Black Forest

I ran for five days straight without rest. Only in a small village on the outskirts of the Empire could I finally stop.

“Finally escaped.”

This village is in the opposite direction from the Demon King’s castle to the west.

‘Anyone watching would think the Hero is running away from the Demon King.’

But the truly scary one isn’t the Demon King.

‘This time, I moved according to plan.’

A smile formed on my lips. I was especially satisfied that this wasn’t an impromptu escape like usual, but one based on meticulous calculation.

“Now, let’s get organized.”

The Holy Sword ‘Dawn’ glowed faintly.

The Holy Sword was a top-tier weapon even in the game.

Thanks to Dawn, I’ve been able to survive until now. But now it’s become a hindrance.

“You’re a really good sword. But…”

As I raised the Holy Sword, a warm energy was transmitted to my palm. It was as if it were asking, ‘Why?’

“You’re too much of a ‘good sword.’ Too pure. Everyone’s power as one? Bonds of friendship? That’s a luxury now.”

Isn’t it ironic? Running away from party members while carrying a weapon specialized for party play.

The sword vibrated subtly. A resonant sound filled the inn room.

“I have to fight alone now. I’d be the strongest with my party members… but I can’t be with them, can I?”

The Holy Sword’s vibration subsided. It felt almost resigned.

What, are you listening? Nah, no way.

I got creeped out and unsummoned the Holy Sword.

“I need a new weapon. A weapon suitable for fighting alone.”

I took out the Chaos Crystal from my inventory. As soon as I took it out, unstable magic swirled. It was a legendary-grade material permanently borrowed from Golden Heyven.

Red vein-like patterns constantly moved within the black vortex. The way it writhed as if alive was ominous.

“There are many other powerful Holy Swords, but… to see the high potential, it has to be a Demon Sword. A weapon that can draw out infinite power at the cost of my SSS-class durability, that is, my life force.”

Lastly, the third item, Moonlight Dew.

“The problem is time. To stabilize the Chaos Crystal, it needs to be refined several times with Moonlight Dew… and in the process, a tremendous amount of magic will be released.”

Explosive magic is released during the refinement process. Moreover, once isn’t enough. It has to be repeated at least five times…

“I’m bound to get caught.”

With that kind of magic reaction, they’d be able to feel it from the opposite side of the continent.

“Besides, repeating the stabilization will take at least a week… can I survive that long without being caught?”

Cold sweat ran down my spine. If I get caught… no, if I get caught, it’s really over.

“Alice would find me in an instant. Sylvia’s spirits would notice right away too.”

I looked at the moon visible through the window.

“Seraphin would be able to detect it with her divine power… and Nia already knows my scent.”

My spine tingled. I have to avoid the Dragon’s magic eye, the Spirit’s detection, the God’s revelation, and the Beast’s sense of smell. I have to avoid all that tracking.

“That’s why I need a hideout.”

I unfolded the map. The points marked with red dots caught my eye.

“Magic blocking, divine power defense, spirit disruption, and above all…”

I pointed to one spot with my finger.

“A place where dragons can’t approach.”

A smile spread. These are the candidate locations I found one by one while running away.

But if not now, there won’t be another chance. The pursuers are only increasing each time I move cities.

A bitter smile came out. Reality was different from the game. There are no save points, no walkthroughs… and above all.

The biggest difference was that I couldn’t control my party members as I pleased.

***

The air changed the moment I entered the forest. In the deepening darkness, the leaves turned black.

“One of the continent’s seven forbidden areas, the Black Forest…”

Each time I took a step, the leaves rustled. As if the forest were alive, reacting to my movements.

Chik-

Suddenly, my spine went cold. Something is watching me.

Hwik-

Something brushed over my head in an instant. I reflexively summoned the Holy Sword.

Red eyes twinkled in the darkness. The figure of a black wolf was faintly visible.

“Corrupted by the forest’s magic.”

Black energy rose from the wolf’s body. Its original gray fur was nowhere to be seen, and only its piercing red eyes flashed in the darkness.

Keureureu-

It wasn’t just one. More wolves appeared from the darkness.

“Dawn.”

The wolves stepped back from the light.

But they soon charged again.

I swung the sword. A silver trajectory cut through the air.

The first wolf fell. Black blood stained the ground.

The second one pounced from above. Sharp claws flashed.

“Too slow.”

I dodged to the side and slashed. The wolf’s body was split in two in mid-air.

The third and fourth charged at the same time.

Gray aura spread in all directions, pushing the wolves away.

Tak-

Something fell at my feet. It was the corpse of a fallen wolf.

But its appearance changed in an instant. Black energy swirled, and the wolf’s body slowly seeped into the ground.

“This is…”

The other corpses around were the same. They were all absorbed into the ground along with the black energy.

The Black Forest devoured them.

“There was a reason it was called a Demon Realm.”

I scanned the surroundings with the Holy Sword in hand. There were no more beasts in sight, but this was just the beginning.

The Black Forest, one of the continent’s seven forbidden areas. In the game, it was just an extra stage that stimulated the desire for challenge. But actually facing it, I felt the true nature of this forest.

The land, stained with black magic, was a living, breathing, giant predator that devoured everything that entered. Every time the black leaves that had lost their green color swayed, I felt the breath of a living monster.

This place is a Demon Realm, a place where the entire forest has become one monster.

To escape the Hero party’s pursuit, there couldn’t be a more perfect hideout than this. Instead, I’d have to survive in the forest.

“It’ll probably get more dangerous the deeper I go.”

I was rather pleased. The more dangerous it becomes, the harder it will be for them to follow.

I moved towards the deeper darkness. The Holy Sword emitted a faint light, illuminating the way forward.

Kwajik-

With a sharp sound, a tree root burst through the ground. It writhed like a giant snake, aiming for my ankle.

“Annoying.”

I slashed with the Holy Sword. Black sap splattered. The severed root writhed like a living creature before disappearing into the ground.

Kukung-

The ground beneath my feet split. I leaped away instantly. Looking back, the cracked ground was gaping like a huge mouth.

“Disgusting.”

It was as if the entire forest was trying to devour me. There was no such setting in the game.

More tree roots sprouted again. This time there were more. They dripped black sap and rushed in from all directions.

“Light of Dawn!”

The Holy Sword reacted. A silver flash cut through the darkness.

But something was strange. The light was weaker than usual.

“Oh…”

Realization flashed through my mind. This forest even devours light.

Kung-

The ground rumbled again. This time it was a bigger vibration.

“This is really dangerous.”

I quickened my pace. A path leading to the center of the forest, I felt something there.

A small light was visible in the darkness. It was a cabin.

“If it’s there…”

It was the moment I moved my feet.

Hwiik-

A black shadow brushed past. I raised the Holy Sword in an instant.

“How interesting.”

A cold voice echoed.

“For someone wielding a Holy Sword to venture this far… a strange thing indeed.”

A woman walked out of the shadows. Her snow-white skin shone like moonlight, and her black dress was as dark as the night sky.

Black hair fell down to her waist.

‘A figure that makes blackness into a beautiful girl.’

The Witch of the Black Forest, Beatrice.

“The light of the Holy Sword has weakened, hasn’t it?”

She smirked. Sharp teeth were visible between her pale lips.

“This forest devours everything. Light, life… and…”

Her eyes gleamed dangerously.

“Your soul too.”

The surroundings suddenly became darker. Only the light from the cabin remained faintly.

“Beatrice.”

“You know my name.”

“Because I came to find you.”

“Oh ho?”

A smile spread across her lips.

“Interesting. For a Hero to come all the way here to find me.”

Beatrice took a step forward. The hem of her black dress fluttered in the wind.

“Perhaps… do you want to become my disciple? Do you want to learn the magic of a witch?”

Her voice rang out sweetly.

“Or… do you want to become a witch’s test subject?”

“I hate experiments. Sorry, but I’ll pass.”

“Then… Hero, so you’ve come to destroy my forest after all.”

Beatrice’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“No.”

“Liar.”

She raised her hand. In an instant, the ground rumbled and countless roots sprouted.

“Humans always betray. They start with lies and end in destruction.”

Black vines writhed like tentacles, approaching.

“They fear what they don’t understand, and destroy what they fear.”

“Wait, it’s a misunderstanding.”

“This forest, and I… you created it. Fear, hatred, terror created it…”

Hwiik-

The vines flew like whips. I blocked them with the Holy Sword, but more vines sprouted from all directions. They writhed like giant snakes, constricting me.

“I’ll make you nourishment for the forest too. I’ll devour your soul.”

The Holy Sword cut through the air. But more vines grew from the places where the vines were cut.

Blackness poured down. A feast of roots pouring down like a waterfall.

“It’s useless. This is my forest.”

The pressure tightened more and more. The vines began to wrap around my body.

Darkness rushed in before I could finish speaking. The vines covered my vision completely.

‘At this rate…’

The pressure tightened more and more.

But it was different than expected.

The vines were wrapped around my body, but it didn’t hurt. It was rather ticklish.

“Huh?”

Beatrice’s voice was filled with doubt.

“Why aren’t you dying?”

The vines slowly retreated. As if they couldn’t eat my body.

“This is quite pleasant, you know?”

I looked at my body and laughed.

“Thanks. Thanks to you, all the dead skin and dust have been removed. I haven’t been able to wash for a while because I’ve been running away.”

“…What?”

Beatrice’s eyes widened.

“It’s like a doctor fish. You know, the fish for removing dead skin?”

“Are you… joking right now?”

“Ah, now that I see, my toes are clean too.”

“You are… what on earth…”

She took a step back. The imposing aura from a moment ago was nowhere to be found.

Beatrice sighed.

“Just… why did you come all the way here?”

“Do I need a reason?”

“Of course. This is a Demon Realm. The Black Forest that devours everything.”

Beatrice looked at me with suspicious eyes.

“Tell me. What’s your purpose?”

I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.

“Let’s live together.”

“…Huh?”

Beatrice’s expression hardened.

“W-What did you say?”

“Let’s live together for a while. Let’s cohabitate.”

In an instant, the witch’s face turned bright red.

“A-Are you crazy?!”

“Why? Isn’t it lonely living alone in a wide forest?”

“W-Well… that’s true, but…”

Beatrice stammered. Her pale face gradually turned redder.

“But I’m a witch! The master of the Black Forest!”

“So?”

“So what…!”

She stopped talking. Her red eyes shook confusedly.

“C-Cohabitation… a man and a woman… that kind of…”

She fiddled with the hem of her black dress and lowered her head.

“To say such a thing upon first meeting… isn’t that too rude…”

Her pure reaction brought a smile to my face. Even if she’s a witch who’s lived for hundreds of years, she’s still innocent in this regard.