Jeanne and Ichirou moved carefully through the Holy Forest, sunlight filtering through towering trees as if the light itself had been purified. The air felt lighter here—calm, warm, safe.
Then they heard it.
A soft, lilting melody drifted between the trees, gentle and playful, like the forest was humming along.
They pushed aside the bushes.
Floating just ahead of them was a small fairy with short green hair, pointed ears, bright green eyes, delicate green wings, and a leaf-patterned green leotard. She twirled in the air as she sang, completely at ease in her surroundings.
[Insert image of Leaf]
Ichirou stopped.
'There she is.'
Jeanne glanced at him, then back at the fairy. "I'm guessing… that's the fairy Player Master told us about."
Ichirou nodded quietly. "Let's investigate."
They stepped forward, the sound of crunching leaves finally catching the fairy's attention.
She stopped mid-song and turned.
Her eyes landed on Ichirou first.
Then Jeanne.
For just a split second, something flickered across her face—surprise, confusion… almost disbelief—when she saw the female knight. But it vanished instantly, replaced by a bright, playful smile.
"Fufufu~" she giggled, spinning once in the air, her flirty tone slipping naturally into place. "You two must be pretty bewildered by one surprise after another, right?"
Ichirou gave a small nod. "Yes. It's been… quite the experience."
"Don't worry," the fairy said cheerfully. "This is the Holy Forest. It's protected by a holy barrier—no demon beasts, no corruption. You can relax here."
She floated a little closer, hands behind her back, examining them openly now. "My name's Leaf. What about you two?"
"Ichirou," he replied simply.
Jeanne smiled politely. "Jeanne."
"Ichirou and Jeanne…" Leaf repeated softly, as if tasting the names. "Those are nice names."
"The pleasure's ours," Jeanne said.
Leaf's smile lingered—but her gaze lingered too long on Jeanne. There was something in her eyes now, subtle but sharp, as if she were looking at something that didn't match what she should be seeing.
'She should be alive', Leaf thought.
But she said nothing.
"Yes," Leaf replied aloud. "The pleasure's mine."
After a moment, she tilted her head. "You two are heading toward the Lost Empire, aren't you?"
Both of them nodded.
"Hihi~" Leaf clasped her hands together. "Then let me help you."
Jeanne blinked. "Help us… how?"
Leaf drifted higher, circling them slowly. "I know the paths that don't appear on maps. I know where the mist thickens, and where it lies. I can tell when the forest itself is lying to you."
Her eyes flicked briefly to Ichirou—just long enough for him to notice.
"And," she added lightly, "I can see things others can't."
Ichirou narrowed his eyes slightly. "Such as?"
Leaf leaned closer, her voice lowering just a bit. "Souls. Threads. Things that exist… and things that shouldn't."
Jeanne stiffened.
Ichirou, however, didn't flinch.
So she sees it too.
Jeanne looked between them. "What do you mean by that?"
Leaf laughed, waving her hand. "Ah~ don't worry! I'm not dangerous. If I were, Player Master wouldn't have told you to find me."
That name made Jeanne relax—just a little.
Leaf landed gently on a branch nearby. "Think of me as a guide. Or a companion. Or maybe…" she smiled again, softer this time, "someone who makes sure you don't walk into a bad ending too early."
Jeanne frowned. "You speak like this is all some kind of game."
Leaf didn't deny it.
Instead, she looked straight at Ichirou.
"Some of us remember things we were never meant to," she said quietly. "That's why I exist."
The forest rustled, leaves swaying though there was no wind.
Ichirou finally spoke. "Then come with us."
Leaf's eyes widened slightly—then curved into a genuine smile.
"Fufufu~ I was hoping you'd say that."
She fluttered down between them. "Very well. From here on out, I'll be your fairy."
Jeanne studied her carefully. "You're… strange."
Leaf giggled. "I get that a lot."
Ichirou looked ahead, deeper into the forest, where the mist waited beyond the barrier.
The fairy who shouldn't exist…
Things were already moving faster than they should.
And for the first time, even he didn't know exactly where the story was going next.
Ichirou looked at the two of them. "We should go back to Player Master first."
Leaf tilted her head but didn't argue. Jeanne simply nodded.
They retraced their steps and soon returned to the small settlement hidden within the Holy Forest. It felt less like a village and more like a resting point—paths converging, souls lingering, a place meant to prepare rather than live.
Player Master was already there, waiting as if he knew they would return.
Ichirou stepped forward and exchanged the souls he had gathered. The familiar game-like sensation washed over him as his body adjusted—strength settling into his muscles, instincts sharpening, new skills embedding themselves into his mind.
Jeanne watched quietly. She didn't fully understand what was happening, but she could tell something fundamental about Ichirou was changing.
Once finished, Player Master gave a small nod, clearly satisfied, and said nothing more.
They moved on.
Down a set of stone stairs beneath the settlement, the heat hit them first.
An orc stood behind an anvil, massive arms crossed, tusked face scarred and unimpressed. Weapons and half-forged gear lined the walls.
The orc looked up. "You, who?" he grunted. "Want weapon strong? Then give ore. I make strong."
Jeanne stepped forward and handed over her spear. The orc inspected it briefly, grunted once, and set it aside without comment.
Ichirou then placed Drake Sword on the table.
The orc's eyes narrowed.
He picked one up, testing the weight, running a thick finger along the blade. "Strong," he said. Then he shook his head. "Material to make stronger… not have."
Ichirou frowned slightly. "What kind of material?"
The orc tapped the blade. "Dragon weapon already good. But if want better—need rare ore. Mist-touched. Or demon beast core. Maybe Lost Empire have."
Leaf floated closer, arms behind her back. "Told you~ the Lost Empire is dangerous, but useful."
Jeanne tightened her grip on her spear. "So we can't improve it yet."
"Yet," the orc corrected, placing the swords back down. "Come back alive. Then I help."
Ichirou picked up his swords, nodding. "That's enough."
As they turned to leave, Jeanne glanced at Ichirou. "You seem… calm about all this."
He looked ahead. "Because this place gives us time."
Time to prepare.
Time to grow stronger.
Time to understand the mist—and what it was slowly trying to swallow.
Even so, he knew one thing for certain.
"This forest," Ichirou said quietly, "we can use it to rest, recover, get stronger… and learn more about the mist."
Jeanne looked at him, then nodded.
And somewhere above them, the Holy Forest rustled softly, as if listening.
They left the blacksmith's place.
Ichirou glanced at Jeanne. "Jeanne, can you grab some supplies?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"Travel rations. Rope. And one piece of candy."
Jeanne paused. "Candy?"
Ichirou met her eyes. "Don't think about it."
She hesitated, then walked off, leaving only Ichirou and Leaf behind.
The moment Jeanne was out of sight, Ichirou spoke.
"You can stop acting."
Leaf blinked. "What do you mean by that?"
"You know exactly what I mean, Mary Sue."
Leaf stared at him.
'He shouldn't know. Not yet. This story was for him. I made this world for him. He was never meant to see behind it. How… how… how…'
Her wings trembled for a split second before she forced them still.
She laughed softly, light and playful. "You really say strange things, Ichirou."
Ichirou didn't react. He watched her like someone watching a loaded trap.
'She's panicking,' he thought. 'Good.'
Leaf floated back a little, putting space between them. "I don't know what you think I am, but I'm just a fairy who wants to help."
"Lies," Ichirou said. Not sharp. Not loud. Just certain.
Leaf's smile tightened. 'He's not supposed to be like this. He was meant to struggle. To rely on me.'
She tilted her head. "If you know so much, why not finish it? Why not expose everything?"
Ichirou shook his head. "Because it's not time. And because Jeanne doesn't deserve to be dragged into your game."
Leaf flinched at Jeanne's name.
'So that's it. That's the anchor.'
Footsteps approached from the path.
Leaf felt it before she heard her.
Jeanne returned, holding a small pack and a wrapped piece of candy. "I got everything you asked for."
Ichirou turned to her, his expression unchanged. "Good."
Leaf's smile returned, softer now, almost careful.
'For now,' she thought. 'I'll play along.'
And for the first time since this world began, Leaf felt fear.
They stepped out of the Holy Forest and into the Forest of Abandoned.
The air changed at once. The light dimmed. Dead trees twisted toward the sky, their branches sharp like broken bones. The ground was soft with rot, and the silence felt heavy.
Enemies came fast.
Shadows rushed them from between the trees—feral beasts and broken soldiers. Ichirou moved first. His blades cut clean, calm and exact. Jeanne followed, her spear flashing as she kept close to him. Leaf hovered above, watching more than fighting.
One enemy lunged too close.
Its claw hooked under Ichirou's helmet strap and tore it free as it fell.
The helmet hit the ground with a dull thud.
Ichirou froze for half a second.
Jeanne turned—and blushed again the moment she saw his face. White hair framed sharp features, and his red eyes glowed faintly in the dark forest.
"I—" she stopped herself and looked away, embarrassed.
Leaf stared at him, wide-eyed. Then she smiled, slow and honest. "You are very pretty."
Ichirou didn't reply. He picked up his helmet and slid it back on, locking it in place.
Leaf gasped. "Nooo, take it off."
Ichirou glanced at her. "No."
She puffed her cheeks. "That's unfair. You can't just hide that."
Jeanne cleared her throat and adjusted her grip on the spear. "We should keep moving. This forest isn't safe."
Ichirou nodded. "Agreed."
As they walked deeper into the Forest of Abandoned, Leaf floated beside him, clearly annoyed.
'So that's what he looks like,' she thought. 'Interesting… very interesting.'
They stepped deeper into the Forest of Abandoned. The trees grew twisted and dead. Rot squelched under their boots. Leaf floated close to Ichirou while Jeanne kept her spear ready.
A faint voice drifted from behind a broken fence.
"Those damn fairies… tearing off my leaves again…"
Ichirou led the way. They found a large flower growing from the ground. It had a face in the center and looked annoyed.
The Talking Flower sighed loudly. "You there. You look mobile. Those fairies keep pranking me. They ripped off sixteen leaves today! Take this Anti-Fairy spray and punish them for me."
It tossed a small bottle toward Ichirou. He caught it.
"Thanks," he said.
The flower grumbled. "And if you have five thousand souls, I can make you a Herb Flask. Useful for healing on the road."
Ichirou checked his souls and handed some over. The flower absorbed them and gave him a sturdy flask filled with green liquid.
Jeanne watched the exchange with a small frown. "A talking flower… This forest really is strange."
Leaf giggled. "See? Even the plants complain about us fairies."
They continued north. The path opened to a small clearing with a red bench. A knight in full green armor sat there, relaxed. He looked strong and confident.
Jeanne's grip tightened on her spear the moment she saw him.
"That armor…" she whispered. "Green. Just like Mi'raj described."
Ichirou nodded once. He remembered the rabbit-man's warning.
The green knight noticed them and stood up with a friendly wave.
"Well met, travelers," he said smoothly. "I am Adaman, Tortoise Knight. What brings you to this forsaken place?"
Jeanne stepped forward, voice firm. "We freed a rabbit knight named L-Mi'raj from the cells at Fort Ivern. He told us someone in green armor betrayed him and left him to die."
Adaman paused. Then he laughed lightly, as if it were nothing serious.
"Ah, that hare. Always so dramatic. We had a disagreement, that's all. He wanted to run ahead. I preferred to take things slow and safe. In the end, I simply continued on my own path."
Jeanne's eyes narrowed. "He called you a killer who enjoys it."
Adaman shrugged, his voice still calm and silver-tongued. "In this world, we all kill to survive. I simply do it better than most. But I bear no grudge against you. Perhaps we can travel together? Strength in numbers, after all."
Ichirou stayed quiet. He watched Adaman carefully. 'He's smooth. Too smooth.'
Leaf floated near Ichirou's ear and whispered, "I don't like him. He smells like bad endings."
Jeanne didn't relax. "We'll manage on our own," she said coldly. "Stay away from us."
Adaman smiled, unfazed. "As you wish. But if you change your mind, I'll be around. Good luck in the mist."
He sat back down on the bench as if nothing had happened.
Jeanne turned away quickly. "We should keep moving. I don't trust him."
Ichirou nodded. "Agreed. Let's go."
They left Adaman behind. As they walked deeper into the forest, Jeanne stayed closer to Ichirou than before. Leaf kept glancing back with a suspicious frown.
The weight of the mist grew heavier.
They pushed through the Forest of Abandoned. The mist grew thicker. Twisted trees gave way to a small clearing. A surprisingly neat house stood there, its walls covered in candy-like decorations that looked too sweet for this rotten place.
Ichirou stopped at the entrance. "Listen carefully," he said quietly to Jeanne. "Do not pick up any items you see on the ground. No breadcrumbs. No candy lying around. Nothing."
Jeanne frowned. "Why?"
"Because bad things happen if you do," Ichirou replied. His red eyes were serious under the helmet. "Just trust me on this."
Leaf floated beside him and nodded. "He's right. Some traps here aren't worth springing."
Jeanne looked between them, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I won't touch anything."
They stepped inside.
The ground floor felt warm but off. Two small children sat at a table. A boy and a girl. They looked tired and hungry.
The boy looked up first. "Hello, mister… Do you have any candy?"
The girl stayed quiet, watching them with big eyes.
Ichirou reached into his pack and pulled out the single piece of candy he had asked Jeanne to buy earlier. He handed it to the boy.
"Here," he said. "Share it."
The children's faces lit up. They thanked him quietly and started eating.
Jeanne watched the scene with soft eyes. "They're just kids…"
Leaf hovered silently, her usual playful smile gone.
Ichirou led them upstairs. The second floor was dimmer. Books and strange ingredients lined the shelves. In the center of the room stood a young woman with long hair and a witch's hat. She looked powerful and a little bored.
Witch Dorothy turned toward them. "Hm…? Another visitor? I'm busy. Make it brief."
Ichirou stepped forward. "I want to become your pupil."
Dorothy raised an eyebrow. She looked him over, then glanced at Jeanne and Leaf. "Your magic is decent enough. Fine. But training won't be easy. Come back when you're ready for real work."
She gave a small nod toward the stairs. "And don't cause trouble with the kids downstairs."
Ichirou didn't push further. "Understood."
They headed back down. The children were still eating the candy, looking a little happier.
Outside the house, a man named Wilt stood near the path. He offered them a quick deal for medicine but didn't push when they declined.
As they left the Witch's House behind, the mist seemed to press closer.
Jeanne glanced back at the building. "Those children… and that witch. This place feels wrong."
"It is," Ichirou said quietly. "But we'll come back stronger."
Leaf floated closer to him, her voice low. "You really do know too much."
Ichirou didn't answer. He just kept walking.
To be continued.
Hope people like this Ch and Give me power stones