The western supply tunnel smelled of rust and damp stone.
Kael moved quickly through the narrow passage while Lyra followed several steps behind, clearly regretting every decision that had brought her here.
“…This is still a terrible idea,” she whispered.
Kael replied calmly.
“Probably.”
“That answer is getting annoying.”
The system flickered faintly.
====================
Quest Timer Remaining: 09:52
Objective: Reach Outer Forest Before Barrier Lockdown
====================
Kael increased his speed.
The tunnel sloped upward before ending at a heavy iron gate covered in faded runes.
Beyond it—
darkness.
Real darkness.
Not the controlled lighting of the academy.
Forest darkness.
Alive darkness.
Kael pushed the gate open.
CREAK—
Cold wind rushed inside immediately.
Lyra stiffened.
“…I hate this already.”
Outside the tunnel, the academy barrier towered behind them like a glowing wall of blue light stretching into the sky.
Ahead lay the Outer Forest.
Massive trees twisted toward the heavens, their roots thick as buildings. Pale mist crawled between the trunks while strange glowing plants pulsed faintly beneath the undergrowth.
Everything felt… watching.
The system reacted instantly.
====================
New Area Discovered: Outer Forest — Edge Zone
Danger Rating: B-Rank Region
Quest Updated: Investigate Disturbance Source
Reward Increased: Shadow Points +150
====================
Kael narrowed his eyes slightly.
“…The atmosphere is unstable.”
Lyra looked around nervously.
“We should stay close to the barrier.”
Kael stared deeper into the woods.
“…The disturbance isn’t near the edge.”
Lyra frowned.
“Of course it isn’t.”
They moved carefully between the trees.
No insects chirped.
No birds flew overhead.
Only silence.
A dangerous silence.
Kael’s shadow shifted slightly beneath his feet.
The system flickered again.
====================
Warning: Multiple Lifeforms Nearby
Threat Assessment: Moderate
====================
CRACK.
A branch snapped nearby.
Lyra instantly raised her mana.
“…Something’s here.”
Red eyes appeared between the trees.
Then another.
Then several more.
Low growls echoed around them.
Nightfang Wolves.
Lean black-furred magical beasts with glowing crimson eyes and mana-coated claws.
The system analyzed immediately.
====================
Species: Nightfang Wolf
Rank: Common Beast — Peak Stage
Quantity: 7
====================
Lyra swallowed slightly.
“…Seven.”
Kael observed quietly.
The wolves were circling.
Coordinated.
Patient.
One suddenly lunged.
FAST.
Kael reacted instantly.
Shadow Step.
WHOOSH.
The wolf’s claws sliced through empty air.
Kael appeared beside it.
Shadow Strike.
BOOM!
The beast crashed into a nearby tree.
The others attacked immediately.
Lyra released a sharp wind blade.
SHING!
One wolf cried out as blood sprayed across the ground.
But another appeared behind her instantly.
Kael moved.
Shadow Step.
CLASH!
His shadow barrier blocked the claws barely in time.
CRACK.
The barrier fractured slightly.
Kael’s eyes narrowed.
“…Stronger than expected.”
The wolves retreated briefly, circling again.
Studying.
Adapting.
The system flickered.
====================
Combat Quest Activated
Objective: Eliminate Nightfang Pack
Bonus Reward: First Beast Core
====================
Kael exhaled slowly.
“…Beast core.”
Suddenly—
A roar echoed deeper within the forest.
LOUD.
Ancient.
The wolves froze instantly.
Fear appeared in their eyes.
Then—
they ran.
Not injured.
Terrified.
Lyra stared after them.
“…What scared magical beasts like that?”
The system flashed violently.
====================
WARNING!!!
Unknown High-Rank Entity Detected
Threat Level: UNMEASURABLE
Recommendation: Immediate Retreat
====================
Kael looked deeper into the mist-covered forest.
Heavy footsteps echoed slowly.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Trees shook slightly with each step.
Something enormous was approaching.
Lyra grabbed Kael’s arm instinctively.
“…Kael… we need to leave.”
But Kael didn’t move.
Because the system had never failed to measure something before.
Then—
Two massive golden eyes opened within the darkness.
Watching him directly.
And for the first time since obtaining the system—
Kael felt something looking back at his shadow.