Chapter 51
Eyes of the Mist
The Forest of Dreams stretched across a vast expanse of nearly five thousand square meters—an ominous land shrouded in mystery and danger from every side.
Long ago, the lord of the city of "Fire Phoenix" issued a strict decree to build an immense iron wall encircling the forest. Its purpose was not to keep the monsters inside, but to protect the people from themselves—from entering, vanishing, and never returning. For in all of history, only two humans had ever emerged alive after stepping into the forest, and their return had been a curse, not a blessing. They committed unspeakable acts, as though the forest's curse had clung to them. In the aftermath, the city lord had taken the harshest of measures.
But the wall alone was not enough. Five years ago, a strict law was enacted: anyone wishing to enter the forest must form a team of no fewer than five members, with at least one of them being a native warrior or child of Fire Phoenix City itself. The reckless were barred; no lone wanderer would be allowed to throw their life away.
The people accepted this law without protest, for the forest lay at the heart of Fire Phoenix City and was considered one of its official holdings. Its history was long, complex, and steeped in darkness, whispered through generations as a tale told on cold nights. But this was not the time to delve into that past…
---
At that moment, Einver had already crossed the gate and stepped into the Forest of Dreams.
The air was suffocating—heavy as if he were breathing atop a mountain peak that pierced the clouds. Each breath felt like a battle in itself. He looked left and right, but saw no living creatures—only ancient, withered trees, their twisted trunks looming like lifeless phantoms.
Mist swallowed everything. Thick, cold, restless mist, writhing like wandering souls that veiled horrors unseen.
Einver exhaled slowly, trying to steady his nerves.
I can't see through this… I don't have a technique suited for mist like this. But… I have two ideas. Whether they'll work or not, I'll have to try.
Since the loss of one of his eyes, he had been thinking of creating an alternative technique for vision. Now was the time to attempt it.
He closed his eyes and drew his magical energy inward with sharp focus. From his spiritual core it flowed outward, coursing through his body like hidden rivers.
Next step…
He guided the flow downward—through his chest, waist, thighs, knees—until it reached his feet. A strange wave of comfort pulsed through him as the energy settled in his ankles.
Then, with a sudden release, he pushed it into the earth. Circles of energy rippled outward from his feet, like rings expanding across still water.
Eyes shut, he concentrated with all his senses. He was attempting to see through his feet—by sending out waves of spiritual energy, waiting for their echoes to return and paint the world in his mind.
It was risky, unnatural. Animals in his old world had used sound waves to see in darkness. But this time, instead of sound, he was using spirit energy.
And it worked.
The shadows around him began to clear in his mind. The trees appeared faintly outlined in energy. He could sense the rebound of his own power striking obstacles, then returning to him, sketching their shape in his awareness.
A faint smile touched his lips. His eyes were closed, but at last, he could see again.
Yet something else tugged at his senses—three strong magical signatures. Two high above, perched on towering trees. A third crouched low among the grass, its aura shaped like that of a human.
When he opened his eyes, a glowing window of text appeared before him:
| Congratulations. You have invented a new technique.
Name: Unspecified.
Description: A technique that channels spiritual energy into the body, then down to the feet, releasing it outward in expanding circles. Current range: 50 meters.
Effects: Grants vision in darkness, allows perception of things unseen by the naked eye. The technique is undetectable to others while in use.
Drawbacks: If interrupted during activation, the user's energy rebounds, causing severe burns to the feet.
Note: As physical and magical power increase, the range will expand. |
Einver frowned.
No name? Do I have to choose one myself?
He thought for a moment, then chuckled softly.
"I've got it. I'll call it… Eyes of the Mist."
The window appeared again:
| Congratulations.
Name recorded: Eyes of the Mist.
Data saved. |
Einver raised an eyebrow, more intrigued than ever.
A new feature in the system… Seems there's much more to discover. But not now. I need to focus.
Reactivating the technique, he scanned the area within fifty meters.
Three strong auras… but where's the fourth? Weren't there four of them? And what foolish reason do they have for trying to kill me this time? Damn it… Whatever it is, I cannot repeat the disaster of Sunlight City. I don't want another city to brand me an enemy. Not now. I'm still too weak. Those three are stronger than me—and the entire city of Fire Phoenix stands behind them. One wrong move, and it's over. I must withdraw quietly.
He shifted carefully to the right, sensing no human aura there, and slipped into the mist without a trace.
---
Not long after he vanished, the spot where Einver had stood rang with a young man's furious shout:
"Damn it! Didn't I tell you we don't need him? Why did you let him join us?!"
A girl snapped back, her voice sharp with scorn:
"Didn't I tell you, fool? We needed five people to enter. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been allowed in at all. Even as the lord's children, that old man would never have broken the city's law for us. Do you think you're above it?"
Another girl let out a bitter sigh.
"This is all your fault… You're the reason Bin Ma is dead, you lust-driven idiot! We were five already, but you couldn't control yourself. You tried to take advantage of her, and she chose death over dishonor. Now we're stuck with this stranger in her place!"
The young man snarled.
"How was I supposed to know she'd kill herself? Stupid, worthless girl!"
These three were none other than the lord's own children:
Luo Ri—the eldest daughter.
Luo Rai—the second daughter.
Luo Mo—the fourth son.
Their third brother, Luo Mai, was not present.
Originally, two more girls had joined them: Bin Ma and Ma Yue. But Bin Ma had not been noble-born. She was just an ordinary girl—alone, without family or status—who dreamed of becoming strong. Following the lord's children had seemed her only chance. Yet she became nothing more than a victim of Luo Mo's recklessness, choosing death to preserve her dignity. No one mourned her. She had been born "ordinary," and so she was discarded like nothing.
Luo Ri finally spoke, her tone calm but firm.
"Enough quarreling. We're here for the treasure. Legends say our great-uncle once came to this place when it was still a thriving city. Something sparked a terrible conflict between him and the city. He fought them all, alone against an entire people. What remained of that battle became this Forest of Dreams. Father told us that our uncle left behind a hidden treasure here. No one has ever found it because of the forest's dangers—but that is our goal. So focus. As for that boy, leave him for now. If he dares obstruct us, we'll kill him without hesitation. Agreed?"
Luo Rai answered at once.
"Yes, elder sister."
Luo Ri turned to Luo Mo, her voice sharp.
"And you?"
He scowled, but even his arrogance couldn't outweigh the lure of the treasure.
"…Yes, elder sister."
Then Luo Ri asked,
"Where is Ma Yue? Why did she disappear? She said she couldn't fight that boy, but she never explained her fear. Ma Yue! Come out and explain yourself!"
---
You can contact me through my official page on the following Accounts:
telegram:
miraclenarrator
tiktok:
miracle_narrator
instagram:
miracle_narrator