"Hey, have you heard? The trees of the forest have all dried up overnight."
"Yeah... my husband, who escorted a merchant to Parnam recently, mentioned that all the trees in the depths were dead."
"Gosh, really?"
The city of Rendalia, the second-largest economy in Elfreiden and a hub of trade and laughter, was now covered in an unshakable gloom.
The city known for its joy and prosperity suddenly found itself haunted by unease—an eerie tension foreign to its people.
"It's a curse! I tell you! The curse of demons! First they took over the north, now they're cursing the sacred forests of the south!"
The people of the medieval era, whose faith in legends and superstitions rivaled their belief in gods, began drawing conclusions about the mysterious death of an entire forest.
Three days ago, adventurers from Rendalia who had accepted a subjugation quest returned with horrifying news.
The forest's depths had completely withered away, and whatever had caused it was spreading outward at a terrifying pace.
For the city, it was alarming news. Rumors began to swirl—some blamed disease, others a curse—but no one knew for certain what was happening.
"The city lord plans to send a subjugation team to investigate the cause."
"Hic—subjugation team? Hic, does that bastard want them to die?" A drunken man, reeking of booze, shouted as he stumbled through the street.
"Hic—it's a curse! A damn curse! Everyone who goes near that forest will die—ah! Are you blind?! Watch where you're—Ek—!"
The man's slurred curses cut off as he crashed into a figure.
Clad in a dark cloak and worn-out pants, the figure's clothes were even more tattered than those of commoners. But his towering height and the massive dual-bladed axe on his back made everyone nearby fall silent.
"I-I'm sorry! My friend is completely drunk!" The sober companion quickly bowed, clutching the drunk's mouth shut the moment those red eyes turned toward them.
He dragged the drunk away, bowing again before rushing off the instant he received a nod.
"Do I look that intimidating?" Damon chuckled under his breath.
His massive frame—lean, powerful, and honed to perfection—drew every eye. Five days had passed since he had entered his transformation, and today, he finally awoke to his new body.
A body worthy of a berserker. Muscular, balanced, and refined to the limit. His hair was now long and black, his eyes a deep crimson. His facial features were sharp, almost regal.
He looked like a completely different man from who he had been five days ago.
"Looks like my height increased a bit too," he noted, realizing he stood about two inches taller than before. He hadn't asked for that, but the transformation had apparently decided otherwise.
A massive tattoo now covered the left side of his chest—symbols and intricate patterns that extended across his shoulder and arm. It emitted a strange aura, something ancient and powerful.
He truly looked like a berserker straight out of a fantasy game.
Shaking his head, Damon smirked, enjoying the sensation of his new body as he made his way toward a tailor's shop.
Having gained this body, what he now lacked were clothes—decent clothes that fit him.
Opening the wooden door of the shop, he had to duck slightly to enter.
"Welcom—Ah!"
The girl who had greeted him screamed the instant she saw the massive man in rags carrying a huge axe.
"W-welcome, d-dear customer! Pardon me for my rudeness... what can we do for you?"
Terrified, she tried her best to maintain composure while trembling slightly.
"I want a new set of clothes—shirt, pants, and other accessories." Damon placed a pouch filled with coins on the counter. "Can you do it?"
The girl's eyes widened at the sight of the pouch. Looking between Damon's size and the potential profit, she quickly called for her father, the shop's owner.
The purpose of his visit was simple to gain new clothes, he has no clothes on him and he was in urgent need for some good ones. His massive frame make it impossible to buy standard readymade clothes that were sold in store.
The old man, startled at first by Damon's presence, soon calmed down and gladly accepted the request.
Using a measuring tape, he began taking Damon's measurements while asking questions.
"My, my... it's my first time seeing a warrior as large as yourself. Are you perhaps an adventurer?" the tailor asked. "I've met plenty of big men in my life, but you're by far the largest."
Damon smiled faintly at the compliment. "How long will it take for the clothes to be made?"
"Hmm, let's see... for a single set, it'll take about a day or two. In the next four days, I can promise you two sets at most, but after that—no promises," the old man said with a chuckle.
Damon frowned, prompting the tailor to explain.
"You see, in four days, I'll be leaving with my daughter to Parnam for a clothing division contest. I've no idea how long we'll be gone, so I'd rather not promise what I can't deliver."
"I see. How are you traveling to Parnam?" Damon asked.
"Oh, I know quite a few merchants. These days, trips to Parnam have skyrocketed. Are you planning to go as well? With your build, you'd make quite the impression—even as a guard!"
Damon nodded. The tailor's eyes brightened.
"Ho ho! That's perfect! If someone like you travels with us, our safety will improve tenfold. Besides, it's good to befriend a man of your strength."
They spoke for a while longer, and afterward, Damon visited several other tailors to commission more clothes. Some agreed, some declined, but by the end of the day, he had arranged for nearly a dozen sets to be completed before his departure.
He was content. For now, it was enough.
"With this the clothing problem is solved.. now all that's left is to rent an inn"
Finding a good inn wasn't hard, the business was bustling as people arrived at Rendalis majority in their way to parnam mainly to participate in the king's gathering.
Paying for 4 nights and an overpriced dinner Damon finally made his way to bed planning for his next moves.