The Forest 3
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The Twelfth Day:
Karsu emerged from the cave, his eyes blazing with determination to claim all the forest's treasures and maximize this expedition's gains. His steps were swift, his heart pounding *thud-thud* as he sought precious herbs that would alter the course of his battles. Suddenly, he glimpsed the shimmering *Jaw-wa-Ji* rose nestled among foliage and muttered:
"This is it! Not just a body-enhancing rose—it's the Flame Qaz's sustenance from the Book!"
He swiftly gathered enough to illuminate the night's darkness, then discovered another rare rose called *Kaw-wa-Ki*, used to brew elixirs that sharpen and calm the mind. With a faint smile, Karsu whispered:
"Here's the Water Qaz's favorite meal."
But Karsu knew power wasn't built on gathering alone. He stirred action:
"Shadow Qaz, extinguish the beasts' eyes!"
A thick black fog engulfed the area, spreading hundreds of meters—only Karsu could see through it. Suddenly, strategic flames erupted around him, not to destroy but to pierce the gloom with light.
"What the...? Damn those motherfucking beasts! Even during mating season?!"
Karsu retreated nimbly, using *Healing Qaz* to mend minor burns from the flames.
"Damn it! I knew beasts evolved, but here? In a zone with only 100% aura density? What horrors await the Imperial forests then?!"
"Grooooooaaaaaaar!"
A monster's roar charged toward Karsu at insane speed.
"Huh? A Grout? That skull-class beast?"
As he spoke, the fog around him burst, revealing the Grout—a four-meter-tall monstrosity with wrinkled, bluish skin, sparse facial hair, silver scalp, and stubby arms (1.5 meters) tipped with razor-sharp, earth-stained brown claws—a subterranean burrower.
Karsu found refuge in a narrow rock passage, cornering the Grout. In ruthless defiance, he activated *Light Qaz* to blur its vision, then lunged with *Steelthread Qaz* cables.
"This strike's for delaying me, you son of a whore!" he roared, slicing toward the beast.
A critical strike severely wounded the Grout's eye, triggering a deafening screech as it retreated.
"Kaaaaaahahahaaaa!"
Seizing the moment, Karsu transformed into a light beam and fled the remaining beasts, declaring:
"No place for me here now!"
Exiting the forest's depths, he paused to regroup. His body ached, battle-scarred, yet he knew the adventure wasn't over.
"We must grow stronger... The Thousand-Year Book awaits," he muttered, heading to the cave marked by *Glow Qaz* traces.
In the secretive darkness, he meticulously arranged his rare roses: *Jaw-wa-Ji* and *Kaw-wa-Ki*. Holding *Jaw-wa-Ji* in his right palm like treasured loot, he meditated—legs crossed, hands on thighs—as warmth surged through him, reigniting inner flames.
"Now I command Flame Qaz... Flames exceeding 1000 degrees!" he declared, pride blazing.
In his left hand, *Kaw-wa-Ki* suffused him with cool breezes, granting water manipulation for offense and defense.
Without delay, he began replenishing his aura and mental sea through *Habb* breathing exercises—each inhale a vow of power, each exhale shedding battle's weight.
After hours of refinement, Karsu emerged reborn—spirit resolute, face defiant.
"Damn it! My energy stones are depleted!!" he yelled, gazing at the horizon where each step neared his awaited glory.
The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Days:
Disguised in an Ashvank mask and camouflaged attire, Karsu infiltrated the city at night, hiding in slums to avoid suspicion.
"No money, no shelter, no food for me or the Qaz. Only *Glow Qaz* and Quranoos don't need feeding—the rest will weaken without sustenance."
His initial plan—robbing wealthy homes—proved tough. Mansions had tight security, sometimes guarded by Qaz Masters.
Karsu surveilled affluent districts using *Glow Qaz* for stealth and long-range vision, tracking guard rotations and Qaz Masters' visits.
Days later, he attempted infiltration but triggered a tier-two detection ward. Though tier-five arrays were child's play to him, he retreated to avoid noise.
Realizing even "backward" lands demanded caution, Karsu pivoted: extortion and deception would fund his rise.