Snow blanketed the rooftops of Astra Academy. Though the day was bitterly cold, the air buzzed with excitement.
Kael Phong, Lania Snowveil, and Draven Longfang stood in front of the Adventurers' Guild headquarters on the western edge of the city. Unlike usual, the place was packed. Adventurers from all ranks B to A, even S filled the area. The faint growls of summoned beasts echoed through a haze of mana. The tension was real, but so was the thrill.
Lania scanned the quest board. Her gaze suddenly stopped.
"This one…"
She quickly motioned to the others. On the board was a black paper lined with violet trim, a faint mist of dark mana curling from its edges. Bold crimson letters glowed at the center:
S-Rank Mission: Eliminate the Forbidden Dragon –
World-Rank Beast
The three stood frozen.
The reward for completing such a mission would be enough to buy a mansion in the outskirts, not to mention the chance of rare drops treasures powerful clans would kill for.
Kael clenched his fists. "It's dangerous, but…"
He glanced around. Too many high-rank adventurers. "If we follow along, we might learn from how they fight. And if we can help, maybe we'll earn a share of the reward."
Draven nodded. "Not reckless, but not cowardly either."
Lania smiled. "Then let's go."
The moment Kael, Lania, and Draven placed their hands on the S-rank mission seal, a loud mocking laugh echoed through the guild hall.
"Hahaha… A Rank D dares take on an S-rank mission? Don't tell me you'll be crying into a dragon's foot halfway through!"
A jeering voice came from a nearby group of adventurers. A young man with split golden hair and a blade-sharp face stood up. Two silver short swords were strapped to his back, his belt filled with mana vials and recovery tools.
"That's Louis the World-Rank Beast Hunter. Also known as the Silent Slayer. Ex-member of the Celestial Star unit."
The room went silent for a heartbeat, then laughter exploded. Mocking gazes turned toward the trio. The atmosphere shifted heavier now.
Lania furrowed her brows, about to retort, but Kael gently pulled her arm. He simply exhaled, expression oddly calm.
"No need to argue. He's not wrong."
Louis paused for a moment at Kael's reaction, then laughed again this time more amused than scornful. "At least you know your place."
Everyone here knew who Louis was. The man who once assassinated the tyrannical emperor of MilaEnod solo and made it back alive. His fame came not just from strength, but also from his cold precision, tactical brilliance, and uncanny ability to size up foes.
Kael glanced at Louis. For a brief moment, he saw no mockery in the man's eyes. It was something else... a test, perhaps.
Not long after, the official mission teams were announced. Only twenty adventurers were selected to form four core squads. Kael, Lania, and Draven weren't chosen, but they were granted permission to follow as "observers and support," with the condition that they wouldn't get in the way.
Destination: The Ancient Green Forest a sacred stretch of land called the "lungs of Elgradia." Towering canopies blotted out the sky. Once home to ancient spirits, it was now forbidden ground, feared even by seasoned adventurers.
After hours of intense preparation weapons, gear, mana tools, potions the expedition began.
At first, the journey was light-hearted. Adventurers chatted. Despite the mission's rank, most kept their spirits high.
But amidst them walked someone far too ordinary.
Some whispered with soft chuckles:
"A Rank D joining an S-Rank mission? Brave kid."
"Or stupid."
Still, none of it felt cruel just banter to lighten the tension.
Kael smiled, saying nothing. He wasn't upset. His mind was elsewhere: "Every step I take now brings me closer to the truth of strength."
Suddenly, someone from Louis's group turned and shouted,
"Hey kid! What's your name?"
"Kael Phong," he replied simply.
Silence.
Everyone stopped.
The one who asked blinked, voice quivering. "W-what? Did you just say… Kael Phong?"
"Yes." Still calm.
Whispers erupted.
"Isn't that the one who defeated the Lost Frost Dragon?"
"That dragon was World-Rank!"
"No way someone like him took it down…"
"Probably just bragging."
But Louis who had been leading suddenly halted. He gave Kael a long, deep look. No words, but that gaze held serious weight. Louis wasn't one to trust easily… but neither did he underestimate someone who had survived a battle with a World-Rank beast.
The group marched on.
Finally, they arrived.
The Ancient Green Forest unfolded like another world. Dense foliage formed living walls. Light struggled to pierce the canopy. Each step crunched through rotting leaves. The air was thick, wet, and oppressive.
Laughter stopped. Weapons drawn. No one joked now.
Louis stepped forward.
"Listen up."
His voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the silence.
"This forest is ten times deadlier than any regular zone. Stay sharp. We split into two teams. One sweeps the outskirts to clear low-level threats and scout terrain. The other heads straight to the core
where the Forbidden Dragon waits. When we regroup, we strike together."
He pointed at the map. Routes were marked with colored symbols.
Then Louis turned to Kael's trio. His eyes were knives.
"You three follow behind. Observe. Do not act alone. If things go bad, fall back."
Kael nodded. Lania and Draven readied their gear.
Louis raised his hand.
A circular magic array burst to life above. Light flashed. A creature descended:
Thunderfang Tiger King — Legendary Rank Beast.
A massive white tiger with blue-striped fur. Sparks danced from its paws. Its glowing emerald eyes blazed. Beneath it, an ancient enhancement circle glowed, etched with runes of power.
Kael held his breath not just at the tiger, but the array beneath it. The swirling runes, the structure it was an advanced enhancement system far beyond anything taught at the academy.
Soon, the other adventurers summoned their beasts.
Column after column of light rained down.
A Stormfang Direwolf. A Stonehide Behemoth. A Celestial Eyed Sylph. Each one radiated unique power. Each was a true weapon of war.
Kael summoned the Canon Turtle, the armored beast with twin cannons on its back. Draven summoned the Ancient Martial Titan, the giant clad in bone armor. Lania stepped behind, mana circling her hands, ready to support.
The formation took shape.
Frontline beasts and warriors led the way. Mages and archers took the middle. Scouts and support patrolled the flanks.
Every move was coordinated. Professional. Perfectly executed.
Kael thought to himself, "So this is what real combat looks like. Not those dry academy drills."
They moved into the forest.
At first, only Common and Rare-rank beasts appeared Poison Centipedes, Snake Fiends, Bat Demons. Thanks to the Canon Turtle, each wave was wiped out in one blast.
BOOM!
Entire pockets of monsters gone.
Louis chuckled.
"Bringing that turtle was a good call."
The team pushed deeper. But the air grew heavier. Denser mana. A clear sensation of being watched.
Stronger beasts emerged. A Bloodclaw Phantom Wolf. An Ironhorn Ghost Rhino. Distant roars trembled the forest signs of a Legendary beast nearby.
Still, under Louis's sharp command, the team kept formation and made steady progress toward the heart.
Lania whispered, "This... is just the beginning, isn't it?"
Kael nodded, eyes steady. "This mission… could change everything."
Inside their hearts wasn't just a desire to complete the quest but a burning need to prove themselves, to reach a higher plane, where strength is forged through blood and sheer will.
And deep within that forest…
The true monster awaited.
[End of Chapter 13]
Next Chapter 14: Ancient Terror — The Forbidden Dragon?! World-Rank Threat?!