- Hogomori County Highway, Inclira Kingdom –
- 1km near the entrance of the Endless Forest -
- 1130hrs, local time –
The sun was nearing its apex as a rather unremarkable carriage trotted along the stone-brick road at a steady, comfortable pace. The road itself bustled with traffic—other carriages, merchant caravans, and the like. However, the Hero party found themselves… thoroughly bored inside the carriage.
"ughh… I know the [Endless Forest] is quite close to the city, around 7 kilometres or so, but this carriage ride isn't fun at all… It's taking too long for a short trip…" complained the once-enthusiastic boy from an hour ago. He sighed again, eyes drifting to the window as he stared out at the vast blue sky.
"Hiro, do keep in mind that we don't have any of those advanced transportation methods like in your world, so bear with it…" the Court Mage remarked flatly, her expression deadpan. She was clearly just as bored, not to mention uncomfortable from the stiff, unforgiving seating.
The princess, meanwhile, let out an awkward chuckle, while the Inclira lady simply sighed, looking thoroughly unamused, though ironically sat on the comfier seating with padding.
"Yes, mom..." Kurogane muttered, deadpan as well.
Florentina's eye twitched. "Who are you calling mom!?" she snapped, puffing her cheeks in frustration. The other girls couldn't help but chuckle at the mage's reaction.
"I'm only three years older than you, you little-"
"Okay, auntie."
Florentina crosses her hands, looking away, pouting. "By the goddess' mercy, this boy's would be the death of me...". The princess stepped in, trying to ease the tension. "Alright, that's enough. You two shouldn't be arguing like this."
Like squabbling siblings, both pointed at each other in perfect unison. "She/He started it!"
The half-elf burst into laughter. "By the goddess, do you two always go at it like this? It's kind of fun~"
Outside the carriage, the old coachman allowed himself a small smile as he listened to the muffled laughter and light bickering coming from within. It was rare—almost unheard of—for the young lady of the Hogomori house to act so openly. For years, she'd been reserved, distant, too focused on improving and thinking about avenging her late mother. But now? Surrounded by companions her age, teasing and being teased like anyone else… it felt like something had changed. For the better.
It brought him comfort, even as the shadow of war loomed ever present.
Inclira Kingdom was not a peaceful place—not anymore. Perched on the edge of the [World Gate], it served as the final bastion of civilisation before the unknown. It was the first line of defence should the demons ever choose to invade in earnest. But despite the fearsome tales, no grand assault had come. No marching legions. No hellish tide pouring through the gate. Just rumours and dispatches—quietly buried reports of ambushes and assassinations, usually targeting political figures or military assets in Nelimista and the northern territories.
Some whispered that it didn't make sense. Others stopped questioning it, especially as the body count climbed into the tens of thousands. The war, silent or not, was very real.
Yet perhaps the most unsettling change had nothing to do with demons at all.
The [Endless Forest]—a place once dangerous but predictable—had turned into something else entirely. Its creatures had become... smarter. Ferocious. Coordinated. Packs that once acted on instinct now moved like trained units. The silver wolves, once feared only for their speed and strength, had staged an ambush so precise it nearly wiped out the Hero's escort en route to Hogomori County. The knightly order had suffered heavy casualties that day. Some never returned. Others came back wounded, in body and spirit.
Still, even with that weight pressing in from all sides, hearing the young lady laugh—just laugh—felt like a small spark of hope.
Their journey came to an end as the carriage rolled to a gentle stop in front of a large wooden building, weathered but sturdy, buzzing with life. Adventurers milled about, some laughing, others checking their gear as they made their way toward the northern gate, the one that marked the boundary between the town and the looming expanse of the [Endless Forest].
The group stepped down from the carriage, offering their thanks to the coachman for bringing them safely to the outpost town. He nodded with a warm smile, tipping his hat and giving them a small wave as they made their way toward the gate.
He watched them go for a moment—young, determined, full of purpose—before giving the reins a gentle flick and turning the carriage back toward the estate. The road home was quiet, but he didn't mind. There was a sense of pride in knowing he'd delivered them safely to the edge of something dangerous... and perhaps something greater. something that would shape them beyond recognition, a journey where they would be forced to choose who they truly wished to become.
The group chatted animatedly as they approached the dungeon gate, their voices light with excitement and a touch of nerves. Just as they reached the entrance, an armoured guard stepped forward, raising a hand with a polite smile, even with a spear in his arms.
"Passes, please," he said, voice calm but firm, the kind that spoke of long hours and quiet discipline.
Kurogane reached into his pocket, attempting on pulling out his Adventurer ID, but before he could hand it over, another guard jogged over from the side, has a sense of urgency in his steps. He leaned in close to the first guard, whispering something too low for the others to hear.
The friendly guard's expression shifted as she became rigid. His brows lifted in surprise as he stole a quick glance at Lunamaria, standing quietly among the group.
"Wait… are you sure she's the…" he began, only to be met with a curt nod from his fellow guard.
There was a beat of silence. Then the stone gate creaked open. "I, uh… apologies for the delay," the first guard said, suddenly standing a little too straight. "May your training be... fruitful."
His tone had changed, still polite, but now has this awkward respect, like someone who realised far too late who they were speaking to.
As the group stepped past the gate and into the outskirts of the [Endless Forest], they found themselves momentarily stunned by the sight before them. The forest's outer layer was nothing like the grim stories told in taverns or whispered in passing. Sunlight filtered gently through the canopy, painting dappled patterns on the mossy ground. A few deer-like creatures grazed near the treeline, unbothered by the nearby presence of adventurers. Birds flitted between branches, and to their surprise, a family or two could be seen enjoying a picnic not far from the path—laughing, eating, as if this wasn't the doorstep to one of the most dangerous regions in the kingdom.
"…This is… the most dangerous forest? Really??" Kurogane muttered, blinking.
"It's always like this near the gate," Sicily said calmly, walking ahead. Her eyes scanned the tree lines with practised ease. "Don't let the view fool you. The deeper you go, the less of that peace remains."
The others followed with a bit more bounce in their steps—except for Sicily, whose pace and posture remained steady and cautious. They made their way toward the first layer of the woods, where the lesser-ranked monsters usually roamed.
As they walked, a thought lingered in Kurogane's mind. He frowned, glancing back toward the gate behind them, now far in the distance.
"Say, guys…" he spoke up, "was it just me, or did that guard act... weirdly? I mean—no inspection, no questions, and he changed his tone all so sudden when his friend came and whispered to him something, kinda weird right?"
That single comment made the three girls slow their steps. They looked at one another, then at him.
"Hiro… are you really that dense?" Florentina asked flatly, a mix of pity and amusement on her face.
She paused, then added with a teasing smirk, "Oh wait—you kinda are."
"Huh?! What's that supposed to mean?!" Kurogane shot back, his expression caught somewhere between offence and confusion.
Lunamaria let out a soft, amused chuckle at their back-and-forth, her eyes gently following the playful banter. Beside her, Sicily let out a quiet sigh and lightly pressed a hand to her forehead—a half-hearted facepalm—clearly unimpressed by the new generation's so-called [Hero] and his obliviousness.
Still, they pressed on, following the path recommended by the Lady of the Hogomori estate for early-stage training. It was a reliable route, or so they were told.
Roughly ten minutes later, they arrived at a clearing—an oddly open patch of land with no trees or undergrowth, just uneven grass and scattered stones. It was quiet. Too quiet.
Florentina slowed her steps, her eyes narrowing as unease crept in. Her voice came out hesitant. "Lady Sicily… this isn't what I think it is… right?"
She glanced over her shoulder, her usual confidence replaced by a wary frown and the slightest hint of fear.
Sicily, ever composed, looked puzzled by the question. "It's just a D-rank [Monster House] zone," she said plainly, tilting her head. "Nothing to worry about though?"
Florentina spun around, aghast. "The fact that this is a [Monster House] is exactly what worries me!" she remarked, raising her voice higher. "I thought you were taking us somewhere low risk! You know… safe enough for the princess and the hero to actually learn something without getting swarmed!"
Sicily blinked, confused by Florentina's overreaction. "It is low risk. Even the guild acknowledges it."
"That's not reassuring, Miss Florentina!" Florentina retorted, clutching her staff a little tighter. "We don't know if the [demons] may attempt to ambush us by manipulating the mana flow to spawn much more lethal high ranked monsters, which is why I deem this place rather unsafe"
As the two continued exchanging concerns, Kurogane glanced between them, visibly lost in their discussion. He turned toward Lunamaria, hoping for some clarity.
"Luna, this uhh… [Monster House] thing is like an area where there's a bunch of monsters spawning and we need to clear them in a set of waves or so?" Lunamaria looked at him with a soft, serene smile, her poise unmistakable. She gave a slight nod, her voice calm and measured.
"Indeed, Sir Hiro. A [Monster House] is precisely that—a sealed area where monsters manifest in stages. Once all waves are defeated, the space yields a reward, often scaled to the difficulty of the encounter. The higher the rank, the greater the risk… and the prize."
She turned her gaze back to the bickering pair ahead, her tone shifting slightly—still gentle, but now with the quiet authority expected of someone raised within the palace and as the Holy Kingdom's Saint.
"That said," she added, "I must admit I share Miss Florentina's concern. According to the last reports circulated through the capital, the [Endless Forest] has been partially compromised. Demon presence has been confirmed in scattered regions." She paused, her tone carrying a note of caution. "It would be unwise to assume even a D-rank zone is entirely secure, not in times as precarious as these."
"Then…" Kurogane stepped forward, his fingers tightening around the hilt of Exalibur as he strode toward the centre of the [Monster House] clearing.
"H-Hiro—wait! What are you doing?!" Florentina called out, alarmed, her voice breaking through the tense air. But he didn't slow down.
"If Miss Sicily says this place is safe enough for training," he said, his voice steady, "then I'll believe her—just like a Hero should trust the people who walk beside him."
With a resolute shout, he drew the blade free in one fluid motion, taking a two-handed stance that echoed the kind of storybook valour found in old murals and myths. The wind caught his cloak as he stood tall, sunlight glinting off the metal of his sword—his silhouette proud, like something pulled straight from a heroic ballad.
Then, glancing over his shoulder with a grin far too sincere for someone moments away from potential danger, he added, "Isn't that, right? Don't worry. I'll protect you all, because that's why I'm here for, isn't it?"
That smile, a genuine, bright, almost foolish in its optimism, lingered for a moment too long on Sicily. And for a brief heartbeat, she froze.
She hadn't expected that. Trust, especially so freely given, was a rare thing in her world. Most barely believed the information she passed on, let alone believed in her. But this boy… a stranger from another world, a youth thrust unwillingly into a war that should never have involved him as he stood there, sword drawn, offering trust like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The weight of it caught her off guard, softening something buried deep behind the iron wall she'd built around her grief. For someone who had lost her mother to a senseless raid, who had driven herself forward with vengeance more than hope, that one smile chipped away at her solitude, reminding her, just briefly, what it was like not to carry everything alone.
"…Ah," she breathed, so quietly that only Lunamaria beside her could hear.
"I see why those two are so taken with him…"
Just then, a faint chime echoed around them, and light-blue, translucent panels materialised in front of each of their faces. Glowing letters floated in the air:
[D-Rank Monster House Survival Quest: Survive 10 Waves of Goblins and Armed Goblins]
[Reward: 50,000 EXP and 50 Small Yellow Mana Stones]
Florentina blinked once. Then twice. Her pupils dilated the moment she locked eyes on the reward section.
"Ehehehe… fifty yellow mana stones huh… muehehehehe…" she muttered, her hands twitching with the excitement of a mana addict overdue for a fix. Lunamaria tilted her head, watching her with a faint frown. "Miss Florentina… are you alright?"
Without warning, Florentina sprang to Kurogane's side with the energy of someone possessed. Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous mix of determination and glee, and arcane energy crackled around her hands, already swirling into dense, glowing glyphs. Her red twin-tails fluttered wildly behind her, lifted by the sheer intensity of the mana she was drawing in with reckless enthusiasm.
Just moments ago, she had been cautious, hesitant, even scolding. But now, that wary mage had completely vanished. In her place stood a full-blown spell fanatic, radiating enough magical pressure to make the grass beneath her boots rustle. What faced them ahead no longer mattered; she was clearly in it for the loot and only the loot.
"HIRO!" she bellowed, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "WE'RE GONNA CLEAR THIS AREA TWICE!! ARE YOU WITH ME!?"
Kurogane blinked at her, caught off guard by her sheer intensity. "I… uhh… okay?"
"IT'S YES MA'AM!!" she shouted, jabbing a finger skyward like a general about to charge a fortress.
He flinched. "Y-Yes ma'am!!"
"LET'S GOOOOOO!!!"
Even the ground seemed to tremble slightly under her voice. Sicily sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Lunamaria just smiled, amused despite herself.
"Well," Sicily muttered, "at least we don't have to worry about her being too cautious now."
All of them soon joined the fray as the first wave of monsters emerged—only a dozen Goblins at first, easily manageable. Kurogane clashed against rusted blades and sharpened sticks as the others supported him from behind, carving their way forward. Each wave grows in pace and intensity. Despite the growing fatigue, the team pressed on, slashing and hurling down magic barrages along with arrows as they maintained their ground wave after wave until finally, the tenth fell, and the reward notification shimmered into view.
Among the scattered monster remains, Florentina was already lost in her own little world, kneeling down with eyes gleaming like a dragon guarding treasure. She clutched the shimmering yellow mana stones to her chest, then shamelessly began rubbing her cheek against them with a dreamy expression, giggling to herself. The others gave her space.
As the group collected proof of subjugation by slicing off goblin ears, Sicily and Florentina worked efficiently, clearly accustomed to the unpleasant task. Kurogane and Lunamaria, on the other hand, kept their distance from the messier parts, uncertain hands and uneasy expressions betraying their inexperience.
But Florentina was already on her feet again and without even waiting for a group vote, she restarted the [Monster House] challenge—again, and again, and again. Waves of goblins fell before her, lightning, Ice, earth and fire magic tearing through the trees as she laughed and unleashed spell after spell. By the time she stopped, she had amassed a staggering total of 650 small yellow mana stones, and the entire party had levelled up at an astonishing exponential rate.
Exhaustion finally caught up with them. As the sun dipped below the canopy and the first stars peeked through the treetops, the group made camp in a quiet clearing just off the beaten path. Kurogane collapsed onto a patch of dirt with a heavy thud, completely spent.
"Ughh… I thought we were only staying out here until before sunset… how the heck did we end up setting up a camp…"
Lunamaria giggled, although fatigued as well, she remained composed while she's eating the rations they brough with, which concerns Florentina, "Your highness, are you fine eating such food? Do you want me to cook for you?"
"cook?" she added, and was reminded of something horrible when Florentina tried doing so, "I uhh… thank you for your courtesy dear Tina but I think my food is enough…"
"that aside…" Kurogane interjected, sitting upright looking at Florentina with a mix of curiosity and annoyance, "why the heck you made us went on a spree on clearing this [Monster House]? Are those mana stones that valuable? In the first place, what are they used for?"
The court mage pulled out a handful of small, shimmering mana stones from her dimensional bag and carefully poured them into her open palm. "Well, I'll start with the basics," she said, her voice steady and composed. As she adjusted her stance, she began sorting the translucent yellow stones by size, letting the others gather closer for a better look.
"If you pay close attention," she continued, holding up two different stones between her fingers, "you'll notice there are two distinct sizes. These smaller ones carry only about a quarter of the mana capacity compared to the larger variant." She then pointed to the bigger gem, its glow noticeably deeper and steadier. "Most mages prefer the larger stones as catalysts. They either attach them directly to their staffs or refine them through alchemical processes—merging them into a weapon's material. This improves a variety of stats: faster casting, elemental resistance, and even enhancement buffs depending on the material and the spell type."
With practiced ease, she began a short incantation. The runes briefly lit the air above her palm before dissolving into the stones. Within seconds, the smaller gems softened and shimmered, merging into a single, larger mana stone identical to the one she'd shown earlier.
"Yellow mana stones are fairly common in markets, but don't let that fool you," she added. "They're not exactly abundant. Most adventurers don't bother farming them seriously, since they fetch low prices unless processed or used efficiently. But remember: the brighter the color, the higher its mana content."
She set the yellow stones aside and began listing the various mana stone types, drawing small illusionary icons with her magic for each as she spoke.
"Mana stones are ranked like this:
Dark Red—the most common, used in homes for cooking and lighting street lamps.
Orange—a step up, for heavy duty use like mining explosives or powering blast furnaces.
Yellow—balanced and easy to refine, favoured by soldiers and adventurers for equipment enhancement.
Sky Blue—commonly seen in weapons owned by low and mid-tier nobility, excellent for increasing sharpness and conducting mana.
White, Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby—much rarer, used almost exclusively for advanced magical research due to their immense mana capacity and a form of status for higher ranked nobility.
Golden—extremely rare, reserved for royal armaments or the staffs of high priests.
"And finally, the most coveted of them all—Void mana stones."
Her voice lowered slightly, as if the name alone carried reverence. "These are the pinnacle. A single Void stone contains mana so dense and refined it rivals an entire vault of standard stones. They've only ever been discovered deep within mana veins, far below dungeon floors—often deeper than the floor bosses themselves. No one's ever reported finding one in the Endless Forest either… likely because no one's made it to its core. The Holy Kingdom only has one palm sized Void mana stone, a divine present since it was discovered unknowingly by the second King's aide."
She let the final illusion flicker in the air, a black-sparkling gem that pulsed with slow, quiet energy, and closed her hand around it as the light faded. "This stone," she began in a steady tone, "has never seen the light of any kingdom's treasury. It's considered too powerful… far beyond the control of any human below [Level 100]. And that includes practically everyone alive today. Even the First King of the Holy Kingdom, known for his unmatched strength and divine blessings, only ever reached Level 98."
There was a short silence as her words hung in the air, heavy with a hint of reverence and caution. But as she was speaking, her gaze shifted toward Kurogane, who seemed visibly distracted. His eyes were locked on a glowing status panel floating before him, its display illuminating his face with a faint bluish hue. He blinked a few times, brows slightly raised, as if unsure whether what he was seeing was real.
Florentina furrowed her brow and let out a sigh, placing her hands on her hips. "Ehem... were you even listening to me?"
Kurogane quickly straightened up, startled. "Y-yes! I mean, I was! I heard all of it! But—uh—more importantly… is it normal to level up this fast?"
That question alone was enough to cause a small pause among the girls. They exchanged glances, expressions shifting from mild curiosity to genuine confusion. Without hesitation, Lunamaria, Florentina and Sicily moved behind him, standing and kneeling to peer over his shoulder as the translucent status screen remained open in front of him.
"What do you mean by that?" asked the princess, her voice calm yet tinged with intrigue.
Kurogane simply turned the panel around slightly to show them what he meant—and what they saw left them frozen for a moment, their eyes wide in disbelief….
[STATUS]
HP: 1500/1500
MP: 50000/50000
NAME: KUROGANE HIROSHI
AGE: 16
JOB: HERO, PALADIN
TITLE: THE CHOSEN ONE, HERO OF THE HOLY KINGDOM, ORC SLAYER, BLESSED BY THE GODDESS
SKILLS:
- JUDGEMENT EYES – LV 3 (capable of appraising stats of friends and enemies alike, cannot appraise anything higher than the skill level)
- ETERNAL VIRTUE (UNIQUE SKILL) (Override any limitations and boost all stats by 500% for 3 minutes, only activates during life threatening situation)
- PHYSICAL ENHANCMENT (PASSIVE SKILL) – LV 14 (enhances all physical stats above 225%, activated during combat)
- DIMENSIONAL STORAGE – LV 4 (similar to the common dimensional bag, except it can be used anywhere while having 20 tons of capacity)
- BLESSED GROWTH – LV 10 (will increase the speed of levelling up by 100% along with assigned party members)
- THE CHARISMATIC HERO (UNIQUE AND PASSIVE SKILL) (Charisma stats are going to keep increasing every heroic and good deeds were done)
LEVEL STATUS: 38
Strength: 120/500
Agility: 60/500
Dexterity: 120/500
Wisdom: 10/500
Intelligence: 50/500
Charisma: 475/500