Forbidden Zones
The world of grey, known as Earth, is interconnected with numerous other worlds, often referred to as different realms.
Approximately 20 percent of Earth remains beyond the control of any dominant faction.
Even though Earth is linked to various realms and populated by many powerful individuals, there are still regions considered the most perilous zones on the planet.
These areas, known as forbidden zones, have been the sites of many expeditions, each resulting in one of three outcomes for those who venture inside:
1. No one returns, leaving the fate of those who entered shrouded in mystery.
2. Fewer than ten percent survive, with some emerging mentally unstable, while others, though sane, recount terrifying and bizarre occurrences within the zones.
3. The strongest individuals or groups manage to return unscathed but refuse to divulge what transpired inside the forbidden zones.
There are a total of seven forbidden zones, and these perilous areas cover 20 percent of Earth's surface.
This is why no faction has been able to claim control over that 20 percent.
Currently, Grey, unaware of his surroundings, has been teleported by the trial into one of these forbidden zones. He doesn't realize the danger he is in.
Unbeknownst to him, this particular forbidden zone is the most dangerous of them all.
Spanning vast expanses, this forbidden zone is the largest and most treacherous forest on Earth.
Its name is Eldertwilight Forest.
Grey found himself surrounded by enormous trees, the sun shining brightly overhead, providing a gentle warmth.
"Wow, what dense mana," exclaimed Grey as he felt the mana around him, incredibly dense and pure.
"This place is the forbidden zone named Eldertwilight Forest. You have to survive for one month in this forest. Time inside the barrier of Thalassar City will slow for these 30 days," announced the mechanical voice of the AI.
"Surviving for 30 days, that's not bad," Grey thought. "Although I don't know much about what a forbidden zone is, according to the library, it's a very dangerous place. In the past, people of Thalassar used to train here and collect resources from the outer area of the forest."
"I think I'm currently in the safe area of the forbidden zone," Grey concluded as he surveyed his surroundings.
From his studies in the library, he knew there was only one forbidden zone that was a forest, leading him to deduce that he was in Eldertwilight. Massive trees surrounded him, their towering forms blocking much of the sky. "Although this place seems safe during the day, I don't think it will be the same at night," he muttered.
He recalled that beasts typically hunted at night, and particularly dangerous magical creatures, especially dark ones, preferred the cover of darkness.
Despite his considerable strength for his age, Grey was aware of his limitations. There were many things he didn't know, many adversaries he couldn't yet face. But he could grow stronger, he reminded himself, by training and confronting these challenges head-on.
Determined, Grey set off to find a safer place to build a shelter. He needed to gather wood and food before nightfall.
He could conjure food with magic, but it would only mimic the taste and not provide the proper nutrition of real food. Everything made from magic would be composed of his magical energy, which couldn't satisfy his body's natural needs.
As he moved through the forest, he remembered something he'd read in a few ancient texts: as a mage grows stronger, their body becomes more refined and purified, reducing its need for physical sustenance. When one's body reaches the mortal limit and breaks through, it no longer requires food, as magical energy alone can sustain it.
Grey could technically survive without food for 30 days, but in a place as dangerous as Eldertwilight, that would be reckless. He needed to keep his strength up to face whatever threats might come his way.
Grey continued his search for a suitable spot, his mind racing with plans. He couldn't afford to be careless. He had to satisfy his needs and stay strong to survive in the most perilous place on Earth.
...
Grey moved swiftly through the dense forest, his footsteps silent against the forest floor. He had found a temporary place to stay near a small stream, having used his mana sense to detect the abundant water element mingling with the other mana in the area.
The location was surrounded by large trees, creating a natural barrier. However, Grey's proficiency with the space element allowed him to easily slip through the thick foliage without needing to cut through the sturdy trunks.
As he scouted the forest for any sign of beasts, ten minutes passed without him encountering a single creature. "Isn't this supposed to be a forbidden zone, a place considered life-threatening? So why haven't I found any beasts in the past ten minutes?" he wondered, frustration creeping into his thoughts as he continued running and using his mana sense.
Suddenly, Grey felt a shift in the atmosphere. A subtle but unmistakable pressure seemed to settle over the area, reminiscent of the magic pressure he had experienced when he met Luna and Lyra. Back then, he couldn't identify it, but now it was clear.
"There's a creature here, a very powerful one at that," Grey murmured, his senses alert. He moved towards the source of the increasing pressure, his curiosity and caution in perfect balance.
As he approached, the pressure grew more intense, confirming his suspicions. Grey's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He knew he was about to face something formidable, a true test of his abilities in this dangerous forbidden zone.
Grey moved stealthily through the trees and long bushes, each step meticulously calculated to avoid making a sound. His senses were on high alert, attuned to every whisper of the forest. Suddenly, he felt a shift in the atmosphere. Extending his mana sense, he detected an open area 200 meters ahead. The clearing was stark and barren, a rocky expanse devoid of trees or grass.
In the center of this desolate space lay a massive serpent, its colossal body coiled tightly as it slept. Grey sharpened his mana sense, focusing intently on the formidable creature before him.
The snakes body coiled into a formidable spiral. The snake's scales glistened with an eerie, dark iridescence, shifting colors from deep emerald to midnight black with every subtle movement. Each scale was as large as a human hand, and they seemed to pulse with a latent, ominous energy.
The serpent's head, resting atop its coiled body, was the size of a boulder, with eyes shut in a semblance of peaceful slumber. Its fangs, even in repose, protruded slightly from its closed mouth, gleaming like polished ivory and hinting at their deadly potential. These fangs were rumored to inject a venom so potent it could dissolve flesh within seconds, rendering even the most formidable creatures helpless.
Its breath, slow and rhythmic, echoed softly across the clearing, carrying with it a faint, metallic tang. This subtle odor hinted at the snake's toxic nature, a reminder that even its exhalations were not to be taken lightly.
This was no ordinary beast. Known as the Dusk Serpent, it was a creature of legend and terror. It possessed the ability to manipulate shadows, blending seamlessly into its surroundings despite its enormous size. In the depths of night, it was said that the Dusk Serpent could become nearly invisible, a silent predator moving through the darkness with lethal grace.
Additionally, the serpent was rumored to wield dark magic, capable of summoning shadowy tendrils that could bind and crush its prey. Its very presence seemed to distort the natural flow of mana in the area, creating an aura of dread that weighed heavily on any who ventured too close.
As it slept, the serpent's body occasionally twitched, a subconscious reminder of the latent power coiled within. The ground around it was littered with the bones of previous victims, a grim testament to its lethality and dominance over this forsaken part of the forest.
'What should I do? Should I attack now, or bide my time?' Grey's mind raced through a myriad of possibilities, envisioning different scenarios and strategies. He meticulously analyzed each potential outcome, weighing the risks and advantages of every move.
A slow smile spread across his face as his plan solidified. Among all the options he had considered, one stood out, filling him with a surge of exhilaration.
"If I'm to spend a month here, let's truly test the limits of this forbidden zone and uncover why it is so feared!" Grey declared, his voice resonating with determination and anticipation.
The snake's snooze got rudely interrupted when its body started shaking, all because of some noise. It woke up real quick, all coiled up and steaming. With a fierce look, it was ready to strike at whoever dared to wake it from its nap.
The snake's eyes scanned every inch of the surroundings within a one-kilometer radius, and in a split second, it locked onto Grey, who returned the gaze with a mocking sneer.
Infuriated, the snake let out a furious hiss that echoed through the air.