CHAPTER 54: MONSTERS

The rhythm of the carriage wheels sounded on the silent road.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

Sunlight fell on Astrael’s side through the small windows. Tavric yapped his fingers on the seat’s edge, clearly fidgeting. "So... Elderwood Forest, huh?"

Astrael didn’t reply immediately. He kept his eyes on the window, watching the scenery change. The trees in the distance were growing thicker, taller and more twisted.

Tavric cleared his throat. "You’ve been there before?"

"No," Astrael said without looking.

"Oh." Tavric scratched his head. "I only know from the rumours. People call it a cursed place, but I think they’re just exaggerating."

"By the way, why are you going to the same place?" Astrael asked after a moment.

"Oh, actually, I accepted a mission in the same area. That’s why I asked you yesterday, but you didn’t give me a chance to finish."

Astrael raised a brow. "So you’re just tagging along?"

Tavric gave an awkward laugh. "Not tagging along, exactly. More like... coincidentally heading the same way?"

Astrael didn’t reply. He just looked out the window as the trees thickened and the cobbled road turned to dirt. The sound of wheels crunching against gravel faded into silence.

"...Fine," Astrael said after a long pause. "Just don’t slow me down."

Tavric grinned. "Wouldn’t dream of it!"

He leaned back in his seat, trying to look relaxed, but Astrael caught the way his fingers fidgeted slightly at his side.

"So what’s your deal, anyway?"

Astrael raised an eyebrow. "My deal?"

"You’re strong. Like... not just strong. You don’t look like a new adventurer. What’s your background? You from some sword school?"

Astrael paused for a moment. Then replied, "Noble family and private training, nothing special."

"Ravenastra... That’s a Baron’s house, right?"

Astrael gave a faint nod.

Tavric whistled. "Man, and here I am, the second son of a merchant lord. You’d think I’d be used to nobles, but you lot are all different flavours of serious."

Astrael didn’t answer.

Tavric shrugged. "Well, if you ever wanna talk about family drama, I’m all ears. Or we could just kill monsters together. I’m good at both."

Astrael allowed a tiny smirk to appear at the corner of his mouth.

Tavric noticed it and grinned wider. "Was that a smile? I’ll take it as a yes."

"You’ve never been to the Elderwood, have you?" Astrael asked after a moment of silence, eyes still on the growing treeline.

Tavric paused, then chuckled lightly. "That obvious?"

Astrael didn’t answer.

The silence returned, thick and steady like the creeping mist that had begun to roll in through the trees outside. The forest was still a fair distance away, but even now its aura seemed to reach toward them.

Tavric shifted in his seat. "...So. They say monsters there are worse than normal, yeah?"

"Yeah," Astrael replied. "Stronger, smarter and more cruel."

"Right," Tavric muttered, his smile fading just a little. "Fun—."

Suddenly, the carriage came to a screeching halt.

Inside, Astrael and Tavric were jolted by the abrupt stop.

"What happened, driver? Why did you stop so suddenly?" Tavric called out from within the carriage.

"Y-young lord, there are monsters up ahead," the driver replied, his voice trembling.

ChatGPT said:

Astrael’s eyes narrowed the moment he heard the word monsters. He stood up without hesitation and pushed open the carriage door. The sharp scent of blood hit him instantly.

They weren’t far from the outskirts of the Elderwood, and already...

Tavric scrambled out behind him, holding his short sword with both hands, though his posture was anything but confident.

"Where?" Astrael asked, voice cold and steady.

The driver, a middle-aged man with a trembling hand on the reins, pointed toward the narrow forest path ahead.

"There—near the clearing. I spotted at least three shapes moving in the mist... and—and something else... bigger."

Astrael stepped forward.

Through the light fog, he could barely make out hulking figures pacing just within the tree line.

[Appraise]

[Wildfang Gnoll – mid Tier 1]

[Gnoll Brute – high Tier 2]

[Gnoll Shaman – high Tier 2]

He let out a small breath. Gnolls.

Beast-like humanoids with dog-like heads, known for their savagery and love for flesh. Seeing them in a small pack like this wasn’t uncommon. But the presence of a shaman... that was unusual.

"H-Hey, are they strong?" Tavric asked, peering out from behind the door

Astrael didn’t look back.

"If you have to ask, don’t engage."

He turned slightly. "Stay near the carriage. If anything gets close, kill it."

"And you?"

Astrael’s fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, and a faint smile curled on his lips.

"I’ll clear the path."

Astrael stepped forward calmly.

One step after another. His black boots pressed into the gravel road, his coat swaying gently behind him, silver eyes locked on the misty treeline where the gnolls lurked.

A low growl echoed from the fog.

Three shapes emerged—snarling, hunched figures covered in mangy grey fur. Long arms with clawed fingers dragged across the ground. The largest of the three, a brute nearly twice the size of a normal man, bared its fangs and roared.

GRAAAHH!

The gnolls, seeing a puny human coming towards them he growled. He also charged.

Astrael didn’t flinch.

[Quick Draw]

His sword was already in his hand before their feet struck the ground.

CLANG.

The first gnoll leapt, claws swiping. Astrael leaned slightly to the side, his body moved before thought, and slashed horizontally.

SHING!

A clean arc of blood sprayed the air.

The gnoll’s torso separated from its legs. It collapsed before it even realised it was dead.

The others didn’t stop.

The brute rushed forward with a snarl, a jagged metal club in its hand. The shaman remained behind, eyes glowing faint red as it began to chant in a guttural tongue, summoning blood magic.

Astrael’s eyes flicked to the caster first.

[Predator’s Clarity – Active]

The world changed as if time slowed down.

The shaman’s mana flickered like a beacon. Its intent, its motion, the subtle gathering of energy—he could see it all.

"Too late."

He vanished from his spot.

The brute swung the club with immense force.

BOOM!