The forest blurred around them.
Trees shattered apart as the Divine Beast moved through the darkness like a silver-black storm.
Kael followed closely behind using Shadow Step repeatedly, barely keeping pace.
Lyra struggled to keep up.
“…This is insane…”
BOOM.
Another explosion echoed ahead.
This one closer.
The smell reached them next.
Blood.
Burned mana.
And something worse.
Decay.
The system flickered violently.
====================
Corrupted Mana Density Increasing
Warning: Mental Contamination Possible
====================
Kael narrowed his eyes.
“…Mental contamination?”
The Divine Beast’s voice echoed in his mind while running.
“Do not allow the corruption to enter your core.”
Kael replied internally.
“…What exactly is corruption?”
The beast answered immediately.
“Failed mana.”
A pause.
“Mana that devours instead of nourishes.”
The forest ahead suddenly opened into a destroyed clearing.
And Kael stopped instantly.
The ground was blackened.
Trees twisted unnaturally like they had melted and hardened again.
Several academy hunters lay injured across the clearing.
Some dead.
Some barely breathing.
And at the center—
Something moved.
Lyra’s face turned pale.
“…What… is that?”
It looked humanoid.
But wrong.
Its skin was cracked with glowing purple veins.
One arm had transformed into a massive claw-like structure.
Dark mana leaked from its body continuously.
Its eyes glowed empty black.
The system flickered violently.
====================
Corrupted Entity Detected
Former Classification: Human Mage
Current Classification: Corrupted Vessel
Threat Rank: Rare Mage — Mid Stage
====================
Kael’s expression hardened slightly.
“…It was human.”
The creature suddenly turned toward them.
Then screamed.
SKREEEEEEE—
The sound alone distorted the air.
Lyra covered her ears instantly.
“…That sound…!”
The Divine Beast growled deeply.
Pure killing intent flooded the clearing.
“Filth.”
The corrupted entity lunged.
FAST.
Faster than the Nightfang wolves.
Kael reacted instantly.
Shadow Step.
WHOOSH.
The claw barely missed his chest.
BOOM!
The ground exploded where he had stood.
Kael appeared behind it.
Shadow Strike.
CLASH!
The corrupted creature blocked it with unnatural speed.
Kael’s eyes narrowed.
“…Strong.”
The system reacted immediately.
====================
Combat Analysis Active
Corrupted Mana Interference Detected
Recommendation: Destroy Core Region
====================
Kael’s gaze shifted toward the creature’s chest.
A glowing purple crystal pulsed beneath its skin.
“…There.”
The corrupted entity screamed again and charged.
But this time—
the Divine Beast moved.
BOOM!!!
The ground shattered beneath its paw.
The beast slammed into the corrupted entity with terrifying force.
CRACK!
The creature was thrown through multiple trees instantly.
Lyra stared in shock.
“…That thing is monstrous…”
Kael quietly replied:
“…It held back against us.”
The Divine Beast stepped forward slowly.
Golden eyes burning with disgust.
“Corruption spreads faster now.”
Kael looked toward the injured hunters.
One of them weakly raised a hand.
“…Run…”
Blood spilled from his mouth.
“…It infects…”
Suddenly—
the injured hunter screamed.
Purple veins spread across his neck instantly.
Lyra’s eyes widened.
“…Kael!”
The system flashed red.
====================
Corruption Spread Detected
Immediate Termination Recommended
====================
Kael froze for a fraction of a second.
The hunter looked directly at him.
Fear.
Pain.
Desperation.
“…Please…”
Then his body twisted violently.
Bones cracked.
Mana exploded outward.
Another corrupted vessel was forming.
Lyra stepped backward.
“…No…”
Kael’s shadow moved instinctively.
Not out of fear.
Out of decision.
Shadow Step.
WHOOSH.
Kael appeared directly in front of the transforming hunter.
A single shadow blade formed silently in his hand.
The hunter’s trembling eyes met his.
“…Thank…”
SHINK.
The blade pierced through the corrupted crystal instantly.
The body collapsed.
Silence.
The system flickered softly.
====================
Corrupted Vessel Eliminated
Shadow Points +40
====================
Kael stared quietly at the fallen hunter.
No emotion on his face.
But Lyra noticed his hand tighten slightly.
The Divine Beast watched him carefully.
“You chose quickly.”
Kael replied calmly.
“…He was already gone.”
The beast’s golden eyes narrowed slightly.
“Yet you hesitated.”
Silence.
Kael looked toward the deeper forest.
More corrupted mana signatures were appearing.
Dozens.
The system reacted violently.
====================
WARNING!!!
Large-Scale Corruption Zone Detected
Emergency Quest Updated: Discover Source of Corruption
Time Sensitivity: CRITICAL
====================
The Divine Beast growled deeply.
For the first time—
Kael sensed caution from it.
“The source has awakened.”
The forest trembled violently.
Then—
A massive roar echoed from far deeper within the woods.
Not beast.
Not human.
Something worse.
Something ancient.
Kael’s shadow pulsed beneath him.
And for the first time since receiving the system—
he felt genuine danger.