed to know. It was true. Ace was a genius, but he was also the laziest person I'd ever met. He had inherited all of our father's talents—his strategic mind, his natural aptitude for swordsmanship, his charisma—but he wielded them like a man who couldn't be bothered to lift a finger unless absolutely necessary. In the game, he'd been portrayed as a hardworking prodigy, but here, in this reality, he was more interested in avoiding battles than winning them. And yet, somehow, he always came out on top. His plans were flawless, his execution impeccable. It was infuriating and impressive in equal measure.

As I followed him deeper into the forest, my thoughts wandered. In the six months since I'd been thrust into this world—a world I once knew only as a game—I'd learned more than I ever could have imagined. The first revelation was Ace himself. He wasn't the relentless, hardworking genius the game had made him out to be. No, he was a lazy, cunning opportunist who'd rather scheme his way out of a fight than raise his sword. And yet, his brilliance was undeniable. He had a way of manipulating situations—and people—to his advantage, and I'd fallen victim to it more times than I cared to admit. Like the time he'd convinced me to sell potions for him, a venture that had gone exactly as he'd planned, leaving me both impressed and slightly resentful.

The second revelation was Ms. Alice. She hadn't existed in the game, but here, she was as real as the sword at my side. The daughter of the head butler, Mr. Roosevelt, she carried an air of mystery, her relationship with her father strained in ways I couldn't quite understand. I'd considered prying, but something told me it was better to stay out of it. Family matters were complicated, and I had enough of my own to deal with.

The third and fourth revelations were about our parents and the duchy itself. In the game, their strength had been downplayed, their roles limited to the tutorial and the first stage's conclusion. But here, they were forces to be reckoned with—powerful, complex, and utterly human. And the Eastern Land of Syche, though still teetering on the edge of decline, was far more prosperous than the game had portrayed. It was a reminder that this world, for all its similarities to the game, was its own entity, full of nuances and contradictions.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sharp crack of a branch beneath my boot. I blinked, refocusing on the present. Ace had stopped walking and was looking back at me, his expression unreadable.

"You've been quiet for a while," he said, his voice light but probing. "Nervous?"

I shook my head, my smile returning. "Not a chance. After all that training, a few monsters don't scare me."

He chuckled, turning back to the path. "Good. Because if you die out here, it'll be embarrassing for both of us."

I rolled my eyes again but couldn't suppress a grin. Nervous? Maybe a little. But more than that, I was determined. I had the knowledge of a gamer and the skills of a trained swordsman. I wasn't going to let this world—or its monsters—defeat me. Not when I still had so much to accomplish. Not when I still had a way to find my way back home.

'This is just another challenge,' I thought, my grip tightening on the hilt of my sword. 'And I'm ready for it.'

***

We continued our trek deeper into the forest, the dense canopy above us filtering the sunlight into scattered beams that danced across the uneven ground. Ace led the way, his pace unhurried, almost infuriatingly casual. My irritation grew with every step. How long were we going to wander aimlessly before encountering a single monster? The anticipation was gnawing at me, mixing with a growing sense of impatience.

"Anyway, when are we going to get there?" I finally asked, my voice tinged with frustration.

Ace stopped abruptly, his hands slipping into the pockets of his black pants. For a moment, he stood there, silent and still, as if considering my question. Then, without warning, a bright blue-white light erupted from his pocket, illuminating the dim forest around us. I blinked, startled, as he withdrew his hand—and with it, a wooden chair. 

*What the…?* My jaw dropped as I stared at the chair, now placed comfortably on a patch of relatively flat ground. He sat down, crossing his legs with an air of nonchalance, as if summoning furniture from his pocket was the most natural thing in the world.

"A monster—a damn giant wolf—is coming your way!" he announced cheerfully, leaning back in his chair. "I'll be cheering you on from here!"

My body froze, my instincts kicking in before my mind could fully process his words. My hand flew to the hilt of my sword, unsheathing it in one swift motion as I dropped into a defensive stance. 

"Why would you tell me so suddenly?!" I shouted, my voice cracking slightly as my palms began to sweat. My heart pounded in my chest, the weight of the impending fight settling over me like a heavy cloak.

*I'm confident. I can kill it. I can do this.* I repeated the mantra in my head, over and over, until a shaky smile crept onto my face. I forced myself to breathe deeply, calming the storm of nerves raging inside me. I was ready. I had trained for this. I could handle a wolf, no matter how big it was.

But then I felt it—a shift in the air, an oppressive, almost tangible pressure that seemed to seep into my very bones. It was coming from ahead, through the thicket of trees. My eyes locked onto the shadows, searching for movement. And then I saw it: a silhouette, massive and menacing, emerging from the darkness. It moved with a predatory grace, its form becoming clearer with every step.

"Vanitas! Vanitas! Vanitas!" Ace's voice rang out, his cheers echoing through the forest. "Good luck! I know you can do it!" His presence seemed to fade into the background, as if he'd somehow become one with the shadows, leaving me alone to face the beast.

"This isn't the time for cheering, you stealth-skill idiot!" I snapped, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound brave.

The monster stepped into the light, and my breath caught in my throat. It was a Night Wolf, its sleek black fur matted with dried blood, its crimson eyes burning with a feral hunger. It was enormous—three times the size of any wolf I'd ever seen, even in pictures or videos. Its ribs showed through its thin frame, a testament to its starvation, but its muscles rippled with raw power. This wasn't just a wolf; it was a predator, a force of nature, and it was looking at me like I was its next meal.

*An Mature Night Wolf… of all the monsters, why did it have to be this one?* My confidence wavered, the mantra in my head faltering. *I can do this. I can do this. I can…*

The wolf growled, a low, guttural sound that sent shivers down my spine. Its eyes locked onto mine, and in that moment, I felt something primal awaken within me—a deep, instinctive fear that threatened to paralyze me. My hands trembled violently, the weight of my sword suddenly feeling unbearable. My body felt heavy, as if the fear itself was pressing me into the ground.

*No… I can't do this. I can't do this…* The thought crept in, unbidden, as I took a step back, then another. My heart raced, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The wolf advanced slowly, its movements deliberate, almost mocking. It didn't see me as a threat; I was prey, and it knew it.

I closed my eyes for a moment, forcing myself to take a deep breath. I couldn't let fear control me. I shifted my weight onto my lead foot, tightening my grip on the sword until my knuckles turned white. 

"Release!" I shouted, more to myself than anyone else. I surged forward, not quite running but leaping in long, purposeful strides to close the distance. My sword extended, the tip aimed at the wolf's chest. I focused everything I had into the strike, channeling all my training, all my determination, into one precise thrust.

But the wolf was faster. With a flick of its massive paw, it swatted me aside like I was nothing. The force of the blow sent me flying, my body slamming into a tree with a sickening crunch. Pain exploded through my side, and the world spun as I crumpled to the ground, my sword slipping from my grasp.

Here's a revised and enhanced version of your excerpt, with improved **descriptive language**, **emotional depth**, **flow and pacing**, **tone**, and **character insight**. I've also worked on making it more vivid and engaging while maintaining the original intent and voice of your story:

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"AAAHHH!!!" I screamed, the pain searing through my body like a wildfire. My bones felt shattered, my muscles torn, and I was pinned against the tree, unable to move. The world blurred around me, my vision swimming with tears of agony and fear.

'I'm going to die. I'm going to die. I'm going to die.' The thought looped in my mind, a relentless drumbeat of terror. I had never experienced pain like this before—it was overwhelming, all-consuming. I tried to call out to Ace, to beg for help, but my voice was trapped in my throat, strangled by the sheer weight of my fear.

The Night Wolf let out a low, guttural howl, its crimson eyes gleaming with a cruel satisfaction. It was toying with me, savoring the moment before it claimed its prey. I could only watch, paralyzed, as it stalked closer, drool dripping from its jagged maw. The metallic tang of blood and the stench of its breath filled the air, making my stomach churn.

'I don't want to die! I don't want to die!' I screamed inside my head, my body trembling uncontrollably. The wolf's massive frame loomed over me, its hunger palpable. I was helpless, utterly at its mercy.

Then, out of nowhere, a glass bottle shattered against the tree above me, dousing me in a cool, glowing liquid. The potion seeped into my skin, and almost instantly, a faint green light enveloped my body. The pain began to recede, my broken bones knitting themselves back together, my torn muscles healing. The trembling stopped, and I could breathe again. I slid down from the tree, my feet hitting the ground with a soft thud.

The Night Wolf snarled, its attention snapping to the direction the bottle had come from. Its nostrils flared as it sniffed the air, searching for the intruder who had interrupted its meal.

I stood shakily, my eyes darting to my iron long sword lying near the base of the tree. *A green light from a potion that healed me without drinking it?* My mind raced. "A B-rank splash potion…" I muttered under my breath as I picked up my sword.

"You're correct, you idiot," Ace's voice cut through the tension. He appeared between me and the wolf, his back to me as he fiddled with the chair, trying to shove it back into his pocket. "Ah… this fit before… Ahem. Anyway, I thought you might've changed, but you're still the same coward. Listen up, Vanitas. You made three mistakes. First, you broke the respect commandment of Dad's swordsmanship. Second, you let your emotions overwhelm you and closed your eyes in a life-or-death situation. And third, you charged in with the wrong tactics. Amateur mistakes, really."

'The respect commandment?' I thought frantically. 'Is he talking about bowing to your enemy before a fight? But this is a monster! Why would I—'

The Night Wolf growled, its focus shifting to Ace, but one sharp glare from him silenced it. The beast hesitated, its predatory confidence wavering.

Suddenly, Ace was behind me, his hands gripping mine to adjust my hold on the sword. "Don't grip it too hard, or you'll lose your wrist. Don't grip it too loose, or you'll lose your sword," he instructed, his voice calm but firm.

I glanced at the wolf, which looked as confused as I was. Then, without warning, Ace grabbed my head, forcing me into a bow. "Repeat after me: 'May the grace of the moon be with me.'"

I stammered, "M-May the grace of the moon be with me…"

He released me and stepped back. "Now, take your stance and aim for its head or eyes. Use 'Stab' by launching yourself into the air with mana. Since you can't use aura yet, this is your best bet. Oh, and don't bother blinking—I've prohibited it."

I tried to blink, but my eyelids refused to obey. Before I could protest, Ace smacked the back of my head. "Focus. Look forward."

The Night Wolf, now consumed by fear, lunged at us. My hands trembled as I remembered the pain of its earlier strike, but I forced myself to steady my breathing. I took a step back, then forward, extending the tip of my sword.

This time, I didn't shout. Instead, I imagined a powerful gust of wind beneath my feet, gathering mana to propel myself upward. "Oh mother of all divine, give me the strength of the breeze!" I cast the spell silently, and in an instant, I was launched into the air like a rocket, soaring high above the forest floor.

The world spun as I reached the apex of my jump, the ground far below me. I could see the wolf looking up, its crimson eyes wide with fear—not of me, but of Ace. I activated the magic circle on my right hand, commanding it to envelop my body and sword in a protective glow.

As I began to descend, my body moved almost on its own, the sword thrusting forward in a perfect 'Pierce.' The blade struck the wolf's forehead with a sickening crunch, dealing a critical blow. I landed safely a few feet away, my heart pounding as I turned to see the wolf collapse, unconscious but not yet dead.

Ace was cheering from the sidelines, his grin infuriatingly wide. *Let's set that aside for now,* I thought, my mind racing. 'I need to find a way to condense my mana more effectively. That attack should've been a one-shot kill.'

I approached the fallen wolf, my sword pointed at its head. Now that it lay motionless, I could see the scars marring its emaciated body. It was so thin, its ribs protruding sharply, reminding me of Vanitas's frail form when I first arrived in this world. It looked like it hadn't eaten properly in months.

"You might've killed humans, and now I've killed you. It's… equal, I guess," I mumbled, my voice trembling. My hands shook as I hesitated, sweat dripping down my face.

Suddenly, Ace's hand closed over mine, forcing the sword downward. The blade pierced the wolf's skull with a sickening squelch, its thick, sticky blood splattering across my face and uniform. A wave of guilt washed over me, my stomach churning at the sight.

"Look at that! Your first kill! You're a natural, Vanitas. Maybe I should retire and let you do all the work, huh?" Ace said, still holding my hand. His tone was light, almost teasing, but it did little to ease the turmoil inside me.

I stared at the blood on my sword, my voice barely a whisper. "I… I—"

Ace wiped the blood from my face with his sleeve, as if it were nothing. "Well, now that you've done it, there's no going back. Welcome to the world of monster slaying!"

I glared at him, my voice shaky but defiant. "That's not helping."

He shrugged, patting me on the back. "Hey, at least you didn't blink. That's progress."

With a clap, Ace announced, "Alright, since you're officially a monster slayer now, I'll leave the next one to you. I'll just sit back on my chair and watch, sipping imaginary tea."

I froze. "What do you mean, 'next one'?"

Ace's expression turned serious, his usual smirk fading. "Listen, Vanitas. Fear is normal. But you're not going to survive in this world if you let it control you. You've trained for months. You've got skill, and you've got me. Now stop shaking and focus—because the next time you hesitate, the thing in front of you won't wait for you to be ready."

"But what do you mean by 'next one'? Am I going to hunt another monster like this? And… were you controlling my body when I was falling and stabbing the wolf?" I asked, my voice tinged with concern.

Ace looked momentarily surprised, then nodded. "The Night Wolf was a D-rank, despite its size. You managed to defeat it, so that's something. Anyway, let's head to a goblin hut next. A pack of E-rank goblins should be a good warm-up."

'He may be a lunatic…' I thought, but I didn't say it out loud. Instead, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever came next.

***

Under the towering shadows of the ancient trees, their massive trunks stretching endlessly toward the sky, I couldn't help but think about how utterly useless my elder brother was. 

"Why am I even doing this?" I muttered under my breath, adjusting my stance and tightening my grip on the iron long sword. My eyes scanned the scene before me: a pack of grotesque, dwarf-like humanoid monsters with faces so hideous they could rival my own back when I was Park Sohyun. 

Goblins. The most common and supposedly easiest monsters in any fantasy novel. Their bulging eyes, grotesquely long noses, and green, slimy skin made them look like something out of a nightmare. And yet, here they were, ten of them, each clutching a crudely sharpened bone as a weapon. Their beady eyes locked onto me, filled with a mix of hunger and malice that made my skin crawl.

I glanced over my shoulder at Ace, who was lounging on his wooden chair, sipping imaginary tea with an infuriatingly relaxed expression. "Look ahead! They're going to attack!" he called out, his tone far too casual for the situation.

I turned back to the goblins, activating the magic circle on my right hand. The faint glow spread across my body and sword, wrapping me in a protective mana. 'A good attack strategy, you say, Ace?' I thought, my mind racing. 

Since each goblin was only E-rank, facing them all at once would be suicide. Instead, I planned to strike from behind—stab the nearest one to create confusion, then quickly decapitate two more before they could react. Rinse and repeat until the pack was wiped out.

One of the goblins—let's call him Goblin 1—let out a guttural screech and charged at me, raising its sharpened bone high. I took a deep breath, channeling mana into my legs, and in an instant, I was behind him. My sword moved in a blur, stabbing Goblin 1 multiple times before he even realized what had happened. He crumpled to the ground, lifeless, his blood staining my blade.

The other nine goblins turned to me, their eyes widening in shock and rage. They lunged at me as one, their movements chaotic but fast. My heart pounded, but for the first time, I felt a flicker of confidence. 'This feels like when I defeated the first boss in the game,' I thought. 'I can do this.'

Goblins 3 and 4 hurled their bone weapons at me like spears. I dodged with a quick sidestep, then darted behind them. "Guess what? You two are next," I muttered under my breath. With a swift, precise slash, I severed both their heads in one fluid motion. They dropped to the ground, their lifeless bodies twitching.

Goblin 2 tried to attack me next, hurling its weapon in a desperate attempt to strike. I sidestepped again, cutting off its arm before driving my sword through its skull. But just as I thought I was gaining the upper hand, Goblin 5 managed to stab my calf with its crude weapon. Pain shot through my leg, and I stumbled back, retreating to put some distance between us.

Blood dripped from the wound, but I didn't have time to dwell on it. I raised my hand, focusing my mana. "Oh mother of all, burn those sinners who have killed your children!" I chanted, casting a flame spell. A massive red magic circle appeared beneath the remaining six goblins, its intricate design glowing with three concentric rings. The air around us grew hot, and the ground began to crackle with energy.

"Release!" I shouted.

The magic circle erupted in a towering inferno of blue flames, engulfing the goblins in an instant. Their agonized screams filled the air, but they were quickly drowned out by the roar of the fire. The flames burned so intensely that even the trees around us caught fire, their leaves curling and blackening in the heat.

I stood there, panting, as the flames consumed everything in their path. The ground beneath the fire had turned to molten lava, and the forest was now a blazing inferno. "Over," I said, dispelling the magic circle. But the damage was done—the forest was burning.

Ace appeared beside me, clapping slowly with that infuriating grin of his. "Well… I was going to congratulate you, but it seems like you just declared war on nature." He tossed a green glass bottle at me, and it shattered against my head, dousing me in healing potion. The wound on my calf closed instantly, the pain fading away.

"Hell, idiot! Smashing a potion on my head hurts!" I snapped, glaring at him.

He chuckled, still clapping. "Congratulations, little Vanitas! Not only did you slay some goblins, but you also became an environmental disaster." He threw an arm around my shoulder, his tone teasing but oddly proud. "Seriously though, that was impressive! You went from struggling with one monster to frying six in one shot. I'm proud of you, kid."

Then, pointing at the burning trees, he added, "Though… maybe next time, let's try *not* setting the entire forest on fire? Unless you're planning to add 'Arsonist' to your list of achievements."

I groaned, realizing the extent of the damage. The blue flames were spreading rapidly, threatening to consume the entire forest. *The high quality of my mana has made even simple spells too effective,* I thought, sighing in frustration.

I raised my hands toward the sky, trying to recall the storm magic I had used in the field before. "Oh mother of all divine, bring a storm quickly to save these trees from burning!" I chanted, hoping it would work. 

Yes, I had forgotten the exact incantation I'd used before, but as long as it started with "Oh mother of all divine" and ended with my intent, it usually worked. The air around us grew heavy, and dark clouds began to gather overhead. 

Four massive blue magic circles materialized in the sky, their intricate designs glowing with an otherworldly light. The sheer scale of the spell was staggering—it covered the entire forest, and I wouldn't have been surprised if the circles were visible all the way from the manor. As the circles pulsed with energy, I felt a sharp drain on my mana core, half of it vanishing in an instant. 

I turned to Ace, who was already staring at me with a blank, unreadable expression. "Oopsie Doopsie… I might've made a tiny mistake," I said, forcing a nervous laugh.

Ace glanced at the sky, then back at me, his face still eerily calm. "Tiny mistake? Vanitas, this is the definition of an 'Oopsie Doopsie.'"

The air grew heavy, the kind of stillness that precedes chaos. A single drop of water landed on my forehead, cold and sharp. Another hit Ace's face. We both looked up at the same time, our eyes widening as the first rumble of thunder echoed in the distance.

"In my opinion," I said quickly, "running is the best option. I don't know how to undo the spell."

Ace's expression didn't change, but his tone was dripping with sarcasm. "Your opinion is quite right, Oopsie Doopsie."

Before I could respond, he grabbed the back of my uniform and took off at an inhuman speed. The force of the wind whipped around me, my body flailing like a ragdoll as Ace sprinted through the forest. The storm broke overhead, and the rain came down in torrents. It wasn't just rain—it was a deluge, each drop hitting like a needle, icy cold and laced with traces of my mana. The temperature plummeted, the water near freezing, and the wind howled like a beast unleashed.

Trees bent and snapped under the pressure, their trunks splintering like twigs. Monsters—goblins, wolves, and other creatures—were swept into the air, their terrified screeches lost in the roar of the storm. Strangely, the animals seemed unaffected. I caught a glimpse of a deer standing calmly under the rain, completely unbothered, as if this were just another day in the forest.

But the real problem wasn't the rain or the wind. It was what came next.

"Ace…" I shouted over the noise, my voice barely audible.

"Shut up! I need to concentrate on my aura, or my speed will drop!" he snapped, his focus entirely on the path ahead.

"There's a flood following us!" I yelled, my voice rising in panic.

"The hell—?" Ace glanced over his shoulder, and his eyes widened. Behind us, a wall of water two meters tall surged through the forest, carrying with it massive boulders, uprooted trees, and a chaotic mix of monsters clinging desperately to whatever they could find. The flood roared like a living thing, devouring everything in its path.

Ace cursed under his breath and poured more energy into his aura, his speed increasing exponentially. The world blurred around us as we raced ahead, the flood gaining ground with every second.

"Poor deer," I muttered, clasping my hands together in a quick prayer. "He couldn't chill anymore…"

"Fuck you—!!!" Ace shouted, his voice strained as he pushed himself to the limit.

I couldn't help but smirk despite the situation. 'This is what you get for being a lazy genius,' I thought. Though, to be fair, I was the one who'd caused this mess. An 'Oopsie Doopsie' indeed.

***