The fire was still burning, its dancing shadows cast across Shimoro and Ryo's faces. The cold air slipped between the trees, making Shimoro shiver slightly before he turned toward Ryo, who seemed lost staring into the distance.
Shimoro said as he gazed into the flames:
"I think we're going to need food… my stomach's been complaining since morning."
Ryo raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly.
"The Ice Heir suffers from hunger? I didn't imagine you had a human side after all those serious looks!"
Shimoro replied with a faint smile.
"At least I don't eat the wind like you."
Ryo laughed softly, then stood up.
"Stay here, I'll get something to eat. Try not to attract monsters this time."
He walked quietly between the trees while the night grew darker, the faint moonlight cutting through the leaves. The air was thick with the scent of soil and dew — and another strange smell of herbs.
Ryo began searching carefully, gathering some edible brown mushrooms and a few fragrant herbs, then spotted the roots of wild carrots between the rocks.
"Hah, seems luck is with me tonight."
He returned after minutes carrying the herbs and took out cooking tools from his bag: a small metal pot, a wooden spoon, and flint sticks. He sat beside the fire and began working with the expertise of a professional.
Shimoro watched him, surprised.
"I didn't think you could cook too."
"I lived alone for years in the desert. If I didn't cook, I would've become the main dish."
Shimoro laughed quietly. After a few minutes, the warm scent of soup filled the place — a blend of herbs, carrots, and gentle steam wrapping the air.
"Try it," Ryo said as he handed the first bowl to Shimoro.
"It smells amazing…" Shimoro took the first sip and froze in surprise.
"This is delicious! Where did you learn to cook like this?!"
Ryo smiled with confidence and arrogance.
"I told you, I lived in the desert for years."
Time passed, and both finished their bowls quickly. One bowl remained over the fire. They looked at each other silently, then reached for it at the same moment.
"I found it first!" Shimoro said seriously. "But I cooked it!" Ryo shot back, his tone challenging.
A small clash began. Shimoro tried freezing the bowl, while Ryo pushed him back with a gentle gust of wind.
"You cheater! You used wind!" "And you tried to freeze the soup! Who's cheating now?!"
The moment turned into a chaotic, funny scene — snow swirling, wind spinning, and the poor bowl flying before Ryo snatched it skillfully and sat like a champion.
"Victory goes to the fastest hand!" he said, smiling confidently.
Shimoro frowned slightly, then laughed.
"This isn't fair!"
They both laughed, and as the moments passed, the fire's flame dimmed gradually, and sleep overtook them on the quiet ground.
With the first rays of dawn, they woke to birdsong and golden sunlight slipping through the branches. Ryo stretched lazily.
"Time to go. The forest hasn't revealed its secrets yet."
Ryo and Shimoro packed their belongings.
They walked through moss-covered paths, and as they progressed, the plants slowly shifted in color toward a dark green tinged with blue. The air grew colder, the wind less gentle.
Shimoro asked as he walked beside him:
"Ryo… why did you choose Arabisel Forest specifically? There are easier ways toward strength."
Ryo stopped for a moment, staring ahead with sharp eyes, then said:
"Because what I'm searching for… lives in this forest."
"You're looking for something?"
"For a creature."
Shimoro looked at him in surprise.
"A creature?"
Ryo smiled slightly.
"The Red Scale Fish. A rare beast that only appears under a full moon. Its habitat is Arabisel, but I don't know its exact location — only that it dwells in a massive lake inside Arabisel called 'Firefly Lake.' I don't care about its meat, but its scales are strong… they can be used to craft swords."
Shimoro's eyes widened.
"You want to craft a new sword?"
Ryo smiled.
"Exactly. A sword that can endure our journey."
They continued walking. The forest grew darker and more mysterious, the air heavy with faint EIU vibrations. As Shimoro looked around, he sensed something strange.
Morning light stretched over the edges of Arabisel Forest like pale golden threads slipping between twisted branches. Ryo walked steadily, ahead of Shimoro, who seemed distracted by the fog blanketing the area.
The breeze carried a strange smell… a mix of dew and rust. Shimoro suddenly stopped.
"Do you smell that? A scent of… iron?"
Ryo replied after a short pause without turning.
"That's not iron. It's the smell of… beast blood."
A chill ran down Shimoro's spine. His voice carried both caution and curiosity.
"Is it close?"
Ryo didn't answer. Instead, he pointed toward massive footprints pressed deep into the mud, faint steam rising from them as if they were still warm.
They approached cautiously when a deep rustling echoed between the trees, and the ground trembled beneath them.
From the shadows emerged a hideous creature — dark, cracked skin, glowing blue eyes, and claws like blades of black stone. It growled low, making the leaves quiver.
"A rank E beast… or maybe higher," Ryo said calmly, placing his hand on his sword's hilt.
"Stay alert."
Shimoro stepped back, watching every move carefully. It was the first time he saw a creature mutated to this degree.
Everything about it hinted that it was once a normal animal — before it was corrupted by EIU energy.
The creature shrieked sharply and lunged forward.
Ryo moved instantly, vanishing and reappearing behind it, swinging his sword.
"(Wind Flash)!"
A sharp gust of wind sliced off the creature's arm, splattering black blood on the ground. But the monster didn't fall — it grew even more furious.
At that moment, Shimoro raised his hand hesitantly, a voice inside him screaming:
"Will I kill this… being? It's in pain, only fighting to survive."
But he had no time to think. The creature charged at him, so Shimoro raised his arm and muttered unconsciously:
"Freeze…"
Instantly, shards of ice shot around him, forming a pure crystalline dagger.
"Ice Dagger…" Ryo whispered in awe.
Shimoro lunged forward and stabbed the creature's chest. Its body froze slowly, turning into solid ice, then shattered.
Shimoro stood panting, staring at his trembling hand and the frozen blue eyes locked in place.
"I didn't think… killing it would feel this strange."
Ryo placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You'll get used to it. Battle doesn't choose who deserves to live — only who can survive."
Shimoro said nothing, staring at the ground as the wind brushed through his hair.
Suddenly, another rustle echoed behind them — smaller this time, but incredibly fast.
A small wolf-like creature leaped from the grass, its eyes bright, its skin gray.
"A rank E beast, but weaker than the ones we faced before — so weak even a human with a weapon could kill it," Ryo said calmly.
"This is your chance, Shimoro. Test your control."
Shimoro hesitated, then raised his right hand. Ice gathered around his fingers, slowly forming a glowing snowball.
"(Ice Ball)!"
The ball shot forward, striking the creature's chest. A white flash erupted, and the monster fell frozen.
Ryo smiled at him.
"Good. You didn't waver this time."
Shimoro breathed heavily.
"Maybe… I'm starting to understand a little."
---
After hours of walking, sunlight faded behind the treetops. The forest grew unnervingly quiet, as if hiding something. Suddenly, Shimoro noticed something glimmering beneath a small waterfall. He approached slowly.
It was a tiny scale, bright crimson, glimmering faintly. He reached out and picked it up — a soft warmth pulsed in his palm.
"What is this?"
Ryo rushed over, his eyes widening with genuine shock.
"This… impossible."
He held the scale before his eyes, speaking in a hushed voice:
"It's a Red Scale Fish scale… the fish I'm searching for."
Shimoro stared at him.
"So it really exists?"
Ryo looked at him firmly.
"Yes. But it only appears when you get close to its waters. Which means…"
He paused, his voice growing serious.
"…that we're now near the borders of Firefly Lake."
They exchanged glances. The air around them thickened.
This moment marked the beginning of something far greater than just a journey.
They had taken their first true step into the abyss.
To be continued…