"To start off, your objective is to wipe out a settlement of soldier-rank green demons!" the voice declared calmly.

Manasei's expression eased a bit. While he didn't know all the rankings of demons, one thing was clear, soldier rank was the lowest. That was, at least, some good news.

Still, the idea of facing even the weakest demons in his current state would not end well. A single soldier-rank green demon would have been difficult enough at his peak, let alone now, missing an arm and already battered. Yet, compared to anything stronger, this was a challenge he could stomach.

The voice continued, "The settlement is located on the outskirts of the 'Forest of Melody.' You will be dropped in close proximity to it."

Manasei raised an eyebrow. "Forest of Melody?" he asked.

"Yes," the voice replied evenly. "Even the green demons avoid venturing further into the forest's depths."

"Cursed beasts…" Manasei muttered grimly.

"Correct," the voice confirmed. "Cursed beasts that rank far higher than the demons you'll face. I strongly advise you to remain within the outskirts as well."

The mention of cursed beasts sent a chill through him. Little was publicly known about these creatures, but that was enough to make even him shudder.

Irrational and devoid of sentience, cursed beasts attacked anything in their path, whether demon or mortal. They were grotesque abominations, their deformed bodies twisted into horrific shapes that defied reason.

The fact that a forest brimming with these creatures loomed so close to his objective didn't bode well. For a crippled Manasei, survival would require every ounce of cunning and caution he could muster.

"The green demons have been exploring the outskirts so far, but it won't be long before they venture into your reality," the voice warned. "I would also recommend waiting for backup… In your current state, this will be quite a challenge."

Manasei stayed silent, his thoughts churning. After a moment, he broke the quiet.

"I'll be honest with you, uh…" he trailed off, glancing around awkwardly. "Wait, what should I even call you?"

"Administrator?" the voice offered simply.

"No, I mean, you sound like a real person, nothing like some mechanical 'thing.' Don't you have a 'real' name?"

The voice paused, as if taken aback, before laughter echoed all around him.

"You may call me Aladdin, young savior," the voice finally replied, a cheerful tone carrying the words.

"Aladdin, I'll be honest with you," Manasei began, his tone calm but resolute. "I didn't come here to clear this objective. I entered this dungeon out of desperation, to escape my enemies."

He exhaled slowly. "I'm just a street rat whose misfortune has hit an all-time high. I'll probably just stick to the edges of the objective, trying to preserve my life."

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There was a pause, as if Aladdin was considering the words. Then, the voice returned, gentle yet firm.

"I suspected as much," Aladdin replied. "But you seem to misunderstand my role. There's no need to feel guilt or apprehension. No matter your reasons for entering a dungeon, survival is the one thing I will always advocate for above all else."

Manasei blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "So… you're not going to kick me out of here?"

Aladdin chuckled lightly. "No. I have no authority to do so. I'm merely a ferryman. It doesn't matter who the traveler is, my duty is only to get them across."

Manasei nodded slowly, his gaze steady. "I see. Then, is there anything else in the forest I should be aware of?"

"That is all I believe," Aladdin said, his tone calm. "I will take you across now, if you have no further questions."

"None," Manasei replied with a nod. "Please do so, and I hope we meet again, Aladdin."

With a faint wave, Manasei vanished in a flash of light.

The colorless void fell silent once more, fading into complete darkness as he departed.

---

Manasei blinked, and in the next instant, his surroundings shifted drastically. His eyes adjusted slowly to the red hue bathing the land, an unsettling light that seemed to emanate from above. Instinctively, he looked up.

What he saw left him momentarily speechless. Three glowing red orbs hovered in the sky, like suns casting an eerie crimson glow over the forest below. The sight twisted his sense of reality, leaving him disoriented.

This world… he thought, his jaw slack in disbelief.

But the moment passed. Manasei clenched his teeth, forcing his thoughts into order.

No time for sightseeing.

he was likely the weakest being in this forest. If he stopped moving, he'd be nothing more than prey.

First things first, scanning the horizon. I need to locate the settlement so I can keep track of it.

The last thing he wanted was to stumble into a den of green demons unprepared. He needed to scout the area carefully, staying out of sight and keeping to the shadows.

Before long, Manasei spotted one of the green demons, or as they were more commonly known, goblins. He crouched low behind a bush, a few meters away, studying the creature intently.

Its green, leathery skin gleamed faintly in the crimson light. A bald head and pointed ears gave it an almost comical appearance, but its piercing yellow eyes and muscular frame exuded menace. Though short in stature, the goblin's compact build suggested a strength that belied its size.

It was dressed primitively, strips of cloth draped across its torso, and in its hand was a weapon forged from jet-black material, crude but undoubtedly dangerous.

Manasei's breath steadied as he began trailing the goblin from a safe distance. He kept to the shadows, careful not to make a sound. His goal was clear: follow it back to its hideout.

The goblin moved at a steady pace, seemingly oblivious to Manasei's presence. Minutes turned into what felt like hours as he tracked the creature through the dense forest.

Finally, Manasei's steps halted as he reached the edge of a small cliff. Below him, his target trudged toward a village.

From his vantage point, he could see dozens of goblins, their green forms like scattered dots moving through the settlement. The village itself was simple, hastily constructed huts and crude defenses, but it thrived with activity.

Manasei's jaw tightened as he took in the sight. That must be the settlement… . Now that he had located it, he needed to formulate a plan.

Manasei crouched on the cliff, his sharp eyes scanning the goblin village below. He couldn't be certain of their total number, but he counted at least fifty-six goblins moving through the settlement. Whether this was typical of an E-rank objective, he didn't know, but one thing was clear, he now knew exactly where to avoid.

Ironically, these demons and beasts aren't even my biggest threat in this cursed forest, he thought bitterly, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

He knew it was only a matter of time before the two assassins caught up with him. The goblins and the forest's other predators paled in comparison to their cunning and danger.

'Before that happens, I need to find food',

Hunting beasts was out of the question, he was in no condition to fight the beasts in this forest. That left fruits, plants, or anything remotely edible as his only options.

With a quiet exhale, Manasei turned away from the cliff, mentally marking the village's location. He moved in the opposite direction, careful to avoid wandering further into the forest's depths, where the cursed beasts roamed.