I advanced silently through the depths of the forest, each step bringing me closer to the unknown. There was no trace of humans—no paved paths, no footprints, no signs of passage. Only untouched land with tall grasses and trees stretching endlessly, their branches intertwining to form a dense green canopy where sunlight threaded through like silver strands and shadows hid in every corner.
Days passed slowly, the wind brushing against my face and whispering through the leaves, as if the forest itself was watching my movements. There was no direct threat, only an overwhelming sense of mystery and isolation, as if I were a heavy guest in a world unaccustomed to the presence of humans.
The core I had retrieved from the ruins was unique; it wasn't fully conscious, yet it **responded to my thoughts and guided me without words**. I felt it drawing a trace of the surrounding mana, gently leading me through hidden paths, as if whispering into my soul:
*"Follow this path… something awaits you."*
It was no longer just a source of energy—it had become a semi-living entity, warning me of unseen dangers and sensing the heartbeat of the forest.
Suddenly, the air around me shifted. The winds grew denser, the colors brighter in a strange, almost unnatural way, as if the forest was lifting a hidden veil. Far off, among the colossal trees, **glimmering natural walls** appeared, encircling what looked like a legendary kingdom. Houses perched atop massive trunks, rivers shimmered with an ethereal green light, and the air carried a scent that redefined the meaning of life itself.
I recalled the stories my parents told me about the "Elves," a people deeply connected to natural mana and fiercely protective of their lands against human intrusion. I couldn't be certain what I was seeing, but the core's resonance with me clarified the path, guiding me to the edge of the kingdom's entrance.
I stopped there, my breath quickening, heart pounding. The giant trees twisted around one another, their leaves glowing in shades of blue and green under the sun, like emeralds and sapphires. I tried to advance cautiously, looking for a guide or a clue that could lead me to my family, hiding behind a slanted tree to observe the inhabitants.
They were indeed Elves: long, radiant ears, shimmering hair, and pure mana flowing through their bodies like living blood. Even though my mana had reached the "Mist" rank, it felt feeble compared to their purity—they did not recognize human classifications, relying solely on the essence of purity itself.
A strange tension filled the air around them—not hostile toward me, as I had hidden my presence completely—but something else lingered, a silent watchfulness. I wondered to myself, *"What should I do now? I need to reach Portalis to use the transfer stone to Aetheria… but I'm lost here."*
Then, while listening carefully, the core's newly developed senses picked up faint whispers among the elves. The news hit like a thunderclap: the king's children, Prince Valerian and Princess Iris, had disappeared while playing near the river outside the walls. The other children had returned, but they were gone, and the kingdom's inhabitants were clearly anxious and fearful.
A spark of hope lit in my eyes: *"A golden opportunity… if I rescue the prince and princess, I might be able to ask for guidance or a path forward."*
I moved swiftly toward the river, tracking them with caution and determination. Yet a strange sensation ran through me—one being inside the kingdom had sensed the disturbance, feeling the presence of a human silently moving through the forest.