Chương 348: Chase through the ancient Forest

The earth quaked beneath Vale's boots as he tore through the dense undergrowth at full speed, thorn-covered branches raking across his arms and face while he forced his way through the tangled vegetation. Sharp thorns embedded themselves in his skin, leaving thin trails of blood, but he barely noticed. The stinging cuts were insignificant compared to the thunderous destruction pursuing him through the ancient forest.

"Just my luck..." He hissed through gritted teeth. Behind him, something enormous crashed through the trees. Massive trunks splintered and toppled as the creature bulldozed its way forward, caring nothing for the obstacles in its path. Vale managed to stay just ahead of it, though only by the narrowest of margins. Whatever was chasing him possessed overwhelming strength, and judging by the relentless destruction echoing through the forest, it had no intention of giving up.

Realizing that running blindly would eventually get him killed, Vale raised his voice without breaking stride.

"Hey, guys! A little help would be appreciated!'' His shout echoed through the towering trees. A heartbeat later, an enormous tree crashed down beside him. The impact shook the ground so violently that it launched him several feet into the air. Without missing a beat, he planted both hands against the fallen trunk and transitioned smoothly into a sprint along its broad surface, using the incline to gain elevation.

"A Category Four already..." He clicked his tongue in irritation.

"I really didn't want to fight one of these alone." The detection device strapped to his belt emitted a frantic series of shrill beeps, confirming exactly what he already suspected. Danger. Very close. As he sprinted along the massive trunk, his eyes caught a thick vine hanging from the surrounding canopy. A grin spread across his face.

"Perfect." He bent his knees, preparing to leap. Then the entire tree lurched violently.

"Oh, come on!" A deafening crack split the forest as the trunk shattered in two. The beast had simply torn through it as though it were rotten wood. Vale lost his footing and dropped with a string of colorful curses.

"Damn it!" Before gravity could claim him completely, one of his onyx blades flashed from its sheath. He drove it deep into the wood of the nearby tree, the weapon carving a long groove through the trunk and slowing his descent until he finally came to a halt in a shower of splinters.

"... That could've gone better." With a practiced motion, he pushed himself upright, balancing effortlessly atop the embedded sword before switching to a nearby branch and pulling it free in one smooth motion. His eyes swept across the surrounding forest. There was nothing... The vegetation was incredibly dense. Thick bushes, tangled vines, and towering trees concealed nearly everything beyond a few dozen meters. Whatever this thing is...

It's strong enough to tear apart trees this size, yet small enough to disappear completely inside the undergrowth. Vale lowered his center of gravity slightly, both blades settling into a ready stance as his eyes darted across every shadow. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"Where are you..." His breathing slowed. His senses sharpened. Like a predator stalking unseen prey, he searched for the slightest disturbance. But there was only silence. Then the tree beneath him shook violently. Vale's eyes widened. He instinctively grabbed the hilt of his blade as the entire trunk began tipping sideways.

"... Seriously?" He glanced around, quickly weighing his options before releasing an irritated sigh.

"Fine." Using the falling tree itself, he sprinted along its length as gravity dragged it toward the forest floor. The colossal trunk slammed into the earth with a deafening crash, flattening countless bushes beneath it. Vale landed lightly atop the fallen tree. This time, he finally saw it. A massive reptilian silhouette emerged from the broken foliage. Steam poured from its nostrils with every slow, measured breath. Vale frowned.

"... A fully grown Forest Drake." Of all the things he could have encountered... He drew his second onyx blade. Normally, Shade would have transformed beside him by now, eagerly joining the fight. Instead, the living weapon remained safely back at camp. A terrible decision in hindsight... The Forest Drake slowly circled the fallen tree, every step deliberate. Bronze and emerald scales rippled over thick layers of muscle, and its golden predatory eyes never left Vale's figure. He knew he could defeat it. Eventually.

But this wasn't the same Drake he had fought in the colosseum. This beast was older, stronger, and far more experienced. Vale lowered his stance, both blades settling naturally into position. The drake coiled its powerful body, preparing to pounce. For several long seconds, neither moved. Man and beast simply watched one another, silently measuring the other's resolve. Then,"RAAAAGHHH!"

"Come on!" Both exploded into motion simultaneously. The Forest Drake covered the distance between them in a single explosive leap. Vale inhaled deeply, lowering himself further as both blades swept toward the creature's legs. A violent blur slammed into the drake from the side. The massive reptile screamed as it was hurled clear across the clearing before crashing through another ancient tree, splintering its trunk and bringing it crashing down in a cloud of dust.

"You really can't stay out of trouble, can you?" Korin casually stepped into the clearing, smiling as though nothing unusual had happened.

"We've barely been here a week, and you've already managed to annoy a Category Four." Vale blinked. His body was still frozen in the opening stance of his attack. He had been fully prepared to meet the drake head-on, and having the fight interrupted so abruptly left an oddly bitter taste in his mouth. With a disappointed sigh, he sheathed both swords.

"Yeah, yeah." He waved dismissively.

"Since you're already here, why don't you save me the effort and finish the job?" Korin laughed.

"I was planning on it." Then his eyes wandered toward Vale's face. His smile disappeared.

"... Dude." He pointed accusingly.

"What happened to your face?" Vale instinctively touched his cheek. His fingertips came away stained with fresh crimson. He glanced at them before shrugging.

"... Probably the thorns."

"You don't even know?"

"I was running." Korin pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I swear..." Before he could continue, the Forest Drake rose from the wreckage, shaking splinters from its scales as it growled low enough to vibrate the ground. Korin stepped forward.

"Seriously..." He sighed.

"Take better care of yourself." His attention shifted entirely toward the drake. He inhaled slowly, deeply, and then spoke a single word.

"Leave." The command echoed unnaturally through the clearing. A fragment of Korin's madness seeped into the air. His gentle smile remained, yet something beneath it twisted into something primal and terrifying.

"I could crush you in an instant." His voice stayed calm despite the insanity creeping into his eyes.

"But I won't. So I'll give you a choice. Walk away. And one day... perhaps you'll repay the mercy I've shown you today." The Forest Drake snarled defiantly. For a moment, it looked ready to charge. Then it looked at Korin. Whatever it saw caused the growl to die inside its throat. Instinct overruled pride. The drake slowly backed away before disappearing into the dense bushes, though not before casting one final lingering glance toward Vale, as if memorizing the young swordsman's scent.

Only after the beast had vanished completely did Korin allow his aura to fade. His shoulders slumped, and he staggered slightly as ragged breaths escaped him.

"... Damn." He laughed weakly.

"I still can't control it properly." Vale walked over and caught him before he could lose his balance completely, helping the larger man back onto his feet.

"You alright?" Korin nodded between breaths.

"I'll live." Vale looked toward the direction the drake had fled.

"You know..." He folded his arms.

"If suppressing your power takes that much out of you, maybe next time we should just fight the thing together. It would've been faster, and probably safer." Korin slowly shook his head.

"No. I want them to have a choice. If a life can be spared, I'd rather spare it." Vale rolled his eyes dramatically.

"... How noble." Korin simply smiled.

"I'll take that as a compliment." He turned back toward the distant campsite.

"Come on. We should head back before Nova starts wondering where we've disappeared to." His eyes drifted toward the cuts covering Vale's face.

"And she'll probably want to treat those." Vale groaned theatrically.

"As long as she doesn't wrap my entire head in bandages."