Alpha wastes no time and charges forward, ready to take on Leviah head-on. The massive entity responds by sending forth several vines that lash out, slapping the ground and extending menacingly toward him.

With skill and grace, Alpha effortlessly parries and counters, his blade slicing through the attacking vines. As he engages Leviah in a fierce battle, I keep a vigilant eye on the approaching vines. Swiftly, I cut down the oncoming tendrils, preventing them from reaching me.

Meanwhile, Josh, perched atop a sturdy tree, maintains a strategic vantage point. His sharp eyes scan Leviah for any vulnerabilities, seeking out its weak spot. It doesn't take long for him to discern something unusual within the creature's colossal bud, a potential point of weakness that we might exploit.

"There's something hiding inside the bud. Alpha, can you make a run for it?" Josh suggests.

"On it." Alpha acknowledges, his gaze fixed on the target. He boldly advances toward Leviah's closing bud.

Leviah, displaying a surprising level of awareness, reacts swiftly. The massive entity shrouds its bud with a multitude of vines, a clear attempt to shield whatever is concealed within.

"This one definitely has some intelligence," Josh remarks, recognizing the creature's strategic response.

Undeterred, Josh acts swiftly. He retrieves a flint from his waist pouch and expertly strikes it against the arrowhead, generating a spark that ignites the tip of the arrow. With steady hands and a determined aim, he points the flaming arrow directly at Leviah's bud, ready to take the shot.

As expected, Leviah attempts to create an additional layer of protection by summoning more vines. However, Josh is quick to seize the opportunity. He sets the vines ablaze, creating a wall of fire that surrounds Leviah's defensive curtain.

Without wasting a single moment, Alpha focuses his efforts and takes aim directly at the bud. His blade swings with precision, slashing toward the concealed target. Leviah, realizing the imminent threat, tries to pull the bud back toward its trunk for safety.

Yet, Alpha's speed prevail. He moves faster than the creature can react, slicing the bud in half before it can retreat completely. As the bud is cleaved open, we catch sight of a hard crystal within, emitting a mesmerizing purple and blue glow.

"This may be the reason the [Guardian of the Forest] went rogue!! Destroy the crystal and be done with it!!" Josh's voice rings out, echoing the urgency of the situation.

Alpha prepares to launch another attack, but suddenly, the bud undergoes a startling transformation. In less than four seconds, it regenerates itself, emerging anew with a disturbing addition. The freshly regenerated buds are covered in a crimson liquid that eerily resembles blood.

...

My heart sinks as I witness the horrifying scene unfold before my eyes. "Wait, does it bleed?" I mutter in disbelief.

My gaze drifts to the six lifeless forms of the villagers, still wrapped in Leviah's vines. To my horror, it becomes painfully evident that the creature is not just regenerating itself—it's feeding on them. Vines extend from Leviah, enveloping the corpses and absorbing them into its being.

A wave of intense nausea washes over me, and I feel the urge to vomit. It's clear now that Leviah is using the villagers as a source of sustenance to restore itself.

The realization hits me like a ton of bricks. "And it calls itself the [Guardian of the Forest]? More like a merciless killer!" I seethe, my anger and disgust mingling with the terror that grips me.

"Shit!! Alpha, get away from it!!"

Josh, reacting swiftly to the dire situation, launches more flaming arrows towards Leviah. His aim is to protect Alpha from the impending assault of the gruesome, blood-soaked vines.

Alpha, sensing the urgency, swiftly descends to the ground to evade the onslaught. However, the vines' speed increases dramatically. The flaming arrows fired by Josh struggle to make an impact as Leviah employs the bloody tendrils to extinguish the fire.

"This isn't good. It's feeding too much," Alpha observes, his voice laced with concern.

Hearing those ominous words, a shiver runs down my spine. Fear courses through me, but it's quickly replaced by a burning fury. I steal a glance at Leviah, which has now opened its gruesome, blood-soaked bud wide, its red hue resembling the color of blood itself.

Anger surges within me, fueling my resolve to confront this merciless adversary head-on.

The gruesome sight becomes clearer as I watch in horror. All that blood surrounding Leviah was once the life force of the villagers, a dark river of power that flows around the creature, making it grow stronger and faster with every drop.

Alpha valiantly battles to parry the increasingly potent and agile vines, his efforts strained to their limits. Meanwhile, Josh skillfully dodges the relentless assault of the blood-soaked tendrils.

But I can't stand by any longer, consumed by grief and anger. I scream out in agonizing fury and charge recklessly towards Leviah, my heart filled with an overwhelming desire to retrieve the stolen villagers.

"RETURN ALL THE VILLAGERS, YOU BASTARD!!!"

"RAI, STOP!!!"

Alpha tries to reach me but is thwarted by the relentless and bloody vines. I keep screaming, my voice ringing out as I thrust my Iron Sword from the lower left.

"[RISE ELITE SLASH!!!]"

With a deafening and painful roar, my strike connects, and the blade cuts deep into Leviah's flesh. The monstrous entity emits an eerie, blood-curdling scream as a gush of blood erupts from the wound.

But my bold action does not come without consequences. The vines, having abandoned their assault on Alpha, now turn their attention to me. One of the blood-soaked tendrils strikes my stomach with brutal force, sending me hurtling through the air until I crash into a nearby tree.

Pain surges through me, and I teeter on the brink of consciousness as I collapse onto the grass. In the midst of my agony, Josh rushes over to my side, attempting to help me stand, his concern evident on his face.

Seizing the opportunity created by my daring attack, Alpha wastes no time. He swiftly brushes the tip of his sword against a nearby rock, generating a spark that ignites the blade. With a determined focus, he positions himself just as I did, adopting the lower-left stance, one hand firmly gripping the sword.

"[Burning Riselite Slash!!]"

Burning... what?

I hear Alpha's voice loud and clear as he delivers relentless slashes, his blazing sword carving through Leviah's bud with searing intensity. The buds are separated from the creature's trunk, and flames quickly engulf the open wound.

Desperate, the creature's bud attempts to attach itself to a nearby tree, but the relentless flames thwart its escape.

Josh rapidly directs his flaming arrows toward the root beneath the creature's bud, setting it ablaze. Meanwhile, Alpha charges forward, delivering a series of precise slashes in a bid to extract the crystal from the bud.

Alpha's efforts bear fruit as he successfully seizes the crystal and swiftly returns to our side. The creature, now burning itself, offers no resistance. It appears as though it has surrendered, as if relieved to be consumed by the engulfing flames.

As the flames continue to engulf Leviah, Alpha addresses us, his voice tinged with relief and concern. "It's over. Are you two alright?"

"I'm fine, but Rai..." Josh's voice trails off, worry etched across his face as he looks toward me.

...

Despite my best efforts, the intense pain coursing through my stomach prevents me from standing. I falter and collapse, unable to remain on my feet.

Alpha, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and concern, murmurs softly, "Seriously, that was such a reckless move back then. But without it, I would have never gotten this opportunity."

I manage to muster a smirk despite the pain, responding, "Great job, both of you," though a cough follows my words.

Josh retrieves a makeshift bandages crafted from leaves and herbs found in my pouch. With a worried face, he looks at me while grabbing the herb.

"This might sting a bit..." Josh warns as he applies the herbal poultice to my injury. The pain intensifies, and I let out a piercing shriek before eventually succumbing to unconsciousness.

"Rai!!" Alpha calls out, concern etched across his features.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"It's alright, Alpha. Let him faint. It'll ease his pain," Josh reassures, his voice steady. Alpha clenches his fists, exhaling heavily, and watches over our fallen comrade with a mix of relief and worry.

"This guy is either incredibly reckless or just plain foolish," Alpha mutters, his gaze fixed on the crystal he holds in his hand. He ponders the next course of action, uncertain about what to do with this newfound artifact.

Josh turns his attention toward Alpha, offering a thoughtful suggestion. "If I were you, I wouldn't destroy it. It's best if we take it to the capital and see how they react."

"Good point," Alpha agrees, nodding. "They might have some knowledge about it." The decision made, Alpha carefully secures the crystal, understanding that it may hold valuable information or significance in their quest.

"And..." Josh strides over to the fallen creature, his sense of curiosity piqued by its unusual nature.

"It would be a shame not to keep a piece of this as a souvenir~" Josh grins mischievously, his adventurous spirit shining through. He deftly draws a small dagger and slices off a portion of Leviah's body, stashing it away in his pouch.

"This should fetch us some quick cash," Josh remarks pragmatically, considering the practicality of the situation.

Alpha, while understanding the value of resources, can't help but voice his concern. "You know what, Josh? For a moment there, I almost believed you would destroy all the guardians just for the wealth... Show some respect to them, will ya?"

Josh responds with a hearty laugh before shifting his gaze to Rai, unconscious and in need of care.

"Anyway, our task here is done. Let's make our way out of this forest. It's giving me the creeps," Alpha suggests, offering his assistance as he helps Rai lean on his left shoulder. "I could use a hand, you know."

"Alright, alright!" Josh readily agrees, positioning himself on Rai’s right side to provide additional support.

Together, along with the remaining survivors, they move slowly, helping the unconscious Rai as we make our way out of the eerie forest toward the plains in which lies right in front of them, at the end of the forest, putting the unsettling events behind all of them.

...

I gradually awaken, my senses tingling, and a peculiar sensation lingering in my stomach. Above me, the dark sky stretches out, accompanied by a gentle breeze. The vast grassy plains surround us, shrouded in darkness, with only our spot near the bonfire illuminated. I make an effort to turn my head, and my eyes land on a somber scene—six of the survivors, including the children, sit near the bonfire. Their expressions are vacant, marked by the profound loss they have just experienced, having lost not only their village but also their loved ones.

Turning my gaze in the opposite direction, I observe withered trees, bereft of leaves, casting an eerie, black pallor not too far from where I lie. Before long, an immense face comes into view. It's Josh.

"You're awake!" he exclaims with evident relief, his voice carrying a hint of joy.

I attempt to sit up, but an immediate, sharp pain shoots through my stomach, causing me to wince.

"No, no. Take it slow. You still have that wound on your stomach," Josh advises, his expression filled with concern as he gestures toward the area of my injury.

I gaze down at my aching stomach, where a makeshift bandage of leaves and dried herbs conceals the wound. My blood seems to have dried up over time. Following Josh's wise counsel, I make a concerted effort to gradually raise my body, determined to endure the pain as I regain my strength.

"You were far too reckless back there," Josh chides gently, extending a pouch of drink toward me.

"Thanks," I reply with gratitude, accepting the drink and taking a sip. My thoughts turn to Alpha as I inquire, "Where's Alpha?"

"He's been scouting around. I'm sure he'll be back soon," Josh reassures me.

"Oh..." I respond, my mind still clouded with the memories of the recent ordeal. I attempt to recall the events leading up to my collapse: the monstrous plant-like creature and the unfortunate villagers who had fallen victim to it. The queasiness in my stomach resurfaces, threatening to make me ill, but I force my attention to the crackling firewood, determined to keep my composure and prevent myself from becoming sick.

"Hey, Josh..." I begin, my gaze fixed on the firewood, avoiding eye contact. "Do you think we'll make it to the capital safely?"

"Of course we will, you idiot! What kind of question is that?" Josh responds firmly.

My attention shifts to my left hand, which I examine as if searching for answers. "I don't know... We've lost nearly half of the villagers once again, haven't we?"

Josh sighs heavily, his tone carrying a mix of understanding and frustration. "Well, we can't entirely blame them, can we?" he remarks. "Children will always be children, and not everything will go according to plan."

"I suppose..." I murmur, my gaze drifting to the desolate forest beyond, where the memories of our recent battle and loss linger.

"What happened to the forest?" I point my trembling fingers in the forest’s direction with my curiosity getting the better of me.

"After we defeated the guardian, it turned into a dead forest," Josh replies matter-of-factly.

"Wait, does that mean the elves' forest is also—"

"Don't worry, they're fine. The Guardian of Sylph Forest doesn't protect that area, so it won't affect the elven village," Josh assures me.

I breathe a sigh of relief at the news. "Thank goodness."

“Look who’s coming,” Josh points in a direction as Alpha approaches, drawing our attention to his return.

"Welcome back. How are you feeling?" Alpha asks as he rejoins us.

"I'm fine. The wound on my stomach is improving. Thanks to the herbs," I reply, my voice reflecting my gratitude.

"We'll take a break here. Josh, Sir Rodger, and I will take turns keeping watch. Just rest up, and we'll continue our journey tomorrow."

I nod in agreement, then make myself comfortable on the grassy plains.

Alpha and Josh head toward the remaining survivors, offering them some drinks they found by the nearby river. I attempt to close my eyes and find respite in sleep, looking forward to a fresh start tomorrow.

...

The sweet melody of chirping birds gradually rouses me from my slumber. I open my eyes and take in the serene scene. We're still on the same grassy plains, now bathed in the warm glow of the morning sun. I notice everyone else in our group packing their belongings, getting ready for the day ahead.

"Morning," Josh greets me with a friendly smile, offering some cooked rat jerky.

"Good morning, Josh," I reply, accepting the jerky and savoring its flavor.

After satisfying my hunger and taking a sip from my pouch, I retrieve my blood-stained Iron Sword and prepare myself for the journey ahead, determined to face whatever challenges may come our way.

Surprisingly, the pain in my stomach has completely vanished along with the stiffness on my shoulders. The herbs from the Elven Village must truly be of remarkable quality. Feeling rejuvenated, I'm ready for the journey ahead.

"We're all set to go. If we maintain a steady pace, we should arrive before evening. Move out, everyone!" Alpha commands with authority.

Alpha takes the lead, and the survivors follow closely behind him. Josh walks beside Alpha, and Rodger positions himself behind our group, serving as our rear guard. I maintain a deliberate stride just ahead of Rodger, maintaining a deliberate stride.

"Feeling better now?" Rodger asks with genuine concern written on his face.

"I'm fine now, Dad," I reassure him.

"You know, when they carried you out of the forest unconscious, I couldn't bear to think of what might happen to you," he confesses, his gaze avoiding mine.

"I'm sorry..." I respond, my voice tinged with regret for the reckless decision I made to join Alpha and Josh in the battle. I had believed it was the right choice, given my ability to handle the creature's vines, but now I realize it was a mistake.

"No need to apologize," Rodger says with understanding. "If I were your age, I would have done the same."

His words offer me some comfort, reminding me that we all make choices based on the circumstances we face, even if they come with risks.

Rodger then dismisses my apology with a casual wave of his hand, his attention shifting to our surroundings. He tightly grips his bow, a silent protector of our group.

"So few of our village folk remain..." he murmurs, his voice tinged with sadness.

"Yeah... I'm not particularly close to them, so I'm not sure how to interact with them in this situation," I admit.

Rodger remains silent, and we continue our journey in quiet contemplation, each lost in our thoughts for the next few hours.

...

In the distance, my eyes catch sight of an expansive wall made of dark blue fancy stone bricks. The wall resembles a castle wall, with rounded large pillars at regular intervals. Several archers stand stationary along the wall, dressed in leather armor with red feathers adorning their hats. It stretches as far as the eye can see, partially enclosing a river at one end. Our group continues its trek toward the gate of these colossal walls, where two guards stand watch.

"Let's pause here for a moment. I'll speak with the guards," Alpha announces from a distance.

I make my way past the other survivors and approach Josh, curiosity in my voice. "Is this the capital he was talking about?"

"Yes, indeed," Josh confirms with a nod. "This is just the outer wall. You'll soon see the city and the castle. I've been here several times with Alpha during our travels."

"Greetings!" Alpha stands before the two guards with their imposing steel armor gleaming. Each guard holds a spear in their hand.

"I am Alpha, the proud General of Orie. I bring news and survivors from the tragedy at Ezlea Village. As this matter is urgent, I request immediate entry," Alpha states with authority.

The guards exchange glances before turning their attention to all of us.

"I see our General is back from the mission. With such a long journey behind you, permission granted. We shall open the gate," one guard says, swinging the gate open.

"I will escort the survivors to the refuge and provide them with food and drink. They may stay here temporarily," the other guard offers.

"Thank you," Alpha responds, and then he looks at the survivors, indicating that they should follow the guard.

"Josh, Rai, come with me. I need to deliver a report to the Capital. Rodger, take a rest. There's a mercenary guild office nearby, to the left. When you're ready, pay them a visit."

"Thanks for the directions. We'll head there now."

Rodger and the other survivors follow the guard. As Rodger passes by me, he pauses.

"I'm leaving you here now, kid. I am gonna join the survivors for shelter and find something suitable for my hunting jobs later."

"Okay, Dad," I mutter while Rodger pats my head firmly.

“Take care of yourself. We shall see each other later.”

I nod while holding back the urge to cry, then bid farewell to Rodger and join Alpha and Josh as they stride forward.

#

End of Chapter 10