In the Elf Dimension, when the World Tree was corrupted, mana didn't simply rot—it warped. Animals, spirits, and even fragments of ancient roots fused together, giving rise to entities the elves called "Kael'Thir," creatures born from the imbalance between life and decay. These creatures were classified into three levels, ancient names that carried more meaning than simple strength.
The first level was called "Leth'Vael," the Dead Wanderers. Smaller, fast beings made of dried flesh, exposed bones, and unstable mana. They didn't think. They only attacked anything alive, drawn by the flow of energy. The second level was known as "Syl'Morath," the Decayed Guardians. Ancient beasts, forest spirits, or magical animals that had resisted corruption for too long. They were larger, more resilient, capable of using combat instincts and releasing primitive bursts of mana.
And the third level was extremely rare, called "Eld'Rhaen," the Wills of Ruin. Creatures that retained partial consciousness, directly linked to the corrupted roots of the World Tree. These did not emerge without destroying entire regions.
[Do you really think about going through all this with brute force? That's something idiots like Kai or an orc would do.]
Enrico crossed the forest boundary at the exact moment dozens of Leth'Vael emerged from the ground. And at the same time they appeared, they didn't even have time to react.
'Maximum charged impulse.'
[Please don't tell me you turned into an idiot and answer me.]
A second impulse tore through the ground, the speed crushing the air around his body. The crimson carapace absorbed the impact of the first claws as if they were insects colliding with metal. One step, then another. Enrico's body became nothing but a red trail cutting through the forest like an arrow. This forest was considered one of the three largest in the Elf Dimension, sometimes called the second one, and even so he was already halfway through it in just ten seconds.
[Several groups of creatures are forming ahead, be careful—]
The first group was torn apart before it could even react, just like the previous creatures. A spinning kick ripped three creatures from the ground at the same time, their bodies dissolving into particles of rotten mana in the air. The arm covered by the carapace pierced through an entire cluster, bones and flesh exploding in a single straight line. There was no pause, no adjustment of stance.
'Interesting. My body is managing to withstand this enhanced charged impulse better. I thought only at circle seven.'
[So that's it, then. You're just testing these abilities. You should've said so earlier so I wouldn't get scared.]
The system might have been relieved, but it didn't change the fact that this was still a stupid thing to do in that forest—unless someone wanted to draw attention.
'I want the strongest ones.'
More Leth'Vael emerged among the roots, leaping from trees, sliding across the ground. None got close enough to attack twice. Each of Enrico's movements was faster, his body adapting to the absurd speed without losing control.
'The only problem with this ability is that it consumes a lot of mana, so in a way I was right to think I'll only be able to use it to the fullest at circle seven.'
[So you should use it in specific moments, right?]
'Yes, because if I try to maintain this speed while my mana is constantly draining, I won't be able to use many of my spells.'
His body was handling the speed well, both due to his trained physique and the crimson carapace increasing his resistance, speed, and strength. The forest behind him fell silent with so many creatures disappearing, and that was when the Syl'Morath took action.
'Finally.'
Huge beasts charged between the trees, bodies covered in petrified bark, eyes glowing with distorted mana. One of them opened its mouth toward him and released a wave of dark green energy that split several trunks in half. It didn't work, though, because Enrico simply ran through the wave.
[This crimson carapace magic of yours is incredible at increasing your resistance. Imagine when it covers your entire body.]
The crimson carapace absorbed part of the impact; the rest was ignored by his own momentum. He ran over a falling trunk, jumped, and came down with a mana-covered knee directly onto the creature's skull. The impact sank into the ground, cracking the earth across an entire area.
'This isn't a big deal, but I'm noticing my vision isn't keeping up at this speed.'
[What are you going to do now to remove that disadvantage?]
Enrico's vision blurred at times. Testing his enhanced magic here had been a good idea, since he could note some flaws.
'Crimson Eyes.'
[Good. I'm glad you didn't become an idiot.]
With his eyes now enhanced, it was as if a new world had appeared before him—everything slowed down. Another Syl'Morath tried to grab him from behind, but Enrico twisted his body in the air, his arm tracing a short arc. The blow wasn't explosive—it was dense. The creature was hurled through several trees, crushing everything in its path before breaking apart.
'I won't lie—if I didn't know myself, I'd call myself a freak like Victoria and Kai.'
[You can be proud, just don't be too arrogant, please.]
More emerged one after another as if they were being born nonstop, yet it continued to be nothing but a massacre. A stronger blow split one in half. A faster movement pierced another's chest before it could react. The mana around Enrico seemed to respond better, flowing with less resistance, as if the environment itself was being forced to keep up. The excited smile on his face undoubtedly frightened the lower-level creatures.
[It seems a strong creature doesn't like what you're doing.]
Roots surged up, trying to bind him, but he simply ran along the roots, using them as pathways, destroying the cores of corrupted creatures with direct, brutal impacts. Each step left craters; each leap crushed multiple creatures at once.
In less than four minutes, the forest ahead of him was clear. The remains of the Leth'Vael and Syl'Morath slowly dissolved, unable to sustain themselves without an active corrupted core. The ground steamed, broken trees marking the path he had carved through as a straight line of destruction.
"Really, huff… it's a good magic, but… huff."
The crimson carapace dissipated, and Enrico stopped right in front of the lake's entrance, a bit of exhaustion evident on his face. With a sigh, he looked at the devastation behind him. The rare creatures hadn't revealed themselves, so he was a little disappointed.
'If I look closely, I didn't manage to use any spells at that speed.'
[I noticed that too. You'll really only be able to use this magic to the fullest at the next circle.]
Wiping the sweat from his face, he saw two explosions in the distance. One was a slash that split the forest in half, and the other was literally a nuclear bomb made of fire, annihilating everything far away.
'So those two are the ones who came… well, I didn't expect it to be others.'
[You bunch of maniacs, you're destroying the entire forest.]
'It'll regenerate later, so relax. This forest won't die.'
In fact, the forest that was nearly dead seemed grateful, because because of this it would begin to regenerate back to its original form. But for it to truly return to normal, they would have to obtain this blessing.