Kael's steps halted for a moment as the evening sunlight broke through the gaps between the trees. Before him, the forest stretched like an endless sea of green. The songs of birds mingled with the whisper of the wind, painting a serene scene—yet, for some reason, his chest was filled with unease.
Since leaving the village that morning, Kael had been unable to shake a strange feeling—as though unseen eyes were constantly watching him. He had felt this once before, the very moment he first encountered that mysterious man. And now, the feeling had returned… stronger than ever.
"He… is here," Kael murmured softly, his gaze sweeping across every corner of the forest.
Dry leaves crackled beneath his feet as he stepped deeper inside. The shadows of the trees seemed to shift, as if following his every move. The farther he ventured, the clearer the presence became.
Suddenly, the snap of a branch echoed behind him. Kael spun around quickly, but all he saw was the still, quiet forest. His heart pounded violently, yet something within him—a strange mix of fear and curiosity—kept him from running.
"I know you're out there," he called firmly, though his clenched fists trembled despite his resolve.
Silence. Only the wind answered.
Then, a moment later, it appeared—a fleeting silhouette between the trees. Just like the first time they met. A man with a cold, unyielding gaze, standing motionless as though testing Kael's courage.
"Why… do you always appear?" Kael whispered, half to himself.
The shadow gave no reply. Yet its very presence was enough to affirm one thing: Kael was not walking this path alone.
Kael stared at the figure, his breathing growing heavier. The mysterious man did not move, only stood behind the shadow of the trees, as if he were part of the forest itself.
"If you're only trying to scare me, you've failed," Kael said in a defiant tone, though cold sweat dripped down his temple.
For the first time, the man stepped out of the darkness. His face was clear—cold, full of secrets. His eyes were sharp, as though they could pierce into Kael's thoughts.
"At last… you dare to speak," his voice was deep, calm, and terrifying all at once.
Kael swallowed hard. "Who are you really? Why do you keep following me?"
The man did not answer immediately. He only observed Kael, as if assessing something. After several moments of silence, he spoke softly:
"Your journey has only just begun. But the path you've chosen… does not come without a price."
Kael frowned. The words left him both confused and uneasy. "What do you mean? What price?"
The man shifted his gaze toward the forest, as though something greater awaited within. "The time will come when you must choose—whether to remain as you are now, or to become something you never imagined."
Before Kael could ask further, a low growl echoed from deep within the forest. The leaves trembled, and heavy footsteps drew closer. Kael's eyes widened, his instincts on high alert.
"Monster…" he whispered.
The mysterious man stepped back, leaving Kael to face the sound alone. "This is your first trial," he said coldly. "Prove that you are worthy to walk further."
Kael's heart pounded furiously. From behind the bushes, a pair of glowing red eyes stared at him—the beast slowly emerged from the darkness.
Kael gripped the wooden staff he carried tightly. Though his body trembled, he knew one thing: retreat was not an option.
The monster emerged fully from the bushes. Its body was massive, covered in thick black fur, with long fangs dripping with saliva. Its growl rumbled so deep that the ground beneath Kael's feet seemed to tremble.
Kael swallowed hard, trying to calm himself. "Steady, Kael… this is just a trial," he muttered. Yet his eyes could not look away from that savage crimson glare.
The monster roared, then leapt toward Kael. Reflexively, Kael rolled to the side, feeling the sharp rush of air from claws that nearly tore him apart. He sprang back to his feet, clutching the fragile wooden staff tightly.
If I slip even for a moment, I'll die here.
Kael spun his staff and struck the side of the monster's head. A sharp crack! rang out, but the creature only staggered slightly before roaring even louder. The blow wasn't enough.
The mysterious man still stood a few steps behind, unmoving. He simply watched with a cold expression, as though judging whether Kael would endure or be destroyed.
"ARE YOU JUST GOING TO WATCH?!" Kael shouted in desperation.
No answer came.
The monster lunged again, faster this time. Kael barely dodged, the beast's claws tearing through his sleeve and leaving a burning gash on his arm. Fresh blood dripped down, making his breath ragged.
But just as the creature swung again, Kael surged forward with a fierce cry, driving his staff into the beast's open maw. The wooden shaft splintered, but it was enough to make the monster howl in pain.
Seizing the moment, Kael grabbed a heavy stone from the ground and slammed it down on the monster's head. Once. Twice. Until the beast staggered, then collapsed to the earth with a heavy thud, unmoving.
Kael gasped for breath, his body trembling with adrenaline and the pain searing through his arm.
The mysterious man finally spoke, his voice flat:
"Not bad… but this is only the beginning."
Kael glared at him, anger and curiosity burning in his eyes. "If you know everything… then tell me! Who are you really? And why must I go through all of this?!"
The man only turned away, stepping into the darkness of the forest. "Follow me, if you want answers."
Kael glanced at the monster's lifeless body, then back at the mysterious figure fading into the trees. Though his heart was filled with questions, he knew one thing—this journey had only just begun, and there was no turning back.
Kael's steps were heavy as he followed the mysterious man. His left arm was still bleeding, though he had torn part of his clothing to wrap the wound. His breath came in ragged gasps, yet his eyes never left the figure ahead of him.
The man walked as if indifferent, his stride calm, light, and full of certainty, as though this dark forest was nothing more than his own front yard.
At last, they arrived at a small clearing in the woods. A campfire was already burning—though Kael was certain no one had lit it moments before.
"Sit," the man said curtly.
Kael obeyed, though his gaze was filled with suspicion. The firelight illuminated the mysterious man's face, revealing long black hair that partly veiled his features. His eyes were sharp, as though piercing straight into Kael's thoughts.
"Who are you really?" Kael asked, his voice trembling with both emotion and pain.
The man stared at him for a long moment before speaking softly:
"People call me… Ashen."
The name echoed strangely in Kael's ears, as if carrying the weight of an old past.
"Ashen?" Kael repeated. "Why have you been following me since the beginning? Why was I the one who had to fight? I nearly died back there!"
Ashen did not answer immediately. He picked up a stick, pressed it into the fire, then stared into the flames. "Because you were chosen, Kael. What happened today is only the beginning. This world is far more dangerous than you can imagine."
Kael clenched his fists. "Chosen? I don't even understand what's happening! I only wanted to see the world… not be trapped in all of this!"
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on Ashen's face, but it was not a warm smile—more like one that held knowledge Kael could not yet grasp.
"Your desire to see the world… that is what brought you here. And from this night on, you will never again be an ordinary person."
Kael fell silent, his heart pounding fast. Ashen's words weighed heavily upon him, pressing against his chest like an invisible burden.
In the distance, a long howl rose, trembling through the air. The forest once more seemed alive with whispered threats.
Ashen stood, his gaze fixed on the direction of the sound. "Rest for a while, Kael. Tomorrow, you will begin to understand why it all started with you."
The campfire crackled, casting its glow upon Kael's eyes—eyes filled with confusion, fear, and yet… a glimmer of hope.