Chapter 7 THE FORBIDDEN FOREST

I examined the body of the hunter I had just killed. It contained basic leather armor, a small knife, rope, a water bottle, some dried food, and most interestingly, a crumpled piece of paper. I unfolded it, revealing a rough map. It was a forested area, with several red crosses and a large circle in the deepest area. The target's location, interesting. I took a closer look; there was small writing at the bottom.

Core Zone - No Entry

I chuckled.

"If it's written that it's prohibited, that's usually the main goal."

As a universal rule of fantasy stories, I put the map in my loot bag. It was very useful, and the hunter's items were quite helpful too.

I now have:

knife

water bottle

small pouch

little rations

Upgrade storage, I really like it. After ensuring there was nothing else of use, I continued on my way. The new target was clear: the core zone. If so many people were searching there, it meant both great reward and great risk. Balanced, I walked deeper. The trees began to change: their trunks grew larger, the leaves darker, their roots protruded like giant snakes, and the fog grew thicker. My Minor Mana Sense gave me an uneasy feeling; the energy in this area was much denser. Wilder, like the forest itself was alive. It wasn't impossible, I sighed.

"Okay."

"Hopefully no trees will suddenly start talking."

I had just finished speaking when the branch in my hand gave a small throb, I stared at the Thorny Branch.

"...I'm not giving ideas."

Please don't. A few minutes later, a rumbling sound could be heard in the distance. I stopped immediately, the sound of heavy footsteps, very heavy. The ground shook slightly, not ideal. I crouched down and focused, my Mana Sense picking up something. A large, very large dot was approaching. Okay, time to hide. I quickly climbed up a large root and hid behind a tree trunk. A few seconds later, something appeared, and I immediately understood why this area was called forbidden.

The monster was nearly three meters tall, with a gorilla-like body, stone-gray skin, massive arms, short horns, and glowing yellow eyes. It seemed evolution had forgotten about subtlety.

A notification appears.

Stoneback Ape Lv.18

Danger: High

I stared at the number.

"Eighteen?"

I was now level 11, not too far off at all. A stone gorilla walked through the area carrying something. I squinted, human bones. Ah, a variety of food, good to know. I held my breath until the monster left. Several minutes, a long time. Once its footsteps were gone, I slowly descended.

"Notes."

"Don't mess with the rock gorilla."

With the knowledge gained, I chose a detour. It was much safer, or at least less likely to lead to suicide. The sun began to set, evening approaching, and that's when I discovered something else.

Ruins, I stopped. In the middle of the dense forest, hidden behind roots and moss, stood an ancient stone structure. Half-destroyed, the pillars cracked, and the stairs descended underground. As the level increased drastically, I slowly approached. My Minor Mana Sense immediately reacted strongly, a powerful energy emanating from below. Oh, a jackpot? Perhaps a death trap? High possibility, I stood in front of the stairs. Thinking rationally: entering a mysterious dungeon alone was a bad idea.

In the typical fantasy protagonist vein, of course I entered. I descended the stairs, the air growing cold, damp, and dark. I activated Ember Slash for a bit of light, the small flame at the end of a Thorny Branch helping quite a bit. The stone hallway stretched out, the walls covered in strange symbols. The language was unknown, or perhaps too ancient. I walked cautiously, my footsteps echoing.

After a few minutes, the hallway opened into a circular room, and in the center stood a stone altar. Atop it lay something, a small black box. Simple, minimalist, and suspicious. Its mana was so strong that I slowly approached. There were no traps visible. Meaning, there was definitely a trap. I used Root Snare around the altar, the roots touching the floor, but there was no reaction. Hmm, maybe it's safe? I reached out, and just as my finger was about to touch it, a notification box popped up.

Hidden Trial Detected.

Condition:

Defeat guardian.

I closed my eyes for a moment.

"Of course."

It won't be that easy, a cracking sound was heard.

CRACK.

I turned around, and the stone statue in the corner of the room began to move, its red eyes glowing. Oh come on, the Guardian trope activated. The statue stood fully erect, humanoid, stone armor, and a greatsword.

A notification appears.

Ancient Stone Guardian Lv.14

I stared at him. Level 14? Still higher. But not as bad as the gorilla earlier, perhaps manageable. The guardian raised his sword, a heavy aura filling the room. I gripped the Thorny Branch and took a breath. Alright, first dungeon, first boss fight, mysterious reward. Very much in keeping with the genre, I smiled faintly.

"Let's see."

"Is the box a corresponding trauma?"

Guardian attacks.

The fight begins.

[END CHAPTER 7]