"This must be the last of them," I said quietly after cutting down the final goblin.
Its body dropped to the ground with a dull thud.
I wiped my blade once and crouched down, picking up the monster cores one by one. The faint glow reflected in my eyes as I placed them carefully into my bag.
The forest felt quieter now.
Too quiet.
I started walking deeper, stepping over roots and broken branches.
Then—
A heavy sound echoed from the left.
CRACK.
A tree branch snapped.
I turned just as a massive bear stepped out from between the trees. Its dark fur was thick, its claws long and curved. When its eyes locked onto me, it let out a deafening roar that shook the air.
"GRRAAAHHH!"
The ground trembled slightly as it stood on its hind legs.
But…
I didn't feel that crushing pressure anymore.
Its presence wasn't overwhelming.
It wasn't suffocating like before.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Is it because I've absorbed two of them?" I murmured.
The bear dropped down and charged.
Fast.
But not fast enough.
I sidestepped at the last second, its claws barely missing my shoulder. The wind from its swing brushed past my face.
I slashed across its side.
Blood sprayed, and the beast roared in pain, spinning around wildly.
It lunged again.
This time I ducked under its paw and drove my fist into its ribs.
A loud crack echoed.
The bear staggered.
I jumped back as it tried to bite, then channeled lightning into my blade. Blue sparks danced along the edge.
"Let's finish this."
When it rushed forward again, I stepped in instead of back.
One clean slash across its neck.
Electricity burst on impact.
The bear froze mid-step, its body twitching as the lightning spread through it.
Then it collapsed heavily to the ground.
Silence returned to the forest.
I stood there, breathing steadily.
"…That was easier than I expected."
I walked toward the fallen beast and placed my hand on its body.
A faint glow appeared.
The familiar warmth flowed into me, spreading through my veins like heat. My muscles tightened slightly, then relaxed.
Stronger.
Again.
When the light faded, only the corpse remained.
I adjusted my grip on my sword and continued walking deeper into the forest, leaves crunching softly under my boots.
"As if one wasn't enough…"
Two massive bears stepped out from opposite sides of the trees.
Their paws crushed branches under their weight. Their fur was darker than the last one. Thicker. Their eyes sharper.
"Two bears again," I muttered.
Instead of fear, excitement rose in my chest.
"Good… my strength will double again."
The one on the left roared first and charged straight at me.
The other circled behind.
Smart.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
The first bear swung its claw downward. I jumped back, but before I landed, the second one lunged from behind.
Too fast.
I twisted midair and blocked with my blade. Its teeth clamped onto the steel. The force sent vibrations up my arm.
I kicked its jaw hard, forcing it back, but the first bear was already on me again.
A heavy paw slammed into my side.
I was thrown several meters, crashing into a tree. The trunk cracked behind me.
"…That hurt."
I wiped blood from the corner of my mouth.
So this is what fighting two at once feels like.
They didn't wait.
Both charged together.
This time, I ran forward instead of back.
At the last second, I slid under the first bear's body, slicing across its stomach. Warm blood spilled over my hand.
It roared in pain.
Before I could recover, the second bear tackled me from the side. We rolled across the ground, dirt and leaves flying everywhere.
Its jaws snapped inches from my face.
I pushed against its neck, muscles straining.
"Move."
Lightning flickered along my arm.
The bear flinched for a split second.
That was enough.
I drove my knee into its ribs, then forced my glowing hand against its chest.
Electricity burst out violently.
The smell of burned fur filled the air.
The bear screamed and staggered back, smoke rising from its body.
The injured one recovered and charged blindly in rage.
I stood up slowly.
My breathing was heavier now.
But my body didn't feel weak.
It felt… hot.
The first bear swung wildly.
I stepped inside its range and punched its throat.
A deep cracking sound echoed.
Its massive body stumbled.
Before it could fall, I leaped up, lightning gathering along my blade.
I slashed downward across its skull.
The impact split fur and flesh, electricity exploding through its body.
It collapsed instantly.
The second bear, still smoking from the earlier shock, roared and rushed at me in desperation.
I didn't dodge.
I ran toward it.
We met in the middle.
It raised its claw—
I slipped to the side and drove my sword deep into its heart.
Lightning surged again, stronger this time.
The forest lit up blue for a brief second.
The bear's body trembled violently…
Then went still.
Silence returned.
I stood there, chest rising and falling.
Two massive corpses at my feet.
"…That was harder than i thought."
But I was smiling.
I placed my hand on the first bear.
Energy flowed into me again. Stronger than before. Denser. My muscles tightened, veins faintly glowing under my skin.
Then the second.
Another wave of power rushed through me, almost making my knees buckle.
My heartbeat grew louder.
Faster.
I looked down at my hands.
The air around me felt different now.
Heavier.
Or maybe it was me who changed.
After a moment, I adjusted my sword at my side and began walking again, leaving behind the scorched ground and fallen beasts.
Ten goblins jumped out from the bushes, shouting and waving their crude weapons. Their small bodies and sharp faces looked aggressive, but I didn't feel threatened. They were fast, but predictable.
I stepped forward calmly, swinging my sword with precision. One goblin lunged, and I sidestepped, slicing his shoulder and sending him to the ground. Another tried a spear attack, but I twisted and struck him in the side before he could reach me.
The others hesitated, realizing my speed and control. I moved through them efficiently, dropping goblin after goblin with well-placed strikes. Within moments, all ten were groaning on the forest floor, unable to continue.
I picked up the cores one by one, placing them carefully into my bag. The forest was quiet as I continued hunting, moving steadily and keeping an eye out for anything that moved. Hours passed, and my body was starting to feel the strain, but I kept going.
"That's the last one," I said after finishing off the final wolf. wolves, goblins, kobolds' cores — fifty in total. My arms ached, my legs were tired, but there was a small smile on my face.
I wondered how Ms. Cera would react if she saw all of them. She'd probably be surprised, I thought. Still, my stomach reminded me I hadn't eaten much today.
Alright, time to head back, I told myself. I slung my bag over my shoulder and began walking toward the town, moving through the forest.