Amarion Rainforest
As Mythos Academy closed its doors for an extended winter break, most students headed home.
But not me.
Instead, I was gearing up for some serious training.
My destination? The Amarion Rainforest.
It's the largest forest in the world, teeming with powerful mana beasts that have kept it untouched for ages. Despite efforts to clear it, the world has agreed to preserve its natural wonders.
These creatures can reach up to 9 stars, the pinnacle of traditional mana beasts.
Situated between the southern and eastern continents, reaching the Amarion Rainforest isn't a simple journey.
Mythos Academy, located on its own island, relies heavily on teleportation gates for travel to and from the mainland.
Thanks to the Academy's top-notch facilities, I could easily teleport to major cities with a mere tap of a button.
Redpine City, known more for its hunting culture than modernity, was the closest major city to the Amarion Rainforest, and it boasted its own teleportation gates.
"Where to?" chirped the automated voice as I approached the gate, flashing my student ID.
"Redpine City," I replied.
"Verified. Enjoy your vacation!" the voice chimed cheerfully.
I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Enjoyment wasn't exactly on the agenda; I was gearing up for some seriously grueling training to push my limits further than ever before.
The sensation of space twisting around me marked my departure from Mythos Academy to Redpine City. Despite only spending a few months at the Academy, a wave of nostalgia washed over me.
The recent months had been a mix of challenges and peril, especially with the intrusion of the Shadow Seekers and demons. Yet, the bonds formed with characters I once admired from the pages of <<Saga of the Divine Swordsman>> now felt real and tangible.
This wasn't just a story; it was my reality.
These characters weren't mere figments of imagination anymore; they were my friends and allies in this world.
The challenges I faced were genuine, and the impact of my actions echoed through the narrative. Each choice I made sent ripples through the sea, shaping the unfolding story. It was a responsibility I was ready to shoulder, ensuring that my influence steered the narrative toward a positive outcome.
Redpine City unfolded before me as I stepped out of the teleportation gate. The city bore a distinct charm, a blend of tradition and nature that set it apart from the more modernized locales.
Tall trees with vibrant red foliage dotted the surroundings, lending the city its name. The air carried the scent of nature, and the hustle and bustle of the city felt harmoniously intertwined with the surrounding wilderness.
Strolling through Redpine City, I marveled at the blend of tradition and modern convenience that painted the bustling streets. The scent of nature interwove with the city's energy, creating a unique atmosphere that breathed life into the place.
My destination, however, was the guild office, a modern building with sleek glass doors that automatically slid open as I approached. The other hunters in the vicinity shot curious glances my way, likely surprised by my age.
Ignoring the looks, I reached the receptionist behind a pristine white desk.
"What can I do for you?" he inquired, his professional smile masking a hint of surprise.
"I'm here for a hunting license," I replied, producing my Mythos Academy I.D.
His eyes widened as he took the I.D. and swiped it through a scanner. The computer lit up instantly, verifying my information against the Mythos Academy database.
Access to this database was a privilege granted only to strong guilds. Redpine City's guild, led by an <Ascendent >-ranker known for slaying an 8-star beast solo, had earned that privilege. Their access, however, was restricted to basic information like core rank and martial art to properly classify students.
"Based on your information, you're classified as a 4-star hunter," he declared. "But if you want a 5-star license, you can take an additional exam."
I shook my head, opting for simplicity. "No need."
He nodded, typing a few commands to 3D print my hunter's license. Similar to my Mythos Academy I.D., it bore my name, age, core rank, and license rank.
Once I had my hunting license secured, I made a beeline for the nearest outfitter to stock up on essentials for my journey into the Amarion Rainforest.
My plan was to immerse myself in the forest, which meant I needed more than just my trusty sword. I loaded up on provisions: food, a sturdy tent, and various other necessities, all funded by the allowance provided by Count Chase.
Water wasn't a concern; my water magic could conjure it effortlessly whenever needed.
With my supplies safely stashed in my spatial ring, I considered my preparations complete.
However, by the time I finished, the sun was dipping low on the horizon. Realizing it was too late to venture into the forest, I opted to spend the night in a nearby hotel and head to the Amarion Rainforest at first light.
Consulting my phone, I scoured through hotel listings until I found a promising 3-star hotel with reasonable rates. Making my way there, I secured a room for the night and settled in, eager for the adventure that awaited me in the morning.
The hotel room, though petite, exuded a cozy charm with its snug bed, TV, and a compact bathroom. A far cry from the spaciousness of my dorm at Mythos Academy, but it served its purpose well.
As I settled into the bed, anticipation for the adventure ahead coursed through me, keeping me alert for the next day's venture into the forest.
With the dawn of the new day, I wasted no time in reaching the wall that enclosed Redpine City. The vast expanse of the Amarion Rainforest lay just beyond its confines.
Navigating through a line and a necessary inspection, a gate separated me from the lush wonders of the Rainforest. Thanks to my hunter's license, I breezed through the process and finally stepped into the forest.
At long last, I was here.
With cautious yet brisk steps, I delved into the heart of the Rainforest, immersing myself in its breathtaking beauty.
The moment I stepped through the gate, the humid air slapped me in the face, heavy with the scent of earth and something sweet and floral. Sunlight struggled to pierce the dense canopy overhead, casting the forest floor in a cool, dappled shade. Towering trees, their bark rough and ancient, pressed in on all sides, their branches intertwining like gnarled fingers above.
I took a deep breath, the air thick with the chirping of unseen birds, the buzz of insects, and the distant, guttural croak of a hidden frog. Each sound seemed to vibrate in the humid air, weaving a symphony of life around me. My foot sunk into the spongy earth, carpeted with fallen leaves and damp moss. Every step sent a cascade of tiny insects scattering, their wings flashing like emerald sparks in the filtered light.
My eyes darted everywhere, trying to take it all in. Bromeliads, like miniature gardens, clung to the trunks, their vibrant reds and oranges bursting from the verdant green. Vines, thick as my arm, snaked their way around tree trunks, disappearing into the emerald labyrinth above. And everywhere, flowers - impossibly bright orchids clinging to branches, delicate white blooms hidden amongst the ferns, their sweet scent filling the air.
My breath caught in my throat as a blur of turquoise sliced through the dappled sunlight, hurtling towards me. Before I could even register the threat, my fingers instinctively conjured flames, a wave of inferno incinerating the airborne attacker. Ash rained down, the scent of singed feathers hanging heavy in the humid air.
This breathtaking world, cloaked inemerald magic, had just bared its teeth. A thrill, laced with unease, danced down my spine. Luckily, I knew what to expect, saving me from the fate Lucifer had faced when he came here for the first time. The unpredictable tapestry of the rainforest would become my training ground, pushing my mana control and swordsmanship to their limits. This wasn't just an adventure; it was a crucible, and I was ready to be forged anew.
I summoned my sword from my spatial ring and stepped in to find my first opponent.
Minutes blurred into hours. The rainforest canopy became my ceiling, the damp earth my training mat.
First came the 3-star beasts: nimble forest spiders that danced along silken threads, their venom potent enough to liquefy flesh; territorial vine vipers whose emerald scales shimmered with deadly charm; and lumbering boarhounds, their tusks like honed spears.
Each fight was a lesson, etching weaknesses and patterns into my memory. My blade sang a song of steel and fire, steel and water, steel and lighting, carving through adversaries with newfound precision.
The 4-star encounters tested my very limits. I wrestled with razor-sharp harpy talons, dodged the bone-shattering blows of yeti-like hulks, and outsmarted the cunning illusions of shapeshifting jaguars. Each victory left me bruised and battered, but the fire in my soul burned brighter.
My mana crackled at my fingertips, responding to my will with ever-increasing control. My sword became an extension of myself, moving with the fluidity of wind and the bite of lightning.
The humid air clung to me like a second skin, heavy with the musk of victory and defeat. Just three days in this untamed jungle, and my spatial ring was already bulging with trophies - razor-sharp spider fangs, iridescent viper scales, and the boarhound tusks that gleamed faintly in the starlight.
Leaning against a moss-covered trunk, I gazed skyward, the canopy a million tiny pinpricks of light. Each battle had left its mark, not just on the trophies I collected, but on me. My eyes, once wide with trepidation, now scanned the shadows with cold efficiency. My steps, once hesitant, danced on the forest floor with the silent grace of a predator. The hunt had honed my bloodlust, sharpened my blade, and whispered the secrets of survival.
But there was something more brewing beneath the surface, a hunger that transcended mere survival. High Silver rank, the gateway to power, pulsed just beyond my grasp. Each beast core I absorbed pushed me closer, yet that wasn't enough.
My gaze snagged on a flicker of movement deeper in the foliage. There, shrouded in shadows, lurked the Obsidian Behemoth, a 5-star beast.
I was going to kill a 5-star beast before reaching High Silver rank.