Into the Dark Forest

[Empire Calendar 421, 4th Month, 30th]

After I woke up from the dream, the eerie remnants of it still lingered in my mind.

I took a deep breath and tried to shake it off. There was no time for it.

I had to continue my journey to the Dark Forest.

After bathing and dressing, I made my way down to the inn's ground floor. The sound of clinking plates and murmured conversations filled the air. Aldric, ever the vigilant knight, saw me enter and waved me over.

"Come here, young master. Eat. We depart after the meal."

I nodded and sat down at the table. There were two chairs, one for me, and one for Aldric, who had already made himself comfortable.

A meal was set before me—roasted meat, chicken, and mashed potatoes. It tasted decent enough, though my mind wasn't on the food. It was on the journey ahead.

While eating, my thoughts wandered to the techniques I had learned from both Chun Ma and Chung Yung.

Leonard (thinking): How can I mix both techniques of Chun Ma and Chung Yung?

One was the dark and chaotic Demonic Qi, and the other, the pure, white Qi of the orthodox faction.

There had to be a way to merge them.

The technique of Yin and Yang that was mentioned in Chun Ma's memories came to mind.

I could use both powers, balance them… get stronger.

But even with all the memories and experiences from both, my body was too weak to handle the combination. The thought gnawed at me.

The Pulm Blossom Qi technique from Chung Yung specialized in defense, but its offensive power was a little lacking.

Meanwhile, Chun Ma's Heavenly Shattering Demon technique was better balanced—defense and offense both strong. But it also involved something akin to sorcery, and I wasn't sure if I could control it without tearing myself apart.

For now, I decided, the sword was my priority. My family's swordsmanship was rooted in the Pulm Blossom and Heavenly Shattering Demon Swordsmanship. Those were my best bets—at least until I grew stronger.

As I finished my meal, my thoughts began to settle. The knights had gathered in formation, preparing for departure. It was time to leave.

I stood up, and Aldric, always observant, raised an eyebrow. "Young master, are you feeling unwell?"

"No," I replied quickly. "I'm fine."

The journey was quiet for the most part. The sound of the carriage wheels on the cobblestone road was the only noise. The knights were scattered, riding ahead, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

But as we neared the Dark Forest, something changed. A chill settled in the air. I could feel it deep in my bones—the atmosphere had thickened, and I knew we were getting closer to something dangerous.

Before I could even ask, the first signs of trouble appeared.

Monsters.

They crept out from the edges of the road, their glowing eyes cutting through the shadows. Creatures of all shapes and sizes, some barely human, others like twisted animals. Their presence sent a wave of unease through me.

The knights moved quickly, dismounting with practiced ease. Aldric's sword blurred as he cut through the creatures with precision, his every move swift and deadly. The knights followed suit, each one handling the beasts with cold efficiency.

Once the last of the monsters fell, I couldn't help but ask, "Sir Aldric, where exactly are we going to stay in the Dark Forest?"

He looked at me with an unreadable expression before answering,

"Don't you know, young master? You're going to stay alone in a safe house deep within the Dark Forest. It's secure, but... you'll still be attacked from time to time."

I stared at him in shock. "WHATTTTTTT? You're telling me I'm going into the Dark Forest... alone?"

He nodded solemnly. "Yes, you are."

A cold sweat formed on my brow. "But but.… what about my food? My supplies?"

Without hesitation, Aldric answered, "We'll come by every so often to deliver supplies.

The Dark Forest is dangerous, but the safe house should offer you shelter. You'll be fine, young master."

I blinked. "Fine? You expect me to stay alone in that forest, surrounded by monsters, demonic creatures, and who knows what else? With only a safe house for protection?"

Aldric gave me a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You'll be fine, young master. You have my word."

I wanted to protest more, but there was no time. We had arrived at the forest's edge.

The towering trees loomed in the distance, their dark silhouettes stretching into the sky. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay.

The silence was unnerving, broken only by the occasional rustle of the wind through the branches.

I sighed, resigned. "Okay, I'll do it. But if anything happens, I'm holding you personally responsible."

Aldric gave a small nod, his face unreadable. "Of course, young master."

The knights formed a protective perimeter as we ventured deeper into the forest. The shadows grew longer, and the air grew heavier with each step we took.

The journey into the heart of the Dark Forest had officially begun.

As we neared the safe house, the attacks began again. Monsters, lurking just beyond the trees, appeared in rapid succession, each more dangerous than the last. But the knights fought them off with deadly precision. Despite the tension and the constant danger, I couldn't help but worry.

How am I going to survive here, alone in the Dark Forest, surrounded by creatures that could talk, high-ranked beasts, and who knows what else?

The thought was enough to make my stomach churn, but there was nothing I could do about it. We finally reached the safe house.

To say it was a safe house was an understatement. It looked more like a mansion.

A dark, imposing mansion, made entirely of black and grey stone. The windows were tall and narrow, casting an eerie shadow across the land.

It looked more like a fortress than a place for shelter.

The knights unloaded the supplies, carrying them into the mansion's storage house. Meanwhile, a small group of maids entered to clean the mansion, though the place seemed to resist any semblance of cheerfulness. There was something about it... a feeling of foreboding...that made me uneasy.

Days passed...

The knights brought in more supplies, and the maids worked tirelessly, cleaning the massive mansion. Finally, the time came for them to leave.

I stood at the entrance of the mansion, looking out over the dark forest. My thoughts were heavy, and I turned to Aldric, who was preparing to leave with the others.

"Sir Aldric, please say hello to my sister for me," I said, my voice steady, though inside, I felt a knot of unease tighten.

Aldric gave me a reassuring smile, though there was something in his eyes that made me feel uneasy.

"Of course, young master. We'll check in on you when we can."

With that, he and the knights mounted their horses, leaving me standing at the entrance of the mansion, alone in the heart of the Dark Forest.

The wind rustled through the trees, and for the first time since entering the forest, I felt a true sense of isolation. The journey had only just begun.

The End of the Chapter