Sequoia POV
The forest was quiet, almost unnaturally so. Everflowing Blackwood had always been alive with whispers of magic, rustling leaves, and the occasional flash of fairy light. But today… it was dead silent.
I crouched behind a cluster of moss-covered stones, my bow ready. My mission was simple: investigate rumors of a demonic cult gathering in the southern woods. A few townsfolk had disappeared, and I was sent by the guild to ensure the threat was neutralized before it could spread.
I inhaled, calming my nerves. "Stay focused, Sequoia. This isn't just practice. People's lives depend on it."
---
The Cult
The clearing up ahead glowed with an eerie red light. Torches burned, but their flames flickered unnaturally, as if the fire itself were infused with dark mana. Shadowy figures chanted in a rhythm that made the hairs on my neck stand up.
I counted at least a dozen cultists, each wearing a crimson hood, forming a circle around a pulsating black orb suspended mid-air. Dark energy radiated from it, like poison spreading across the clearing.
I frowned. "They're summoning something…"
I nocked an arrow, aiming carefully. I couldn't attack recklessly—if this ritual completed, the creature they called could level the nearby villages.
---
Accidental Explosion
I released the arrow, but the moment it flew, a miscalculation occurred. One of the cultists' wards reflected it, redirecting it into their own black orb.
Time slowed as I realized what was happening. The orb shimmered violently, cracks appearing along its surface. Mana surged in waves, pulsating outward. I ducked instinctively, but the ground beneath me trembled.
The orb exploded. A shockwave of dark energy burst outward, tearing through the clearing. Trees splintered, torches exploded, and cultists screamed in unison. The energy blast surged through the forest, but I stayed focused, using Reflection → Displacement instinctively to avoid direct hits.
When the smoke cleared, the clearing was devastated. The orb was gone, most cultists were unconscious or fled, and the forest bore deep scars from the explosion.
I exhaled shakily. "That… was… not supposed to happen."
---
Assessing the Damage
I moved cautiously through the clearing, checking the perimeter. Any surviving cultists were either retreating or hiding. The black orb, which had been their source of summoning, was completely destroyed.
System pinged:
[Demonic Cult Eliminated — Partial]
[Skill Fragment Acquired: Dark Mana Detection Lv.1]
[Experience: +95,000]
I frowned at the unexpected reward. Yes, I had eliminated the threat—but accidentally. Still, the guild would likely call it a success.
I shook my head, muttering to myself. "Sequoia, you really need to work on precision."
---
Unexpected Consequences
I was about to leave when I noticed faint traces of dark energy dispersing into the forest. Someone—or something—had survived the explosion. The system flagged it immediately:
[Residual Mana Detected — Unknown Entity]
[Threat Level: Medium]
I crouched behind a fallen log, observing. A small shadow moved among the trees, nimble and cautious. It wasn't human. Not fully. Its mana signature was weak but cunning—likely a familiar or a minor demon, sent to observe or report.
"Figures…" I muttered. "Nothing ever stays simple."
I activated Silent Step, moving quietly through the underbrush. If this entity followed me, I needed to either confront it or lure it away from nearby villages.
As I approached, the shadow realized it had been spotted. It hissed—a low, almost intelligent sound—and darted deeper into the forest.
I sighed. "Great. Another thing to track."
---
Reflection
Despite the chaos, I felt a strange sense of accomplishment. My actions, though accidental, had disrupted a potentially deadly ritual. Villagers would be safe for now. And in my system, the skills and experience gained would help me grow stronger.
Still, the forest bore scars, and the thought of what could have happened if the explosion had been closer to inhabited areas gnawed at me.
I sent a message to Kael via the guild network, summarizing the incident.
[Guild Report — Mission Completed: Southern Blackwood Cult]
[Note: Explosion Accidental — Minimal Collateral Damage]
The system pinged back:
[Kael's Acknowledgment Received — Commendation Pending]
I smiled faintly. Even with my mistakes, Kael trusted me. And that trust was worth more than any skill fragment or experience point.
---
Moving Forward
I decided to follow the faint mana trail of the surviving entity. It was risky, but I needed to ensure it didn't regroup or call reinforcements.
System pinged again:
[New Mission Detected — Investigate Residual Mana Entity]
[Recommended Action: Track & Eliminate / Contain]
I exhaled, adjusting my bow. "Alright. One step at a time, Sequoia. First the cult, then whatever this little pest is."
The forest was alive again—not with whispers of magic, but with tension, anticipation, and the faint hum of danger. And I, Sequoia, would walk it carefully.
Mist swirled around my boots as I moved deeper into Blackwood, ready for whatever came next. The Celestial War's shadow might be far away, but every action, every skirmish, every rogue cultist mattered. And I would be there to face it—skill, reflex, and a little accidental chaos in tow.