The piercing light of the sun beamed like a beacon of peace through my window, wrapping my body in a blazing warmth that felt both soothing and chilling. I opened my eyes and realized I had completely recovered from yesterday. Strange, I thought, since less than nine hours had passed since I'd fallen into slumber due to my mental exhaustion.
Magic was both marvelous and treacherous. In my hubris, I was confident I could handle ten hours of energy meditation. However, as simple as it had seemed to almost break through to the next tier of my energy core in a single day, it had a price.
Magic had to be practiced, used, and manipulated with caution, and it was clear that my 'precautions' were far from enough. My approach may have just been suicidal. I had ignored two crucial factors: my capacity to ignore pain and my high mental fortitude, both qualities which led to my downfall yesterday. At least the results were worth it.
As I stood up, a tremor ran down my spine. I wondered just how much energy others in my faction possessed. Did anyone aside from myself even manage to gain the ability to see energy particles? Other people may have been a day ahead of me, but that didn't give them the same advantage as having the dummy guide me through the meditation technique perfectly. Perhaps I was the only one—
You lose yourself, Aiden.
I spoke in my head, reminding myself of the potential consequences of hubris and pride as I slipped on a pair of leather gloves adorned with silver carvings and runic symbols—a warrior's favorite among our best fighting gloves. Next, I donned a modest chest plate of buff leather painted black and reinforced with chainmail. Moving with ease in the light armor, I put on my lamellar leather arm guards around my wrists, followed by buff leather greaves for leg protection and brigandine thigh guards.
On top of this basic armor set, I equipped golden, dark iron spaulders that fit beautifully with my black-silver chainmail leather chest plate, along with bright, silvery tassets. Finishing up, I put on a cloak as black as midnight, its folds making me look like a villain.
I loved this armor. It was light, flexible, and surprisingly resistant. It looked fantastic on me now that my height and physique had improved. Before the regression, I would have looked ridiculous in this set, but now I wore it like a king dons a crown.
Fully prepared, I reached for my doorknob but decided first to check my status window to see if anything had changed.
"Open the detailed status window.'' My voice commanded, my charisma seemingly amplified by the armor I wore.
***
[Full Status Window]
[Current time: 6:40 a.m.]
[Name: Aiden Glain]
[Age: 17 | Gender: Male]
[Height: 1.75 meters | Weight: 59 kg]
[Social Status: King and Leader of Region 7]
[Number of followers: ????]
[Unique-Title: 'Limit breaker'] [Unique-Title: 'The one who overcomes adversity with pride']
[Rare-Title: 'Reckless Cultivator']
Energy-Core:
[Stage: Awakened; Rank: Bronze; Tier: Low]
[Energy Stored: 901 / 1000]
[Battle Score: 245 (Sealed)]
Aside from a slight increase in my energy core's reserves and the rare new title, the rest of my status remained unchanged. The fact that I had gained even a bit of energy during my sleep was still quite surprising, though it made sense. My trial the night before must have stirred a rush of energy to soothe my worn mind. After all, absorbing energy was meant to refresh and strengthen, not drain me to the point of vivid, introspective hallucinations. It was overstepping my boundaries that caused the backlash.
I closed my status window and set off toward the outer ward's main gate, where a few martial artists were supposed to be gathered. They were waiting for my arrival to confront a small batch of Eden's wood guardians and search for the missing team that had gone to investigate the Urilion crabs.
The road stretched over six kilometers, and a quick, simple mathematical calculation was enough to deduce that the average adult would take about an hour to walk it, which was far too long for me. However, I was no average man.
A grin tugged at the corner of my lips as a daring idea took root in my mind. What if I could make it there in under five minutes?
I would need to run at what? 70 kilometers per hour? Maybe a bit more?
I quickly discarded the precise measurements and instead relished in the lightness of my armor, complimenting myself for making such a wise choice back when I had asked for it from the best blacksmith of my faction. Then, I took in the scenery. The streets were mostly empty, and the early hour kept most people indoors, so I had time to mentally map the quickest route from home to the outer ward's exterior gate. Once the way was perfectly engraved in my brain, I wasted no further time and bolted forward.
The wind fought against me as my weight increased multiple folds over from its pressure, but I dashed ahead, my body slicing through the resistance as if it were nothing. My movements were seamless, taking each corner and passing intersections with near-instantaneous speed.
The armor clung to me like a second skin, cutting through the air with a sharp, whistling sound as I darted from alley to alley and from training yards to residential streets. I almost wished for a speed meter in my status window to see how fast I was going.
I reckoned most cars would struggle to match my acceleration. Being as light as a feather and having trained my legs to a tremendous extent under Eliotte's guidance had granted me terrifying agility. This made speed one, if not my greatest asset in combat—and daily life.
After what felt like only an instant, the gate to the middle ward came into view, and I pushed myself to sprint even faster. A two-kilometer stretch lay ahead, straight to the outer ward.
My legs pushed forward at full speed, defying the limits of nature. In seconds, I became a blur, pushing the very edge of my abilities as my eyes struggled to keep up with the pace. How fast was I running? 150 km/h? 160km/h? Maybe it was less than that, but I was certain my sprinting speed now exceeded the top speeds authorized for cars on the highway.
As I passed through the middle ward's gate and entered the outer ward, the main gate to the exterior—where my men awaited—came into view.
I slowed my pace just slightly as I weaved through narrow alleys and training grounds, occasionally evading crashing into the few people who were outside. Before I knew it, I had arrived at the campsite where six martial artists—men and women fully equipped in battle gear—stood together, chatting serenely.
Dashing at such speed still strained my legs slightly, and I'd need to channel more power into my lower limbs and tense my legs to bring myself to a stop as quickly as possible. I had perfectly estimated the distance between the moment I would start braking and the moment I would be stopped, so it was with no surprise that I ended up 20 meters further ahead, standing right next to Leonor, one of the strongest martial artists within my faction, who was fast to reach out for her sheath, pulling out a beautifully carved iron dagger.
''K-King Aiden! I'm sorry!'' The petite eighteen-year-old girl, with cropped hair of a pearly blond color and well-defined abdominals, declared in startlement. ''You scared the dust out of me to be honest, though I'm feeling less anxious now that I see you wearing that high-fashioned royal armor!'' She added, her eyes scrutinizing me sharply as if she were analyzing a potential opponent.
Before replying, I quickly checked my status window to check the time. It had only taken three minutes for me to cover the six-kilometer obstacle course. A smug grin formed on my lips, and I declared. ''My apologies; I didn't mean to startle you. However, I assure you, it was all within my calculation for my sprint to end right next to you, Miss Eleonor.'' My lightly flirtatious remark made her cheeks flush pink, and she nodded with a wide smile before stepping aside to my left, no longer blocking my view of the others.
As soon as my line of sight cleared, I noticed the second female martial artist in the camp slowly approaching. Her steps were hesitant, marked with nervousness, but carried a heavy, forceful intent. Bowing awkwardly, she repeatedly expressed how honored she was to make my acquaintance.
Lea's eyes sparkled with curiosity, although they lacked the aggressive intensity of Eleonor's gaze. Her jade-emerald irises radiated a gentler, more subdued warmth. For her hair, she had adopted a traditional Japanese Hime cut with ornamental. On either side of her face, two thin strands of hair fell delicately, giving her the appearance of an ethereal novel fairy from a cultivation story. Her frame was slight—almost fragile—yet it was clear she concealed a ferocious determination beneath her shy exterior.
After she finished her introduction, the other martial artists—four male in total—began to present themselves in a respectful yet proud demeanor. Two of them even outwardly displayed their curiosity toward me and my strength.
One of them was Drake, the youngest of the group at just fifteen. A battle-hungry fighter with a fiery temperament, he wore a black eye patch over his left eye, its thin gray string secured at the back of his head, partially covered by his spiky dyed-red hair. His large, stocky build completely belied his youth, making him appear far older than he was. His abnormally long arms contrasted with his short legs, giving him a somewhat disproportionate yet powerful appearance. Standing next to Eleonor, who barely reached 160 centimeters, he seemed taller than he was.
The second person who manifested his curiosity toward me was Ryan, a nineteen-year-old martial artist with a toned, athletic build, though heavier than mine. His dark brown hair was cropped short, a pragmatic choice that he explained helped keep his vision unobstructed. Ryan exuded a calm, almost detached aura. Each of his movements, as simple as they were, felt measured and deliberate. He was surely the most mature in the entire group, being quite level-headed, though he often remained silent during discussions.
Finally, there were Joe and Nate, blood-related brothers known for their unshakable loyalty to me and their pure-hearted nature. Both sported the same modern undercut, their short hair neatly trimmed to ensure clear sightlines during combat, just like Ryan. They were of similar height, shorter than me but stockier in build, placing them in the same weight class as Xavier. I could have even sworn they had been trained by him due to them wearing the same ragged cloak and arm guard Xavier always wore.
The six of them were unique and mature in their respective ways. The weight of living without their parents and enduring daily training under immense pressure must have taken its toll on them. Sure, God had undoubtedly intervened in our minds the first time we heard his voice, soothing our fears and worries. His otherworldly power had momentarily suppressed our primal instincts and terror, casting them away insignificantly like street peebles.
But whatever fear and anxiety he had banished was now creeping back into some of us. The reality of our situation was hard to accept. For the first three months, it felt as though we had been drugged—our senses dulled, our judgment clouded—blinded by his divine schemes. But now, those who had ascended began to feel the crushing weight of anguish, the despair of understanding the dire predicament we found ourselves in.
This, however, didn't prove to be much of a problem, as each of us was capable enough to repress our distress. We then spent more than thirty minutes explaining our powers—strengths and weaknesses—along with how to help somebody if he is getting pinned down by many enemies or if he simply needs help in any other situation.
But out of all these important pieces of information and tactics, I only considered their combat power important. I was confident we were not going to face any problems during our excursion since my strength was so great. And theirs were too.
Drake's battle power was at a decent 167. Eleonor's combat level was at 170, Ryan's at 172, Joe's and Nate's were tied at 165, while Lea's was at an impressive 197. Her combat power was much higher than expected, completely overshadowing the other five. This surprised me a lot because I thought Elenor would've had the greatest score since I knew many people had praised her strength, whereas Lea was unknown to the public.
But I was even more shocked when none of them reacted after seeing her show her status window. I was the only one who seemed surprised. However, this was good news and I was proud to have such a competent member in my faction. It also meant I wouldn't need to worry too much about them getting hurt.
Before setting off for the southern area of Ashgray Forest, a thud drew my attention toward the outer-ward gate. Turning my gaze, I spotted Clark running toward me, his heavy footsteps echoing loudly as he crossed the hardwood drawbridge that spanned the water moat leading to the entrance. He was calling my name.
"What...what's going on here? Calm down, take a breath. You look like someone who just ran six kilometers without stopping," I joked, thinking back about what I'd done just earlier. His gaze locked with mine, and he replied breathlessly, "That's—exactly what happened, Aiden. I ran all the way from my bureau to bring you this—" He paused, catching his breath, before unsheathing a silver katana and handing it to me. "Beautiful piece of work," he added, a hint of pride in his voice.
"I—this is insane. What a wonderful blade," I gasped in amazement as I tested the sword, slashing a few times at a nearby wooden spike that must have been at least 50 centimeters thick. With effortless precision, I cut it cleanly in half.
"The craftsmanship on this sword is incredible. From the precise carvings, the weight, the balance, and the way it feels in my hands—it's almost perfect," I exclaimed, overjoyed with my new weapon.
''You bet it is!''
Shortly afterward, Clark handed me the blade's sheath, muttered a brief and uninspiring speech to my companions, and headed back without ceremony.
Turning my attention back to my squad, I found their eyes prying into mine, wide and restless, as though gemstones were sprouting from them, ''Well, now that the final member of this squad has received his weapon, let's depart!''
"Yes, King Aiden!'' they responded in unison, the tension in their gazes melting away.
And so, we set out toward the area where the Eden's wood guardians were rumored to be, hoping we might uncover some trace of the missing team along the way.
Our pace was steady but swift, each of us running at roughly forty kilometers per hour—a speed that allowed us to maneuver around the forest quickly without sacrificing awareness.
After a dozen minutes of jogging, it felt as though the trees were flying past us, blurring into streaks of green and brown as our relentless pace quickened. We were nearing our destination, and the expressions on my comrades' faces betrayed their impatience and concern to locate the missing team, who had now been silent for over two days.
'We should quickly deal with those Eden's wood guardians and then rescue the missing team right after' I thought bitterly as if I had somehow made the wrong choice.
Half an hour later, we arrived at the southern edge of the Ashgray Forest. The ground beneath our feet was barren, an almost fiery shade of brown exuding stern spores. It sharply contrasted with the towering trees that dominated the landscape, their regal and elderly forms seemingly out of place in this stark, lifeless soil. The desolate terrain seemed to clash with the vibrant, statuesque trees.
The trees were composed of black-charred tree trunks, towering between ten and thirty meters high, stretching endlessly around us. Their snowy white leaves enwrapped the branches, casting a spectral glow that lent each tree an aura of ghostly magnificence. The trees stood apart from one another, evenly spaced, as though they respected each other's boundaries and dared not encroach on their neighbors' domain.
My companions and I shared uneasy glances as we took in the scenery and realized something worrisome. It wasn't just their grandeur—or even the unnerving sensation that these trees were alive, as if they had gained sentience and were silently watching us that made us step back in concert. No, instead, it was the shadowy figures of much smaller trees dancing around some of them.
"What kind of weird shamanic ritual is th—" Nate's words were cut short as a streak of dark green and brown shot toward him, aiming to pierce his ribcage with a spear crafted from twisted creepers. It was an Eden's Wood Guardian.
Reacting instinctively, he sidestepped, snatching the blurred yet solid creature's spear with his left hand. Without hesitation, he swung his iron mace with his right, crashing it into the Guardian's skull. The weapon fell with the force of a meteor, the impact powerful and inescapable.
As the iron spikes of the mace made contact, a strange green liquid—presumably blood—burst from the Guardian's head, scorching the ground as if acid was gnawing at the ground.
Before we could process the encounter, dozens of similar creatures began to close in, their shapes varying in height and width. They moved in sudden, successive dashes, their silent approach chilling us to the core. As they all separated into smaller groups, so did me and my companions, each prepared to engage in battle. Still, their ability to accelerate so abruptly was monstrous, making the reports of their movement capabilities seem laughably inadequate.
As two thinner creatures lunged toward Lea, a loud crash to my right snapped my attention away. Drake stood triumphantly over a Guardian, his giant battle-axe having cleaved the creature cleanly in two.
I wanted to acknowledge his swift victory, but his proud smile suddenly escaped his lips as blood spurted from his mouth in a series of coughing fits. My mind raced to process what was happening when three more figures, identical to the one Drake had just felled, came sprinting toward me.
At the same moment, I saw Joe tearing through a group of four smaller Guardians, his focus solely on aiding Nate, who had been attacked by surprise by a much larger Eden Guardian.
Focus, Aiden. Focus.
Energy surged through my lower limbs as I jolted forward to meet my three enemies head-on, firmly holding my blade in my right hand. The first creature, startled by my sudden approach, failed to react in time; my blade cleanly sliced through its neck, sending its head flying. Before it hit the ground, I twisted left, boldly accelerating, and extended my right arm to quickly reach my second opponent's throat with a piercing blow. Dark green blood erupted from its throat in an uneven spray as I felt the presence of the third, far taller Guardian, closing in on my left.
It moved with near-instantaneous speed, but instead of attacking directly to my left, it burst to my right in an even faster maneuver, catching me off guard. My instincts screamed, and I retreated just in time to dodge a series of sharp, whip-like strikes from its creeper appendages. Each lashing tendril crackled through the air, forcing me to awkwardly block an unexpected hammer-like blow that struck hard against my right shoulder.
The impact jarred me, and I stumbled briefly, turning to see the source—a fourth Guardian, slightly larger than the tentacular monstrosity I was fighting with. Its size and brute force added a new layer of annoyance to the chaotic fray that this heavenly place was turning into.
Regaining my footing, I darted frenziedly to the smaller Guardian's left, my blade aiming to sever its head in half. My strike landed partially, its neck dangling grotesquely. This was due to two smaller Guardians who had aimed at my throat with their wooden spears, forcing me to cancel my attack to dodge theirs'
I sprinted at full speed toward the two of them, and pinned the nearest one to the ground, bashing his skull into the floor. Using his corpse, I blocked a downward blow from the titanic, hammer-wielding guardian. I violently threw the body to his younger brother, blinding him briefly which allowed me to pierce through his heart in a mad-driven haze.
Standing up, my vision blurred as I struggled to track the frenetic movements of the two remaining creatures. Their erratic dance was maddening, each of their steps was a calculated effort to shield the other's weak spots.
Suddenly, the tentaculoid guardian snapped forward, its creepers twisting into serpentine darts and jagged whips. The grotesque appendages lashed toward me like an armada of terror.
I narrowly sidestepped two incoming darts, the razor-sharp tendrils grazing my armor with ease. As I brought my katana up to sever the writhing mass of creepers, a crushing hammer blow struck my side, launching me fifty meters away.
Pain flared through my ribs as I tumbled across the barren ground. Letting out a sharp gasp, I swung my blade instinctively, slicing through the air, as if trying to fend off invisible pursuers.
Too weak. You're too weak, Aiden.
The mocking voice in my mind echoed louder than the battlefield around me. Shaking off the fog clouding my mind, I forced my body upright. Fear crept through my insides as I caught sight of reinforcements—a trio of mid-sized guardians charging toward me with predatory intent. Behind them loomed the half-necked guardian, alongside the towering monstrosity that had sent me flying as if I were a bug. I assumed he was their leader.
Newfound determination blazed in my chest as I funneled energy into my legs. With a burst of speed, I surged forward, blade raised. My katana came down in a deadly arc, crashing onto the shoulder of one of the newcomers and cleaving deep into its flesh. With a swift twist, I shifted my angle horizontally, severing its head in a single, fluid motion.
Then, I propelled myself forward again, scanning the battlefield, my gaze flickering over the chaos for the briefest of moments. Were my allies holding their ground?
I barely ducked under the swing of a gigantic double-headed axe, its rocky surface whistling past my ear. My heart pounded as I spotted Nate locked in combat with two smaller guardians. He stood resolutely, his stance unwavering as he shielded Lea. But something about her was off.
She was...chanting? Her eyes closed, still as a statue, she was murmuring words too faint for me to catch from where I was. About a hundred meters away, Eleonor and Ryan were faltering against three small-sized guardians and a fourth, mid-sized one. As I mindlessly embedded my blade into the heart of another guardian, a coiled, whipping arc of creepers spiraled around me like a tornado, forcing my focus back on the battle.
I zigzagged, narrowly evading most of the attacks, but each successful slash and thrust the monster landed was tearing through my armor, eating away at my flesh as if I were made of nothing but paper. A sharp tentacle lashed out, striking my solar plexus with brutal precision, stealing the air from my lungs. Dazed, I stumbled as the hammer-wielding guardian charged in with absurd swiftness, his enormous weapon swinging downward in inevitable destruction.
I wanted to dodge. To weave away. To retreat. But I couldn't. It was too late.
Accepting the pain that was about to descend, I raised my left hand in a desperate attempt to block.
The blow landed with a bone-rattling impact. My entire body screamed as I slipped away from the tangled web of tentacle strikes, retreating to the far-right edge of the massive circle where we were battling, resting my back on a tree. I needed to catch my breath. Just a moment. But I had no time.
The two medium-sized guardians stalked forward, closing in. The third one—smaller than the others—darted off in the opposite direction. Lea's direction.
''No!"
Too slow. You're too slow, Aiden.
Pain, anger, and frustration flared up in me as I saw the hammer guardian's sadistic grin. Each step he took instantly spanned ten meters, his monstrous form crackling with the deformed shape of twisted wood and snarled vines. He reveled in my failure, his cracked lips carved from bark curling into a mocking sneer.
I hadn't even landed a single hit on him.
That smirk of him made the fact even harder to acknowledge.
As the two guardians surged forward, preparing for a coordinated strike that would surely finish me off, a single thought pierced through the chaos. A fact I had forgotten in this cursed forest.
I had not been using my true strength.
The mystical fog of this place must have clouded my judgment and tricked me into fighting as though my power was meant to be limited even in death and life situations. But...wasn't that my decision? A self-imposed restriction, foolishly believing that fighting at my companions' level would somehow make me better. The truth was that I had been arrogant and considered this whole trip as nothing else but training.
Ignorant! Foolish!
Time seemed to fracture, slowing to a crawl as these thoughts surged like a tide in my mind. My breathing ragged, and I opened my eyes—barely, fearing even a mere glance might shatter this fragile stillness—and looked past the incoming guardians. Past their lumbering forms, I saw her.
Lea.
She had finished chanting. Hovering above her hands were dozens of blazing orbs of fire, each no larger than golf balls, but they were all pulsing with overwhelming heat. Then, she condensed all the tiny orbs into a single, wide fiery globe as bright as a miniature sun. She thrust it forward with a cry, sending the spell hurtling through the air at an astonishing speed.
The fiery globe crashed into the chest of the small guardian who Nate had struggled to push back. Hadn't it been for Lea's spell, they would have surely lost that fight. Her resolve burned as fiercely as her magic as she began panting heavily, running to help Nate fend off the second guardian.
Yes, Aiden. This is how you fight.
This is how you do your best.
You must break free! Break free of the shackles you've placed upon yourself!
The mocking voice in my mind resonated again, corrupting my reasoning, and took hold of my body. As I fell into a state of transcendence, I felt my thoughts drowning in a flood of darkness, which threatened to drown me in its abyssal depth.
Was this their strength? My allies' resolve? Their power fully unleashed?
If they were fighting without limitation—giving everything they had to win—then so would I.
''Break the seal.''
[System notice: ''The user's strength has risen above two hundred and sixty—'']
''Off.''
As the flow of time regained its former speed, an unfamiliar stream of power flowed through me, igniting every fiber of my being. My energy-core reserves were also increasing, each particle of mana rippling through my system, awaiting for me to unleash their wrath despite having no control over them.
Before me, the massive tentacled guardian stood, his many tangled vines were twisted together to form a huge, thorny spear aimed at my heart.
But I was no longer as weak as I used to be. This weapon was of no threat anymore.
I stepped forward with a speed that dumbfounded even the lightning-fast guardian, my blade slicing through the spear as if it were nothing but butter. The severed vines writhed painfully as they tried to rebuild themselves, but I gave no quarter. With a swift, decisive motion, I lifted my blade upward and cleaved the monster's head in half, finally ending what I'd started.
A few meters to my right, the Hammer guardian roared, his gigantesque weapon raised high as he charged at me. His intent was clear: to crush me under its weight with a final, devastating blow.
But I was faster now.
In one effortless movement, I evaded his strike, the hammer crashing uselessly into the ground behind me. Spinning with lethal precision, I slashed clean through the weapon's handle, severing it as easily as the vines. Before the guardian could react, I drove my blade into his heart with a bone-shattering impact, thrusting his flesh without any effort.
The guardian staggered, his gnarled form trembling before he toppled, defeated at last.
In only three seconds, I had killed the two strongest Eden's wood guardians who had toyed with me for minutes just earlier.
I had more. There was still more power within me.
Looking far ahead, I saw Joe and a limping drake running toward Lea and Nate. The two were followed by three small guardians, each much slower than any of the ones I'd fought with.
'So their size doesn't necessarily impact their speeds, but those particularly small are always among the weakest, noted.'
I jerked onward, focusing most of my new powers on my legs as if cladding them in ethereal energy to help me defy the wind resistance. In two seconds, I cleared over a hundred meters, just five meters away from two of the three guardians that were chasing after my allies. Without halting my sprint, I poured energy into my right arm, slicing their two heads just as I reached them.
Joe briefly glanced behind, certainly wary of the possibility that his pursuers might catch up. But when he realized I had just pierced through the third guardian's throat, his body pathetically spasming in my hands, he shot me a grateful smile, nodding approvingly.
Only three enemies were left, two small guardians on Lea's side, one of them having originally been from the group aiming to kill me. The third guardian was mid-sized, battling against Eleonor and Ryan who seemed to be at the end of their ropes.
Without hesitation, I glided forward. When I got near the guardian who was pinning Nate to the ground, I jumped, descending at unreal speed like a falling star, and cleaved the guardian's head cleanly.
Then, I spun toward my second enemy, locking gaze with the guardian. I threw my blade vigorously, brutally impaling its heart.
Nate and Lea stood dumbfounded as I withdrew my weapon from the monster's lifeless body. My armor was ragged and battered, clear lines of deep cuts visible, blood dripping from several parts of my body where I had been struck. My black hair now streaked crimson and disheveled, framed my face like a wild halo. Without sparing them a glance, I sprinted forth, each step taking me closer to my final enemy.
When Ryan spotted me, his eyes filled with hope. He began to retreat, pulling Eleonor with him, understanding that my arrival signaled the battle's impending end. Despite her intense focus on the enemy and the confusion in her gaze, she followed. I noted with admiration that Eleonor's daggers, though damaged, were still intact—an impressive feat given the relentless onslaught she had endured. I couldn't help but praise her for enduring so long against stronger foes. Just like how I admired all of my other companions' determination and prowess.
A faint, tired smile tugged at the corner of my lips, and a genuine sense of happiness swelled within me. I pushed myself faster, reaching the guardian in no time. He attempted to flee, but it was futile. With a merciless assault, I swung my katana in a horizontal arc, its razor-sharp blade incising the guardian's solid head with ease.
Standing over his corpse, my bloodied sword gleamed menacingly in the sunlight that filtered through the forest's dense canopy.
All my companions gathered around me, their faces no longer as innocent as they had been before entering this cursed forest. We were all battered, our armor now little more than scraps, riddled with holes. But amidst our shared pain, there was one undeniable truth that pierced through the silence as we felt ashamed for our ignorance.
We were victorious.