Crimson Moon Forest I

I shouldn’t have entered this forest. Yuna thought to herself as she looked around. Dusk had fallen, and all she could see were towering trees. A part of her regretted stepping into the forest, though deep down she knew it had been the best option she had.

That morning, Yuna had been traveling with her group, riding in a caravan of horse-drawn carriages on their way to the city of Mantira. The road they took ran just west of the Crimson Moon Forest.

Everyone knew the Crimson Moon Forest was forbidden — home to monsters, demons, and gods. At least, that's what people said. It was rumored that anyone who entered the forest would never return.

As the caravan passed the forest’s edge, their journey came to a sudden halt. A massive tree had fallen and was blocking the road. The guards quickly took position. There were twelve guards in the group. They dismounted and formed a circular formation.

"You all know what to do. Sword and shield users, take the front. Magic users, cover from behind!" shouted one of the guards, drawing his sword.

"And you — be ready for the worst," he added, pointing at the coachman.

The guards knew the road wasn’t safe. The nearest town was about half a day’s journey away — a perfect spot for bandits to strike.

From the beginning, the guards had grouped the passengers into a single carriage and loaded their belongings into another, just in case the worst happened.

Yuna wasn’t with the other passengers. She had gotten down and joined the magic users in formation.

“This is our duty, Miss. You can ride with the others.”

“I know a bit of magic,” Yuna replied.

If you lose, that carriage will head back to the last town. I’ll be late to Mantira. You’ll be responsible if I miss my registration.

Five minutes passed. Then ten. Nothing happened.

“Maybe it’s just a fallen tree,” said one of the guards as he sheathed his sword.

“Or maybe they knew they couldn’t take us,” he added with a laugh. He walked toward the tree trunk to inspect it.

As the guard neared the tree, an arrow suddenly flew out from behind it and struck his chest. He collapsed instantly.

Simultaneously, dozens of arrows shot out from the bushes. The magic users summoned protective barriers. Most of the arrows bounced off, but a few pierced through, injuring four guards.

Yuna began casting magic. A green magic circle formed beneath her feet and expanded until it reached a six-meter radius.

Damn. This is the best I can manage.

The guards’ wounds began to heal, and they stood back up. More arrows came, but this time they were ready. They raised their shields and swords to defend themselves.

“Magic users are such a pain,” said a burly man who appeared suddenly, standing atop the fallen tree. He was followed by more — dozens of bandits emerging from all directions, surrounding Yuna’s group.

The burly man raised his hand. A fireball formed above his palm and grew larger.

“Get ready!” the head guard strengthened his shield with magic. The others followed. They knew the enemy’s spell could do serious damage. But with focused defense, they might withstand it.

Suddenly, many guards dropped to the ground. More arrows shot out from the bushes, hitting them from behind. They had been too focused and hadn’t noticed more bandits hiding in the undergrowth.

Almost all the guards were down. Only the leader and one other remained standing. Yuna tried to heal them, but it was useless. Too many were injured, and arrows were still raining down.

“Run, Miss,” said the guard behind Yuna. His body was riddled with arrows. Yuna, realizing he had shielded her, tried to heal him — but it was too late.

“You won’t win. Your friends were defeated before I even used my spell,” the bandit leader said.

“This group was too weak for prey. Right, Dani?” the leader added, dismissing his fireball as it shrank and vanished.

“Don’t get careless, Beri,” said a thin man who emerged from behind the tree and stood next to the leader, Beri.

“You’re being too cautious. Didn’t you say they were just Obsidian-ranked adventurers?”

“I want to try this one,” Beri said, drawing his sword. He walked toward the two remaining guards. They gripped their swords tightly, ready for a duel.

The clash of arrows and spells turned into sword fights — one-on-one. The guard leader signaled to his remaining comrade not to intervene.

“We’ll likely lose. I’ll draw his attention. Your job is to make sure the passengers escape safely.”

“I’ll follow you to the afterlife once they’re safe, Gurin.”

Do they really have time for this conversation now? Yuna thought.

Beri approached and launched the first strike. Blades clashed. Gurin could see his movements — blocking and dodging wasn’t difficult.

Their duel seemed one-sided. Beri kept attacking while Gurin only defended, waiting for an opening. He wanted to conserve his strength. Even if he won, many enemies remained.

Beri swung toward Gurin’s head — too forcefully. Gurin dodged, and his chance came. Beri’s left side was wide open. Gurin struck with his sword.

“For an Obsidian adventurer, you're pretty good,” Beri said as he leapt back. Gurin’s attack hadn’t landed.

Gurin didn’t understand. From what he saw, it should have been a clean hit — no way to dodge or block. Yet when he swung, it was like slicing air. His sword hadn’t even reached Beri.

“Let’s end this,” Beri said, advancing again.

He swung at Gurin’s left. Gurin raised his sword to block, but just before their blades met, Gurin felt pain in his chest. A slash tore through his armor and pierced his body. He fell. Then he understood.

Looking behind, Gurin saw the passenger carriage was gone.

At least they got away, he thought before closing his eyes.

After seeing the passenger carriage escape, the last standing guard charged at Beri. But before he got close, pain surged through his chest and stomach. Two arrows struck him down. He never saw where they came from.

“At least they died peacefully,” Dani said as he approached Beri.

“Looks like the girl is the only one left who can still fight.”

Yuna was still standing. Behind her, the passenger carriage had not yet escaped. Throughout the battle, Yuna noticed something strange — the guards hadn’t really been protecting the passengers. They fought, yes, but often their swords swung at empty air.

She didn’t understand what was truly going on.

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