The moment I opened my eyes, I felt a surge of determination. Today was the day I'd push past my limits, break through the barriers holding me back, and grow stronger. But something gnawed at me—a strange unease, like a pot left simmering on the stove, forgotten until the acrid scent of burning fills the air.
Shaking the thought away, I prepared myself. The shadows in the forest had been a worthy challenge before, and I needed to face them again. Only through battle could I refine my abilities. I headed for the edge of the forest, the haunting darkness greeting me like an old adversary. The fight was easier this time. I dismantled the shadow creatures with precision and confidence, not even needing to summon Sayeh. For once, I felt in control.
And then, the unexpected happened.
The forest, drenched in perpetual gloom for as long as I could remember, suddenly flooded with light. Golden rays cut through the dense canopy, illuminating the ground in brilliant clarity. It was daytime. But how? My chest tightened as disbelief gripped me. "How is this possible?" I whispered.
Absolute Insight answered in its calm, measured tone: The curse has been lifted.
"Lifted? How?" I demanded.
By the one who placed it here. No additional information is available.
Heart pounding, I sprinted toward the cabin, the light guiding my way through what had once been shadow.
When I arrived, the cabin felt different—tenser. Inside, Homizd was seated at the table, calmly sipping tea. Across from him sat a stranger. The man's appearance was unsettling. His stark white hair gleamed in the daylight streaming through the windows, contrasting sharply with his lifeless brown eyes, which held no spark of emotion. His thin, angular face was pale and smooth, almost wax-like. He sat tall and gaunt, his long, bony frame clad in a flowing white robe intricately embroidered with gold patterns.
As I entered, both of their gazes locked onto me. The stranger's voice was sharp and commanding, slicing through the silence.
"You there, mortal. How did you manage to bypass my curse?"
I froze, unsure of what to say. After a moment, I shrugged. "Uh… I walked? And got a little lucky, I guess?"
His eyes narrowed, his tone laced with disbelief. "Walked? Just… walked?" He leaned back, his expression shifting into something darker. "Curious. Perhaps I've overlooked something."
I seized the opportunity to feign confidence. "That must be it."
The man's demeanor changed instantly, his voice rising in fury. "Do you take me for a fool? How dare you mock me!"
Before I could react, Absolute Insight cut in: Dodge. Now.
I didn't hesitate. Summoning every ounce of strength, I hurled myself to the side. For an instant, terror gripped me. I couldn't see what was coming, but I felt it—the overwhelming presence of death bearing down on me.
When I finally steadied myself, I realized that Homizd had appeared beside me, as if he had bent space itself to reach me. Around us, the world was unrecognizable. Beyond a five-meter radius, everything had been annihilated. The vibrant forest was gone, replaced by a desolate expanse of charred, blackened earth.
"What are you doing, Negative?" Homizd's voice thundered through the silence.
The stranger, now identified as Negative, sneered. "This mortal mocked me. For less than this, I've wiped entire villages off the map. And you dare question me?"
"Enough games, Negative," Homizd said, his tone cold. "Those you've killed were helpless, defenseless people. They had no one to protect them. This is different."
Negative scoffed, rising from his chair. "So, you're willing to fight me again—for the sake of this mortal?"
Without hesitation, Homizd replied, "If I have to, yes."
Negative smirked, his anger fading into calculated calm. "Very well. Let's postpone this for now. We have more important matters to discuss." Turning to me, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "I'll uncover your secrets later."
With a wave of his hand, Negative conjured three chairs and a table from the ash surrounding us. The materials shimmered and shifted, transforming seamlessly into polished wood. I marveled at the display of power and whispered to Absolute Insight, "How did he do that?"
He used Manipulation of Everything, it replied.
"Can you analyze his abilities?" I asked.
Negative's power surpasses yours by a significant margin. Attempting to access his data would alert him to the intrusion. It is not advised.
Chills ran down my spine, but I took my seat. Negative's gaze remained fixed on Homizd as he began.
"Listen, Homizd. I'm offering you a chance. Work for us, or step aside and mind your own business. We won't interfere with you, and you won't interfere with us. Simple."
Homizd leaned forward slightly, his expression unreadable. "Ah, so you've realized I was close to breaking the curse."
Negative's lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. "Naturally. But that's no reason for us to fight, is it?"
Homizd's tone turned sharp. "As long as you use mortals as pawns for your amusement, there's no room for negotiation."
Negative sighed theatrically before replying, "Fine. We'll leave the mortals of this world alone. Does that satisfy you?"
Homizd hesitated briefly, then nodded. "It's a start. Negotiable."
The tension in the room was palpable, but I couldn't hold my tongue any longer. "Wait. This world? What do you mean by that?"
Negative's gaze snapped to me, his disdain evident. "Weak and ignorant. Typical. Listen closely, mortal. This reality is but one of many—an intricate web of interconnected dimensions. This place, the Intermediate Realm, is home to humans, elves, and other mortal races. They are insignificant, weak. But once in a while, someone exceptional arises. Someone like Homizd."
I turned to Homizd, who nodded solemnly, confirming the stranger's words. My mind reeled. The universe was far more vast and complex than I'd ever imagined.
With the curse lifted, we were finally free to leave what had once been the forest. I had expected to spend years here training with Homizd, honing my abilities. But now… everything had changed. Cyrus's warnings suddenly felt all too real.
Seeking clarity, I approached Homizd. His expression was heavy with regret.
"Friend," he began, his voice tinged with sorrow. "I'm truly sorry. Our paths must diverge here. I need to ensure that Negative and his kind uphold their end of the bargain. That task will take me to dangerous places, and I can't bring you along. I hope you understand."
Though his words weighed heavily on me, I managed a nod. "I understand. I hope everything works out for you, my friend."
Homizd smiled faintly, raised his hand in farewell, and vanished. Watching him disappear, I couldn't help but think, I really need to learn that spell. It would be so useful.
A strange sensation drew my attention to my hand. When I looked down, I was holding a book—a tome brimming with magical knowledge. Without hesitation, I instructed Absolute Insight to record its contents, then set the book alight.
It was time to move forward. Perhaps I'd find new allies on this journey, but one thing was certain: my adventure was just beginning. If I remembered correctly, there was a country not far from here. First, though, I'd need to find transportation—walking the entire way wasn't an option.
With a deep breath and a renewed sense of purpose, I set out into the unknown, ready for whatever lay ahead.