The sun slowly set on the horizon, painting the sky with a spectrum of fiery oranges and soft pinks. The warm evening light touched my body, reflecting the dancing shadows beside me. I walked slowly, following that golden trail, as if it were the only guide I had.
Is this what they call a journey? I thought. I don't know where I'm going or how long it will take. All I know is I have to keep moving forward. I can't stay here, in this desolate place where even monsters are reluctant to linger.
A cool breeze whispered in my ears, carrying the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves—an aroma that somehow felt both so alien and so comforting. The sky gradually shifted from vibrant orange to tender pink, signaling the end of the day and the beginning of a new uncertainty.
In this silence, I reflected. This journey will be very long. I have to keep growing and adapting. Whatever battles await me, I must be ready. Because in this world, only the strongest can survive.
Awoooo…
Under the gentle glow of the full moon, the silence of the night was broken by the long, mournful howling of wolves, echoing like a lament from the depths of the quiet forest.
I didn't realize it was already night. Along the way, no monsters appeared, unlike the lizard I killed earlier. This abandoned land is exactly that—abandoned—and even monsters are reluctant to live here. Perhaps only Dagruel and his followers are willing to stay in this place, as expected from the loyal servants of Veldanava.
Ah, whatever.
Speaking of which…
Where are you, monsters?! Come out!
Rustle… Rustle…
A rustling sound came from the bushes.
Is this what they call food appearing when you're hungry?
Let me check.
In the shadows of the thick bushes, a giant snake monster lurked silently, its gleaming eyes piercing the darkness. Its massive, scaled body was coiled tightly, blending seamlessly with the surrounding foliage, waiting patiently for its next prey. The air was thick with tension as the creature's forked tongue flicked out, sensing the faintest movements nearby, ready to strike with deadly precision under the cover of night.
Woah… It's big, maybe 5 meters or less.
Hopefully, this snake doesn't possess any strange or unusual abilities.
Can this snake sense me?
Of course. Most snakes can sense you through their keen senses, such as smell, vibrations, and heat detection, allowing them to perceive your presence nearby even if they are hiding in the bushes. Since this is a fantasy world, I must be careful.
I'll try what I did to the lizard monster. It seems I have an extra skill: Mind Manipulation. If successful, it will be very easy to find other monsters based on this snake's perception.
Maybe my aura is too strong for the weak monsters around me, causing them to become afraid.
Spectral Howl
Humming
Suddenly, the snake was momentarily stunned.
Now's my chance!
MIND MANIPULATION!
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a ten-pointed star mark appeared on the snake's forehead.
I feel a certain connection with this snake. This skill is quite practical, but it consumes a lot of magicules—though it's worth it. Hmm, it turns out this snake is just an ordinary mutated snake; no wonder it was so easy to manipulate.
Alright, alright, now let's go find another monster…