Morning sunlight gently streamed through the thin curtains of The Lantern Inn, casting golden patterns across the wooden floor. The faint sounds of the city awakening drifted through the window — merchants setting up stalls, carriage wheels rolling over stone roads, distant chatter filling the air.
Kaito opened his eyes slowly.
For a brief moment, he simply lay there, listening. It had been a while since they slept in a proper bed. The softness almost felt foreign after nights of camping under open skies.
Across the room, Kael groaned and turned over. “Already morning?”
“Yeah,” Kaito replied calmly, sitting up. “We start early.”
After washing up, the two headed downstairs where Serena and Renna were already seated at a wooden table near the window.
Serena waved lightly. “Good morning.”
Renna was halfway through her bread. “You’re late.”
Kaito smiled faintly. “We’re right on time.”
Breakfast was simple but filling — warm bread, vegetable stew, eggs, and tea. Lilith moved between tables energetically while Lily handled the cooking and counter.
“Heading out already?” Lily asked.
“Yes,” Kaito replied. “We’ll return once the quest is done.”
“Be careful,” Lilith added with bright eyes.
After finishing their meal, they left the inn and returned to the Adventurers Guild yard to retrieve the carriage. The stablehand bowed politely.
“Horse rested well. Strong and ready.”
Kaito checked the straps and reins carefully before taking hold of the noseband. Serena and Renna climbed aboard while Kael sat near the rear.
Soon, they rode out of Grainford City’s towering gates, the metal doors creaking shut behind them.
Into the Forest
The road gradually shifted from cobblestone to dirt as they traveled further away from the city. The trees grew denser, their branches intertwining overhead.
After nearly an hour, Renna narrowed her eyes. “Look.”
Broken trunks. Deep line marks. Sap hardened on the ground.
“This is Treant territory,” Serena whispered.
Kaito stopped the carriage. “Kael, stay with the horse and keep watch.”
Kael nodded seriously. “Got it.”
The trio stepped into the forest.
The air felt heavier inside. The forest was unnaturally quiet.
Then—
Creak.
A wooden limb shifted behind a tree.
Several Treants emerged, their bodies twisted and gnarled, glowing faintly with corrupted energy.
Without hesitation, Kaito raised his hand.
“Crimson Lance.”
A spear of blazing red flame formed instantly and shot forward. It pierced through the chest of the nearest Treant and exploded from within, scattering burning wood fragments.
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Renna dashed forward.
“Crimson Slash!”
Her blade glowed scarlet as she swung horizontally. Two Treants split cleanly in half.
“Ice Lance.”
Serena’s spell followed, a sharp shard of ice flying forward with deadly precision. It pierced another Treant through its core.
More appeared.
They came in waves — five, then ten.
The forest erupted in battle.
Kaito summoned two more Crimson Lances in succession, hurling them like javelins of fire. Serena froze the ground beneath charging Treants, slowing them. Renna moved like a streak of red lightning, cutting through wooden bodies effortlessly.
Within minutes, broken trunks littered the forest floor.
But then—
The ground trembled.
A heavy, slow step echoed from deeper within.
A towering figure stepped forward.
Eight meters tall. Bark layered thick like natural armor. Veins of glowing sap pulsed across its body. Its eyes burned with ancient rage.
Behind it stood another wave of Treants.
“The Treant King,” Serena breathed.
“Step back,” Kaito said firmly.
Renna retreated a few paces. Serena moved beside him.
The Treant King raised its arms and roared, the sound echoing through the forest like thunder.
Kaito lifted his hand toward the sky.
“Meteor Fall.”
The air distorted above them. Clouds spiraled unnaturally fast, drawn into a swirling vortex. From within it, a massive meteor formed — blazing, crackling with destructive energy.
The Treant King sensed danger and roared again and pull out many root upward around his army to block the Meteor.
Kaito lowered his hand.
The meteor descended.
BOOOOOOM.
The impact shook the entire forest. Flames exploded outward in a violent shockwave. The Root and Treant army was instantly reduced to ash.
Smoke and embers filled the air.
But when it cleared—
The Treant King still stood.
Its bark armor was charred black, pieces falling off. Sap oozed like molten resin.
It roared in fury.
Suddenly, it thrust its left arm forward.
The ground cracked.
Dozens of massive roots burst from below, twisting and lunging toward Kaito like serpents.
“Frost Dominion.”
Serena’s voice rang clear.
A wave of absolute cold expanded from her body. The roots froze mid-motion. Frost spread rapidly, climbing up the Treant King’s body, encasing half of it in ice.
Renna’s eyes burned with crimson intensity.
She stepped forward.
The ground beneath her cracked, heat radiating outward.
“Solar Cataclysm — Crimson Dominion.”
She thrust her blade downward.
A massive crimson magic circle spread across the forest floor beneath the Treant King. The earth split open, glowing red-hot.
Then—
A ring of explosive crimson flame erupted upward in a violent pillar.
The fire engulfed the Treant King completely. The ice shattered from the heat, instantly turning to steam.
The pillar of flame shot high into the sky before collapsing inward.
When the light faded—
Only a blackened, hollow tree remained.
It crumbled.
Silence returned to the forest.
Renna exhaled slowly. Serena lowered her hand.
Kaito approached the remains and placed them into his Item Box.
“Well done,” he said calmly.
They returned to Kael, who was alert beside the carriage.
“I even felt that explosion from here,” Kael said.
“Quest complete,” Renna replied confidently.
The sun was already descending, painting the sky orange and pink.
“There’s a river nearby,” Serena said softly.
They moved the carriage closer to the water and began setting up camp.
Kaito raised his hand.
“Earth Wall.”
Stone rose from the ground, forming a protective barrier surrounding the camp and carriage.
Renna and Serena spread blankets inside the carriage while Kaito assembled the tent with Kael.
Soon, a campfire crackled warmly.
Kaito prepared Wolf Meat Grill over open flame, seasoning it carefully. Beside it, a pot of Fish Soup simmered gently, steam rising into the cool evening air.
The river flowed peacefully nearby, reflecting the fading sunlight.
Renna and Serena decided to bathe first.
Their laughter drifted lightly through the trees.
Kaito watched the fire quietly.
Kael sat beside him. “You’ve gotten stronger.”
“We all have,” Kaito replied.
When the girls returned, hair slightly damp and faces refreshed, Kaito and Kael took their turn washing their body in the river.
The water was cool and calming after battle.
When they returned, Serena and Renna had arranged the food neatly on wooden plates.
They sat on the log in a circle around the fire.
The meat was tender and smoky. The soup warm and comforting.
Serena looked at the river. “Moments like this… I like them.”
Renna nodded. “No fighting. Just quiet.”
Kaito stared at the fire.
“We earned this peace.”
For a while, none of them spoke. They simply listened to the wind and flowing water.
The stars gradually appeared overhead.
After finishing dinner, Kaito reinforced the Earth Wall slightly higher.
Renna and Serena climbed into the carriage together.
“Good night,” Serena said softly.
“Have a good dream,” Renna added.
Kaito smiled faintly. “Sleep well.”
He and Kael entered the tent.
Outside, the river continued its endless flow.
The forest, once filled with flames and destruction, now rested peacefully under the moonlight.
Another step in their journey was complete.
Tomorrow, they would return to Grainford.
But tonight—
They simply slept beneath the stars.
