I had begun my journey toward the Kingdom of Alvans. The path was quiet, the air heavy with the scent of earth and pine. My scythe rested across my shoulder, awkward to carry but necessary. My small bag of supplies hung from my side — bread, dried meat, a waterskin, and a few tools. Nothing more.

  The forest grew thicker as I walked. Leaves whispered overhead, shadows dancing with every sway of the branches. A faint mist clung to the roots and stones around me. I stepped into the shade of a great tree and realized I was in forest Hinda

  Named after the legendary giant Hindan, who once roamed these lands, the forest stretched for miles. According to what I’d read, it wasn’t particularly dangerous — low-tier mana beasts, stray goblins, maybe an orc tribe if one wandered too far south. Still, the unknown always carried weight.

  *God’s command to learn everything* echoed in my mind. Every step reminded me that knowledge wasn’t just power — it was survival.

  Something rustled above me.

  I looked up sharply. Only falling leaves. But as they drifted down, a soft glow pulsed through them — faint traces of mana.

  A Dryad’s work.

  I knelt, touching one of the glowing leaves. The energy was unstable, unrefined. *Not a skilled one,* I thought. *Perhaps young. Maybe even nervous.*

  Why would a Dryad be following me?

  *Could it be because I’m just a seven-year-old walking alone through the forest?* That seemed likely enough.

  Still, Dryads weren’t usually hostile. If it wanted to hurt me, I would’ve been dead already.

  So I kept walking, pretending not to notice.

  The deeper I went, the quieter the world became. My steps echoed faintly. The forest canopy blocked most of the light now, turning the path into a dim, emerald corridor. I stayed alert, scythe ready in hand. The Dryad’s presence lingered behind me, faint but constant — a soft rhythm in the background of the forest’s silence.

  Then, a rustle.

  I turned. A bush shook slightly, leaves trembling. Something — someone — hid there. I frowned. *Are Dryads really this careless?* According to the books, they were intelligent and cautious. Unless… this one was young. Like me.

  I sighed and decided to keep moving. Whatever it wanted, it could reveal itself when ready.

  Hours passed. Sunlight dimmed and shadows stretched long across the forest floor. Night began its slow crawl over the land. I wanted to press on, but common sense told me otherwise. I wasn’t yet skilled enough to handle mana beasts in the dark.

  So I searched for shelter.

  It didn’t take long to find a small cave, half-hidden behind thick roots and moss. Not too deep — perfect for one night.

  I set my bag down and leaned against the stone wall, scythe clutched tightly in my hands. My eyes scanned the darkening forest outside the cave. That familiar presence was still there, faint but steady.

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  From the corner of my eye, I caught movement — a head peeking out from the bushes. Blonde hair, soft and glowing slightly under the moonlight.

  *So that’s the Dryad,* I thought.

  I pretended not to notice, leaning my head back against the stone. Sleep came quickly — or at least it tried to.

  But then—rustling.

  My eyes snapped open. Instinct guided my body. My scythe was already swinging, blade stopping just an inch from a throat.

  “I—I mean… n-no harm!” a voice squeaked.

  A girl’s voice.

  I blinked, focusing. She was young — maybe my age. Blonde hair, green eyes wide with fear. My scythe hovered a breath away from her trembling neck.

  Her whole body shook. She looked too terrified to lie.

  My grip eased slightly. “Why were you following me?” I asked, my tone cold, scythe still close enough to remind her of danger.

  “I-I’ll tell you… if you promise not to h-hurt me,” she stammered.

  I studied her. Dirt on her clothes. Simple dress. Thin arms. She wasn’t armed. Not a threat. Just scared.

  “Fine,” I said. “I won’t hurt you. Now talk.”

  Her trembling slowed. “I… just wanted to take the stuff you had.”

  My brows furrowed. “Why?”

  She lowered her gaze, shame and exhaustion mixing in her voice. “I’m the lone survivor of my village…”

  *Lone survivor?* My thoughts turned sharp. *Dryads living in a village?* That didn’t match anything I’d read.

  “Why would a Dryad need human supplies?” I asked.

  She looked up, confused. “A Dryad?” She hesitated. “I’m not… not a full one.”

  I frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “My mother was a Dryad. My father, human. But I never saw her after I turned four. Three days ago, bandits attacked our village. Everyone… died.”

  Her voice broke on the last word.

  I lowered my scythe completely. The edge gleamed faintly in the dark before I rested it against the wall.

  “So you’re alone,” I said quietly. “Just like I am.”

  She looked at me, surprised. “Just like you?”

  She opened her mouth to ask more—

  —but my senses flared. Something hostile. Fast.

  I turned instantly, scythe ready.

  A blur burst from the darkness — a mana beast. Lion-shaped, its eyes glowing crimson, body coated in black, chitinous flesh that pulsed with mana veins.

  It snarled, low and deep, drool sizzling as it hit the earth.

  The girl gasped, hiding behind me. I could feel her trembling through my clothes.

  My grip tightened on the scythe. I couldn’t run — not with her here.

  The beast prowled forward, each step deliberate, claws leaving molten marks on the stone.

  Then—two more emerged from the shadows.

  Three of them.

  I stepped back, heart hammering. Fighting one was already suicide. Three? Impossible.

  Still, I raised my scythe. “Stay behind me,” I said quietly.

  Her hand clutched my sleeve tighter.

  The first beast lunged. I swung—steel met flesh—and sparks exploded. The recoil nearly threw me back. I gritted my teeth, ready to swing again—

  Then, suddenly—

  *—Swoosh—*

  A burst of white light cut through the air. It rang like a bell — a note so pure it froze everything for a heartbeat.

  All three beasts dropped at once. Silent. Motionless.

  Their bodies hit the ground with dull thuds.

  I blinked, stunned.

  Then I heard footsteps.

  From the bushes emerged a man — tall, calm, and otherworldly. His long white hair shimmered like silver fire, and his eyes… they glowed like the moon, serene yet infinite.

  He carried a book in one hand, ancient symbols pulsing across its cover.

  The air around him bent slightly — the mark of overwhelming mana.

  I didn’t need to sense it to know. Whoever he was, he wasn’t ordinary.

  Even the wind seemed to bow in his presence....